September 18, 2019 – Minutes

Wednesday, September 18, 2020 Eastmont School Community Council

Voting Members:

Agenda Items:

• Approval of minutes from last meeting
  • Approved
• SCC Bylaws, any changes?
  • Are we advertising adequately
    • We believe so.
    • Meeting notices are emails, on our website, etc.
  • Do we need to include TSSA in our bylaws
    • No, because don’t know if on-going and by-laws says “including but not limited to…”
    • All in favor
• Training dates:
  • SCC 101
    • October 2, 2019
    • October 8, 2019
    • October 10, 2019
  • SCC Training
    • October 2, 2019
    • October 8, 2019
    • October 10, 2019
• Video:
  • Viewed
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88dw5vN_pXg&t=117s
  • Questions?
    • None

Update on CSIP goals and Land Trust/TSSA spending:

• Goal: Reading & Math Inventory growth of 15% proficiency from Fall Data

• Goal: 80% of student on track using Early Warning Systems D’s and F’s trackers
  • Currently, 53% of students on track
  • Q: Is less time in class affecting these scores?
  • A: Not sure. There are too many variables, such as change in math curriculum.
    • • We do want to look into 7th grade grading practices.
  • Q: Are students utilizing after-school math tutoring?
  • A: We have about 10. Probably need to do a better job advertising and holding it more often. Friday morning school is being successful. Paraeducators are calling and getting students here on Friday to prepare for tests and complete projects.
  • A: Math tutoring is happening 3 days a week.
• Goals: Reduce office discipline referrals (ODR) by 10% and reduce suspensions by 10%
  • 31 ODRs, 4 out of school suspensions (OSS) and 1 In School Suspension (ISS)
  • On-track
  • Feel Behavioral Consistency Lessons really supported student behavior
  • The lessons created good discussions
  • Student asked lots of questions about dress-code, students were open about bullying situations, etc.
  • Teachers are being in the hallway to support behavior during unstructured times
• Reviewed proposed spending and what we have spent so far.

Amendment to TSSA money:

• Possible options for the $27,000 we had reserved for .5 of a teacher.
• Ideas – Increase time for the social worker to full time, purchase additional technology to get to 1:1
• Conversation:
  • Like the idea of upping Social Worker hours
  • Need to see if possible with district
  • Could get an “intern counselor”
  • A Chromebook is about convivence, whereas social/emotional/mental health will impact long-term learning and well-being.
  • Is there any other ideas?
    • Is there a study-hall during lunch? With a someone to help them?
    • Will students go? Probably not.
  • Would love to get more para-educators, but hard to hire in a strong economy.
  • SCC would like Eastmont Admin to look into hiring an individual rather than technology.
  • Will revisit next meeting.

Cell Phone Policy:

• Discussion regarding what they have implemented at Butler
  • Butler is having success with this policy
  • SCC feels this would be a good idea to look into
  • We have adequate technology in the school, students don’t need their phones.
  • We have phones in every classroom
  • Q: Who will have a bigger issue? Students or Parents?
  • Q: What about safety emergencies?
    • Sometimes it creates more confusion if student is texting.
    • Canyons School District is excellent at communicating during an emergency
  • Talked about ways to educate and PR this decision. Include the “WHY”

Dress Code Policy:

• Want to just get a measurement for dress code concerns.
  • For example, 3 inches from top of knee cap.
• Was noted that it is hard to find clothing for young ladies.
• Will further discussion next time.

Counseling Advisory Committee:

• Reality Town – November 6th
• Lifelines curriculum about suicide awareness is happening in the 7th grade health classes now.
• Safe UT app is presented.
• Resource table at Parent Teacher Conferences: Resources in Utah, Canyons Family Center, What to do if you are suicidal pamphlet, Social Development at a glance, Common Cents Media, FAQ for Lifelines for parents

Communication:

• Communicating with families about upcoming assignments and assessments
• So much better this year. 8th grade perspective
• Hit and miss: 7th grade
• Haven’t heard anything. 6th grade
  • 6th grade: have to look Canvas and Websites
• One parent said they just have a conversation with their student and tries to look at binder. Only do once a week.
• Emails are more detailed and it is a guide for the conversation
• Some students don’t write anything planner.
• Through emails, I get to know the teachers.
• Do we get anything from high school
  • Some. Not much.
• We do read all school emails
• Can we differentiate emails by grade
  • Yes.
  • Ok, if don’t have same teachers because similar
• Don’t want to put more on teachers
• Can just email teachers directly. Very quick response.
• Is this an equity concern?
  • Possibly.
• We still need parents to volunteer.
  • How?

Digital Citizenship:

• Speaker – Colin Kartchner for Patriot of the Month. Topics on put your phone down and communicate.

Administrative actions:

• Administrators and counselors are working to have 1:1 meetings with all students.
• They are taking about 7-10 minutes each.
• Sample questions – What makes you special? Who are your friends? Do you have a trusted adult at Eastmont.

Motion to Dismiss:

• 6:40: Jessica Dalton
• Second Stephanie Davis
• All in favor

Actions:

• SCC would like Eastmont Admin to look into hiring an individual rather than technology.