Stranahan HS SAC Minutes

1/13/2015

Ms. Owens

Dr. Varsamis

Craig Levy

Mr. Steinlauf

Ms. Bass

Ms. Cardenas

Ms. Mike-Clark

Ms. Dubose

Ms. Parker

Ms. Wilcox

Called to order at 5:36.

1) Call to Order/Sign In sheets/December Minutes Dr. Varsamis, SAC Chair

a. Review of notes by everyone present, motion to approve by Craig, Steinlauf 2nd.

2) SIP Review and Principal Updates: Ms. Owens, Principal

a. School grade: C /1027 points

i. Our school grade dropped from B to a C. Many of the high schools dropped a grade because the points were raised for points needed to be a B (1040 for B this year; last year it was 1020).

b. Score comparison on what we went up in and what we went down.

i. Reviewed handout with our broken down scores in each subject and test.

1. Some math gains, some reading losses

2. AP is now weighted differently. We used to get points for students just taking the classes, but now they’re only giving points for passing the test.

a. Before we had the philosophy of just exposing kids to AP classes as a benefit to them; now it would hurt us to put level 2s in AP classes.

3. US History didn’t count for graduation, just for our score, so no one took it seriously. Ms. Owens gave an incentive to give $100 voucher to the senior package to seniors in good standing if they passed the US History test. Obligations were paid first if they existed. The mooney cane out of general account and was moved to the senior account.

a. Ms. Owens is thinking of doing the same for the Algebra II test and with the new ELA test for the 11th graders (where it doesn’t count). Hopefully they motivate them to do well. 4. Our graduation rate went up.

a. For kids who are near graduation but won’t make it in time, they’re given a chance to go to Whiddon Rogers to make up credits and then come back and receive a Stranahan Diploma if everything is done on time.

5. Post-secondary readiness (SAT and ACT) has gone up for reading, but down on the math.

ii. FCAT- We’re still teaching it to 11th and 12th graders that need to pass it still for graduation. This will go on for one more year until the FCAT is completely phased out.

iii. They can also take the ACT and pass it as an alternative.

iv. If they don’t pass either, they get a Certificate of Completion and will come back and exchange it for a Diploma once they pass it post high school.

v. ELA-We purchased a program (Write Source) for about $3000 to help practice for the writing test. The test is 90 minutes long on the computer, which is a problem because a lot of our students can’t type.

1. We’re getting them on computers this week and giving them a practice test to get them used to the testing circumstances. We’re practicing with 9th, 10th, and 11th graders.

2. There are websites that help with typing that were given out by the English teachers. Ms. Brim also will list resources on the website.

3. Sometime in the summer, they’ll look at how the students did and assign points. We’ll get a school grade in the autumn.

4. When the scores are released in spring of 2016, we’ll know what to aim for.

5. We have new books in English classes that align with all these new standards and tests.

vi. US History will count as 30% of the students’ grade effective this year.

c. In the transition year from FCAT to FSA, there will be a school grade, unlike the word that’s going around. The language says “no consequences”, but what that means is that we continue to get extra support for schools who qualify. When we go up a school grade, the state gives you incentive money for going up. That’s still in place, so getting a good school grade is still very important. That’s why we still have incentives for tests that mean “nothing” to the students (not a graduation requirement).

d. FSA is in early March, so we’re focusing on that right now, especially with the writing part.

i. Score from writing is merged with ELA to make one score.

3) Professional Study Day Waiver Overview

a. Every year SAC is presented with this information and brought for a vote. Dr. Varsamis read the memo as to why we would need PSDs.

i. In the past we’ve had 8 PSDs per year that have worked very well. It gives us time for collaboration within our departments.

b. Ms. Owens: This was a 5 year waiver, and the 5 years is up, so we’re voting whether to have another one. Given the magnitude of all the changes that are coming up, we need collaboration so that we’re all on the same page. We need inter-departmental collaboration too (English with reading for example) because we have the same goal for these tests. We’re liable with sign-ins and minutes to the school board that are entered it into a database. c. Ms. Parker said that she had no clue what it was the 1st year that her son was here, so she thinks that we should have this information out to parents on the website or a phone call so that parents can be in support of this. The information needs to be shared, especially for the 9th grade parents.

d. Motion to move forward to approve, Ms. Parker motioned and Ms. Dubose 2nd. Zero opposed, all agreed.

