akeridge Junior High School, School Advisory Committee

9.24.2012

First SAC Meeting Minutes 1. Introductionsa. Present: Kurt Schultz, Mike Esping, Traci Daskalos, Susan Gulka, Mark Bachman, Audrey Monroe, Mike Coleman, Barb Stormo, Derrith Lambka, Kathy LeVee b. Absent: Julie Arndorfer, Kelly Delfatti 2. Update on First Weeks of School 3. SAC Member Feedback a. Please provide your perspective on the opening of the school year for students and parents. What went well? What could have been done better? Positives New parent perspective: concerned about daughter headed into school year, but concerns did not play out. Now, impressed and excited. Caliber of teachers is excellent, and awareness of kids level and needs is strong. Good attention to students social/emotional needs Students had great things to say about Phil Boyte, speaker on the first day of school for 6th and 7th graders Building Community Leaders (BC Leaders) were also fantastic on first day and at Back to School Night. Very proactive bunch of kids. Positive initial impressions of schedule. Seems to be working well for kids. The early release on Wednesday is a nice change of pace for kids and the extra electives kids have is welcome. Administration and front office have been helpful and responsive. Advisory time is very well handled. Reasonable allotment of time. Appreciate separate campus for 6th graders. Staff are excellent Teacher presentations at Back to School night were strong and professional Areas for improvement Adjustment to new schedules for students and teachers- homework load, test dates, timing of lunches Traffic flow and bus ridership have taken some adjustment but seem to be improving Back to school night- long night with double-assembly. Communicate full schedule for evening in advance and consider compressing into one assembly, but maintain visits to each class. Also, consider ways to make connection of school to community more than a one-night experience. Start-up- 6th grade parents could use more hand holding, especially about where to go first day of school and back to school night. Better signage might also help with this. Clearer communication about what to expect at registration versus ice cream social with regard to schedules/lockers 4. Sharing with the school Board a. Derrith Lambka and Susan Gulka shared perspectives from our meeting with the board 5. Future SAC Meetings October 10 January 9 April 10 November 14 February 13 May 8 December 12 March 13