Wasatch Junior High Community Council

Community Council Minutes

Nov. 3, 2010

6:45 am

Attendance: Chris Rydalch, Noel Applebaum, Mike Nitz, Tom Allen, Paul Watson, and Alicia Odell.

Principal Chris Rydalch opened the meeting by talking about the accreditation process and the new timeline for the Wasatch Junior High. The State of Utah gave us one year from this March to complete the process due to several issues with the previous process (old data, movement to the new school, and the need for a more complete analysis of education at Wasatch Junior High). Chris talked about the Wasatch Leadership Committee approving the accreditation timeline and the importance of focusing on data collection and school weaknesses in order to make improvements. The Wasatch Leadership Team will be sent to the state accreditation training in order to implement the timeline effectively. We will also need to institutionalize our “Desired Results for Student Learning (DRSLS)” with a focus on critical thinking. Members of the Leadership Team are Ann Aagard, Althea Bennett, Chris Rydalch, Shauna Mackintosh, and Tom Allen. All school data will be compiled this May and be finalized next October in our school binder in preparation for our school visit. Chris retrieved a sample binder to show the committee.

Tom Allen passed out the minutes from last Community Council meeting and they were approved by consensus.

Ms. Rydalch brought up the issue of students being dropped off in the street and around the East parking lot. There have been too many close calls with cars and that the crosswalk needs be used. Students have not been using the crosswalk as they should. In the past, parents were encouraged to drop off students in the West parking lot; however, the school having so many students coming from out of boundary (60% or so), it is hard to drop off all the students in the West parking lot. Chris mentioned the effort to perhaps installing another crosswalk in respect for the safety of students, nevertheless, there remains resistance to this idea when a crosswalk already exists. Students need to use the crosswalks we already have. Noel Applebaum continued with “too many people letting their kids out in the street” and that it is too dangerous. Chris echoed that we need to keep working on this issue. Chris also brought up the problems with the marquee and the bright lights keeping the neighbors up at night. We have had to adjust times to turn the marquee off, etc… The conversation switched back to kids being dropped off in the East parking lot. Should we have caution lights installed in the entrance and exit of the East parking lot? Paul Watson brought up the idea of using law enforcement officers to help control traffic as well, with so many “free-spirits” at Wasatch Junior High. Another idea brought up by Noel was perhaps making the West Parking lot “turn right only.” This is something that we can check on to make movement more of an even flow. Chris added that we cannot add a third sidewalk and that kids will have to be careful. We will need to continue working on these issues in the future.

Mike Nitz introduced a new program called “WatchDOGs” for neighborhood fathers to volunteer to help monitor the halls, lunchroom, and parking lots, etc. Tom Allen mentioned how this could help be a solution to the parking lot drop-off problems. Chris related how this kind of adult supervision program helped when she was Assistant Principal at Skyline High. Chris showed interest and mentioned how this program is definitely something Wasatch can look into doing. Chris also mentioned problems in the lunchroom in regards to leaving trash and not picking up after themselves after lunch. Perhaps we can use “WatchDOGs” for this as well.

Chris talked more about the Wasatch Accreditation process and the need to focus on weaknesses. Tom Allen mentioned how strong Wasatch remains academically and that the process of accreditation is to focus on weaknesses. Chris mentioned that the state requires that the process focus on improving schools through the identification of weaknesses. Chris also stated the slightly changing demographics in regards to ELL students and students with special needs including students who are having problems learning. Evidence remains the 70+ students who are in the Wasatch mentoring program receiving individual help.

Noel discussed more involvement with parents out of boundaries to help keep them more engaged with school issues. Alicia Odell congratulated Tom on the KSL Teacher Feature Award that was announced yesterday. Tom was honored and thanked the Community Council for their nomination and that all teachers deserve a special thanks for all they do for children.

Adjourned: 7:31 am