2014-2015 School Council Elections

Election week for the 2014-2015 school year is upon us. Voting will occur from Tuesday, May 6 to Thursday May 8. A table will be available with ballots before and after school during this time. Voting may also be done in the School Office. A table will be set up for easy voting on Thursday evening before, during, and after the PTA meeting.

Each parent/guardian of a CURRENT Evansdale student can vote in the election. Three new representatives will be elected for a two-year term. We will also  be electing one person to serve a one-year term. You may vote for a total of four people.

We are unable to offer electronic/on-line voting due to inability to verify parent/guardian status through an online mechanism. 

Here are the nominees:

2014-2015 Evansdale School Council Nominees

Casey Barton Behravesh

Casey Barton Behravesh has two daughters, a 2nd grader and a future Evansdale Eagle. Casey is a veterinarian and works as a disease detective at the CDC where she investigates outbreaks spread between animals, insects, and people. Casey regularly volunteers at Evansdale including as room parent, various PTA and foundation activities, and for her daughter’s Girl Scout troop. Casey strongly believes in the benefits of a public school education and wants to help Evansdale continue to be an excellent elementary school! She has a great background to support the advancement of STEM in our school.

 

Casey Barton Behravesh tiene dos hijas, una en segundo grado y una futura Eagle de Evansdale. Casey es una veterinaria y trabaja como detective de enfermedades en los Centros para el control y prevención de enfermedades, donde investiga brotes que se trasmiten entre animales, insectos y personas. Casey con frecuencia hace trabajo de voluntariado para Evansdale como padre del curso, en varios PTA y  en actividades para recaudar fondos y también para la tropa de las Girl Scout a la que pertenece su hija. Casey firmemente cree en los beneficios de la educación de las escuelas publicas y quiere ayudar a Evansdale a continuar siendo una excelente escuela primaria. Su experiencia le ayudara a apoyar el avance del programa STEM (ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería y matemáticas, por sus siglas en ingles) en la escuela.

Angie Claussen

I would like to be part of the school council because I have been very involved with the school and I believe with the experience I bring, and with my expertise in child development, I can support our new principal and the council effectively.  I have two children and have been active in the PTA since 2007.  First I was part of the Green Team and work on free fundraising.  Then when I saw a need, I founded the Welcome Committee to help parents and children have an easy start at the school. I also was a founding member of the Evansdale Foundation and am still serving on the board, proud of what we have accomplished in helping the school financially. 

I believe that Evansdale is a great school but has potential for more – and I’d like to help the principal and the school community to tap into that potential. Being on the Welcome Committee I hear about parents’ concerns and about what they appreciate, which I believe will help me be an effective council member.  I love the diversity of the school and will work hard to find ways that we can all work together to help our children succeed.

 

Quisiera ser parte del Consejo Escolar porque he estado muy involucrada con la escuela y creo que con la experiencia que tengo, y con mi experiencia en el desarrollo infantil, puedo apoyar a nuestro nuevo director y al consejo de manera eficaz. Tengo dos hijos y he trabajado activamente en la PTA desde 2007.  Primero fue parte del Equipo Verde y trabajo en la  obtención de fondos gratis.  Después, observé una necesidad de orientar y fundé el Comité de Bienvenida para ayudar a que los padres y los niños se incorporen fácilmente a la escuela. También fui miembro fundador de la Fundación de Evansdale y sigo sirviendo en la mesa directiva,  orgullosa de lo que hemos logrado en la tarea de ayudar a la escuela financieramente. 

Creo que Evansdale es una gran escuela pero tiene potencial para más, y me gustaría ayudar al director y a la comunidad escolar para  aprovechar ese potencial. Como parte del Comité de Bienvenida oigo las preocupaciones de los padres acerca de lo que aprecian, lo cual creo que me ayudará  a cumplir una labor más efectiva como miembro del consejo.  Me encanta la diversidad de la escuela y trabajaré duro para encontrar maneras en que podemas unir esfuerzos para ayudar a nuestros hijos a tener éxito.

Stephanie Creel

I'd like to submit my name for consideration to be on the Evansdale School Council next year. Both of my daughters are at Evansdale: Hannah is currently in Madame Kim's kindergarten class and Madelyn is in Ms. McCollum's third grade. We've been very happy at the school and have experienced various perspectives as part of a Magnet class, non-Magnet class and in the dual immersion program. Previously, when my girls were at the Oak Grove Child Development Center, I served on the Board of Directors for two years (one year as secretary), so I do have experience with this kind of governing body.

