Ridgeline High School

Ridgeline High School

School Community Council Minutes

Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at 7:00 a.m.

Ridgeline Conference Room

Members Present: Robert Henke (principal), Michelle Israelsen (parent), Emma Smith (teacher), Kay Sweeten (parent), Brittany Foster (Assist . principal, non-voting member), Maria Hunsaker (parent), Jim Crosbie (Assist. Principal, non-voting member), Sandra Hugie (parent), Wendy Finley (parent), Craig Bracken (counselor), Joshua Nelson (parent), Jerry Skidmore (teacher).

Members Absent: Bonnie Odd (teacher), Jeff Neilson (parent), Kerri Williams (parent)

Visitors: Diane Theurer, Marcie Lyons

Conducting:  Sandra Hugie

Agenda Item #1:  Approve minutes from Nov. 14, 2017 meeting

Discussion: Wendy Finley made a motion to approve the minutes. Michelle Israelson seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous to approve the minutes.

Agenda Item #2:  Report on the “Grading for Learning” conference recently attended by Emma Smith and Brittany Foster.

Discussion:  Brittany stated it was more of a workshop than a conference.  Her main take away was that we need to accurately record what student learning has occurred and formulate an accurate assessment practice.  This involves two things:

1. Accurate grading practice
2. Build confidence in students – what their grade is reflects what they have learned.

Teachers should be moving away from busy work and towards assessments for learning.  Also, homework that is sent home should be for practice and not just for extra points.  Teachers should focus on using homework for extra skill practice.

Emma Smith thought it was one of the most informative conferences she has attended.  There was a lot of information.  Tom Shimmer, the author of “Grading From the Inside Out” was the keynote speaker.  He stated that teachers have invested many years in traditional grading, and asked if he were one of those teachers, what would convince him to move towards grading for learning.  One thing that compelled Emma was not focusing on points, but focusing on learning.  She is asking herself, are students learning?  Improving learning should be done through sound assessments.  Emma said she was always focused more on what the class as a whole is learning instead of what each individual student is learning.  She has been implementing the grading for learning in the first trimester and she has noticed her students are aware that she is trying to build their confidence.

Brittany said there were a lot of “aha” moments at the conference.  Michelle Israelson asked if it changed their opinion of the whole school moving toward grading for learning.  They said, no.  Bob Henke said he isn’t going to mandate the change in grading because it won’t be done accurately.  He said they had a meeting with teachers discussing the changes and he felt it was a good meeting.  Brittany said we also need to get parents on board with the new program as well.  There will be a lot of transition for both parents and students.  Emma agrees with Bob that mandating the new program would be unsuccessful.  She feels the administration has been very supportive in this.  Kay Sweeten asked about how the assessments will be created.  Emma said the department will write them.  Sandra asked how the assessments are built.  Emma explained it takes a team of multiple eyes to build the assessment.  It’s not just about what the teacher said in class and testing on that information.  Bob said when he first started teaching there were no benchmarks, but now we have these standards.  A good assessment will reflect the understanding of those standards.  Jerry Skidmore said it takes time and he is moving slowly towards the new program.  He was taught to build assessments based on the standards, but then the teachers will teach what they will and the students do poorly on the tests.  But now they are trying to write the assessment and then teach to the assessments, kind of going backwards.  Bob said we need to compensate our teachers with the Trust Lands funds when instigating this new program.  Sandie asked if all the teachers have read the book.  Bob said not all of them, but again he doesn’t want to force teachers to read it, but more teachers are requesting to get a copy of the book.  Sandie also asked about other schools instigating the program.  Bob named a few schools that are doing the program.  The school district has signed Tom Shimmer up to come talk to the district.

Agenda Item #3:  Counselor’s Update

Discussion:  Craig Bracken reported the first Tuesday of every month they have “College Days.”  They encourage teachers to wear college shirts and they encourage teachers to implement something related to college that may get students thinking about college.  Every month they have different colleges come in and do a presentation for the students.  Last week Utah State came in, Big Blue came, and had a presentation in the auditorium. All students can participate, not just seniors.  It was a lot of general information about what to do to prepare for college and how to apply for college.  In the past they have had different branches of the military come in and do presentations as well.  Snow College has already come to the school.  They have UVU coming and the University of Utah will be coming.  They also will be having a Career Day with people from the community coming in to talk to the students. Another thing they are trying to do is get students who don’t have parental support to recognize they can attend college.  They don’t have a list of students who might be first generation college students because they can’t ask that information.  Parents have to volunteer that information.  They do know a lot of Hispanic students may not have parents that have gone to college.  The counseling office does meet with those students once a month to give them more information about college, i.e. applying for FAFSA, scholarships, college.  They are taking a group up to Diversity Days at USU to have them meet student ambassadors and try to reach as many students as possible.

Sandie asked about the college application week.  Craig reported they had half of the seniors apply during that week.  Some colleges would waive the application fee for students.  If parents let the counseling office know they are low income or first generation they can help them pay for ACT and college application fees.  However, the counselors can’t ask them directly.

Kay Sweeten asked about additional money for first generation students to attend college.  The PCCR form asks students or parents if they are interested in the following: low-income, first generation, etc. 

Maria Hunsaker asked about translators for those parent meetings.  Craig reported they have several teachers who speak Spanish and can translate.  They don’t have the students translate for their parents. 

The question was asked about what is Career Days.  Craig said they will have several booths with people in the community at each booth representing different professions.  The booths will give information about how the students can be successful in different career paths.  Some students view certain trades negatively, but the counseling center wants to show them in a positive light.  Many of them are business owners.  Josh asked about if we are showing students the 2-4 year outlook for those types of jobs.  Craig reported on a Pathways conference they went to last week.  DWS gave a lot of information about the outlook for different types of jobs.

Kay Sweeten asked how often post-high school training is presented to students.  Mr. Skidmore reported students may not have the information, but they may learn about them after high school when they are in a job that they don’t like.  Craig reported taking several students to Autoliv in Tremonton to show their robotics system and how they hire Bridgerland students.  Companies want to see what student’s skills are and not just that they have a degree.  There was more discussion about other opportunities for students post-high school.  Kay Sweeten mentioned Brigham City USU campus.  Craig mentioned USU Eastern campus.

Maria asked how we as parents and teachers can help the counseling center promote education for post-high school.  Craig said they post things on the counseling office’s Facebook page and we can encourage parents to “like” that site.  Sandie mentioned involving parents to come to Career Days as well.

Agenda Item #4:  Trust land budget update

Discussion:  Bob Henke stated we have 68% of our budget left with a little over 1/3 of the school year left.  Bob thinks we are staying on track for spending. 

Agenda Item #5:  Other

Discussion:  Sandie complimented the school coaches on recognizing all the students who participated in sports at the OSPY Awards.

Brittany did schedule a Netsmart assembly the night of Parent Teacher Conferences, Jan. 22^nd at 6 pm.  Regents scholarship will be there as well and do a presentation on the new guidelines for the Regents scholarship. Brittany hasn’t heard back from the people who have the documentary “Screenagers.” 

Sandie brought up safety in the pickup zones.  She noticed on the north side of the building there were cars double parked and kids were walking in front of cars.  She asked how often the police force is out in the parking lot.  Jim Crosbie said the police are there quite often, but they are hiding.

Kay Sweeten made a motion to adjourn and Maria Hunsaker seconded it.  The meeting was adjourned.

Next meeting: Tuesday, January 9, 2017 at 7:00 a.m.

Minutes prepared by: Wendy Finley

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