Year At A Glance

Sample LSAT Calendar for School Year Business - Possible Topics of Action/Discussion by Month

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*Note that the Comprehensive School Plan (CSP) should be discussed at each LSAT meeting.*

September

• Prepare for the new school year by building relationships.

• Reflect on the vision/mission of the school and DCPS.

• Establish meeting norms.

• Review LSAT purpose and goals.

• Reflect on who is represented on the LSAT and what perspectives may be missing from the conversation (grade level, race, in-boundary status, primary language spoken, families of students with special needs etc).

• Identify who will perform certain duties (timekeeper, notetaker, etc).

• Discuss potential LSAT support for Back to School Night.

• Determine how you will publicly share meeting minutes with the broader school community and who is responsible for doing this each month.

• CSP: Review the final draft of the CSP for this school year, including goals and strategies. Provide input if the CSP has not yet been submitted.

October

• Preview Enrollment Projection Timeline.

• Preview Budget Timeline.

• Calendar out Public Budget Forums, Hearings, and/or webinars.

• Discuss how the LSAT’s and PTA’s work can align so that the community is unified and school goals can be strategically prioritized.

• CSP: Review the CSP if this didn't happen last month. Principal can briefly outline the strategies that are being implemented so far towards CSP goals. If Beginning of Year (BOY) assessment data is available, look at the datapoints that relate to CSP goals to see where you are starting off. 

November 

• CSP: Analyze Beginning of Year data that relates to CSP goals if you didn't do this last month. Principal can provide an update on any shifts or additions to CSP-related strategies currently being implemented. 

• Share other interests or concerns in the school community that the group may be unaware of.

• LSAT Chairs review and share school enrollment projections.

December

• Begin to prepare for budget conversations by outlining which of this year's budget line items are flexible versus which are fixed, and how dedicated funding for special groups (at-risk, ELL, SPED students) is currently being allocated to support those students.

• CSP: Discuss the ways that your CSP goals relate to the budget -- which of the school's flexible budget line items are directly related to current CSP goals.

• Consider inviting other school personnel to your meeting for a deeper understanding of specific CSP implementation (ie. ELL teacher, reading specialist, etc).

January

• Discuss the CSP progress made to date and reflect on what may have hindered or enabled growth in those focus areas. Consider whether any shifts or additions might be made to next year's CSP goals which should be incorporated into conversations about next year's budget.

• Review the budget process and what to expect with new LSAT members.

• Reflect on what went well and what should change about last year’s budget process.

• Consider proposals from the principal regarding what to add to the budget if additional funds are available, what to cut from the budget if there is a decrease, and any other budget recommendations. Discuss how these proposals support current CSP goals, or proposed CSP goals for next year.

February 

• Discuss budget allocation. Make sure to address whether & how your budget supports your CSP goals, and how dedicated funding for special groups (at-risk, ELL, SPED students) will be allocated to support those students.

• Consider holding an extra LSAT meeting during budget season to discuss the specifics of your allocation.

March

• Discuss the implications of the new school year’s budget.

• If available, analyze Middle of Year data that relates to CSP goals.

• Propose any potential changes or shifts for the next school year, including to CSP goals.

• Discuss other issues relevant to the school community.

April

• Plan for LSAT elections by coordinating with the parent organization or principal.

• Revisit the topic of diversity of perspective by considering who was represented on the LSAT this year and what voices might have been missing so that a diverse candidate pool can be encouraged to run.

• Ensure 2 weeks notice is given to the school community before elections.

• Discuss other issues relevant to the school community.

May

• Hold elections (See Election Resources section below).

• Reflect on the topics discussed and successes of the LSAT, and any adjustments to consider for next year to improve.

• Share goals or ideas that were unable to be realized this year that the next LSAT might want to continue.

• Prepare a transition plan for the new LSAT.

June

• Submit your new LSAT Roster to the Office of Family and Public Engagement by using the link shared in the LSAT Newsletter or emailing lsat.help@k12.dc.gov

• Execute transition plans to prepare new LSAT representatives

• Consider inviting the new LSAT members to attend the final meeting so they can get a sense of how they run

• CSP: Reflect on the effectiveness of CSP strategies and the relevance of CSP goals, and discuss shifts to be made for next year's CSP. If available, analyze End of Year data that relates to CSP goals

For additional LSAT guidance, visit bit.ly/lsattoolkit