 

Me gustaría postularme  a su consideración para integrarme al Consejo Escolar el año próximo. Dos de mis hijas asisten a Evansdale: Hannah se encuentra actualmente en la clase de kindergarten de Madame Kim, y Madelyn cursa el tercer grado en la clase de Ms. McCollum. Hemos sido muy felices en la escuela y experimentado diversas perspectivas como parte de una clase Magnet, una no Magnet y el programa de inmersión dual. Anteriormente, cuando mis hijas estaban Centro de Desarrollo Infantil de Oak Grove, serví en la Mesa Directiva por dos años (un año como secretaria), por lo que tengo experiencia en este tipo de consejo de administración.

Rachel Kaufmann

I believe that elementary school should provide each child with the information, tools, and skills to fulfill their intellectual potential; to learn social and emotional skills; and to emerge with undiminished curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. I did extensive research and visited multiple schools before choosing an elementary school for my family, and chose Evansdale because I believed it was the Dekalb elementary school most able to fulfill these goals. Evansdale achieved academic excellence with an inclusive approach, experienced and effective teachers, energetic and creative administrators, and children who feel respected and comfortable in their school. Evansdale was strengthened with strong family engagement, diversity, and an emphasis on children learning to be good citizens of the human community and the natural world. The past couple of years have brought unprecedented challenges and parents' efforts are needed more than ever. I will do all I can to contribute to maintaining our success for the sake of our children and our community.

I am the parent of a happy, second-grade Eagle. In addition to being a parent, I am a scientist and manager responsible for overseeing science quality and integrity for several hundred scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I have experience in teaching (at the graduate level), grant-writing, and working for the Evansdale Foundation. I believe I can make a worthwhile contribution to the important advisory function that the school council serves, focusing on family inclusion, student achievement, and school improvement.

 

Yo creo que la escuela primaria debe impartir a cada niño la información, herramientas y habilidades necesarias para alcanzar su potencial intelectual, para adquirir habilidades sociales y emocionales y para emerger con una curiosidad y entusiasmo innato para aprender. Tuve la oportunidad de investigar y visitar múltiples escuelas antes de escoger una escuela primaria para mi familia, y escogí Evansdale porque creo que esta es la escuela primaria en DeKalb que es capaz de alcanzar estas metas.  Evansdale logro excelencia académica por su enfoque en la inclusividad, sus profesores experimentados y con experiencia, su administración energética y creativa y niños que se sienten respetados y cómodos en la escuela. Evansdale se hizo mas fuerte gracias a la participación de familias comprometidas, su diversidad y por su énfasis en hacer de los niños buenos ciudadanos en la comunidad y en el mundo natural. Los dos últimos años han traído  nuevos desafíos y ahora mas que nunca se necesita de los esfuerzos de los padres. Hare todo lo que pueda para mantener nuestro éxito para el beneficio de nuestros niños y nuestra comunidad.

Yo soy la madre de un Eagle feliz en segundo grado. Además de ser madre, también soy científica y administradora a cargo de la supervisión de la calidad científica e integridad de cientos de científicos en los Centros para el control y la prevención de enfermedades. Tengo experiencia docente (a nivel universitario), también he escrito solicitudes para subsidios  y he trabajado para la fundación Evansdale. Creo firmemente que puedo contribuir a la importante misión de asesoría que tiene el consejo de la escuela al enfocarme en la inclusión de la familia, los logros del estudiante y el mejoramiento de la escuela.

 

Greta Massetti

As an Evansdale parent, PTA member, and School Council member, I have experienced the wonderful community environment at Evansdale. I have been a member of School Council since 2012, including serving as chair during this school year. I would like to continue my service to Evansdale for one year to support our new principal and provide continuity. I have several professional and personal experiences that prepare me well for the School Council position:

·         I have a Ph.D. in Psychology, with much of my professional work on educational research, including academic achievement, classroom management, and school-based mental health.

·         I co-founded and served on the Board of Directors for two charter schools.

·         As Chair of School Council this year, I provided leadership throughout the principal transition as well as the proposal for expanding sibling preference for non-resident families.

·         I served as Chair of PTA committees at Evansdale and have established strong relationships with Evansdale’s staff and the PTA.

As a parent of two rising third graders, I am committed to ensuring that Evansdale provides the most welcoming learning environment for all students. Effective school leadership must rely on strong relationships between all stakeholders. My experience working collaboratively with Evansdale’s teachers, school administration, parents, and community members provides a critical foundation for the service I can provide to Evansdale’s School Council.

