October 07 Minutes
PTO Minutes October 23, 2007
Attendance: Robin Soffer, Mary Rogers, Janet Hanley, Mary McCabe, Yvette Price, Barbara Amos, Donna C. Villa, Tee Moran, Chris Serpa, John C. Allen, Judy Sherr, Mary Kreis, Mary Jo Msall, Mari Mortensen, Judson Roberts, Anjali Chaudhry, Nancy Alexander, Pam Meyerson, Kim Werner, Michelle Neuman, Betsy Butterworth, Christie Hunt, Alison Nelson, Abe Thompson, Ute Meyer, Cassandra Hutchinson, Teri Dixon, Barb Nelson.
- 1. Secretary’s report-Robin Soffer Passed around invitation to Science Department breakfast
- 2.Treasurer’s report-Janet Hanley: We currently have $3,068 in the bank. The treasurer’s report is attached. At this point we have only sold 135 calendar/directories, but we are still selling them. Last year, we sold 1700-1800.
- 3. School Report-Don Vogel: 1850 students attended the Homecoming dance, 250 more than last year. The dance was in the field house for the first time. The dance was very successful; no students had to be removed from the dance. The online parent teacher conferences sign- up went smoothly, after the first one and a half hours. As of Sunday night, 1,412 families have signed up. At Thursday’s Board meeting, Attila Weninger will reveal his plan for student achievement. His report is available on the school website.
- 4. John Allen-School Board liaison: Discipline will be discussed at the next board meeting. Parents can send ideas to the school board via email. Attila Weninger will provide ideas on student achievement. John reminded us that Attila’s plan for achievement may change as time goes by.
- 5.Michelle Newman-Liaison chair
Michelle explained the history of liaison committee. Because of number of liaisons who were parents of graduating seniors, we have lost many liaisons. We are looking for new liaisons. Interested parents can contact Michelle or Barbara Amos or email the PTO.
- 6. Special Report -Phil Prale and Carl Spight (institutional researcher):
Phil explained how to access the Board of Education reports on the website: Quick links- Board of Education- Agenda and Minutes-25 October, 2007. The report on achievement is on pages 42-71 of the PDF marked as Packet. Phil talked about the 2003 Learning Community Performance Gap report, which set forth 17 recommendations for the district. One was to hire a full time institutional researcher. The school was able to hire Dr. Spight as the researcher, although only on a part- time basis.
The school has been looking at concern over the achievement of all our students for many years. Phil thanked the PTO for their continued and generous support. He also talked about the summer programs that students attend due to scholarship funding from the Alumni Association.
Phil talked about recent research completed in tracking student achievement in the regular level classes. He explained that by regular level, we mean the courses often called “college prep.” He explained that the data showed that we have room for improvement in several areas. Some new programs have been implemented recently, but the continued tracking of the data provides us with specific targets to address and monitor. He explained that the school uses a series of ACT type tests taken by students in 8th, 9th and 10th grades. A recent review of matched scores in the areas of math and reading found room for improvement. Phil says this provides information about our regular level program, more than about the students. He explained that the tests predict that approximately 1/3 of African American students and ¾ of white students in this group will reach college readiness benchmarks as identified by the ACT Corporation, the issuer of the test. Most students who generally take course in the honors track reach college readiness. This shows that everyone working with students in the regular courses needs to improve his or her level of performance. The school is working on this with Division Heads and faculty. The key question is to determine how to deliver instruction more effectively. He and Dr. Spight will continue to gather and analyze more information and work with Division Heads and teachers to determine which instructional methods are working. For example, the school is using some computer assisted instruction, which is promising. OPRF is also working closely with D97, D90 and the private schools to improve articulation efforts. In response to a parent question, Dr. Spight explained that they are not finding gender gaps in college readiness benchmarks. Phil explained that currently, curriculum varies from class room to class room within a given course. However, instruction techniques are in many ways similar. He believes curriculum should be more consistent and that instruction should vary based on the needs and abilities of the students in the classroom. Phil said that parents should be specific providing information to teachers as to how our child learns. We should also be assertive about getting help when needed.
- 7.Open Discussion: Experienced parents answered questions of freshman parents. The discussion included how to get reluctant freshman involved in activities and student life and the value of engaging the high school community.
- Other Business: Approved August and September minutes.
- Barb explained that each of us received an escrip Dominicks registration. If we register our Dominicks card, Dominicks will donate money to the PTO based on our purchases. Barb also distributed the order form for the calendar and directory.
- Barb asked for volunteers to work at the PTO table at conferences.
