Site Council

In Attendance:

Principal – Drew Terry
Site Council Chair – Liz Siegel
PTSA President – Julie Chang
Cougar Ridge Reps: Dawn Fields, Shelby Buker, Kristy Joslin, Sarah Koch, Sarah
Ilgenfritz, Erica Henderson, Shawna Tredway
Parent Reps: Charles Sherer, Jana Horton, Neda Vassey, Sarah Goldhammer

II. Student Council Report

Maggie Cleveland, Claire Siegel

• Ugly sweater day is coming up soon, and there will be a spirit day for every month
• Planning for spirit week
• Conferences went smoothly and it’s good to be back
• Some concerns about 5th grader behavior - Mrs. Fields is working with the kids

III. i‑Ready Diagnostics & Testing Schedule - Drew Terry

• New this year: district mandates for testing and intervention
•  Distancing is maintained in the small groups
• Concern about whether more students will be determined to be in need of services and how to accommodate them

IV. LAP Plan - Kristy Joslin

• LAP = State-funded Learning Assistance Program
• New this year: Literacy/Dyslexia Law (focus on phonics and phonemic awareness)
• Children qualify based on i-Ready, diagnostic screener, rank order lists
• Intensive instruction for students below standard in reading
• 33 students currently enrolled, small group instruction of 4-7
• New curricular components as of this year
• Services are currently available to all kids who need them

V. Levy Committee - Drew Terry

• Cougar Ridge has 1 parent representative
• Levy happens every ~2-4 years because more funds are needed beyond  what the state provides
• Includes technology, buses, critical capital repairs (ex. CR needs a new roof)
• Looking for ways to increase funding without raising taxes
• Expected to go before voters in April

• District website is updated every Tuesday
• 10+ cases this year; each class is notified
• Requirements and protocols are being strictly enforced
• Unlike other schools, CR will keep class rosters intact, maintain recess cohorts, no after school clubs
• As of 11/26, at least 57% of kids have had their first shot

• Challenge is to set a goal based on i-Ready results that applies to all kids K-5
• i-Ready is a new assessment, so more guidance is needed on how to interpret the data
• ELL is one of the biggest needs
• Available data is not completely targeted to the current student body

• District recognizes that communications from teachers, school, district can be repetitive
• District will send 1 email per week (Mondays)
• Every school will send 1 email per week (Thursdays)
• There will be no more ad hoc reminders from the school
• Teachers will send their newsletters as normal
• District has hired an artist to redesign all the school logos for consistency

• Daily staffing has been a challenge this year
• With PTSA help, there has been significant volunteering from a limited number of parents, especially during lunch
• Goal for volunteering was met and nearly doubled
• Art docent program will start up again
• Volunteer applications are not automatically considered by the district - they must be singled out by Mr. Terry for approval

• Delays due to supply chain issues - will probably push everything back at least a year
• Costs are going up - will probably need to pass a bond to finish the schools that are already in production

• 5th behavioral issues: there have been some instances, which are being addressed
• Follow up on ELL metrics: discussion how can kids best be supported academically and socially
• Recognition that in the last 2 years, everything about school has changed except for evaluation methods
• Changing demographics of the school will also change overall test results

In Attendance:

Site Council Chair – Liz Siegel

PTSA President – Christina Smedegaard

Parent Reps: Charles Sherer, Jana Horton, Rebecca Cohen Neda Vassey, visiting kinder parent

Principal – Drew Terry Dean – Anne Miller

K-2 Rep – Dorothy Lowes 3 – 5 Rep – Jenni Hewett

Specialist Rep – Jessica Daley Office Rep – Michelle Franko Para Rep – Shawna Tredway

II. Student Council Report

President – Brody Mobilia Vice President – Alli King Secretary – Daniel Huang

Comments about remote learning:

Remote learning going well with students feeling like they get more directions with their assignments.

Sometimes it is challenging because of the lag, remembering to log on, etc.

III. New Schools Update

Middle School 6 – on track to open Fall 21

Elementary 16/Klahanie entrance – on track to open Fall 21

Principal of Elementary 16 will be announced this week.

IV. School Boundaries Review

Drew doesn’t anticipate boundary changes to elementary. However, the new middle school could impact Cougar Ridge. Thursday nights in December will be the boundary review.

V. CoVid Protocols

The district continues to move forward with the remote/hybrid option. Our interest has been about 50% of families wanting each option. That’s a little messy based on the fact that many of our grade levels have five classes.

Teachers have been asked to share their preference of teaching at the building or remain remote. The K/1 group will be seen as a grade level band and HR at the district level is considering the staffing needs and how to make all the rosters/teaching assignments work.

