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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-19-LHS-min`O VS MOP -4 3 Lexington High School Z <�x; 251 Waltham Street . .-. Lexington, Massachusetts 02421 Laura J. Lasa 781- 861 -2320, ext. 1002 Principal email: lasa @sch.ci.lexington.ma.us fax: 781-861-2440 To: The Lexington High School Council From: Laura J Lasa Re: November 19, 2012 Minutes LHS School Site Council Meeting took place on November 19, 2012, from 7:00 -8:30 PM in the LHS Guidance Conference Room, 154. Member(s) absent: Kim Effron L Approval of October 15 minutes ■ Motion to approve: Jill ■ Motion to accept: Nancy ■ Approved with no changes /corrections 7:00 IL Old Business 7:15 A. Progress Reports: lingering thoughts • Question asked: Will teachers be required to open electronic grade books to students and/or parents? • Response: Not at this time. LHS will complete the training for all teachers and develop a process for read only access for special education liaisons. • Laura: It is most likely inevitable that grade books will become available to students and/or parents at some point; there is some interest among faculty to open this feature to students. III. New Business 8:15 B. Report Cards ■ A student representative noted that there has been a shift in assessment to rubrics that are more closely linked to the course and daily learning goals. A particular teacher assesses students as mastery, proficient, beginning, and needs improvement within course content. The student noted how helpful this was for her understanding of content and skill development. C. Communication: Website, Portal. List -serve ■ Noted that some parents /guardians are still frustrated with the change process of going to the LHS website for information; ■ Laura noted that this change is difficult for some, but necessary. When information is `required' to be posted in more than one location, errors are made. It is a goal of the high school leadership to improve effective communication. D. Committee Members: Open Comments a) What meeting will address the athletic booster club topic previously identified? • This topic will be placed on a future agenda for a concentrated conversation. • There is growing concern over the financial and time pressure on parents to fund raise for individual teams /booster clubs, as well as the legal requirements for handling funds. Student Athletes are also feeling the impact. b) Update on school dance policy • The final meeting of the volunteer committee that is making recommended changes takes place on December 12, 2012. • Suggestions thus far: students sign a pledge, the first hour is a social gathering and then dancing, dances could have a particular theme, e.g. swing dancing. c) Fee and other parent /fundraising supported activities: Opportunity to reduce fees /fundraising? (Athletics, Debate, Other) • Laura informed the council that she has requested supplemental funds to alleviate some of the financial burden for the Debate students and families. The request more closely aligns district costs with athletics. • The council asked Laura to look into whether or not the fees for co- curricular activities are raising more money than originally intended. d) Department chair selection/evaluation and opportunity for student/parent /faculty involvement • Concerns were raised about opportunities for parents to give feedback on Department leadership. Response: Any time a parent has a concern, it should be addressed to the Department Head first (if appropriate) so s /he has an opportunity to respond, and then to the Principal (evaluator). • Feedback on areas in need of attention: placement decisions, concerns about a teacher, change requests for levels and teachers, curriculum development, teacher assignments to courses, and the number of field trips. e) Course level between AP /Honors and Level 1: Is it possible to do a serious review in science and any other departments with a perceived chasm between these two levels? ■ This discussion will be placed on a future agenda. IV. Adjournment 8:30