As team leader of the senior team, typically I was the first one into the office, but today the door was unlocked.  I entered to find Yolanda at her desk reading student work due that day. Students complete their homework over a web portal and Yolanda likes to review it to be able to comment on it in class.
      "Good morning Bob", she said as she looked up from her laptop.
       "Hi", I replied.  "How was your run this morning?"
       "Really nice thanks, I like it now that it's getting light out earlier," she said.  "Can you tell me how Yori is doing for you?  He told me last night, over e-mail, he would get to his paper as soon as he finished his physics problems, but I don't see it here."
       "He's doing alright but he doesn't attend to his work consistently," I said.  "He's a bright young man but not reaching his 'potential' as they say.  I do know he enjoys physics more than English and given he's not 100% for me maybe we should discuss him."
       "I read the agenda on the portal and I know we have a lot to accomplish this morning but maybe we can do a quick check to see if I should draft an action plan for us to look at," Yolanda volunteered.
       "I'm sure we can fit in a quick whip," I said.
       The team room here at CA was a far cry from the converted closet we used at my old school.  Wireless networking allows us to access the web and our school tools portal from anywhere in the room, or the school for that matter.   The work areas surround a large central oval table where we assembled for team meetings three times a week. 
       I sat at my desk and pulled up the team notes from the portal and reviewed Wednesdays meeting as well as the agenda for today.  Fridays were typically set aside for action plans on students either building them or reviewing them.  Today we also had to review recognition scores for validity.  The scores were due to be released on the web tonight and it's important they are accurate.  It would make the meeting tight but doable.  Only one "To Do" thing outside of our normal agenda popped up on the team notes for today.  It was to remind teachers we will review "Focus Students" for admissions on Mon.  I added Yori to the agenda.
      Conversation built around the team table as people gathered for the meeting.
      "Where's Angela," asked Adam.
      "She called and will be a few minutes late," answered Maria.
      I pulled my chair up to the table.  I eyed Jen opening up her computer.
      "Jen will you take notes."
      "Sure Bob."
      Working as a team seemed natural to this group now but it was actually a process we had all been trained for.
      "Yolanda will you open with prayer?"
      After her prayer we discussed how the students were responding to our study in the book of "Daniel". We were studying Daniel as part of the schools year-long theme of People of God.
      "We have a lot to accomplish this morning so bear with me if I push things along.  Does anyone have any announcements?"
      Everyone looked at Jim.  He was our unspoken 'keep the pulse of the school' guy.
"Nothing here," he said.
      "OK then," I pushed on.  "Today we do action plans and have to fit in the rec score review at the end.  "Angela will be here any minute, agreement on doing the reviews first."  The team quickly signaled their approval.  "Who has Adrien?"
      "I do," volunteered Steve.
      "Take it."
      "I have just noticed that Adrien is getting a little behind according to her weeklies and wanted to know if people felt an action plan is in order for her.  Could we just whip around for feed back?"
      "I'll start," I said to keep things going.  "She has been playing catch up in physics ever since she returned three days late from vacation.  Maria?"
      "She's basically caught up in math as of today hopefully.  She is stopping in after school to make up a test."
      Adam jumped in, "She turned in her portfolio paper yesterday so she is all set with me."
      "Pass," said Jen who doesn't have her and was busy typing notes in the database.
      "Pass," said Jim.
      "In English she has a quiz to make-up and a re-write to do," said Jolanda.
      "Well it looks like she's catching up in some areas," said Steve.  I'd like to have her arrange to meet with Bob and Jolanda to put together a plan for catching up in Physics and  English and revisit it next Thursday. I'll e-mail the parents to let them know were we are on this."
      "OK, Agreement on Steve's proposal," I said.  The team indicated their approval.
      "Put in a 'To Do' to check on Adrien February 5th," Steve said to Jen.
      "Can do."
      Just then Angela walked through the door.
      "Sorry I'm late, but I brought Munchkin's."
      "We're easily bought", said Adam reaching for them.
      "On to Yori", I said.  We reviewed his situation and agreed that Jolanda would put together an action plan for next week.   "Angela has prepared Deeon's action plan.  She has put it on our team portal  Why don't we let her take us through it."  I knew that although some had reviewed it and come with opinions others wouldn't have gotten around to it.  Efficiency may help us get more done but it can't lengthen a day.
      Angela started in reading the problem statement.  "Agreement on the area of concern."  Having agreement she continued with the goals for intervention.  "Agreement on that?"  Maria had the only thumb down.
"Maria, what's your input", she said.
      "I think it's good but am concerned that no additional missed or late homework assignments might be setting her up for failure.   I propose we say no more than one a week."
      "Agreement on that," Angela asked
      With full agreement, Angela was now in a position to meet with Deeon during homeroom today to go over the plan with him.  She would also e-mail his parent's to let them know that the plan was now completed and available for them on their parent portal.
      The recognition scores had been available for teacher review since Thursday morning so review went quickly and I was able to make the changes needed so the that when parent access was granted the scores would be accurate.
      We closed in a short prayer and headed out to start our teaching day.

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