After hearing an introduction and background powerpoint talk by Karin, we broke up into three groups in three rooms, each with staff, parent and student leaders. The groups identified the ideal outcomes we want in these subject areas, then talked about strategies to get there. Butcher paper notes will be typed by the group leaders and posted here on the site. More importantly, they will be used with ongoing work to reimagine and reform our practices at Steller in these critical areas.

Next steps will continue on two levels.

First, the groups and forums where work is already happening will take our input from last night. David Breen is leading a group of students working on orientation. Staff and students are working on reinvigorating and redirecting our use of Advisory Groups; that will continue, and work will begin on creating a binder containing norms and support materials for staff members running the groups. Karin is leading the staff training track.

Second, we will continue this process. Parents have discussed the idea of having four all-community meetings next year, continuing this discussion in small groups each evening. Rather than breaking up into committees, we would keep working on a basis in which everyone is welcome and can plug in at any step. The purpose will be to keep the Strategic Plan and RenewSteller energy going in tandem to develop and support our school.

• Orientation Group notes from David Breen
• Staff Development Notes from Ken Varee
  

Check back for the typed up notes from the other groups as soon as the leaders get that done.

Finally, thanks to all who attended and led the groups, and especially to Karin Parker for her leadership and flexibility.

1. Continuous orientation, not just at the start of 7th grade (Karin Parker's idea).
2. Teacher professional development in open optional practices; a credit class for staff could be offered by ASD, to be taught by retired Steller experts (Carol Comeau's idea).
3. SDL/Independent study encouraged, redefined and unified as a core of the Steller experience, with core academic credit given.
4. Teacher recruitment and a standing committee for hiring.
5. Renewed emphasis on student recruitment and admissions.
6. Support for seminar, with greater integration throughout the curriculum; creation of a "seminar team" of trained parents and students to support teachers.
7. Renewed emphasis on counseling groups, making sure all are serving students well, and branching out into more educational and social directions (Barbara Wohlforth's write-up).
8. Strengthening the togetherness of the school community with more family involvement and fun events (See Barbara's concept).
9. Additional support for student leadership, such as academic credit for taking leadership roles.
10. A less structured school day: integrated content, non-traditional time blocks, outcome-based instead of seat time.

• Results and comments from Jan. 31 surveysStaff and student body development discussion group notes
• Keeping the Vision discussion group notes
• Educational Methods discussion group notes
• Community discussion group notes
• School Organization discussion group notes

Educational methods: Progressive education models, seminar, innovative teaching, student experimentation and alternative assessment.

School organization: Counseling groups, scheduling , rules, school size, and self-governance.

Staff and student body development: Aligning practices to our mission in hiring, professional development, student recruitment and admission.

Community: External issues, relating as a community, and increasing student involvement in the broader community.

Keeping the vision: Clarifying and buying into our philosphy, finding our roots, other ideas for going forward.