BLAHST Project Management Team Meeting

September 14, 2024

Windmill Restaurant - 12:00 - 4:00

Present: Bob Magelky, External Evaluator and guest Jean Magelky; Jason Nicholas, CAMSE; Dennis Fernau, New Underwood; Janet Lillehaug, Project Manager BLAHST; Ben Sayler, Project Director BLAHST; Colin Paterson, Scientist from SDSM&T; Becky Anderson and Deb Thorp, Lead Teachers from Lead-Deadwood School District; Charles Sykora, Wall School District; Joe Hillberry and Jim Meszaros, Douglas School District; Claudette Reichert, Meade School District; John Swanson, Belle Fourche School District and Dorothy Keller, BLAHST Coordinator.

Absent: Kathy Hood, Spearfish School District and Roger Jensen, Kadoka School District.

Janet gave an update on the numbers for teachers and their professional development. She handed out a sheet listing all of the teachers who have 100 hours or more. She also brought tee shirts for those teachers who have obtained their 100 hours and had not yet received their shirts. It was suggested that the teachers be recognized within each district (e.g., at a staff meeting) for having attained their BLAHST hours.

The group was briefed on the new additions to CAMSE staff. Jason Nicholas, CAMSE's new Associate Director for Math was introduced and informed the group of some of the types of projects that he is available to work on. A new Materials Director to replace Laurie Barnaud will be aboard in October. A new Research Assistant is also coming on board in October. The research assistant will help primarily with the 6th grade assessment project.

Janet talked about the sixth grade assessment project. We are expecting the assessment documents within the next few days from Horizon. Janet will be contacting the teachers who will be involved and set up a time that the assessment can be delivered and explained. The window of time for this assessment is two weeks ending September 28. The involved teachers will be paid a $75.00 stipend for administering these tests. They will be paid in the spring after the post test has been administered. It was suggested that parents should be notified by the districts about these tests. Janet provided sample letters that can be used by the districts.

Janet suggested that an informational meeting with administrators be held in each district to inform administrators and school board members about the BLAHST Project and its goals. The role of Lead teachers could be included in the discussion. An on-site meeting within each district was suggested. Janet will follow up.

Bob Magelky provided the group with various graphs and other documents as a summary of the Spring 2001 questionnaires. He showed the findings from the results of the surveys of both teachers and principals and the talked about the implications for the BLAHST Project.

Janet gave the group a draft copy of proposed workshops for Fall 2001. When the schedule is refined and completed, copies will be made available.

We have a team going to a conference called the Next Steps Institute in October. Joe Hillberry, Charles Lamb, Sandy Nichols, the new Materials Director, and Janet Lillehaug will be attending.

A handout was provided listing instructional materials that are now available at CAMSE.

Our next meeting is scheduled for November 30th, a Friday afternoon, from 1:00 to 4:00. The meeting will probably be held in the Conference Room at the Carousel School, Douglas. The location will be confirmed and directions will be provided at a later date.