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Home My WebLink About2015-05-11-LHS-min Lexington High School 251 Waltham Street Lexington, Massachusetts 02421 Laura Lasa 781- 861-2320, x 1002 Principal lasa@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us FAX: 781-861-2440 To: The Lexington High School Council From: Laura J Lasa Re: Minutes of May 11, 2015 Meeting LHS School Site Council Meeting met on May 11, 2015, from 6:15-7:45 PM in the LHS Library. Present: Laura Lasa, Liz Moughty Curtin, Nancy Shepard, Polly Kienle, Suzanne Lau, Nanying Bian, Paul Breitenfield, Kristin Tissera, Ann Redmon, Walter Richardson, Katherine Manning, Elise Santiago and Eileen Jay. Visitor: Sharon Kendall. Absent: Kim Effron and Dave Winninger. I.Announcements from Council members A.Report on the recent Site Council Roundtable meeting SBSC Roundtable on April 15, 2015 included an assessment of the Roundtable experience this year and its effectiveness in providing information to School Council members on District goals. Members discussed the organization of the Roundtable meetings this year and the role of School Council members in forming the School Improvement Plan for their individual schools. Next meeting of the SBSC Roundtable on May 20, 2015 on organization, leadership and planning of the SBSC Roundtable meetings for next year. B.Other announcements/questions LHS School Council election on May 20: There are 2 openings for 3-year terms starting next September. Some candidates were refused since they would not have a student at LHS for the full 3-year term. Will add an agenda item in the June meeting to discuss the pros and cons of a 2-year versus a 3-year term for the LHS School Council members. II.2015-2016 School Improvement Plan A.Present the draft that will be submitted to the School Committee on May 19 The final draft of the 2015-2016 SIP was presented to Council Members. The SIP includes an Academic Goal, Social/Emotional Goal, and School Culture Goal. Of particular note, School Culture Goal includes a discussion of the positive and negative sources and outcomes of a competitive school culture. Add an Agenda item in June or September to propose discussion topics for next year from the SIP. School Council feedback regarding the Aspen Grade book rollout that was included in the 2014-2015 SIP: 1.Updating the grade book twice a quarter takes into account the studentsÈ concern regarding frequent checking of grades by parents and also prevents students from checking all the time. Grade book is helpful to keep track of assignments handed in or missing. 2.Grade book is incomplete at any given time Ã not all assignment grades are input or updated. This can result in a skewing of the grades and misunderstanding by students and parents of the studentÈs standing in the class. Not all grading systems are compatible with the grade book Ã e.g. Standards-based systems used by some teachers. rdth 3.The initial choice to enter grades at the mid-point and end of 3 and 4 quarter recognized that this is a new system and allows teachers to assess what is effective and what is ineffective. 4.In practice, many teachers update the grade book at the quarter mid-point and then continue to update more often. Some teachers provide time to check the Aspen grade book and assignments periodically in class and give students the opportunity to ask questions. 5.Teacher Expectations for 2015-2016 will include the grade book approach within the constraints of the software. 6.Mandating more frequent updating of grades imposes a greater burden on teachers and does not necessarily result in better communication of the studentÈs progress in the class. The Aspen grade book is just one means of communication with students. III.Technology Support at the High School A.More input is needed from staff about what they need, what they get, and what can be set up (regarding both software and equipment). These choices are often discipline-based. More training for faculty is needed. B.Teachers would like the ability to print from home. IV.Grade Level Targets for 2015-2016 A.Would like to create a rubric for Communication, Advocacy, and Resiliency skills by grade level. E.g., What communication skills do we expect students to have at the end of 12 grade? ththth 11 grade? 10 grade? 9 grade? Face-to-face and written skills? Social etiquette? Checking teacher website? Adversarial topics versus seeking information? Will continue this discussion in June. V.Approval of the April 13, 2015 meeting minutes VI.Adjournment 7:44 pm 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