4) Important Dates to Remember:

a. *Upcoming SAC Meetings: February 10th, March 10th, April-No Meeting (TESTING), and May 12th

b. * Family/Department Nights: January –Financial Aid Night, February - History Fair and ESOL Family Night March – Math and Engineering Magnet Family Night, May – Ninth Grade CREST Family Night

c. *Test Dates

i. Florida Standards Assessment (FSA)

(1) English Language Arts – Writing Component: March 2 – April 10, 2015 (gr. 9-11)

(2) English Language Arts: April 13 – May 8, 2015 (gr. 9-11)

(3) EOC: Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2: April 20 – May 15, 2015

ii. Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) Assessments

(1) FCAT: Reading Retake Oct. 6 to 17, 2014 (gr. 11-12) – Completed

(2) FCAT: Retake Reading Mar. 30 – April 19, 2015 (gr. 11-12)

(3) EOC: Algebra 1 Retake, Biology 1, Geometry Retake, U.S. History Sept. 15 -16, 2014 - Completed

(4) EOC: Algebra 1 Retake, Biology 1, Geometry Retake, U.S. History December 1 – 19, 2014 – Completed

(5) EOC: Algebra 1 Retake: March 30– April 10, 2015

(6) EOC: Biology 1, U.S. History: April 20 – May 22, 2015

(7) EOC: Algebra 1 Retake, Biology 1, U.S. History: July 13 – July 24, 2015

iii. Additional

(1) PSAT Administration October 15, 2014 Completed

(2) ELA Write Practice Test – January 12 and 13 (Grades 9 and 10)

(3) BAFS 2 – February 2 – 3 (ELA gr. 9-11)

(4) National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP)/ Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS) 2015 – February 25, 2015 (Grade 12 only)

(5) Advanced Placement – Spring, 2015

5) Questions, Comments, or Concerns/Closing – a. General Family and Community Body Meeting in the Media Center – Ms. Owens will be speaking on the PSD Waiver (above)

b. Broward County Public School Parent Survey - Computer Stations available in the Media Center (Dr. Varsamis addressed)

c. FAFSA Workshop – Media Center

d. SAC – reconvene for PSD New Waiver Vote at 6:30 pm

e. Parent questions:

i. Dual enrollment: When is it starting to sign up?

1. Guidance counselors are going around now to sign up. Ms. Owens is changing the criteria that kids need to have at least 30 service hours before they can sign up for dual enrollment so that they’re not scrambling last minute for their diploma. Dual enrollment students tend to forget other high school requirements while they’re off in college doing their classes. We have a lot of opportunities for service hours, but the students forget or put it off

ii. Are there any in-house dual enrollment classes?

1. Yes, we do. BC limits us to student taking no more than 9 credits off their campus, so we can only offer 9. We offer Anatomy and Physiology (8 credits), math, and engineering. The 3 teachers are Stranahan teachers that are also adjuncts at BC or FAU.

iii. If students take online class for dual enrollment, does that fulfill their high school requirement?

1. Some do. We have a catalogue and the guidance counselor has to sign off on it.

iv. Which students qualify for internship at hospital?

1. Usually medical magnet, but don’t have to be. Students apply and teacher selects 40 of them. Application process starts around April. Students should see Ms. Brown. They look at GPA, discipline, some pre-requisite courses. Ms. Hanrahan would be able to give all qualifications.

v. A group of parents met with Dr. Dorantes and are interested to start a band booster club. Dr. D gave the ok, and parents started to draft by-laws. Parents are interested in financial affairs to see what they’re working with.

1. Dr. D. is in charge of activities, so she’s the one to ask for that information.

vi. Parents are having to come out of pocket to buy snacks, etc. They’re a lot of expenses that parents are having to pay for (field trips, etc). Are there donations or internal funds? We want to participate and support, not be the only source of money.

1. Look at band dues. What’s in the account is dwindling because there’s no money going into it. Band dues cover dry-cleaning, shoes, hat, a t-shirt, sweat suit. Ms. Owens also suggested McTeacher night at McDonald’s.

vii. When band/auxillary participates in parades, they’re paid. Where does the money go?

1. The funds go into the band’s internal fund. District gives $15K per year to transport athletes, but don’t consider the band. So Ms. Owens takes money out of other parts of the budget to transport the band too.

Motion to adjourn at 6:51. 2nd, all agreed.