What is SDM?

Shared Decision Making is a way to make your voice heard by ALL the people who are responsible for your child’s education. The goal of SDM is tohelp parents, teachers, administrators and other building personnel work
together to make our kids more successful both in school and in life afterthey leave school.

How does the SDM process work?

It starts with the idea that nothing is perfect and you can’t tackle everythingat once. But, if we put our minds together we can make our schools betterand improve our children’s education. As a group, we agree on one or two
reachable goals for the year. Then we work on achieving those goals.

What we’ve accomplished!!

The Transition to Middle School

At one Utica City School District middle school, a parent felt that thetransition from elementary to middle school could have been better handled.Through the efforts of SDM, some middle schools teachers and counselors now go to the elementary schools in May to talk to the kids. There is now also an Orientation Night in June for kids and parents to get to tour themiddle schools building and meet the school Principal, some more teachers and others. Questions are also answered at this time.


At one of our Elementary Schools
 

In one elementary school, Shared Decision Making found a “Green” Solution” to save the school in printing thousands of pages of newsletters. SDM helped to survey the parents and the school now sends newsletters home over the Web. Together, SDM then hosted a “Technology Night” to inform parents about the school’s web site, while sponsoring a valuable presentation on how to protect your kids from predators on the internet.

Why is SDM so important?

Teachers and administrators shouldn’t be the only people involved in teaching our children. As parents we need to try to read with our kids or check their homework or ask how their day was at school. That keeps us connected. The SDM process is another great way for parents to stay connected - to the larger school community. Each of us can help improve the learning environment and quality of our kids’ school experience... but not if we don’t participate.

How do I get involved?

It’s easy! Go to the school. Introduce yourself to the Principal and say, “I’m here for SDM.” Everyone, especially you and your kids, will be glad you did.

Watson Williams Elementary School Shared Decision-Making Team

Goals
2022 –2023

  1. To increase SDM committee membership by at least 2
  2. To design and schedule activities to increase the degree of parental awareness and involvement in school activities.

Watson Williams Elementary School Shared Decision-Making Team

Measureable Objectives
2022 –2023

  1. Three activities will be designed and scheduled to increase parental involvement with a focus on the children’s mastery of basic skills.
  2. Three Parent Informational Nights will be established for ESL parents needing translations.
  3. A log of participants at each scheduled activity will be used to gauge degree of parental involvement.
  4. Two parent surveys will be conducted to ascertain parents’ perspectives and concerns.

Watson Williams SDM Meeting Dates:

  • Monday, September 12, 2022
  • Monday, October 3, 2022
  • Monday, November 7, 2022
  • Monday, December 5, 2022
  • Monday, January 9, 2023
  • Monday, February 6, 2023
  • Monday, March 6, 2023
  • Monday, May 8, 2023
  • June TBD