Community Council

All parents and community members are invited and encouraged to attend community council meetings. The council determines Garland Elementary policy as well as how essential funds are spent to improve student learning. Serving on the community council is an opportunity for parents to serve and to be involved in the creation of the land trust plan and determining how the land trust funds will be used. All information is made available via the website, newsletters, and emails. It is also available, upon request, at the front office or sent home with the student.

Meeting Dates

All meetings will be held at 3:15 p.m. in the school library.

  • September 27                                     

  • November 15

  • January 24           

  • March 21                 

  • April 25

Elections were not necessary in spring of 2022.

2022-23 Council Members

Alicia Parker (Parent) bing8727@yahoo.com

Donnie Howell (Parent) donnie.howell.2009@gmail.com

Sara Merrick (Parent) sara_pwll@yahoo.com

Jessica Nielsen (Parent/chair) thejnielsen@gmail.com

Brynn Saxey (Teacher) brynn.saxey@besd.net

Marcia Wilson (Counselor) marcia.wilson@besd.net

Mark Johnson  (Principal) mark.johnson@besd.net

The duties of the school community council are to:

  1. Develop a School Improvement Plan

  2. Develop a School LAND Trust Plan

  3. Assist in the development and implementation of a Professional Development Plan.

  4. Develop a Reading Achievement Plan.

  5. Advise and make recommendations to school and district administrators, when appropriate.

  6. Oversee that appropriate internet filtering and safety precautions are in place.​

Key Links

LAND Trust Plan
Funding History

2015-16: $52,513

2016-17: $56,010

2017-18: $76,927

2018-19: $90,199

2019-20: $88,591

2020-21: $95,884

2021-22: $91,685

2022-23: $98,412

2020-2021 Land Trust Plan Final Report

https://schoollandtrust.schools.utah.gov/home/leas/lea/schools/school/finalreport

Garland Elementary Community Council Agenda/Minutes

Meeting Date: September 29, 2022                                           Meeting Time: 3:00

Meeting Location: school library

Council Members: Brynn Saxey, Sara Merrick, Jessica Nielsen, Alicia Parker, Donnie Howell (Mark Johnson non-voting member) Marcia Wilson

Financial Report: The Land Trust budget for 2022-2023 is: $91,685.  The carry over is: $1,138.  The distribution for 2022-2023 $98,337    

Plan Implementation Report.  The current plan has been implemented as written

New items—

The Land Trust Plan for 2022-2023 was discussed

Land Trust Plan 2022-2023 School Year

Our goal is based on reading achievement. Our goal is to have the following percentages of students read on grade level: Kindergarten: 90% First Grade: 80% Second Grade: 82% Third Grade: 85% Fourth Grade: 87% Fifth Grade: 87%.

Academic Areaclose

  • English/Language Arts

Measurementsclose

Our goals are linked to end of year DIBELS/Acadience scores. This test is administered three times per year. Our goal is to reach the following scores on the end of year test which will be conducted in April and/or May of 2022. The goals represent the percentage of students who we hope to be at grade level. Kindergarten: 90% First Grade: 80% Second Grade: 82% Third Grade: 85% Fourth Grade: 87% Fifth Grade: 87%. Percentages are measured using the composite score.

Action Plan Steps and Expendituresclose

1.We will purchase a Storyworks subscription for each of our 4th grade students. This a Scholastic magazine. This will cost $1,149.00. We will also purchase a Scope magazine subscription for each of our 5th grade students. This is also a Scholastic magazine. This will cost $1,209.00. Grand total: $2,358.00.

2.We will pay for the services of 7 reading aides. Each aide will work 142 days in the year, 5.25 hours per day. We project this will cost us $13,503 per aide, for a grand total of $94,521.00. These reading aides will provide small group instruction for all students in our building.  Training for these aides will be provided by the instructional coaches in our building.  The aides will also be observed regularly and will be evaluated and given feedback by the instructional coaches.  

3.We will purchase the Spanish version of the Storyworks magazine for all of our students who are in the dual-immersion program.  This will be about 290 subscriptions for a total cost of about $2,300.00.     

