OCTM Board Meeting
Eastern Oregon University
LaGrande, Oregon
9:00 Call to Order
Winnie Miller
Welcome
Winnie read a quote from Chuck Peterson “To our dedicated and proud OCTM board members – Dick Brannan promised when I was Treasurer under his reign, we would have an OCTM Board meeting in Halfway. You are really close! Another 98 miles and you would be in my home. You probably realize why few meetings are held in Eastern Oregon. You probably noticed the dead spots for your cell phones as you left Hood River and continued east. You may have found the Golden Radio station that you can hear for 80 miles somewhere between Arlington and Pendleton. In any case, you probably noticed you have a long time to nap or have pleasant conversations. I would love to be at this OCTM board meeting just for the historical significance of it. The previous closest spot was an OCTM Board meeting in Hermiston early in my term. Ron and Gwen Waite cooked homemade chili for everyone and it was the cheapest lunch I ever paid for, about $50 from OCTM funds. Anyway, I hope you enjoy our scenery. Look at the Eagle Cap Wilderness at the southern most peak. Halfway is right below it. Miss you and respect your dedication. ”
Present: Ross Eells, Winnie Miller, Patty Sandoz, Jackie Cooke, Cathy Brown, Ann McMahon, Elizabeth Warren, Shawna Dehler, Jane Osborn, Kim Clary, Marna Knoer, Nancy Swarat, Cheri Clausen, Molly Smith, Phil Bartsch, Nancy Anderson, Kristin Takano, Jon Wiens, Leslie Graham, Lynn Bonser and Jennifer Cox.
· Community Agreements are listed on the back of this meeting’s agenda. Winnie shared the background of community agreements. They include three areas, personal needs, group needs, and meeting structure. Jackie Cooke made the suggestion of adding some time to have fun with math.
· Approval of Minutes:
A motion by Molly Smith with a second by Phil Bartsch was made to accept the minutes of the August 6, 2006 board meeting with changes. The motion passed.
· Proposed Additions to Agenda
- Molly Smith had some questions about selling OCTM books at a discount and is there a master inventory? Phil Bartsch shared that we are not in it to make money. Books should be shared; the philosophy is to get people involved in OCTM.
- Lynn Bonser Discussion about republishing our note cards.
· Oral Area Rep Reports
Area 1 Lynn Bonser
- Lynn is a math specialist and does lots of workshops and is using the Fosnot and Van de Walle math series. Last week she had a county-wide in-service day and she used Cathy Reed’s book to get copies of literature books and shared them with her colleagues at the elementary level. Then she used a cinquain math lesson with the secondary people and it went great.
Area 14 Elizabeth Warren
- Pizza, Pop & Problems in November, flyers available.
Area 6 Marna Knoer
- did a P3 with 130 miles worth of people. Lane ESD helped sponsor. 20 people attended. Mini in-service yesterday – three 1-hour sessions and handed out 50 OCTM memberships
Area 10 Cheri Clausen
- P3 session last week in Ontario with Patty Sandoz with about 18. They were so involved in the math that they barely got the pizza eaten. Cheri has another session in Vale next week, over 20 signed up. The ESD is covering the cost of pizzas.
Nancy Rogers is in the hospital. Winnie sent flowers and a card is being sent around for people to sign.
Discussion Items
· OCTM table at NWMC (Northwest Math Conference)
- Molly is unable to go to Canada for the NW conference and needs someone to take the OCTM banner & books. Ann McMahon has volunteered to take the supplies and Molly passed around a sign up sheet for volunteers to man the OCTM table.
- OCTM books are usually sold at a conference for $10 instead of usually $16. Some area reps would like to take a few copies to sell at P3 meetings.
- How do we manage the number of copies that go out with area reps?
- Should we keep a list of how many books we have and are selling?
- We will ask Charlotte to keep track of this master list.
- Area reps that take sample copies today and please write down what you take.
- It was decided that we can sell books that we have for a discounted price at conferences.
- Use the books as a door prize at P3 meetings based on the percentage, if you want to give away a membership at a P3 contact Phil Bartsch and he will get the approval for you to do so.
· Delegate Assembly Proposal
- NCTM conference if we want to propose something it is due Nov. 1.
· Nomination Committee
- Will be meeting at lunch, the vice president and secretary will be on this year’s ballot. Volunteers needed to be on the committee, Nancy Swarat, Kristin Takano, Patty Sandoz and Ann McMahon have volunteered
- The committee gives the names to the Vice President who contacts the nominees and then the names will be announced at the January meeting. Winnie will look into who will be running the election based on the constitution.
· January 20 Vtel Meeting
- Winnie, Cathy Brown, Molly, Patty and Kim Clary all reported on the availability of Vtel in their areas.
- Clackamas costs and will be the originating site, Department of Ed free, Union County $45 + 25 per dollars, North Powder free, Kim said there is not one available in her area.
- There was some concern about being able to see and hear everyone using Vtel. Cathy Brown said that the originating site can set it up so everyone can see each other. Recommendation - 5 sites is optimal. Jennifer Cox is checking on Umatilla-Morrow ESD for the Eastern Oregon site.
