Attendance: Dale Crozier, Emily Welper, Kathy Koether, Jen Wilwert, Trent Miene, Denise Mueller, Tasha Fritz, Jessica Peterson, Nick Larson, Amanda Meyer, Eliza Philpott, Natalie Heiring, Melissa Haberichter, Brandi Crozier, Lauren Haberichter, Chelbe Feuerhelm, Larry Meyer

Agenda:

1. Jen reviewed the minutes from the November 9, 2016 meeting.
2. Review of Programs, Review of Goals, and Discussion by Instructional Coaches
   1. School safety: Cameras are throughout the buildings. Suggestion was to make sure the stairs are fully covered or to maybe add a camera to the learning commons. Elementary teachers have an emergency bag with contact information ready for evacuations. Fire department helped to reevaluate our tornado plans within the last two years. Twenty-four new doors are being installed at the McGregor Center to allow it to be locked from the inside. An ALICE training update would be beneficial for staff, students, and parents.
   2. Technology: Students in grades 3-12 are taking a survey for classroom use, skills, access, and beliefs now until February 15. The data will be reviewed at the end of February and shared at the next SIAC meeting.
   3. Academics: What is the selection criteria and what does instruction look like for TAG (Talented and Gifted)? Natalie and Emily shared what their program looks like. The identification criteria is listed below. About 50 students in McGregor Center are identified and about 45 students in the Elementary. McGregor looks at data annually, but the elementary evaluates semi-annually based on FAST, classroom assessments, and Iowa Assessment. Student activity is based on the area of strength. At the high school, the guidance counselor helps monitor courses available for TAG students. The elementary program allows for 30 minutes sessions sometimes twice of week. In McGregor, the sessions are 40 minutes. How could we support kids who are gifted musically?
   4. Expansion of the curriculum: Tabled until next meeting.
   5. Facilities: Tabled until next meeting.
   6. Other items brought up in discussion: Should a mental health strand be added to our strategic plan? Should the high school reinstate peer helpers?
3. Next meeting will be in April. Date to be announced soon.

Identification of TAG students

Identification of Students- Students may be nominated for consideration for gifted and talented services based on the following data points:

K-3rd

• Teacher recommendation
• FAST (K-3)
  • Will be looking for scores that are above grade level (might include Oral Reading fluency, and high levels of Nonsense word understanding, for example).
• Iowa Assessment (2nd and 3rd)
  • 95% ranking and above will be considered for gifted program services
• Parent Recommendation
• Reading running records
  • Used to determine the approximate reading level of students
• Math benchmark scores, math content assessments, and basic math facts assessments
• Scores on grade level writing rubrics
• Scores on related arts

4th-8th Grade

• Iowa Assessment
  • 95% ranking or higher nationally in one or more content area on the Iowa Assessments will be considered for gifted program services
• Parent and Teacher Recommendations

9th-12th Grade

• Iowa Assessment
  • 97% ranking or higher nationally in one or more content area on the Iowa Assessments will be considered for gifted program services
• ACT 26 or better
• Parent and Teacher Recommendations