• School Community Council Minutes

    February 15, 2022

    Present: Brady Fonnesbeck, Phil Morris, Mike Monson, Mason Cardon, Connie Rawlins, Sarah Nelson Hallock, Cheryl Peck, Jessica Higginbotham, John Louviere, Teri Rhodes, Kathy Christiansen, Kathy Bullen

    Toni Gibbons was excused. Connie Rawlins welcomed us and asked for approval of Minutes. Jessica motioned to approve and Cheryl seconded the motion. All were in favor.

    I. Feedback on Early Release Mike reported on the results of the survey we sent out to Sky View staff about the schedule change for COVID. He said that it was interesting in the fact that the majority appreciated early out but also lamented time out of classes for instruction. There was just over 50% that liked the new schedule, over 30% that didn’t and the rest were undecided. Mike asked for parent feedback from the committee members. Cheryl’s daughter told her that the AP Biology teacher said she didn’t know what to do with the extra time. Cheryl also said that she loved having them out earlier. Especially for the students that have sports practices so they can get home earlier. Jessica said she loved it too. With Canvas, her daughter is doing extra reading that they don’t get to cover in class. Sarah agreed that their family liked it as well.

    II. Graduation Mike talked about how we have done a drive by graduation and one on the football field the last 2 years because of COVID. The feeling among the schools was that they would like to have some uniformity back between the schools. The decision has been made to have it back at USU. There were some nice agreements made with them. There will only be 2 schools in one day so we won’t be as rushed. Sky View’s graduation will be held on June 1st at 1:00. We would like help from parents with decorating, etc. to make it more personal to Sky View. We have to hold school until 11:00 that day so the school graduation committee won’t have time to get set up. Brady went to the meeting with USU. He agreed that we will have extra time, and plenty of opportunities, if weather is good, to take pictures. USU is pretty open and will like to be supportive. Helium balloons won’t be allowed though. USU will use the Jumbotron. They also talked about having the graduates walk from one direction instead of coming from both sides. Mike said that if any parents would were willing to help out, to just email us later.

    III. Libraries (Handout) Mike referred to the Board Policy about Medial Center Materials. Allison Griffiths, Sky View’s Media Center Coordinator took a few minutes and talked recent concerns that have arisen in different areas of the state, of what is in libraries. The Board Policy states that there needs to be a committee that make the decision someone had a concern about any materials or books in our Media Center. Allison would like the School Community Council to be that committee if needed. Jessica said she has names of parents that are very vigorous readers that would be good. Mike said that he would like to use the council and then add parents if needed. The policy states that parents can challenge books for their own students but not to determine the whole school or district. Cheryl asked if that is for library or classroom? The board policy states that it is for the library. Teri Rhodes mention that Senate Bill 114 is still a concern that we need to watch. School Boards have been in discussions on how important it is for there to be local control of curriculum. The legislature is not in a position to make best decisions. But they are saying they have to pass something for the very loud minority group. The school boards are working with them. Many teachers have concerns if they will be challenged on what they have always taught. For example, the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, etc. Teri said that they are trying to get Senator Fillmore to understand that parents can have access to curriculum if want, but it’s the loud minority that wants more transparency. Summer motioned to approve having the Community Council be the deciding committee if needed. John seconded the motion. All were in favor.

    IV. Reminder about Hats Off Award Nominations

    V. Input on Trustland Budget

    1. Summer Training
    2. Tech Training (NearPod, Canvas, Mastery Connect)
    3. Chromebooks for Writing classes & Math
    4. Vista Volunteer
    5. Textbook & Library Materials 
    6. ACT Prep
    7. Portion of FTE
    8. Conference/Professional Development (NCTM in L.A.)
    9. Classroom equipment & technology

    Mike said the final Trustland report has been submitted. There were some things we weren’t able to do still because of COVID. The next report that is due is next year’s plan. We will need input from committee for anything for next years plan. Then it would need to be approved by the school board the first part of April. The list above is the things that we want to do or continue to do next year. Jessica asked about keeping the IPads and chromebooks updated and rotated out. Mike said that is why we are only doing 2 classrooms right now on IPads. All of English writing classes have their own chrome book lab. We check out the older chromebooks to students who need them at home.

    The Vista volunteer has been great addition in our counseling office. She keeps the data and works on failing students. We pay half of salary and the other half is paid by Vista.

    The ACT Prep class that we just started has about 45% of the students that are up to date on it. That is about 140 kids. The after school ACT prep class that we used to do, only had 40 students. Even if they don’t complete the course, they have had some exposure to ACT Prep. There is a great math conference in LA next year, and we would like to send teachers to it.

    John asked about portion of FTE – how do we sustain it every year? Mike tries to keep it minimal, usually used on a new teacher with lower salary. Trustland funds are more stable than education funds. We have been able to sustain it for several years.

    Mike asked if there was any other input from this group? Summer Gunn said that the co-teaching model has really benefitted her student. She had it for Freshmen English and this year a math class and it has been really successful for her. That could be good use of some FTE. Jessica asked about ESL students and if there was any update with those students. Mike said they have talked quite a bit about it. We have provided more materials for them. What we have found is that we have a small population but they aren’t progressing. We have not had very good success with that. We are looking at some internal personnel to maybe help with that. We have students that are born here and speak English well. It could be cultural issues but some have legitimate needs and need help. We have about 25 students. Phil shared an experience about a student not needing to be in ESL, but wanted to be so could be with friends. We need to work on individual needs and need to push them out. We also need to look at extra help. Connie said those learning English that just came to the country, take the extra time on ACT. Others that have been here for awhile, test like most other students. They don’t use time, and don’t care as much. Attendance is also an issue. Many students get discouraged because they have been in ESL for quite awhile.

    Summer asked whether we still had Latino’s in Action. Mike said that we did up until last year, then it changed into something not as good. We have had more minority students make it on sports team and leadership since the schools split.

    VI. Other: Ruth suggested that the technology training for teachers that is normally held before school starts, would be much more beneficial at the end of the year so that they would have time to implement it. Mike said that those are district wide trainings but will pass it on. Ruth also said that the smaller class sizes have been great!

    Meeting adjourned until Tuesday, March 15, 2022 – 6:45am