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.