Category

Description

Estimated Cost

Total:

$98,058.00

Salaries and Benefits (teachers, aides, specialists, productivity, substitutes)

The cost to pay for 7 reading aides.

$94,500.00

Books, Ebooks, online curriculum/subscriptions

Scholastic magazine subscriptions.

$2,358.00

Technology related supplies < $5,000 each - devices, computers, E-readers, flash drives, cables, monitor stands

2 projectors to work with smart boards.

$1,200.00

Digital Citizenship/Safety Principles Componentclose

No

   



Summary of Estimated Expenditures

Category

Estimated Cost
(entered by the school)

Total:

$98,058.00

Technology related supplies < $5,000 each - devices, computers, E-readers, flash drives, cables, monitor stands

$1,200.00

Salaries and Benefits (teachers, aides, specialists, productivity, substitutes)

$94,500.00

Books, Ebooks, online curriculum/subscriptions

$2,358.00

Funding Estimates

Estimates

Totals

Carry-over from 2021-2022

$0.00

Distribution for 2022-2023

$98,337.00

Total Available Funds for 2022-2023

$98,337.00

Funds to be Spent Estimated in the Goals for 2022-2023

$98,058.00

Estimated Carry-over from 2022-2023

$279.00

The Estimated Distribution is subject to change if student enrollment counts change.

Funding Changes

There are times when the planned expenditures in the goals of a plan are provided by the LEA, a grant, or another unanticipated funding source leaving additional funds to implement the goals. If additional funds are available, how will the council spend the funds to implement the goals in this plan?

By paying for additional services from reading aides or purchasing additional technology to support our action plans and goals such as more projectors.

 

Action Items (a detailed description of the motion, who made the motion, # voted for, # voted against)

None

 

Digital citizenship—Utah Netsmartz

Informational Items—Mrs. Marcia Wilson presented to the council on the Garland Elementary Positive Behavior Plan.  She asked council members to review it and give her feedback.

Garland Elementary Positive Behavior Plan

 

November 2022

 

Positive Behavior Specialist: Marcia Wilson

Date discussed with and received input from Intervention Team: 9/27/2022

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e_tKkX1AeVlLG7j-BeZhTPLPDwXGe3oYP6-cQLmmpck/edit

Date discussed with and received input from Community Council: 9/28/21

 

Date plan was completed: 9/21/2022

Programs we already have in place that focus on peer pressure, mental health, and creating positive relationships:

Name of Program: How program addresses the use of tobacco, alcohol, electronic

cigarette products, and other controlled substances:

1. Second Step The Second Steps curricula builds on student skills in mental

health, conflict resolution, prosocial behavior, and empathy in

the classroom/school, and focuses on overall student

well-being. These skills were found to have improved in

students who were provided instruction with this curriculum

according to the 2015 study on Promoting Social-Emotional

Competence (Low, et al, 2015). A similar study in 2019

found that students even with the weakest skills at the

beginning of the study saw an increase in social-emotional skills

and a decrease in disruptive behavior (Low, et al, 2019).

Lastly, and arguably most importantly, research conducted via a

meta-analysis by CASEL and collaborating researchers found

that students who were exposed to SEL instruction (including

Second Steps) longitudinally saw lower levels of conduct

problems, emotional distress, and lower rates of drug

use (Taylor, et al, 2017).

 

2. Red Ribbon Week Red Ribbon Week is a week out of the year that focuses

specifically on community building and action planning for a

drug-free life. The week focuses on student attitudes

surrounding drugs, alcohol, and other substances, as well as

attitudes surrounding one’s community and community

connectedness. One study suggests that Red Ribbon weeks

could reduce the use of drugs and alcohol, could improve

student attitudes toward non-use of substances, can increase

school performance, and increase the positive perspective

students have regarding their community (Brooks &

Clem, 2013); all of which were found to play a substantial role

in student attitudes and behavior as it relates to pro-social

behaviors in the middle and high school levels (Flay,

2000). Similarly, as outlined by (Moon & Rao, 2011) students

with positive views of school and their community served as

protective factors for all levels of students.

