Ball State University
Professional Development Schools Network
University Liaison's Meeting
Thursday, September 12, 2002
3:00 p.m.
Teachers College 213

Summary

Attendance: Sally Catoe, Pat Clark, Kathy Church, Linda Martin, John Merbler, Scott Popplewell, Lynn Staley, Jackie Stillisano, Ruth Swetnam, Carolyn Walker, Dean Weaver, Nina Yssel

Kathy Church and Lynn Staley were welcomed and introduced as new liaisons.

Dean Weaver described the recent trip that he, Larry Smith, David Dixon, and Felicia Dixon made to Germany and England. Plans are underway to begin developing a professional development school partnership with Wetzel Elementary School in Baumholder, Germany. We are starting to recruit Ball State students for the program and one faculty member will be assigned for a semester to work with the students and Wetzel faculty. London Central High School and West Ruislip Elementary School outside of London are interested in a partnership, but nothing will begin there until the program in Germany is up and running.

Dean Weaver is looking for an administrator and a teacher to serve on the Professional Education Committee that meets periodically on Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. He urged liaisons to send recommendations to him.

Ruth Swetnam announced that the PDS Network includes 30 sites for 2002-03. The planning partnerships are Burris School, Apple Tree Developmental Center, Towne Meadow Elementary School, Southside High School, and Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Shortridge Middle School indicates that a Statement of Interest is being finalized. We anticipate that Booth Tarkington Elementary School and Orchard Park Elementary School will have proposals presented for approval at the November Institute Meeting.

The Holmes Scholar for 2002-03 is Robyn Melton. She will be available second semester to make presentations to PDS sites.

Jackie Stillisano, Project Manager for the Title II Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant, stated that she will be delivering checks for $1000 to the PDSs during the next few weeks. She also announced that Title II will again be sponsoring teams composed of a liaison, teacher, and administrator to go to the annual conference of the National Staff Development Council on December 8-11. Teams will need to submit a proposal to attend. The proposal form and instructions will be sent out in the next few days. Schools should have received a conference program, as each PDS site is a member of NSDC. Liaisons may request a conference booklet from Jackie.

Liaisons were urged to send Ruth any new directory information, requests for business cards, and adjunct faculty forms as soon as possible. The incentives and privileges for adjunct faculty have not changed from last year.

Ruth will work with Gretchen Reid and Melissa Schoenfeldt to discuss how students from the senior seminar might speak to EDEL 200 and SPCED 371 students about experiences in a PDS. Sally Catoe, with the help of Linda Martin, agreed to work on a PowerPoint presentation describing the PDS Network. This presentation would be another marketing tool to use in the classes.

Ruth Warren entertained discussion about the newsletter. The spring 2002 newsletter is on the website. The fall edition will be a hardcopy. Ideas for the fall newsletter included a focus on the completed action research projects, other research projects involving PDS sites, and initiatives resulting from attendance at NSDC. The deadline for articles is November 25. If anyone wants pictures taken they are to call Ruth Warren at 285-4198 or e-mail her.

Liaisons were urged to check the PDS website and look at their school's site. Get word to Ruth Warren or Lynn Siler about any changes needed. Also, news about awards, publications, or presentations to be added to the website should be sent to Lynn Siler.

Site reviews for CUMNS and MCC/OG will be scheduled in October and November. Visits to Huffer, Anderson H.S. and Highland H.S. will take place in the spring.

The Institute Meeting is scheduled for November 6 at Minnetrista Cultural Center/Oakhurst Gardens. Ruth is seeking suggestions for the meeting and needs these prior to October 15. Ideas discussed included role-alike discussions and presentations on the follow-up activities from NSDC.

Scott Popplewell announced the Ball State Annual Reading Conference, Friday, November 8, 2002, BSU Student Center. Scott Foresman is furnishing the noon meal. Registration for representatives from PDSs will be $20.

Pat Clark announced the Early Childhood Conference, Saturday, October 5, Teachers College. Unfortunately, there is no grant money this year to support registrations. Registration is $20 and lunch is $10.

The Holmes Conference is February 19-22 at the Grand Hyatt, Washington D.C. Schools may use their PDS money to support attendance at this conference. Information is available at www.holmespartnership.org.

The Secondary Teacher Education Information Fair is Wednesday, September 18, in the studio area of the Arts & Journalism Building, 9:00 - 2:00.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:02 p.m.