SITE COUNCIL MEETING Monday March 10, 2008

Site Council Minutes

 

Members Present:  Valerie Atkinson (staff, co-chair), Jennifer Purtell (parent, co-chair), Joe Laconic (staff), Bonnie Bellows (staff), Suzanne Fields (parent), Catherine Farrell (parent), Kari Larson (community), Tom Kranz (substitute, staff, union representative), Aaron Perrine (staff), Michael Sodomka (principal), Lauren Rekonen (staff, secretary)

 

Guests Present: Andrew Jones (Boys and Girls Club), Jason Schlukebier (staff) 

 

Members Not Present:  Jodi Brennan (community), Tim Hausker (staff), Andy Mosca (parent), Gear Up Representative (Kenny Zimmerman or Derby Campo) 

 

 

  1. Approval of Agenda: V. Atkinson
    1. Motion to approve agenda made by J. Laconic, seconded by B. Bellows.  Unanimously approved
  2. Approval of February 11, 2008: J. Purtell 
  3. Open Forum: V. Atkinson
    1. Marie and Andrew:  Program director and interim director of the Boys and Girls club.  They are here to create a stronger bridge between Humboldt and the Club.  They have many Humboldt students.  They provide services and activities for 6-18 year olds.  There is homework help, sports teams, and other activities.  Youth of the Year is a student chosen based off of their leadership and service and the speeches they give to the judges.  This becomes a city-wide, state-wide, and nation-wide competition.  All youth wanting to attend the Boys and Girls Club need to be a registered member and pay the $5 per year fee.
    2. Kari Larson:  There is a design project for bus stops including public art at all of the bus stops for the West Side Circulator.  They would like to build one of these projects at Humboldt, possibly on Humboldt property.  There are discussions with people at district as to whether or not this is a feasible idea.   
  4. Naviance Presentation: J. Schlukebier
    1. Family connection by Naviance is a web-based account database that all students are to use.  Family Connection is a comprehensive website that you can use to help n making decisions about courses, colleges, and careers. 
    2. A monthly newsletter will be set up through this website. 
    3. Links for students about college, scholarship, and summer programs are included.  Information about hundreds of colleges such as admissions, scholarships, financial aid, and programs. 
    4. Additional resources include test prep, college search, and military.
    5. As a student, it can also be used as a tool to research interests, choices, and plans for the future. 
    6. Test scores and interest inventories that have been done will be uploaded to the students’ sites. 
    7. This site can be accessed at the Humboldt web site (humboldtsr.spps.org). 
  5. Environmental & Technology Restructure Update: V. Atkinson
    1. The Restructure Committee has met five times to make decisions about the Environmental and Technology programs. 
    2. The Social Studies and Science teachers met to discuss projects and themes
    3. On March 18There will be a community conversation regarding future academic programming at Humboldt Schools.  5:30 dinner.  6:00-7:30 community meeting.  The community will give input about their opinions about the themes and learn about the decisions that have been made. 
    4. April 22nd:  Earth Day.  Tim Williams, Valerie Atkinson, and a representative from Ecolab are planning an event for the school to jump-start Humboldt towards our new environmental vision. 
    5. Experts from local environmental organizations have been involved in the planning and direction. 
  6. SCIP Update: J. Purtell
    1. Jennifer and Mike Sodomka attended a meeting about the SCIP.  They were informed that enrollment is down and the district will be short $10 million.  This money will come from the schools and programs within the schools.
    2. There is a new computer system for the new SCIP format. 
    3. The new SCIP is due May 2.  Site Council meeting on April 14th will be a review of the SCIP and the Site Council meeting on April 28th will be where we sign the SCIP. 
  7. Principal’s Report: M. Sodomka
    1. Today was the first day of the new trimester.
    2. Finals were last Wednesday and Thursday, Friday was a grading day for teachers.  Grades will be mailed out next Monday.
    3. There was an outstanding band concert last Thursday.
    4. The girls basketball team are in the second round of sectionals!
    5. Spring sports started today.
    6. March 21 and 22 will be the day of the Theatre production.
    7. March 27 and 28 will be the Robotics Competition.
    8. March 17 will be a celebration at the Neighborhood House to celebrate and showcase collaborations between Special Education and Regular Education.
    9. March 21 will be a professional development day.  Science and Social Studies teachers will be taking a field trip to an environmental school.
    10. April 24 are conferences from 4-7pm in the cafeteria.
    11. 880 students this year.  ’08-’09 will be funded at 817 students.  $41,599 reduction from this school year. 
    12. Many contracts will increase salaries and wages which will lead to staffing reductions.
    13. $25,000 from this year will be carried over for next year. 
  8. New Business
    1. Blood drive is starting tomorrow.  They will be here March 25th at Humboldt at 7:35. 
  9. Adjourn: J. Purtell
    1. Motion to adjourn made by L. Rekonen, Seconded by T. Kranz, unanimously approved.