October+2007+Minutes

BLT Workday In attendance:** Christine Gorsky, Peter Cafiso, Emily Peterson, Deborah Layden, Ann Steinberg, Jamie Cohen, Denise Kleinman
 * October 25, 2007

A problem with the technology left us unable to conduct wikispace training today. It will be done at our next meeting.
 * Wikispace Training:**

Mrs. Aebly, who was unable to attend is looking into this.
 * Report out on BOCES Arts & Education and Saxon:**

Mrs. Gorsky contacted Saxon. They are looking into possible student related assemblies that they could provide. A representative will be getting back to Mrs. Gorsky.

Mrs. Cohen brought up the St. Jude Math-a-thon- St Jude will provide all the children with Math workbooks. We will use this activity to kick off our math initiative. We will look into seeing if we need to get district approval for this program. The group looked at the St.Jude's Math-a-thon website to see what the program is all about. We will go ahead with an assembly on 11/19 and the BLT teachers/administrator will dress up as the math-a-thon characters to build excitement. The class in each grade level who raises the most money will win an ice cream party. Mrs. Gorsky and Mrs. Peterson- Symmetry Mr. Cafiso- Minus Mrs. Kleinman- Fraction Mr. Pisano- Octagon
 * Math Focus:**

Saxon Software- The BLT looked at the saxon folder on the desktop. The Extend and Challenge folder gives extention activties for grades K-3.

Northstar- Mrs. Cohen introduced the North Star program. This program is a compliment to Saxon and is NY State standard related. The students and teachers can do online work both in school and at home. Teachers will be trained at a later date on this program. website-www.northstarmath.com

Theme Days- The BLT has designated one day per month as a theme day. Friday, December 21 - Hat Day Friday, January 25 - Fitness Day Friday, February 29 - Disney Day Friday, March 28 - Read-A-Shirt Day Thursday, April 17 - School Spirit Day Friday, May 30 - Pajama Day

E-mail math department up at North to see if they want to team up with us and do a math tutoring program.

At our next meeting on November 15, 2007 we will put Math-athon book and kits together and distribute them to the staff.
 * Next Meeting**