19:16:02 From janeth3b@yahoo.com : Soraya no le escuchamos muy bien, puede hablar un poco mas fuerte. Gracias. 19:18:16 From Stacey Finkel : Please be sure to mute your phone/computer - thank you. 19:22:49 From Anika Kwinana : is this being recorded 19:23:03 From Stacey Finkel : Yes it is being recorded 19:23:23 From Anika Kwinana : great 19:23:29 From Stacey Finkel : I will post to the PTA website tomorrow 19:27:39 From Nathan Zee : Is Pre-Algebra in 6th happening this year? 19:29:11 From Anika Kwinana : feel strongly that we should not rush this if there are questions 19:29:12 From Maia Curtis : I'd like to ask a question when there's time at the end. Thanks! 19:29:55 From Stacey Finkel : @Anika - ok - of folks want tp ask questions that is fine 19:30:51 From Stacey Finkel : Sorry - if people want to ask questions I am fine with that 19:31:22 From Brougham Family : Algebra 1 Intensified for 7th graders is not particularly conducive to distance learning. This is further complicated by an early finish of 6th grade, no new material for 4Q last year, and a delayed start of the course in 1Q. More practice would be HUGELY helpful. I can and have found my own practice problems but have to figure it out. I request that APS point to areas for practice that are aligned and supportive of the syllabus. My son has asked for extra work from his teacher and is repeatedly told there is none. I strongly disagree and am saddened to hear that as a response from APS. There is an overload of extra material, but I don't want to pile on without focus. Can you help add that focus and provide the work to a student who is asking for it, please? 19:34:49 From che.abdeljawad : Thank you for your comment, Brougham Family. I will reach out to you tomorrow. -Che, your math coach! 19:35:05 From Nathan Zee : I echo the Brougham Family's request but for a student in Math 6 Extended who would potentially take Intensified Algebra in 7th Grade. We need more guidance on where to focus our efforts at home to ensure she is prepared. 19:36:05 From che.abdeljawad : Nathan Zee… please email me at Che.abdeljawad@apsvs.us. !! 19:36:10 From Maia Curtis : We feel similarly for our daughter in Algebra I intensified. 19:37:19 From che.abdeljawad : To parents with specific questions about your child, please email KMS math coach at che.abdeljawad@apsva.us. !! 19:37:35 From Laurie Moret : I think this is a relevant comment for many families. Where we can identify practice and additional support to ensure preparation and an easier transition. 19:47:12 From Tricia Tyskowski : Thank you for your thoughtful insights. Much appreciated, 19:47:25 From Stefanie Cruz : I also have a question about the weight of test and quizzes especially during virtual learning. Currently my daughter in Algebra I — 90% of her grade are test and quizzes. Learning, retaining material in virtual format is hard. Additional practice and homework feels like it would be useful for reinforcing material and giving other ways to show mastery besides test. Especially with the re-take cap at 80% for test retakes. 19:49:27 From Maia Curtis : I have a county-wide math question. 19:49:35 From Maia Curtis : Not about my child specifically 19:51:28 From Brougham Family : Not just MORE work! Focused, aligned, vetted, quality OPTIONAL work for those kids that want it. 19:52:08 From che.abdeljawad : Yes. I understand your needs, Brougham Family! 19:52:10 From Nicole Talledo : Total agree with Stacey 19:52:18 From Julie Halferty : I agree with Stacey 19:52:30 From crissy hall : Absolutely Stacey! 19:52:33 From Julie Halferty : I am very concerned for High School math 19:54:28 From Laurie Moret : Agreed too with the Brougham's. 19:55:12 From Stephen Wakeman & Nancy Schwabe : What about math textbooks? They don’t seem to be used with any regularity, but would be very helpful in the virtual classroom. Textbooks could provide the practice problems that seem to missing and help parents help their children learn material when needed. Text books may also help students review the content covered in class. 19:55:53 From Shannan Ellis : I can’t hear him well 19:57:22 From Anika Kwinana : would love to know about racial breakdown and impact as well 19:57:56 From Leticia : sería bueno que los estudiantes tengan un libro de contenido para guiarse. 19:58:31 From Leticia : cómo algún libro. 19:58:43 From Stacey Finkel : it would be nice if students have a content book to guide them. 19:58:45 From che.abdeljawad : Stephanie, Shannan… will you speak to the textbook question? 20:00:15 From dleicht’s iPhone : My daughter recently took the Math Inventory test. How much can that test help parents learn about their child’s skills (e.g. concepts that need work) and where can we find that information? 20:01:08 From Laurie Moret : was there a request for PTA funds for a teacher grant for math books? Maybe we can revisit that? 20:01:11 From R Haywood : What resources are available for students to practice concepts beyond the classroom? 20:01:23 From Stefanie Cruz : Test and quizzes being 90% of a grade is not equitable and leaves out students that may express mastery in different ways. Especially in virtual learning environment. There needs to be much more flexibility to meet the students where they are. And give credit for homework, work, create project based opportunities to show understanding content etc. 20:01:37 From Theresa Miller : Is DTL continuing the search for textbook adoption countywide? or is that off the table now? 20:02:07 From Shannan Ellis : It’s on hold (Resource Adoption/Textbooks) 20:02:32 From Nicole Talledo : When? 20:02:55 From Stephen Wakeman & Nancy Schwabe : Doesn’t mastery of skills lead organically to application of concepts? This is how most of us parents learned math and it worked pretty well. 20:04:03 From Shannan Ellis : No. & It did not work well for most people. Most students who take Calculus in HS don’t actually take a higher level course in college. Many take remedial math. Also, Most people openly say they are not good at math. It worked for some people 20:06:24 From Maia Curtis : I have another question about readiness if I can. 20:09:37 From Brougham Family : I'm not good at playing the piano. But if I want to learn and get "good"... I don't just test scales. I would need to practice. 20:16:14 From Anika Kwinana : would also ask for a math club day for kids who are in act 2 on tues/thurs 20:16:50 From Stephen Wakeman & Nancy Schwabe : The application of concepts needs to be practiced too, of course, and then the why becomes clear too. 20:17:03 From Shannan Ellis : Of course 20:18:00 From Shannan Ellis : The preference is the application practice 20:18:16 From Stephen Wakeman & Nancy Schwabe : But how can kids apply concepts without strong skills? reinforced with practice 20:18:34 From Julie Halferty : I copied it 20:19:36 From Nathan Zee : motion to approve the minutes from november 20:20:00 From Nathan Zee : aye 20:20:04 From Stephen Wakeman & Nancy Schwabe : There are many ways to apply concepts and room for creativity should be allowed 20:25:06 From Stacey Finkel : Community Building Events (for the Valentines Day etc) - increase from $100 to $500 Teacher Appreciation - increase from $1650 to $3000 to support teachers being back in the building (week of Feb 1 and when hybrid starts) Outdoor Education - increase from $500 to $1000 to support improving/creating spaces for students to learn and eat outside (for hybrid but also in perpetuity) 20:27:39 From Julie Halferty : aye 20:27:42 From Stacey Finkel : aye 20:27:45 From Jenny : aye 20:27:54 From Maia Curtis : aye 20:28:20 From Stephen Wakeman & Nancy Schwabe : More money is needed for outdoor education! 20:30:14 From CCPTA Treasurer, Kendra Anderson : @Stephen & Nancy - we might further increase the budget after future discussions with Principal McBride and the Outdoor Education committee 20:30:48 From Stacey Finkel : Also the outdoor classroom committee is always looking for more volunteers 20:40:06 From Leticia : muchas gracias por todo. 👍 20:40:37 From Julie Halferty : Thank you Stacy!