- Have the Vtel information to Winnie by November 30. If Vtel does not work we can use Clackamas ESD for our January meeting on the 20th.
· OCTM note cards
- Lynn was interested in reprinting. It was discovered that Ann McMahon has a box and Patty Sandoz has a box. Patty has the masters. Lynn thinks these would be a good thing to sell at conferences. Jackie Cooke will check with Joe Spooner and then check on the costs of printing. Lynn thinks that her ESD will be able to do the printing and then her daughter can work on the packaging. She will check on the costs for her ESD.
- Jackie wants to know if anyone has the masters to the old mathematician trading cards. Lynn and Patty discussed funny math pictures that used to be in TOMT (The Oregon Math Teacher). Patty will send the information to Jackie and she will talk to Joe about re-running the pictures in TOMT.
Old Business
· PDC
- Nancy Anderson has a warm up for us to do from the P3. Nancy Anderson shared a book that she uses “Amanda Bean’s Amazing Dream” because it includes sheep. Nancy will send the list of other sheep books to Jennifer Cox to add to the minutes as well as rules for the card game we played. Nancy shared what she does at her P3 sessions.
· Discover Your Strengths Bios
- Jackie and Winnie talked about each board member would write a bio and then have it posted on the OCTM web site. Patty will send the list of questions to each member. Then write your own bio in the third person and send it to Jackie Cooke. The questionnaire to discover your strengths is available online. Bio Guidelines: third person, times new roman 12 pt. not double spaced.
10:25 – 10:40 Break
New Business
· Curriculum Focal Points Cathy Brown & Jon Wiens
- Cathy Brown and Jon Wiens handed out the NCTM Focal Points & Connections in Brief. Cathy needs to add a statement to the document and send it to all the board members in attendance.
- Jon shared the NCTM version of the NCTM Focal points that are available on the web. Jon is currently reviewing all the math standards and has been waiting for the focal points. In October they had a content panel meeting to discuss the focal points. The focal points have a logical progression that will be helpful to parent and teachers. The content panel is looking at how current standards match focal points in small groups. This may involve moving standards to different grade levels and the standards that did not meet a focal point or a connection were moved to a separate category. There are three categories: focal point, connections, not related. The standards were pretty coherent to the focal points. There is a still lot left to do, such as: decide what exactly we want to focus on, only focal points, focal and connections, all of it. Make sure standards cover focal points, look at language in the standards, and make sure that items in item bank will still be usable. There was discussion about not making a standard fit into a focal point or connection. That it was ok to let a standard go. It is important to make sure we have deep knowledge of these items. Items such as time, is not addressed in the focal points, but we have it in our standards. So a decision needs to be made about that. Another issue is Data Analysis – Probability & Statistics is not a focal point until grade 8. The connections are important for introducing & developing language, but the focal points are what are really important.
- Idea- list of standards related to focal points and a document that includes connections.
- Clearly leads to algebra in high school, students exiting 8th grade will be ready for algebra.
- NCTM was originally grade band and there is a document that shows how the 2000 standards relate to the current focal points. About 1/3 of standards were not related to focal points. Explanation: currently grades 3-5 all have a standard about 2-D shapes. The focal points put all 2-D shapes in grade 3. So the 4th & 5th grade standards do not meet the current focal point.
- 9-12 NCTM has not created focal points for 9-12 and we will still be asking people for input at the March meeting such as focal points, end-of-course descriptors, or something else. Oregon State Board of Education wants to have 9-12 standards adopted in April. Jon wants them delayed until September, because when we adopt standards we have to test students within 2 years
- Possible time line
- If standards adopted 4/2007, then, testing happens 2008-2009.
- Text books aligned to new standards would be in classroom 2008-09.
- Text book adoptions will begin in Oct 07. Books in classroom fall 08
- If standards adopted 9/07 then testing would not start until 2009-2010
- Leslie shared concerns she has that some people are not always aware of the changes that occur at the state and national level.
- Math Science partnership grant 2 million – Jon is in charge of and would like to find a way to get professional development and curriculum information about math & science. There are some issues they are working through. 5% is set aside for salaries, and such. There may be $10,000 available.
- Can OCTM help with getting the word out about focal points? Jon says that he may have some funds available if OCTM can create a plan for how to use the $10000.
- OML could have sessions to talk about standards.
- Could P3 be used to share new focal points?
· Standard Setting
- NCLB requires each state to put a plan together for meeting NCLB and then other states come in to do a peer review of the plan. During Oregon’s peer review they said had some missing pieces in mathematics (and other content areas). We revised the math standards in 2002; but we did not review the performance standard. We have to revise the performance standards (cut points on the RIT scale) in December. Some questions about the approach to this revision include: Is the standard predictive? If a students meets in 3rd, how confident are we that they would meet in 5th? What about high school?
- Look at description of what we want and look at cut score to make sure we are doing what we should be.
