Teacher Advisory Council Joint Statement

This month TAC met for their monthly meeting.  The following was discussed and actions taken:
The TAC goals were approved for this year.  The goals are found in the TAC notes, or check in with your TAC reps. 
A discussion of the Candidate Profile creation was held. The TAC progressed through a carousel activity that assisted the discussion of the key characteristics of anyone to be hired within the school district.  Multiple advisory groups are looking and suggesting feedback and insight to the Candidate Profile.  The intent is to approve the Candidate Profile at the Board of Education level before hiring season begins. 
A continued discussion of the trimester structures was held.  The council will be taking a vote on the proposal for trimesters in November.  Trimesters has been discussed in the district for five years, with it most recently coming up during negotiations as part of the School Day Research Committee task list.  This would only be K-5 since at the secondary levels it would impact the ability of students taking exploratory and elective courses.  The calendar and structure would not change K-12 except the report card issuing dates.  The pro is teacher workload and the ability to spend more time in the start of the year on expectations, learner profile, reflection, routine, and students empowerment and not jumping into the core so quickly.  A few questions will further be explored:
Could exploratory courses do a progress report first trimester instead of increasing to reporting three times (they currently only report twice now)?
What would progress and report card dates be?
The council discussed the use and guidelines of Makerspaces.  At this time the council would love to invest time in the use and exposure to the possibilities and build use over time.  The focus for this year would be knowledge and exposure through Critical Thinking for students, through professional development on the design process and use for staff. We will revisit this in April.   
The council will come prepared to develop a District Design Challenge; The Green Screen Oscars, during the next meeting.  Share any ideas you may have. 
Have a great day!