Wasatch Community Council

 

Chairman Ann Marie Howard 735-7438 annmarie@co.juab.ut.us Vice Chair Sandy Davis 491-8685 sandrad@provo.edu Principal Colleen Densley 375-9509 colleend@provo.edu David Armond 801-370-0324 David_Armond@byu.edu Teresa Dickson 801-812-0842 teresadi@provo.edu Emily Ensign 801-318-2143 emily_ensign@hotmail.com David Hart 801-418-0286 davidhart@byu.edu Suzanne Kershisnik 801-691-0294 suzanne@kershisnik.com Margaret Ludlow 801-375-2065 margaret_ludlow@yahoo.com Julie Martin 801-794-2353 juliem@provo.edu Julie Porter 801-229-1371 juliepo@provo.edu Tessa Santiago 801-374-9535 tmsantiago@msn.com Tawnicia Stocking 801-426-7919 tawnicia@provo.edu

The Wasatch Community Council has a total of 13 members: seven parent or guardian members and six employee members, including the principal. They serve a two-year term with 50% of the people up for election each year. We would like to thank David Acheson, Barbara Acheson, Rebecca Hofheins, and Tessa Santiago for their service on the Wasatch Community Council. Three people from the current Wasatch Community Council will complete their final year of their two-year term: David Armond, David Hart, and Ann Marie Howard during the 2009-2010 school year. We are calling for the nomination of four parent/guardian members who would be willing to serve for the next two years beginning July 1, 2009. The responsibilities of the Community Council are as follows: Develop the Wasatch School Improvement Plan. Develop a School LAND Trust Plan that must be focused on the school’s most critical academic need to improve student achievement. Assist in the development and implementation of staff development in cooperation with district professional development guidelines. Develop a child routing plan for safe travel to school. Advise and make recommendations to the principal regarding school programs. Develop a literacy plan to support elementary reading achievement. Become knowledgeable about school issues in order to build a positive bridge to the community. Attend at least 80% of the monthly meetings held during the lunch hour September – May. The above list of responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive. The Council may assist the principal in other areas. Agendas For Community Council Meetings: Agenda for October 9, 2009 Meeting   Agenda for November 13, 2009 Meeting   Agenda for January 15, 2010 Meeting   Agenda for February 26, 2010 Meeting

Minutes

Wasatch Community Council

Wasatch Community Council Minutes (minutes pending approval of council)

February 26, 2010

11:40 to 12:40

• In Attendance:  Ann Marie Howard, Colleen Densley, Sandy Davis, David Armond, Teresa Dickson, Emily Ensign, David Hart, Suzanne Kershisnik, Margaret Ludlow, Julie Martin, Julie Porter, Tessa Santiago

Ann Marie Howard conducted the meeting.  A recording of the meeting is available in the office.

• Opening Comments:  David Armond

• Thanks to Dennis Hall and McDonald’s for lunch
• Approval of Minutes from January 15

David Armond motion to approve, Emily Ensign seconded the motion—council voted to approve the minutes from last month

• PAWS Report:  Margaret Ludlow

This month PAWS has supported and staffed the Science Fair, International Week and the annual Talent Show.  Elections for next year’s officers will be soon.  Suggestions to improve programs are appreciated.  Just call or email Margaret with your good ideas.  The first grade team needs assistance in preparing props for their end of year dance.  Emily Ensign volunteered to head up the prop creation.  David Hart mentioned that there were left over chopsticks from International Week that could be used.

• Chinese Immersion – update:  Colleen Densley

The new teachers for next year have been hired.  The Wasatch application date has passed.  Seventy-nine applications were submitted by the due date.  An additional six or seven application has been received since the date.  The Provo School District is in charge of the lottery for available slots.  Our first priority for slots is assigned to go to Wasatch families who submitted their application by February 19, 2010.  Any appeals to the process can be sent to Greg Hudnall at the District Office.

• School LAND Trust Program:  Colleen Densley

This funding account is one of the few that can be held over from school year to school year.  These are the spending priorities that the council has endorsed:

• Class size reduction (help fund additional teacher
• Meet lower grade needs in reading
• Meet upper grade needs in reading
• Fund after school and/or summer school as the fund allows
• Purchase books for the guided reading library and supplies/materials to support literacy.

• Number of members of the Council (currently 13):  Colleen Densley

Call for Nominations and Voting for Council Members

Call for Nominations – sent home the week of March 1

Nominations due March 18

Voting March 19 for families at Kindergarten Registration

Voting from March 19 – March 26  (SEP Conference time)

                      The council has decided to remain at 13 members.

