HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-03-LHS-min)4(:
Laura Lasa
Principal
Lexington High School
251 Waltham Street •:• Lexington, Massachusetts 02421
To: The Lexington High School Council
From: Laura J Lasa
Re: April Meeting
781- 861-2320, x69103
Lasa@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us
FAX: 781-861-2440
LHS School Site Council Meeting met on April 3, 2017 from 5:30 — 7:00 PM in the Library
Media Center.
Present: Laura Lasa, Suzanne Lau, Shiv Chandra, Sharon Kendall, Elise Rowley, Katherine
Manning, Sheera Knecht, Katie Cutler, Liz Curtin, Dave Wininger, Leslie Zales, Alex
McLaughlin
Absent: Polly Kienle, Nancy Shepard, Elise Santiago
Guests: Andy Baker (LEA President)
L March 13 minutes approved with no changes.
IL Announcements from Council members
• The 2nd annual Lexington Model UN Conference hosted by the LHS Model UN Club was
held last Saturday, March 25. Congratulations to the Model UN Club and faculty advisor
Katherine Manning on a successful day hosting about 100 students from area schools in
debating important topics of the day.
• Superintendent Mary Czajkowski will be conducting public interviews of each of the
finalist candidates for the Principal of LHS in the Science Lecture Hall, April 4, 6:00 —
9:00 pm.
III. Final Exam Schedule
• Preliminary final exam schedule was examined for feedback. Principal Lasa recognizes
that this schedule is a significant change from previous years. This schedule is designed to
meet the highest number of needs expressed by the faculty, students and school leaders.
Proctoring constraints and scheduling of exams will be easier to manage.
• One final per day and extra time for accommodations built into the schedule
• Regular bus and lunch schedule
• Afternoon classes — provides time for teachers and classes to close out the year, additional
review, group presentations, fun learning and enrichment activities.
• Last half day available for students to come in if needed to see teachers, turn in materials,
etc.
• Schedule provides more time for grading finals and the opportunity to return final exams
• Students can leave campus during the break
IV. School Improvement Plan update on 2016-2017 Progress
• Homework
o Ongoing discussions with faculty and leaders.
o Superintendent will be making a recommendation on a homework policy to the
School Committee
• Standards Based Grading (SBG)
o Ongoing work to blend SBG and the Aspen grade book
o Further discussion needed across courses, grades, and schools
• I Block
o Implementation went as well as could be expected for the first year.
o Three faculty committees reviewed survey data and provided recommendations
• Technology
o Leadership team will provide recommendations at the end of the school year
• Grade Level Assets
o Grade Level targets/assets sent to families in December
o Principal attended presentation "Gift of Failure" at Estabrook. Themes were linked
to the goals of the LHS Grade Level Assets. Parents report finding familiar themes
as well.
• I Block and Student Workload
o Adjustments will be made on an annual basis; students provided several
suggestions, including a wider range of enrichment activities
• On -Line Credit Recovery
o 26 students using the program to make academic progress
• Citizenship
o School Council discussion on civics at LHS and adding reflection to the
community service reporting.
• Academic Integrity Policy
o Goal not accomplished
o Student/Faculty Senate will provide feedback on student needs for a future policy
• Competitive School and Community Culture
o Several initiatives to encourage positive school culture and environment —
Challenge Day, Sources of Strength, #MakeHappyHappen, SADD dialogues,
Through the Student Lens presentations to faculty, I Bock survey, YRBS data.
o AP enrollment may be a sign of competitive culture
o The number of requests in math and science for placement review and acceleration
may be a sign of competitive culture
o Community Coalition addressing question of "What is the Competitive Culture for
Parents in Lexington"?
o Bring suggestions for 2017-2018 SIP to next meeting in May. Next year's SIP will be
presented to School Committee in June.
V. Adjournment 7:45 pm