MHS SBMT & Parents Council Notes

November 13, 2006

Welcome and Introductions

Student Reports

Senior Class – George Ganglani, senior class treasurer reported that

• The progressive dinner will be held November 18, Saturday evening. All students invited
• Three families will host senior class; Mitchellπs will host appetizers, dinner at Curtains, and dessert at Warrens. Parents raised concerns about organization of the dinner.
• Senior dues are being collected -$100 – 80 students have paid. Two payments must be paid this week to attend the progressive dinner and be measured for cap and gown. Parents can contact George re: payment
• Saturday is the Powder Puff football game against Swampscott
• Spirit week the week of Thanksgiving –Monday is ≥Patriots Day≤ Tuesday is ≥Create your own super hero day≤ and Wednesday is ≥Black and Red≤
• Senior show will be held late January/early February possibly at the PAC so more people can attend, 15 stage/technical crew will be needed
• Rafting trip in the spring
• Discussion about how to best inform parents about senior events

Other Presentations/Reports

• Team Up – Delia Barrett informed the group about the upcoming presentations
• December 6 at MHS theater with Dr. Prince on drug and alcohol use
• This is the first of a three part series – March will be ≥improbable players≤ a group of recovering addicts. April will be ≥From Binge to Blackout≤ a mother and son discussing their book on binge drinking

Curriculum directors unable to attend tonight will be rescheduled

MHS Thanksgiving food drive – Mary Ellen Kraft presented

• Tradition of MHS students and faculty providing food to Marblehead families for Thanksgiving dinner – approximately 80 families will be served this year
• Volunteer student ≥Food leaders≤ are given specific food assignments and find MHS families to provide specific foods. MHS faculty gives the pies
• Collection bins in the lobby of the high school for toiletries and other items for the food pantry.
• Marblehead food pantry is low on canned fruit, tuna, peanut butter and cereal

Principal Update

• Faculty are implementing a new electronic grading program. A few glitches, grades have been extended for a couple of days
• Study Halls - new substitute has been hired, monitoring some study halls.
• Numbers are down to 25 students or less in classroom study halls
• This issue needs to be addressed for next year
• Class size report (handout) can be deceiving, leads one to believe average class size is 20 (which would be good) but not accurate
• Highest number of classes are at 26 students
• Small numbers of classes are over 26
• Large numbers of classes are below 19
• Expecting 40 more high school students next year needs to be addressed
• Strategic decision was made regarding the honors class size being higher than the CP1 or CP2 classes
• Parent expressed concern that teachers are not able to get feedback to students in time to assist with next assignment
• Rob Dana- School Committee member responded – perhaps more sections of certain classes can be established, which depends on incoming numbers of students. New curriculum directors may offer ideas to deal with these issues. Class size parameters are tighter for Grades K-4 than at the high school. SC would like 22 students per class at MHS, but varies widely
• Club Fair, November 14. Freshmen will be released 20 minutes early to attend
• World Aids Day December 1, 2006
• Upcoming safety meeting for all principals and school nurses on November 28 with Police and Fire department and Tony Sasso. The group has determined that the emergency exit plan is no safe for the A wing. Evacuation plan is complicated. Exploring possibilities for providing space with the Community Center and St. Stephens church. Each classroom also needs a safety pack

Other issues

• Question raised regarding an indoor track meet during exam time. Negative reaction from parents and student council
• Indoor air quality reports that the library is one area of concern. Need to increase humidity level and circulate more fresh air
• Phone system – Chris Linehan will research an automated phone system for better communication at MHS
• Art competition is being held at the Abbot public library for students grade 7 – 12
• Friends of Performing Arts will hold a fundraiser on December 5, 6pm- 8pm at Sticky Rice Restaurant . Tickets are currently on sale for Beauty and the Beast with Beth Delforgeπs secretary

Parent Council Funding Requests

• Mr. Gauthier requesting $495.00 for school profile
• Lori Long presented funding request for Judy Luise for an evening presentation event for teens on sobriety with Ethan Bresner and Gabby Bradley. Requesting money for pizza and printing flyers for students to promote with other teens. Will come to the next meeting with a formal request
• Susan Syverson presented an update on the MHS garden project. May need more funds