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Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy

Minutes

Whole Child Committee Meeting

Regular Monthly meeting

Date and Time

Thursday September 2, 2021 at 8:15 AM

Location

Scholars Academy Conference Room
The Whole Child meeting will be held in-person, but there will be a Zoom link for anyone who would like to join remotely.

Committee Members Present

A. Gozycki, E. Womer, K. Neal, K. Pietrafesa (remote), S. Schroeck, T. Hemming, T. Miller (remote), W. Ning

Committee Members Absent

None

Guests Present

A. Pieper, S. Dasu

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

S. Schroeck called a meeting of the Whole Child Committee of Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy to order on Thursday Sep 2, 2021 at 8:15 AM.

II. Whole Child

A.

Welcome new members, review Strategic Plan

Ms. Pieper and Ms. Miller informed the group about the Staff SEL/Whole Child Committee for this year. The Committee meets the 3rd Thursday of each month after school to discuss:
  • SEL Goals
  • Mental Health Goals
  • Health and Safety Goals
SEL Buddies are organized into teams with a wide range of ages.
Advisory Period for Middle School is under the Whole Child umbrella - 5th-8th grade T/TH, 11-12 students with a teacher from middle school, 37 minutes, 2x a week. Offers a mental health touch point for staff to interact with students individually and in small groups. This facilitates the "Weekly check-ins" requirement of the Mental Health Plan. Students are given activities to complete (1st week is an SEL self-assessment), and students will make their own SEL goals.

Minutes for the Staff Whole Child Committee meeting are attached.
 

B.

School-based Mental Health Program

Survey results are still being compiled. Discussion on the School-Based Mental Health Plan has been tabled until the October meeting.

C.

Social media and parent communication

A. Gozycki reports that each Wednesday, the school account will post about school curriculum and what students are doing in SEL class. The "Did you know posts" will return in some way as well. Posts can coincide with topics planned to be discussed in school by the counselors.

There will be an event - Community Conversations - Friday, September 17 at 8:15 AM hosted by Ms. Pieper and Ms. Zagorski in the school parking lot to talk about Mental Health.
 

D.

Eagle Vision Awards

The Eagle Vision awards will continue this year.

E.

Out of the Box Ideas/Brainstorming

Committee members discussed ideas for Service Learning Projects. Projects must:
  • have a learning component
  • be accessible to all students
  • not be just raising money

Ideas discussed:
  • Thank you notes to front-line doctors and nurses
  • Providing homework help
Committee members are encouraged to continue to brainstorm ideas for this project which is scheduled to begin second semester this school year.

III. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,
S. Schroeck

Whole Child Committee
Members:
Tracy Miller (admin)
Clevonne Phelps
Shana Harris
Emily Macchiavello
Zack Rezendes
Michael Masonis
Helen Kelliher
Melissa Lundy
Meeting Norms
-no cell phone use during meeting
-topics and names discussed confidential
-respect for group members
-open to discussions
-We will rotate the job of taking notes and the same person taking notes will be the one the presents the notes to the Board committee (Melissa Lundy took the first meeting notes)
-We recommend that a committee Google Calendar be set up so we can schedule meetings easier without as many back-and-worths (suggestion for all committees to have a Google Calendar set up)
-bring snacks

Goals:
Topic: SEL
  • Adding additional programming such as speakers, yoga classes.
  • Bring ideas from our grade level teams to the committee - act as liaisons
  • Help guide teachers in understanding the SEL rotation

Topic: Mental Health Plan
  • Be a resource and provide communication between grade level teams and comm.
  • Coordinating get-togethers such as one that took place for 8th graders
  • Advertise free workshops to parents/students and staff offered by .  Teachers can get CEUs from Scholars Academy admin for attending these workshops.
  • Assist in continual data collection (such as 5-8, beginning each quarter and in person)
  • Focus on reducing students stress (caused by grades, time management and perfectionism)

Topic: Health and Safety
  • Assist in preparing for safety drills
  • Assist in student movement around the school
  • Look at and work with making school procedures more efficient