Wasatch has traditionally invited the current PAWS President to be nominated for membership on the council.

• School Wasatch Routing Plan for 2010-2011:  Julie Martin

Julie Martin gave the council copies of the current routing plan.  The council needs to submit a request for how many crossing guards we will need for next year.  We would like to keep our three guards, and we would be interested in an additional guard if funding is available.  An oversized crosswalk sign on the intersection of Briar and Cherry needs to be installed.

• Huntsman Awards:  Colleen Densley

Tessa Santiago was asked to prepare a resubmission of Dawn Frandsen’s application for the Huntsman Award.  Mrs. Santiago accepted the request to prepare the application.

• Other business from council members

No new business was brought forward, and the meeting was dismissed.

Proposed Future Meeting Dates to be held from 11:40 to 12:40

• March 19
• April 16
• May (if needed)

Meetings will be held in the main Wasatch Building in Room 33

The public is welcome to attend this meeting.

 

Wasatch Community Council Minutes (minutes approved by council)

January 15, 2010

11:40 to 12:40

• Welcome:  Ann Marie Howard   attending meeting:  Ann Marie Howard, Sandy Davis, Colleen Densley, David Armond, Teresa Dickson, Emily Ensign, Suzanne Kershisnik, Margaret Ludlow, Julie Martin, Julie Porter, Tawnicia Stocking
• Opening Comments :  Margaret Ludlow
• Thanks to Dennis Hall and McDonald’s for lunch
• Review minutes from last meeting:  David Armond made a motion to edit the November minutes to show that we did not have a December meeting.  Motion made by Mr. Armond to approve the minutes with that change.  Emily Ensign seconded the motion, approved by council
• PAWS Report:  Margaret Ludlow

This is the time of year to form the nominating committee for next year’s President Elect.

We want to thank Lisa Hart for her fine efforts in planning and organizing last week’s Spirit Week.  The week was very successful, especially the Friday assembly and the Family Dance.

This upcoming month will be busy with the Science Fair, Abilities Week and the Talent Show all under the direction of Suzanne Kershisnik.  Entries for the Science Fair need to be turned in by next Friday, January 22nd.

PAWS is analyzing the use of email for communication of events and newsletters this year.  The board will continue to look at the most efficient ways to communicate with all patrons.  It was suggested that Back-to-School Night is an excellent vehicle to use to promote information about PAWS, and all of the ways in which PAWS assists Wasatch.

Money for teacher expenses, $200 for full-time teachers, and $100 for part-time teachers, is once again generously being offered by PAWS.  Receipts need to be given to Amber Egbert, PAWS Treasurer.

• Wasatch Routing Plan—update  Julie Martin

The Briar and Cherry crosswalk continues to be a concern area.  The crossing guard Pauline stated that cones in the road without a guard is not legal.  We would like to pursue the posting of a sign to warn drivers of the crosswalk by talking to Casey Serr again.  We may need to solicit help from the mayor and our neighborhood councilmember.  If money is the issue with a sign, the neighborhood would be able to raise the necessary funds. 

• Chinese Immersion – update

Parent information meeting will be held Wednesday, January 20, 2010.

The council voted to approve the enrollment prioritization for the Mandarin Immersion Program as follows:

• Students who have a sibling in the Chinese Immersion program now or who already speak Mandarin Chinese
• Students who are already attending Wasatch Elementary and get their application in by the due date
• Students in Provo School District who qualify for school choice according to the Provo School District policy
• Students outside Provo School District who qualify for school choice according to the Provo School District policy

If there are more applications received by the due date than available space, the district will conduct a lottery using our priority guidelines.

Motion to approve by David Armond, seconded by Suzanne Kershisnik.  The motion to approve was passed by the council.

• Other business from council members

It was requested that we change our February meeting. All of those present supported the change.

Our next Community Council Meeting will be held on February 26.

Proposed Future Meeting Dates to be held from 11:40 to 12:40

• February 26 (NEW DATE)
• March 19
• April 16
• May (if needed)

Meetings will be held in the main Wasatch Building in Room 33

The public is welcome to attend this meeting.

