PRESENT: Cara Beames, Deb Beck, Carol Heller, Dave Eagle, Linda Kissane, Sue Mellon, Cathy Stanilka, MaryAnn Gipson, Nick Round, Patricia Dow, Nicole Tearno, Margaret Jones

Cara Beames called the meeting to order at 2:45.

Nicole Tearno reported that the new student council member is Kerry McEnaney, who will attend the next meeting. There is still one more student vacancy. Dave Eagle reported that Thomas Dittus will be the new parent member and will attend the next meeting.

The following constituent feedback was discussed:

§ A parent was concerned about being able to reach the link for "faculty and staff" on the district home page. Upon examining the home page, the section labeled "Faculty and Staff" is for in-house use only (for checking on attendance, etc.). If a person wants to e-mail any faculty or staff member, he/she should click on "Junior-Senior High School", then "Staff" and then click on staff name and an e-mail link will appear.

§ Open House feedback sheets were discussed and a summary of comments had been handed out previously at a faculty meeting. A copy of the comments is attached and will be given to parents and community rep. In addition to the comments, a suggestion was that Open House date be selected at the June date meeting so that advisors and class officers would have an earlier opportunity to plan a spaghetti (or some other type) dinner-fundraiser.

§ Another concern relative to Open House was that 8^th grade double period tech and computer classes were confusing. Dave reiterated that all double period classes should be treated as one period with the first half of the class being what the student would have on an "A" day and the second period being the "B" day class.

§ A concern about traffic on Canada Street in front of school was raised. Could something be done to slow traffic flow – perhaps flashing lights, speed zone or traffic monitor be arranged through the Village or highway department? Dave reported that at the last Board of Education meeting, the Village and State have approved the addition of flashing school zone traffic lights on Canada Street, which will be installed in the near future.

§ There is still concern about students leaving dances early. Dance sign-in/out sheets were discussed along with permission slips for visitors being filed prior to the dance. Many schools in the area are using the permission slip for large dances, such as homecomings or proms. After discussing ways to handle the difference between junior and senior high students, the following guide lines were set up:

o Create a form for guests, which must be filed in or faxed to the main office prior to the dance. The form would need the signature of student guest, parent of guest and sponsor (principal or teacher) from home school of guest.

o When junior high (7^th or 8^th graders) students leave early from a dance, parents or a designated adult will need to come into the dance and sign their student out indicating time of leaving.

o 7^th and 8^th graders who cannot reach a parent to leave early, must stay for the whole dance.

o 9^th,- 12^th graders who wish to leave early from a dance must sign out indicating time of departure. Parent does not need to come to pick the student up.

o Sign-outs at basketball/football games and plays were also discussed, but due to the large amount of people attending and the lack of people to stand at all exits, it was felt that the rule of "no re-entering after leaving an activity" should remain in force.

o Additionally, a cell phone might be needed for chaperones to use to call parents. A cell phone number list should be put in cash boxes.

o This information will be explained and discussed in our next newsletter.

§ A concern was voiced about the need of a cell phone for late bus monitors to use in case of emergency. Also, there still are students staying after for no apparent reason other than to spend time with their friends or to go to a later scheduled game. Students must be encouraged to go home at the 2:30 bell and come back for 5:00 p.m. (and/or later)games. Dave reported that end of day time is actually 2:30 not 3:15 and this will be added to the Student Handbook next year. We (as a school) are not responsible for students after school is out.

§ The question, "Can a person who does not want to go to constituent meetings be assigned a duty so that people who have duties at that time may attend constituent meetings?" was raised. Dave answered that he would rather speak privately with the staff members who refuse to go to constituent meetings. He added that constituent meetings may be held on any convenient date during the month to accommodate members.

§ A brief discussion was held about Channel 16, the Time Warner current event channel. Unfortunately Adelphia does not carry our events, but will post them if they are sent to them on video tape.

§ MaryAnn Gipson reported that Effective Schools is working on a word value theme this year. Each month a new word will be selected and concentrated on for students to show to other students. Some teachers have already included the theme in their class work and others are encouraged to somehow use the word in a class or in an assignment/project. November’s word is "Caring". Rak ‘em Up cards are also continuing this year.

