Best Practices: Sullivan SAC Engages Members, Fosters Leadership
Sullivan Elementary School has a high functioning SAC. They have leadership positions (Facilitators, Organizers, and a SAC Secretary), they have all stakeholders involved, and they meet every month. They've even created subcommittees, which focus on projects outside of regular SAC meetings.
At their January meeting, the SAC was full of positive energy. They had birthday cake for one of their members, and Principal Renee Morley took time during her remarks to say how proud she was of the work that families and staff have put into building a SAC. Principal Morley spoke about how especially proud she feels of the progress that many Sullivan parents have made from being volunteers to becoming elected SAC leaders to now being employed at the school.
Victoria Trower, the SAC Secretary and a key parent in getting the SAC up and running this school year, led the group through decision-making during the meeting. She utilized the “fist-to-five fingers” model to quickly gauge the group’s opinion on various issues such as approving the previous meeting’s minutes and voting on changes to the SAC Bylaws.
Ms. Trower also explained the SAC subcommittees and their purposes, inviting any interested members (or guests) to get involved. Sullivan’s SAC currently has subcommittees for the following areas: academic achievement, climate and culture, and family engagement.
Throughout the meeting, members from all stakeholder groups shared ideas and asked questions, allowing for all views to be brought to the table and creating a truly collaborative environment. Ms. Trower and another parent, Paula Johnston, spoke about how they were in the process of working with the school’s art teacher to plan a school-wide mural project, which would both beautify the school and allow students to artistically express themselves. Ms. Trower also connected with a parent outside of the SAC who is a fitness instructor and is interested in offering fitness classes and a family nutrition night to Sullivan students and families.
Staff members on the SAC also took time to provide updates. The SBTL (School-based Teacher Leader) gave an overview of the PSSA schedule. Another teacher chimed in to explain to SAC parents how difficult the PSSAs are on students. Principal Morley agreed, and she called on families and community members to lend their support as much as possible in making sure that the students are prepared for the tests.
Student representatives sit on Sullivan's SAC and provide feedback and ideas.
Even Sullivan students had a time to shine during the SAC meeting. Principal Morley invited three students who are involved with the school’s “Leader in Me” program to speak about what they’ve been working on and what their vision is for the school.
Before the meeting closed out, Mr. Oquendo, the Community Relations Liaison for the school, reminded everyone that he is always available to help families or community members fill out their clearances so they can volunteer in the school. He hosts a clearances workshop on the second Friday of every month, and he’s also working on getting at least four other people in the building trained on how to help families access and fill out their clearances.
Sullivan takes its SAC to the next level by giving parents true leadership roles, involving all stakeholders, taking the voices of students seriously, and adhering to meeting norms that follow consensus decision-making and are grounded in bylaws created by the SAC itself. Sullivan truly has a model SAC; see examples of their meeting minutes, SAC bylaws, agendas, and more below!
