WA School Council Minutes
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.