April+2012+Meeting+Notes

Faculty meeting
 * April 2, 2012**

**Members Present:** Matt Graves, Dodi Zbuka, Jeff Ulrich, Tami Applegarth, Chad Hartong, Andrea Novicki, Ernie Cole, Becky Uber, Nancy Roberts

**Location:** Distance Learning Lab

**Topics Discussed:**

Matt Graves questioned the group about the need for staff to have one-on-one instruction about using the “Students Not Assigned” feature. It was decided that he will include the information in an email to staff. He will also remind staff members that all students need to be signed up for the April 18th session by Thursday, April 5 before leaving for Spring Break.

Dodi Zbuka shared that sessions have been added to the calendar this year to offer OGT pre-testing in Science and Social Studies for Freshmen. The teachers in each of these departments will monitor the pre-testing sessions for their subject areas. Andrea Novicky recommended that the oral component for these tests be downloaded in advance of the session to alleviate last minute problems. She volunteered to help Matt and Dodi set up computers in advance for students who will need to have the test read to them.

Matt requested volunteers to write a survey to be distributed to staff about Spartan Period. The survey will include both positive and negative feedback, and encourage suggestions for improvement. Nancy Roberts and Tami Applegarth volunteered to create and distribute the survey.

Matt announced that Spartan Periods will continue to be in place during the next school year. The group discussed whether Spartan periods should be offered during shortened weeks or weeks with delayed starts. The members decided that there should not be a Spartan period during these shortened weeks since some departments needed to devote more time to the curriculum. Chad Hartong mentioned that until data proves the effectiveness of the Spartan period, we should not include more sessions that might draw time away from content instruction. During shortened weeks teachers could refer more students to Study Tables for extra help they need.

Dodi mentioned we still have a need to come up with more enrichment sessions for students. Nancy Roberts suggested that each department should be responsible to arrange for two guest speakers during the year. The group agreed and added that guest speakers could be arranged at the departmental meetings. Each department would be responsible to make all arrangements with the speakers. Dodi also underscored the fantastic job Amy Hartman has been doing this year to contact guest speakers.

Finally, Dodi asked the group to look at the calendar for next year to see of there is anything that might conflict with the implementation of Spartan periods for next year. She and Matt also would appreciate having another person work with them as they go over the master calendar for next year.

**Next meeting:** TBA