- State Board in December will be publishing new high school diploma requirements. They want it in place by December; Leanings: Leaves the credit total at 24, math credit at 3, and raise science from 2-3 credits. The discussion has been to make all 3 math credits be high school level math – starting with Algebra 1. For example if a kid takes pre-algebra level class in 9th grade it will not count as a math credit. At the September board meeting the State Board realized they were not all expecting all students to get through Algebra 2, which is what part of them wanted. So they may require that at least 1 of these credits has to be Algebra 2. Rather than say that a student has to do an Algebra 2 credit we should require that students all have to meet specific content at an Algebra 2 level (content vs course). Students that cannot get through Algebra 2 can still get a diploma; Jon said there will be an “alternative” diploma for these kids. There may also be a course content list for each course. Major policy decisions will be done in December and the details will have to be taken care of later.
- The State Board realized that the standards went through Algebra 2 book, so if a student meets the standards for his/her CIM, then they have Algebra 2 level skills. The board has also decided that there are too many standards, so there will be core standards in every subject. Jon is pushing the Curriculum Focal Points to satisfy the needs of core standards for the board.
- Molly wants to know how State Board is chosen. Jon says the Governor appoints the people; there are area representatives as well as advisors.
- Jon says the State Board also wants to build proficiency into the diploma, not just credits, but understanding of things as well. However the determination of what they want to use as proficiency.
- Teachers please think about the top ten focal points for high school and send them to Jon Wiens.
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· Things to Think About
- We will discuss the ideas at lunch and write down our thoughts on the poster for each idea. People will then write a proposal for each idea to be shared at the January meeting. The ideas are online membership, philosophy of budgeting, credit card for frequent flier miles, mileage rate, and the role of vice president. Each group will report on their discussions right after lunch.
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
Lunch Committee Reports
· Nomination
- We have candidates that will be contacted to see if they are interested in running.
· Online membership
- Winnie, Shawna and Jackie each have a task to accomplish. They are going to research how online registration works now, things to know and be aware of and the cost. These findings will be reported in the January meeting.
· Money committee – How to save money
- Nancy Anderson will research credit card options to see if they will allow non-profits to have credit cards.
- Change mileage rate to offer 50% of state rate for the next three years and then revisit this. People within 150 miles round trip will not be reimbursement for mileage, unless they carpool with 3 or more people. Vice President will set up a block of rooms and rates for each board meeting. President will ask people to RSVP with whether or not you are coming. Winnie will include the roster with her agenda and directions.
· Role of the Vice President
- We felt that a current elected official should run the election, past president or president elect.
- We could eliminate the vice president and redefine the positions of president elect, and past president. Also we thought that it ain’t broke, so don’t fix it.
· Board Member Reports
· President Winnie Miller
- Area reps please make sure you have written down which books you have taken.
- Thank you to Molly, Cheri and Dana for providing breakfast and lunch.
- SCAM is now special projects on the budget. Brochures and flyers go into printing & publishing.
- Thank you to the conference chicks for an outstanding conference yesterday.
- Recognition to Jackie Cooke for Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to Jackie Cooke for being recognized as Teacher of the Year! I had the privilege of observing young mathematicians hard at work in her classroom. It is no wonder that Susan Castillo is so impressed.
By the Board meeting, I hope to have a report to you on the recipient of the OCTM district scholarship. Thank you to Lynn Bonser, Cathy Brown, Ann McMahon, and Patty Sandoz for investing time and effort as part of the interview team.
Jackie Cooke has posted on our webpage the letter I submitted to the Eugene Register- Guard. Thank you to Alice Kaseburg, Trudy Mitchell, and Mike Shaughnessy for all their input. The following letter was also submitted to the Oregonian.
To the Editor:
The “Curriculum Focal Points” published by the National Council of Teachers of
Mathematics (NCTM) are meant to extend and build on NCTM’s previous work, “Curriculum and Evaluation Standards” (1989), or the more recent “Principles and Standards for School Mathematics” (2000). Important mathematical topics in each grade, from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, have been identified in the Focal
Points as the essential mathematical content children need to understand thoroughly.
The Focal Points are about understanding concepts to support the recall of basic facts, to develop fluency with efficient procedures, and to understand why the procedures work, so that they can be used to solve problems in a variety of situations. “It offers a framework to guide states and school districts as they design and organize revisions of their expectations, standards, curriculums and assessment programs.” Skip Fennell, NCTM President.
I urge your readers, especially those involved with educational decisions, to become better informed about the purpose of the “Curriculum Focal Points.” Take a moment to view the entire document, the news release, the article from Education Week, and the video of the news conference at the NCTM website, www.nctm.org.
Winnie Miller, President
Oregon Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Lake Oswego, OR, 2 October 2006
· Vice-President Molly Smith
- All my time has been spent with the six chicks from the sticks. We had about 120 people. Thanks to everyone for all your work, help and support. It was a good conference and I was so proud to work with a great group of chicks. We also made a little bit of money from OCTM memberships and books.
- I am also working on online elections for next time.
