Sehome Site Council Minutes

January 11, 2005

 

Present:          Polly Favinger, Laura DeRose, Bobbie Jaffe Nash, Jane Wynn,

Anica Stieve, Jim Kistner, Craig Ferguson

 

Absent:            Michelle Nilsen, Maddie Stockwell, Julian Rondello

 

1.

Minutes from November 16 were approved.

 

The recording of minutes for meetings was assigned as follows:

            January 11:              Ferguson

            February 8:              DeRose

            March 1:         Wynn

            March 22:            Favinger

            April 19:       Kistner

 

2.

Principal’s Report:

 

Although the Veteran’s Day Assembly was rough on Jim, it was felt that the decision not to have a second assembly, was a wise one.

 

The upcoming Late Arrival Day plans were discussed: 

1        Staff would work in small groups.

2        The staff would be focusing on what we need to do to improve teaching & learning.

3        Staff would discuss how we could do a better job of connecting with students not having success or a good time in high school.

 

The possibility of more linking up with the middle schools was mentioned.

 

Jim stated that we haven’t figured out the Spring Open House yet.

 

Jim will ask John Van Haalen and Bob Best to discuss the Culminating Project with the Site Council at the next meeting.

 

Comments were made regarding the first packet sent home regarding the Culminating Project.  It was approximately 30 pages long.

 

3.

Reporting Strategic Plan Process:

 

Most of us had not read the Strategic Plan 2003-2004 yet and so it was decided to put this off until the next meeting.

 

Jim stated that the 2004-2005 Plan needs to be prepared in June and that the most difficult part was providing evidence of impact.

 

The council decided to tackle this in March / April.

 

4.      

Counseling Report:  None (Michelle was absent.)

 

5.

Spring Open House:  (scheduled for Thursday, March 3, 2005)

 

Jim talked with Steve Clark re:  BHS Open House.  They allow 2-3 minutes for each parent to touch base with the teacher, but no grades are discussed.  Counselors speak from 6-6:30 and teachers are then available until 8:30pm.

 

Jim will talk with others at the Administrative Meeting in Feb. to discuss the District-wide policy re:  scheduling.

 

Jane came up with a suggestion and we all added some input, coming up with something that Jim & Craig will present and seek input at the Leadership Meeting at 6:30 am on Thursday, Jan. 20.

 

Jane’s original idea combined with our input goes something like this:

 

1        Departments will be assigned different locations on campus.

2        Each of the major departments will make a presentation.  (These will be repeated every 30 minutes during the two hours.)

3        The presentation can utilize power point.

4        Each teacher can introduce him/herself and make it so it sounds personal.

5        Courses / sequences / options and how they all fit together should be presented.

6        A department philosophy and core concepts should be discussed.

7        Pathway for the 4 years

8        Handout that includes much of the above could be created so that the parents can listen and not have to frantically write notes.

9        The presentation would take 10 -15 minutes and leave 10 minutes for parents to chat with specific instructors and 5 minutes to get to the next presentation.

 

10    The time frame would be             Counselors:                          6:00 – 6:30pm

                                                            Presentation 1:             6:30 – 6:55

                                                            Presentation 2:             7:00 - 7:25

                                                            Presentation 3:             7:30 – 7:55

                                                            Last Presentation:            8:00 – 8:30

If the first run was successful then parents of 8th graders could be invited to attend in future years.

 

Concerning one semester classes:  It was brought up by Bobbie and agreed to by Jim that next year prior to the Fall Open House, parents of students with semester classes (2 different teachers during the year) should be given the option of visiting the class that their student will have 2nd semester.  Otherwise they never hear the 2nd semester presentation.

     

6.

ASB Report:

 

      Anica reported that:

 

1        Bring Joy to A Child sponsored 140 children this year and was a big success.

2        The ASB has set up a table in the Lounge to collect money for the tsunami victims.  We will be joining BHS and SqHS in this effort.

3        The ASB has planned a Martin Luther King assembly with a speaker who will encourage students to become active and make a difference.

 

       7.

       PTSA Report:

 

            Bobbie reported that:

 

1        They are electing a Nomination Committee ?? (I probably got this wrong, Bobbie.)

2        She attended a Meth. Breakfast that was very interesting.

3        The next PTSA Board Meeting is on January 24

 

        8.

          Strategic Planning Committee:

 

Parents were found to attend the Strategic Planning Committee Meeting in January.

 

         9.

           Other:

 

There is a piece on Sehome’s webpage regarding Parent Connect information.

            Our Next Meeting:  February 8

 

(Ferguson needs help trying to outsmart Auto Format!)