Forum Meeting Minutes

November 15, 2007

Chairperson Roger Wells opened the meeting

Niki raised a question of how we could better use some of our resources to increase school safety. A constituent had suggested to Niki that student ID’s could be used more effectively. Is there any reason kids can’t carry them and use them to get into dances, games etc.? We found out not all kids have ID’s but it is an avenue worth looking into.

Other ideas discussed:

• Ability to use ID pictures in MMS so chaperone’s could look up pictures of students not able to attend events.

Reminder to parents of elementary students – please don’t drop elementary students off at games/events unattended.

Revisit Dance Protocol made in Forum last year. This protocol is attached.

o Reminder to students to get permission slips signed for guests from other schools – they are REQUIRED.

o Have Principal announce a reminder the beginning of the week before a dance to get slips signed.

o Hand out dance protocol to guide rooms

o Invite parent chaperones

 

Jim wanted feedback on the Superintendent’s Day:

• Time in afternoon was very productive

• School Safety and Sexual Harassment speakers good and helpful. Thought that possibly students should also hear sexual harassment info.

• Still looking for new chairperson for Middle States next year

Scheduling –

o It was felt by some the entrance exam idea to certain classes was a good idea

o The No Drop concept was also liked

o Blocks – ideas were given from some in the English/Social Departments- their block time (although not interested in giving up the blocks) could be more flexible.

o AP Courses – possible to have night classes?

o Could the auditorium/cafeteria be used for study halls?

o Senior Portfolio-

Could we incorporate a consistent way to cite information so when students leave here they are using one style effectively and well?

Including a Financial Awareness portion to the portfolio was discussed. Freshman entering college are inundated with credit card applications and often don’t understand the long term effects of credit card debt. The business department has offered to work with Carmen Ross to incorporate this into the portfolio.

Spirit Week – it was felt by many constituents that spirit week no longer is spirit related, it has become disruptive to the educational process.

o Is all week necessary?

o Can we go back to themes that build pride and school spirit?

o Ideas for spirit week should be approved by the principal.

Other –

* There was more discussion about having a full time social worker here at the high school. A committee was formed to gather data and write report to present to the principal.

Linda Kissane volunteered to chair this committee. Bonnie Schmidt, Roger Wells, Patricia Dow and Jim Polunci have also volunteered to help. Anyone interested in being part of this committee please contact Linda ASAP (There was hope of having this data gathered and report written to present for next year’s budget).

kissanel@lkgeorge.org

* There was also discussion about how to get kids into more positive activities. Patricia Dow spoke about Communities that care and all the activities they plan for kids (Chilly Willy day etc.). Niki McGrath is interested in working with Communities that Care and some students to plan some activities for kids during those hours of 8pm -1am, when kids are most likely to find trouble. An idea that was discussed was a "KIDS NIGHT" in our gym during those hours with ping pong and other things available for kids to do. Any ideas or people interested please see Niki McGrath. Patricia also wanted people to know on the last Monday of each month from 7-8pm she has a Communities that Care meeting, if interested in attending or would like her to email you a copy of the notes please contact her at:

patricia@lakegeorgesteamboat.com

Next meeting is Tuesday December 11th and the agenda is to discuss last two pages of goals.

All members in constituent meetings are asked to discuss:

- School Safety

-Superintendent’sDay

- Dance protocol

- Committee for Social worker – anyone interested?

- Kid’s Night Ideas – people willing to get involved?

- Middle States Chairperson – ANYONE? ANYONE?

An Important Reminder for Parents and Students!  

In an effort to keep our school dance experience positive and safe for our students we are asking parents to review and support our dance procedures and make sure your child is following these guidelines as well:

· Students who arrive later than 30 minutes after the start of a dance will not be admitted unless a parent signs them in or talks to a chaperone by phone indicating they know the child is late to the dance. Dances start at 7:00 p.m. and end at 10:00 p.m.

· Junior high students (7^th, 8^th and 9^th graders) who want to leave the dance early (before 10:00 p.m.) will first need to have parent permission given to a chaperone in person or by phone.

· High school students will have to sign out and record the time they left. 

· Students who leave the dance may not re-enter the dance.

· No drinks or drink containers will be allowed into the dance.

· Students who bring a backpack will have to leave it in the lobby under the trophy case. There will be no backpacks or clothing allowed in the bathrooms. A coat rack will be available in the lobby. Students should expect that all bags and backpacks may be searched by a chaperone.

· No students or guests below the 7^th grade level will be allowed at dances.

· Any student wishing to bring a guest must have a guest permission slip completed in advance to the dance. An administrator from the guest’s school must sign the slip and guardian contact information must be completed as well. These forms are available in the main office. An unannounced guest of a Lake George student who arrives at the dance will not be admitted. Please do not put your guest or the chaperone in this uncomfortable position. Make sure to plan ahead!

Any student under the suspicion of using drugs or alcohol will be evaluated by a chaperone or administrator and if the student is found to be in violation, his or her parent will be contacted and the student will be held until a parent or guardian picks up the student. The student will also be subject to the full consequences listed in the student handbook including suspension and removal from all after school activities for at least 20 weeks from the date of the violation.