HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-24-LHS-minSchool Council Meeting Minutes: September 24, 2012
Members Present Laura Lasa, Dave Wininger, Jill Smilow, Eileen Jay, Bob Ruxin,
Miriam Lipschutz, Katherine Murphy, Ellen Hilsinger, Kim Effron, Lisa Dahill, Jessica
Zhu
Members Absent Walter Richardson
I. June 11 minutes approved, subject to spelling corrections.
II New Business
A. Introduction and Reform as a Team
Review of Agenda procedures
• meeting schedule and minutes will be posted at the town clerk's
office and on the LHS website
• input for agenda items to be emailed to co -chair (Ellen Hilsinger)
B. Confirmation of meeting dates
■ 10/15/12, 11/19/12, 12/17/12, 1/14/13, 2/11/13, 3/18/13, 4/22/13,
5/20/13, 6/10/13
C. Opening Weeks of School: Update and Feedback
1. Freshman transition going well
■ Transition program improvements are easing student and parent
anxiety
2. Need to review food and assessment policies with staff and students to
increase awareness and improve compliance
3. Difficulties encountered by newly registering families
• District and LHS websites: suggestion to post registration materials
• LHS cannot admit a child without full compliance with all laws
regarding registration, e.g. immunizations
• District can work with the town to improve welcome to new families
and /or over come language barriers
4. Escalating homework loads
■ LHS is committed to evaluating the value, scope, and use of
homework; it will take time
D. School Dances
1. Difficulties with inappropriate dancing, `pre - loading' of alcohol, resulting
in an increased level of discomfort for students and chaperones
2. Decreasing attendance by students
Other than proms, the Freshman Welcome Dance in October, and the
Sophomore Cruise, no dances to be held until January (except Freshman);
the class councils will work with the administration on proactive solutions
to improve the physical and emotional safety of students and chaperones
at these events
E. Field Trips
• Discussion of perceived value relative to compromising class time,
schedule issues, in- school vs. out -of- school trips, etc.
• The LHS faculty and administration will evaluate the current
procedures in an effort to maximize time in class and to avoid placing
students in uncomfortable situations when a mandatory field trip
bumps up against scheduled course content, exams, etc.
F. Requests for Future Agenda Items
1. The Flipped Classroom (watching lectures at home, doing problems in
class)
2. Athletic Booster Clubs
Minutes submitted by Ellen Hilsinger