 

Como padre de familia, miembro de la Asociación de Padres (PTA) de Evansdale y del Consejo Escolar, he disfrutado del maravilloso entorno comunitario de la escuela. He sido miembro del Consejo Escolar desde 2012 y he servido como presidenta durante este año escolar. Me gustaría continuar sirviendo a Evansdale durante un año más para apoyar a nuestro nuevo director y dar continuidad. Poseo varias experiencias profesionales y personales que me prepararán para el cargo en el Consejo Escolar:

·         Tengo un doctorado en Psicología, con gran parte de mi trabajo profesional en investigación educativa, incluyendo logros académicos, gestión de salones de clases y salud mental escolar.

·         He sido co-fundadora y formado parte de la Junta Directiva de dos escuelas charter.

·         Como Presidenta del Consejo Escolar este año,  asumí liderazgo en la transición del director así como la propuesta de ampliación de preferencia para hermanos en familias de no residentes.

·         He servido como Presidenta de los comités de la PTA de Evansdale y establecido fuertes relaciones con el personal y la PTA de  Evansdale.

Como padre de dos alumnos de tercer grado, me he comprometido a garantizar que Evansdale proporcione el más acogedor ambiente de aprendizaje para todos los estudiantes. Un liderazgo escolar eficaz debe basarse en una estrecha relación entre todas las partes interesadas. Mi experiencia de trabajo en colaboración con los maestros, administradores de la escuela, padres de familia y  miembros de la comunidad proporciona una base esencial para el servicio que puedo prestar en el Consejo Escolar de Evansdale.

Tom VanValkenburg

I am pleased to submit my nomination to the 2014-16 Evansdale school council.  I would be honored to serve the school in this capacity. 

My wife and I have been active at Evansdale since 2009.  My son Jack is in 4th grade and my daughter Kate is in Kindergarten.  I currently serve on the Evansdads as well as the Grounds Committee.  I am an active member of our community and have served on the Northumberland Swim Club board for five years, most recently serving as President of the board. 

I have been employed at AT&T for sixteen years as a mid-level manager. My experience working with a diverse fortune fifteen company will serve me well as I collaborate with other parents in the community to keep Evansdale Elementary School a school of excellence.  

I have served honorably in the United States Army and finished my career as a Captain.    I was a long time resident of Massachusetts and graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1987.  

I look forward to my continued service to the school.

 

Es un placer para mi enviar mi nominación al consejo de la escuela para los años 2014 – 2016. Seria un honor para mi servir en la escuela en dicha posición.

Junto con mi esposa ha sido un participante activo en Evansdale desde el año 2009. Mi hijo Jack esta en cuarto grado y mi hija Kate esta en Kínder. En la actualidad soy parte de Evansdads y también participo en el Grounds Committee. Soy miembro activo de la comunidad y he servido para el consejo de administración del club de natación de Northumberland por cinco años, en años recientes sirviendo como presidente del consejo.

He sido empleado de AT&T por dieciséis años como administrador a nivel intermedio. Mi experiencia trabajando en una de las 15 mejores compañías en el mundo me va a ayudar al momento de colaborar con otros padres en la comunidad para hacer de la escuela de Evansdale un ejemplo de excelencia.

He servido honorablemente en el ejercito de los Estados Unidos y termine mi carrera como capitán. Vivi por mucho tiempo en Massachusetts y soy un egresado de la Universidad de Massachusetts en Amherst de la clase de 1987.

Espero poder seguir sirviendo a la escuela.

 

Principal Input Survey Results

Evansdale Elementary Principal Input Survey Results

 

Approximately two thirds of the responders were parents or caregivers at Evansdale.
About one quarter of the responders were Evansdale staff.

 

How important do you believe it is for the new principal to have an understanding of and experience in each of the following initiatives?

The following responses were rated “Extremely Important”

·         Recruiting and retaining quality teachers and staff

·         Promoting high academic achievement for all students
·         Maintaining open lines of communication with parents and community members
·         Providing for student safety
·         Meeting diverse student academic needs (e.g., gifted, special education, etc.)

Please indicate the initiative you feel is the MOST important priority for Evansdale.

Top-rated responses:
1.       Recruiting and retaining quality teachers and staff
2.       Promoting high academic achievement for all students
3.       Meeting diverse student academic needs
4.       Facilitating implementation of STEM

How important do you believe each of the following qualifications is in a new principal?

