Site Council Minutes, April 14, 2008
Palo Alto High School Site Council
Monday, April 14, 2008
ITEM 1 - CALL TO ORDER
Katy Hall called the meeting to order at 3:35 P.M. in the ERC. Members present were Katy Hall, Lorraine Brown Ning Xu, Elspeth Farmer, Jaclyn Edwards, Hilary McDaniel, Malati Murthy, Olivia Diamond, Jenna Lose, Scott Zhug , Mary Dimit- PTSA, Principal Jacquie McEvoy and Coordinator Edie Miller. Not present: Carla Guerard, David Cohen, Kenyon Scott, Mary Ellen Bena and Abbie Havern.
ITEM 2 - APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes March17, 2008 were approved as written.
ITEM 3 - OPEN FORUM
Mary expressed concern from some parents that social events and other activities are very expensive.
ITEM 4 - PROJECT REVIEWS
- Lorraine reported that that the $1200 for Library had been spent towards a subscription to JSTORE. The Librarian did fundraising for the additional $300. The Librarian is currently training students and staff on this new program. Lorraine also reported that the English department will have used its full grant for book repair.
- Jaclyn reported on the classroom set of clickers used in AP Psychology and Foreign Policy. It has been well received and will have used the full grant ($6000) by year’s end.
ITEM 5 - GAY STRAIGHT ALLIANCE CLUB
CO President Alex Coblin talked about his personal experiences, both at home and at Paly. He then explained all the activities planned for NOT IN OUR SCHOOL week (April 14-18). Several clubs are working together to promote tolerance on our campus. The GSA club has about 25 members. Alex recently attended a bay area convention in San Jose. He answered questions including some about recent episodes of INFOCUS which generated lots of discussion.
ITEM 6 - MINDSET
Council member Ning Xu reviewed the book MINDSET by Carol Dweck and how the ideas are being used at Mountain View High School. Ning outlined the thesis of the book- fixed mindset versus growth mindset- and then told how it is used as informal staff development with some of her fellow teachers at Mountain View.
ITEM 7 - PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
WASC- Jacquie has begun hosting coffees for parents by grade level and topic levels. The main concerns expressed have been around consistency in grading, types of assessment and teacher evaluations. Teachers are doing curriculum mapping now. Parent reps will review this work in May focus groups. Jacquie is also meeting with different groups of students. Their concerns are very similar to the parent concerns. There will be survey for all students, staff and parents before the end of the year.
- BELL SCHEDULE- A staff vote was taken and the required 2/3 approval was not achieved for any of the proposals. For 2008-9, school will be on the current “spring schedule” for the whole year (7:50 am start, M, T, Th, F, 8:15 start W and 2:10 dismissal on T). The topics will be discussed in greater depth next year.
- PALY BUDGETS- Jacquie will ask PTSA to focus it’s spending on LCD projectors for all classrooms. She will submit a request for staff development funds from Site Council. Edie will send out the request for proposals so the Council can consider the choices at May 5 meeting.
- PROM- Jacquie said most of the students had a great time but staff was preoccupied with inebriated students. This was unacceptable. Leadership is discussing how to deal with this problem.
ITEM 8 - REPORTS
- PTSA-Mary reported on the final PTSA funding. May 2 is the Staff Appreciation Luncheon and May 9 is Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. PTSA will have a morning program on April 17 about how to throw a safe, legal and fun party. Gunn is hosting a program in the evening on April 14 on Drinking.
- STUDENT COUNCIL- elections are coming up. Students hope to be able to hold one more dance, if they can work out the drinking issues.
ITEM 9 - NEXT MEETING
Council will review funding requests.
ITEM 10 - ADJOURNMENT
Olivia moved for adjournment and it was seconded. All agreed. Meeting was adjourned at 5:40pm.