 

3. Individual and group counseling/social work services Individual and group counseling services support students in a

multitude of ways. Not only do students receive treatment and

support for general life stressors, students also have the

opportunity to process trauma, suicidal ideations, and receive

referrals for outside support when needed. These provisions

allow for students to feel connected and cared about in the

 

school environment and thus can lead to a decrease in the

likelihood that students will use substances (Moon & Rao,

2011). Similarly, students who are provided appropriate

treatment for trauma, mental health challenges, and chronic

stress are more likely to build resilience within themselves and

the family system, and therefore are less likely to experience a

higher number of ACEs and have less likelihood of mental

health disorders and substance use and abuse later in life

(American Academy of Pediatrics, 2014).

 

4. Bullying and Harassment Prevention Classroom-based lessons and confidential reporting systems are

 

implemented and focused specifically

on identification/interruption of bullying behavior. This provides

students with skills to advocate for themselves and

others to prevent bullying behavior within the context of school

and online. Evidence supports that providing lessons and

support in these areas provides students with strategies that

reduce bullying both on individual and school-wide levels

(Olweus, 1991; Smith and Sharp, 1994). Bullying behavior,

especially when severe can qualify as an Adverse Childhood

Experience (ACE) and studies have found that when students

experience ACEs, they are more likely to suffer from

maladaptive behavior including substance use (American

Academy of Pediatrics, 2014). By providing students with bully

prevention programs that reduce bullying, and thus reducing

the likelihood of ACEs, we are reducing the likelihood that

students will begin using substances.

 

5. Botvin Life Skills The Botvin LifeSkills Training Elementary School program is a

comprehensive, dynamic, and developmentally appropriate

substance abuse and violence prevention program designed for

upper elementary school students. This highly effective

curriculum has been proven to help increase self-esteem,

develop healthy attitudes, and improve their knowledge of

essential life skills – all of which promote healthy and positive

personal development and mental health. LifeSkills Training is

comprehensive, dynamic, and developmentally designed to

promote mental health and positive youth development.

6. Character Ed Garland Elementary has a Character Education classroom that

each grade 1st-5th attends every week during prep time. This

class focuses on the soft skills necessary for students to be

successful in and out of school. We focus on 8 main traits and

believe that all other traits we learn can fall under the umbrella

of these. They are Kindness, Compassion, Empathy,

Forgiveness, Patience, Optimism, Gratitude, and Humility. If

students are learning about these traits they also learn to avoid

peer pressure, resolve conflict in a healthy way, and make

informed decisions. These all tie into living a healthy lifestyle

and staying away from drugs. The counselor also teaches these

skills in Kindergarten monthly.

 

Programs we are building or adding to address peer pressure, mental health, and creating positive relationships:

Name of Program: How program will address the use of tobacco, alcohol,

electronic cigarette products, and other controlled substances:

1. Red Ribbon We are implementing more learning based activities and

lessons to go along with Red Ribbon Week. PTA typically runs

this week with school wide activities. The counselor will add

 

onto this program with more awareness and knowledge about

its purpose with classroom lessons.

Other programs, clubs, service opportunities and pro-social activities we already have in place:

Name of Program, Club, Service Opportunity, or Pro-Social

Activities:

 

How program, club, etc. addresses the use of tobacco, alcohol,

electronic cigarette products, and other controlled substances:

1. Student Council These programs and applications all promote pro-social

behaviors and provide students with structured, supervised,

and engaging activities for students within their school and

community. Studies have found that structured activities such

as these are important factors in mitigating substance use

among students as they create protective factors against

substance use (Moon & Rao, 2011).

 

2. Classroom Incentives see above

3. The Great Kindness Challenge see above

4. Start with Hello Week see above

1. Career Week see above

Other programs, clubs, service opportunities and pro-social activities we are building or adding:

Name of Program, Club, Service Opportunity, or Pro-Social

Activities:

 

How program, club, etc. will address the use of tobacco,

alcohol, electronic cigarette products, and other controlled

substances:

 

1. Counselor Newsletter/Website Monthly updates and tips to help parents and community know

about resources and events surrounding pro-social skills.

