Site Council

Site Council Meeting: November 1, 2024 - 8:15-9:00 am

Attendees

• Community Rep- Annelise Diers
• PTSA Rep- Cassi Heyn
• K/2 Rep- Jake Heffner
• 3/5 Rep- Leone Nielson
• Primary Staff Rep- Liz Scott-Winkler
• Intermediate Staff Rep- Nina Platt
• Classified Rep- Jane Cristallo (Angie Dutcher sat in for Jane)

 

ISD Meeting Agreements

• Communicate Clearly and Listen Carefully
• Respect the Views of Others
• Share Your Views Willingly
• Ask and Welcome Questions for Clarification
• Be Open to Ideas Presented
• Honor Time Limits and Stay on Task

 

Introductions & Updates

• Community Rep
  • Traffic update - 228th and 24th will be reduced to one lane starting on 12/2 for 5 days. The work will start at 9:30 AM.
  • There are many community events happening in Sammamish. See the city website for details.
• PTSA Rep
  • PTSA Fundraiser starts on Nov. 4th.
  • Planning to distribute teacher grants this year to maintain non-profit status.
• K/2 Rep
  • Noted only one trash can in the lunchroom, causing delays and loss of recess time for students.
  • Sand field is messy, leading to sand tracked into halls and classrooms.
  • Celebrations - Teachers have great communication with families.
  • PTSA provides excellent volunteer opportunities.
• 3/5 Rep
  • Positive feedback about Discovery and has been on the council for several years.
• Primary Staff Rep
  • Teaching new reading, writing, and SEL curriculum.
  • Kindergarten recently went to the Pumpkin Patch. More field trips are planned.
  • Student teachers are assisting in kindergarten and 5th grade.
  • Partnering with ML to assist students.
• Intermediate Staff Rep
  • Fun celebrations in 3/5 classrooms on 10/31.
  • 4th grade went on a field trip, with more planned.
  • Ignite representatives Platt & Figone are implementing UDL strategies in classrooms.
  • Teaching new reading and writing curriculum.

 

Review of By-Laws

• Site councils collaborate with the principal to advance student learning through planning, communication, and problem-solving.
• Curriculum programs are managed by the district rather than individual schools.
• Site Council provides a forum for district, principal, staff, and parents to discuss student learning-related concerns and events.
• The council supports the school’s Continuous Improvement Plan and addresses school rules affecting the learning environment at Discovery.
• Composed of the principal, staff, parents, and community representatives.
• An annual meeting calendar is set at the beginning of each year.

 

Upcoming Meeting Dates

• January 10th
• March 7th
• June 6th
• More dates can be added if needed

 

Future Topics

• School Improvement Plan (SIP)
• Tier 1 team input with a focus on math, reading, and social-emotional goals requested by the school board
• Title LAP Building Plan
• Community involvement and connections
• Coffee with Principal Keegan to increase familiarity among families
• PTSA - Call for classroom volunteer help in classrooms with fewer parent volunteers
• Think Tank - Increase family involvement in PTSA, classrooms, and field trips. PTSA will send a letter to kindergarten families explaining the benefits of PTSA and volunteering.
• Family Literacy and Math Nights to engage families

Site Council Meeting: March 1, 2024 - 8:15-8:55 am

Attendees

• Community Rep - Gen Rubinelli
• PTSA Rep - Stephanie Blecha-Maharaj
• K/2 Rep - Leone Nielson via Zoom
• 3/5 Rep - Lisa Reeder via Zoom
• Primary Stoff Rep - Liz Scott Winkler
• Intermediate Stoff Rep - Nino Platt
• Classified Rep - Debbie Alberts for Jane Cristallo

Rep Updates

• City Of Sammamish - Gen Rubinelli
  • Thank you to the 2nd grade classes for visiting City Hall. impressed that they walked up from the school.
  • March 5: Transit Plan public hearing by City Council
  • March Z: Comprehensive Plan2024 review with the Planning Commission will begin
  • March Z: Transportation Master Plan will be introduced to the Planning Commission
  • At the end of March (specific dote TBD), Big Rock Pork South will partially open to allow for the longer trail system to connect all 3 Big Rock Parks
  • April 20: Earth Day of Beaver Loke Lodge
  • May 11: Rig-A-Palooza 2024
     
• PTSA - Stephanie Blecha-Maharaj
  • March 1: Author visit Ellie Peterson for all grade levels
  • Movie Night
    • March 1 for grades K-2
    • March 8 for grades 3-5
  • March 5: Moth Game Night - there are over 250 students registered. Every student will be receiving a set of dice and a deck of cards with o QR code for games to play at home.
  • March 22: Multicultural Night - there are lots of volunteers needed to make this happen. How can teachers share this with their families?
  • May l: Family Steam Night 5:00 - /:00. Volunteers are needed.
     
