Nominations for School Leadership Team (SLT)
Nominations for parent positions on the PS 8 School Leadership Team (SLT) are now open and the election will be held at the same PTA General Meeting as PTA elections, May 29. Serving on the SLT is another way for parents and guardians to help PS 8 be a great school.
What is the School Leadership Team (also known as the "SLT")?
The School Leadership Team is an ongoing committee charged by the Department of Education (DOE) to create a yearly Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP) for our school and in addition give input on school budgetary decisions. In reality the SLT does much more. The SLT serves as yet another important way for parents and staff to communicate and work with PS8's school administration to make PS 8 the best school it can be.
The SLT regularly surveys our school community - students, parents, and staff - to help identify our school's strengths and weaknesses. The SLT usually decides to focus on specific areas and creates subcommittees to carry out its work. This year, the SLT focused on two areas - curriculum and diversity issues at PS 8.
It is important to get more parents and staff involved as volunteers in the work of the SLT, to increase the representative input into the school's curriculum plan and related activities. It is critical to start with filling the parent positions opening up on the SLT for next year.
Who is on the School Leadership Team?
The SLT consists of an equal number of parents and staff who meet regularly with Principal Phillips to discuss and help create the educational plan for our school. Currently the "SLT" has 6 parents and 6 staff as members.
The parent SLT representatives are each elected to a two-year term by the parents and guardians of PS 8; and the PS 8 staff elects the staff representatives. One of the SLT parent representatives must be a PTA Executive Board member; this typically is filled by a PTA Co-President but doesn't have to be. (Note: The SLT Chair sits in on PTA Board meetings as well.) Similarly, the UFT Chapter Chair either is a member of the SLT or sends a designee.
What are the Parent positions open on the SLT for next year?
For the 2008-2009 school year, there will be 3 Parent positions up for election; the PTA Board representative, as described above, will automatically fill one of these positions. So, two Parent positions are actually open for nominations.
In addition, we have traditionally added one "Alternate Parent" position for election. This person can attend meetings, provide input and help with the work but not vote. In the event a Parent drops off the SLT during the year, then the Alternate will replace that person and be a voting member. So, one Alternate position is open for nomination.
The PS 8 School Leadership Team represents a true partnership of PS 8 parents, staff and administration to help our children. This partnership is one of the many reasons for the successes of our school.
Get on board, run for an SLT position or volunteer!!!
Posted on: April 28, 2008