November 13, 2009 (minutes approved by council)

11:40 to 12:40

• Welcome  Attending: Sandy Davis, Colleen Densley, David Armond, Teresa Dickson, Emily Ensign, David Hart, Suzanne Kershisnik, Margaret Ludlow, Julie Martin, Julie Porter, Tawnicia Stocking    Absent:  Ann Marie Howard, Tessa Santiago
• Opening Comments by Julie Martin
• Thanks to Dennis Hall and McDonald’s for lunch
• Review minutes from last meeting:  approved by council
• PAWS Report:
• The Art Expressions Night was fabulous.  The interaction between artists and the children was especially good. 
• Red Ribbon Week was weak this year.  PAWS will be looking to make improvements next year.
• All sweatshirt orders should have arrived, but the last orders of t-shirts were ruined at the company producing them, and the shirts will need to be redone.  Those orders are still coming
• Wasatch Routing Plan—update
• Julie Martin is our council’s liaison with the city.
• There are still some concerns about crosswalk safety.  We may need to look at training the children to cross at different safer locations. 
• Blinking lights to warn drivers of crosswalks are fairly inexpensive for the city to add to the road.
• When Meridian School was in operation, the speed limit was dropped with a blinking light along 9th East during the morning and afternoon.  Any possibility of get a drop in speed fronting Wasatch until past Birch along 9th East during those high pedestrian traffic times?
• The Council decided to accept last year’s Routing Plan with a change to add an extra traffic cone in a high pedestrian traffic crosswalk near a crossing guard. 
• David Armond made the motion, and Emily Ensign seconded the motion—approved by all in attendance.
• Trust LANDS Report—Mrs. Densley
• We are getting a small addition of money to this fund.  It will probably be about five to six thousand dollars.
• We would like to carry over this amount to aid with class size issues for next year.
• A clarification in language was made in the fourth section.
• David Armond made a motion to accept the final Trust LANDS Report, Julie Martin seconded the motion, all in attendance voted in the affirmative to approve the motion.
• Chinese Immersion – update
• The monthly parent meeting was held this past week. 
• There was a demonstration of the PowerSpeak software program.
• The children were impressive as they showed off their skill at reading the Chinese characters.
• We will be having a deadline to fill slots by Wasatch families for next years Chinese classes.  If there are spots left over, they will be opened around the district.
• Entrance into the program is completely by parental choice.  There are no restrictions upon children with IEPs.
• Capital Improvement Projects – input from Council
• There were many items named and prioritized to Wasatch’s Capital Improvement list.  These are some of the items mentioned.
• New carpet in rooms that have not been replaced.
• The gym and cafeteria doors need to be replaced because the crash bars do not function properly.
• The outside eves of the school need to be repaired.
• New cabinets need to be added to some classrooms.
• Outside lighting needs to be improved on the south side of the building.
• The ceilings in the south bathrooms need to be lowered.
• Paint in peeling on walls along the south hall.
• The sprinkling system needs to be on timer to water more efficiently with less waste.
• WASATCH TOO—stacked lockers need to be added upstairs, the gym echoes too much (sound panels are needed), the bathrooms need some updating

10.Other business from council members

• None at this time

Proposed Future Meeting Dates to be held from 11:40 to 12:40

• December 11 (if needed)
• February 19
• March 19
• April 16
• May (if needed)

Meetings will be held in the main Wasatch Building in Room 33

 

October 9, 2009

• Welcome  Present:  Ann Marie Howard, Sandy Davis, Colleen Densley, David Armond, Teresa Dickson, Emily Ensign, David Hart, Margaret Ludlow, Julie Martin, Julie Porter, Tessa Santiago, Tawnicia Stocking

• Opening Comments by Emily Ensign
• Thanks to Janet and Dennis Hall and McDonald’s for lunch.  A thank you card was passed around the council, which was signed, and to be delivered to the Halls.
• PAWS Report – Margaret Ludlow
• Spoke of gratitude for all of those worked long hours to bring about the Fall Festival.  There has been some concerns mentioned that the Fall Festival is much work for the profit.  Council members spoke in favor continuing the festival for several reasons including:  large amount of money raised in just one event, the festival is preferred over other fund raisers like candy sales, low amount of work for teachers, and tradition.  There was a concern mentioned that room representatives may be spending too much of their own money to prepare the silent auction baskets.  Some of the themes are much more difficult than others to procure items from families.
• Wasatch Routing Plan – Emily Ensign
• This was a follow up from the previous meeting.  As far as Mrs. Ensign is aware, no one has spoken directly with Casey Serr, the Provo City Traffic Engineer, concerning the intersection at Briar and Cherry.  Julie Martin volunteered to contact him.
• PowerSpeak – Colleen Densley
• This is an online computer program that teaches foreign languages.  This will be of benefit especially to the families of the Chinese Immersion program.  Jim Blair is one of the original owners of the PowerSpeak Company.  We did not purchase the entire program because of cost, so the user will not be able to track progress and bookmark lessons on the program.  Jayne Smith will be adding a link to our school website to allow access to the program.
• Other business from council members
• Update on Chinese Immersion program:  (Julie Porter) the teachers and parents just conducted their first monthly parent information meeting which went very well.  The children are participating in the foster grandparent program in which they sang songs to the older folks in Chinese.  The children went on a field trip over to BYU that was very successful.  There has been good bonding between the students in the classes.  Parents have had positive comments about the program.  Information concerning next year will be coming before very long.
• School Trust Land Report will be forthcoming.
• The sound system connecting Wasatch Too and Wasatch will hopefully be completed over Fall Break.  The parts have finally arrived, and the wiring is being installed at this time.
• A district decision has been made to rebuild Farrer Elementary first from the money received from the federal government.  Wasatch is second on the list to be rebuilt.