2. Parent Outreach Emails With the number of increasing anxiety cases, parents would like

tips, suggestions, and other ideas to help. Emails will be sent

monthly

 

References

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2014). Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Lifelong Consequences of Trauma.

Retrieved 2020, from https://www.aap.org/en-us/documents/ttb_aces_consequences.pdf

Flay, B.R. (2000). Approaches to substance use prevention utilizing school curriculum plus social environment

change. Addictive Behaviors, 25, 861-885.

Low, S., Cook, C. R., Smolkowski, K., & Buntain-Ricklefs, J. (2015). Promoting social-emotional competence: An evaluation of

the elementary version of Second Step. Journal of School Psychology, 53, 463–477.

Low, S., Smolkowski, K., Cook, C., & Desfosses, D. (2019). Two-year impact of a universal social-emotional learning

curriculum: Group differences from developmentally sensitive trends over time. Developmental psychology, 55(2),

415.

Moon, S. S., & Rao, U. (2011). Social Activity, School-Related Activity, and Anti-Substance Use Media Messages on

Adolescent Tobacco and Alcohol Use. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 21(5), 475-489.

doi:10.1080/10911359.2011.566456

Morrison, B. E., & Vaandering, D. (2012). Restorative Justice: Pedagogy, Praxis, and Discipline. Journal of School Violence,

11(2), 138–155. https://doi.org/10.1080/15388220.2011.653322

Olweus, D. (1991). “Bully/Victim Problems Among Schoolchildren: Basic Facts and Effects of a SchoolBased Intervention

Program.” In D. Pepler and K. Rubin (Eds.), The Development and Treatment of Childhood Aggression (pp. 411–448).

Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

 

Passarella, A. (2017, May). Restorative Practices in Schools. Retrieved 2020,

from https://edpolicy.education.jhu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/OSI-RestorativePracticemastheadFINAL-1.p

df

Smith, A. Guzman-Alvarez, A., Westover, T., Keller, S., & Fuller, S. (2012). Mindful Schools Program Evaluation. University of

California at Davis: Center for Education and Evaluation Services.

Smith, P., and Sharp, S. (1994). School Bullying: Insights and Perspectives. New York: Routledge.

Taylor, R.D., Oberle, E., Durlak, J.A., & Weissberg, R.P. (2017). Promoting positive youth development through school-based

social and emotional learning interventions: a meta-analysis of follow-up effects. Child Development, 88(4):

1156–1171.

 

Websites:

The Great Kindness Challenge: https://thegreatkindnesschallenge.com/

Start with Hello: https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/our-programs/start-with-hello/

 

Meeting Date: March 21, 2022                                    Meeting Time: 3:00

Meeting Location: school library

Council Members Present: Patricia Novoa, Jessica Nielsen, (Mark Johnson non-voting member) Marcia Wilson

Members Absent: Jennifer Webb, Sara Merrick, April Wheatley.  (These members were consulted and informed of options prior to any decisions being made final.) 

Financial Report: The budget for 2021-2022 is: $91,685.  The carry over is: $1,138.  The distribution for 2022-2023 will be $98,412    

Plan Implementation Report.  The current plan has been implemented as written

New items—

Land Trust plan for next year.  The following document represents what was discussed by the council.

Land Trust Planning for 2022-2023 School Year

Our distribution for this year was:   $91,685

Our distribution for next year (2022-2023) will be: $98,412

Here are the highlights of this year’s plan:

Our goals are linked to end of year DIBELS/Acadience scores. This test is administered three times per year. Our goal is to reach the following scores on the end of year test which will be conducted in April and/or May of 2022. The goals represent the percentage of students who we hope to be at grade level. Kindergarten: 90% First Grade: 80% Second Grade: 82% Third Grade: 85% Fourth Grade: 87% Fifth Grade: 87%. Percentages are measured using the composite score.

