• School Community Council Minutes

    September 21, 2021

    In Attendance: Mike Monson, Brady Fonnesbeck, Phil Morris, Blake Tubbs, Ruth Mudrow, Shannon Hougaard, Toni Gibbons, Stefani Thatcher, Cheryl Peck, Jessica Higginbotham, Brooke Granadino, Teri Rhodes, Kathy Christiansen, and guests Krista Kleven and counselor Tom Olsen

    We were welcomed by Toni Gibbons at 6:48 AM. She then reviewed the purpose of the School Community Council: (1) Review data, (2) Review needs of the students, and (3) Propose and monitor Trustland funds distribution.

    Principal Mike Monson notified us of a Community Council Training Meeting that will be on October 6th at 6 PM. He then reviewed the Trustland funding levels. Current year funding is $195,534 with a rollover of $85,358 from last year (much more than the typical 10% or less) for a total of $280,892 for the ’21-’22 school year.

    Principal Monson then discussed the ’21-’22 School LAND Trust Program plan. He reviewed the 3 goals: (1) Addressing chronic attendance problems, (2) Raising student scores in tested areas, and (3) Improving the transition of freshmen students into Sky View.

    (1) Attendance problems are addressed via the Student Assistance Team (SAT) which meets every Tuesday morning to discuss the needs of students with failing grades. At the end of each Tri, there are usually around 25 students, and we want to catch them early. The question was asked how special ed is involved in the process. The response was it is not because it is during class time, but special ed does utilize the IEP. If a student is identified for special ed help, he/she can be helped with employment through the special ed services available. Principal Monson stated that Sky View has about 200 more students than last year (1565 compared to 1370) and has approximately 480 freshmen students. He is working on getting Janae Sorensen (Social Worker) full-time at Sky View. We have been sharing her with North Cache .

    (2) ACT scores were really low (below the state average) last year for the first time in Principal Monson’s recollection. USU is not requiring the ACT this year. He would like to push the importance of doing one’s best. The students did fine on the ACT Aspire. Other measures used to evaluate progress are growth measures for math and reading. Mastery Connect software is used by instructors to evaluate how students did on each question of a specific test. It is hard for this resource to be utilized in certain subjects like Art and PE. The staff is also working on using common assessment methods.

    (3) RCK Academy (formerly Bobcat Academy) helps freshman feel part of the school and is now a required class for freshmen. Principal Monson gave an update on the new school year and facilities. He stated that the parking lot has been re-done and that we had a great Homecoming Week last week in which Kristi Johnson Smock was inducted into the Sky View Hall of Fame. She is a 1994 Sky View graduate and the head of the U of U Pathology Department. Jalen Moore was inducted into the Sky View Athletic Hall of Fame. Mr. Moore quit the NBA due to severe anxiety. He will be addressing the Sky View Students later this school year. Mr. Monson said the security system has been installed for all doors. The only thing we are waiting on is the fobs which are sitting at a port in California. We opted for the fob system to be consistent with the district and are hoping for delivery of the fobs in mid-November. All the LED lighting is finished, and blinds have been installed on the east side classrooms (original blinds were from 1964). Also, the 1964-style cafeteria will be updated to encourage students to want to stay on campus during lunchtime. In addition, the sound booth in the auditorium will upgraded to look very professional. Phil Morris reported on the new RCK Academy program. He said that feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Habitudes uses images that teach a lesson. It supports Sky View’s mission of “Relationships, Character & Knowledge for Life” by promoting the “Big 5”: (1) Self-Awareness, (2) SelfManagement, (3) Social Awareness, (4) Relationship Skills, and (5) Responsible Decision-Making. This program has allowed for the identification of freshmen much quicker. Each freshman student is identified by at least 1 adult and 2 student mentors.

    Krista Kleven who is one of the upper classman mentors reported on an experience she had using these principles as a football manager which she has been for 3 years. When she saw freshmen football members yelling at each other and being unkind, she was able use the RCK Academy principles to ask the freshmen football members what they had learned in RCK Academy and if they were being drivers or passengers. This reminder transformed the bickering group into one that fostered constructive criticism and praise. Toni Gibbons asked if the RCK principles will be shared with parents. Phil said they will be in the future via email. Teri Rhodes asked Krista if she participated in RCK Academy as a freshman. Krista said that she hadn’t since this is the first year. Teri then asked if after her experience this year, she would consider going into teaching. Krista stated that she probably would not but that she has learned a lot even as a senior being in the class. Mike Monson stated that there were quite a few freshmen that attended last Friday’s football game. Mr. Morris said there are 14 sections of RCK Academy with approximately 35 students in each class. There were 40 mentors chosen out of 70 applicants. Green Canyon started the program before Sky View did. Krista was commended for asking questions of the freshman football team, instead of just preaching to them.

    Due to time constraints, the Counseling Handout discussion was tabled until a future meeting.

    Counselor Tom Olsen spoke of the Suicide Support available to the district. The support rendered to the students, staff, and community due to the recent suicide of a Green Canyon student was discussed. If a similar event were to involve a Sky View student or staff member, the school would be notified, an early morning faculty meeting would be called in which the staff would be given a written statement to be read in every classroom to provide accurate information (approved by the student’s parents if it involves a student) and to dispel any rumors, and a crisis team consisting of different counselors throughout the district would be available at the school to provide any needed support (including tissues and snacks), especially in the classrooms of the missing student. They would search for students hiding in places like bathrooms who may be grieving and render service where needed. Parents may even be called to pick up students that are struggling with the situation. The crisis team would also provide support to teachers who may be struggling. Principal Monson wants to try and avoid any copycat situations and provide assistance to those who may blame themselves for one reason or another. Although grieving is very individual, it is nice to have someone with whom to grieve. Tom expressed that it was impressive to see so many come together to help with the Green Canyon incident and Principal Monson noted that it had a far-reaching effect on schools outside of Green Canyon High School.

    Meeting adjourned at 7:53 AM. Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at 6:45 AM.