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, 2026

Agenda
Minutes

Agenda

Minutes

SIC Meeting Notes — February 12, 20026

Attendance:: Ms. Hefner, Ms. White, Dr. Johnson, Ms. Salsman, Ms. Rollison

Meeting Agenda

Call to order and Welcome
Tell Me Something Good — Shared How Our Students Are Doing
- Exciting events happening in the Library
- Discussed how their students are doing (inside and outside of school)
- Crossing Guard Day and memorial this week to honor Ms. Martha
Review of Meeting Minutes
These are available online.
Principal’s Update
1. Received a nomination for Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School Award
  1. JPES is an ATSI School — designation from the SCDE based on subgroup performance on SCREADY and SC-Alt assessments.
    1. Means a subgroup of tested grade performs in the bottom 5 percent of the same subgroup statewide. Our designation is for our disabled subgroup. We will have a plan that will be shared and submitted in February. We have three years to meet the cut score to exit the ATSI designation list.
2. TOY/RTOY Updates with Winners
  - Teacher of the Year: Ms. Peidl (4th grade)
  - Rookie Teacher of the Year: Ms. Parker (Kindergarten)
  - STAR Performer: Ms. Stark, Resource Teaching Assistant
Pathway Possibilities Career Fair
Date: February 19th / 8:30–9:45 AM
- 7:30 AM arrival / set up
- 8:30–9:45 AM event
- 9:45–10:00 AM debriefing
Shared spreadsheet and reviewed updates including who still needs to be contacted.

Timing details: 70 minutes total; 5-minute transition; 4 minutes per presentation.

Student Council / Ambassadors from 3rd and 4th grade will help with introductions.

Student Council can make cards to thank the visitors.

Swag bags for participants.

Locations: MPR — Room A / Café B
Concerns, Suggestions, Questions
Adjournment

JPES School Improvement Council Meeting

Date: February 12th, 2026

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
Pathway Possibilities Career Fair
Concerns, Suggestions, Questions
Adjournment

March 26, 2026

Agenda
Minutes

Agenda

JPES School Improvement Council Meeting

Date: March 26, 2026

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:

1. Call to Order & Welcome

2. Tell Me Something Good

3. Review of Previous Meeting Minutes

4.Career Fair Update

5 Principal’s Update

6. Concerns, Suggestions, Questions

7. Adjournment

Minutes

SIC Meeting 3/26/26

Attendance: Dr. Johnson, Mrs. Rollison, Kristen Hefner

Call to Order & Welcome – Dr. Johnson
Tell Me Something Good
1. Thank you to Ms. Hefner for being here to support the Career Fair.
2. We want to send thank you notes to the Career Fair participants from JPES.
Review of Meeting Minutes of previous meeting
Career Fair update
1. Reviewed survey from the participants
  1. Suggestion- It would be helpful to show the space and give headcount of students before the event to prepare better for the presentations.
  2. Many participants expressed that they would love to participate again.
  3. Idea:
    1. Invite these participants to be part of our STEAM Night next year. Will share this with Ms. Thirkettle.
    2. Shake and Shine- This is appropriate for 5th grade to Middle School, perhaps opening this up for 4th grade. This would be in addition to Career Fair. Beech Hill Elementary does this and we will connect with the teacher there to get ideas on bringing this to JPES.
Principal’s Update
1. Attendance Update
  1. Reviewed data from parent survey about JPES arrival.
    1. We looked at the amount of time it takes to get to school in the mornings and discussed this with Deputy Rivers.
    2. Dr. Johnson plans to meet with the District to discuss the data and survey results.
  2. Question- Are there more tardies when it’s cold outside?
  3. Reviewed Report to Parents
    1. Goals:
      1. Cozy Reading and Comprehension Strategies
      2. Modern Math: Unlean to Relearn
      3. Reducing Tardiness and Chronic Absenteeism
    2. Ms. Hefner will write a letter about JPES as the chair of SIC.
    3. Reviewed Events at the school
      1. School and PTA events discussed
      2. MLL Student Updates: We use Elevation as a resource to get an accurate count of served and monitored students.

April 16, 2026

Agenda
Minutes

Agenda

JPES School Improvement Council Meeting

Date: April 16, 2026

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:

1. Call to Order & Welcome

2. Tell Me Something Good

3. Review of Previous Meeting Minutes

4. Report to Parents- work on presentation

5. Adjournment

Minutes

May 7, 2026

Agenda
Minutes

Agenda

JPES School Improvement Council Meeting

Date: May 7, 2026

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:

May 7, 2026

Review of Previous Meeting Minutes
GATE Program Updates
Parent Communication & Involvement
PTA Updates
Volunteer Training
School Improvement & Future Goals
Title I Update
Questions and Discussion
Adjournment

Minutes

SIC Meeting Notes – May 7, 2026

Attendance:
Dr. Johnson, Mrs. Rollison, Ms. Hefner, Ms. Hallock, Ms. Salsman, and Ms. LaPlante (PTA President)

Meeting Highlights

Reviewed minutes from the previous meeting.

School Updates

GATE Program

Plans to provide families with more information about the GATE program, including Meet the GATE Teacher opportunities, curriculum details, and presentations from the district GATE representative.
Twenty-five spots will be available in GATE classes including placement of state-identified students.
GATE serves as an intervention program for high-achieving students.
Resources such as Living with Intensity and companion materials for students were discussed.

Parent Communication & Involvement

Discussed ways to increase parent engagement with the Explorer Express parent newsletter.
Recognized challenges families face with work schedules and volunteering.
Suggested incentives for volunteers, including VIP seating at awards ceremonies.

PTA Updates

Continued support through teacher mini-grants.
Discussed encouraging more PTA membership participation throughout the year.
PTA meetings remain brief (approximately 45 minutes) and virtual attendance options are available.
PTA election nominations for all positions are upcoming.
Discussed “Unlearn to Relearn” parent engagement opportunities hosted by teachers, with possible PTA grant incentives.
Additional ideas included PTA birthday cards for students and continued Boosterthon support.

Volunteer Training

Explored holding volunteer training sessions before the school year begins.
Suggested offering training during Meet the Teacher events.
4K teachers will provide volunteer training opportunities for parents over the summer.

School Improvement & Future Goals

The committee completed four planning posters focusing on:

Things we do well
Areas for improvement
Practices to discontinue
New ideas to implement

Future goals and needs discussed included:

Creating an Engagement Lab with projector setup
School beautification projects
A new outdoor school sign

Title I Update

JPES is currently 58% Title I funded.
The school prepared budget plans for both 12% and 22% funding reduction scenarios and anticipates approximately a 20% cut.
Reading intervention support will continue for grades 3–5, with interventionists also supporting math intervention.
Funding is expected to remain available for supplies and tutoring next year.
Funding will support Library items that benefit the whole school:
- A math-focused author visit & BookBreaks programs
- Beanstack

School Improvement Council (SIC)