MHS SBMT & Parents Council Notes

MHS SBMT & Parents Council Notes

8 February 2008

Welcome and Introductions

· John was attending a training Kathleen Duff presided at meeting

· Kay Shiedler, MPS ELA Curriculum director, discussed a book The Lace Reader, self published by MHS graduate Brunonia (Sandy) Barry. Harper Collins publishing house recently picked up the book for publication. The story takes place in Marblehead and Salem, described as a powerful psychological thriller. Kaye distributed a recent article from the Boston Globe about the author and the book. Sandy Barry also attended an English department meeting, where she fielded questions from teachers and described the process of publishing a book on her own. Kaye also handed out books that were donated by the author (180 of them) to the English department and will be read by MHS students. There is also an evening event planned for March 25 at 6:30 pm. MHS is looking for ways to communicate about the event to parents and the community.

Senior Class news:

· Patrice Clough encouraged senior families to check the updated senior website for events and dates

· Currently measuring seniors for caps and gowns

· Starting to sign up students for Whitewater rafting trip

Request for funds

· Ginny Bowen, MHS librarian, requesting $550 for a series of 16 teenage books that address teenage issues It happened to Me – The Ultimate Teen Guide. The books specifically focus on teenage issues such as; teen stress, how to develop good money habits, teen loss and grief, apprenticeships and diseases affecting teens. Approved/request Magic Hat funding

· Judy Luise –initially requested and was approved at last meeting for up to $500 to fund a speaker for families about divorce. Has reserved the evening of March 11 for an event with Zelda Schwartz and only needs $250. Approved funds allocated from MHS Parents Council

· Guidance department needed more self sealing envelopes, Laura K purchased and will be reimbursed from MHS Parents Council funds

· Discussion and questions were asked about what the $5.00 guidance fee covers. Students must pay $5.00 for each transcript that is sent to colleges. Laura will investigate where the fee goes –into a general account or into a guidance account.

Requests for updates to MHS Parents Council

· Teachers who attend the Teachers as Scholars program at Harvard that PC funded—will report at March meeting--6 teachers are attending TAS this year

· Grade reps to attend the March evening meeting

· Reported on other funding requests to Paul Dulac

Guidance Discussion:

· Course selection sheets due on Thursday February 14.

· Freshman 4 year planner also due into Guidance

· Questions and discussion about the course selection process for freshman and new MHS families, included honors program, AP classes and other content areas

· How do freshman know what to take when? What electives are open for them?

· There was a general discussion that freshman need more information when making course selections prior to submitting planner

· There is also a need for more clearly written technology requirements and what is considered a technology course.

· Although guidance department is available to meet with parents there was a suggestion that MHS offer a general guidance night in the late fall or early winter before new freshman fill out their 4 year planner.

METCO Afterschool program

· Kristine Kyle attended meeting—thanked everyone for contributing money and food for METCO students

· Discussed the current status of the METCO afterschool program

· Approximately 26 students at MHS --not all stay afterschool for sports or homework club.

· Still seeking an Afterschool homework coordinator –there is a homework club room for METCO students across from band room

· Kristine is working with Paula Dobrow and Marge Slattery to create a sustainable and reasonable afterschool snack plan

· Looking for MHS host families, for 2 freshman boys and 10^th grade girl.

Social Studies Presentation – Mike Hanna MPS K-12 coordinator

· Social Studies department with Libby Moore and MVMS is submitting a grant for funding from the Friends of Marblehead Public Schools for a partnership with Primary Source.

· Distributed information about Primary Source and the different district level partnerships that are available

· 41 districts partner with Primary Source, and this resource supports social studies programs in grades 7 - 12.

· The $11,000 a year program model includes Professional development and curriculum development. Teachers would attend a summer institute and then create a grade level curriculum to implement the next year.

· May approach MVMS and MHS Parents Councils if the Friends grant does not get funded

· Requested funding for two MHS teachers to attend the summer institute in 2008--$450 fee for each participating teacher

· Approved $900 /Request Magic Hat funds

Changes to the Social Studies curriculum

· Implementing changes to prepare students for MCAS test that will need to be passed to graduate next year 2011

· Shifting current 8^th grade curriculum to World Cultures next year, currently offered in 9^th grade

· 10^th grade US I and 11^th grade US II. Students can still take AP courses

· US history will be is currently a 2 year program sophomore and junior year, beginning 2008

· AP US and AP World could be taken Sophomore, Junior and/or Senior year

· Students can replace US I with AP US in 10^th grade then enroll in AP World in 11^th grade and AP Government in 12^thgrade.

· AP government will stay in 12^th grade only.

· AP US history will be open for Sophomore and Juniors

· 11^th graders (year 2009 – 2010) will need to pass Social Studies MCAS for graduation in 2011

Other information

· Kathleen Duff handed out Dr. Dulac’s updated plan changing curriculum directors, creating lead teachers and budget implications

· AD Mike Palansky will report to MHS prinicipal and 30% of his time will support administration at MHS.

· Current updated phone system corrections that need to be done are being presented to the company working on the phone system