HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-07-LHS -min ��
- Lexington High School
PAIRHv. 251 Waltham Street v Lexington, Massachusetts 02421
Laura Lasa 781- 861-2320, x1002
Principal lasa5sch.ci.Iexington.ma.us
FAX: 781-861-2440
To: The Lexington High School Council
From: Laura J Lasa
Re: April 7, 2014 Meeting
LHS School Site Council Meeting met on April 7, 2014, from 6:15-7:45 PM in the LHS Guidance Conference
Room, 154.
Members Present: Laura Lasa, Bob Ruxin, Nanying Bian, Paul Breitenfeld, Suzanne Lau, Ann Redmon, Dave
Wininger, Jill Smilow, Eileen Jay, Kristin Tissera,Nancy Shepard, Katherine Murphy, Kim Effron, Jessica Zhu.
L March 17 minutes approved 6:15
IL Announcements from Council members 6:20
1. 2 students are going to National History Day 1st& 2nd in state/regionals competition
2. Town Meeting Awards were a great event; individual remarks were meaningful
3. 29 Days of school left(Seniors)
4. Science NOSB (Seattle) and DOE (DC) going to nationals
5. Robotics team qualified for regional competetion in St. Louis
Senior Game of Assassins: The annual game will be under way after vacation. Please help in spreading the
word that this activity is not sanctioned by the school, is prohibited during the school day, and increasingly
unsafe for the community and students. Future Discussion:
1. Involve the Student Faculty Senate
2. Develop an alternative to supplant this tradition.
Late Start to High School Day
As the Principal,Laura does not support beginning the conversation in a large scale way. The logistics are
challenging and there are too many pieces to manage that will take energy away from other ways of
"balancing and reducing stress" (competing time issues; we can look at other issues ie: homework). There are
too many other initiatives the school is engaged in that are taking large chunks of time and in need of
completing.
• Philosophically,this may be a good idea to support teens getting more sleep
• School Committee legally decides the start and end times
• Could not confirm whether or not Brookline made a change to start time
• Optional AP sessions begin at 7 AM (now) are exhausting
III. Old Business 6:30
A. Discussion on Science courses with Dr. Jackie Crowe, the Science Department Leader
Topics to address:
1. Sequence of the sciences courses
• Has been the order for a long time
• Why Physics/Chem later?Report—kids who struggle—usually has to do with mathematical
reasoning skills—align with math skill building
• Dr. Crowe: Research doesn't support Physics as first science
• Test scores/SAT/AP/MCAS research—competing all doing well—built on foundation we have
• What is the goal of changing the order of science courses? Council Member comments:
Physics/Chem is taught much more in other schools in the USA also overseas—we have less
understanding than others. Physical science in 8th grade but no link to what they learn later;
study biology the way it is taught here Bio before Chem not necessary; chemistry/physics
before biology—otherwise you are just memorizing;One can argue relationships between
science areas/orders but the material is serving wide range of students.
• What are we trying to address with the order. Is it for us to get certain scores on SAT 2 or build
foundational skills?
• Science fair level is too high
2. AP Classes being a first pass rather than a second pass course/10th grade AP v in a higher rg ade
• Dr. Crowe: Science department is looking at other options to address this
• Leadership agrees there should be a level between Level 1 and AP; looking at options
3. Not returning tests and test results—is this a policy? Tests do not go home policy?
• Did not get to this topic
4. Insertion of an honors course into the curriculum
• Dr. Crowe: Science department is looking at options to address this
• Need to be mindful of not replacing AP stress with Honors stress
5. How do teachers recommend for an AP class in a different course?
• 8 sections AP Bio
• 10 sections AP Chem
• 11 sections Level 1 Chem
• AP Physics 1 &2 —not teaching both courses. Course will be more like an honors course
senior year.
• Leadership working on revamping description and skill sets required for a certain course level
for course catalogue.
6. Only 2 science-seniors only electives
• We could consider this, but need to be aware of certification levels of teachers (need dual
certification)
• Electives for additional topics—2x week one semester
7. Earth Science as an elective in senior year rather than mandatory in freshman year
• Did not get to this topic
8. Should Level 1 have a lab block?
• Did not get to this topic
9. Eileen has data on sequencing at other schools—will get this to Laura
• Must everyone take everything?Must course choices be in lock step order?
• RESEARCH: research on "benchmark schools"—Course progression: Only school that offers
AP Bio in 10th grade. Sequence differs. In every case—opportunity for student to make a
choice.
• AP taken as a second class. No second passes for AP @LHS like other schools.
• Give kids flexibility to take classes in areas they care about. More electives elsewhere.
• Stressful timing of the May exam—kids told to learn material over April break.
IV. Adjournment 7:45