Watershed Community Council

Sep 7, 2005

Present: Bina Nikrin (co-chair), Andrea Bruner (co-chair), David Woolley (scribe), Kari Olson, Dan Brady, Diane & Jerry Conley, Endel Kallas, Sherry Haaf, Betty Edwards, Jamie Hepner (Dean of Students), Scott Cole (Administrator), John Miller (faculty co-chair), Tara Tieso, Linda Weber, Julie Knutson, Mellisa Bletsian, Paul Thompson, Jerry Conley, Terri Roberts, Viki Adducci, Barbara Clarity, Laurie Smith, Michelle VanRyn

1. Verse & introductions

2. Review Community Council

Bina reviewed the purpose of the Community Council, the council’s accomplishments during the 2004-05 school year, and things we hope to accomplish this year (listed in a separate document).

Parent volunteers are needed to represent the Community Council on faculty committees:

• School Culture (meets weekly, may include 2-3 CC members)
• Personnel (meets on ad hoc basis, will include Board members)
• Pedagogy (meets weekly, limited to faculty)
• Communications (may include 2-3 CC members)
• Events (meets weekly, may include 2-3 CC members)
• Development (meets weekly, would like 4-5 CC members)
• Special Ed

Mary Newby-Elder, Leslie Wilson, and David Woolley have already volunteered for the Communications Committee.  Barbara Clarity volunteered for Communications, as well.

Andrea Bruner and Bina Nikrin will serve as contacts for parents wishing to volunteer for committees.

3. Student Council

Scott Cole reports that this year the Student Council will have a faculty sponsor, and it is hoped that they will be more active than in the past. The Community Council hopes to raise some seed money for the Student Council at the school potluck by suggesting a $5 donation.

4. Silent Auction

The silent auction is an annual fundraising event held in the fall, and organized by the 10^th grade parents. Victoria Woolley is coordinating this year’s auction.  A location and date will be chosen soon.  Last year’s auction netted $5,500 (after the 10^th grade’s percentage was taken out).  The goal for this year is $8,000. It was suggested that the event be publicized more widely (flyers, newspapers, etc.) because in the past some people have had the perception that it was an invitation-only event.

5. Update from John Miller, faculty co-chair

The year is off to a good start.  The new lunch hour arrangement is working well. There has been some grumbling among students about loss of off-campus privileges, but not as much as expected. Enrollment is about 128 (approx 31 seniors, 36 juniors, 35 sophomores, 25 freshmen). The goal has been to keep the combined junior and senior classes and the combined freshman and sophomore classes to 64 students each. There is still a waiting list to get in, but new additions are expected to be a trickle, and will only be admitted at the beginning of a Main Lesson block.

The main goal of the faculty this year is to transform the school culture.  To support that, faculty business will be conducted mostly in committees and department groups, leaving the faculty-wide meetings open to spend more time on pedagogy, arts, and child study (giving attention to individual students who need support.)

Betty Staley will not be coming to do faculty training this year.

Restorative Justice is being introduced this year as a way to deal with conflicts and student behavior issues. Students are being trained in Restorative Justice this week in Main Lesson.

Special Ed will be handled differently this year. As much as possible, special needs will be handled within the classroom rather than pulling students out of the classroom, and attention will be paid to special needs of all students, not just those with officially identified needs.

SiPS will be the main avenue for faculty-parent communication.  The faculty is strongly committed to SiPS.

The faculty is considering switching from grades to “narrative evaluations” for the main lesson. It’s just an idea at this point;  stay tuned!

6. Update from Scott Cole, Administrator

A new security system has been installed at the school, with cameras on each floor and at the entrance.  The main entrance will be locked at 9:00 AM every day.  Students (and anyone else) who arrive after 9:00 will have to go to a separate door and be buzzed in by the receptionist.

Scott is spearheading a new Development Committee.  They plan to work on building relationships with foundations for funding of both ongoing general expenses and special projects.

7. Introduction of Jamie Hepner, Dean of Students

Jamie introduced himself, telling us about his background and his approach to his responsibilities as Dean of Students. He is committed to quickly communicating with parents about unexcused absences, etc. Parents whose students are staying home from school due to illness, doctor appointments, etc. should let Jamie know (in advance, if possible) by calling the school’s attendance line (extension 250) and leaving a message. Jamie can be contacted directly at extension 215 or by email at hepwhs@earthlink.net.

8. Upcoming events

Leslie Wilson is hosting a potluck for Community Council members at her home Friday Sept 9 starting at 4:00 pm.

On Wednesday Sept 14 there will be an all-school potluck  at 6:00, followed by an all-school meeting at 7:00, and parent meetings by class at 8:00.

Community Council meetings will be held the first Wednesday of every month. The next meeting will be Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 6:30.  Parents are encouraged to come a little early for socializing.

Respectfully submitted, David Woolley, Community Council Scribe