Site Council Minutes, September 12, 2011

ITEM 1 - CALL TO ORDER and INTRODUCTIONS

Faith Brigel called the meeting to order at 3:45 P.M. in the ERC. Everyone introduced him/herself. Members present were, Faith Brigel, Jill Bicknell, Hayley Gans, Kathy ( Himmelberger) Weiss, Carla Guerard, Eric Bloom, Jenny Chin, Peter Diepenbrock, Jenny Stone, Josh Stabinsky, Albert Lee, Jaisel Sandhu, Principal Phil Winston and Coordinator Edie Miller. Not present was Mary Haverstock, MaryEllen Bena, and Jared Swezey-Gleason, Also present was VOICE representative Kevin Lee and Student Activities Director Matt Hall.

Each person introduced him/herself. Phil then spoke about the purpose of Site Council and its relationship to WASC. He stressed the need for honesty and transparency. He welcomes all new ideas. Paly policy will be very student-centered. Phil then shared a copy of the information binder that all staff received. Each staff member had 8 staff development days to use (3 from the district and 5 from Paly). The key words this year are Engagement and Reflection.

ITEM 2 - APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of May 23, 2011 were approved.

ITEM 3 - OPEN FORUM

Faith is representing the Parent Networking group for 11th grade. She asked about a physics project and Phil responded that the issue has been addressed. Josh asked why part of the Quad is so dry and Phil said the construction crew cut a water line and they are working on repairs. Kathy Weiss suggested that there need to be pictures on the recycling cans showing what goes in each container. Faith complimented Link Crew on their helpful presence at Back to School Night.

ITEM 4 - SITE COUNCIL ORGANIZATION

Edie circulated the roster list and refreshment sign up. She then gave an overall explanation of the Site Council Binders. She also explained a few unwritten policies: the need for confidentiality, discussion of an issue at one meeting and voting the next and that Open Forum is a time for the Council to hear concerns without commenting. Edie also explained about the election of Officers and the responsibilities involved. All are welcome. The election will be held at the next meeting. She asked anyone interested in being an Officer to contact her.

ITEM 5 - REPORTS

• Student Council- Josh reported the opening dance was "fantastic". Attendance was up. He is hoping there will be tailgate before the homecoming game. They are working on Prom and Spirit Week (Oct. 25-29). Matt Hall said leadership has a new motto: to lead, one must serve, and the answer is always yes. ASB helped with Back to School Night, Photo Day and Back to School Dinner. Club Day will be Sept. 23. Lunches for students new to the district will be held on 9/21 ( 9th grade) and 9/2(10-12). 5th period reps will meet on Thursday.
  
  
• PTSA- Mary Haverstock, a member of PTSA Executive Board as well as Site Council rep, was not able to be present. Phil gave a short report in her absence.

ITEM 6 - PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Phil reported that the construction has just begun. It should take about 22 months to build the classrooms and the Media Center. An FM speaker system will be available for teachers to use to magnify their voices if construction noise is a problem. The stadium renovation is out to bid. The Performing Arts Center, the library, the Tower and the weight rooms will be future projects.

Phil said opening on school went well. 115 more students showed up than projected so 11th day enrollment is 1917. This required adding sections for some classes and moving students around which can make people initially unhappy but smaller classes will benefit all. Eric said it was helpful that the plan for changing students came from the Principal. PTSA is starting an outreach program to new families. Josh suggested that new student lunches should be held earlier in the year. Phil hopes to create welcome packages (like JLS has) for all new students and families.

Phil then reported on the schedule, Advisory is now on Thursday and tutorial is on Tuesday. Brunch on Thursday is shorter and that needs to be look at. Lunch is the same time every day. Homework will be a district discussion this year. Paly is using a software program- Rgenda- to analyze last year's data about tests, assignments etc. There has been an attempt to balance the master schedule so students do not have lots of APs on the same day.

Paly has 17 new staff this year. They are the best! Phil elected to use PiE money for a fourth Counselor so now there is one Counselor and one Admin person assigned to each grade and they will stay with that class through graduation. Jill asked about support for new teachers and Phil explained that Kindel Launer is doing new teacher training at Paly and there is a district program. Eric pointed out that there is lots of collaboration going on as well.

ITEM 7 - RECONSIDERATION OF GRANT REQUESTS

Phil said that Site Council will get its full allotment of funds - about $42,000 - for this school year. He asked the Council to reconsider two proposals from last year. The first is additional staff development funds (#2) and the second is the Site Council Coordinator position (#6) which Phil had proposed to fund elsewhere but can now be funded from Site Council. He updated the Council on the other proposals from last year as well. A vote will be taken at the next meeting.

ITEM 8 - ADJOURNMENT

Albert moved for adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 5:20. The next meeting will be October 3 in the ERC.