SMPO is Sands Montessori Parent Organization

An all-Volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit organization made up of Sands parents/legal guardians, teachers, and staff.

Our Mission is for families, staff, and students to work together to strengthen the Sands Montessori community of life long learners.

The board of directors of the SMPO is named the SMPO "Rudder".

What does the SMPO do?

• Coordinates: Afterschool Enrichments, Soccer (Spring & Fall), T-ball (Spring) and Basketball (Winter).
• Offers: School support directly to teachers for classroom supplies, and Montessori material
• Gives: Scholarships to students for afterschool enrichments
• Organizes School Events: Grandparents Day, Carnival, The White Elephant Sale, Math & Science Night, Family Story Hour, Ice Cream Social, International Night, etc.
• Supports: Diversity Committee, Healthy Body Healthy Mind
• Publishes: The Reporter - Sands Monthly newspaper, Sands directory

And much, much more . . . .

Local School Decision Making Committee (LSDMC)

The Local School Decision Making Committee (LSDMC) is the primary governing body for each school in the district.

This committee gives insight and input into important decisions that greatly impact students' lives and shape their educational experiences.

Role of Committee

The function of LSDMCs includes:

• adopting bylaws, including the school's mission and vision
• setting measurable school goals, based on a needs assessment
• developing a broad plan (OnePlan) to implement those goals
• completing a mid-year & end-of-year goal progress report
• making recommendations and approving the school's budget
• participating in the selection of the principal, when a vacancy exists
• approving locally initiated changes in the school's program or focus
• making recommendations to the principal regarding other school issues
• seeking grants to support the school's programs (optional)
• coordinating and overseeing the development of the school as a Community Learning Center

Composition

Board policy also governs LSDMC membership and gives proportional representation to all stakeholder groups.

Membership is comprised of four major constituencies, with a minimum of 12 members. The number of core members may increase but should remain proportional.

The groups include:

• three parents selected by the parent group
• three community members
• three teachers selected by the Instructional Learning Committee (ILC)
• three non-teaching staff including the principal, with the other two selected by their representative groups

Optional members may include a student or a representative of a Partner in Education. Members are asked to serve two-year terms.

Meetings

At least one annual meeting is required to review the purpose of the LSDMC and the OnePlan. However, it is recommended that the LSDMC meet monthly during the school year. All meetings are held at the school and open to the public.

Each LSDMC should elect officers, including a chairperson and recorder. It is recommended that Robert's Rules of Order be used to conduct business during the meetings. A quorum of the group membership is required for decisions.

Training & Support

Training is provided to LSDMC members to help them with their duties. In addition, a LSDMC Manual gives information on the committee and how it functions, as well as detailed data about the needs assessment process.

Districtwide LSDMC meetings are held quarterly each school year to provide information about recent district initiatives.