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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-22-LHS-min Lexington High School Lexington, Massachusetts 02421 251 Waltham Street 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: September 22, 2014 Minutes Attendance Present: Laura Lasa , Kim Effron, Suzanne Lau, Polly Kienle, Ann Redmon, Paul Breitenfield, Kristin Tissera, Jessica Zhu, Eileen Jay, Nancy Shepard, Sue Offner, Walter Richardson, Dave Wininger. Absent: Katherine Murphy-Manning, Nanying Bian, Jill Smilow. I. Approval of June 16, 2014 minutes: Minutes were approved. II. Approval of the Site Council Meeting dates for 2014-2015: Monthly meeting dates were approved for the school year. III. Announcements from Council members Opening of school: Going well, but frenzied pace. There are 580 freshmen! The modular classrooms were finished on time and ready for the first day of school, with the exception of some furniture items and technology installations. Possible student initiated petition circulating to have athletes earn gym credits à will be addressed if it is passed by the Student Senate. Electronic outdoor LHS sign on Worthen Rd is very informative for community members à e.g. notice that schedules were posted on the Portal. John Murray, Associate Principal was invited but unable to attend tonightÈs meeting due to personal reasons. He is currently working diligently on technology and building needs at the school. th Report on September 4 Site Council Roundtable: All site council members are invited to attend the monthly meetings (alternating morning and evening times). Glenn Koocher, Executive Director of MASC made a presentation on the role of the Site Council in supporting the Principal, School, District and students. The next meeting is at 8:00 am th on September 24 with Carol Pilarski, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development to discuss the District goals. LHS Parent group is up and running for the school year. Thank you to Principal Lasa for supporting this group and attending the first meeting on September 11. ¥ Clothing donation bins have been installed at each school. Donations will result in funds raised for the schools based on the tonnage collected. The School Committee has approved the funds to be used for: financial assistance for local, in-state, out-of- state, or international field trips and unfunded instructional expenses. IV. New Business A. Brainstorm major topics for the year Major topics that are discussed will be classified under one of the four goals of the District Improvement Plan 2014 à 2015: 1. Improve Academic Performance for All Students 2. Improve Social and Emotional Program Support for All Students 3. Improve Safety for All Students and Staff 4. Improve the DistrictÈs Capacity to Respond to Enrollment Increases Proposed topics: a. Starting time at the high school à late start b. School enrollment numbers (675 over the next 5 years system-wide) and the impact on the high school. Prediction for the high school is 100 more students over the next 5 years. c. Technology Ãintegration and implementation of equipment and the capacity needs to keep equipment updated and installed correctly. Can the high school have its own technology support? d. School Improvement Plan à review the SIP midyear (in January to coincide with midyear report to the School Committee), review the draft for next yearÈs SIP in April, finalize input in May before submission to the School Committee. The SIP typically contains one or two goals in common district- wide. e. Continuing discussion of the Science curriculum à update on discussions by the Science department faculty over the summer regarding the high enrollment in AP classes, and Chemistry in particular. f. Limiting the number of AP classes g. Scope of the School-wide discussion on homework with the faculty h. Individual Teacher Improvement à School Council is not the appropriate forum for this topic. Fair and legitimate concerns should be addressed with the teacher directly, then the Department Head and finally, the Principal. The District has a formal evaluation process that is supported by extensive opportunities for professional learning. i. Low participation of girls in athletics this fall (no girls freshman field hockey or soccer teams) and certain clubs (e.g. Robotics and Math): Is this a real concern or a cultural shift to other alternatives? j. Support for students with Mental Health Issues à How to find the correct program and fit? B. Aspen Portal Grade book 1. The Faculty had a discussion on this earlier. Ms. Lasa will prepare feedback for the School Council. 2. The Student-Faculty Senate also had a discussion on this topic à the summary of ProÈs, Cons and remaining Changes Needed is attached to the updated agenda. 3. Students and parents will have access to the Aspen Grade book in the second half of the school year. 4. In the initial phase, faculty would be required to update grades at a minimum at the mid-point and end of the quarter. 5. The Council members separated into small groups to discuss the pros and cons of the Aspen Grade book. Discussion will resume at the next meeting. Adjourn: 7:43 pm.