Drew Terry, Principal, and Anne Miller, Dean, had to submit a very comprehensive return to school plan to the district. In includes things like drop off zones, entrance doors, temp checks, recess zones, snack areas, etc. There are also plans around helping students get to their classrooms with the support of paraprofessionals since our kinders haven’t been to campus.

There will also be an attestation to fill out daily verifying no CoVid symptoms. CR plans to have a phone call made in the morning as a reminder to families to fill in their attestation.

All these pieces are in hopes that when numbers are down, the transition is smooth.

Schedules: Remote remains 9:15, LRC remains 9:15, K/1 – 9:00 – 12:30.

Will the bus drivers check attestation? No

What if a child has symptoms of CoVid? Parent comes to pick child up

Mr. Terry shared the King County Health Department flow chart for school attendance, removal from school.

If a child has to go home, the teacher would access that teacher’s class via posted assignments, but it’s not likely the child would then go to a remote classroom.

If a child coming to school has a confirmed case and has to be sent home, the remaining students and teacher will move to a new classroom space for a set period of time.

What shuts down the school? From what Mr. Terry understands, there will be trigger numbers that help make decisions around if a class has to go home.

What age range is early childhood? Ages 3 and 4

When the re-rostering is done, will that be K and 1 or other grades as well? At this time, Mr. Terry expects K and 1 to re-roster.

VII. Next Meetings:

1/19, 3/23, 5/18. Please reach out to the parent or staff member rep to bring any topics to site council for discussion.

I. Welcome and Introductions (Liz Siegel)

In Attendance: Liz Siegel (Facilitator), Drew Terry, Charles Sherer, Samantha Stevenson, Jasleen Hsieh, Jenni Hewett, Dorothy Lowes, Shelby Buker, Henry Holtan, Jiya Jain, Barbara Unger, Neda Vassey, Christina Smedegaard, Jana Horton, Margie Calderwood

II. Student Council

Student Council Report: Henry Holtan, Jasleen Hsieh, Jiya Jain

• Humanitarian Projects: Food Drive was successful. Next up: helping animals in Australia, Valentine’s Day Cards for Seniors
• Books to Africa: Started 2/15, raised $1,400+
• School Communication: CR News student reports are now broadcast on Monday morning. Response has been very positive
• KIND Project: Being the “I” in “kind” and Mr. Terry’s stories - to be completed and displayed in the lunchroom.

III. Malware Update

Drew Terry, Principal

• Malware attach 12/22 compromised every server in the district; each one had to be rebuilt. CR files were not back online until 1/27. Cameras are still not functional, but they are expected to be working soon
• Still trying to identify how it happened and who was responsible

IV. District Safety

Drew Terry, Principal

• Bus stop paddle: 150+ violations in the first month. Not all buses have cameras. Waiting to see if more cameras will be added
• Vaping detectors added to high schools
• Piloting AI cameras for weapons detection
• Issaquah has ~3x as many security cameras (54) as other districts our size. There are some blind spots remaining, which is being addressed

V. Property Dispute

Drew Terry, Principal

• Issaquah City Council voted to approve the zoning change to allow for the new high school next to Providence Point. It was a 3 month fight with the residents of Providence Point. More challenges ahead - potential legal action, dispute over stadium, building plans need to be approved
• High School and Elementary School building are delayed
• Middle School timeline hasn’t changed (should open Fall 2021)
• Boundary meetings will likely commence in Spring 2020

VI. Levy

Drew Terry, Principal

• Kindergarten registration began 2/3. PTSA helping with outreach
• Concerns that the property dispute results will mobilize voters against the levy
• Honk & Wave event next Monday 2/10
• District will likely need another elementary school - there will likely be another bond vote coming up

VII. English Language

Arts Adoption

Drew Terry, Principal

• Curriculum is cyclical - to keep up with changing standards, new materials are always needed
• Currently doing an English Language Arts Adoption - 3.5 year process. Ms. Joslin and Ms. Daly are on the committee

Drew Terry, Principal

• Friday, March 13 at the Hyatt in Renton
• Teachers have put together a grade level experience (ex. 2nd grade is doing a pizza/movie/pjs night; 5th grade is doing a Lewis Creek hike; Ms. Hewett is doing an Escape Room)
• Still coming up with ideas for staff experiences
• Outreach to parents who are unfamiliar with auctions
• Currently 200+ tickets purchased; goal is 350

