Transition Team Sub Committee
Meeting Notes from March 23, 2010
In attendance: Dr. Gradone, Eileen Williams, Donna Karr, Eileen Brennan, Wendy Drake, Anne Praino, Carla Gelpke, Mary Beth Soutar
 
Next Meeting: Monday, April 12, 4pm at Morris Catholic HS (Dr. Gradone’s office)
 
Items of Discussion:
 
The purpose of the sub-committee is to bring questions and suggestions for the new junior school to Dr. Gradone either for an immediate answer or further investigation with the Transition Committee.  We should also be communicating these discussions to our classes at SVS.
 
Morris Catholic Junior School (MCJS) will have a “teaching” Dean of Students (not a principal).  This person will be a Junior School teacher, deal with Jr. School issues such as discipline and also liaise with MCHS on academics, extracurricular activities, etc.
 
MCJS will NOT have the same mascot and/or uniform as MCHS.  The junior school should have its own identity – both a unique uniform and mascot.  Can we involve the students in possible voting (from a selection of 2 or 3 mascot choices?
And, as with any uniform change, there will be a period (at least next year) where both the SVS and new uniforms will be acceptable.
 
Morris Catholic High School (MCHS) has a bus that can be used to transport MCJS students to the High School as needed.
 
Academic Integraion:
The HS Vice Principal also specializes in curriculum and staff development and she will be leveraged to assist MCJS teachers with staff development and integrating things like technology into their classrooms.
 
Use of high school science lab facilities was discussed.  The desire is to have all 6th, 7th and 8th grade students get regular time in the HS science labs as part of their science curriculum.  The schedule will be worked with the teachers.
 
Technology is another area for integration:  Possible student participation in Media Club (or class?) activities such as podcasts, video and web design; Possible use of things like Turnit in.com, moodle, and others.  Again, this will be worked out with teachers.
 
Foreign Language for MCJS has not been finalized yet.  We would like to continue with Latin if possible but this will depend on the ability of a Jr school teacher to teach this material. Sharing a HS teacher was also discussed.  It will be considered as a possibility.
 
Dr. Gradone will look into the process of how we divide middle school students into different math groups.  This process seems very subjective today and a more objective process is desired.  7th grade students might be taking an Algebra Readiness Exam to determine 8th grade math placement to either Algebra I or the 8th grade math curriculum.
 
After school activities are also a possible area of integration.  It is possible that MCJS students can take part in Media Club, MCHS productions (musicals, plays), after school Band and Chorus, and possible more.
 
Two committees have been formed to hire the teachers for the “new schools”.  Pat Deleu is the Diocese Director or Personnel and she is leading this effort.  All teacher applications are due April 30th.
The 8th grade students will be automatically accepted to MCHS but will most likely still take the Co-Op test (as long as the diocese is giving it) and it will be used as a placement test for HS.
 
In general, most traditions will be able to stay at St. Virgil’s.  Things like graduation week activities, the buddy program with the Pre-K – 3rd grade classes, morning prayer, the yearbook, etc.  The idea is that if it is “working” there is no need to change it.
 
There is an open question about whether having  students  in both MCHS and MCJS makes you eligible for a multiple student discount in both schools. There is a multiple student discount if you have children in St. Virgil and MCJS.  Dr. Gradone is checking on the resolution to the MCHS and MCJS question.