Future Meetings to be held from 11:40 – 12:40 (Wasatch Building Room 33)

• October 9
• November 13
• December 11 (if needed)
• January 15
• February 19
• March 19
• April 16
• May (if needed)

 

September 24, 2009

1. Welcome Present at meeting: Colleen Densley (Principal), David Armond, Sandy Davis, Teresa Dickson, Emily Ensign, David Hart, Suzanne Kershisnik, Margaret Ludlow, Julie Martin, Julie Porter, Tessa Santiago, Tawnicia Stocking, Tina Roberts Absent: Ann Marie Howard

2. Opening Comments – by Teresa Dickson
3. Thanks to Janet and Dennis Hall and McDonald’s for lunch.
4. PAWS Report – Margaret Ludlow – The big focus of this month is preparation for and completion of the Fall Festival which will take place tomorrow. Everyone’s efforts and hard work on the festival is greatly appreciated. PAWS is partnering with Wasatch and the Provo School District to create another E-Mints classroom in our sixth grade. We hope that the desks and computers will arrive soon, so we can begin the project.
5. The School Community Council – We viewed the DVD on instructions to School Community Councils. The DVD also included the Trust Lands section. The main responsibilities of a school community council include creating and approving the following plans: Trust Lands, School Improvement, Routing, Professional Development and Reading Improvement.
6. Election of New Officers – Ann Marie Howard was nominated and elected as new Chairperson of the council. Sandy Davis was nominated and elected as new Vice Chairperson.
7. Wasatch Routing Plan – Tina Roberts presented the Wasatch Routing Plan for this year. The area of concern is the Briar Lane the Cherry Lane Crosswalk. There has been a traffic study completed, and the recommendation is to add a crossing guard to this intersection. We expect support from City Council members David Acheson and Cindy Clark. The Provo Traffic Engineer is the person who makes the decision, and the guard is paid for out the Police Department budget.
8. School Improvement Plan – A motion was made by David Armond to approve the Wasatch School Improvement Plan. Emily Ensign seconded the motion, and all present voted in the affirmative. The following acronyms need to be written out for clarity: PLC (Professional Learning Communities), DMI (Developing Mathematical Ideas), CMI (Comprehensive Mathematics Instruction)
9. Other business from council members – none at this time

Future Meetings to be held from 11:40 – 12:40 (Math room)
• October 9
• November 13
• December 11 (if needed)
• January 15
• February 19
• March 19
• April 16
• May ? (if needed)

 

May 22, 2009

• Welcome—Attending the meeting:  David Acheson, chairman, Sandy Davis, vice chairman, Colleen Densley, principal, Barbara Acheson, David Armond, David Hart, Rebecca Hofheins, Ann Marie Howard, Betsy McFarland, Julie Porter, Tessa Santiago, Tawnicia Stocking

• Opening Comments—Colleen Densley
• Thanks to Janet and Dennis Hall and McDonald’s for lunch.
• PAWS Report – The current PAWS year’s calendar is now completed.  Field Day had more parent support than ever.  It was a success.  A date has been set for the Fall Festival:  September 25th.  Any receipts for reimbursement from PAWS and checks issued by PAWS must be turned in and cashed by Friday, June 5th.  Mrs. Densley will check with individual teachers about any money left to be spent.
• Professional Development Time
• Early release days for next year – Before each holiday like we have done each year for the last eight years passed in the last meeting.
• Teacher Quality Budget presented for approval.  After reviewing the budget presented by Colleen Densley, a motion was made by David Armond to accept the budget.  Betsy McFarland seconded the motion, and all of the council approved the measure.  Wasatch will be looking to hire someone to teach PE to the first grade that knows Chinese.  We would also like to provide full version RADKid instruction to the children every other year with refresher courses alternate years.  Mrs. Pratt will be teaching RADKids again, and Ann Marie Howard will receive training to become an instructor this summer.
• Thank you to all of the members of the Council for their service.  David Acheson, Barbara Acheson, Rebecca Hofheins and Tessa Santiago who have just completed their two-year term.
• Thanks to the following members who will be continuing:  Davis Armond, David Hart, and Ann Marie Howard.
• The following people have been nominated and elected for the Community Council:  Emily Ensign, Suzanne Kershishnik, Margaret Ludlow, and Tessa Santiago.
• Other business from council members—Parent volunteer needs?  We will be looking for parent volunteers focusing on help for PE instruction, library assistants and classroom assistants.

