School Improvement Council (SIC) - Joseph R. Pye Elementary School

JPES School Improvement Council Meeting

Date: September 12, 2025

Dr. Priscilla Johnson, Principal
Ms. Melody Chabala, Assistant Principal
Ms. Lindsey Hallock, Assistant Principal

We prepare today’s learners to become tomorrow’s leaders.

EXPLORE ● DISCOVER ● LEARN ● LEAD

Meeting Agenda

Agenda:

Call to Order & Welcome – Dr. Johnson
Reviewed the Annual School Improvement Council Calendar
Reviewed the SIC Annual Compliance Checklist
Reviewed Notes from the last meeting
Tunky Riley Award
Concerns, Suggestions, Questions
Adjournment

SIC Meeting Minutes — September 12

Time: 7:45 a.m.
Location: Principal’s Conference Room

Members Present: Dr. Johnson; Ms. C. Boeree; Ms. Rollison; Ms. White; Ms. Hefner

Welcome to SIC

Opening remarks and welcome.
Updates
1. Dr. Johnson shared about the SIC.
2. Reviewed applying for the Dick and Tunky Award:
  - SC-SIC Riley Award
Annual School Improvement Council Calendar
1. Committees on the SIC: groups who assist but are not full SIC members.
2. Ms. Passmore from the district office led this portion of the meeting.
3. Reviewed district guidelines and calendar dates:
  1. August / September: SIC election procedures
  2. October: Elections must be completed by October 15
  3. Nov/Dec: Items placed into the database by Nov 15 & review school report card data
  4. Jan/Feb: Share analysis of SC School Report Card data with parents and faculty
  5. Mar/Apr: Review draft of the SIC Report to Parents
  6. May/June: Summarize progress on Five-Year Plan and SIC annual goals; submit electronic copy of SIC Report to Parents via SC-SIC Member Network
SIC Annual Compliance Checklist
1. Due no later than October 15.
  - One-year term roles:
    - Chairs: Ms. Heffner and Ms. White
    - Secretary: Mrs. Rollison
2. Required composition:
  - 2 Parent representatives
  - 2 Teacher representatives
  - 2 Community members
  - The Principal
3. Anyone is welcome to participate; ideas for community partners were discussed.
4. Meeting dates for the year:
  - September 12
  - October 9
  - November 13
  - January 8
  - February 12
  - March 17 (Tuesday)
  - April 16
  - May 7
5. Arrange for a business to provide breakfast (for ~20 people) on each meeting date.
Reviewed Notes from Last May

Discussion of prior meeting notes and follow-ups.
New Goals
1. Attendance / Tardies
  1. “Be Present” initiative to improve student punctuality and attendance.
  2. Communication strategies:
    1. Emphasize why arriving on time matters
    2. Focus on the human side — students miss out on instruction, morning meetings, etc.
  3. Students missing morning show, meetings, or class time.
2. College & Career Readiness
  Using CTE points rubric and incentives to provide opportunities:
  - 5th Grade Career Day
  - Vehicle Career Day

JPES School Improvement Council Meeting

Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025

Dr. Priscilla Johnson, Principal
Ms. Melody Chabala, Assistant Principal Ms. Lindsey Hallock, Assistant Principal

We prepare today’s learners to become tomorrow’s leaders.

Explore • discover • learn • Lead

Meeting Agenda for October 9, 2025

Attendance: Dr. Johnson, Ms. Salsman, Ms. Ferguson, Ms. Hefner, and Ms. White

Call to Order & Welcome
Tell Me Something Good
Review of Meeting Minutes – Online
Principal’s Update
2025-2026 Goals
Dick & Tunky Riley Award
Concerns, Suggestions, Questions
Adjournment

JPES SIC Mission

The mission of the JPES SIC is to enhance our school culture, build relationships that serve our students and community, and encourage the school’s continued pursuit of excellence.

JPES School Improvement Council Meeting

Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025

Dr. Priscilla Johnson, Principal Ms. Melody Chabala, Assistant Principal Ms. Lindsey Hallock, Assistant Principal

Meeting Minutes for October 9, 2025

Attendance: Dr. Johnson, Ms. Salsman, Ms. Ferguson, Ms. Hefner, and Ms. White

Call to Order & Welcome

Dr. Johnson
Tell Me Something Good
- “Rock Your School Day” was a huge success.
- Thankful to the volunteers who assisted with decorations.
- Great turnout for the first “Unlearn to Relearn.”
- Ms. Ferguson reports that the “School Counseling Small Group and PD Room” is completed.
- JPES Reading Plan was created and will be posted on the website today.
- Continuing with the 3rd-grade reading goal.
- Added a goal for kindergarten to increase RIT scores.
- JPES met the 3rd-grade reading goal from the 2024–2025 school year.
Review of Meeting Minutes

Dr. Johnson reviews with SIC members where SIC meeting minutes can be located.

