Murch Development Team

MDT Meeting Minutes; October 3, 2006

In attendance:  Principal Carolyne Albert-Garvey; Assistant Principal Marcia Jackson; Teacher Representatives Nancy Martell-Stevenson, Vicki Otten (Co-chair), and Natalie Stapert (WTO); Administration Representative Erna Marcus; Parent Representatives Amanda Broun (Co-chair), Susan Banta, Pam Joos, Linda Singer; and Community Representative Brenda Smith.

Security.   After Principal Albert-Garvey’s open, she provided a brief summary of actions already taken to begin addressing the issue:  DCPS Security and DC Police responded after the incident of the 28th; a security audit has been completed; a second security guard has been assigned to Murch for the Kaufman wing; locks and doors have been checked and repaired where needed; and there have been meetings with teachers and staff about coming policy changes regarding security. 

Principal Albert-Garvey expressed her deep commitment to providing a safe environment at all times for students, teachers and staff and opened a group discussion on an appropriate Visitors Policy by reviewing the current policy as stated in the Parent Handbook.

It was agreed that it is the policy of the school to encourage visits by parents and other Murch community members, and that the visitors policy should not preclude or discourage this in anyway.  At the same time, it was agreed that all stakeholders in the school had an interest and responsibility in ensuring the safety of everyone in the school.

Consensus policy recommendations included the need to enforce the policy that all visitors are to sign-in, wear badges and upon completion of their visit sign-out and return badges.  Necessary actions to implement the policy include:  communicate to parents; train guards to be more proactive in prompting visitors to sign-in; and purchase more badges.  In addition, it was agreed that visitors should be allowed to go to the HSA table or to the Nurses’ office upon receiving a badge, but may not otherwise walk through the building;  rather, parents wishing to visit classrooms should arrange to do so in advance.  Teachers and staff should notify the guard in writing of planned arrivals.  In the absence of such written notification, visitors should be directed to the office.  Office staff will deliver forgotten items to students or will page students to retrieve them from the office. 

When the guard is on a walk-through or otherwise not at the security desk, s/he should place the arrow placard in the hall directing visitors to the office, inform the office, and give office staff the sign-in book.   Parents and teachers also need to be trained about closing and securing doors; to inform office if not closed or locked.  In addition, it was agreed that the school needs better signs identifying where visitors should go when arriving at the school.  Finally, it was agreed that students should also be trained to inform teachers or staff if they see an adult without a proper badge, both in a school-wide assembly and by asking parents to reinforce this message at home.

Details of consensus visitors policy recommendations are attached in the Murch Visitors Policy.

Reconciliation.  Amanda raised the need to report to parents about the decision reached in the September 27th meeting that a technology coordinator will replace the enrichment teacher position in this year’s school budget, and agreed to draft a letter for the listserv and newsletter.  Principal Albert-Garvey reported that as a result of her budget reconciliation meeting downtown the school got a bit more money per pupil (and the cost of a technology coordinator is a bit less than an enrichment teacher), so she added more time for substitute teachers to allow for the Writer’s Workshop training time; and more money for computers for teachers. 

Regarding the unmet need for second language training, Principal Albert-Garvey reported that Cinzia Roveta, a Murch parent, has instructors lined-up for Italian, French Spanish programs after school if there is enough interest.  Free and reduced lunch students will be able to apply for no-fee participation through the office staff, and a notice would go out to parents by the end of the week.

Technology Coordinator job description.  Asst. Principal Jackson passed out several technology coordinator job descriptions found on the web for review.  It was agreed that the ideal technology coordinator would provide instructional support and guidance for the integration of technology into classrooms; get all computers and software up and running; coordinate a technology-related training program for teachers; and have an E-15 teaching credential to work directly with students.  Everyone agreed to review the materials Asst. Principal Jackson provided and email their recommendations for the job description to her directly in the coming week.  

Follow-up tasks.  Amanda agreed to communicate about the technology coordinator with parents through a note in the newsletter and on the listserv; Susan agreed to draft the visitors policy; and Asst. Principal Jackson agreed to draft the technology coordinator job description based on forthcoming recommendations from the group via email.

Adjournment.  The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.

Signed
S. Banta
10/3/06