 

April 24, 2009

• Welcome –in attendance:  Sandy Davis, vice chair, Colleen Densley, principal, Barbara Acheson, David Armond, Ann Avery, David Hart, Ann Marie Howard, Betsy McFarland, Julie Porter, Tawnicia Stocking

• Opening Comments:  Sandy Davis
• Thanks to Janet and Dennis Hall and McDonald’s for lunch.
• PAWS Report – 
• Feedback from No TV Week:  Very positive.  The activity reward was well received.  The younger children may need an immediate small prize as a reward during the week.  Actually this reward was a more immediate prize than anything we have done in the last years.  Mrs. Hart did a fabulous job this year.
• May 2nd –rummage sale
• May 5th—Art Show:  Grandpa Bartlett will be the guest artist
• May 6th—Hope of America Program for the Fifth graders
• May 8th—General PAWS Meeting and luncheon in the park at 11:30 a.m.
• May 14th and 15th—Hershey Track Meet at Provo High  (14th will be the field events here at Wasatch) We will honor Gary Edwards for his years of service to Wasatch at the Hershey.
• May 20th—Reading Celebration 8:45 a.m. to award bikes and scholarships and other small prizes to great readers
• May 20th—Faculty vs. 6th grade Kick Ball game at 2:00 
• May 22nd—K-2 Field Day
• We will know about next year’s volunteer needs as the budgets are finalized within the next month.
• Chinese Immersion – update
• At this time without advertisement, Wasatch has received 82 applications for the Chinese Immersion Program.  We have even received applications from families out of state who are moving here to participate.  Because of the response we are opening a third class of Chinese Immersion.  We have not heard back about the summer camp grant, but we are optimistic that the grant will be accepted.
• Professional Development Time—
• Early release days for next year – Before each holiday like we have done each year for the last eight years.  A motion was brought forward by Ann Marie Howard and seconded by Barbara Acheson to support our plan for early release days.  Those in attendance all voted in favor of the measure.
• Thank you to all of the members of the Council for their service.  David Acheson, Barbara Acheson, Rebecca Hofheins and Tessa Santiago who have just completed their two-year term.
• Thanks to the following members who will be continuing:  David Armond, David Hart, and Ann Marie Howard.
• The following people have been nominated for the Community Council:  Emily Ensign, Suzanne Kershisnik, Margaret Ludlow, and Tessa Santiago.
• Voting for Council Members will continue today for new families at Kindergarten Registration.
• Teaching Assignments for the 2009-2010 school year.
• 6th grade:  Betsy McFarland, Tawnicia Stocking and Amy Workman
• 5th grade:  Michelle Hatch, Heidi Lovell and Sandy Davis
• 4th grade:  Christine Whatcott, Mary Starr, Susan Park and Lyn Chapman (shared contract with one person on the team TBA)
• 3rd grade:  Teresa Dickson, Julie Nelson/Marie Mattinson (shared contract 1/2 time), Amy Archibald
• 2nd / 3rd combination:  Randy Evensen
• 2nd grade:  Ann Avery, Karen Wilde, Nikki Bingham
• 1st grade:  6 classes -- English:  Teresa Tolutau, Deniece Ord, Mary Stewart, Julie Porter, Cheryl Loveless  Chinese:  Nancy West and Becky Li
• Kindergarten:  Valerie Whitaker (all day), Coral Werner (half day), Laurie Porter (half day)
• Facilitator:  DeAnna Perry and Lyn Chapman will share this position
• Music:  Stefanie Hatch will remain full time
• PE:  unknown at this time
• Library:  unknown at this time

 

 

March 20, 2009

• Welcome -- attending:  Chairman David Acheson, Vice Chair Sandy Davis, Principal Colleen Densley, Barbara Acheson, David Armond, Ann Avery, David Hart, Rebecca Hofheins, Ann Marie Howard, Betsy McFarland, Julie Porter, Tessa Santiago, Tawnicia Santiago and Richard Sheffield (Provo School District Board Member)

