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Home My WebLink About2020-06-15-LHS-min V -i il G 1--i S (", or LEXINGTON 1"10 0 L Andrew Stephens, Ed.D. (781) 861-2320, ext. 69103 Principal astephens@lexingtonma.org September 2020 To: The Lexington High School Site Council From: Andrew Stephens Re: June Meeting LHS School Site Council met on June 15th via Zoom. Present: Andrew Stephens, Cathy Swan, Karen Griffiths, Kate Vogelzang, Sam Offsey„ Erin Barett, Angela Chang, Ed Li, Sheera Knecht, Khoi Le, Elizabeth Curtin, Suzanne Lau, Katie Cutler, Lyn Yang, Jen Roney Absent: Kate Riley, Nancy Sheperd Approved the May meeting minutes Goodbye/Hello *Andrew expressed thanks and farewell to parent rep Ed Li and class of 2020 rep Kate Vogelzang. *Andrew welcomed new parent rep, Jen Roney Debrief of Last Two Weeks' Events and Their Impact *Andrew gave all of us an assignment over the summer to elevate our own personal understanding of and about race and the role that racism, oppression and injustice have played and continue to play in our country. -you can learn about the historical underpinnings of systemic oppression and injustice -examine how our institutions, including our schools, reflect systemic racism -reflect on your own personal beliefs and biases *Families are trying to learn a lot -reflect on white privilege -reflect on Asian privilege -watching movies and trying to talk about it -getting comfortable talking about racism -read White Fragility[ *This event sparked change -encouraged by involvement of young people -Emmet Hill in 1964 sparked change -feels like a watershed moment *Town Meeting -reconsidered vote on gun range -town was given $125,000.00 from state for schematics of firing range at Hartwell -was going to be a regional facility -students and towns people wrote letters opposing the gun range -asked the Selectmen to send it back to Town Meeting for vote -Selectmen voted to send it back to Town Meeting and they voted on an indefinite postponement *Student Perspective -studying 60s counter culture and free speech -youth is growing up with collective mindset and involvement -great responses from teachers -google meets with teachers to discuss -some watched documentary, 13th, and had discussion -Dean letter -framed from their perspective -provided resources -running forums for people to learn more right now -to raise own personal growth or see what is going on -red lining -unfair loan system -health care -hopefully people will make a personal commitment to learn -lots of great books to read -What can LHS and LPS do? -we have a lot of work to do structurally *SIP (Supporting Inclusive Practices) -DEI- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion -Johnny Cole- Director of Equity and Student Support -include more faculty and bring kids in -how do we bring cultural proficiency to adults while we look at curriculum and what happens in the classroom -what does role and impact of cultural proficiency have or NOT have in impact -showing documentary, I Am Not a Racist Am I? to all middle and high school teachers -will also be available to LPS community -try to watch with your kids to have a meaningful discussion *Let's try to see this as an opportunity and not a loss Updates on End of Year Procedures and Future Plans *Had to reinvent all of these procedures -an incredible amount of work *Book Drop Off -seniors was super rainy -juniors is today -sophomores is tomorrow *Summer Work -all enrichment opportunities -not passing out books -nothing is required *What will fall look like? -beginning of year will have to be different -no quizzes on summer reading -could we use Ebooks? -very expensive -links and multi media is always being updated so it is difficult to use *Graduation -we have final plan for route and times for rolling rally -shortened times so it feels more like a parade -kids can get out of car to get diploma -4 photo booths -families can get out with student to take pics -professional photographers -hopefully people will gather on Worthen Rd. to cheer on seniors -many staff will be there to cheer them on -professional video for graduation ceremony that will have link -each senior will be named -speeches *Incoming Freshmen -getting a video tour of LHS *Next Year Options -no definitive plan -we had to abruptly change direction in March -2 week snow day -enrichment -power standard -draft guidance will come from state in late June -final version will come in July -will it be directive or suggestive? -maybe week on week off -meet W Th Fri- alternate a couple of days? -we all have accepted that we are not coming back they way we were last year -probably some in school and some remote -it may change so we will have to be flexible -how will this work at LHS? -we have 2300 plus kids but the building is built for 1800 -how will passing period work -what will lunch look like? -will we do the 6 day schedule over 12 days? -day 1 for half of school then day 1 for other half, etc? -what do we do for kids and staff who can't come -what if we are totally remote? -hard to plan when we have no guidance -there is not blueprint for this -will each school have flexibility? -other school in LPS have been addressed for density but LHS has not *LHS -will probably have to have some remote option -at risk teachers will be exposed to many kids -masks will be a must -any consideration to utilizing outdoor space? -need enough time to figure this all out -do you do the academic stuff online and use the in person time to focus on social/ emotional well being? -how we start the year will be very different from previous years -will have to build community -pedagogy will have to be different -stand and deliver -a lot of parents want to have regular schedule if we go remote -what is good for some families is tough for others -no good solutions -looking for best worst choice -kids are saying they miss the classroom community the most -could we have different options? -choose grades for some or pass/fail -could some stay home if they wanted -could there be a few paths people could choose from? -how many options could LHS handle? -could we give them options to be more engaged? -could we combine AP US history classes into google meets? -maybe make Monday math day, Tuesday history day, etc. -Scheduling committee looking at many options -maybe in this environment have fewer blocks a day but make them longer? -hybrid -will school day be the same? -is it a full 6 @ 1 hour day? -must be mindful of teacher overload -very different to teach in person and remote -fewer transitions -must prioritize -everything is on the table -teachers must have a lot of say -different subjects might want different things -this is as much a political process and practical process -must understand the curriculum will NOT be the same as in the past -Special Ed -majority of students felt a lot of anxiety with digital piece -struggled with engagement -felt anxiety being online -remote learning let to a lot of avoidance -didn't feel a part of the community -executive function problems -Dr. Hackett and Dr. Stephens will continue to send out updates Meeting adjourned