Community Council

Watershed Community Council
Sept. 13, 2006

Present: David Woolley (co-chair), Endel Kallas (co-chair and interim scribe),Leslie Wilson, Leslie Kallas (10^th Grade Class Rep), Scott Cole (Administrator), John Peterson, Paula Nordhem(11^th Grade Class Rep), Deb Pelinski(faculty), Chris McLinn, Cathy Solatycki , Michelle VanRyn, Ivor Matz, Diane Siegel

1. Welcome, Introductions, Verse
   

The presence of several new attendees was acknowledged.. Representation included 9^th ,10^th , and 11^th, grade parents, faculty, administration, and board members, class reps, and several school committees, underscoring the rich mix of resources and information communicated in the typical CC meeting…. .

Citing the information appended to the back page of the agenda (CC Agenda Sept 13,2006), Endel Kallas noted that upon consideration of last year’s minutes and review of the May ‘06 CC Survey to the parent community, improving communications will be central to this year’s CC work plan. Community Council is significant in its role as a face-to-face, interactive forum for addressing community issues and concerns. Face-to-face communications will be supported by a number of person-to-person and electronic initiatives.

The school mission statement served as the verse for group reading.

2. Agenda Review & Additions
Silent Auction and Student Council were added to the agenda under committee reports…

There was a complaint and brief discussion on the use of Wrecker’s Services to provide towing services at the school lot. Scott explained that arrangements were made by CLWS and we did not have a direct say in the selection of services at this time. The matter was not added to agenda elsewhere.

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3. Admin Update – Scott Cole
In the most recent round of budget cutting, the outside cleaning service for school facilities was eliminated saving money but putting an increased burden on faculty and students to maintain the appearance of the school.
Measures to address maintenance are still in progress. The community can expect requests for supplies. This will be communicated via Snippets and parents are urged to keep an eye on the “Scott’s List” entries for needed donations. The possibility of organizing a parent/student clean-up effort was discussed and should be investigated by CC as the year and maintance plans progress.

Given a relocation deadline of June 30^th, 2007, we are in the midst of a site search for new facilities. We have an opportunity to secure significant additional funding for facilities renovation from a state program directed at qualifying charter schools. We will be submitting the grant application by October 20^th. One condition of that submission is having a solid lease agreement in place. We are currently considering three prospective sites roughly in the proximity of the current location. A major criteria for developing alternatives was ease transportation (location on major bus route, freeway accessibility from both St.Paul and Minneapolis). Strong neighborhood assets and opportunities to enhance the visibility of the school were also considerations. We are being discreet about revealing specific locations given the competitive nature of the site search process and other charter schools being in the market. .
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27:20
4. Faculty Update – Debra Pelinski
Generally, there has been a very positive feeling among the faculty and students about the first week of school and the coming school year. The opening of this year has been one of the best ever according to several “veteran” teachers. The current 9^th grade has been quite remarkable in its commitment to the school and the academics. There are still places available for 9^th grade enrollment and we should all make an effort, by word-of –mouth, to communicate this opportunity.
There seems to be more student compliance with attendance, getting to class on time, and the creation of a positive classroom environment. It is early yet but the faculty as a whole has a very positive outlook regarding this coming school year with a renewed commitment to providing rigorous and engaging classroom instruction to all of our students.

Part of this years work week in-service) was focused specifically on teaching techniques and topics like the meaning of a rigorous environment and engaging students and providing “hands=on” opportunities. The on-going improvement of instructional methods and student achievement will be a continuous effort throughout this school year.

We now have chimes ( wireless doorbells) to signal key times in the school day and calls to order;. Their use has been a great success and selected signals include ”The Star-Spangled Banner”, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and several more doorbell hits.

Spanish teacher, Ana Barrios, submitted her resignation. She accepted a full time position with the St. Paul District schools as an elementary Spanish teacher in a Montessori school. We are looking for a licensed Spanish teacher to begin September 20;

New Student orientation (which had already been planned) was successful and included the mentoring of new students by returning seniors. This practice will be continued throughout the year as part of an ongoing mentoring program.

A Hot Lunch program is ready for implementation once an accounting system is determined;

Morning main lesson has been changed to a 1.5 hour main lesson followed by a main lesson focus session.

There is consideration of the use of alternative methods for delivering Calculus and possibly Spanish curriculum in the absence of teaching resources on staff.

Significant efforts have been made to develop and communicate class descriptions and syllabi via the school web site and SIPS.. Parental involvement and support is needed to maintain the excellent start in parent/teacher communications. .Efforts are also being made to greet students in the morning and in the classroom.

(The faculty was acknowledged for their efforts with applause).

42:43
7. Board Update – Leslie Wilson
The board is currently focused on providing structure and accountability by exercising regular communications with key committees, faculty co-chairs to ensure that key initiatives are on track (e.g. budget, disciplinary control, community involvement).. Community memb3ers are welcome to attend board meetings. There are openings for board membership as well. Geneerally, board meetings are scheduled from 6-8 OM, the third Thursday of each month..

8. Committee Updates 46
A list of committees is being compiled for communication and solicitation of community participation.