• K-2 Parent Rep - Leone Nielson
  • I have noticed that there are many parents and students in the bus looking area at dismissal time. Buses sometimes must honk to get them to move as they arrive. What can be done? Kathy said we will work on this with more staff support.
     
• 3-5 Parent Rep - Lisa Reeder
  • Parents are excited about class parties and celebrations this year. 5th grade parents are upset that there is no camp this year. Are there any opportunities for any more 5^th grade field trips? Kathy mentioned that there is a limit on the number of field trips/celebrations allowed per year. Field trips must align with the curriculum.
     
• Intermediate Rep - Nino Platt
  • The students are loving Eager Reader this year. The students enjoy meeting with their younger buddies. They are also looking forward to Math Game Night.
     
• Primary Rep - Liz Scott-Winkler
  • The students love Eager Reader and picking out books. There is a lot of reading happening

Community Engagement

• Survey
  • There were only 30 responses
  • It was found that it was mostly Kindergarten families filling out the survey.
  • Why aren’t people filling out the survey?
  • Overall families are happy with Discovery. Families would like to have more of a voice and input on what is going on.
  • There is a need for parents to hear positive feedback. How can we do a better job communicating?
  • Kathy will resend the survey after Spring Break.

Niche Website Feedback

https://www.niche.com/k12/discovery-elementary-school-issaquah-wa/

• This site will put the ISD of the top of searches on the internet.
• Parents can go to the site and write reviews of the school.
• Discovery is down over 200 students since COVID. How can we get our families back?

Upcoming Meeting Dates

• May 17
• More dates can be added if needed

Future Topics

• Survey

Site Council Meeting: January 20, 2022 - 8:00-8:45 am

Attendees

• Community Rep – Gen Rubinelli
• PTSA Rep – Stephanie Blecha-Maharaj
• K/2 Rep – Leone Nielson
• 3/5 Rep – Lisa Reeder
• Primary Staff Rep – Janine Greene
• Intermediate Staff Rep – Hollie Vance
• Classified Rep – Jane Cristallo
• Title I/LAP teacher Aubree Clark

Title I/LAP Building Plan Presentation – Aubree Clark

Aubree talked about the targeted assistance program at Discovery. There is a 6-step process.

1. Needs assistance
2. Identification of Students
3. Practices & Strategies to assist students
4. Procedure to support transition between Early Childhood & Grades
5. Collaborate with families to gain feedback and how families can support their student.
6. Professional Development

Discovery SIP – Kathy

Our Student Improvement Plan (SIP) in the past focused on writing & reading and for the next 2 years our SIP will focus on Math. Our goal by 2026 is to have 90% of our students meeting standard. Discovery received an ISF grant to have morning math class 2x a week to assist students that are not meeting standards in Math this year.

Community Update

• Parent Reps- none
• Community Rep- Gen shared that the City of Sammamish will be doing a Transit study and would love the community involvement. She also followed up with the crosswalk flags that was brought up at our last meeting. The city doesn’t plan on installing flags at crosswalks in the community. They feel that they will be taken and the containers the flags are stored in would become garbage receptacles. Gen also followed with having First Responders come to school and read with the students on our Community Learning Night on March 1st

PTSA Update

PTSA is working to remove barriers with new families coming from outside the US. They are sharing community events &volunteer opportunities with these families. They are also encouraging them to come to Coffee with Kathy where they can learn about what is happening at Discovery.

Eager Reader is up and running. All students received a book of their choice to encourage them to do outside reading and have their parents log in the minutes. Students can earn additional books as well as classroom and grade level prizes.

Future events being planned by the PTSA are

• Multicultural Night
• Movie Night
• Family Steam Night

5^th grade promotion

• Meeting Dates
  • March 3
  • June 2

• Future Topics
  • MTSS Tier 1
  • Community involvement/connections

Site Council Meeting: December 14, 2022 - 8:00-8:45 am

Introductions

• Community Rep – Gen Rubinelli
• PTSA Rep – Stephanie Blecha-Maharaj
• K/2 Rep – Leone Nielson
• 3/5 Rep – Lisa Reeder
• Primary Staff Rep – Janine Greene
• Intermediate Staff Rep – Hollie Vance
• Classified Rep – Jane Cristallo

Review of By-Laws

Site councils are established at each school to collaborate with the principal on how to advance student learning through strong shared planning, communication and problem solving. The curriculum programs are primarily handled by the district, not individual schools. Site Council also provides a forum for the district, principal, staff and parents to discuss concerns and events that affect student learning. Site Council’s job is to enhance student learning by supporting the school’s Continuous Improvement Plan and also work on updating school rules and other matters that affect the learning environment at Discovery. Site Council is comprised of the principal, staff, parents and community representatives. An annual meeting calendar is established at the beginning of the year.