- Area reps have been doing a great job on membership drive. We increased membership 40%. One contest is being extended until January. Winner of the weekend at Winnie’s is Cheri and Dana who increased their membership by 104%.
- Working on getting a librarian listserv to invite them to join OCTM.
- Email from Jane in Bethel wanting to have some workshops in her area.
- Special thanks to Cheri, Nancy and Patty for the outstanding outfits we wore at the conference. Judy Johnson purchased the extra coat for $50.
“My time as of late has been spent preparing for our Inquiry Outside of the Cube Conference. We have Six Chicks from the Sticks plus one chick, who have worked diligently to make sure this conference goes off without a hitch. I am happy to say that the conference seemed to be a success. Unofficial numbers put us somewhere around 120 attendees, including speakers. A huge thank you to the Six Chicks: Patty Sandoz – Co-Chair, Nancy Swarat – Registrar, Jennifer Cox – Fine Dining Extraordinaire, Cheri Clausen – Free goodies for our participants, Dana Marlia – Santa’s little helper, and Donna Rainboth – our person of contact with EOU for conference credit and conference planning. Also, a huge thank you to OCTM for the seed money, and to our OCTM speakers and attendees for the support. We did make some money at the conference table and did get one new membership, which was very exciting. We also sold $81 of OCTM materials at the conference and got one new membership!
I am still waiting to get an e-mail list or access to the librarian list-serve to send them information about OCTM and how they can get a membership for their library. My goal is to send a letter and application to every librarian in the State of Oregon.
In my spare time, I have also been working with our computer class to help them hammer out my idea of on-line voting. And, have been trying to send out friendly encouragement to our hard working Area Representatives for our membership drive. I am very proud of the work that each and every one of them does. Being an Area Representative is a huge responsibility. It’s easy for all of us to sit back and let them beat the bushes to share the news about the happenings of OCTM, but I also like the many of us take an active role in helping them with that feat.
Jane King from Bethel School District e-mailed me asking for help from OCTM to help their District with some specific strand help. Since Baker City is quite a ways away from Bethel, Marna Knoer has offered to help.
We have had a membership drive these past couple of months. Our membership did increase, which is always exciting. I would like to thank the Area Representatives for the work they have done. The first contest was to see which Area could increase their membership by the largest percentage. The second contest, which was a little harder to track, was to see if an Area could get at least one OCTM member in every school in that Area. As of the writing of this report, I don’t have the results from that report yet.
Thanks to our Membership Secretary, he keeps great data and has shared with me the results of the first contest... We had one Area that increased their membership by 104%. That Area is Area 10. Congratulations. In the past three months, we have increased our membership from 768 members to 1, 074. Nearly a 40% increase. YAHOO!”
· President Elect Patty Sandoz
- Her computer crashed Sunday night and then her server crashed, so it may take her a few weeks to get emails out.
- Stationary is available for people, Winnie has some as well.
- Would OCTM like to help in the ‘Girls in Science’ that is taking place at the end of the month here in La Grande? They wanted to know if we have any giveaways. We have a policy that they need to ask for donations a year in advance. If you have ideas for giveaways send to Patty.
- Went to N. Carolina with a group that was supposed to be ½ math & science. She was the only math, so it was difficult to develop an action plan for professional development.
August 24, 2006 was a State Board of Education retreat just outside Salem. Nancy Swarat was invited to be part of a panel to talk about the concerns of the Board’s leaning towards what the new three-year math requirements will be. The documents prepared for the retreat can be found on the ODE website. I’ve previously shared my observations of this meeting with OCTM listserv readership.
September 13-14 several Oregon folks traveled to Greensboro, North Carolina for a professional development conference on professional development. Our group discussed the idea of having a summit or Chalkboard-like project to develop a math and science professional development system for the state of Oregon. Unlike many other states, Oregon does not have money for professional development.
Winnie and I have met periodically to share the latest OCTM news and to discuss upcoming issues of concern. Our next meeting will be prior to the OSU versus USC football game!
More stationary has been printed with the new order reflecting the changed logo design to the outline of the state with OCTM letters inside. We now have 2000 sheets of stationary and 2000 envelopes for anyone in need. Contact Winnie or me.
· Treasurer Ross Eells
- Ross passed out budgets to those of us who did not follow the directions to print your own.
- CD Long term they do not mature until 07 interest rate is probably 4-5% Ross will reinvest them at On Point, the bank closest to him.
We have 4 accounts at ON point $82, 178 earned $340 in interest.
- Checking $3000
- Don Fineran $1478
- Schaaf McFadden $2228
- 3 investments in financial west
- Sunrise scholarship found a CD at Washington Mutual It is 13 months 5.6% percentage rate. One time during the life of the CD we can bump up the rate. At the end of the 13 months we should have enough money to pay for an attendee to the NWMC in Portland. It is not on the budget.
- We became nonprofit in 1967.
- OML has no grant money available so OCTM would like to make sure that OML has money if needed, does not have to be spent.
- Ross shared information about his professional financial planner that:
I thought I would surprise all of you by actually showing up at a Board meeting.
