Los Angeles Unified School District
Woodland Hills Elementary Charter for Enriched Studies
Governance Council Meeting
Meeting Minutes
December 3, 2015
I. Call to Order – The meeting was called to order by Bruce Wright at 3 p.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2015 in Room 20 of Woodland Hills Elementary Charter for Enriched Studies.
II. Pledge of Allegiance – led by Bruce Wright.
III. Roll Call – The following persons were present:
Antoinette Brusca, Administrator Teri Ivens, Parent
Bruce Wright, UTLA/Teacher Georgia Weir, Parent
Cathy Gairdner, Teacher Harold Henderson, Parent
Gillian Baldocchi, Alternate
Scott Schugel, Teacher
Lynn Homsy, Staff
IV. Approval of Minutes from the March 26 meeting – Cathy Gairdner made a motion to approve, Georgia Weir seconded, and they were unanimously passed.
V. Safe School Plan – Antoinette reviewed Safe School Plans. The evacuation site is Monty’s Restaurant at the corner of Topanga and Ventura, in the parking lot. Food, water, and bathrooms are available. If it is necessary to evacuate the campus, teachers and their students should disperse in different routes (side streets) from other classes so it is not one large group, and avoid San Feliciano. Once at Monty’s, children could be given squeeze toys/lollipops to calm their nerves as well as provide liquid. Since Jose Perez’s room is closest to the far gate, he should have a walkie talkie in his room. The District taught principals what to do in various emergency situations. In any type of violent encounter, students should hide if safe or stay still and play “possum.”
VI. Story Pirates – Bruce explained that The Story Pirates Writing Program was presented and paid for by a group of parents. It involved skits performed by professionals of stories written by students in third-fifth grades. On the first day a performance is held, then the Pirates return for five days, one hour per day, to work with the students to write individual stories. They return a week later and perform several skits based on stories written be WHECES students. Feed back from the teachers is that it was an okay program, but not really enough involving the arts and we already have a rigorous writing program. It was interesting, but not worth the money spent ($16,000 in parent donation). Bruce and Scott noted that we could create similar programs ourselves.
VII. Technology – A review was led by Bruce regarding computer programs. The Monga program includes games, but is not as good as our current Alex Program which the technology committee is inclined to support. We could use IXL with My Math as support, but Aleks is better overall. Gillian noted that Aleks is very ability specific and Lexia maxes out at the 5th grade level. Georgia added that Woodland Hills Academy uses Achieve 3000 monthly for intervention. Bruce said that we have reviewed several programs but we think what we have is better. Scott noted that his class uses Aleks and really likes it because it shows specific levels. Bruce likes IXL for math and wants to keep it; it also has social studies and grammar. He will review with the Technology committee the idea of keeping and expanding the programs we already have.
VIII. CAASPP IAB – The Smarter Balance Practice Test Replaces STAR. We took an option to do the Smarter Balance Practice Test, but the typing was a problem as was the listening and responding. Additionally
IX. Parent Meeting – A meeting will be held for parents regarding the Math and Science Standards. The Science Standards will be changing next year, parent meeting will be 2/8/2016. Cathy Gairdner added that 5th grade science tests will become cumulative.
X. Holiday Performance – Bruce explained that having enough room for parents to watch the holiday shows is a continual problem. Various options have been discussed, including having an outdoor show in the evening which would be a problem in inclement weather and rentals (stage, sound, chairs) costly. Rehearsals would also be a challenge and it would be hard to get all the students back to school at night. Another solution could be to have two full days of shows which would probably be better than an evening performance. It needs to be brought up with the staff.
XI. Auditorium – Bruce reported that, as we all have observed, the auditorium is very old. The sound and light systems are modern, but we still need an upgrade of the projection system to project sets with a short throw projector and an extra large screen to fit the stage. Scott agreed that it’s great that we have the sound, but we do need better visuals. Georgia suggested that it might be possible to receive a LAUSD grant or one of the studios could donate a used system. Bruce made a motion to pursue the idea of updating the auditorium, Harold seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed.
XII. Public Comment – Terri Ivens asked why the fifth grade teacher lost her aide who hasn’t been replaced. Bruce responded that the district has made it more difficult to get aides and it is taking longer, but we are working on it. Terri also noted that parents are concerned about the sanitary conditions in the rooms because they are not cleaned regularly and asked who to contact regarding the issue. Bruce explained that we lost our janitor and the district hasn’t replaced him yet.
XIII. Adjournment – Scott Schugel moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:55 p.m. It was seconded by Cathy Gairdner. The next meeting will be January 28, 2016.