Community Update

• Sidewalk work in Sammamish is complete in ADA compliance.
• Transit Studies- City would like community feedback on future improvements

PTSA Update 

• Parents excited to be able to volunteer back in the school
• Treats were given on 12/12 & 12/13 for staff
• Eager Reader to start in early January 2023
• Steam Fair scheduled for spring 2023

Intermediate Staff Rep- Hollie Vance

• All is going well, students working hard
• Will there be 5^th grade camp? Yes, one long day at Camp Waskowitz in North Bend. Cost is one set price for all 5^th grade students in the District.  

Primary Staff Rep- Janine Greene

• First grade classes are rotating for success blocks
• First grade is also rotating classes for social studies (Winter holiday lessons) & Science (Northern Lights & Snow lessons)
• Parent volunteers will start in 1^st grade for Site Word practice

K/2 Rep- Leone Nielson

• Parent Pickup area by 24^th street is very congested and was wondering how we can improve it
• Encourage students to ride the bus or have parents drive through our pick up lane to get their child as opposed to parking on 24^th St.
• Provide a map for parents so they know where they can wait for their students to relieve the congestion.

3/5 Rep- Lisa Reeder

• Asked our Community Rep, Gen Rubinelli if the City could provide flags at crosswalks to bring more attention to people crossing the street.  Seems several neighboring cities have them and they seem to work very well.
• Commented that the soft start for the students helps to have a calm start to the day and with the students entering & exiting through several doors reduces the traffic flows.
• Notices that masks still used by some students is universally accepted
• Asked if school will reconsider Field Day- Principal concerns because not many parents volunteer for this event which puts a tremendous work on the PE teacher, most schools do not have this anymore.  Lisa Reeder asked if we could get the volunteers that are needed would the school reconsider, this could be a family event PTSA puts on.

Principal

• Parents need to be cleared to come into the classes to attend parties or volunteer.
• Parents have been inquiring about field trips which have resumed this year.
• Working on Parent Forum which is comprised of staff and parents educated outside the US to share their experiences and bridge gaps between how their children are educated and how they were educated and how we can partner with PTSA to welcome and include all families.
• Community Learning Night- TBD- need staff to coordinate & plan.

 Meeting Dates

• Jan. 20
• March 3
• June 2

Future Topics

• SIP Goal - Student Improvement Plan will be shared on January.
• TLAP Building Plan - Title 1 LAP Plan- Aubree Clark is the LAP Teacher and will join us at the January meeting.
• MTSS Tier 1 - Multi-Tier Student Support, working on adding parent voice to this team.
• Community involvement/connections - Stephanie & Jillian are in discussions with Kathy on how we can assist new families to learn about the community and make connections with them so they feel supported.

Site Council Meeting: January 21, 2022 - 8:00-8:45 am

In Attendance:

• Principal – Kathy Keegan
• Assistant to the Principal – Jane Cristallo
• Community Representative – Genevieve Rubinelli
• LAP Teacher – Lisa Baer
• Primary Teacher Representative – Janine Greene
• Intermediate Teacher Representative – Jen Belding
• Intermediate Parent Representative – Rohan Hutchings
• Primary Parent Representative – Leone Nielson
• Intermediate Parent Representative – Lisa Reeder

Not in attendance:

• PTSA Rep – Jillian Born

School Improvement Plan & LAP

SIP Plan Goals

By spring 2022, the percentage of all students at Discovery Elementary School demonstrating proficiency in reading will improve from 82.7% of students as measured by the Fall I-Ready reading diagnostic to 90% of students as measured by the Spring I-Ready reading diagnostic.

LAP Program (Reading Club)

LAP provides additional high quality, intensive reading instruction for students below standard in reading.  It is funded by a state grant and provides support in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency and comprehension.  Students have this instruction during their success block periods. This helps students build their confidence and skills in reading. 

I-Ready is done 3x a year.  LAP serves Grades 1-3 but also trying to include some students in4th & 5th grade.

