INSTRUCTIONAL COUNCIL MINUTES  2-10-04

Due to Dr. Morado's absence, the meeting was conducted by Sansa Morse.

1.  Academic Assembly went well.  There were still some negative comments from students who felt "demeaned."  Programs should be printed for those on stage to have for portfolios, for their parents, and for teachers to post.  However, programs should not be distributed to all students in the audience due to high propensity for airplane-making and general littering.

2.  Dr. Morado is still checking into the distribution of the cell tower funds.

3.  There will be a TEA/TUSD School Council Forum on "How School Councils Can Transform Public Education" on Saturday, February 21 at Tucson High.  See your department representative for more information if you wish to attend.

4.  AP test registration deadlines are 2/25 for the $20 deposit and 4/16 for the final amount.  2/24 will be the AIMS/CCSA writing test; 2/25 is the AIMS/CCSA reading test.  Teachers are reminded these dates are set by the state and cannot be changed; people in Phoenix do not have rodeo vacation, and thus probably did not realize (!) that the 25th is not a good testing date.  There will be make-up tests the following week for students who miss the regular testing days.

5.  Reading/math assessments will be in teachers' boxes 2/11 for testing that day.

6.  A presentation sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving was offered for March--an all-school assembly.  The general feeling was that with all the testing going on in February and March, plus the short notice and no specifics on the program, that this was not a good idea at this time.

7.  PD for 2/11 will be in departments; 2/18 will feature information on AIMS/CCSA administration, feedback from discussions on improving failure rates, and presentations by teachers on "best practices."

8.  A conflict matrix was given to department representatives.  This is a grid of classes offered only one period to check for potential conflicts.  If you see any crucial conflicts in the schedule, please discuss it at PD on 2/11 and share with Sansa.  We cannot eliminate all conflicts, but try to minimize them.

9.  A committee has been formed by Site Council to suggest criteria for student aides.  Bruce Gillaspie, Sansa Morse, and Don Blackman are on the committee.  Noreen suggested a counselor be added, and volunteered.  Guidelines and expectations for aides need to be spelled out, since credit is given for being an aide.  The option of taking "study hall" with a teacher instead will be explored.

10.  The District has given administrators a form to use when checking teachers' daily objectives listed on the board.  Our administrators will share this with teachers and discuss it at PD so teachers know what is expected.  Students should be able to state the daily objective when asked.  Several IC members mentioned the chalkboards did not allow much room for posting objectives for two or three classes and still allowing room to write on the board during class.  It was suggested whiteboards be provided for all teachers to list their objectives.

11.  A brief discussion was held about the SRHS website, which is outdated.  Anyone having the desire or knowledge to help get the website up to speed is encouraged to contact Dr. Morado immediately.  It was suggested that a weekly or monthly update would require a full-time webmaster; however a quarterly or semester update might be feasible.  Student participation is generally not a good idea, at least with them having direct access to the website.  In general, only one or two people should have direct access with the ability to post or change the site.

12.  Departmental reports:
        a.  Barry Roth will be meeting with science teachers to discuss the state standards on 2/11.
        b.  FAFSA recommended priority deadline is February 14.  All seniors have been told this individually and notified of the FAFSA workshop held last weekend.  This is not a firm deadline; students may apply for the next several months.  FAFSA is the form for federal aid and scholarships.

        c.  SRHS is sending several students to the regional choir/orchestra festival in Sierra Vista this weekend.
        d.  Office Depot features a "star teacher" program.  If you sign up you get some freebies and a card which will give you a 5-15% discount on supplies there.  Signing up is free.

        e.  Voter registration will be held in Rm. 331-332 from 7:30-1:15 on Wednesday, February 11.  Rick Lamparzyk encourages faculty members who are not registered to vote to come up and do so.  Any student who will be 18 by November 4 is encouraged to register, also.

        f.  Training for arena registration will be held in March at one or more of the PD sessions.  Registration will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, April 13 and 14, in our cafeteria from 7-10 am.  Parents who volunteer to help at registration will get a bonus--their students will be allowed to register first.  Have interested parents contact Kathy Duffey at 731-7511.

        g.  This is a crucial time for students to apply for scholarships.  Many are available, but many have February and March deadlines.

        h.  The Site Council will continue to investigate and press for the one-lunch change for next year.
        i.  Please announce to your students the correct dates for Rodeo Vacation (February 26 and 27).  Their planners and the original TUSD calendars listed Feb. 19 and 20, which is INCORRECT.  It was changed after the planners were printed.

Meeting adjourned at 2:30.
Next IC meeting February 24.

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