Normandale General SessionOctober 11, 2011

Agenda

Welcome, Tracy PearsonWelcome, Tracy Pearson

The Future of Immersion, Isabelle PunchardThe Future of Immersion, Isabelle Punchard

Technology Referendum, Dr. DressenTechnology Referendum, Dr. Dressen

Understanding Normandale Leadership, Julie WohlfordUnderstanding Normandale Leadership, Julie Wohlford

Next StepsNext Steps

QuestionsQuestions

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 topicsSuggestions? Needs?

Email isapunchard@edina.k12.mn.us

Normandale Leadership Team

What is the Normandale Leadership Team (NLT)?

MissionOrganized 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

NLTNLT

PEFPEF IOCIOCSACSAC

Normandale Leadership Team

Normandale Leadership Team

People, Events and FundsPeople, Events and Funds Intern Organization and Coordination

Intern Organization and Coordination

School Advisory and Communications

School Advisory and Communications

Board ofDirectors

Operating Divisions

Responsibilities of the NLT

NLTNLT

Normandale Leadership Team

Normandale Leadership Team

Board ofDirectors

• 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

SACSACSchool Advisory and

CommunicationsSchool 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 plansCommunications (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 plansCommunications (K. Seck, L. Vaillancourt and YOU?)• Establish timely and effective communications• Maintain PTO website• Leverage technology to enhance communications

People, Events & FundsPEFPEF

People, Events and FundsPeople, 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

IOCIOCIntern Organization and

CoordinationIntern Organization and

Coordination

Organization (R. Talan, K. Wetmore and YOU?)• Manage administration efforts associated with

recruitment/placement of interns• Recruit host and partner familiesCoordination (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 familiesCoordination (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?