Continuing to invite parents to join SIC.
Principal’s Update

SC Report Card By Area
- Academic Achievement
- 3rd Reading scores were the highest in 10 years.
- 4th Math scores were the highest in 10 years.
- Addition of a Math 180 program for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes.
5. Preparing for Success
- 4th Grade Science scores – JPES above state’s rating.
Multilingual Learners Progress
- Addresses the proficiency of JPES MLL students.
- Approximately 80 students receive MLL services.
- Full-time and part-time MLL teachers on staff.
Student Progress

Based on the level of student growth throughout the year.

Teachers will receive professional development on developing goals for students who did not meet their goals.

Climate

Reviews the social-physical environment of the school.

Dr. Johnson has met with the current Student Council President on ways to improve our school’s climate rating.

Classroom Environment & Student Safety

Parents report they feel the school is a safe environment.

Financial Data

Dr. Johnson explains that the State Department of Education rating criteria changed for this year.

Ms. Salsman explains the multiple surveys used to collect data, including parents, students, and staff.
2025-2026 Goals

Attendance / Tardies
- Ms. Hefner reviews Attendance/Tardy Virtual Professional Development.
- Finding: Parents prefer individualized texting on attendance and tardies.
- Dr. Johnson reviews the SC Oversight Committee initiative, “Be Present SC” Pledge.
- Will introduce to students following Fall Break.
- Dr. Johnson will review the Family/Parent component of this program.
- SIC will create an attendance-related bulletin board in the parent and student lunch area.
College and Career Readiness
- Reviewed O-Net Interest Profiler.
- 5th Grade Career Day.
- Vehicle Career Day – moved to Spring.
- Dr. Johnson would like 5th-grade students to write letters to colleges.
Dick & Tunky Riley Award
- Dr. Johnson will begin the application process.
- All information is due by Friday, December 5.
- SIC members will assist with the “Case Statement” narrative.
- Will work collectively on November 6 on the “Case Statement.”
- Will need a total of 3 “Letters of Support.”
- Dr. Johnson, 24-25 Student Council President.
- Dr. Johnson will reach out to the Mayor of Summerville, Russ Touchberry.
Concerns, Suggestions, Questions
- Reschedule November 13 to November 6 (in-person meeting).
- Will work on Dick & Tunky Riley Award.
- Ms. Rollison will change the meeting date on the school’s website.
- Ms. Salsman reports need of a parent volunteer to be Title I Representative.
- Schedule in-person Parent Meeting to review the School Report Card data on Wednesday, November 6.
- The SIC meeting will follow.
- Reach out to PTA to see if they want “Coffee with the Principal” the same day.
Adjournment

JPES SIC Mission

The mission of the JPES SIC is to enhance our school culture, build relationships that serve our students and community, and encourage the school’s continued pursuit of excellence.

Minutes

JPES SIC notes 12/19/24

Virtual Meeting 7:45 a.m.

Attendance: Mr. Hayden, Ms. Sayer, Dr. Johnson, Ms. Edwards, Ms. White, Ms. Hallock, Ms. Boeree, Ms. Ferguson, Mrs. Rollison

1. Tell me something good.

a. Parents shared good things in the classroom and the Board meeting recently about Pye Book Buddies. Discussed how much we love JPES and our Principals.

b. Guidance Report:

i. Angel tree: We served 19 children on the Angel Tree.

ii. Oakbrook Rotary partnered with us and received two full bags of snacks and easy prep meals to assist over the break.

iii. Mentoring Program: The Beacons: We have nine ladies who come once a week assigned to female students. We are looking to start a male mentoring program. We’d like to do this after the break if we can find some male role models to work with our boys. We are looking for 10.

iv. Personal Body Safety lessons. All homerooms

2. Reviewed Notes from last SIC Meeting

3. Principal Reports

a. Blessing Box –

i. We have a blessing box outside of our school in the front loop. Our School Crossing Guard (Ms. Martha) helps to add items. Our Student Council also adds items and partners with Low Country Food bank job with Food Bank Mobile Pantry.

ii. We shared this with other schools.

iii. Questions: How can we share the Blessing Box at our school to make sure everyone is aware? What are other ways we can continue to sustain our Blessing Box.

1. Ms. Edwards is a member of the Lions Club. She will ask them to add our Blessing Box to their schedule.

a. There are 3 Rotary clubs (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner). We just have to ask to be added to their list.

b. Parent Square-

i. Parent Feedback: How is it going from our school?

