Approval of Minutes

Minutes from the School Council Meeting on November 21 were presented and approved as submitted.

Parent/Community Comments

Mike Gallagher, Principal Issaquah High School, and Officer Scott Behrbaum discussed drug and alcohol issues as a community concern. Issaquah High School would like to form a committee with members from Issaquah Middle School and Pine Lake Middle School to address these issues. Ron will forward names of those interested in working on this committee to Mike. It was suggested that a couple students be included. Ann Perkins will check on this.

Lisa Margolies brought up a concern of theft from backpacks that are left in front of the Library when students are working in the Library. Brian is looking at a better shelving system to store the backpacks. He indicated that he was not aware that theft was becoming an issue, however, having backpacks stored in a more orderly fashion should help. There was discussion on lockers and the need for approximately 300 more lockers in order for all students to have a locker. Ron will check to see if it is possible for this many lockers to be installed on the campus and will report back at the next School Council meeting.

Old Business

A tentative date, April 10, has been scheduled for Spring Pictures to be taken. Lorna indicated that the sixth grade team is not interested in having students pulled from class for these pictures. Leah and Kurt will check with their teams and bring feedback to the next School Council meeting.

Our new daily schedule will be effective January 2, 2003. Two half sheets, a parent letter and an autodial from Ron went home this week. The change in start/stop times should help with the Issaquah High School traffic problem. The three-lunch schedule should help shorten the lines and create a calmer environment at lunches.

Ron reported that “No Entrance” signs have now been posted at the entrance to the bus lanes.

New Business

Pat Randall presented the proposed 2002-03 budget. It was noted that Subject Area money has increased to $300 per FTE. Pat indicated teachers should put in KCDA orders for supplies as they need them and not wait for an annual order. She has catalogs available in her office. A new copier for the office has been ordered and there is money put aside to purchase another new copier to replace the one in the staff workroom. Pat also asked staff not to stock up on transparency paper as the new copiers will use different paper.

Team Reports

6^th Grade

Lorna reported that the sixth grade team is looking at getting a guest speaker to help students with “social skills.” The Counselors are also putting together curriculum for SLC classes. Leslie suggested looking at a video that was done at Issaquah High School and was successful.

7^th Grade

Kurt reported that parents have voiced concerns on the cultural events and community service that is required in the seventh grade. He will write an article for the next newsletter stressing that there is no need to spend money on these events. There are many free or very inexpensive options available, for instance, school band, orchestra and chorus concerts.

8^th Grade

Leah reported that the eighth grade team has agreed to have Shadow Day. It will probably be scheduled on a Wednesday. She asked for a list of parents who are willing to host students. Shari Koppel will work with Leah on putting together this list.

Special Needs

Kathy reported there has been a scheduling change in order to accommodate an increase of another section of Resource Humanities. She also indicated that IMS has a large and very competent EA staff who are working to support all teachers and students. They do a great job. Kathy reported our two special needs teachers are teaming the Resource Math class during sixth period.

Classified Staff

None

ASB Report

Adopt-A-Child gifts have been picked up. The generosity of the IMS Community is greatly appreciated. Ann also indicated that they have been having problems with the sound equipment. The Sound Tech kids are working on it. ASB is also looking at putting together an “Anti-Bullying” week. There was discussion on re-enforcing positive behaviors.

PTSA Report

None

Community Center

Cathy Jones reported that the new Community Center brochures are out and she will put some in the office. The youth center drop-in program is thriving. There are usually 30 to 50 students there daily – mostly from IMS. She also reported that the Youth of the Month program has been successful. They choose a student each month for such things as volunteering, being polite, doing homework, etc. Cathy and Ross have also been writing thank you notes to students and sending them home and this has had a big impact. The Youth Advisory Board has representatives from all the middle and high schools. This year there are three from IMS. They have been working on several projects – drug and alcohol awareness education with I.H.S., adopt-a-family, and a senior citizen prom. The Eastside Youth Hall of Fame is still collecting nominations. Anyone can nominate a youth.

FYI – Ron Thiele

December 20 End Tri-I Students dismissed 10:50

December 23 – January 1 No School

January 2 New Start/Stop Times and Three-Lunch Schedule begins

January 7 Staff Meeting 7:00 a.m. (Snacks provided by 6^th Grade Team)

January 7 Fire Drill 12:15

January 9 Team Leader Meeting 2:45

January 10 Report Cards go home with Students

January 16 AM Assembly

January 20 NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King Day

January 21 PTSA Meeting 9:30 a.m.

January 22-23 SLC Conferences

January 23 School Council 2:45 p.m.

January 24 Student of the Month Nominations due

January 24 Panther Press Articles Due

January 24 6^th Grade Social 2:30 – 4:00

January 24 7/8 Grade Evening Dance 7 – 9:00 p.m.

Wk of January 26 Spirit Week

January 31 Student of the Month Celebration

Other

Team Leaders will ask teams for volunteers to serve on the committee with I.H.S. and P.L.M.S. Please let Ron know and he will forward the names to Mike Gallagher.

Next meeting will be January 23, 2003 at 2:45 p.m.