MINUTES
SCHOOL SITE
COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 3, 2003
Meeting called to order at 5:10 pm.
- WelcomeÑIntroduction
of all members and guests present
- Roll
CallÑa quorum was present
á Members
in attendance were: Ron Beilke,
Nellie Aguilar, Aurora Villon, Dora A. Cabrera, Dawn Hughey, James Halley, Dora
A. Cabrera, Brandon Longoria, Lucy Rios, Roy Arroyo, Enodina, Montano, Veronica
Arroyo, Maribel De Anda, Frank Moreno, Pauline Vega, Felicity Swerdlow, and
Julie Ellis
á Members
who sent regrets were: Anthony
Soltero, Monica, Ciancaglini, irma Castillo, Sarah Lopez, Leticia Fonseca,
Esther Mejia, Dina Navarro, Vivian Martinez, Carol Stella, Manuel Cruz, and
Marla Diaz
*Please note:
Due to an error in the members list, certain members did not receive the
regularly sent invitation, and were subsequently unaware of the meeting. I offer my sincere apologies, and the
situation will be corrected for the next meeting.
- Approval
of minutes
- PrincipalÕs
Address: Ms. Ellis reported
the following:
- School
opened this fall with an estimated 3200.
- Construction
continues so that all teachers may have their own classrooms. Looking for finances to outfit
science classes.
- 6
new AP courses now offered:
Junior English, European History, Sophomore Statistics, Physics,
Calculus B & C, .
- Want
to maintain small classes.
- API
scores will come out in October
- At
549, last year saw more graduates from ERHS than had been since 1997.
- Support
services and courses are being offered to students who are not on target
for graduation.
- Because
the administration cannot keep up with current gang/tagging crew attire,
ERHS has instituted the rule that no team jerseys (other than El
RanchoÕs) may be worn at school.
This rule is due to an incident that occurred during a P.E. class
when a student hit another student for wearing a DodgerÕs jersey. In addition, school policy
mandates that cell phones and headphones be used only before school,
after school, or during lunch.
None are to be used between 8 am and 2:56 pm Also, caps may be worn on
campus (outside only) if they are El Rancho caps. Other caps may not be worn at any
time.
- Thanks
to staff members, school began quietly. Approximately 2900 of the expected students showed up.
- Student
program changes are complete (except for athletes) at this time.
- Ms.
Ellis opened the floor to questions.
- Mr.
Moreno asked about contacting the Pico Rivera Chamber of Commerce for
assistance in obtaining equipment for science labs. Ms. Ellis responded that she is
looking at in-house budgets for the needed equipment.
- Mrs.
Aguilar inquired about the GovernorÕs Scholarship Award, and how this
money is awarded to the students.
Ms. Ellis replied that the awards are given to the top ten percent
scorers of the STAR per grade level as dictated by the state.
- Student
Reports
- Introduced
new class T-shirts for students and faculty. These are available for pre-order at $10 per shirt.
- ASB
is planning the yearly trip to Sacramento. This costs $450 per student. 18 students will go.
- Friday,
September 5, is the Welcome Back Assembly.
- A
new ASB member, the Pep Commissioner, has been added.
- Football
scrimmage will be at 6:30 this evening.
- DAC
Report
- DAC
has not met. No report
necessary.
- Special
Ed.
- Mrs.
Swerdlow reported that this year Special Ed. Teachers are being teamed
with regular ed. TeachersÑthis model will strengthen the support
given to students to
increase learning.
- Ms.
Vega shared her experiences teaming with regular ed. Teachers. She said that it was a wonderful
experience because everyone benefited from the two-teacher presence.
- Mrs. Rios, a guest, asked how
students were placed and if students in remediation were considered
Special Ed. Mrs. Swerdlow
explained the process and interventions.
- Title
1
- ERHS
is doing a massive math intervention
- GATE
- Added
AP courses should triple the number of students taking them this year.
- Calculus
teacher, Mr. Francis, has had a wonderful success in getting students to
pass the AP Calculus test (28 of 29 passed last year).
- Administration
- Explained
AYP
i. Annual
Yearly Progress is a method of overseeing the progress of schools by the
federal government. It is based on
the STAR test for elementary and middle schools, an the High School Exit Exam
for the high schools.
ii. Although
a passing score is 350 for a student, the government says that to pass for AYP
that student must achieve a score of 380 (or proficient).
- To
make AYP for 2003 a high school must meet or exceed:
i. A
participation by the whole group and each sub-group of 95%
ii. 11.2%
of group and sub-groups scoring at the proficiency level in English Language
Arts
iii. 9.6%
of group and sub-groups scoring at the proficiency level in Math
iv. API
growth of 1 point or a minimum score of 560
v. Improvement
in the graduation rate of 1% over last year
- Administration
continues to conduct conversations with teachers regarding test scores
and curriculum alignment.
- 52%
of 9th grade students in Biology scored at proficient or
advanced.
- The
goal for this year is vertical teaming within ERHS and with the middle
and elementary schools.
- Mrs.
Swerdlow explained a studentÕs STAR Report
- ERHS
is still an under performing school, but is improving.
- Mrs.
Rios asked about support for students who do not test well, but perform
well in classes.
- Mr.
Moreno suggested that we have an ending time set for the School Site
Council meetings.
- 5
minutes will be allotted for each regular agenda item
- Mrs.
Aguilar motioned that meetings begin at 5 pm and end at 6:45
- Ms.
Vega seconded the motion.
- Motion
was made to allow 15 minutes for the agenda items a-e; administration
will request amount of time needed for report.
- Action
#5 was tabled until the next meeting.
- SSC
now has a link on the school website.
- Public
Comment and Communication
- Mrs.
Aguilar requested another copy of the Budget Revision Report.
- Next
meeting will be held on October 1, 5-6:45 pm.
- Ms.
Vega gave a brief report on the status of the Parent Project
- Motion
to adjourn by Mrs. Aguilar; seconded by Ms. Hughey
- Meeting
adjourned at 6:55 pm.