SOUTH ORANGETOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL BLT MEETING

SOUTH ORANGETOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL
BLT MEETING MINUTES
DATE OF MEETING: March 26, 2014
A P P R O V E D
April 30, 2014
COMMITTEE ATTENDEES:
Karen A. Tesik
Debra DiTuri
Michael Ryan
Margaret Nelson
Tara Shapiro
Alice Buchanan, Parent At Large
Y/N
N
N
Y
Y
N
Y
Sheila Silverman
Kelly Froio
Glenn Spiegelman
Evan Karzhevsky
Vicki Caramante, Parent Alternate
Y/N
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
OTHER ATTENDEES:
1. Agenda Item: Approve the February 26, 2014 minutes
Key Points:
 Motioned to approve the February 26, 2014 minutes by Vicki Caramante, seconded by Alice Buchanan.
The committee approved the minutes.
2. Agenda Item: 1:1 Google Chromebook Initiative - Update
Key Points:
 The Chromebooks have been distributed to students whose parents/guardians signed the contract.
Only six students do not have signed contracts for Chromebooks.
 All other students have access to Chromes in the school library that can be signed in and out daily.
 Patricia Eyer and Marc Eckert have introduced and instructed students and staff on how to implement
some of the various functions of the Chromebooks.
 Chromebooks are being utilized in various classrooms. They have been used for tasks such as note
taking, accessing reading programs, and internet research.
 During the last school year three seventh grade students presented a proposal to the Board in regards
to this technology.
 With Dr. Mitchell’s support and a grant from Senator Carlucci all SOMS 8th grade students have access
to Chromebooks.
 Chromebooks will be passed on to next year’s 8th graders.
 The filters that are active at school are also on when a student has the Chromebook at home. While at
home students can go onto a google account and print from the book.
 The Chromebook is an internet based program. It is a Google product through which everything is
stored in the cloud.
Required Actions/Recommendations:

3. Agenda Item: Double Testing Waiver - Update
Key Points:
 Dr. Culot looked at data from Math 8 and Algebra, if the 8th grade students do not take the NYS Grade
8 Math exam school results will shift.
 Integrated Algebra will be optional.
 A student’s parent must write a letter or e-mail stating that they are refusing to let his/her child sit for the
exam.
 If a student refuses on the test day the school will contact the parent. A student cannot refuse on
his/her own.
Required Actions/Recommendations:

4. Agenda Item: 2013-2014 Calendar changes – Snow Day Make-ups
Key Points:
 School will be in session for students and staff on April 21, May 23, and May 27 to make up for snow
days.
 Teachers lose a Professional Development Day.
Required Actions/Recommendations:

5. Agenda Item: Upcoming NYS Testing
Key Points:
 NYS ELA exam will be administered on April 1, 2, and 3, 2014.
 NYS Math exam will be administered April 30, May 1 and 2, 2014.
 Changes:
o There will be one book per day for this year’s NYS ELA exam, as opposed to two last year.
o There will be approximately three weeks in between the NYS ELA and NYS Math exams.
Required Actions/Recommendations:

Message will be sent out to parents for a reminder in regards to Math Institutes.
6. Agenda Item: STEAM Expo – thank you to Vickie Caramante and the SOMS PTA
Key Points:
 The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Expo was held on March 17 from 6:008:00PM.
 Over 140 participants representing grades 1-12.
 100 students were in attendance presenting projects of multiple disciplines.
 Students benefited from seeing and conversing with others in regards to the various projects.
 This was a very successful event and there are plans to do it again next year.
 There is an anticipation of having an increase in participants next year and possibly moving the event to
the High School.
 Support from Dr. Culot and George Brady helped to make this event successful.
Required Actions/Recommendations:

Motioned to adjourn the meeting was by Michael Ryan, seconded by Vickie Caramante.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014:
1. Review Parent Involvement Policy and School-Parent-Student Compact
2. Rewards School Grant
3. District Survey Results
Minutes taken by:
__Kelly
Name
Froio
__________________
_
Date
3/26/2014
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