Action Stepsclose

1.We will purchase a Storyworks subscription for each of our 4th grade students. This a Scholastic magazine. This will cost $1,149.00. We will also purchase a Scope magazine subscription for each of our 5th grade students. This is also a Scholastic magazine. This will cost $1,209.00. Grand total: $2,358.00.

2.We will pay for the services of 7 reading aides. Each aide will work 142 days in the year, 5.25 hours per day. We project this will cost us $12,860 per aide, for a grand total of $90,020.00. These reading aides will provide small group instruction for all students in our building.  Training for these aides will be provided by the instructional coaches in our building.  The aides will also be observed regularly and will be evaluated and given feedback by the instructional coaches.     

 

Things to consider

Typically, the district gives reading aides an increase each year.  These increases are usually decided on after we have submitted our plan.  So, we will have to estimate how much it will be.  If that increase were 3%, then it would cost us $92,720.  An increase of 5% would be a total of: $94,500.  We are committed to retaining these people for next year.  We will plan for the amount of $94,500, just to be on the safe side. 

 

The district has already purchased chrome books for all students. They have plans to replace them as they age.

The district is replacing all audio enhancement systems this year.

Scholastic Storyworks and Scope magazines have been very valuable to the 4th and 5th grade.  They would really like to continue using it.   We are working on a quote for next year.  However, we assume it will be about the same expense.  We decided to purchase these magazines again.  We also decided to purchase the Spanish version for our DLI students as well.  For grades 1-5, we will need a total of about 290 subscriptions.  That will be about $2,300.  Renewing the 45th and 5th grade subscriptions in English will be about $2,200 as well. 

Smart boards.  The new type of smart board is about $2,800 each.  We discussed purchasing one of two of these, but ultimately decided not to do it.  We have spoken with the district tech rep. and decided to acquire some used smart boards at no cost. 

Projectors for smart boards are about $600.  We always need to replace a few of those each year.  We decided to purchase two of them for a total of about $1,200.

 

 

 

Action Items (a detailed description of the motion, who made the motion, # voted for, # voted against)

Jessica Nielsen moved to approve the highlighted items for our land trust plan. Patri Novoa seconded.  No one voted against.

 

Digital citizenship—Utah Netsmartz

Informational Items—none

 

Garland Elementary Community Council Minutes

 

Meeting Date: November 17, 2021                                            Meeting Time: 3:15

Meeting Location: school library

Members Present: Patricia Novoa, Sara Merrick, Jessica Nielsen, April Wheatley (Mark Johnson non-voting member)

Members Absent: Jennifer Webb

Financial Report: The budget for 2021-2022 is: $91,685.  The carry over is: $1,138.     

Plan Implementation Report.  The plan is being implemented as written and expected.

New items--

Action Items (a detailed description of the motion, who made the motion, # voted for, # voted against)

 

During the month of October, several council members visited the school to see our reading groups in action.  They took a tour of the building and were able to ask questions and see first hand how the land trust money is helping our students.

 

At this meeting, the council discussed the Garland Elementary Positive Behavior Plan.  All council members were given access to the plan a few weeks ago and were given the opportunity to provide input and feedback.  Also at this meeting, council members helped to create a care and connect statement for the school.     

 

Digital citizenship—Utah Netsmartz presentations will be used to provide the required digital citizenship instruction. 

Informational Items—none

Garland Elementary Community Council Minutes

 

Meeting Date: September 28, 2021                                           Meeting Time: 3:30

Meeting Location: school library

Members Present: Patricia Novoa, Sara Merrick, Jessica Nielsen, April Wheatley (Mark Johnson non-voting member)

Members Absent: Marcia Wilson, Jennifer Webb

Financial Report: The budget for 2021-2022 is: $91,685.  The carry over is: $1,138.     

Plan Implementation Report.

