SIAC Committee Meeting Minutes November 10, 2016

Attendance: Jen Wilwert, Dale Crozier, Heidi Feuerhelm, Melissa Halbrechter, Tasha Fritz, Eliza Philpott, Brent Pape, Jessica Peterson, Heidi Meyer, Brandi Crozier, Crystal Thurn, Niki Guese, Larry Meyer, Denise Mueller, Amanda Meyer, Leslie Henkes, Tamara Butikofer

  1. Dale reviewed the purpose of the School Improvement Advisory Committee, the long-term strategic plan, and May 9, 2016 minutes.
  2. Jen reviewed the 2015-16 Iowa Assessment data and annual goals with community members.
  3. Reviewed Strategic Plan Goals (see attached).
    • New school website is being up-to-date
    • Facebook was started last year, but needs to be kept more up-to-date this year. Brandi Crozier wants someone else to take over maintaining the page.
    • Suggestion to encourage RSS subscriptions to the website.
    • An hour of coding will be introduced to all students K-12 December 5-11. Hourofcode.com
    • PE Department is researching ways to align to core curriculum and looking into heart monitors.
    • There are new menu items in the cafeteria, more fresh fruit and veggies, grab and gos, and YOGA is being offered in the mornings for elementary students.
    • There is a before school program at the McGregor Center and there is an art program after school. In the high school, there are ‘cerebral excercises’ on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the morning and art club on Monday and Tuesdays after school. These programs are being funded by a one-year grant for grades 5-12.
    • A 21st Century Grant is being written for the elementary. The focus is for homework help, fitness and nutrition, STEAM, adult classes, reading and math activities. The grant deadline is December 11. It is a 3 year grant and will pay salaries, snacks, and supplies. It will be open to all families with no charge, Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m. and have summer offerings.
    • Career Learning Links with NICC comes on Thursdays to meet with students. This provides opportunities for job shadowing and mentoring, paying for ACT and mileage, CNA supplies/clothes and some college credits. Juniors are being signed up for this program and seniors who signed up last year are continuing with the program. On Wednesdays, businesses are coming to teach students about their field of study. Moyna’s/Mobile Track in Elkader are working with MFL MarMac students also. Tamara Butikofer teaches employability skills for juniors and seniors this year in the fall. All of her students will be taking the NCRC in November and in December students will have mock interviews with volunteers from NICC. They also receive college credit for taking Tamara’s class.
    • There is a new playground at the McGregor Center.
    • With a new logo for MFL MarMac CSD, way-finding signage has been added to all buildings. The logo has been added to the vehicles, letterhead, and apparel. It was custom-made for MFL MarMac.
    • There is a continuing exploration for a recreational gym. The size being explored is for two gyms and a walking track. The location may be behind the wrestling room and in the location of the old swimming pool.
    • McGregor Center got new bleachers, ceiling, and lights.
    • Architect is looking into adding elementary bathrooms and studies are continuing. There is no specific timeline at this time.
  4.  Meeting minutes will be added to the school website.
  5. Next meeting will be at the end of January. The date is to be determined. Instructional coaches are looking for topics to be covered at future meetings.