MAY 2003 CSCA MEETING MINUTES

The Center School Community Association
Board Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2003

Attending

Andrea Edwards, Wendy Graff, Jon Greenberg, Bob Moore, Judith Peterson, Mollie Price, Denise Sobieralski, Brian Vance, Ben Wheeler. Guest: Molly Pritchard. Wendy Graff chaired the meeting.

Minutes of March 31, 2003: M/S/P to approve minutes as written.

Writers in the Schools: Molly Pritchard attended the meeting to describe this program, which places professional writers in schools on an extended basis during the school year. Writers help staff to develop curriculum and then work with students on various writing projects for a total of 28 contact days (at three hours per day); total cost for a school to participate is $4,000. Liaison with other programs, such as the Puget Sound Writers' Project, Centrum, Seattle Arts and Lectures, and the University of Washington, are possible. Several Seattle high schools have participated in the Writers in the Schools program, and have reported positively on their experience. There was general consensus among Board members that we're interested in supporting this program; Molly Pritchard was asked to do further research to find out when a school would have to commit funds to assure 2003-04 participation. The amount requested is within our ability to fund.
Action: It was M/S/A to fund this project, pending further information on the timing for committing funds.

Reports

Treasurer: Our financial position remains very favorable. Parent donations are still coming in, and revenue from this source has exceeded our expectations.

Students:

• The second annual talent show was a financial success, and those who staged it "learned a lot" about the challenges of staging an event of this kind. Next year, it may be structured as a fund-raiser for the school, and perhaps scheduled for the fall rather than spring months.
• Election of class officers has been changed to the spring this year.
• National Honor Society inductions were held; about 20% of junior and sophomore students are NHS members.
• Junior students are meeting with Mr. Vance to review graduation requirements.
  

Administration:

• 2003-04 school assignments are complete, and a total of 334 students were assigned to TCS. That's 10% over our capacity--and it's expected that with some "no-shows," the actual number in the fall will be closer to what we are actually equipped to deal with (but probably still over capacity). The approximate numbers by class: 100 freshman, 90 sophomore, 70 junior, and 65 seniors. The perception of TCS till seems fairly good; this school was first or second choice of 167 assigned students. Judy Peterson acknowledged that there will be challenges in accommodating all of the new and returning students for next year, in our first fully-populated (and senior class) year.
• The school district budget hasn't yet been finalized; it's still possible that reductions in force (RIFs) could be necessary. TCS budgeting remains okay at this point.
• Judy Peterson is still working on the school-day schedule for next year, and is still exploring ways to add an extra period to the day.
• Parents of students who will enter TCS next year are being heard from as planning for the auction proceeds. One parent has suggested a way to make a sailing program available to TCS students.
• The new video featuring TCS has been set up for viewing; those who have seen it are very enthusiastic.
• The annual Folklife event begins on Friday, May 30. This year, TCS will "join 'em, not fight 'em" - with so much distracting activity on the Center grounds, students will be freed up to participate for part of the day, with an expectation that they will submit descriptive reports on two events.
  
  

• Humanities 11th grade…journalism unit begun; "Fast Food Nation" is featured, and activities are linked with social justice issues.
• Creative writing…last poetry genre beginning; there's a poet in classes most days; prepping for a June 3? 9? "cabaret" event at Richard Hugo House.
• Mural project…One parent (Norma Howard) helping prime the wall and lay out the design; this might be completed by the end of the school year.
• Science…park restoration project at Kinnear has been completed; health unit next. Denise Sobieralski will teach a 9th-grade health unit for six weeks, expanding her teaching beyond the science curriculum.
• Math…Ms. Sobieralski is taking a group to UW 5/22 for prime project connection.
• Humanities…Indian subcontinent art and religion focus now, followed by economic and environmental issues (India and China).

New Business

• Exploring Arts is running short of money by about $200 (materials needed for ink, paint, and supplies to paint the mural). Action: It was M/S/A to fund an extra $200 for completion of the mural.
• Jon Greenberg requested $90 to fund bus transportation to the mock trial competition at the University of Washington. Action: It was M/S/A to fund $90 for this trip.
• Andi Edwards requested $138 for yoga mats (which can also be used by other users). Action: It was M/S/A to fund $138 for this purpose.
• Preparation work for the "dragon case" continues.
  

• The Costa Rica trip was fabulous!

Next Meeting: Monday, June 2, 2003 from 5-7 p.m. (last Board meeting of the regular school year).

Respectfully submitted,

Bob Moore
CSCA Co-President