WA School Council Minutes

Meeting date: 
Thursday, February 14, 2019

Westford Academy

School Council Minutes

February 14, 2019

 

Attendees: James Antonelli, Karen Benway, Gina Schladenhauffen, Silas Mark, Raghav Kave, Marcos Acosta, Stephanie Devlin, Sophie Jiang, Clare O’Brien, Bob Ware, Elaine Scaramuzzo (guest attendee).

 

Item #1

Sports Commitments – Co-curricular events

 

  • Gina S. - Theater Arts etc. – during vacation. Varsity commitment – students are empowered to speak to their coach. Sometimes students like to practice.
  • Silas M. – JV and freshman – concerns about that level of sports.Discussion with coaches about sports. Mid year exams – sports take place during exams.
  • Gina S. – A lot is about making choices. Varsity is a big commitment.

 

Guest was invited to speak: Concern about traffic conditions at surrounding WA

 

Elaine Scaramuzzo (Guest) – Idea for driving. Drives 1.3 miles from home. Exiting when other entrance is coming in. Suggestion was to redirect traffic. Busses may fill more once the later start – students at School

Council indicated this potential change.

 

* Check in with Paul Starratt, opening Patten Road – trial run- March 26, 2019- Westford Board of Selectman will consider opening Patten Rd. w/o restriction. Principal Antonelli will attend that meeting.

 

Item #2

Potential Job Fair – Different Career Breakfast

  • Silas Mark – learned about this job fair through the Chamber of Commerce – Metro West. Nashoba Tech and AB – host a job fair 2x a year. Summer jobs. Seniors only. Job opportunites. During a lunch break. IT companies.

* Next one on February 28th

* Becoming a member of the Chamber of Commerce – Metro West

 

$285 Membership to Metro West Chamber of Commerce.

 

 

 

 

 

Item #3

Student Handbook

a.         Vaping: language in the handbook for a cessation

b.         Dress code: The Council reviewed the draft policy.  The School Council felt some of the language allowed for interpretation.

c.         District has a model and the school follows it and the students follow it.

d.         Marcos Acosta – Confederate flags, Donald Trump (Make America Great)

e.         Parents responsibility is to have my son/daughter to adhere to school rules and regs.

 

f.          Responsible use of technology – adding language

- Wearable technology

- Network security

- Video games

- Personal safety

- Two ITS – reviewed and suggested the language added

 

Mike Wells

* Can we restrict games on Chromebooks?                 Answer: (Yes we can.)

* Cell phones are on own plan, correct?                                    Answer:(Yes they are)

* Can you allow teachers to see a student’s computer?Answer: (Yes, big $$)

 

Homework Update: Principal Antonelli emailed the staff

- RE: posting homework

- No later than 2:30 PM (Monday through Friday ONLY)

 

- Other –

- Mid-year exams: eliminate ? Survey staff ? - Maybe

 

Keep Valedictorian? and Salutatorian?

- like the idea of top 10

- See articles about valedictorians at Boston Public Schools

Top Ten or Top 10%

Eliminate beginning with Class of 2021?

No longer recognize VAL and SAL?

 

Meeting was adjourned.

Minutes respectfully submitted by: James Antonelli

 

 

Minutes Approved – unanimously  at March 21st Mtg.