Kiva K-8 Full Task Force Committee Meeting, May 15, 2009

The task force agreed to keep moving forward with the Kiva K-8 feasibility study with plans to present pertinent findings at the November 2009 School Board Meeting. Discussion included percentages of Kiva student population/demographic. New school survey to be formulated and distributed mid-September. Should Kiva Community members desire minutes from this meeting, please e-mail Lisa Leathers-Cox at lisaleathers@cox.net.

K-8 Task Force Facilities Meeting Meeting with Katy Cavanaugh & Dr. Catalani

Meeting Date: 5/8/09         

Present: 

Lizabeth Matthews 

Kari Kling 

Nadine Hart 

Katy Cavanagh 

Dr. Catalani     

After briefing Ms. Cavanaugh and Dr. Catalani on the background and current status of the Kiva K-8 initiative, Kari Kling posed the following questions:   

How did other schools in SUSD transition from K-6 to K-8 Models?  

How did their decisions regarding a curriculum model impact their decisions?   

The answer is dependent on if the change was based on program needs or space needs. For instance, at both ANLC and Cheyenne Elementary schools, the move toward K-8 was based on the program changes; meaning that both schools desired to become K-8 schools and created programs to support that change. Sequoya, Cherokee, and Cochise Elementary Schools’ changes were based on physical space needs. 

Dr. Catalani continued the conversation about curriculum instruction generally drives the need for space changes. He explained that regardless of structure or program, curriculum has to be guaranteed. It would take at least a year to transition any curriculum changes. After a year of implementing the curriculum/program changes, the feasibility of a bond could be addressed. A question that would need some study would be,” Can we ask for space at one school when we have space at another school already?”   

Dr. Catalani advised that we come back together as a Task Force and take a look at a timeline for our Task Force, keeping three things in mind:   

• Kiva will begin 2009-2010 school year with a new principal. 
  
• Economic Issues/Unknown Operating Budget 
  
• Governing Board sensitivity to taking on anything that would be a negative impact.       
  

Notes from Meeting with Nick Noonan

K-8 TASK FORCE Meeting with Mr. Nick Noonan Meeting Report:  5/7/09       

Present:
Lisa Leathers-Cox
Laura Jones
Kari Kling
Nadine Hart
Terri Thorson
Mr. Noonan
Dr. Helminski     

After briefing Mr. Noonan on the background and current status of the K-8 initiative, Mr. Noonan gave the following feedback:  

• Mr. Noonan pointed out that the feasibility study will be telling. 
• He said that K-8 is a model that a lot of districts are moving toward. 
• K-8 has been positive for Copper Ridge, generally speaking. 
• Copper Ridge's K-8 configuration had a different genesis because two different schools were merged to create one K-8 school, with common start/end times, some shared staffing. 
• Copper Ridge curriculum includes art, PE, music, band, strings and Spanish 
• Copper Ridge offers a Leadership Class, with a small group of four 7th graders that supervises/interacts on the playground with 4th and 5th graders. 
• In Copper Ridge's second year as K-8, they implemented Thinking Maps. Thinking Maps are a series of graphic organizers designed to help students learn various ways to organize their thoughts and to support the transition to the writing process. 
• Mr. Noonan stated that philosophically he supports a K-8 model for Kiva.      

POSITIVES:

• It is positive that the K-8 initiative is coming from the Kiva community as a grassroots effort vs. coming from the top down.
• A benefit of K-8 is that the smaller student count per grade level (i.e. 120 per grade level, as opposed to 300 per grade level in middle school) allows for curriculum flexibility.
• Mr. Noonan has a positive perception of the current Kiva 6th grade block scheduling: we already have a departmentalized model, which lends itself well to the transition to 7th/8th grade.            

NEGATIVES/CHALLENGES:

• On the negative side, middle school tends to offer a wider range of subjects, such as shop, home ec, etc.  Options could include off-site programs, such as Habitat for Humanity. 
• At least initially, Kiva would not have the facility to host home games in extracurricular sports requiring gym facilities. We discussed that options could include sharing a gym with Valley Presbyterian Church or Saguaro High School in the short term. 
• Staff resistance is a concern, but the group is in agreement that the teachers' opinions may have changed and that we will enlist the teachers' input on curriculum model.
• Dr. Helminski suggested that the Task Force make a presentation at a staff meeting in late August/early September. 
• Mr. Noonan suggested that the School Board would want to know where 6th grade Kiva students are going to 7th grade. If they are choosing Cocopah or another SUSD school, the District may perceive that since the students are staying within District, it is still a positive for the District. There would be a possible perception that it is Kiva's and Mohave's responsibility to better communicate the benefits of Mohave.     

SURVEY

• It was agreed that we will survey the Kiva community again after we determine curriculum model and additional facilities information. This survey would clarify these details so that the community will be able to make an informed decision. Dr. Helminski suggested that we survey the community in mid-September, with notices in the Kiva Caller a few weeks prior alerting parents that the survey is coming. Mr. Noonan will get us a copy of the survey used by Copper Ridge. 
• Mr. Noonan suggested that it would be important to address the question: "How will a K-8 prepare my child for high school?" 
• Dr. Peterson is looking for specific details on 5th-6th grade families -- will they attend Kiva for K-8? 
• Mr. Noonan will work with Lisa to formulate the mid-September survey.    

FINAL THOUGHTS

• Mr. Noonan will review the proposal before it is presented to the Governing Board in November. 
  
• Mr. Noonan is in favor of moving forward.