• Opening Comments
• Thanks to Janet and Dennis Hall and McDonald’s for lunch.
• Welcome to Richard Sheffield, Provo School Board Member
• PAWS Report –
• Teacher Appreciation Week is next week.  Doors will be decorated starting this afternoon.  Breakfast will be provided to staff at 7:45 Tuesday morning.  Treats will be provided in the mornings the rest of the week in both buildings.  The finale will be our annual luncheon on Friday starting at 11:10 a.m.
• No TV Week is coming the first week in April.  Lisa Hart will head it up. 
• The district has a new Cyber Bullying Policy.  Greg Hudnall would like hearing comments on the policy.  Please read the policy on the district website and email Mr. Hudnall with your opinion.
• Chinese Immersion—update
• We have a good problem with our upcoming Chinese Immersion program—too many interested families.  There were approximately 120 people that attended the March 11th information meeting.  63 applications to enroll have been turned in (only 6 are from out of area families).  The district will assist in creating a lottery to select 52 students out of the 63 applicants.
• Hopefully we will be able to offer a two-week summer camp for the children in the program.  The children will perform in a program for their parents at the end of the camp to show what they have learned.  Attendance will be required in order to enroll in the program.  We will need to consider a policy for those families who cannot attend the camp. 
• School LAND Trust Program
• A motion was presented to approve our School LAND Trust Plan.  Voting in the affirmative was unanimous.
• Call for Nominations and Voting for Council Members
• Call for Nominations—sent home the week of March 2-6
• Nominations due today March 20  The following four people have been nominated to serve on the council:  Emily Ensign, Margaret Ludlow, Suzanne Kershisnik and Tessa Santiago.
• Voting from March 23-March 27 (SEP Conference time)
• Voting April 24 for new families at Kindergarten Registration
• Other business from council members
• David Acheson invited Richard Sheffield to update the council on the budget issues facing the school board.
• Mr. Sheffield responded that the board has taken a proactive approach to the budget by prioritizing needs and possible cuts in order to be able to adapt to different eventualities.  It looks like we will not be facing too many more cuts next year, but we would do not know what the future will hold in the next couple of years.
• The board wants to avoid any class size increases.
• One million dollars in cuts earlier in the year have helped offset additional necessary cuts.
• An incentive has been offered to employees who are nearing retirement to retire this year.
• The recent bond is helping to maintain budgets for building maintenance and improvements.
• It does not look like there will be any school closures for this upcoming school year.  Closing an elementary school would save $500,000 a year.

• Mr. Sheffield’s philosophy is to do what is best for the largest number of children possible.  He tries to balance support for his neighborhood with what is best for the whole city.  He is happy to hear any ideas or questions from Wasatch parents.  He can be most easily reached at his work email:  rsheffield@fslaw.com
• The Council appreciates Mr. Sheffield’s attendance at our meeting, and the update on the school board’s plans.

Future Meetings to be held from 11:15 - 1215

• April 24
• May 2 (if needed)

 

February 27, 2009

• Welcome – Attending:  Colleen Densley (Principal), Ann Avery, Ann Marie Howard, David Armond, Betsy McFarland, Tawnicia Stocking, Julie Porter, Sandy Davis (Vice Chair), Barbara Acheson and David Acheson (Chair)

• Opening Comments
• Thanks to Janet and Dennis Hall and McDonald’s for lunch.
• PAWS Report –
• March—Celebrate Abilities has been moved to March 24th with an assembly for half an hour and lunchtime activities.
• Kindergarten Program
• Teacher Appreciation 
• Room Rep decorating doors on Friday, Mar. 20th
• Luncheon on Friday, March 27th
• April 6-10th  NO TV Week
• PAWS Volunteers are willing to make themselves available to help as possible.  It would be great to coordinate needs vs. volunteers.  Chairperson over volunteerism—Barbara Acheson.  Dawn Frandsen and Ann Marie Howard have volunteered to help with this committee. Should we look at providing training for parent volunteers?  Give them guidelines about Wasatch procedures.  Teachers will need to provide a schedule.  We will discuss volunteer needs during next faculty meeting.  Tawnicia Stocking (upper) and Ann Avery (lower) will be the teacher coordinators.   
• Chinese Immersion – update
• Parent meeting March 11 at 6:30 p.m.  We want Wasatch people to have first chance to sign up.  After March 11th, we will advertise to outside people.  We have about 40 Wasatch families who have submitted forms to say they are interested or very interested in the program.  We have hired a teacher for the program (Nancy West). 
• We are applying for a national grant to receive funds to have a two week Chinese Camp during the summer.
• School LAND Trust Program
• We watched the School LAND Trust CD during lunch.
• Our LAND Trust account will be less than we have received in previous years which will have an effect on what we will be able to accomplished from our goals.
• Our first priority will remain hiring an additional teacher as needed. Then meeting lower and upper grade needs in reading.  Next priority will be funding after school and / or summer school.  Finally if we have funds available they would be used to purchase books to support literacy (levels D, E, F need boosting)
• Motion to support this draft document, seconded, unanimously approved
• Call for Nominations and Voting for Council Members
• Call for Nominations—sent home the week of March 2-6
• We will need to replace Barbara Acheson, David Acheson, Tessa Santiago, and Rebecca Hofheins as they have served for two years at the end of this school year.
• Nominations due March 20
• Voting from March 23-March 27 (SEP Conference time)
• Voting April 24 for new families at Kindergarten Registration
• Huntsman Awards
• Deadline is April 2nd
• Think about nominations within the next two weeks
• It is encouraged to resubmit previous applications.
• Other business from council members
• Some of the results of budget cuts (there may be other changes) are listed below:
• Class size will be raised by one student
• Class size reduction money may be reduced
• Sandy Davis will be moved from the library to a classroom next year to save money