Through the generosity of Trudy Mitchell, OCTM is now the provider of a brand new scholarship, the Sunrise Scholarship. Trudy donated $10,000 to our organization with the designation that it be used to provide support for early career teachers to attend the Northwest Math Conference when it is held in Portland. When I received the check in August, I called my personal financial adviser for suggestions as to the best way to invest the money. He advised me to look into a CD which would pay more than 5% interest rate. After shopping at local institutions, I was able to find a nice 13 month CD at Washington Mutual that pays 5.6% annually, with a bump up feature, which means once before maturity, I can bump the interest rate if it has increased. The CD matures on September 30, 2007, so on that date we will have earned enough interest to pay for our first scholarship, and I will be able to use the initial deposit, including unused interest, to purchase another CD.
The process of purchasing the CD was rather complicated because I had to prove that we were a nonprofit organization. With the help of Cathy Brown, we became registered with the state of Oregon as a nonprofit. Washington Mutual required a letter from the Federal government stating that we were nonprofit, which I could not find in the official file cabinet. I did find an old financial statement that said we were a nonprofit since 1971, but I needed the letter. The bank was finally able to secure a letter from the IRS, which stated that we were recognized as a tax-exempt organization in May 1967. For those of you who remember, that was just before the Summer of Love.
When I spoke with my financial adviser about the scholarship money, he asked me what current investments we have. I explained to him about our three investments with Financial West and specifically where that money is invested. He was surprised that our investments were not very diversified and that our money was in some very volatile accounts. I have made arrangements with him to talk more about this to find out what would be a better option and will have more information for you by the Board meeting. In periods when the stock market is down, we have lost money on these investments.
The new budget format shows assets and income at the top. The reason for the larger line item for Office Supplies compared to ’05-’06 is for the purchase of the laptop.
Respectfully submitted,
Ross Eells
Treasurer, OCTM
· Recording Secretary Jennifer Cox
- Thank you to everyone for your kind words and support as I take on the position of recording secretary.
- I have been helping put together the IOC conference that took place yesterday in La Grande. (I am sure it was a huge successJ).
· Membership Secretary Ralph Schubothe
As of October 1, 2006 membership is 1032. Near this time of the year in 2005 we had 1116 members, 2004 – 1149, and 2003 – 1193. I’ve attached a membership count spreadsheet for comparison purposes if you would like. I still haven’t received the OMLI memberships from Linda.
On September 9, 2006, 2500 renewal notices were sent out to members who had not renewed and 250 notices were sent out to Oregon NCTM members who were not OCTM members. So far 25 members have renewed, but none of the NCTM members have joined.
Other items of business, I noted that the OCTM table for the NWMC in Victoria is on the agenda. This of course is a VP responsibility, but in the past we have had membership forms and Problem Book order forms at the table. We’ve also had a few sample TOMTs and Problem Books. We’ve never taken any large quantities of materials as they would be subject to import duties.
Also someone may want to discuss the raising of Membership dues. I would suggest:
1yr - $25 ($5 increase)
2yr - $40 ($4 increase)
International - $30 ($5 increase)
Student - $10 (no change)
· NCTM Representative Giny Christensen
- Call for Resolutions is September 2006 and they are due on November 1, 2006.
- Brief rationale for any resolution
- Our regional caucus is scheduled for Wednesday, March 21, 2007 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Winnie and I will be attending this caucus, it is prior to the NCTM Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
- As soon as we hear anything about the election for President-Elect I will send it out on the OCTM List Serve. Ballots are due by October 31, 2006
- NCTM 2006-2007 Catalog is now available
- The Online Journal of School Mathematics can be viewed at www.nctm.org/onmath
· PAEMST Giny Christensen
- Our three finalists' projects are in Washington, DC
- Our three finalists are Steve Fisher, Molly Smith and Tammy Rasmussen - they were honored at Oregon Math Leaders, their school districts will be informed of their honor, the Oregonian is asking me for information about them.
- The application for PAEMST for math this year has not been given out yet - we are hoping soon. It is for 7th through 12th grade mathematics teachers. If you know of anyone you would like to nominate please contact me.
- Karen Stiner (from Bend) - the 2005 Recipient - has started to be actively involved - she was asked to return to Washington, DC - after the week long celebration and be part of a panel to offer her professional opinion about math education. She has drafted a letter to Governor Kulongoski - she sent me a copy and I have forwarded that letter to Jackie Cooke - [perhaps we could publish in the TOMT or at least on our website].
- I am creating a network of the past PAEMST awardees - hopefully to use them as mentors and as part of our Professional Development Cadre. Cathy Brown has been so helpful in this area - she knows nearly everybody!
- We will not know of the new awardee until the spring of 2007.
- The $4000 was received by Ross and bills + stipends have been paid. This $4000 came as a result of our application to the PAEMST office.
· NWMC Representative Phil Bartsch
- Transferred Treasurers – Ross will be the treasurer for NWMC. Some of the dust has settled and now there is a check for $10,000 that will be coming from NW. Ross will be writing a check to himself, from himself. J
- Next year’s conference will be in Bellevue
- Phil likes the model of having a conference in NE Oregon on the same year as BC. Southern Oregon will be having a conference the same year as Washington.