The following responses were rated “Extremely Important”

·         Skilled at communicating with and engaging parents and community members

·         Expertise in maximizing FTEs (staff) based on points assigned to school by district
·         Experience as an administrator in a high-performing elementary school
·         Capability to serve as the primary agent for innovation, reform, and change for the school
·         Ability to successfully prepare and manage the school budget

Please indicate the qualification you feel is the MOST important, of those listed.

Top-rated responses:
1.       Experience as an administrator in a high-performing elementary school
2.       Skilled at communicating with and engaging parents and community members
3.       Capability to serve as the primary agent for innovation, reform, and change for the school
4.       Educational work experience in a school environment similar to Evansdale Elementary
 
All of the following qualities are important characteristics for a principal. Please indicate THREE of the following personal characteristics you feel are the MOST IMPORTANT in a new principal at Evansdale Elementary.

Top-rated responses:

1.       Student focused: all decisions lead to the betterment of the student
2.       Motivator: able to move staff and students to maximize their potential
3.       Collaborative: seeks out relationships with all stakeholders, builds strong teams
4.       Flexible: a listener, open to ideas of others, willing to change when wrong
5.       Trustworthy: acts believably, inspires confidence

The following job responsibilities are all critical parts of the role of Evansdale’s principal. Please indicate THREE of the following job responsibilities that you feel are MOST IMPORTANT.

Top-rated responses:
1.       Providing services to meet all students in varying academic abilities
2.       Recruiting and selecting teachers that are highly qualified
3.       Addressing equity and diversity socially, emotionally and academically
4.       Evaluating and developing employees

Summary of Feedback from Principal Input Survey

We also included an open-ended comment question for responders to provide their perspectives on the characteristics of an effective principal for Evansdale. Some highlights of their responses are below, and provide a snapshot of their perspectives. Not all responses are included in the table below. Responses that disclose the writer’s identity were removed. Also, responses that name or identify other individuals were removed. There were many responses that also addressed identical or very similar themes. Some of these were not included to avoid redundancy. The responses were organized by themes.

Theme:	Open communication with parents and the Evansdale community
	As a new parent to Evansdale this year, the one area that I felt was lacking from the experience was more open, proactive communication from the school/administration. The PTA is very strong and provides updates but that should not be a substitute for information from the school. On a few occasions, I was misinformed or redirected by school administration on topics where they were the responsible party (language immersion lottery, registration timelines). I hope that the new leader takes responsibility for communicating with parents and the community as their responsibility and doesn't leave it to the PTA to serve as the only voice of information. The last principal, Dr. McGuire, seemed nice but he never seemed comfortable communicating with parents. I was also concerned about his experience level at a top performing magnet school. You MUST have principals who are passionate about what they are doing and who are willing (and able) to communicate that passion with enthusiasm. First and foremost, our new principal must see his or her self as a not someone apart or ahead of the community (although they do lead the school), but as a part of it, perhaps, its heart. It would be nice to have a principal willing and able to integrate the school more deeply into the fabric of the community in order to build confidence in Evansdale among new residents to our community. Listening and collaborating with the community. Approachable. Collaborative. A principal who understands and values a school with high parent involvement and great diversity, and who can communicate effectively with teachers and parents will do well - there is a lot of expertise and energy so the principal doesn't have to know or do everything, if s/he is an effective manager and leader. Integrity is an absolute must, without it there cannot be effective communication and leadership.
Theme:	Leadership through change
	We need a principal that is not afraid to bring change to the school for the benefit of all students/staff. It is important to have a principal who is a true leader who can effectively inspire and lead the troops. It is easy to envision that as the school transitions from a "school where children of CDC and Emory employees go" to a "Title 1 schools with a large ESOL" population with flagging test scores, fewer young families would want to relocate to this neighborhood and send their children here. We need a principal who can tackle this looming crisis head on and ensure that we continue to recruit and attract a diverse student population. It would also be nice to have a bilingual principal or one who, with the support (read budgeting) of DCSS, can hire a full-time translator to assist and further meet the needs of our ESOL population and ensure student success.
Theme:	Leading collaboration between parents and teachers
	The new principal needs to be from outside of Evansdale. Someone who will not play favorites with the teachers, and push them to become better. The new principal should be able to equally support the teachers while serving the students. I think we should avoid candidates who are only advocates for teachers or who lets parents run the show. It has to be someone equally trusted and respected by the staff as well as the students and the parents. It would also be nice to have someone who is not afraid to make hard decisions and who communicates effectively.
Theme:	Passion for education and the Evansdale community
	A passion for education at Evansdale, teachers, and the children is something I will look for in the new principal. The relationship with all faculty and students is so important to the working of the school. A loving caring personality along with a sincere need to protect the members of the building creates confidence in the leadership. People before things!
Theme:	Student-focused leadership and strategic planning
	One of the qualities that I [would look for] most is a willingness to engage with data and set targets/ goals for improvement in various academic areas. I'm much more concerned about hiring a new principal who is focused on student (vs. parent) needs. Someone who is student and staff focused, who is able to manage the budget and deal with county constraints, who has experience working with an engaged PTA and foundation, and who is innovative and forward thinking are much more important traits for Evansdale at this point in time. We need someone who will help Evansdale realize its full potential more than someone who will make parents feel warm and fuzzy by smiling and saying the right things in the right ways. It's time for someone to come in and do what's best for the students and teachers. Also - gifted needs more money and more focus. The new Evansdale Principal should be someone who can manage the resources (maintain teachers, administer the budget, great communicator, etc.) and continue to build the strong reputation that Evansdale has been known for. Someone with experience at a highly regarded school, who can manage to recruit and maintain strong teachers who will continue to strengthen our community.
Theme:	Continued investment in STEM initiatives
	Parents have invested a huge amount of resources in Evansdale in the form of both monetary and time contributions. The focus groups held last year clearly indicated that STEM was a MAJOR priority of our community. The new principal should support and work to advance the established priorities of our community and further advance the academic potential at Evansdale. This individual must also be able to work extremely well with highly engaged parents without becoming defensive or divisive. Principal must be able to build trusting relationships with students and parents, Experience with implementing STEM is key given our current goals for the school. Enabling students to reach their full potential in a safe environment needs to be the central focus. Everything else feeds into that central focus.

