SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL (SSC)
MINUTES
Thursday, March 25, 2010
I. OPENING
The meeting was called to order at 4:11 by Dee Rochin
II. ROLL CALL- PRESENT
Lou Saephan, Principal; Lydia Holguin, Academic Coach; Shirley Dodd,
Office Supervisor;
Teachers: Kim Stohl, David Perez, Monica Figueroa, Mark Alberstein
Parents: Dee Rochin, Janette Tarbell, Candice O’Dell, Shannon
Rodriguez, Maria Romero, Elvira Lopez, Susan Kerwin, Becky Davis,
Susan Bartlett, Sarah Diaz
Students: Cody O’Dell, Cheyenne Corrales, Jennifer Tarbell
ROLL CALL-ABSENT
Parents: Olga Romero
III. CALL FOR ANY ADDITIONS/DELETIONS OF AGENDA ITEMS
None Noted
IV. READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Perez questioned the appointment of Mrs. Stohl as note-taker
and minutes-provider at the meetings. Mr. Saephan clarified that
Mrs. Dodd still performs all the other duties of SSC Secretary. At the
last meeting, Mr. Saephan requested that Mrs. Stohl do this for the
remainder of the school year. Mrs. Rochin suggested that this
change be noted in the 2/18 minutes. Mr. Alberstein moved to
approve the minutes with this change, and Mrs. Davis seconded the
motion.
V. REPORTS OF OFFICERS, STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Officers: Mr. Saephan reported that approximately 400 awards
were given out at the 2nd Trimester Awards Assembly. All agreed
that it was a nice night. Mrs. Rochin addressed the issue of 6th
graders and parents leaving after their portion of the assembly.
She pointed out that it was handled well; Mr. Saephan assured
her that now people are used to this new assembly, we would
work on coaching parents and students to stay through the whole
meeting. Banners will be purchased with ASB funds for Bengal of
the Year. Changes for assemblies next year are being considered.
Teachers:
Parents: Four 5th grade parents attended this meeting with their
concerns for next year. Their main concerns were drugs, gangs,
and behaviors on campus. Mr. Saephan shared his philosophy on
firm but fair discipline, his observation that many of the problems
here seem to be mental health issues, and that during our cafeteria
audit, we received rave reviews (auditors said our students were
among the most well-behaved they had ever seen). Mrs. Rochin
confirmed that Bengal University has had a very positive impact
on the campus, and that she understands the ladies’ concerns
because she felt that way when both of her children first came to
WVMS. Mr. Saephan added that for next year, there will be a
Leadership class, and part of it will include pairing 6th Grade “at
risk” students with 7th/8th grade leader “mentors”. Mrs. Figueroa
also raised the concern over having one lunch time. Mr. Saephan
explained how there will be food carts outside to help serve kids
faster, that Mr. McKean will continue to hold intermural games
during lunch. Cody O’Dell’s mother applauded the school, saying
that people have “bent over backwards” to help Cody as a special
needs student, and that students have always been so good to
him. Mr. Alberstein encouraged the 5th grade parents to come and
visit during break or lunch, and that they would find a very nice
environment on the schoolyard. Safety is also of utmost
importance. 5th grade parents shared that they are a very involved,
supportive group, and want to help wherever and however they
can.
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT
None Noted, all parent comments documented above
VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND GENERAL ORDERS
8TH Grade Promotion (Board Presentation):
Mr. Alberstein went with our financial situation as the focus. His
recommendation to the school board was that we establish 8th
Grade Promotion as self-supporting. This would avoid using
instructional monies to cover expenses. In the past, we have
done school-wide fundraisers and used ASB funds, but this year
we had no school-wide fundraiser. The board reacted by saying
that they are in full support of promotion, regardless of the cost,
they will help us find a way to hold it.
09-10 Budget Report from the Business Office:
C.P.M. is coming and we are developing budget reports from last
year and this year. Our current educational programs will be
reviewed by our PLC Leadership Team.
SSC Governing Goals/Classroom Walk Throughs:
Mr. Saephan explained that the main goals of the SSC should be
threefold: Improving student learning and achievement,
categorical funds, and developing the budget. This should be
linked to the “cycle of inquiry” regarding the programs and
adoptions in place at WVMS. He would like this to include one
classroom walkthrough each trimester by the SSC. A date was set
for Tuesday, April 13th at 10:00 a.m. to visit classrooms and see
programs in action.
Curriculum- Buckle Down Program for ELA & Math, Extended Day
and Summer School:
We are looking at this for ELA and Math Academic Seminar time.
It is aligned to CST, and based on most-missed questions. Dina
Haney is piloting it this year, and has seen success. Ms. Figueroa
voiced the concern of already having materials that allow her
to do essentially the same thing, yet the rest of teachers could
benefit from this program. Mr. Saephan explained that students
will have an opportunity to “test out” of Academic Seminar at the
end of each trimester. Also, students can opt to take a zero period
P.E. class before school in order to get an elective. Mr. Saephan
asked that Buckle Down be included on the next agenda as an
action item.
Funds for Attendance Incentives/ASB Funds:
Mr. Saephan announced that we have been selling Bengal t-shirts in
the office at a price of $10. Since they cost $5 to make, we earn
$5 a shirt. He said that since our campus is so large, he would like
to purchase a golf cart for emergencies. Mrs. Kerwin suggested
they could sell more shirts if they sent out some kind of note or
announcement to the community.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
GATE Funds:
Mrs. Davis raised a concern about present and future GATE finds,
and wished to recommend that they be protected from now on.
Mr. Saephan advised her to write a letter to the board, and to
make sure to include any data that she could regarding the success
of GATE, as well as the costs.
New Budget Development for 10-11:
Tabled until next meeting
JV Baseball/JV Softball Coach:
4 games have been found for them to play. Mr. McKean cares and
goes “over and above” for this, even though he’s not A.D. anymore.
(EDI) Ongoing Coaching/Training:
Mrs. Stohl encouraged WVMS to keep educating and coaching
ourselves with this instructional model. Ryan Sager will be the
district-level EDI Coach. Ms. Figueroa clarified that it’s being
implemented at each site a little differently, such as at
WVMS, we are using SMART Board templates. The district plans to
move towards more uniform practices, which will benefit the
students as they move through Woodlake’s schools.
Master Schedule (Half Day teacher V.S. Full FTE):
Tabled until next meeting
Master Calendar:
Tabled until next meeting
IX. ACTION ITEMS
Allocating 5 Professional Development Days for teachers in June to
vertically align common assessments/pacing guides for all core
subjects. Sarah Diaz moved to approve using categorical funds for
this, seconded by Mrs. Stohl, motion approved.
X. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned by Dee Rochin at 5:32 p.m.