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