Silent Auction – Leslie Kallas
The 10^th grade is responsible for producing this years silent auction. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 11^th from 5-9PM at St. Clemens Episcopal Church in St. Paul… The building was designed by Cass Gilbert and is on the national register of historic places. Tours of the church are planned in connection with the auction. Ample parking will be available a the William Mitchell College of Law. A lower ticket price than in previous years will entitle attendees to admission, a non-alcoholic beverage, and dessert. Beer, wine, and extra dessert will be available for purchase. Other entertainment being considered includes a jazz ensemble, astrology reading, a fire dancer etc. 10^th grade students will be serving food as well as assisting in a variety of roles.

The success of this year’s auction will be determined by everyone pitching in and helping to obtain donations and drawing in a large and diverse group of bidders from throughout the greater twin cities community.. Detailed instructions will be forthcoming shortly in Snippets.

Student Governance – Michelle VanRyn 54
The governance group is in the process of being formed. Bob Anderson has agreed to serve as the faculty representative/advisor to the group. A planning team has been meeting and Nomination/Application forms for membership are being distributed with an initial convening targeted for mid-October. There is already a substantial list of possible undertakings to be considered and prioritized. Students will be encouraged to participate in CC as appropriate and was identified as a key initiative on the work plan.

The communication channels between the CC and community at large with the governance group were discussed. The anticipated donation of a vending machine was offered as a matter for the council to consider. An interest in their playing a role in defining the use of student information system was offered. The student and governance groups potential role in increasing communication with parents who are less than fully engaged in their students school and academic pursuits.

9. 2006-07 CC Work Plan and Calendar –
Intro - Endel Kallas 59
The current workplan as prioritized by the May 2006 survey was divided into three main categories:
“Improve Communications”, “Facilitate Volunteer Opportunities”, and “Support Events” (See Agenda for framework and initial initiatives). They form the framework for identifying the specific initiatives to be addressed and tracked by the CC and placed on the group calendar. The objective in this meeting was to present significant developments in the communications infrastructure which in themselves set the stage for the development of iinformational content and the identification of further workplan initiatives for this year,

Web Site/Web Host – David Woolly.
The current web site design has made it difficult to add/ edit the structure/topical areas for informational content. While accommodating the existing school web site, the new infrastructure/design will be based on blogs and allow for significant and facile creation of new topical structures/areas to share information. This will also significantly increase the ability of community members to directly contribute content without going through a webmaster. Different people will have the ability/responsibility to maintain a number of different blogs created for discreet purposes (e.g. Snippets, Silent Auction, Community Council, School Committees etc).

Notes from general discussion:
Serving as a general communications tool, this will facilitate the development of a truly new/revolutionary communications environment for Watershed. and will supplement other tools ( phone-trees, CC other in-person community forums) . It could become a means for sharing information among parents, students etc., “behaving” on communal topics like the school vision etc. It was suggested (Ivor) that WHS will become a model and alternative for other pedagogies that have run out of steam. As a web-based tool it will extend the reach of forums like CC to a broader audience including those who cannot attend in-person. As a web presence, it will draw in and communicate to potential new enrollees and serve as a public relations vehicle to the greater community. Students can be at the center of this initiative. A student council area, an on-line art image gallery, student portfolios, streaming videos of performing arts events and numerous other possibilities were brought up.
Engaging students in the creation and development of these tools should also be encouraged and explored.
Our workplan will be significantly influenced by the impending development new communications initiatives.

SIPS and Other Communications Items – Endel Kallas
1:13:20

In addition to parent/teacher conferences, SIPS is a primary tool for communicating student academic information. But, in addition to communicating course descriptions, syllabi, and assignments we are also striving to make it a valuable information source for other school information as well. We are working on making it the place to go for the most up-to-date and comprehensive school calendar as well as committee minutes and other resources.. In response to faculty and staff who have committed to maintaining information on SIPS, parents and students must commit to accessing and using this information to confirm and improve the value of this tool. Steps are being taken to address students about using SIPS to improve their course management. Next steps for parents include the reassignment of passwords for parents who have not been signing on regularly and may have forgotten their access information. Opportunities for individual assistance and/or small group training will be offered shortly. The academic progress of our students is a critical community concern and an area that offers significant opportunities for improved parental engagement.

Class reps and class sponsors are central to establishing critical person-to person links and the nucleus for direct
communications throughout the community. Developing class social events and reestablishing phone trees throughout all classes area key item for the CC work plan. Senior class and freshmen class representatives as well as another 11^th grade class rep are needed quickly so that a class rep/class sponsor meeting can be scheduled.

9. Closing
Scott suggested that other items on the agenda for work plan consideration (e.g. Snippets) would be further developed in other forums and committees.

Action Items ( Initial Workplan Items)

1. Recruit potential enrollees to fill 9^th grade class (15 more) - Everyone
   
2. Provide student guidance on SIPS training – Endel to pursue with Connie Gretsch
   
3. Set-up parent one-on-one and small group SIPS training – Endel
   
4. Recruit 9^th, 11^th, and 12^th grade class reps- All
   
5. Progress the new web site structure and establish initial blogs – David, endel , others
   
6. Progress communication of the School Directory, “Help Wanted“ listings and other volunteer communication – the Communications committee
   

Respectfully submitted, Endel Kallas, Interim Community Council Scribe