 

 

Agenda for February 2014 meeting

Evansdale Elementary

AGENDA FOR SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

1.    CALL TO ORDER

2.    INSPIRATION – Denise Miller-Tso

3.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES – David McGrail

4.    REPORTS

     a. PTA President – Stacey Helenbrook/Lucy Foley

     b. Evansdale Foundation – Angie Claussen

     c. Administrative Reports – School Administration

                              i.        Staffing and Allotments

                            ii.        Enrollment

5.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a.    Update on sibling preference proposal submission (Greta Massetti)

b.    Update on principal transition (Greta Massetti)

c.    Title 1 Targeted Assistance School status           

6.    NEW BUSINESS

a.    Status of principal transition (Greta Massetti)

7.    AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING:

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

a.    Inspiration

b.    Unfinished business

c.    New business

8.    ADJOURNMENT

 

 

 

 

Evansdale Elementary Principal Input

The School Council, in collaboration with the PTA, conducted a survey of the Evansdale community to identify key characteristics and priorities for the role of Evansdale's principal. This information was used to provide input to the DeKalb County School District in their search and selection process. The attached letter was submitted to Dr. Angela Pringle, Assistant Superintendent for Region 2 for the DeKalb County School District.

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DCSD School System Flexibility community engagement meetings

PRINCIPAL SELECTION PROCESS MEETING

Date: Thursday, January 16, 2014

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Evansdale Elementary Cafeteria

Dr. Angela Pringle, Region II Superintendent, would like to meet with the Evansdale Elementary School parents to discuss the Principal Selection Process. This your your opportunity to provide input and discuss desired attributes. Please plan to attend!

Contact Number: 678-874-2702

EVANSDALE PRINCIPAL INPUT SURVEY

Dear Evansdale Community,

As you know, Dan McGuire has taken a new position at Montgomery Elementary. The DeKalb County School District is in the process of hiring a new principal for Evansdale. The Evansdale School Council, PTA, and Evansdale Foundation are working together to get input from families, school staff, and the Evansdale community to identify characteristics that would be a good match for Evansdale. We believe this approach will help emphasize the investment of our community in Evansdale and provide an opportunity to make our voice heard.

Please take a few minutes to complete the following survey. Responses from the survey will be compiled and submitted to DCSD for their consideration.

Evansdale Principal Input Survey 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TJ69GCV

The survey will be open through January 17, 2014.

If you have any questions or would like to provide additional suggestions, please feel free to contact the School Council at edaleschoolcouncil@gmail.com.