SIC Title 1 Planning Committee Meeting
Minutes
October 23, 2024
The mission of Ford Elementary School is to empower and inspire all to be educated and informed.
● Welcome, Sign-in:
Attending: K. Penland, C. Marino, S. Molina, B. England, P. McKelvey, P. Taylor, and C. Scott.
Absent: C. Wzorek, E. Green, C. Davenport, E. Carroll.
● Approval of September Minutes- Marino reviews quickly, KP points out the Title 1
compact was published and sent home to be signed and returned. BE approves the
minutes and PT 2nd's motion to approve September minutes.
● Reading Plan (attached) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vxAvMHcLVu-
kC7Ik1116TlShe5sMlb0X/edit
LETRS- KP explains the training and purpose for LETRS-The science of reading, and the
importance of going back to the basics to prepare our students to be readers and to meet grade
level standards before 3rd grade (Read to Succeed law). The Science of reading is going back
to the basics- Currently in training: 4 in Year 1, and 5 in Year 2. 17 Fully trained. Discusses the
instructional materials, programs, screeners and tests used for students. Strengths and Growth
Possibilities: Previous Goals and Progress. Any questions?
● 2024 School Report Card Ratings/Turnaround Plan Worksheet- (attached)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UNbpNziYf760PpvZJjLruJR-
DOtKYVln1pMA0XjRvzg/edit?tab=t.0
KP: Ford 23-24- Below Average Overall, 41% ML students: Progress made in Academic
Achievement, Unknown in Preparing for Success- not scored last year, Went down in English
Learners’ Student Progress, Stayed the same in Student Progress, Went down in School
Climate: 2 areas needing major improvement: Set goals for School Climate and English
Learners’ Student Progress.
○ School Climate and ML Progress Goals- Need Based Charts (attached by links
below/picture at bottom) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pOJc8GY2w0-
vfulLy3yitrvpXKFyBCUQ/view?usp=sharing
○
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H5QE6moe9ZmvHmFA0GjeSRgYLZWiERcn/view
?usp=sharing
Ford Elementary School
601 Lucas Avenue
Laurens, South Carolina 29360
Phone: 864.984.3986
Fax: 864.984.4724
Kim Penland, Principal
Brook England, Assistant Principal
■ Suggestions for Improvement (ILT, SIC, Ford Staff):
KP reviews need based charts according to school report card data. Morale is important-
Upbeat survey just went out. PT: I think just by having certain teachers no longer here, I think it
will improve morale! No screaming at students inappropriately in the hall or cafeteria during my
duty free lunch volunteering .
○ Creating a 5-Star Culture of Excellence
■ Safety (School Climate)
KP: School safety is huge, a big one from me coming through last year was doors wide open,
kids everywhere. Now we have all the doors locked, it’s important for students to feel safe too,
because they need to be and feel safe. Students take the survey as well for the school report
card.
KP: new cleaning staff: Budd Group- Sissy and I are still reminding them of things needing
attention. We ask teachers to tell us about any needs or noticed things needing attention, if I
don’t know, I can’t fix it. New behavior matrix: Working on consistency with students and
teachers. It’s hung up in the hall and cafeteria- Reminding them of expectations, but they are
doing better. BIGGEST Behavior management help is Conscious Discipline, we are currently
training for it now-next year we fully implement it.
● Behavior Celebration - October 18th
BE: BIg Air Street Team came during related arts time and each grade level had 45 minutes,
students attended if they earned it with their behavior eagle tickets.
● Staff - Jean days, special treats, scheduling a duty free lunch in
November, celebrations during faculty meetings and cluster
meetings.
KP: Snack cart, parking space up front, we try to do little things as we go.
PT: Have you done a coffee cart? We can help if needed.
■ Instruction (Academic Achievement, Student Progress, Preparing for
Success, ML Progress)
KP: ML needs based chart (attached above/below)- Powerschool coding dates- ML growth is
calculated off start date put in, Lexia English program, peer/buddy system, connect with
churches.
SM: a lot of them attend the Catholic church, Access testing starting in January-March.
KP/CM/PM/SM -Molina, Jones, Valdez help translate for parents at conferences and for report
cards.
PT: Is there a need for a parent English language learning class? CM/KP- We can discuss that
with the district, They would have to set that up and help with funding, we used to have one here
7 years ago.
SM: Shares how they did Goal Setting for students in Primary Montessori. They set goals for
testing. They took pictures of the students with their goals, and put it on the wall for Goal
Setting- the students love it! They can see it, can discuss/explain it, and it’s working to keep
them on track and accountable.
● Instructional Leadership Team meetings, Cluster meetings,
Evaluation schedules
■ Climate - Upbeat Survey Results (Staff morale and school climate) will be
shared at our next meeting.
KP/BE- 99% completed, missing 1 person, but it’s done anonymously.
○ Goals for the 2024-2025 school year
■ The percentage of students scoring Meets or Exceeds on SC Ready ELA
will increase from 23.1% in 2024 to 35% in 2025.
■ The percentage of students scoring Meets or Exceeds on SC Ready Math
will increase from 25% in 2024 to 35% in 2025.
■ All other students will improve performance on ELA and Math
SCREADY/MAP/FastBridge assessments by at least 10%. Students who
are performing at the highest proficiency level will maintain their scores.
■ Climate Goal: The school report card rating for School Climate will improve
from Unsatisfactory in 2024 to Average or above in 2025.
■ ML Progress Goal: The school report card rating for Multilingual Learners’
Progress will improve from Unsatisfactory in 2024 to Average or above in
2025.
● Title 1
○ Parent Involvement Policy and Parent, Student, Teacher, Principal Compact - sent
home with report cards October 22nd.
KP: Working to get those turned back in signed.
● 21st Century Afterschool ProgramGood News Club as well.
● Upcoming Events
○ Fall Festival - October 29th 4:30-6:30- students can wear costumes, food trucks,
animals and activities, candy, don’t pay to play,
○ Professional Development Day - November 4th (No school for students)
○ Election Day Holiday - November 5th
○ Veterans’ Day Program - November 11th (Time TBD)
○ November 8th- Batman coming @ 8:30-9:00
○ Book Fair - November 18th-26th
○ Parent Night - “Fall” in Love with Reading - November 21st 5:00-6:30 (Helpful hints
on how to read with their children, visit Book Fair, cider and cookies) SM- online
books for them to listen to, & Dolly Parton Imagination library table.
○ Thanksgiving Holidays - November 27th-29th
○ 1st 9 Weeks Awards Day will be scheduled before Thanksgiving holidays
● Future meeting dates: All meetings will be held at 3:30
○ November 20
○ December 11
○ January 29
○ February 26
○ March 26
○ April 30
○ May 21 (if needed)
NEXT MEETING: November 20th at 3:30
KP: Motion to close meeting? SM: I approve, PT: I second the motion.