Future Meetings to be held from 11:15 - 1215

• March 20
• April 24
• May 2 (if needed)

 

Minutes--Wasatch Community Council

January 23, 2009

Attending Meeting:  Chairman: David Acheson, Principal: Colleen Densley, Vice Chair: Sandy Davis, Tawnicia Stocking, Betsy McFarland, Ann Avery, Ann Marie Howard, Julie Porter, Rebecca Hofheins, David Armond

1. Thanks to Dennis Hall and McDonald’s for lunch.  

2. PAWS Report

• Spirit Week went well.  The grade level “cheers” turned out very successful and it is advised that we keep this activity for next year.
• Science Fair is coming soon and plans are in place for this activity.
• Storyteller Bill Harley Monday, Feb. 2nd: A private donor has volunteered to pay for the storyteller, so the PAWS funds designated for this activity have been moved over to NO TV Week funding.
• Humanitarian Aid Food Drive Feb. 2 – 14th.  Margaret Ludlow will be in charge of this activity.
• Talent Show Tryouts Feb. 11th Show Feb 20th Remember to be careful about the staging of the microphones so that they do not interfere with sight lines of the audience.
• Celebrate Abilities Day Feb 27th
• Suggestions for NO TV Week:  no candy rewards, activities more family centered with suggested books and field trips that they can do together.  Maybe give out activity suggestions further in advance so families can plan what to do together over that week instead of watching television or playing video games.

3. Chinese Immersion – update

• Mrs. Densley presented a PowerPoint presentation about the Chinese Immersion program, which will be started at Wasatch next school year.  Immediately after the progam is presented to the School Board, a letter will go out to Kindergarten parents explaining the program and an article will be submitted in the PAWS Newsletter.  A tentative timeline has been established for registration into the program.
• We will have a parent information/orientation meeting in February.  Members of the Wasatch Community Council will be invited to this meeting.
• We will be looking for 52 first grade students to fill two classes.  These students will split their school day between their Chinese-speaking teacher and their English-speaking teacher (Julie Porter).

 

4. Other business from council members

• Wasatch II: Lack of a sound system connecting from the office to classrooms is a safety concern. Use of walkie talkies may be one way to alieviate this concern.  The acquisition of walkie talkies will need to be investigated.
• Trust Land monies have been hit by the down turn in investments.  So, our school’s share of Trust Land money will be less next year than previously planned upon.  We will have to adjustment our plans to accommodate the decrease in funding.

5. Future Meetings to be held from 11:15-12:15

• February 27
• March 20
• April 24
• May 2 (if needed)             

 

Minutes -- Wasatch Community Council
November 21, 2008

Members of Council in Attendance:  President David Acheson, Vice Chair Sandy Davis, Principal Colleen Densley, Barbara Acheson, David Armond, David Hart, Ann Marie Howard, Julie Porter, Tessa Santiago

