HEATHERWOOD ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT TEAM (SIT)

SIT OVERVIEW The Heatherwood Elementary School Improvement Team (SIT) is a group of Heatherwood parents, teachers, and school staff who meet monthly to continue to improve our school.  SIT is responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and reporting goals for continuous school improvement, including those goals mandated by the District and State. These goals provide a framework for many different activities to assure steady, ongoing improvement of the learning environment and academic performance. SIT ACTIVITIES The activities follow a yearly cycle: In September, SIT writes academic and school climate goals for the current school year.  Some goal-related activities are the responsibility of teachers, while others are performed by parent volunteers.   During the school year, SIT discusses school issues in general meetings, meets in subcommittees for goal-related activities, and provides information to parents.   Finally, as one school year ends and the next one begins, SIT evaluates the year's progress on the goals, and the cycle begins again. SIT ACCOMPLISHMENTS SIT accomplishments over the past few years have included: 1st/2nd/UP grade longer literacy blocks 3rd/4th/5th grade math blocks Advanced math offerings (6th grade math at Heatherwood, 7th grade at Platt) Recess first/lunch second Creating a caring community/bully proofing programs After school university Input to BVSD on budget plans Input on BVSD Facilities Master Plan SIT MEETINGS Parent and teacher participation in SIT meetings is critical.  Working group meetings are scheduled so that most teachers can attend.  Childcare is provided for meetings to make parent participation easier. SIT meetings are held at the school. There are usually two meetings a month. The general meetings are held in the evenings and the goal-oriented working group meetings are held after school during the staff meeting. Child care is usually provided for both meetings. SIT WORKING GROUP CHAIRS Teacher Co-Chair – Lisa Jenkins Parent Co-Chair – Carla Zachmeier Literacy - Lisa Jenkins Climate - Jolie Evans Math - Joan Standefer Science/Technology - Chris Newby Achievement Leader – Cathy Zimmerman Equity Leader – Michelle Dalby Organizational Leader – Lisa Cornacchia SIT MEMBERS     Parent participation is critical to make SIT successful. All parents are welcome at SIT meetings.  Please take the opportunity to attend a SIT meeting at any time during the school year. For every issue, our SIT representatives include those who favor what's currently being done and those who have great ideas for improvement.  If you are interested in school goals and related activities, have strong opinions on maintaining academic excellence and a great school environment, and like discussing these subjects with other parents and teachers, please consider participating on the SIT team. 2007-08 SIT TEAM GOALS The SIT teams have finalized the SMART goals for the year. They are as follows: EQUITY – To increase CSAP weighted-index (WI) scores for students receiving special education services Reading : from 74 to 77 Math: from 79 to 81 Writing: from 67 to 70 ACHIEVEMENT – To improve the boys weighted-index score Writing: from 94 to 96 on the ’08 CSAP To identify one “best practice” that has successfully decreased the gender gap in writing by the end of the 07-08 year and implement it in the ’08-’09 school year; To decrease the overall percentage of partially proficient and below students in writing from 23% to 18% on the ’08 CSAP ORGANIZATION – Students, staff, and community members will educate and empower the bystander in bullying situations which will result in an increase of positive responses to questions 17, 28, and 35 on the spring survey. Expected results are as follows: #17 – Adults help if they see someone being bullied (increase from 38% to 48%) #28 – At school I have not heard students threaten to hurt someone or take their things (increase from 50% to 55%) #35 – Other students help if they see someone being bullied or picked on (increase from 49%-59%) The SIT teams will continue to implement specific activities to achieve this year’s goals. We are also looking at additional data to help teachers, attempting to provide opportunities for collaboration, and improve the overall TIES process implementation. SIT MEETING DATES AND TIMES 2007/2008 General Meetings   2007/2008 Working Group Meetings Thursdays 6:00 to 7:15   Thursdays 2:45 to 3:45 August 28   October 11 September 20   November 1 October 25   January 10 November 8   February 7 January 24   April 3 February 21   May 1 April 17     May 15