1. Kindergarten Registration and Screening
   1. Info night 2/4. Attendees will be invited to auction
   2. Registration has 2 pieces: (a) online (b) in person documentation
   3. Screening April 1-2 to determine who will be invited to free summer school (3 hrs/day for 4 weeks in July). Invitations go out on or about May 1
2. Grade 2 Testing
   1. Testing is halfway done. Twelve tests over 4 days
   2. IOWA testing begins March 10 (untimed)
   3. Everyone is tested unless their parents opt them out
   4. Results are to determine invitations to the Highly Capable Merlin program at Apollo (25 kids, top 1-2%). Other high performing students are invited to participate in the Sage program at CR
   5. Smarter Balance testing for Grades 3-5 begins April 30
   6. ELPA (English Language Proficiency Assessment) - when students enroll they are assessed to determine their listening,speaking, reading, and writing
      1. CR has 82 students receiving ELL services. All will be tested to determine whether they place out of active services
3. Inclusive Practices
   1. ELL and Special Education are “push-in” models. Teachers have to stay on pace with each other in order for it to work
   2. LRC II students are going to regular specialist lesson (PE, music) as much as possible. Requires a lot of training and coordination but is going well so far
   3. Mr. Terry and Ms. Miller will present to the school board about LRC II inclusion
   4. 5th grade buddy program: Ms. Hewitt started a program for students to assist others who need help getting started with their day

• Coronavirus
  • Lunar New Year organizers decided to cancel in the interest of safety concerns
  • Classroom practices: Health Department dictates protocols and procedures. Same prevention efforts as with the flu
  • School nurse might send out a notification to all parents about best practices
• School Drop-off
  • Concern that the cul-de-sac in Stratford has become dangerous due to cars parking around the circle and having to back up frequently during peak drop-off times. Mr. Terry will consider conferring with the Bellevue Police Department

I. Welcome and Introductions – Drew Terry

In Attendance:

• Drew Terry – Principal Anne Miller - Dean
• Liz Siegel – Site Council Chair
• Samantha Stevenson – Intermediate Parent Rep Charles Sherer - Parent
• Jana Horton - Parent Neda Vassey - parent
• Christina Smedegaard – PTSA President Barbara Unger – Para Rep

Absent:

• Margie Calderwood - Secretary
• Dorothy Lowes – Primary Teacher Rep
• Jenni Hewett – Intermediate Teacher Rep
• Shelby Buker – Specialist Rep

Student Council Reps:

• Henry Holtan
• Jasleen Hsieh
• Jiya Jain

II. Site Council

Intro by Liz Siegel/Drew Terry; all present introduced by name/role

III. Student Council

Student Council Report: Henry, Jasleen, Jiya

WE School Efforts – local and global humanitarian efforts. We scare hunger canned food drive is going on now and our Books to Africa program. If student participate in both student council and Books to Africa then they will have the opportunity to apply to attend WE day. 10 students will be chosen to attend.

• October 31^st – Orange and Black Spirit Day
• November 4^th – 7^th – Swedish Book Fair Day – during book fair so that students can purchase and add to the Book Fair donation tub.

How 5^th Grade is going: students are happy with their teachers and lots of leadership opportunities for students.

IV. LAP Report

Jessica Daley - LAP Teacher

Students served: 1^st grade: 10 students, 2^nd grade 14 students, 3^rd grade 3 students Please see PPT around state funding, program curriculum, etc.

V. District Safety

Drew Terry - Principal

Remodel Safety Improvements: Vestibule; Key Cards – which can be disabled immediately if a key is lost, etc.

Exterior Doors – on timers that allow for doors to be locked at all times except for windows of time around beginning of day/end of day.

Drills – once a month: Sept – fire drill, Oct – earthquake drill. Students are doing well with drills.

54 security cameras can be used for discipline issue and also security

Additionally, district buses will have cameras and be able to ticket cars that violate the stop for the bus.

Active Shooter Training was completed this year by all staff – teachers know that they are allowed to leave with students. Staff also have one emergency specific document that was provided by the district this year.

Parent Request for communication to families about earthquake expectations.

Parents may want to have their Driver’s License on their phone so they can use their phone for their re-unification.

Drew Terry – Principal

This year the district will run a levy for programs. The last levy supported things like full time counselor, full time behavior, adding an additional period at the high school. The levy funding is primarily a replacement levy for a continuation of programs.

Volunteers for Issaquah will be sharing information about the levy and what will be covered. They will be looking for volunteers to get the vote out.

Drew Terry – Principal

Elementary 16: The property at the West Klahanie entrance; 13 acres. The city of Sammamish has requested a different traffic pattern into the property. This has pushed out the opening of the building to the Fall of 2021.

