Minutes of the LHS School Council Meeting
December 10, 2007, 7:00 PM
LEXINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
School Council Meeting Notes
High School Guidance Conference room

In attendance: (student), Michael Jones, David Colarusso, (student), Pat Bonnet, (student), Dick Brown, Marshall Dury, Jean Cole, Jeri Zeder, Adam Seitchik, Ellen Hilsinger, Diane Garman, Sharyn Walczewski

Minutes: from the LHS School Council November 26 meeting were accepted and approved.

Principal's Report
1. Professional Day Presentation by Richard DuFour: which was held on 11/28 at LHS had an overall positive response by the faculty at LHS. All the work that the staff is doing for the NEASC initiative is important for the district. The feedback received from the staff in the NEASC study groups that were formed that day highlighted the need for more support and training to be provided by the district and a need to allocate adequate time for the teachers to continue the valuable work.

2. NEASC Regional Workshop and LHS: this was held on 11/27 and included 8 or 9 schools like us that will be evaluated this year proved to be a valuable workshop. Various topics were discussed that included schedules, what to expect, etc. and this provided our district with another step toward the accreditation visit.

3. LHS Academic Expectations and Rubrics: All students at LHS received this booklet of the school’s academic expectations of excellence and they were asked to read the booklet and share the booklet with their parents and reference the booklet in their classes. These school-wide expectations will be used in the
classroom along with the current repertoire of assignments and course projects throughout the year.

4. William Ribas Workshop on Class Observation: Five sessions were held for Administrators which addressed issues on the personnel evaluation process. The workshops were well-received.

Discussion: "Students in the Middle "
A lengthy discussion ensued about the students in the middle that tend to be left out at LHS and what can be done to try to reach these students in the spectrum of academics, sports, clubs, activities, etc.
The following concerns were expressed:
· Students not being recognized for simple things
· Students needing support across the disciplines
· Request for data on school extracurricular activities enrollment
· Students needing more exposure to the Student Activities Fair more than once a year and upperclassmen feeling left out of the process
· Students not feeling good about their academics and a loss of motivation
· High level of competition here is stressful
· Often these students do not have advocates that will guide them

It was noted that LHS has 90 clubs and activities and many are staffed by teacher volunteers. It was also noted that students who perform on average here often perform at an above average level outside of Lexington. It is the hope of this administration that present and future Professional Learning Communities will meet the needs of all students including these students that fall in the middle. These PLC will identify students who need a lot of extra support and help these students during their vulnerable years. This will come at a financial cost as well as a massive rescheduling of the school day so that time is allotted for these endeavors.

Adjournment.

Respectfully submitted, Sharyn Walczewski

Next meeting: January 14, 2008