December 3rd Minutes
December Parent Council Minutes – December 3, 2008
Connie Wonham facilitated.
Principal’s Update – Randy Bernstein
Randy brought Unique Eugene scrip for anyone to purchase. Scrip is available for purchase in the main office during school hours.
An Afterschool Help Center in Room 714 has started targeting 9th and 10th graders who need help in math and science. Hours are 3:15 to 4 pm on M, T, Th; 3:30 to 4:15 on W. The group is led by an adult staff member and a half dozen paid upper classmen. About 10 students have shown up for help in algebra, geometry, and physical science. Students may drop in, have a granola bar or rice krispie bar, and get help in a fun environment.
School Improvement -- A small committee has been formed to work on improving multi-cultural and welcoming décor around the school, including a teacher, student government rep, and a parent. They went to Springfield High School and Cesar Chaves Elementary to look at what they have done visually. SHS, which has a larger minority population and more Latinos, has incorporated a mariachi band into the music program. We are encouraging more students and parents to get involved. We have some funding for 2 murals, in particular, 1 in the math hallway. We also have some money set aside for banners and signage. We are trying to get the word out for more volunteers by addressing art classes and student unions. The Site Council has expressed support for this effort. We want to make a difference in our hallways between now and June.
An issue has come up over scrip. Track Boosters wants to start their own e-scrip number. Word has it that Cross-Country Ski already has their own. Kids Down South wants to piggy-back on SEHS. We are concerned about how to manage this as a whole. The choir groups have been recruiting people to sign up for scrip and are being awarded $10 for each person they sign up who makes a purchase. Greg Maynard, our Scrip Publicity/Sales person, expressed worry that we will be paying $10 to a choir group for an account that brings in only $3 and suggested that we limit our budget on this. Randy is speaking with groups and encouraging them to partner with SEHS, so that all kids will benefit. Greg said he would check with e-scrip about splinter groups and whether it is legitimate for them to set up their own accounts. Suggestions are welcome.
Danielle Degrange, PE teacher, is going ahead with a Dance-A-Thon fundraiser on Saturday, February 21, for a cardio fitness center of 25 or more machines in the balcony over the gym where the batting cages are. For this extravaganza, couples will pledge some number of dollars to dance, there will be prizes, admission, concessions, etc., with hopes for raising $10 to $15K or more with student, staff, volunteer support. Danielle will also be looking for grants.
Superintendent, George Russell is visiting different locals to talk about the enrollment caps. He will be in the library next Wednesday, December 10, at 5:30 to talk about boundaries, caps, sibling eligibility for attendance at out-of-district schools. Decisions have not yet been announced, but January is school choice month. News will be released soon. In the past, students currently enrolled in a school have stayed to complete their level. That is expected to continue. However, if an out-of-district student drops out of IHS, they do not automatically get into Classic South; they would go the high school in their district. Details will be released this month.
Financial Update – Cindy Wright
There has not been a lot of activity this month. Cindy reported on account balances and said we are in good shape to pay for our commitments for this year and we are building on our budget for next year.
Last month we talked about My Health Center fundraising. What is our role as the Parent Council to advocate for different groups? We will begin conversations about funding in the new year. The state government has announced that it is setting priorities and maintaining current levels in education with big cuts in human services. Through e-news and parent council we have a venue to let parents know about different organizations. How much can we jump in to lend support? Randy will check with the district about the plight of the Health Center to find out more details and what the district plans to do about the drop in support from Peace Health.
The Staff Appreciation Luncheon has all the food and volunteers it needs right now. Thank you for your help.
Parent Education Series. Community Service 101
IHS teacher, Courtney Leonard, and Classic South teacher, Ellen Brunson-Newton presented and brought a panel of students to share their varied experiences with the audience.
Allison started doing community service as a greeter at a medical clinic on West 11th, and later became a receptionist. She did her senior project on health care and the single payer system.
Garrett volunteers for ASAP, Aides and Substance Abuse Prevention. This is a group run through the school. Juniors and seniors get together to present information through skits and discussions to sophomores about sex, diseases, alcoholism and drug abuse. He liked the idea of peer education.
Thomas works at Peace Health Hospital. He started as a freshman, and has been at the hospital for 4 years, now at Riverbend. His siblings volunteered and his dad works there. He likes to be busy, has been able to choose jobs and has switched around a lot. He started as a patient escort, helping patients get around. He delivers mail and flowers, and now works in materials management. He feels that his work is greatly appreciated.
Dylan works at Lane County Search and Rescue because he likes the outdoors. You can start at 14 to 21. He attended training meetings on wilderness survival and went on a weekend outing where he received training on GPS usage. He was part of a team that rescued a mushroom picker, rode on a helicopter, etc.
