Normandale General Session October 11, 2011

Agenda Welcome, Tracy Pearson The Future of Immersion, Isabelle Punchard Technology Referendum, Dr. Dressen Understanding Normandale Leadership, Julie Wohlford Next Steps Questions

Recipe for a Stellar Immersion Program: Ingredients  39 dedicated teachers, sprinkled with enthusiasm & marinated in French language  400+ dedicated families, tied together by a deep commitment to education & immersion  630 responsible students, immersed in & eager to speak French  500 g curriculum  500 g excellent materials  A pinch of creativity  A dash of humor

 Gently fold ingredients together.  Pour into 1 welcoming school culture.  Stir periodically, adding 1 teaspoon of immersion pedagogy as needed.  Watch attentively for 6 years.  Enjoy at graduation & beyond! Recipe for a Stellar Immersion Program: Ingredients

Immersion Retreat: Redefining Our Vision  What makes our school unique  What we want the culture of Normandale to look like and sound like

Immersion Retreat: Redefining Our Vision French language is at the heart of our school, for all staff:  French greetings by all  French-only in the French classrooms  French-only to immersion participants  Non-French speakers learn from students  French-only signs in the school

Immersion Retreat: Impact Throughout the Year Staff Development:  Site Improvement Plan: immersion pedagogy  MAIN Event (local)  CAIT conference (Canada)

Immersion Retreat: Impact Throughout the Year Student Development:  Incentives to speak French  Service learning (Student Council) Family Development:  Offer immersion education sessions for parents on various topics Suggestions? Needs?

Normandale Leadership Team

What is the Normandale Leadership Team (NLT)? Mission Organized to create a positive, supportive and responsive educational environment through shared decisions of staff and parents resulting in a high quality education experience in a French Immersion setting  Equal staff/parent representation; principal; financial representative

Normandale Community NLT PEF IOC SAC Normandale Leadership Team Normandale Leadership Team People, Events and Funds Intern Organization and Coordination School Advisory and Communications Board of Directors Operating Divisions

Responsibilities of the NLT NLT Normandale Leadership Team Normandale Leadership Team Board of Directors Establish and foster vision for French Immersion academia at Normandale Develop short and long-term plans Advise principal on issues affecting the school Set school policy based on parent and staff input Set budget priorities and approve budgets Encourage innovation and collaboration Establish and foster vision for French Immersion academia at Normandale Develop short and long-term plans Advise principal on issues affecting the school Set school policy based on parent and staff input Set budget priorities and approve budgets Encourage innovation and collaboration

NLT Priorities  Craft a vision Develop short and long-term plans  Ensure a quality immersion experience Entrench “French” in all we do Make immersion meaningful to parents  Provide an excellent student experience Provide a safe and positive educational environment Ensure each child’s unique learning needs are supported

NLT Priorities, Cont.  Build community, spirit and culture Focus on welcoming environment, trust and collaboration Call for respect, responsibility and accountability for students, staff and parents  Enhance communication Communicate openly, honestly, often and with transparency  Evaluate fundraising and volunteer needs Conduct research to ensure efficient use of volunteer time and financial resources

NLT Top Priority—Craft a Vision Approved by NLT on Oct. 5, 2011 Committed to the highest standards of French Immersion, we support children in their educational journey while expanding global cultural awareness, understanding and compassion.

Operating Divisions

How NLT Affects Operating Divisions  Vision should be reflected in the work we do  Strategy, direction set by NLT  Operating Divisions (SAC, PEF and IOC) are “work groups” but don’t require “approval” of NLT

School Advisory & Communication SAC School Advisory and Communications School Advisory (K. Fiery, K. Smedstad and YOU?) Serve as sounding board for staff/parents Solicit input/make policy recommendations to NLT Create committees to develop strategy/action plans Communications (K. Seck, L. Vaillancourt and YOU?) Establish timely and effective communications Maintain PTO website Leverage technology to enhance communications School Advisory (K. Fiery, K. Smedstad and YOU?) Serve as sounding board for staff/parents Solicit input/make policy recommendations to NLT Create committees to develop strategy/action plans Communications (K. Seck, L. Vaillancourt and YOU?) Establish timely and effective communications Maintain PTO website Leverage technology to enhance communications

People, Events & Funds PEF People, Events and Funds School Support (C. Johnson, L. Hanson and YOU?) Identify volunteers to support staff (Room Parents; Art, Media and Phy Ed coordinators) Coordinate enrichment programs (Jr. Great Books, Art Adventure) Events/Volunteers (K. Thomas, J. Wohlford and YOU?) Plan and implement fundraising events Plan and coordinate community building events Manage volunteer coordination School Support (C. Johnson, L. Hanson and YOU?) Identify volunteers to support staff (Room Parents; Art, Media and Phy Ed coordinators) Coordinate enrichment programs (Jr. Great Books, Art Adventure) Events/Volunteers (K. Thomas, J. Wohlford and YOU?) Plan and implement fundraising events Plan and coordinate community building events Manage volunteer coordination

Intern Organization & Coordination IOC Intern Organization and Coordination Organization (R. Talan, K. Wetmore and YOU?) Manage administration efforts associated with recruitment/placement of interns Recruit host and partner families Coordination (A. Dunning, K. Wolf and YOU?) Support education, enrichment and cultural integration of interns Match interns to families Organization (R. Talan, K. Wetmore and YOU?) Manage administration efforts associated with recruitment/placement of interns Recruit host and partner families Coordination (A. Dunning, K. Wolf and YOU?) Support education, enrichment and cultural integration of interns Match interns to families

What Happened to PTO and Site Council

PTO  PTO exists as the umbrella for the school community at large All staff and parents are members Operates as a non-profit organization governed by bylaws Conducts charitable activities to support the school’s initiatives

Site Council  Site Council has been revised to reflect staff and parent feedback Its responsibilities are divided between SAC (recommend policy) and the NLT (approve policy) Questions, concerns, suggestions can now be shared via online and stationary “suggestion box”

Next Steps  Begin thinking about your hopes and dreams for the future of Normandale  Participate in research and focus groups throughout the year to share your thoughts  Get involved

Questions?