1. Welcome, opening comments, thank you to Dennis and Janet Hall for supplying lunch for the council from McDonalds.
2. PAWS Report –
● Suzanne Kersishnik has done a very nice job leading the Expressions Program this year. The Expressions Workshops are almost finished. Attendance has been great. Art Projects will be due December 5th. We are giving awards for art content instead of 1st, 2nd, 3rd place awards
● Santa will be visiting on Dec. 18th
● Spirit Week Jan. 6 – 9th Lisa Hart is in charge of the week. She is busy making plans. We will try to finalize plans for the week after Thanksgiving. Family Dance on 9th at 6:00 p.m. A DJ for the dance needs to be arranged.
● Science Fair --Tawnicia Stocking will be meeting with all of the classes (4-6 grades only) before Christmas The third grade will be holding their own Science Fair a little later in the year. Judges have not been finalized. Parent volunteers will be needed to support activities during the day.
● National Geography Bee January 15th in the morning during the school day.
3. Wasatch Routing Plan – We have our plans submitted with our requests.
4. Trust LANDS Report—
● Watched the Trust LANDS video
● Our school allotment is about $32,000 in new money this year with first priority paying for a teacher to reduce class size.
● Next priority is for teaching assistants to support reading.
● We are sending a letter to all of our elected officials to thank them for Trust LANDS funds and to let them know how much the Trust LANDS funds help our school.
5. Chinese Immersion – update
● We would like to invite our Chinese parents to help integrate the program and support teaching Chinese culture to our regular student population.
● We are looking at two sessions of kindergarten as a start. We need two sessions to be able to have a teacher teach the two classes for the other half of the school day and keep a full contract. We are looking for native Chinese speakers as teachers for the Chinese half of the day. We are expecting help from BYU in securing a teacher.
● We will be receiving further information about this program in coming meetings.
6. Capital Improvement Projects –
● We still have more carpeting to complete in the south hall. The next need for carpeting is the Wasatch North Building. Then there are other areas throughout the Wasatch Main Building that need attention (including the library).
● Connecting the Sound system to the Wasatch North Building is a priority to our school (safety issues and maintaining our identity and culture). We are trying to get the sound connections done as soon as possible. The district would like to wait until the new budget year because of funds.
● Interior doors need to be repainted.
● Timpanogos signs need to be replaced by Wasatch North signs.
7. Other business from council members –
● President David Acheson is going to invite school board member Richard Sheffield to our January Council Meeting. We will thank him for his donated Satch picture and update him on the activities of the council in support of Wasatch.
Future Meetings to be held from 11:15 - 1215
● January 23
● February 27
● March 20
● April 24
● May 2 (if needed)

 

September 25, 2008

• Welcome

• Opening Comments
• Thanks to Janet and Dennis Hall and McDonald’s for lunch.
• PAWS Report –
• Fall Festival is a success with the highest profit made to date.  Mrs. Ensign and her group did a great job!! 
• Vision screening has been completed.  A request was made that the screening next year be held in the afternoon instead of the morning.
• Red Ribbon Week is in October, but it does coincide with the week we are moving classrooms to Oakridge, so that needs to be kept in mind when planning activities.  Lunchtime activities are always appreciated.
• Halloween Parade scheduled for 10:00 am on Oct. 31st.  An idea was presented to change the parade from the gym location to a parade from classroom to classroom to alleviate the noisy and crowded conditions in the gym.  This idea will be presented to the faculty for approval.

1. The School Community Council
• We watched the PowerPoint presentation on what is a school community council and what is it supposed to do.  If anyone missed this presentation and would like a copy of it to look at, please email me back and I will send a copy to you to watch.
2. Election of New Officers

• Electing new officers was postponed until the next meeting so more parent members could be present.
• Wasatch Routing Plan
• Mrs. Ensign presented the plan for this year.  There are two areas of concern:  unmanned crosswalks on 700 North and the unmanned crosswalk on Briar and Cherry.  We will request a traffic study and then proceed to work with the city council and mayor to make appropriate safety improvements.
• School Improvement Plan
• Waiting to finalize plan with new data from spring.  Digital SAMS not available yet which will crunch numbers and assist with data analysis.  This program should be online soon.  We are hoping to have the SIP updated by next month.
• At this time the school is funding 1 1/2 teachers beyond district funding, and we may need to change that to 2 teachers if we do not pick up 7 new students quickly.  The council has decided to use School Trust Land Funds to help pay for these positions.  This extra staffing allows us to reduce class size in 6th grade classrooms. 
• Other business from council members
• Dates to be aware of:  Oct. 20 (Oakridge should be empty and process of cleaning begun), Oct. 23 (moving started into Oakridge), Oct. 24 1:00 (Movers arrive to move large and heavy items to Oakridge), Oct. 27th Teacher Quality Day (No Students)  Day used to set up classrooms.  All teachers will help one another with this move.
• Concern was raised by David Armond about the advisability of technology plans to place projectors in every classroom.  Last year’s council agreed to focus on upper grades first.  Also, we need to include maintenance into our technology budgeting.  We will continue to focus on supporting quality teaching with appropriate use of technology.

Future Meetings to be held from 11:15 - 1215

• October 24
• November 21
• December 12 (if needed)
• January 23
• February 27
• March 20
• April 24
• May 2 (if needed)