§ Patricia Dow reported that Communities that Care is sponsoring a Battle of the Bands on Sunday, October 19^th from 1-5 p.m. at the Towers located near the Fort William Henry. They are trying to plan community events that include the whole family, such as a family movie, which is being planned in the near future.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 13^th at 2:35 in the Alumni Room.

36 Strongly Agree 32 Agree □ No Opinion □ Disagree □ Strongly Disagree

2. The information from teachers was helpful.

38 Strongly Agree 28 Agree 1 No Opinion □ Disagree □ Strongly Disagree

3. The facilities were well maintained.

39 Strongly Agree 28 Agree □ No Opinion □ Disagree 1 Strongly Disagree

4. There was a welcome atmosphere for parents.

49 Strongly Agree 18 Agree □ No Opinion □ Disagree □ Strongly Disagree

5. The schedule was clear.

33 Strongly Agree 30 Agree 1 No Opinion 3 Disagree □ Strongly Disagree

· Could have stayed longer with teachers but do understand time constraints.

· Discourage teachers for giving extra credit if the parent goes to open house. The children cannot force the parent to.

· Have room numbers on schedules.

· Can you just add about 3 minutes per class to give 10/period? Thanks

· I feel these are getting better each year – congrats to all!! PS Special note to M. Hughes – very impressive about the grades going on the internet (secured access by student I.D.) – Great work, impressive, high tech – lots of work!! Merci! Many thanks.

· It was wonderful except that both the teachers and parents were rushed in trying to get everything into 7 minutes and for people over the age of 30 to get from a downstairs class to an upstairs class in less than 3 minutes. My suggestion would be to have it on a Friday night or Sat/Sun afternoon when everyone isn’t so rushed! (Work, dinner, bedtimes)

· The signs for the room numbers were very helpful. A little more time in each class.

· Good job

· Start ½ hour later.

· Not everyone had handouts.

· On the internet – a map of the school

· I wish we had a bit more time to ask questions in each class but realize that would make the evening too long.

· We got here late and were not sure what to do. It would be helpful to have someone at the entrances to assist us. It was very good!

· Maybe a little longer for each period. The teachers have more info for parents than time allows.

· Include a map of school

· Increase contact time for each classroom.

· Post room numbers on door jam - open doors are difficult to see. Map of school may be useful.

· More time in each class.

· All teachers should make a point of being at the Open House – sports activities end prior to the open house.

· My student has said that a classroom without decorations is uninviting and boring!

· Great – just tough to juggle more than one schedule!

· The evening was very informative. Teachers gave a lot of information in a short time. All teachers open and accessible!

· Global room needs decoration! Math same as above! I really enjoyed open house and meeting my son’s teachers – very dynamic group. No wonder he enjoys school.

· Well done

· ¼ - ½ hour longer – wouldn’t be so rushed. Thoroughly enjoy though –

· Turn up air conditioning. Need 3 to 5 more minutes for each class. Mixer afterwards to talk to teachers and other parents.

· Finding guideroom numbers from the list was confusing. Classes were great!!

· Hard to follow several children’s schedule – not sure how to do it differently – but it was hard. Perhaps some way to get the info from the classes afterward?

· Thanks

· Shorter guide room.

· Great night! Thank you.

· Would rather have it on Friday night.

· Good job.

· Some teachers didn’t have enough time to finish talking.

· A couple more minutes per class because we’re lacking time to ask questions – or think of questions. Thanks

· More time in class and between.

· This format is just fine – would not want it any longer.

· This evening was very enjoyable and informative. The teachers and staff did a nice job.

· Environment – rooms were very hot – rooms w/ fans were most comfortable. Structure – not enough time to speak w/ teachers on specific issues – maybe break into two nights?

· Need to have more time so parents can speak with a teacher.

· To schedule it (the open house) so that a single parent or if only one parent is able to attend – that the parent will be able to see all classes (if they have more than one child)

· Many of the areas/classes we visited were in disrepair. Ceilings were open and the building materials exposed. We saw hallway door openings chopped out and unfinished in the basement. Suggestion – if a map/diagram of the building & classrooms could be sent home prior to the open house it would be easier to get from class to class in the few minutes allotted. We were not always able to get where we needed to be in time. Otherwise we enjoyed our visit and we are excited to be a part of L.G. JHS/SHS. Thank you for your commitment to our children!