Monroe Primary School

Collaborative Planning Meeting Notes

Non-Homeroom and Support Services Faculty

“The Critical Friends process focuses on developing collegial relationships, encouraging reflective practice, and rethinking leadership. This process is based on cooperative adult learning, which is often contrary to patterns established in work environments….Critical in the context of the group is intended to mean ‘important’ or ‘key’ or ‘necessary’”.

www.annenberginstitute.org www.alliance.brown.edu/pubs/changing_systems/teach_to_student/Friends_Protocol.pdf www.cic.uiuc.edu/programs/DEO/archive/BestPractice/CriticalFriends.shtml  

www.cic.uiuc.edu/programs/DEO/archive/ConferencePresentation/DEOSeminar2005/CriticalFriends.pdf

The non-homeroom/support services staff of Monroe Primary School meet weekly to discuss current school initiatives and how these initiatives can be supported by each of the support areas represented. The Critical Friends model was briefly introduced and the group spent time establishing norms for meetings. It was agreed that the following norms would be established for future meetings:

1. Start on time and end on time.
2. Stay focused on the task and/or agenda.
3. Listen when others are talking.
4. Offer positive or constructive feedback.
5. Encourage everyone to contribute.