Asked how they work their service into their busy schedules:
Garrett said that their group advisors put people in groups with the same free period. Students practice their skits during free periods and present to sophomores during school hours. He still has time for football and homework.
Thomas works one time a week for 2 hours. He said it is not really that time consuming and that he started early so he has had time for his hours to accumulate. He enjoys his work, so the time goes fast, it doesn’t seem like a lot.
Allison works 4 hours once a week. She enjoys her work, so it does not seem like much of a commitment.
A parent asked, “How did you find what you wanted to do?”
Thomas said it fit in with his family. He thought he might be interested in medicine, but now realizes that he is not.
The other students said it was suggested by a family member or their mom.
There will be a Community Service Fair at Churchill High School on the 4th Thursday of April ’09 where students can find out about community service opportunities.
A parent asked, “How do kids find out about requirements for graduation?”
The teachers responded that it is word of mouth among students. They talk about it with each other. Teachers make sure they know , especially in IHS where students are required to perform 130 hours for graduation. Classic South has a senior project requirement that usually includes some kind of community service. The requirements for Classic South are not specific.
A parent asked, “Do some kids struggle to complete the needed hours?”
Teachers responded : We make sure kids know about the requirements in their classes. We encourage them to do it over the summer. Kids who wait till the very end don’t have fun with it because they are under pressure. We encourage kids to find something they love, try to become a bridge or liaison to the community. They can start the summer before their junior year. We encourage them to keep track and make sure their hours are signed off by the counseling secretary.
At this point, the audience split into two groups, IHS and Classic South because of the different requirements for graduation. The presenters gave parents handouts with details about requirements for each year for the various degrees: IHS, IB, IHS French Immersion, Int’l Studies, Nat’l Honor Society, and 4j Honors. They also passed out handouts on volunteer opportunities and a list of local organizations needing volunteers. You can obtain these handouts from the Career Resource Center. Virginia Farkus from the Career Resource Center and Kathy Ruggles were present. Virginia recommended that you send your kids to her. Her office receives notices of opportunities for things like the Festival of Trees or even ferret rescue, or for kids who like to work with animals. Things that get sent to them get posted all the time. She also recommended the United Way web site: www.unitedwaylane.org. Click on the Volunteer Connection heading at the top of the page, then click on the Volunteer Here . She said that this is a very good way to explore opportunities.
Connie Wonham facilitated.
Principal’s Update – Randy Bernstein
Randy brought Unique Eugene scrip for anyone to purchase. Scrip is available for purchase in the main office during school hours.
An Afterschool Help Center in Room 714 has started targeting 9th and 10th graders who need help in math and science. Hours are 3:15 to 4 pm on M, T, Th; 3:30 to 4:15 on W. The group is led by an adult staff member and a half dozen paid upper classmen. About 10 students have shown up for help in algebra, geometry, and physical science. Students may drop in, have a granola bar or rice krispie bar, and get help in a fun environment.
School Improvement -- A small committee has been formed to work on improving multi-cultural and welcoming décor around the school, including a teacher, student government rep, and a parent. They went to Springfield High School and Cesar Chaves Elementary to look at what they have done visually. SHS, which has a larger minority population and more Latinos, has incorporated a mariachi band into the music program. We are encouraging more students and parents to get involved. We have some funding for 2 murals, in particular, 1 in the math hallway. We also have some money set aside for banners and signage. We are trying to get the word out for more volunteers by addressing art classes and student unions. The Site Council has expressed support for this effort. We want to make a difference in our hallways between now and June.
An issue has come up over scrip. Track Boosters wants to start their own e-scrip number. Word has it that Cross-Country Ski already has their own. Kids Down South wants to piggy-back on SEHS. We are concerned about how to manage this as a whole. The choir groups have been recruiting people to sign up for scrip and are being awarded $10 for each person they sign up who makes a purchase. Greg Maynard, our Scrip Publicity/Sales person, expressed worry that we will be paying $10 to a choir group for an account that brings in only $3 and suggested that we limit our budget on this. Randy is speaking with groups and encouraging them to partner with SEHS, so that all kids will benefit. Greg said he would check with e-scrip about splinter groups and whether it is legitimate for them to set up their own accounts. Suggestions are welcome.
Danielle Degrange, PE teacher, is going ahead with a Dance-A-Thon fundraiser on Saturday, February 21, for a cardio fitness center of 25 or more machines in the balcony over the gym where the batting cages are. For this extravaganza, couples will pledge some number of dollars to dance, there will be prizes, admission, concessions, etc., with hopes for raising $10 to $15K or more with student, staff, volunteer support. Danielle will also be looking for grants.