1. Love it. We need to share how to download the app to make people aware that there is an App.

4. PTA Updates:

i. Winter Wonderland is Back! We are enjoying it and we are so thankful for our PTA.

ii. Kids are enjoying the experience.

5. Review of 24-25 Goals:

a. Unlearn to Relearn:

i. RSVP will go out this week.

ii. New dates: January 17 (K-2) and January 24 (3-5).

iii. Breakout with solving a problem. Students learning and watching parents ask questions.

iv. Reviewing New Math during the Math talk.

b. Goal: College and Career Fair for 5^th grade students

i. Date: Thursday, February 20^th 8:30-9:45

ii. Spreadsheet of the College and Career Groups will be shared by Ms. Edwards. It will be a live document so we can input our contacts who have confirmed they can come to the Career Fair.

iii. Set up: Volunteers (15 or 20) will rotate between classes every 10-15 minutes.

6. Concerns, Suggestions, Questions

a. None at this time

7. Adjournment

J

Agenda

JPES School Improvement Council Meeting

Date: January 8th, 2025

Dr. Priscilla Johnson, Principal
Ms. Melody Chabala, Assistant Principal
Ms. Lindsey Hallock, Assistant Principal

We prepare today’s learners to become tomorrow’s leaders.

EXPLORE ● DISCOVER ● LEARN ● LEAD

Meeting Agenda

Agenda:

Call to Order & Welcome

Tell Me Something Good
Review of Previous Meeting Minutes
Principal’s Update
Dick & Tunky Riley Award Update
College and Career Goal Planning

Minutes

SIC Meeting 1/8/2026

Attendance: Kristen Hefner, Melody Chabala, Priscilla Johnson, Carla Boeree, Angelique White

Call to Order & Welcome – Dr. Johnson
Tell Me Something Good
1. Teacher of the year finalists
Review of Meeting Minutes from October
Principal’s Update
1. Attendance Update
  1. Team discussed high tardy volume and reasons including traffic
  2. Ms. Hefner and Dr. J will work on meeting with Mr. Jody Williams about changes that need to be made to assist with traffic flow
  3. Ms. Hallock spoke with Mr. Williams about the police officers that have not been at the stop lights in the two weeks before winter break. Ms. Hefner reported that an officer was there this morning.
  4. Ms. Chabala will talk to Ms. Hopkins for the average daily tardy rate.
  5. Add parent survey asking for reasons behind tardies – send out in EE this Sunday on 1/11. Survey will close on 1/19 at 3:00 pm
Dick & Tunky Riley Award Update
1. Application has been submitted in December – waiting to hear if it’s been accepted
Collect and Career Goal Planning: To Increase the exposure of fifth grade students
1. February 19th @ 8:30-9:30AM
2. 5th grader
3. Reach out to Ms. Edwards to see if some of the people she invited last year can come again.

February 12, 2025

Agenda
Minutes

Agenda

Minutes

SIC Notes

February 13th, 2025

7:45 a.m. in the Media Center

Present: Dr. Johnson, Ms. Chabala, Ms. Hallock, Ms. Ferguson, Ms. Boeree, Ms. Johnson, Ms. Rollison, Ms. Salsman, Ms. White, Ms. Sayer, Ms. Edwards, Ms. Hefner

1. Tell me something good.

2. PTA Updates

Sneaker Ball is this Thursday.

3. Career Day

Date & Time: February 20th, 8:30-9:45 a.m. in The Café/MPR
Arrival: 8:00 a.m.

Ambassadors escort guests to Café/MPR with a CORE team member.
One ambassador remains in Café to answer questions.
8:15-8:25 a.m.: Review Agenda & Debrief in Green Room with Salman and Dr. Johnson.
8:25 a.m.: Head to assigned tables.

SIC Member Assignments:
- Sayer: Café
- White: MPR
- Hefner/Edwards: Transition groups
Posters:
- Career Cluster
- Person’s Name
- Job Title
Passport Information: (Checkbox system)
- Job Title
- Education Background
  - Do you need to attend college for this job? (Yes/No)
  - If no, what is required to enter this field?
  - Relate to what students are learning in class.
- Fun fact about the job
- Years in the field
- Career path to current position

4. Next Steps

Prepare posters and passports for students
Assemble treat bags
Dr. Johnson’s tags
ONET profile for Clever (February 20th)
Thank-you cards
Agenda for guests
Sign-in sheet with preferred contact method

