WA School Council Minutes
Westford Academy
School Council Minutes
November 14, 2019
Present: Jim Antonelli, Wendy Pechacek, Stephanie Devlin, Clare O’Brien, Aastha Gupta, Sophie Jiang
Reviewed and approved minutes from Thursday, October 10, 2019 meeting.
Jim shared that WIFI had been improved in café to support DLT’s. Students agreed that the connection was now reliable.
The council then reviewed the four goals and edited the proposed school improvement plan.
Goal One: Curriculum and Instruction.
Stephanie Devlin noted it was difficult to find an SEI course for re-certification. Removed SEI training from plan as most faculty are now trained and the rest have a plan to do so.
Seal of Biliteracy – Program is now being implemented and Westford Academy Trustees have agreed to fund student testing fees and the actual seals.
Goal Two: Community Relations
The group discussed the idea of creating a career fair or symposium for students. Wendy expressed concern about adding another major initiative to the School to Careers program and asked what we might discontinue in order to take this on. Silas visited Acton-Boxboro and will share experience with the council at an upcoming meeting. Wendy recommended that the parent members of the school council attend the December 4th career exploration breakfast to see it in action. Students felt the career breakfast was more valuable than a job fair.
In discussing the challenge of having Westford Academy events covered on Westford CAT, students suggested Jim provide the contact person for Westford CAT to teachers and coaches so that they can contact the station themselves when they have something they would like to see covered.
Goal 3: Finance and Operations.
The group discussed the challenge of budget this year. The committee felt that additional information would be needed in order to to be able to discuss any changes to the budget.
Goal 4: Provide for emotional, physical and intellectual well-being of students.
Student suggested a calm room where students would go when dysregulated to reset and go back to class. Current challenges are space and concerns about a need for tracking of student usage. Students asked about use of courtyard for classes. Suggested a sign up for teachers to limit use. They also asked if we could encourage more teachers to take classes to other outside places. Students felt it was really relaxing change of pace to be outside for class.
Claire asked the group to explore the idea of a lunch bunch for students who are struggling at that time of day. Students are already eating in alternative areas such as the flag lobby and guidance area.
Students recommended that the counseling department advertise to students that if they are concerned about a friend they can share that concern with a counselor. The conversation will be kept confidential and their friend will receive additional support.
Added goals to re-do Challenge Success Survey and a universal screening for juniors.
Minutes approved.
Unanimous
8-0