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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-18-LHS-min"APD 11Lexington High School '251 Waltham Street ton Lexin Massachusetts 0242 A�i�dr��ephens g ' �81- 861-2320, x69103 astephens@lexingtonma.org Principal Twitter: @LexingtonHSMa FAX: 781-861-2440 September 2017 To: The Lexington High School Council From: Andrew Stephens Re: September Meeting Minutes LHS School Site Council Meeting met on September 18, 2017 from 6:15-7:55 PM in the Library Media Center. Present: Andrew Stephens, Suzanne Lau, Nancy Shepard, Elise Rowley, Ed Li, Erin Barrett, Bryce Spalding, Shiv Chandra, Sharon Kendall, Katie Cutler, Dave Wininger, Liz Curtin and Leslie Zales. Absent: Sheera Knecht and Alex McLaughlin L Introductions Members introduced themselves to the group. IL Election of Parent Co-chair Suzanne Lau was elected Parent Co-chair for the 2017-2018 academic year. III. Minutes of the June 12, 2017 meeting were approved with no changes. IV. Feedback a. Start of school year The start of the year has been smooth. I block has re -started. Traffic in the morning continues to be an issue but should improve as parents and students adjust. More information to parents and students about the process for scheduling classes might be helpful for students who do not get electives that they would prefer. b. Homework policy The new homework policy and implementation guide were sent to all students and parents at the end of summer and are in effect. Some adjustments are anticipated in supporting students (Special Ed and IEP), and in the pace and content of classes. Students, parents and faculty will be surveyed by the school district for feedback later in the year. V. Announcements from Council members: Andrew Stephens updates a. Space study A space study of the campus was conducted during the summer to identify space that can be mined for creating additional classrooms to accommodate the anticipated increase in enrollment. Many spaces are being utilized at 85-90% levels. b. Schedule The Master Schedule will be reviewed as a possible way to optimize the use of classroom space. The current schedule has been in place since 1995, not counting the changes made last year to accommodate I block. There will be a survey of faculty, students and parents to assess the advantages and disadvantages of the current schedule and identify a list of priorities that would be preserved. c. Graduation requirements School Committee will be reviewing the graduation requirements. The graduation requirements have been in place since 1996. LHS graduation requirements currently exceed the state requirements. Students with significant absences from school (due to illness etc.) have difficulty meeting the core subject area credit requirements for graduation. d. Late start School Committee has a sub -committee examining a later start to the high school. e. Security study An outside firm performed a security study of LHS in June and has proposed 3 possible scenarios for implementing increased security to the campus: 1. Do nothing. 2. Add security to external doors, but leave access to internal doors open. 3. Fence around the perimeter. The choice will be 2) until a new school might be built in a few years. f. NEASC Accreditation process NEASC Accreditation is scheduled for Fall 2020. In preparation, the school self -study will be starting. g. ALICE Training Administration team went to Maine for a 2 -day training session. Staff training will be scheduled for training on a professional development day. h. Professional development on learning and the brain with National Education Consultant Jessica Minahan is anticipated for January — March time frame. VI. Meeting Dates and Topics a. Approve meeting dates and time There will be a Special Town Meeting on October 16 at 7:30 pm and three members of the school council are Town Meeting members. The School Council meeting on October 16 was re -scheduled to start at 6:00 pm and end at 7:30 pm. b. Brainstorm topics for the year • Create one-on-one mentor program to pair upperclassmen and freshmen. • Evaluate new final exam schedule. • Increase support for new students entering mid -year or in the upper classes, from other countries (especially ELL students), from other school systems and entering in the upper classes. • Examine how effectively Homeroom is used — currently use HR for scheduling I block. • Encourage school spirit — there is a new School Spirit club this year. • Community service — encourage recognition of students performing significant community service. VII. School Improvement Plan review/questions a. Explore the topic of cultural proficiency • Broaden professional development to include all staff (avoid self-selection) • Add training for students • Define the vocabulary for conversations on cultural proficiency. b. Standards based learning • Educate parents and students on standards based learning and how a grade is determined. VIll. Adjournment 7:55