Site Council Minutes, February 11, 2008
Palo Alto High School Site Council
Monday, February 11, 2008
ITEM 1 - CALL TO ORDER
Kenyon Scott called the meeting to order at 3:30 P.M. in he ERC. Members present were Katy Hall, Lorraine Brown, Ning Xu, Elspeth Farmer, Carla Guerard, Kenyon Scott, David Cohen, Malati Murthy, Mary Ellen Bena, Olivia Diamond, Abbie Havern, Scott Zhuge, Mary Dimit- PTSA, Principal Jacquie McEvoy and Coordinator Edie Miller. Not present: Hilary McDaniel, Jaclyn Edwards, and Jenna Lose. Also present were VOICE reporters Seung-yeon Choi and Patricia Ho and PAUSD Board member/Paly liaison Melissa Baten-Caswell.
ITEM 2 - APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes January 28, 2008 were approved as written.
ITEM 3 - OPEN FORUM
David thanked the VOICE reporters for the very good coverage and for their follow-up on interviews. Ning reported that she heard Dr. Dweck speak at a conference.
ITEM 4 - PROJECT REVIEWS.
BIOTECH -Kenyon reported that he interviewed Ron Pruzan. The funds of $10,500 have yet to be spent because of donations. It will be spent this spring and Ron will update Kenyon. The first class in Biotech is meeting this semester. It has only 16 students. It is hoped that it will get UC credit this spring and have enough enrollment for a yearlong course in 08-09.
SCIENCE AIDE- Ning reported that this project received $16,000. An Aide was hired in December. She (Adrian Brownstein) works 5 days a week, 3 hours a day. She sets up labs in Chemistry and Biology and is very valuable. In addition she has gotten donations from her previous employer. It is hoped there will be funds next year.
ITEM 5 - REPORTS
- PTSA- March 8 is the deadline to apply for grants: fast track ($500) and Viking ($2500). PTSA approved $20,000 towards the purchase of laptops for teachers, provided they participate in InClass. February 21 will be a parent education meeting on the tutoring industry.
- STUDENT COUNCIL- the Sadies dance will be held on March 1 with a DJ. There will be a tailgate on Fri., Feb 15 from 2-4 before the Gunn basketball games. Prom planning is continuing. If kids bring a toy for Toys for Tots to Sadies dance, they get a free soda. If they bring shoes to Gunn games, they get in free. There were questions about alcohol at the dances. Jacquie said there were more cases at the last dance, but they are using breathalyzers. They will be showing a video to explain what is improper dancing. There are 4 suggested bell schedules under discussion including such changes as later start, 4 days of blocks, and 7th period blocked.
ITEM 6 - PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
- Debate Club- Jacquie said she visited the Debate Club performance. They took first place in a national competition.
- Scheduling- school is the midst of scheduling classes and teaching assignments for 08-09.
- WASC- teachers will be working on this on 2/19 staff development. Jacquie will then ask for parent involvement,
- National rankings- Last year both Paly and Gunn declined to participate in NEWSWEEK rankings because it was based solely on number of student getting 3 or better on AP tests. Us News and World Report is now publishing rankings too. NEWSWEEK is now including more criteria; total number of AP tests taken, % of 3 or above scores, % of enrolled students on free or reduced lunch, an equity question and average SAT scores. The Superintendent and the Principals of Paly and Gunn are considering whether to participate this year, given the expanded criteria. One member asked about International Baccalaureate and Jacquie said it takes a long time to be eligible.
ITEM 7 - GUIDANCE REPORT
Assistant Principal Kim Diorio updated the Council on the services provided for as risk students. There are three full time counselors- Kerry Smith who specializes in ninth grade and at risk, Susan Shultz and Selene Singares who specialize in 10-12 grades. When warning notices come out in the fall, students with D/F grades are scheduled for a parent/teacher conference. There might be recommendations to go to the ARC, or Math tutoring or sign an attendance contract.
The Human Services Team meets every other week. It involves the Counselors, Special Ed, school Psychologist, Assistant Principals. They share information and may refer students to ACS drug and alcohol programs or mental health programs in the community.
The At Risk database records the grades, attendance, and standardized tests for students who need to be monitored. The following Programs are available for student support:
- AVID- for first generation college bound students with above average grades
- Study Skills- renamed FOCUS ON SUCCESS- for non special ed students.
- Reading- for below grade readers.
- Middle College- 30-40 students attend special classes at Foothill for grades 11-12 instead of coming to Paly. Do earn a Paly degree.
- Alta Vista- a continuation high school for 11-12 grades
- Terra Bella- run by the county for 9-10 grades.
- Opportunity Program- at Paly, 9-10 grades, self-contained classroom, aims at returning students to regular classes.
ITEM 8 - INSTRUCTIONAL SUPERVISOR REPORTS
- Living Skills- Leticia Burton summarized the Living Skills program. This course is for 10-12 grades. It includes state required information on drugs and alcohol, HIV, First Aide and CPR. It also includes decision-making, morals and values, gender identity, healthy eating, stress, depression and suicide, human sexuality. All the above are taught to inform students and to encourage understanding and tolerance of all people’s choices. Leticia answered questions about the program.
- Physical Education- Linda Morris handed out a description of the classes offered and results of the physical fitness test. She talked about the improvements planned if/when the Bond passes. She thanked Site Council for funding for a Yoga presentation. She explained that the newest class offered is Adaptive PE, taught by Jason Fung. Discussion then followed and Linda answered questions.
- Career and Voc Ed- Chuck Merritt filled in for Jerry Berkson. He handed out a list of courses and explained about those that are ROP. He then explained about Teaching Practicum and Sports Medicine which are not on the list. He hopes classes will be added to create pathways for students to follow towards a particular career, Chuck then explained how some classes can count for VOC ED graduation requirement if the classes involve the technical side of a course- such as Journalism.
ITEM 9 - FUNDING REQUEST
Chuck handed out the proposal to fund laptops for the rest of the teachers so all can use InClass and work more easily during the day. The proposal requested $21,000 from Site Council (to come from funds 141-30 and 141-40). It was moved and seconded to approve the request. Discussion followed. Motion passed: UNANIMOUS.
ITEM 9 - NEXT MEETING
At the March 3 meeting, Site Council will hear reports from Instructional Supervisors. There will be additional Project reviews.
- Yoga guest speaker- Malati
- Site Council expenses- Katy
- Site Council Coordinator- Katy
- Publish student work-Hilary
- Repair English books-Lorraine
- Classroom clicker set-
- Game room equipment- Carla, MaryEllen
- Library-Lorraine
- Camp Everytown- Carla, Mary Ellen
- Printers for Guidance- David
ITEM 10 - ADJOURNMENT
Olivia moved for adjournment and it was seconded. All agreed. Meeting was adjourned at 5:20pm.