Here is the plan:

School Plan 2021-2022 - Garland School

School Plan Approved

School Plan Approval Details

Submitted By

Mark Johnson

Submit Date

2021-05-06

Admin Reviewer

Karen Rupp

Admin Review Date

2021-05-19

LEA Reviewer

Keri Greener

LEA Approval Date

2021-05-19

Board Approval Date

Goal #1close

State Goalclose

Our goal is based on reading achievement. Our goal is to have the following percentages of students read on grade level: Kindergarten: 90% First Grade: 80% Second Grade: 82% Third Grade: 85% Fourth Grade: 87% Fifth Grade: 87%.

Academic Areaclose

  • English/Language Arts

Measurementsclose

Our goals are linked to end of year DIBELS/Acadience scores. This test is administered three times per year. Our goal is to reach the following scores on the end of year test which will be conducted in April and/or May of 2022. The goals represent the percentage of students who we hope to be at grade level. Kindergarten: 90% First Grade: 80% Second Grade: 82% Third Grade: 85% Fourth Grade: 87% Fifth Grade: 87%. Percentages are measured using the composite score.

Action Stepsclose

1.We will purchase a Storyworks subscription for each of our 4th grade students. This a Scholastic magazine. This will cost $1,149.00. We will also purchase a Scope magazine subscription for each of our 5th grade students. This is also a Scholastic magazine. This will cost $1,209.00. Grand total: $2,358.00.

2.We will pay for the services of 7 reading aides. Each aide will work 142 days in the year, 5.25 hours per day. We project this will cost us $12,860 per aide, for a grand total of $90,020.00. These reading aides will provide small group instruction for all students in our building.  Training for these aides will be provided by the instructional coaches in our building.  The aides will also be observed regularly and will be evaluated and given feedback by the instructional coaches.     

Planned Expendituresclose

Category

Description

Estimated Cost

Total:

$92,378

Books, Ebooks, online curriculum/subscriptions

Item #1. Scholastic magazines for 4th and 5th grade.

$2,358

Salaries and Benefits (teachers, aides, specialists, productivity, substitutes)

Item #2. Hiring and paying 7 reading aides.

$90,020

Digital Citizenship/Safety Principles Componentclose

No

Summary of Estimated Expenditures

Category

Estimated Cost
(entered by the school)

Total:

$92,378

Books, Ebooks, online curriculum/subscriptions

$2,358

Salaries and Benefits (teachers, aides, specialists, productivity, substitutes)

$90,020

Funding Estimates

Estimates

Totals

Carry-over from 2019-2020

$1,137.78

Distribution for 2020-2021

$95,884

Total Available Funds for 2020-2021

$97,021.78

Estimated Funds to be Spent in 2020-2021

$94,242.01

Estimated Carry-over from 2020-2021

$2,779.77

Estimated Distribution for 2021-2022

$91,685

Total Available Funds for 2021-2022

$94,464.77

Summary of Estimated Expenditures for 2021-2022

$92,378

Estimated Carry-over to 2022-2023

$2,086.77

The Estimated Distribution is subject to change if student enrollment counts change.

Estimated Carry-over

I don't understand this section. I have not entered my budget yet and we will not be carrying over that much. Our planned total expenditures for 2021-2022 are $92,378. Assuming that is accurate, we would a carryover of $2,086.

Funding Changes

There are times when the planned expenditures in the goals of a plan are provided by the LEA, a grant, or another unanticipated funding source leaving additional funds to implement the goals. If additional funds are available, how will the council spend the funds to implement the goals in this plan?

If we had enough additional funding, our first priority would be to hire an additional reading aide. If we didn't have enough funding for that, we would purchase additional curriculum to support our reading instruction, such as: 95% materials, Shell fluency, Reading Mastery, more Scholastic magazines, etc. We may also choose to purchase replacement microphones for our audio enhancement systems. These cost over $200.00 each and many of them are aging and are due to be replaced.

 

 

 

New items--none

Action Items (a detailed description of the motion, who made the motion, # voted for, # voted against)

 

The council discussed the current land trust plan and several members of the council are going to visit the school so they can see first hand how the land trust money is being spent.  They will be observing our reading groups where the aides do their work. 

Digital citizenship—Utah Netsmartz

Informational Items—none