- Portland motel is booked and there will not be a tent. Inn at the Key will be a secondary site in Vancouver.
The treasurer account has been transferred from Dick Brannan to Ross Eells. We are now essentially done with all bills from the 44th conference and are ready to transfer the final $10,000 to OCTM. So., we are pleased to announce a total profit to OCTM of $120,000 - by far the biggest NW in Oregon’s history.
Victoria’s conference is next week October 19-21. Early bird registration is now closed.
Next years conference is at Bellevue. We are also expecting the State of Jefferson to be holding their conference on the same weekend. We will need to work hard to encourage participation at both Ashland and Bellevue.
We have booked the Red Lion on the River along with the Red Lion Inn on the Quay on the Vancouver side of the river. NO TENTS!
· PDC Coordinator Giny Christensen
- Giny was not at the board meeting, but we did have some discussion about PDC
- Estacada was chosen. Phil asked if we wanted to use extra money to fund Hermiston.
- P3 – currently Math Learning Center has given us prizes to give away at P3,
- Patty said that Rick Ludeman has committed to donate 5 prizes, 2 crossing the ponds, 2 math in the mind’s eye and a membership, for each P3 that happens in the state. If you need stuff from Math Learning Center contact Phil Bartsch. The winner of the membership needs to fill out the form and then the P3 coordinator sends that to math learning center”
- First interview with the Hermiston School District was September 29th - Winnie will be able to tell you about the adventure and the outcome.
- The PDC had their first Vtel meeting; we were hooked to 14 different places in the state. It lasted for 1 hour and 5 minutes - we discussed the process of the interview coming up for Hermiston.
- We are avidly seeking grants for this project.
- It was reported that numerous P3 workshops were being conducted.
- Nancy Anderson is working on another workshop.
- Stephanie Legard is the "keeper" of a notebook of ideas + formats for the outreach workshops
- This process of Professional Development is ongoing and anyone with ideas, comments or thoughts are welcome to join in.
- Quandary - are we aware of literacy in mathematics?
· Grant Coordinator Nancy Rogers
- Response to the ASC's conclusions for further information and clarifications for the OCTM grant:
- Goals: To increase membership of OCTM and NCTM.
- To connect 28 early career teachers with experienced teachers associated with the OCTM board. The experienced teachers will serve as mentors, providing encouragement, lesson plan ideas, and doing peer observations with feedback to provide guidance and support for the early career teachers’ professional growth. To provide opportunities for early career teachers to assume leadership roles in professional mathematics.
- Evaluation Criteria: Each year, the early career teachers will be evaluated by the OCTM board. The purpose is to assess if they will continue as members of professional organizations, OCTM and NCTM; whether they are attending professional learning opportunities such as conferences; if they are utilizing the mentorship of experienced teachers from OCTM to help their professional growth and assuming increasing leadership responsibilities.
- Each year a survey will be designed to assess if the program is meeting the early career teachers needs for professional growth as teachers and emerging leaders of the mathematics community.
- Anticipated needs could be more peer observations, more opportunities to attend professional workshops, or more support for lesson planning.
- Budget:
- NCTM memberships 28*76 = $2128.00
- OCTM memberships 28*20 = $560.00
- Oregon Math Leaders Conference (OML) 28*$120 = $3360.00
- Travel for OCTM experienced teachers 28*50 = $1400.00
- Substitutes for experienced teachers 28*125 = $3500.00
- Total for three year project =$10948.00
- Sources: OCTM is seeking funds from NCTM $1500), other grants from other organizations such as Fred Meyer Corporation and Toshiba Corporation. (Grants for the OML conference $3360.00 and Substitutes $3500 for a total of $6860.)
- OCTM will make available funds for the project. (On October board meeting agenda to finalize $560 for project).
- OCTM board members and associates will volunteer at least 200 hours to mentor the early career teachers. (200 hours @ $ 25 per hour = $5000.)
- Depending on funding, the project may be scaled back to 14 early career teachers with less monetary benefits per teacher. There may be no contact during school hours that requires substitutes. OML may not be paid for the early career teachers.
- The benefit to the mathematics community of training early career teachers for assuming leadership roles in professional organizations and for assuming leadership roles at professional training events is a look to our future and the continuance of a strong mathematical presence in the options for professional development.
· ODE – Assessment Cathy Brown
- Her report is found above in the New Business Section
· ODE – EII Jon Wiens
- His report is found above in the New Business Section
· Historian Judy Johnson
- No Report
· TOMT Cathy Bernhard & Jackie Cooke
- We clarified the issue with university folks on how students can become members. Instructors contact Ralph and he sends the TOMTs to the instructor to distribute. Ralph is still sending magazines of back issues
1. We're almost halfway done with this year’s issues
2. I've gotten the new software so should be able to start working with Joe shortly to archive electronic copies of the magazine.
