May 21 Meeting Minutes
Present: Amy Broberg, Maxine Carter-Lome, David Hosakawa, Paul Lindenmaier, Colin Mathews, Clair Naylor-Pollart, Barbara Newman, Paige Orloff, Eleanore Velez, Eric Wilska, and Jenny Wright.
Jessica Ryan. Absent: Lisa Kantor, Jan Seward
Welcome and Introductions: The meeting was started with quick introductions since it was Jessica Ryan’s first time to meet the AMC.
2010-’11 Enrollment Update:
Amy Broberg reported that the early admissions incentive campaign continues to be very successful. The current number of reenrolled students stands at 155 compared to 146 by June in 2009. When it comes to new students there are also increases bringing current new student numbers to 33 compared to 17 last year. As of May 21st the total enrolled number of students stood at 188 with a potential of 203 enrolled students without taking into consideration the potential of 12 extra applications with strong inclinations of materializing. While in the past most reenrollment contracts came in August this year’s reenrollment initiatives brought in many more contracts during the winter. With that said, there is still the expectation that more contracts will come in August as it is a natural transition/decision time for many families who are waiting to see how the school year ended and what other educational possibilities materialize for their children.
Currently the following information provides a very accurate picture of current enrolment.
Grade Enrolled Potential New
B3’s 3 4
PreK 11 2
K 10 3
1st 11 2
2nd 13 2
3rd 10 1 + 6
4th 22 1
5th 21 3
6th 28/29
7th 17 4
8th 21
9th 16
The numbers of the B3’s prompted a small discussion of what other schools catering to this particular age group are doing (new facilities) on how BCD’s assets be better exposed (i.e. BCD’s skilled faculty and wonderful campus).
Recruitment Activities Update:
Jessica Ryan reported that she has been actively working with a master database including the name and addresses of families in an area around BCD including Columbia, Hudson, and Berkshire County who due to the ages of their children and their income could seriously consider BCD. The use of the Database and information gathered serve to reach out to potential families through phone calls, mailings, invitations to open houses and outreach by current BCD families from their geographic area. Jessica has been keeping records of all the communications and making sure she follows up and stays in touch with the families. Jessica’s work was praised by the committee. Paul Lindenmaier pointed out how Jessica’s research has delivered very good quality information that sticks to the desired profiles while on the other hand the feedback received from the potential families has enhanced the understanding of their needs and realities. Since Jessica’s work at BCD will come soon to an end Colin Mathews recommended that she leaves behind a “play book” so future ventures benefit from the identified implementation approaches.
Lenox Choice Night Update:
Maxine Carter-Lome reported that Lenox Choice Night remains a local event that BCD would like to have an opportunity to be involved with since it mainly pertains to families who are interested in an alternative option to their children’s education. Unfortunately this year, we were not able to get involved, but the plans continue to find ways to reach out to families looking to choice into Lenox. One of those ways includes creating group specific materials that highlight what BCD can do for that group. Paul Lindenmaier gave the example of how BCD’s success in the education of girls can meet the needs of parents looking for other choices for their daughters.
- Following up on girls education Barbara Newman said that having a piece that highlight the achievements of our female graduates such as Jessica Ryan, who went to Smith College, came back to BCD as an employee and is planning to go to the Peace Corps would convey the message quite well.
- Following on the topic of school choice Clair Pollard asked if busing was an issue could BCD provide any assistance. Paul Lindenmaier answered that bussing can be done as long as the interested parents initiate the request and secure it.
Group Discussion: Retention & Parent Feedback
David Hosakawa asked if exit interviews are conducted in order to create a better awareness of the reasons why families are leaving. On a different subject he reported that he has been receiving very positive feedback from parents regarding MYBCD and the blogs. However, parents want to have more than an opportunity to respond to the blogs. They would like to have opportunities to talk face to face and maybe having a place in the campus where parents could casually meet and have a cup of coffee. Paige Orloff, said that the PA had also brought up the idea of having informal coffee gatherings in campus and that the PA was going to explore that idea. Paul Lindenmaier followed up with the sentiment of more open lines of communication stressing that the relationship between parents and faculty is extremely important and often manifests itself in two different levels. At one level there are issues, concerns or questions arise at another level parents also like to know what their children are doing and faculty blogs allow parents to have a better view of what is happening in the classroom. Colin added that while the blogs allow parents to see what is happening in their children’s classroom there is also the potential of parents sharing pictures of school activities they have participated in. With that said, he added that it is extremely important for parents to be engaged and familiarized with the faculty and campus.
Closing
David Hosakawa thanked all the members of the AMC for an exciting and productive year. He asked the AMC members to keep on thinking about AMC issues during the summer, engage in parent and prospective parent conversations to get a better feel of the needs that pertain to this committee.
Next meeting to be announced in the near future, this was the last meeting for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Submitted by Eleanore Velez
June 7, 2010
