Issaquah Middle School Council Minutes – Approved

November 18, 2004

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Marianne Kersten at 2:30 p.m. The following members and guests were present: Corrine DeRosa-Principal; Sandie Pike-Council Secretary; Cathy Jones-Issaquah Community Center Liaison; Hester Winn-District Liaison; Tonia Neal – Parent Rep; Lise Place-PTSA Liaison; Brian DeBroux-Staff Library Media Specialist; Vanessa Logue-Staff Special Needs Rep; Deed Chase and Margie Gerrity-Parent Reps; Paula Weiss-Staff Team Leader Rep; Nancy Warnick-Staff Team Leader Rep; Sandy Grace-Staff Team Leader Rep; Lorna Furtado-Staff Team Leader Rep; 3 ASB Student Reps; Pat Randall-Classified Staff Rep; Elaine Hollaway-Parent Rep; Nancy Campi-Guest.

 

Approval of Minutes

            Minutes from the October 28 School Council Meeting were approved.

 

Parent/Community Comments

            None

 

Old Business

            Corrine DeRosa shared a letter that was received from the Issaquah City Council in response to the Skate Park letter sent from the IMS School Council.

            Marianne Kersten passed out a summary of the Site Council Self-Assessment Survey results from all the secondary schools.

Lise Place reported that the first meeting for the Parent Survey Ad Hoc Committee will be Friday, November 19.  They will report back at the December meeting.  Leah Van Eenwyk has joined the committee.  Marianne suggested publicizing the survey dates as soon as they are known.

 

New Business

             Marianne gave out copies of the District Proposed Site Council Policy changes.  The District would like to finalize the policy in February.  Members were asked to look the changes over and be prepared to discuss it at the December meeting.  Any suggestions, comments or questions should be e-mailed to Marianne or Corrine.

            Corrine reported that the possibility of purchasing security cameras to be posted around the campus was being looked into.  Larry Goodrie has been looking into products and prices available.  She explained that there would be no privacy issue concerns as it would be a private system.  Three companies will be giving bids.  Cathy Jones added that the Community Center would like to be involved in the process as they have been considering installing security cameras also.

            Pat Randall handed out copies of the 2004-05 Building Budget.  She noted that again printing costs is a very large expense.  The office line item includes all expense items which are not considered basic instruction.  The carry over amount was questioned and Pat explained that it would be spent down for items such as the security system and additional amounts to teams.  Lorna Furtado asked about getting additional lockers.  Corrine explained that the PTSA is working on purchasing textbooks instead.  There was discussion on the problems with students carrying backpacks into classrooms.  Paula Weiss suggested putting something in the Panther Press to address the problem.

            Cathy Jones noted that the Community center is experiencing more students before school hanging out in their office area.  She asked if there was a need for before school care to be provided and what level it would be needed.  She will put a note in the next Panther Press to see if parents have an interest in having the Youth Center open before school for a $3.00 per day charge.  Lorna suggested it would be a good idea to have snacks available for the students.

 

Team Reports

6th Grade

The 6th grade field trip is scheduled for December 9 to the Children’s Theatre.  They are also planning a field trip in February to see Red Badge of Courage.

 

7th Grade

            The 7th grade field trip to the Village Theatre went very well.

 

8th Grade/Math

            The 8th grade team thanked PTSA for their campus beautification efforts.  Nancy Warnick also reported that there are two committees currently looking at new math curriculum.  There are teachers working to put together notebooks with practice WASL problems.

 

 Subject Area

            Sandy Grace reported that Girl’s Basketball and Wrestling seasons have begun.  The gym floor was re-done last week and looks really nice.  The PE Swimming unit is coming up  Trimester II.

 

Special Needs

            Vanessa Logue reported that they have asked the PTSA for parent volunteers for lab classes.

 

Classified Staff

            None

           

ASB Report

            The magazine reward assembly was great.  ASB put together and presented a Veteran’s Day video.  They are looking at selling bracelets with the profits going to purchase bicycle helmets.  The Apple Cup Food Drive runs through November 19.

 

PTSA Report

            The PTSA raised $3,595 from their Salmon Days fundraiser.  They are ahead of last year and if all budgeted amounts are spent, will finish the year with $8,000 left.  The school Nurse, Lyn Langdon, visited the PTSA to see if any parents were interested in joining her efforts to improve healthy food and drink choices in the cafeteria at IMS.  She calculated the BMI of kids along with the scoliosis screening and 1 in 6 is overweight or obese.  She is serving on a district committee looking at nutrition in the district.  Any interested parent should contact her directly.  The PTSA co-presidents are attending the Freshman Campus sub-committee meetings to determine how the PTSA will function at the new school.  A committee has been formed to look into the feasibility of purchasing second sets of text books for kids to leave at home in an effort to reduce the weight of backpacks.  A new “Theme” for the PTSA this year is “Staying Connected for Our Kids; By improving communication between staff, PTSA and parents, By enhancing emergency preparation at IMS, By providing support to the new administration.”  The School Beautification committee weeded the flower beds and spread 6 yards of topsoil and 30 yards of bark.  The Issaquah Schools Foundation raised $167,000 at its November luncheon.  The Student Directory is at the printer and the hope is to send it home next week.

 

District Liaison Report

            The next Work Study Board Meeting will be December 8 at 5:00 p.m. in the Board Room.

 

Community Center

            The last Middle School Dance was a success with 460 students attending.  The next dance is December 10.  The Youth Advisory Board is planning a family bingo night, a parents night out and they are sponsoring six needy students for  Christmas.  They will also be decorating rooms at the The Issaquah Care Center for the holidays.  A Penny Drive to benefit Friends of Youth is being planned.

 

FYI – Corrine DeRosa

November 19             Panther Press Deadline

November 19             Student of the Month Celebration

November 19             Staff Meeting – 2:15 p.m.

November 25-26                   Thanksgiving Holiday – No School

November 30             Band Concert – 7:00 p.m.

December 3                          End Tri I – Early Dismissal for Students

 

 Other

            It was agreed to change the start time to 2:25 p.m.

 

Next meeting will be December 16, 2004 at 2:25 p.m. in Room 411.  The meeting was adjourned at 3:42 p.m.