Middle School 6 – bottom of Talus; Fall of 2021

This spring there will be a boundary review committee. They will establish the re- boundary work. The committee is to address E 16, M6 and Elementary 17 and High School 4. The old ISD admin building is housing the district pre-school program. They have a 3 year old program, 4 year old program this year. 20.21 they are hoping to have as many as possible in the pre-school program.

Drew Terry – Principal

The State, District and our Building are all focused on inclusive practices. This means we are trying to work with any student with an IEP (Individualized Education Program) in their own classroom as much as possible.

Things like students with special needs in with their peers for music and PE, serving students with their specific needs academically in their classroom vs. a pull out classroom is priority this year.

Some parents had heard that ASAP was on and off, etc. Drew clarified that ASAP is being funded by ISF for Title Schools. Drew is looking for building dollars to fund the CR program this year.

Cultural Connections – some parents are wondering about the opportunities to connection; PTSA encourages parents to attend Drew’s cultural connection meetings; PTSA has “We Chat” and language liaisons on the PTSA. The school and PTSA are welcoming and wants to strike that chord of honoring the level of involvement a family wants.

Family Partnership Liaisons call new families. PTSA offers school tours. Coffee Fridays.

2020: 1/13, 3/23 5/11

4:00 – 5:00 in the Library

Additional meetings may be added if necessary

I. Welcome and Review of Minutes (Liz Siegel)

Liz Siegel Facilitator, Drew Terry, Margie Calderwood, Sarah Koch, Barbara Unger, Samantha Chase, Samantha Stevenson, Jana Horton, Rebecca Cohen, Evangelia Facchine, Suseela Narra, Dawn Fields, Lisa Cordier, Abby Cleveland, Bella Mobilia

II. Student Council Report (Abby Cleveland - President and Bella Mobilia – Vice President)

Student Council Report:

• Conducting a cat food/blankets/towels drive for Humane Society
• Next meeting will be the election for next year’s officers
• Brought books to Swedish hospital: the COO wants to help with the Student Council humanitarian project
• No spirit day this month, will do one for June

III. PBSES Update (Dawn Fields and Lisa Cordier)

Multi-Tiered System of Support Teams was implemented this year, with the goal of gathering and evaluating data to determine the most effective way to support behavioral and academic needs. Team leaders meet on a weekly basis

Tier 1: General learning and guidance. SWIS Program - Major/minor forms to document problem behaviors

Tier 2: Individual intervention for students in need of social/emotional support Tier 3: Intensive intervention for students requiring a higher level of support

Guidance Team: Determines whether a student needs special education

IV. Bobcat Buddies Review (Drew Terry)

A huge success this year. Started in February, close to 70 dads by the end of the year. Will start again in October, want to keep growing

New challenge: trying to engage moms who are tentative and/or have language difficulties

V. School Garden Update (Lia Facchine)

Survey was sent out last week to gauge teacher enthusiasm and intended uses. Results indicate a high level of interest (mostly “maybe” and “yes” responses)

Main concern is location: need a water source and sunlight, can’t be a distraction to the classrooms. Mr. Terry will talk to Facilities Management about water sources

VI. Cougar Ridge Staffing (Drew Terry)

Due to low Kindergarten registration, several teachers will have to shift grade levels and one will be reassigned. If more students register for Kindergarten this summer, the staffing will shift again

In the fall, Ms. Allison will transfer to IVE, Ms. Daley will take up LRC on Fridays, and 2 teachers will take maternity leave

VII. School Year 2019-20 (Drew Terry)

Meet the Teacher and Picture Day will start at 9am on September 3. EduKit pickup will be moved to the cafeteria stage

• September 4: First day of school (Grades 1-5)
• September 4-6: Family connections meetings (K)
• September 10: First day of school (K)

Curriculum nights will be held on Tuesdays in September

VIII. Open Forum (Liz Siegel)

Door locks: protocol is that doors automatically lock and only be propped open with a doorstop at the bottom. All gates and doors are locked by 9:15am

Full-scale earthquake drill to be conducted in late May/early June

I. Welcome and Introductions (Liz Siegel)

Liz Siegel Facilitator, Principal Drew Terry, Amy Allison, Margie Calderwood, Sarah Koch, Barbara Unger, Jamie Allott, Sam Stevenson, Jana Horton, Nina Scoffone, Lia Facchine, Suseela Narra, Abby Cleveland, Jessica Daley

II. Review of Minutes (Liz Siegel)

Jan 7, 2019 minutes – approved

III. Student Council Report (Abby Cleveland)

Student Council Report:

• Spirit Days – CR colors on Wed
• Over 100 books will be delivered to Swedish Hospital this week
• Green Team – have a March Spirit Day
• WE Day – applications out and due next week; scoring done with a rubric, blind, selections made; WE Day on Thursday 4/18 in the Tacoma Dome
• Valentine’s Day cards were unable to be delivered to seniors because of snow impact. Change was made to collect Spring cards for Seniors

IV. Snow Days (Drew Terry)

School will now go until June 27^th to make up the six snow days. District and union worked together to explore options. The simplest solution was to add the days to the end.