Teachers have seen improvements in their students since the start of the school year. 

Lisa Reeder is on the community Levy Development Committee which meets from December 2021 to January 2022 to form a recommendation or a levy package for 2022 ballot measures. This committee will present its recommendation to Superintendent Ron Thiele, who will bring the final recommendation to the Issaquah School Board for approval at the Jan. 27, 2022 School Board Meeting. 

In April, there will be a levy vote.  This is a replacement levy and would need 51% approval to pass. 

The levy is comprised of 3 parts: 

1. Transportation
2. Educational Programs and Operations Levy- enrichment not funded by the State
3. Capital Levy (Technology and Capital)

An ISD School Board Member will be at the next PTSA Meeting in February to discuss this proposed levy and answer any questions. 

Student Handbook 

We are looking to update our Student Handbook and would love to have parent’s voice in this project.

Changes include but not limited to:

• Dress Code
• Birthday Celebrations

Future Topics 

Discovery Elementary is planning on submitting a Community Art Grant to the City of Sammamish for some music outdoor recess equipment for the school and the community  

Site Council Meeting: November 12, 2021 - 8:00-8:55 am

ZOOM Link: https://issaquah-wednet-edu.zoom.us/j/85467642158

Introductions

• Principal - Kathy Keegan
• Assistant to the Principal - Jane Cristallo
• Community Representative – Doug McIntyre
• PTSA Representative - Jillian Born
• Primary Parent Representative – Leone Nielson
• Primary Teacher Representative – Janine Greene
• Intermediate Parent Representative – Rohan Hutchings
• Intermediate Parent Representative – Lisa Reeder
• Intermediate Teacher Representative – Jen Belding Site Council Mission

City of Sammamish Community Visioning Project

• Community Visioning Video
• Community Visioning Project Page
• The video was shown and it was encouraged that parents share the video with neighborhood homeowners associations so the city can collect valuable insight from them.

Current Topics

1. The schools are open to outside vendors offering enrichment These programs are responsible to making sure they follow all COVID protocol. Concern that this is premature since it places burden on custodians to clean & sanitize those rooms when we are down one evening custodian. Currently, Discovery has decided to hold off on allowing Enrichment Programs to start. Evening activities such as Basketball and PTSA meetings have commenced.
2. It was discussed why there is no uniformed way the elementary schools handle their daily operations. The schools all have different resources with staff and space so the schools have leeway to formulate a plan that works for their school. The District gave each school an additional 3 hours per day for student safety. This has helped with covering lunch & recesses. Weather will be a challenge as the canopies are not holding up very well.
3. Parent volunteers in the school is still limited. This is phase 1 of bringing parents back into the classrooms. We have approved volunteers for Library, Picture Day & Vision & Hearing. It was mentioned that Kindergarten would benefit from classroom
4. 5th grade camp - There will be no camp at any school this year. We will plan an activity similar to last year with a few
5. Overall the building is calm during arrivals and Students enter by grade levels through various doors to the building. Kids are happy and building is safer.
6. Third Grade Graffiti issue - students wondering if cameras are in the No cameras are in the bathroom and staff is working on this one time occurrence
7. Test to Stay - This is currently being done by the Principal and Nurse. This is done to student & staff who may have been in contact with someone in the school who may have tested positive for COVID. It is not for outside contact.

Future Topics

Site Council Meeting: May 21, 2021 - 8:00-8:45 am

In Attendance

• Principal - Kathy Keegan
• Assistant to the Principal - Jane Cristallo
• Community Representative – Doug McIntyre
• PTSA Representative – Lisa Reeder
• Primary Parent Representative – Rohan Hutchings
• Intermediate Parent Representative – Leone Nielson
• Primary Teacher Representative – Janine Greene
• Intermediate Teacher Representative - Eve Winter

Check In

• 5th grade virtual camp went very well
• There is a PTSA meeting on May 25, go to PTSA website to sign up to attend the virtually meeting
• Teachers- Eve & Janine said it was great to see the social/emotional aspect for the students attending in person was going well. Eve mentioned, the concurrent learning was going

Crosswalk Idea

• Rohan mentioned that this is still an open
• Is it possible to install speed bumps on SE 24th
• Report any concerns on the app “See Click Fix”
• Concern is that the City will not react until someone gets injured. Doug recommended to bring these concerns up at a City Council Meeting