March 17, 2025

Agenda
Minutes

Agenda

Minutes

SIC Notes

March 20th, 2025
7:45 a.m. in the Conference Room

Meeting Minutes

Tell me something good
- 5th Grade Career Fair
  - Volunteers enjoyed it and want to come back
- Students were engaged
Unlearn to Relearn
- Monthly K-2 and 3-5
- “A-ha” moments for parents who attend
- Approximately 30 parents
Principal’s Update
- A lot of new programs this year, and we are ready for a time to rest.
PTA Notes and Updates
- Meeting last night
- Upcoming:
  - Donuts with Grownups – 2 adults
    - Wristband system
    - April 14th, 7:00-7:30 a.m.
  - Teacher Appreciation Week
    - Portions of 3 days for teachers
    - $50 per teacher for a classroom refresh
  - Mini Grants
    - Due April 1st
  - Picnic (day before school gets out)
    - Kickball, corn hole, food trucks
    - Local dance teams, karate
  - Fall Raffle – Ride to school on a Fire Truck
    - The week after Spring Break
Title 1 Planning Meeting
- Sheila Salsman shared Title 1 Parent Information for 2025-26
  - Goal: Increase achievement across our school for all students
- Title 1 Funding Determination Reviewed
- Projected funding announcement by March 24th
- Using data from 2023 and this year for next year's projections
- Dr. Johnson shared our Strategic Plan
- District personnel visited Washington, D.C. for funding guidance
  - Mandated to use 1% for parent involvement (used for Unlearn to Relearn this year)
- Suggestions:
  - GATE Training for Teachers – $260 per teacher through Converse College
  - Parent suggestions – Interventions to support student growth
- Evaluation of Parent Involvement Activities:
  - Unlearn to Relearn – Consider different times of the day
  - All Pro Dads – Can this be held at different times?
  - Parent invitations from students for events?
- Inclusion of SIC and parents in decision-making
  - Share ideas with Sheila Salsman by the end of April
SIC Reports to Parents
- Will be featured in the next SIC Spotlight
- SIC Report to Parents
  - Deadline for distribution: April 30th
  - Online sessions tonight on writing SIC reports
  - Reviewed SIC “A Roadmap to Today’s Session”:
    - Legislative mandate
    - Collaborative process
    - Distributed for transparency
    - Annual School Report to parents and constituents
Closure

April 16, 2025

Agenda
Minutes

Agenda

Minutes

SIC Notes

April 17, 2025
7:45 a.m. in the Conference Room

Meeting Minutes

Call to Order & Welcome
Review of Meeting Minutes from last month
Principal’s update
1. Today we will update SIC Agenda
2. We will add an SIC link that goes to our SIC page to the bottom of our weekly parent newsletters.
SIC Agenda updates
1. Report to Parents
2. Reviewed other examples of SIC Reports to parents to review different format.
3. Update our Report to Parents
Concerns, Suggestions, Questions
Adjuournment

May 7, 2025

Agenda
Minutes

Agenda

Minutes

SIC Meeting Minutes

May 17, 2025, at 7:45 a.m. in the Library

Agenda

Tell me something good
Review of Meeting Minutes - Online
Principal’s Update
1. Dr. Johnson is very proud of our school.
  - Working on a slideshow to highlight all of the things we have done this year. We have packed a lot in 180 days.
2. Asked parent present what they liked:
  - "Unlearn to Relearn" was very important and very good.
  - Looking at having parents involved in "Unlearn to Relearn".
3. PTA and SIC being parts of the planning for events has been very important. It’s been intentional and the process is becoming streamlined (applications, raptor background checks). Safety precautions are in place for having many people in our building.
4. Parent input, parent donations, parent volunteers have been extremely helpful this year.
PTA Notes and Updates:
- PTA mini grants - gave 4 out later in the year. Will do these next year.
Tunky Riley Award
1. Reviewed one of the latest recipients. We have until August to fill out application for the 24-25 year.
2. How can we recruit members for the SIC who continue to come all year?
Concerns, Suggestions, Questions, THANK YOU
1. Attendance and Tardies are an issue we are facing at school. We have many students who are absent or tardy daily which impacts instruction.
  - Expectation Assemblies to review grade level data.
  - Discussed a bulletin board to show data and focus on the importance of being on time and here daily.
2. We would like more parents to be involved in our School Improvement Council.
  - Ideas for increasing participation in our SIC:
    1. Present at a PTA meeting.
    2. Possibly move the time up to 6:50 to allow parents to come at drop off and provide Virtual options in meetings.
    3. Highlight all the things SIC has been responsible for.
    4. Describing what type of members we need (Elected, appointed, Ex-officio members, Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary).
    5. Combining PTA & SIC one items throughout the year.
    6. Moms chatting - inviting moms to come in and be able to discuss things with other moms (Similar to All Pro Dads).
    7. Student Council President (5th grader) as a member next year.
    8. Reviewed the application for the Tunky Riley Award.
      - Letters of recommendations (choose people from the 5th grade Career Fair this year i.e. Mayor).
3. Questions - will we be Title 1 next year? Yes, we were designated as a Title one school next year.