• N/A

• Beginning of School Year
  • Today was Day 2 of school
  • 5 days of PD that ended with Meet Your Teacher event
  • Began framing the work that'll be done this year
    • Jessica and Molly led presentation outlining changes and instructional priorities
  • Document submissions were helpful in determining the direction the school needs to go (examined annual reports, accountability plans, charter, etc.)
    • Ex: In past years, when instructional priorities have been identified they've come from top down
  • Changes for SY24-25
    • Extended time on learning, student seminar class (incorporating skills on executive functioning, technology, studying skills), reimagined enrichment (expanded to 5 days/week, now optional), shortened recess, personalized learning programs
      • General focus on personal instruction, something that's cited numerous times in MCCPS' original charter
• Enrollment
  • Currently 193 but likely to shake out to 191 by next week (up from 172 at beginning of SY23-24)
    • Stephanie mentioned that several parents from out of district had to send students elsewhere because of transportation 
      • MCCPS, as a district, is unable to facilitate transportation for out-of-district families per state rules
• Other Updates
  • MCCPS selected (one of 30 schools) by the TNTP (The New Teacher Project) as part of 3-5 year initiative, sponsored by DESE to help MCCPS leadership team move the school forward via high-leverage instructional priorities
    • Visits happening 9/19-9/20, TNTP will afterwards provide instructional ideas and provide coaching on how to implement instructional changes
    • Will also include monthly meetings on instructional priorities/focus areas (which include standards-aligned assessments and aligning project based learning to grade level standards) 
    • Note: TNTP is a national organization, and this is part of their LAN (Learning Acceleration Network)
• This & Coming Weeks
  • Character Strong begins this week
  • iReady testing begins soon
    • This work will inform groups for PALS program
  • Enrichment begins 9/16
• Staffing
  • Currently seeking 6th grade inclusion teacher
    • Jess X certified to handle this in the immediate term, and 2 interviews are scheduled for this week
  • Currently have an open ESL position
    • Approx. 15 English language learners at MCCPS
• Miscellaneous 
  • DESE site visit scheduled for 11/1 as part of Charter renewal, and they'll also likely ask for virtual interviews with BOT members 
  • After school care: 25 families enrolled for T/TH (filled), and 4-5 slots available for MWF 
  • 7th Grade goes to Project Adventure next week
  • Parent dinners scheduled for mid-September 
    • These will be opportunities for families to network and get to know each-other 
• Questions
  • Polly: can you elaborate on some of the concerns voiced by the faculty regarding scheduling changes?
    • Concerns about losing people, service providers having to be creative in drafting schedules 
  • Polly: how are PALS blocks decided upon
    • Teachers will decide groupings for students

• Katie mentioned that upcoming Board items will be included on meeting agendas moving forward (please see calendar on this week's agenda)
• The Board discussed timeline for several events on this cal in coming months

• This will be tabled until next month's meeting

• This will be tabled until next month's meeting

• Emily and Jeff met to discuss how the school has handled finances moving forward, though this was not a formal meeting
• The initial allotment from MA was based on 201 students, so there will be an adjustment once we finalize enrollment (which is expected to be 191-193)
• Mortgage rate will get locked in post-refinancing in the next few months
• Emily's membership 
  • Pending one additional form
  • Will R to revisit language used when the Board nominated Emily for Board membership
    • If Board appointed Emily on an interim basis, the Board will have to vote to make Emily a permanent member

• Did not meet last month, but plans to meet next month 

• Did not meet last month, but plans to meet next month

• Jess was not present to provide update

• Did not meet this month

• Did not meet this month
• Lindsay and the Board did discuss ways to promote Board and Committee membership
  • One idea included providing print-outs/brochures that parents could take home to read
    • The Board would still make in-person appearances at events in addition to providing these brochures 
  • Lindsay offered to develop draft brochure

• N/A

• Will to determine whether the Board must vote again on Emily's membership
• Lindsay to draft brochures 

• Nick provided kudos to Board member
  • Note: WR couldn't hear exact verbiage
• The Board congratulated Nick on his wedding!

Will, grateful for the MCCPS Board and the wonderful teachers, staff, and Head of School, recorded his final entry as Board Clerk.