Forum Meeting Minutes

March 11th, 2008

Members Present: Roger Wells, Fran Cocozza, Jenn Johnston, Pam Barker, Linda Kissane, Carol Heller, Niki McGrath, Bonnie Schmidt, Patricia Dow, Greg Kloepfer, Susan Liucci, Monika LaPlante, Susan Melan

Absent: Marybeth Tenne

Chairperson Roger Wells opened the meeting

• It is possible to have noontime busses next year during midterm week. These busses will to bring kids HOME, not pick up.
• He spoke with Micky Louce and reminded him to be checking probation cards.
• He is interested in changing our current policy of kids staying with their cohort group throughout high school – if a kid fails a grade currently they stay with their guideroom etc. This becomes "sticky" senior year when kids are with other seniors but still have a year of high school left. He would like to look at a credit based promotion program. He would like to create thresholds, so in order to be in 10^th grade kids need 5 credits (for example), then to become an 11^th grader a student would need 10 credits etc. Kids would not be allowed to move with their guiderooms. This would also affect things like prom, etc.
• Drug and Alcohol Prevention Committee – have met (March 3^rd). Next meeting is 3/24 where they will begin to identify current substance abuse trends using Jen Wood’s drug survey. They will compare this year’s data to 2006. Some committee members are looking at the current policy and comparing it to some local schools. They will meet again on 4/9 to discuss the discipline policy associated with drug use. The goal is to have a policy effective next year.
• PTSO – Working on creating an active parent group here in the high school.
• Talked with Mayor Blaise and it is NOT possible to put a light in on the corner of Canada and Mt. Rd but there will be a crosswalk painted for next year.
• DANCES – would like to see:
  • More parent involvement
  • Possibly move to Friday nights (with the exception of homecoming)
  • Look at the length of dances. Could we do only 2 hours or change the hours from 6-9?
  • Include different activities into dances – 1^st hour more of a social setting, low music, food etc, and then dance.
  • Could classes combine and split profits. Ex. 9^th & 10^th grade sponsor the dance together.
  • Or could each class be given one night a year to do "whatever" they want as a fundraiser. Dance, open gym, movie night, carnival etc.

• School Safety
  • There will be a crosswalk next year on Canada St and Mt. Rd.
  • Still looking at drop off area

• Spirit Week
  • The committee met, many teachers emailed ideas but attendance was low at meeting. Next meeting is scheduled and ideas on spirit week will be presented at next forum meeting

• Other

• PTSO – Really trying to find an "entry point" for parents. Discussed how that would be structured and organized. 7^th grade parents are not going to be interested in planning prom etc. They are planning on meeting before April Break.
• March 29^th the gym has been scheduled for a " FREE OPEN GYM" night. This will be sponsored by Communities that Care.
  • The next meeting to plan this event will be held on Wednesday March 26^th at 2:35 in Room 9 (Niki McGrath’s room). All interested please attend.
  • It looks to be an exciting night! Great things are planned!
• Extending Library hours
  • Is it necessary? Is it being used now during midterm week?
  • From 3-5 would kids use the library before team practices. Student council was going to discuss.
• Portfolios
  • Guideroom VS Senior Year.
  • Some constituents voiced concern with making this mandatory in guideroom.
  • Carmen is researching "E-Portfolio’s".
  • Interested in English Departments thoughts/ideas.
• Announcements
  • Do we need guidelines for our announcements?
  • Length is too long
  • Kids aren’t listening
  • Looking for ideas for alternative ways to get announcements to students. One idea was using the closed circuit TV in Cafeteria where important dates, etc are rolling.
• Post Star Teen Excellence
  • Concern was brought up that there were no Lake George Students in the Post Star’s Teen Excellence section. Sue Mellon contacted the Post Star and this is what she was told:

Next meeting is Tuesday April 8^th.