Issaquah Middle School Council Minutes

March 25, 2004

Approval of Minutes

            Minutes from the February 26 meeting were approved as submitted. 

 

Parent/Community Comments

            Nancy Campi asked if next year’s IMS calendar could include the early release days at the high school.  Students who ride the bus arrive home approximately 30 minutes earlier when there are no high school students.

            Nancy Campi reported there is a concern among parents regarding high school shadow day and the negative impact of having high school students “shadowing” IMS teachers.  Ron reported that it is on the agenda for the next staff meeting and will report back at the next School Council meeting.

            Nancy Campi also brought a concern about the 7th grade community service/cultural event requirements.  Some parents feel it has too large an impact on “family time” and they also felt that asking students to write about their feelings after attending an event was very difficult for some students.  She asked the 7th grade team to look at the amount of time being required and at giving parents more notice, possibly at the end of sixth grade so they will know what to expect.

           

Old Business

            None

           

New Business

            Shari Koppel asked if there was an interest in bringing back evening social events for students.  She shared that a group of parents feel these events are very important and they are looking at some different ways to have more evening activities, not just dances.  She indicated that if there is interest from the school, she would be willing to help put something together for next year.

            Pat Randall handed out copies of the council by laws and asked members to look them over for any suggested changes.  The bylaws will be amended at the May meeting.

            Pat asked for volunteers to act as chairperson and council secretary for the April meeting as both she and Sandie would be gone.  Ron volunteered to be chairperson and Nancy Warnick volunteered to act as secretary.

            At the May meeting, members will be elected for next school year.  Pat asked for names of those interested to be given to her or Sandie.  Deadline for nominations is 3:00 p.m. May 26.  Positions to be filled by election are:  Chairperson, Council Secretary, District Liaison, Community Representative and six Parent Representatives.  An article will be put in the next issue of the Panther Press.

 

Team Reports

6th Grade

The sixth grade team is planning a field trip to the Pacific Science Center on April 23.  They are still in need of parent volunteers to chaperone. 

 

7th Grade

            The 7th grade team is getting ready for WASL testing which will begin on April 19.

 

8th Grade

            A field trip to the Seattle Rep is being planned for May 6.

 

Special Needs

            None  

 

Classified Staff

            None

 

ASB Report

            Ron commended ASB for the great job they did on Quest for Respect month and the two assemblies.

 

PTSA Report

            Nancy Campi reported that all the district middle and high school PTSA’s are putting together a group of representatives to meet with Mike Gallagher during the planning period for the 9th Grade Campus.

            She also reported that staff grant money is still available and would like to remind staff to submit requests for this money.

            Nancy indicated that additional help is needed for Spring Forum.

            She reported that parents really liked the “Meet the Teachers” evening that was done this year by the sixth grade team.  They would like to see this continued and expanded to 7th and 8th grade teachers.  They would also like to see this done at the beginning of the year and again at mid-year.

 

District Liaison Report

            None

           

Community Center

            The District-wide Middle School Dance on Friday, March 19 attracted 570 kids.  The next two dances at the community center are set for May 7 and June 11.

            The Issaquah Youth Advisory Board applications will soon be available for the 2004-05 school year. 

            Registration is currently being taken for summer camps:  Adventure Camp for grades 5-7 and A.P.E. (Adventure Pursuit Expeditions) for grades 8-9.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FYI – Ron Thiele

 

March 26    Learning Improvement Day – No School – Staff Lunch 11:30

March 29        Crystal Voices, Band and Orchestra Field Trip

March 29        Track Season starts

March 30        Staff Meeting 2:15 p.m.

April 1 and 2  Spring Pictures at lunches

April 4             Daylight Savings Time Begins – Set your clocks ahead

April 6             Crystal Voices, Band and Orchestra Field Trip

April 8             Team Leader Meeting 2:15 p.m.

 

Other

            Ron briefly went over the agenda for Learning Improvement Day – March 26.

 

Gatekeeper for the next meeting will be Lorna Furtado. 

 

Next meeting will be April 22, 2004 at 2:15 p.m.