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Home My WebLink About2016-11-14-LHS-min Lexington High School 251 Waltham Street Lexington, Massachusetts 02421 Laura Lasa 781- 861-2320, x69103 Principal lasa@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us FAX: 781-861-2440 To: The Lexington High School Council From: Laura J Lasa Re: November Meeting LHS School Site Council Meeting met on November 14, 2016 in the Library Media Center in the Arts and Humanities building. Present: Laura Lasa, Suzanne Lau, Shiv Chandra, Alex McLaughlin, Liz Curtin, Katie Cutler, Sharon Kendall, Elise Rowley, Polly Kienle, Katherine Manning, Dave Wininger Nancy Shepard, and Leslie Zales. Guests: Andy Baker (LEA President), Matt Campos (SC student rep), Emily Berman (Student Senate rep), Marianne McKenna (Director Technology Operations). Absent: Walter Richardson, Elise Santiago th I.The Minutes from the October 17 meeting were accepted and approved. II.Announcements from Council Members The LHS BoysÈ Soccer Team won the State Title. The GirlsÈ Cross Country Team won the Division 1 State Title. Sharon is on the Parent Academy Committee and they are hoping to offer a discussion on Communication and Conflict (follow up to Site Council discussion). The Honors Chorus gave a wonderful concert at the Hancock Church; Model UN students represented LHS well at Brown. Parent conference sign up is from November 16-21. It will be determined whether I block is influencing the need for conferences. The student School Committee representative reported that the School Committee is discussing an appropriate space for Lexington ChildrenÈs Place. Given the high cost of upgrading the HVAC system at LHS, Laura recommended postponing full HVAC work at LHS pending a determination of when the school might be renovated or replaced. III.WiFi Use / Student Devices Many students attempting to log on were recently unable to access the Internet. Marianne McKenna, the head of IT for the LPS, came to explain student access to WiFi and what steps are being taken to address access (if a student device could not be recognized, access could not be gained in recent weeks). A new Content Filter was installed \[today\] and this should alleviate the problems students have been having. The school wireless is on the same network as the town, police and fire departments. By law, a content filter is required. The IT department is trying to determine what levels of protection are needed for the system and what students will need to do so that their devices will be recognized. Questions and/or concerns: 1.How are devices being used in the classroom and are students able to access the Internet during class time and I block? 2.How was this issue communicated to students and families? 3.Is there equity in the classroom if all students do not have phones that can be used for class work, polling or assessments? 4.How do you filter content in a grades K-12 system so that students can access the information that they need for projects and research? 5.Unsecured, open devices are connecting to the LHS network Ã there is a need for student and staff education on keeping personal devices and data secure. IV.Credit Recovery The on-line program is going well. So far, 17 students are using the online credit recovery program. Students can access the program from home, during I block or in after school sessions. Dean Hermon (Dean of Student Services and Transition) works directly with students during I Block to monitor progress. The goal is to have students acquire missed credits before senior year and before their ability to graduate on time would be impeded. V.Fan Expectations at School Events The Principal expressed a concern that Lexington has a reputation for poor fan behavior. The primary areas of concern are: 1.Use of profanity. 2.Negative jeering at the other team rather than positive cheering for Lexington. There was discussion of what might be helpful. Suggestions included: leadership from team captains and coaches emphasis to parents at sports meetings about expectations clear expectations given to students, athletes and parents clearly communicate potential consequences for a lack of sportsmanship Booster Clubs might also play a role in reinforcing positive behaviors VI.College Application Data (Fall 2016) 69.9% of the seniors have already requested transcripts for college applications. 295 students (55%) have submitted early action applications. 130 students (24%) have submitted early decision applications. VII.Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:55.