HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-16-LHS-min
Lexington High School
251 Waltham Street Lexington, Massachusetts 02421
Laura Lasa
Principal
781- 861-2320, x 1002
lasa@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us
FAX: 781-861-2440
To: The Lexington High School Council
From: Laura J Lasa
Re:Minutes of March 16, 2015Meeting
LHS School Site Council Meeting met on March 16, 2015, from 5:45-7:45 PM in the Library Media
Center.
Attendees: Laura Lasa, Kim Effron, Polly Kienle, Ann Redmon, Eileen Jay, Nancy Shepard, Paul
Breitenfield, Walter Richardson, Dave Wininger, Katherine Manning. Absent: Kristin Tissera, Elise
Santiago, Liz Moughty Curtin, Jill Smilow, Nanying Bian, and Suzanne Lau. Visitor: Sharon Kendall
I.The January 12, 2015 minutes were approved.
II. Announcements
A.Report on the recent Site Council Roundtable meeting
The meeting held on March 18, 2015 focused on curriculum, professional learning, and
technology with guest speakers Carol Pilarski (Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum,
Instruction), Len Swanton (K-12 Professional Development Coordinator), and Tom Plati
(Director of Education Technology).
LHS is doing a better job of tapping into internal resources for Professional Learning. Staff
within the school who have a knowledge base to share are offering professional learning classes
to other staff (LHS Site Council teacher member).
B.Question regarding Guidance Department continuity in transition from middle school to high
school for students in need of support services
The Learning Center does a good job in reinforcing the transition and determining the level of
support needed at the high school level.
th
LHS counselors meet with 8 grade counselors.
LHS Principal and Assistant Principal meet with middle school staff and go through each
individual student's needs.
II. School Culture and Climate (postponed February agenda items)
A. Reducing stress and competitiveness
What drives the competitive culture?
What role can educators play in affecting the culture?
Much of the peer competitiveness happens outside of school à Facebook
Social media contributes to the competitiveness
What role do parents play in contributing to the competitive culture?
Parents need to turn down the pressure.
The community must decide what is most important, the competitive culture that currently
exists, or a reduction in competitiveness.
B.Achievement-oriented recognition
Can we get away from focusing on individual achievement to celebrate collective success?
This year's focus for the Town Meeting Award selection is resiliency and perseverance, not just
high-level achievement.
C.Extended homerooms
It is likely that extended homerooms will not exist next year; this decision has not been finalized,
but feedback points in this direction.
The hope is that we can develop three blocks (flex) for the 2016-2017 schedule to be used for
meeting with teachers, making up labs, extra help, and enrichment.
III. Deferred Topics
School culture and climate à more extended discussion will be tabled for a later meeting when
more students are present
Update on iPad pilot à tabled for another meeting
IV. School Improvement Plan (initial discussion)
A.Academic/staffing changes included the 2015-16 budget
Additional teacher positions due to increased enrollment à full-time positions in math, English,
social studies, science (.75); part time in Latin and Spanish
Additional Special Education positions à 4 FT teachers, part-time social worker,
paraprofessionals, transition coordinator, team supervisor to oversee ILP programs
Purchase of 10 student seats for on-line credit recovery program with supervision
B.Brainstorm of ideas for the School Improvement Plan
The principal solicited ideas from School Council members in order to develop potential goals
for the 2015-16 School Improvement Plan
Members wrote down suggestions; these were gathered and grouped into categories to see the
themes that emerged.
Work on the School Improvement Plan will continue at the next School Council meeting.
IV. Adjournment 7:45
District Improvement Plan 2014-2015
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