Meeting Minutes from April 11, 2024 - Parent Advisory Council

Information to Share

• The technology and learning departments are working together to teach students how to use AI safely and ethically in order to prepare them for the future. 

• AI (ChatGPT) is open for use for HS students as of January 17, 2024. 

• ChatGPT is accessible to high school students only due to the Terms of Service. Rockwood only permits student use of technology tools based on the age outlined in the Terms of Service. There is currently no AI tool with a Terms of Service that goes below the age of 13. 

• District Instructional Technology specialists are training staff and students on best practices when using AI. 

• A Canvas course was created and pushed out to all students to teach students how to use AI.

• “Success Ready” is the term the MO Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is using to encompass all career exploration and post-high school planning. 

• There were two main focal points for our Success Ready planning this year. 

  • Choose a software tool to support academic planning, course enrollment, job shadowing and internships, and the college application process; 

  • Develop a scope and sequence of career exploration and Success Ready lessons for all district students grades 6-12. 

• The tool Rockwood selected is SchooLinks; initial setup is currently taking place, and plans are to have the major parts of it running in 2024.

• Parents in attendance suggested parent sessions to learn more about SchooLinks. The Success Ready leadership team will plan both in-person and online sessions next year.

• Rockwood’s current strategic plan, The Way Forward, ends in 2025, so it is time to review that plan and begin designing our next five-year Strategic Plan. 

• May 21, 2024 will be a Strategic Plan Kickoff Meeting at the Center for Creative Learning @ 6pm. Community members are invited to join us in a discussion about the future of Rockwood.

• June Highlights 

  • Summer Academy begins

  • Curriculum Writing 

  • Teacher self-selected professional learning 

    • Teachers choose sessions they want to attend beyond required professional learning 

    • Attendees are paid for their time

• July/August  

  • 2 days of PD for all staff on teacher contracts

  • Staff has flexibility and choice on the professional learning they choose to attend 

• New Teacher Orientation

• Teacher Orientation

• Curriculum work that will be taking place in Summer 2024

  • SS Electives (Women’s History & St. Louis History)

  • Algebra 1 

  • K-5 Math 

  • Science Electives 

  • Theatre