Building Safety & Traffic

• Pick up and Drop off process is going well. We have hardly had any car backups onto 228th
• May continue some processes next year such have the parents stay at the location they wait for their students at the sidewalks for walkers, adults stay in cars during pick up and drop off.
• Keeping the dots on the sidewalk for
• We have seen a positive impact on a calm start to the
• Virtually no students are
• Helps staff ensure safety of
• Far more efficient not having the front entry of the school
• It takes less time to get students in and out of the building and limits

Other Discussion Topics

• Lisa wanted to check in regarding budget cuts and their impact on Kathy indicated that our enrollment was down by approximately 100 students and that we were losing 13 teachers.
• Kathy talked about the recall process for the teachers.
• Lisa also wanted to check to see if parents need to wear masks when they are waiting to pick up their students since they are not on school property. Kathy said she would like them to honor what is happening in the building which would be to wear the masks as the students and staff do.
• OPSI Superintendent will be announcing the remote learning mandate in the upcoming weeks. As of now, the District intends to fully open with 3 feet distancing for students in Sept.
• Kathy invited all participants to come back to be part of this committee next year.
• Thank you for your partnership.

Site Council Meeting: March 19, 2021 - 8:00-8:45 am

ZOOM Link: https://issaquah-wednet-edu.zoom.us/j/92703388054

In Attendance

• Principal - Kathy Keegan
• Assistant to the Principal - Jane Cristallo
• Community Representative – Doug McIntyre & Nick Greene
• PTSA Representative – Lisa Reeder
• Primary Parent Representative – Rohan Hutchings
• Intermediate Parent Representative – Leone Nielson
• Primary Teacher Representative – Janine Greene
• Intermediate Teacher Representative - Eve Winter

Sammamish Crosswalk Process

Doug McIntyre & Nick Greene

Other Discussion Topics

Thank you for your partnership

Site Council Meeting: January 22, 2021 - 8:00-9:00 am

Introductions

• Principal - Kathy Keegan
• Assistant to the Principal - Jane Cristallo
• Community Representative – Doug McIntyre
• PTSA Representative – Lisa Reeder/Jillian Born
• Primary Parent Representative – Rohan Hutchings
• Intermediate Parent Representative – Leone Nielson
• Primary Teacher Representative – Eve Winter
• Intermediate Teacher Representative - Eve Winter

Site Council Mission

Site councils are established at each school to collaborate with the principal on how to advance student learning through strong-shared planning, communication and problem solving. Site Council also provides a forum for the district, principal, staff and parents to discuss concerns and events that affect student learning. Site Council’s job is to enhance student learning by supporting the school’s Continuous Improvement Plan and work on updating school rules and other matters that affect the learning environment at Discovery. An annual meeting calendar is established at the beginning of the year.

SIP (Student Improvement Plan)– Lisa Bear & Kathy Keegan

1. By May 2021 the number of students in each grade level cohort group meeting or exceeding standard on the SBA ELA will increase by 5%
2. By May 2021, the number of students receiving services in Special Education, ELL and /or former LAP students will improve by 10% growth on the SBA

The following programs support our SIP

LAP program (K-2) provides additional high quality, intensive reading instruction for students below standard in reading.

Included:

• Phonemic awareness
• Word attack skills
• Fluency
• Vocabulary
• Comprehension
• Written Language

ASAP Reading Program- morning instruction for 3rd graders which we had last year. ISF funded it and will do so again this year.

Lexia Licenses- purchased by the PTSA to support Kinder and 3rd thru 5th grades

I-Ready- we are piloting this program for grades 3rd thru 5th and targets where students are. Eve thought it was very helpful in assisting students to continue to improve their reading.

Dyslexia Support- District has done a lot of work to help students with dyslexia. Decodable readers assist students. Current school programs will tie into to this support. Guided reading Groups- students meet with the teacher in small groups with other students with similar reading levels. Focuses on the phonic side of reading and having students grow at their reading level

Additional items discussed was the Angel Networks through the PTSA, Providence Point and Church community to help families in need. Our counselor and PBSES coach are continuing to help students and families as needed.

Traffic Management- Doug McIntyre discussed managing traffic through educating families on carpooling, riding the buses and students walking/biking to school if they live close. King County Metro is providing some funding to the City of Sammamish to educate the community.

Future Meeting Dates and Topics

Crosswalk on SE 24th St- Rohan Hutchings brought up this crosswalk and the dangers of trying to cross. Wanted to see if we can get the rapid flashers that PLMS had installed on 228th AVE. This topic will be discussed at a future meeting.

Next Meeting will be March 19 at 8:00am

Thank you for your partnership