Cougar Ridge 5^th grade promotion and picnic are to be scheduled Wednesday 6/26.

V. Cougar Ridge YouTube Channel (Drew Terry)

Cougar Ridge now has a YouTube channel for community. The Fun Run and 5^th Grade Science Fair projects will be posted.

VI. Staffing (Drew Terry)

Issaquah School District: Admin level shifts are happening now – EN principal moving to admin, out of district hire made already; SS principal moving to admin HR – position is posted and open; Amy Allison CR – hired to AP elementary position in the district;

Cougar Ridge: overstaffed by 1; Barb Leon retiring; Mary Grigg and Chrissy Bachman moving to 2^nd grade;

Newcastle Commons and Quadrant Homes could impact enrollment in the future as the building projects in that area continue to complete.

VII. New Schools Update (Drew Terry)

Elementary and Middle School Progress Reports: E16 on the plateau across from west Klahanie entrance. Three story building; 30 classrooms; 580-600 students. Task force created this spring to work on boundaries. Middle School 6 at the bottom of Talus.

Traffic issues are being explored for the Talus Dr. and 900.

Boundary Review Meetings will be this spring: Principal and community member from each building.

District still hoping for Sisters of Providence/City Church property for a high school and elementary.

VIII. School Garden

Presentation (Lia Facchine)

Presentation by Lia Facchine – a docent program for students by parents.

1. Introduction
2. Research in Support of School Gardens: reinforcing the benefits of gardens and CR has a lot of building blocks to start this project: space, parents, high community involvement
3. Successful School Gardens in ISD: varying models from around the district
4. Community Partner for Cougar Ridge: Carpinito Bros, Town and Country, Squak Mt Nursery have indicated they are excited about the CR project.
5. Locations have been explored
6. Funding: a variety of grants outside our own district/PTSA
7. Next steps: poll staff; discuss with Mr. Terry, apply for financial assistance

Mr. Terry has requested that the garden proposal group survey staff around their interest in this project after their PTSA presentation 3/19.

I. Welcome and Introductions (Liz Siegel)

Liz Siegel Facilitator, Principal Drew Terry, Margie Calderwood, Sarah Koch, Barbara Unger, Jamie Allott, Amy Allison, Sam Stevenson, Jana Horton, Rebecca Cohen, Nina Scoffone, Carissa Saffel, Lia Facchine, Sara Woody, Abby Cleveland, Bella Mobilia

II. Review of Minutes (Liz Siegel)

Dec 10, 2018 minutes – approved

III. Student Council Report (Abby Cleveland -President and Bella Mobilia – Vice President)

Student Council Report:

• Food Drive – 213 pounds of food
• Spirit Days – successful: pajama day had higher participation than look alike day.
• Cards delivered to Senior Citizens
• 83 books collected for Swedish Hospital – goal of 100
• Mr. Terry requested that the next spirit days be announced so there is time to anticipate them and get excited for what is coming next.

IV. School Garden Presentation (Lia Facchine)

Lia presented a proposal for how to start a garden at school. She will be meeting with Sunset to learn about their garden and gathering information from other school on how this is run/maintained.

Mr. Terry mentioned we will need to look into logistics such as location, maintenance/irrigation, funding source, etc.

Parents mentioned they know the garden would need a curriculum tie in and be a project that would need ongoing maintenance so they are hoping to get community support on everything from grants to weeding and plant selection.

Next steps include talking to other schools and presenting the idea to PTSA.

V. Open Forum (Liz Siegel)

No topics brought forward.

VI. Open Forum – Lock Down (Principal Drew Terry)

Mr. Terry reviewed information shared at last Site Council meeting and added that there is some new information on how communication is handled during a lock down:

1. E-news is the primary source of information and handled by district personnel so that school personnel can focus on the job of safety.
2. FLASH alerts are sent via transportation if transportation issues are a part of the situation.
3. Text messages – are ONLY sent if action is needed from the family during an emergency. In our recent lockdown the action needed was to NOT drop students off at school.
4. Principal Terry will look into how to get information to families about ensuring the primary number in Skyward is a cell number and designated that way because that is the number the district sends text updates to if action is needed.