Sehome Site Council
October 11, 2006
Minutes
Present: Shawn Doan, Patrice Clark, Steve Globerman, Bobbie Jaffe, Kathleen Nolan, Phyllis Textor, Jane Wynn
Absent: Ginger Thompson, Lisa Brosseau, John VanHaalen, Cathy Moran, Matt Goldfogel
1. Approving Past Minutes
2. Principal’s Report:
·
Enrollment
Enrollment is down from last year. However, we have met the projections, so our budget stays the same.
·
District
Principal’s Meeting
Phyllis reviewed this year’s work at the district as represented by the following task forces:
o
High School Graduation Requirements
This task force will probably make recommendations to the Board in the spring to begin with the class of 2011. In response to the district commitment to graduate college ready students, this task force will be looking at the possibilities of expanding Math through Algebra 2, Science to three years, English to four years, adding Foreign Language and keeping strong electives.
o
Five Year Technology Plan
The district’s current Technology Plan expires this year. This task force will look at the next five years.
o
Elementary School Boundaries
The district has two new elementary schools in the planning process. This task force will be redefining the current boundaries to accommodate the two new schools
o
Time
This task force will review and make recommendations about anything having to do time. This includes late arrival, school time, start and end times and more.
·
Class Size
We have seen an increase in the number of teachers who “trigger” with classes in excess of 32 students. This year we have 13. While our overall class size is calculated at 24, the calculations averages the total number of students over the total number of certificated staff, which includes the librarian, counselors and other staff not in the classroom.
3. PTSA Report:
The current fund raising program is going well with over $1,000 received
- and this without full implementation.
The annual garage sale will happen in the spring.
The PTSA continues to provide lunches to staff on late arrival days. Much
of the food is donated and the decorating is always exceptional. The staff
greatly appreciate this support.
4. ASB Report: not available
5. Site Council Tasks for the 2006-2007 year
The responses to the question of “How can site council fit in?” were discussed. Each member prioritized three choices. Several points seemed to belong together and were combined. Results are posted below.
|
Count |
Category or Project |
Tally |
|
6 |
Parent community connections: Form a parent mentoring program. Pair up a parent in the know with struggling parent to help get them involved. Form a network of parents. Advocating for public education |
3P;
2B; 1SD; 1B;1J;1PT |
|
5 |
Parent input on school issues: The District has no tool to questions parents. How can we get opinions from all parents? Focus Groups? |
2S;
3B; 2J; 2PT; 2SD |
|
4 |
Reaching out to marginal populations: Build communications between new students and councilors from day one to build relationships; Provide more information about school clubs; Focus on lost/quiet students and families (promote inclusiveness) |
1K;
1P; 1S; 2PT |
|
3 |
Graduation Requirements: Develop an advanced graduation diploma; Develop a 19 credit (high school completion) diploma |
2P;
3J; 2K |
|
3 |
“Mock solving program”: Bring real world problems to Sehome for students to solve, thereby connecting learning to community. |
3S;
3K; 3SD |
|
0 |
Have people come in to talk about culminating project in the 11th grade World History classes. |
|
|
0 |
Have teachers call one parent a month. |
|
|
21 |
|
|
6. Action Plan
The Action Plan was reviewed with an eye to closing some items out and carrying other items forward to our plans for next year. Below summarizes the discussion
o
Motivational
Speakers
The school would like to move towards a line up of speakers. There has been an effort to get motivational speakers. Phyllis shared about the upcoming homecoming assembly.
o
Student Handbook
A team of parents, students and administrator is working on updating the old yellow handbook. It is expected to be a year-long process to be implemented for the Fall of 2007.
o
Change in School
Schedule (Block)
Tim Petryni, last year’s student representative, raised this topic last year. The “Time” task force is an appropriate place for this discussion.
o
Parent Connect
Phyllis reported that all teachers will be using Parent Connect this year. Student Connect is expected to be released this Spring.
NEXT STEP – Refine and implement?
Meeting adjourned at 4:00