Superintendent, George Russell is visiting different locals to talk about the enrollment caps. He will be in the library next Wednesday, December 10, at 5:30 to talk about boundaries, caps, sibling eligibility for attendance at out-of-district schools. Decisions have not yet been announced, but January is school choice month. News will be released soon. In the past, students currently enrolled in a school have stayed to complete their level. That is expected to continue. However, if an out-of-district student drops out of IHS, they do not automatically get into Classic South; they would go the high school in their district. Details will be released this month.
Financial Update – Cindy Wright
There has not been a lot of activity this month. Cindy reported on account balances and said we are in good shape to pay for our commitments for this year and we are building on our budget for next year.
Last month we talked about My Health Center fundraising. What is our role as the Parent Council to advocate for different groups? We will begin conversations about funding in the new year. The state government has announced that it is setting priorities and maintaining current levels in education with big cuts in human services. Through e-news and parent council we have a venue to let parents know about different organizations. How much can we jump in to lend support? Randy will check with the district about the plight of the Health Center to find out more details and what the district plans to do about the drop in support from Peace Health.
The Staff Appreciation Luncheon has all the food and volunteers it needs right now. Thank you for your help.
Parent Education Series. Community Service 101
IHS teacher, Courtney Leonard, and Classic South teacher, Ellen Brunson-Newton presented and brought a panel of students to share their varied experiences with the audience.
Allison started doing community service as a greeter at a medical clinic on West 11th, and later became a receptionist. She did her senior project on health care and the single payer system.
Garrett volunteers for ASAP, Aides and Substance Abuse Prevention. This is a group run through the school. Juniors and seniors get together to present information through skits and discussions to sophomores about sex, diseases, alcoholism and drug abuse. He liked the idea of peer education.
Thomas works at Peace Health Hospital. He started as a freshman, and has been at the hospital for 4 years, now at Riverbend. His siblings volunteered and his dad works there. He likes to be busy, has been able to choose jobs and has switched around a lot. He started as a patient escort, helping patients get around. He delivers mail and flowers, and now works in materials management. He feels that his work is greatly appreciated.
Dylan works at Lane County Search and Rescue because he likes the outdoors. You can start at 14 to 21. He attended training meetings on wilderness survival and went on a weekend outing where he received training on GPS usage. He was part of a team that rescued a mushroom picker, rode on a helicopter, etc.
Asked how they work their service into their busy schedules:
Garrett said that their group advisors put people in groups with the same free period. Students practice their skits during free periods and present to sophomores during school hours. He still has time for football and homework.
Thomas works one time a week for 2 hours. He said it is not really that time consuming and that he started early so he has had time for his hours to accumulate. He enjoys his work, so the time goes fast, it doesn’t seem like a lot.
Allison works 4 hours once a week. She enjoys her work, so it does not seem like much of a commitment.
A parent asked, “How did you find what you wanted to do?”
Thomas said it fit in with his family. He thought he might be interested in medicine, but now realizes that he is not.
The other students said it was suggested by a family member or their mom.
There will be a Community Service Fair at Churchill High School on the 4th Thursday of April ’09 where students can find out about community service opportunities.
A parent asked, “How do kids find out about requirements for graduation?”
The teachers responded that it is word of mouth among students. They talk about it with each other. Teachers make sure they know , especially in IHS where students are required to perform 130 hours for graduation. Classic South has a senior project requirement that usually includes some kind of community service. The requirements for Classic South are not specific.
A parent asked, “Do some kids struggle to complete the needed hours?”
Teachers responded : We make sure kids know about the requirements in their classes. We encourage them to do it over the summer. Kids who wait till the very end don’t have fun with it because they are under pressure. We encourage kids to find something they love, try to become a bridge or liaison to the community. They can start the summer before their junior year. We encourage them to keep track and make sure their hours are signed off by the counseling secretary.
At this point, the audience split into two groups, IHS and Classic South because of the different requirements for graduation. The presenters gave parents handouts with details about requirements for each year for the various degrees: IHS, IB, IHS French Immersion, Int’l Studies, Nat’l Honor Society, and 4j Honors. They also passed out handouts on volunteer opportunities and a list of local organizations needing volunteers. You can obtain these handouts from the Career Resource Center. Virginia Farkus from the Career Resource Center and Kathy Ruggles were present. Virginia recommended that you send your kids to her. Her office receives notices of opportunities for things like the Festival of Trees or even ferret rescue, or for kids who like to work with animals. Things that get sent to them get posted all the time. She also recommended the United Way web site: www.unitedwaylane.org. Click on the Volunteer Connection heading at the top of the page, then click on the Volunteer Here . She said that this is a very good way to explore opportunities.
posted by Parent Council @ 10:05 PM
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