Capitol Hill Montessori@Logan215 G Street. NE
May 20, 2014 – 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
1. DC Board of Education Ombudsman
– Monica Warren-Jones, the Ward 6 State Board of Education member introduced Joyanna Smith, the new DC Board of Education Ombudsman who began her position on February 26, 2014.
– Joyanna explained that she helps to resolve complaints, disputes and problems faced by students, parents and educators in the DC public schools and the public charter schools. If systemic issues exist, the Ombudsman will look to make recommendations to fix problems.
– The Ombudsman will develop a management report after the end of the school year.
2. DCPS Student Assessment Task Force
– DCPS has formed an Assessment Task Force to evaluate student assessments. Representatives from DCPS conducted a focus group to hear parent’s views on the purpose, importance and expectations of student assessments. CHPSPO members said:
o They want timely feedback on test results.
o Want access to all the testing data that is available for their children.
o A plan of action to address student’s needs.
o Report cards tend to just show typical progress, e.g., going from developing to mastered. Would like to see more substance.
o Tests can be very stressful for some students, e.g., throwing up on test day.
o We need a healthier approach to testing. Some students have been told their teacher’s job depends on how well they do. Some parents talked about how they tell their children not to worry about the test, but to try to do their best.
o Tests drive instruction too much.
o Tests are starting to affect how students learn/don’t learn, e.g., students aren’t learning how to write multi-paragraph essays.
– DCPS is moving to the PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers next school year to better align with the common core standards. See https://www.parcconline.org/about-parcc
3. Update on Homeless Children Attending Capitol Hill Schools
– Roni Hollman reported that 1400 homeless children attend DC public schools. There is a desperate need for school uniforms.
o A Facebook site was created (https://www.facebook.com/#!/ClothetheKidsCapHillUniformDrive)
o An Amazon wish list has been set up (http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/SGKH8FLM7WFU/ref=cm_sw_su_w)
– Help is needed to pick up uniforms that have been delivered to Evolve Management, and take them to the Playtime Project at the shelter at DC General.
– CHPSPO will send a short message that can be posted on the school list serves describing what can be done to help.
4. Student Assignment and School Boundaries Advisory Committee
– Marty Welles gave a brief update on the status of the effort to adjust the school boundaries and feeder patterns.
5. Chancellor’s Parent Cabinet
– Gary Carleton and Marty Welles shared an update on the Chancellor’s Parent Cabinet. The Parent Cabinet meets monthly. They recently discussed parent engagement. Topics are identified for each month.
– To learn more about the Parent’s Cabinet see http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/Parents+and+Community/Chancellors+Parent+Cabinet.
Next CHPSPO meeting: June 17, 2014
Ward 6 Public School Parents Organization 