3. I’ve completed the History of TOMT timeline. Not sure what I should do with it now that it is finished. As a part of my work on that document I tracked down the archive of all back issues to Jim Specht’s garage. Either Judy or I should make arrangements with his wife to collect them so that they can continue to be added to and passed on to future board members.
4. We had an interesting discussion at the annual TOTOM meeting regarding getting back issues of TOMT sent to university folks responsible for teaching pre-service teachers. If they want to use TOMTs as part of their instructional materials, they should contact Ralph so that he can get issues sent to them in a timely manner.
5. I also requested that the university folks encourage students to participate in professional writing opportunities by submitting article for Pre-service Teachers
Place. We have two dynamo young members in Kasey Anderson and Stephanie
Weldon as a result of their participating in Pre-service Teachers Place and/or
Writer’s Retreat.
· Publicity Ann McMahon
- No report
· Scholarships Brent Freeman
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· Contests Laura Lethe
- No report
· OML Representative Leslie Graham
- New Co-Chair is Kristin Takano. She is still looking for two more chair people. They will meet in December to discuss the format for next time. If you have ideas for book titles email them to Leslie.
· OMEC
- Meeting is on October 21st
· TOTOM Martha Van Cleve
- Martha Van Cleave is stepping down. Nancy will not be available for January meeting.
- Jackie Cooke attended the September TOTOM meeting to ask them to promote the student membership; asked for pre-service teacher articles, this also helps bring in new members into OCTM; create a student affiliate in Oregon for pre-service teachers, NCTM gave the OK for Oregon to try a collaborative model for a student affiliate group and TOTOM will look into this. Jackie has some information to give to a TOTOM representative that was sent by NCTM on student affiliates.
· Webmaster Jackie Cooke
- Some changes have to be made by Joe and he is busy illustrating a children’s book so some changes will be made when he is done.
- Does NCTM have someone who can help us with the counter issue? Jackie is talking to the web manager for NCTM. It would be free for us to use and does not contain ads, however it would contain a lot of extra work for Jackie & Joe and some costs to OCTM for their labor.
- Updating procedures manual on the OCTM web page.
· OCTM Web Updates:
- Pre-service Membership Application added
- Constitution added
- Revised mission statement updated
- Flyer for Eastern Oregon Conf
- Board Member and Area Rep info updated
- Revised scholarship page and updated application forms
- Board Minutes updated
- Calendar updated
- Added Winnie’s info about TDG memberships to President’s Notes
- Added link to NCTM Curriculum Focal Points and Letters to the Editor to the OCTM Home Page
· Working on learning how to use the new Creative Suites Software
· Asked Trudy who would be a good person at NCTM Affiliate Services to contact with regards to the counter question.
· Mailing Clerk Lois Costine
- No report
· Discussion about meal rates
- Current policy states $7.50 breakfast and lunch and $15.00 for dinner. The current expense form says $10.00 for breakfast and lunch and $20.00 to dinner. This issue will be added to the January agenda
· 2:37 - Board Meeting Adjourns
AREA REPORTS
· Area 1 Jill Sumerlin & Lynn Bosner
– Jill sent an Introduction to OCTM letter to all Tillamook county
schools, asking for names of new teachers, in order to offer free
membership
– Lynn has done a about 10 presentations throughout Columbia and Clatsop
Counties and has provided free TOMTs to all participants
– Lynn has provided about 20 new teachers with free membership
registrations information.
– Lynn is also offering ongoing professional development opportunities in
those counties based on The Fosnot and Van de Walle series'.
– At the Columbia county all county in-service Lynn used the OCTM Math in Literature book to do talks by that title for Primary and intermediate
level groups. And used a resource from the internet to help participants
in those, and the secondary talks that day to have teachers create
"cinquain" math poems. The poems will be published for all participants
and Lynn will share that publication with the editors of TOMT to use as
they see fit.
– The NW Regional ESD has many ongoing Power Standards training processed ongoing in all three counties which has provided an opportunity for Jill and Lynn to share the NCTM focal pts document with teachers and
administrators in Area 1.
· Area 2 Tari Querin &
–
· Area 3 Shawna Dehler & Charlotte Ogle
–
· Area 4 Stephanie Legard & Nancy Anderson
– McMinnville- Stephanie Legard
– McMinnville School District held a 3-day New Teacher Training event the second to the last week in August. Every new teacher and specialist attended a 3 hour session focusing on teaching mathematics.
– Two new math positions were created and filled this year. They are math teachers who rotate between three different elementary schools, delivering instruction daily to 4th and 5th grade advanced math students. Newby Elementary School purchased the new Bridges Grade 4 curriculum.
– They now have Bridges for grades K-4. Two additional teachers at Grandhaven Elementary School are using Bridges Grade 4. Once a month this group of teachers is getting together with Stephanie Legard, the Elementary Math/Science TOSA to share and receive training.
– Family Math Nights are scheduled at four of the six elementary schools this year.
– A committee of 2nd grade teachers is putting together a common math assessment kit to help assess students on their understanding of the math standards.
