Site Council Minutes, March 3, 2008
Palo Alto High School Site Council
Monday, March 3, 2008
ITEM 1 - CALL TO ORDER
Katy Hall called the meeting to order at 3:30 P.M. in he ERC. Members present were Katy Hall, Lorraine Brown, Ning Xu, Carla Guerard, Jaclyn Edwards, David Cohen, Malati Murthy, Mary Ellen Bena, Olivia Diamond, Jenna Lose, Scott Zhuge, Mary Dimit- PTSA, Principal Jacquie McEvoy and Coordinator Edie Miller. Not present: Kenyon Scott, Hilary McDaniel, Elspeth Farmer, and Abbie Havern. Also present were VOICE reporters Seung-yeon Choi and Patricia Ho.
ITEM 2 - APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes Feb. 11, 2008 were approved as written.
ITEM 3 - OPEN FORUM
Carla reported that she was one of the chaperones on the Journalism trip to New York City. Jaclyn reported that she took 8 students to Washington D.C. and NYC on the ‘Close Up” program. David said he would escort 3 students to the Holocaust Remembrance event in Santa Clara County.
ITEM 4 - INSTRUCTIONAL SUPERVISOR REPORTS.
- MATH- Radu Toma gave out three handouts, which explained the course sequences in Math, the new courses being considered and other details. He reviewed the information and answered questions.
- FINE AND PREFORMING ARTS-Ron Williamson handed out a 7-page summary of the department’s goals and a review of the progress made. He carefully explained all the details and answered questions.
- SPECIAL EDUCATION- Kris Brockmann gave an oral summary of the department including the following points:
- This is the third year for an I.S. of Special Education and it is working well.
- There are 130-150 students at Paly with I.E.P. plans.
- IN PAUSD, 1 out of 8 students has as I.E.P. or a 504 plan.
- Paly’s Special Ed teachers work with all departments, all teachers and all classes.
- The role of Special Ed teachers should be as a resource for teachers, showing how to differentiate instruction. The teachers would like to be more involved in all the classrooms.
- Technology is used extensively by Special Ed students and it needs to be the best possible equipment. They also need time to train the staff.
- There is a need to serve students who find Paly and 7 periods overwhelming- maybe a school within a school?
- There is need for more Voc Ed for Special Ed students.
- There is good articulation between middle schools and Paly.
- HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE- Eric Bloom gave an oral report on the department including the following points:
- WASC – The department has asked everyone to share grade level practices. All teachers are using their own styles to meet the same standards. Many teachers are using technology including INClass for calendars and assignments. Most are not using the grade system.
- AP Psychology- they bought 100 books and find the accompanying “e-books” are very useful.
- Assessment tools- the department is experimenting with “scratches" which give instant feedback and is used in grades 9, 10,11. “Clickers”, a tool like a unique remote control, is being used in AP Psychology as a learning tool.
- AP Economics- At the request of the Superintendent, this course will be added as an extension of regular Econ.
ITEM 5 - REPORTS
- PTSA- March 8 is the deadline to apply for grants: fast track ($500) and Viking ($2500). February 21 was a parent education meeting on the tutoring industry.
- STUDENT COUNCIL- the Sadies dance was held on March 1 with Gunn. About 500 students attended. Prom will be held on April 5 at San Francisco City Hall.
ITEM 6 - PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
- WASC- Jacquie gave a handout explaining how parents are needed in the WASC plan. There will be neighborhood coffees and focus groups.
- Bell schedule- There are three ideas under consideration: early starting time, block seventh period and block four days instead of 2. The other issue is whether to implement any changes in 08 or 09. Staff will take a survey on individual opinions before March 13.
- The BOND will be on the June ballot. If it passes, a facilities committee will meet and move ahead on a new theater and new classrooms.
- The district expects a deficit of $3.2 million next year because district income is flat and enrollment is increasing. Paly expects a 9th grade class of 475. This may result in larger class sizes.
ITEM 7 - NEXT MEETING
At the March 17 meeting, Site Council will hear reports from Instructional Supervisors. There will be additional Project reviews:
- 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 5:30pm.