SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Elementary (SLE) School Board of Trustees approved the bus contract transfer from Diane’s Buses to Conley Transportation, discussed the recent theft and hired Erin Lynch to replace Julie Little in second grade and Brett Haines to replace Andy Seiges for physical education. They also heard a presentation on the PIECES Framework from teachers Angela Harris and Julie Haines.
Owner of Diane’s Buses, Diane Bourne retired and sold the buses and the business to Conley Transportation this spring. As of July 1, Conley Transportation will assume responsibility for the bus contract with SLE. Conley Transportation currently holds the contract for Seeley-Swan High School.
“We thank you [Diane and Bruce Bourne] for all your years of service [20 years],” said board Chair Todd Johnson. “We look forward to working with Conley Transportation.”
The board discussed the recent theft from SLE in the early morning of June 8. The items stolen include digital cameras, laptops, computer equipment and band instruments anything “easy to pick up” said clerk Sally Johnson. The value of things stolen is estimated to be $12,000.
The board discussed security measures that should be implemented. Sixth-grade teacher Sharon Teague recommended that a staff member should be responsible for making sure all the doors to the rooms are locked following after-hours events. The board also agreed to have a security assessment done of the school to see what their options are. Sally called this the “wake up call.”
The board approved the SLE Hiring Committee’s recommendation to hire Erin Lynch for second grade for the 2016-2017 school year. She has a masters degree in science education and bachelors of science in elementary education from Montana State University. She has taught at four different schools throughout Montana from third through eighth grade.
“Her wide range of experiences and her focus on academic achievement, interactive learning and outdoor education made her emerge to the top of the candidates,” wrote the hiring committee.
SLE coach Brett Haines was also hired for the Physical Education position that opened following Seiges’ resignation at the end of the school year. While Haines does not currently have his education credentials, he will be collaborating with certified staff and working to obtain his degree and certification while teaching.
“[Haines’] demonstrated ability to successfully work with all ages and types of students made him stand out among the candidates interviewed,” wrote the hiring committee.
Two of the three developers of the PIECES framework Harris and Haines presented to the board. PIECES is a framework addressing personal needs, while differentiating learning for sustained success. PIECES is an acronym that stands for Professional Development, Inclusion and Integration, Eclectic Education, Collaboration, Evaluation, and Support, the foundations of this comprehensive model that are all interrelated and codependent.
“The shared vision and implementation of the framework have been in practice at this school for years,” said Haines. Harris added that the PIECES framework documents and defines the key elements and allows them to share SLE’s model of success with others. Through case studies, current tools and strategies, and interactive discussions the audience will be able to begin, implement and sustain the PIECES framework.
Harris, Haines and Maggie Burwick will be presenting PIECES to educators from around the state at an educators’ convention at the Double Arrow in August. They hope this is the state of many opportunities to share the framework.
The next meeting will be Aug. 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the SLE computer lab. The security system and 2017 budget are on the agenda.
Reader Comments(0)