HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-21-LHS-min
Lexington High School
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: October 21, 2013 Minutes
Attendance: Laura Lasa
, Kim Effron, Suzanne Lau, Ann Redmon, Bob Ruxin, Paul Breitenfield, Kristin
Tissera, Jessica Zhu, Eileen Jay, Nancy Shepard, Elizabeth Curtin, Walter Richardson, Dave Wininger.
Absent: Katherine Murphy and Jill Smilow
I. September 16, 2013 Meeting Minutes: Approved.
II. Old Business
School Council norms: Ms. Lasa presented a second draft of proposed and modified school
council norms that align with the open meeting status. Members agreed to the wording,
ÅWe will take collective responsibility for maintaining privacy.Æ
III. New Business: Ms. Lasa asked council members to brainstorm a list of potential agenda items
that are linked to the district goals.
A. Possible agenda items/themes:
a. Identify and review academic courses that are a constant source of stress for students.
b. Review LHS graduation requirements and investigate the option of more flexibility in
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student choice, especially for 11 and 12 graders (to create a balanced and leveled
academic experience for all students).
c. Discuss possible open enrollment for Advanced Placement courses.
d. Identify reasons for school avoidance and how to support these students who are not
connected with general education/special education support.
e. How to best support students who have had a concussion and how to better educate
teachers and staff on the short/long term cognitive effects.
f. Continue the conversation around the LHS cell phone policy, which seems to be an area
of confusion and frustration for teachers and students. Equity should be a consideration.
g. How to support teachers in learning about and utilizing iPads in the classroom.
Teachers are on different learning curves but are given the same training and
information.
B. Progress Reports
- Questions were asked as to what is the Åpurpose and scopeÆ for progress reports? The
old indicators were confusing and not clear to parents and students.
- Has the new progress report received positive feedback? Ms. Lasa will share feedback
when it has been collected.
C. Space Issues
- Ms. Lasa reported that a proposal for $7.7 million for 12 modulars fully furnished and
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wired for electric and technology will go before Town Meeting on November 4. Each
classroom is 850 sq. feet and will be connected through the freshman wing. They will
be built off site and assembled on campus. The second series of modular classrooms
will be delivered in fall 2015. The modulars will provide much needed relief for
teachers sharing classroom space.
D. Athletic Booster Clubs
- Many community parents stated that athletic booster clubs are not very well defined or
transparent. There were questions around how leadership is determined and how funds
are allocated. Parents also questioned who has jurisdiction over raised funds and the
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equity of the allocated money for 9 vs. 12 graders. Suggestions included: 1 official
booster club who would work with the Athletic Director to support all teams; the booster
club account could be viewed on-line and/or part of public record; account signatures to
monitor money in and out of the account and oversight as to what is optional and
mandatory for student-athletes.
E. Common Assessments
- Council parents asked if students are provided adequate instruction before a common
assessment.
- Students should be prepared and also have the opportunity to have practice and
discovery prior to the assessment.
- Most departments have a common final exam.
- Currently, there is no policy for a common unit test, though many teachers and
departments have developed and utilize them. Ms. Lasa stated that the goal moving
forward would be to have all departments aligned with a common final and common
unit assessments.
F. Other
- The new Lexington High School sign will be installed in the coming weeks.
- Traffic Safety Report has been reviewed and the administration agrees with the
recommendations which includes bike safety, no idling postings, an enforced student
drop off scheme and identified cross walks and one-way signs.
Adjourn: 7:30 pm