SITE COUNCIL MEETING

December 13, 2006

Present: Ginger Thompson, Patrice Clark, Bobbie Jaffe-Nash, Cathy Moran, Jane Wynn, Matt Goldfogel, Steve Globerman, Kevin Criez, Todd Leita, John Van Haller, Ed Wissing, Nancy Bargee, Shawn Doan, Shannon Casey.

Absent: Phyllis Textor

The minutes were reviewed. There was a correction of Sharon Condrin’s name and addition of missing names from the graduate employment committee. Minutes accepted as corrected.

PTSA report: Bobbie Jaffe-Nash

. The on-line meeting was the best attended membership meeting to date.

- Successful fund-raising.

ASB report: Matt Goldfogel not present to provide report.

Principal’s report: Phyllis Textor absent.

New Course proposals:

- Ed Wissing proposed a debate elective. The rationale for the course is to improve the argumentation and public speaking skills of students. There will also be a research component to the course. It will be a one semester course open to all students. Some students might be expected to join the Sehome debate team. Questions and discussions followed. The issue was raised as to the appropriate criteria for evaluating new course proposals. The basic question is whether the proposed course meets a “minimum” academic requirement. It was agreed that the proposed course is probably best offered as an “Occ.Ed.” elective.

- Shannon Casey and Nancy Bargee proposed a new course based on the PAC Program. The existing offering is embedded in a learning education class which meets one hour a week and focuses on learning about and interacting with dogs. They proposed a one semester course offered twice a year which would count as an Occ.-Ed credit or as a writing English class for L1/L2 WASL. The main part of the course would be service dog training. Other components of course would involve reading and writing exercises related to the training and care of dogs and exploring different career paths related to dog training and care. Broad goals are to improve communication skills, self-confidence and empathy for people and animals.

- Kevin Criez proposed a robotics class. The current applied physics class cannot include enough material related to robotics without deleting other important material. The course will involve applying the theory of integrated circuits and sensors to the construction of moving vehicles. It is proposed as a one semester science elective offered once a year with no pre-requisites.

- The proposals were debated and evaluated. All were approved for moving forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bobbie Jaffe-Nash reported on her meeting with Patrice Clark with respect to how Sehome parents can be kept informed about school-related issues. They suggested putting “timely” questions (with answers) in the Mariner memo with answers to questions perhaps drawn from the student handbook. Parents would be encouraged to use their own resources to get information. Parents would be informed about whom to call at Sehome for specific information. Principal-parent meetings would be encouraged. It is difficult to anticipate all “frequently asked questions” and how to respond to them. Parents who were approached weren’t sure how they could help other parents.