– A cadre consisting of one K-2 and one 3-5 elementary school teacher from each of McMinnville’s six elementary schools, 2 middle school math teachers from each of the two middle schools, 2 high school math teachers, the Elementary Math/Science TOSA, the two advanced math elementary teachers and one administrator from each of the nine schools is scheduled to participate throughout the year in training with the Teachers Development Group. The course will be “Collegial Leadership and Coaching in Mathematics”. This is the first step in the district’s long term action plan for mathematics professional development.
– Cascade School District – LuAnn Kresevich
§ The district teachers are participating in sampling math materials for possible adoption. They are evaluating each series for teacher as well as student use. Many Number Corners are now in Cascade thanks to the Math Learning Center class that 11 of the district teachers attended in June. A few second grade teachers from Aumsville also attended a Bridges class at the MLC this summer. The district has welcomed LuAnn as the Title I Math Specialist. She is observing in classrooms, providing materials and ideas, and doing demo lessons.
– Richmond Elementary – Nancy Anderson
§ Nancy has been working with a new 4th grade teacher at Richmond Elementary in Salem. She has been coaching and helping with model lessons as well as providing some Bridges Calendar activities to both of the 4th grade teachers.
– Willamette ESD
§ Ellen Dockery accepted a position with the ESD teaching special education preschool. She is bringing math activities into the mainstream curriculum, not just for specific tasks aimed at meeting IFSP goals, but encouraging mathematicians at an early age.
– Dallas Area
§ Anette Carroll did an all day inservice in Junction City with K-2 teachers during the last week of August. They are using Bridges K-2 and are adding 3rd grade this year. They had a great time reviewing the philosophies behind Bridges and sharing other strategies for the k-2 mathematics classroom. They spent time discussing and brainstorming effective uses of song/poetry integrated with math teaching. Anette is now teaching in a 3rd grade classroom in Central Linn – 32 kids.
– Salem-Keizer School District
§ Middle school and high school teachers are in the first year of the new adoption – middle school is Connected Math and high school is College Prep Math. Trainers were pleased with the attitude of the teachers. Laura Lethe is the driving force behind the secondary adoption.
– Nancy Anderson is tutoring one high school girl in Geometry, so is getting the viewpoint of the student. She seems to like it, but her friends are having trouble with “not having pages of problems to do. The thinking is tough for them.”
– Elementary is in the second year of the Bridges/Investigation adoption. Kathy Cheval and Kathy Bowers are working hard to provide inservice and support to the many new and experienced teachers using the new curriculum.
– Three people from Salem are presenting Thursday, Oct 13 at the full day Institute at the Northwest Math Conference. Kathy Cheval, Nancy Anderson and Laura Lethe will be teaching levels K-2, 3-5, and middle school respectively.
· Area 5 Gail Gerdemann & Kristin Lavy
–
· Area 6 Marna Knoer & Inga Perham
The U of O has made a real effort to encourage their Math Ed students to join OCTM. Enrollment forms were passed out in all COE Math Methods Courses and CAS Math for Teachers Courses.
4J Secondary Math Task Force has submitted its recommendations for increasing Mathematics Understanding to the Instructional Leadership Team which has forwarded it to the Board. This year the Elementary Task Force will meet to look at dovetailing its recommendations with those of the secondary team.
Springfield School District and 4J are continuing their efforts to jointly offer Mathematics staff development.
Lane ESD has joined with our Area 6 reps to offer Pizza, Pop and Problem Solving at the first Math Cadre Meeting. Additional meetings have been set up for the year.
· Area 7 Karen Ashcroft & Kim Clary
– No Report
· Area 8 DJ Muller & Ron Baker
–
· Area 9 Kathy Eisenbeis & Georgia Boethin
–
· Area 10 Dana Marlia & Cheri Clausen
– OCTM has gained many new members from our region. We are greatly thankful for the ESD's help in disseminating area rep letters of invitation.
– In early October, Cheri and Patty (in full math magician regalia) conducted a successful P^3 session at May Roberts Elementary in Ontario. We had 18 happy participants who became so engrossed in the "Eric the Sheep" Challenge that we had to stop them and remind them to eat the pizza! Teachers from as far away as Jordan Valley attended the session. We were also glad to have a building principal join us. All teachers attending this session happened to be female teachers of elementary grades. Plans were made to hold another P^3 session at the ESD in Vale for teachers from throughout our region. Many teachers expressed the hope that these P^3 sessions would be a regular occurrence throughout the year!
– As reported in TOMT, we were proud of our efforts and the turnout for our first IOC conference. The six chicks (plus one and a half) done good for OCTM!
· Area 11 Nancy Swarat & Susan Fisher-Alexander
- We successfully helped the six chix put on IOC.
- We added Susan Fisher-Alexander back into the fold as area rep.
· Area 12 Jane Osborne &
– No report
· Area 13 Debbie Lindow &
–
· Area 14 Jennifer Bell & Elizabeth Warren
– Area 14 is planning two Pizza, Pop, and Problems events for November. One will be in Clackamas and the other in West Linn.