001Good evening and welcome to Kahosi School District Board of Education meeting tonight, September 10th. Meeting will be called to order at 6:03 p.m. Emergency exits, two on the side here and the one that you came in. We would meet out front. Could you please stand for the pledge of allegiance? I aliance to the flag of American >> here. >> Mrs. Paradis >> here. >> Mr. Gerros >> here. >> Mrs. Burwell >> here. >> And Mrs. Giller, >> I am here. So, I'd like to welcome everyone back to a new school year. At this time, I will turn it over to Superintendent O'Shea to give some uh school opening reports. >> Thank you. Well, we've had a very smooth opening of school this year, starting with our staff development days. And I want to thank President
002Giller for her inspirational speech to staff at opening days. I just want to quote something that uh she said. So the people in this room are the reason for any success that we experience as a school district and they build upon each other. You are the ones building futures, shaping the lives of our students and strengthening the foundation of the cohose community. Uh so we had a room full of staff and the feedback was very positive. Margaret had a little movement activity with uh people standing. I don't know if you want to share anything, but it was a a great opening speech. >> Well, I wasn't as nervous as I usually am because I'm usually very very nervous right now, but uh you know, broad participation is always a win. What do you think, Mayor?
003>> I think a lot of people got to get up. >> Yeah. So, thank you. Um and then I do have just a brief opening day report. I know you have reports from the principles. Um but if uh see oops so uh I did update the enrollment uh as of the the 10th and um if you look at our numbers this is still being compared to bed stay. Um overall right now um we we are down since uh last school year. Uh last school year at Beday we were at 1978 but we still have kids moving moving in. So we will put the two slides up year to year on beday which is the first Wednesday in October um to to get the the true picture. Our ENL numbers um we are down 16. Uh
004we are down eight at Harmony Hill and eight at the middle school. We're the same at the high school. These numbers do not include students who are at the commanding level. And it's not necessarily because of movement. We have had a number of students who have tested out which is a really good thing. Um but again Jacqueline will put together something more in depth so you can see how many moved how many move to the to the next level. Um so the uh >> can I just clarify two things? >> Yes. >> Okay. Everybody know so Peggy's referring to beds day. It's a snapshot in time one day where all districts have to report. So we always use that day in October because kids have to be assigned to one building. So that's why we
005use that number. And then, you know, as far as the ENL services, when kids are commanding out, they still are required to get services even though they're not necessarily considered um an an ENL student like actively through having to take a nice slot exam. So, there's still required supports there. >> Thank you. Um so uh the yonder pouch roll out uh went very well at both of the buildings and uh our assistant principal of the high school Darnell Douglas is going to share a little with you about that. You need to project. >> Yeah, >> there's a fan or something on. >> I will tell you my perspective. So I know this is actually anyone >> it's been really good not to have to we can be able to actually do instruction. Yesterday I walked
006out of classroom into the halls and I got a little nervous and then I realized it was just students interacting with this actually coming out of class with each other. I mean, not as a staff member, but I I have actually received some feedback from other staff members that it has gone so well, surprisingly well. Um, you know, like you were saying, kids are less anxious. They're actually interacting, but such positive feedback so far. Um, you know, we obviously made this decision for a reason. Um, so it's great to hear that the roll out is has worked so far. Um, just keep doing that. But I did, you know, personally receive some feedback from some folks and said it has literally been the best start of the school year. Um, especially a number of people
007at the middle school best start of the school year that they've ever had between the securely hall pass system and the yonder pouches. I know they started first day with both of those things. So feel like they they really feel like it it makes a big difference and and I think the high school will be doing the securely passes soon. Is that is that correct? >> That's the plan. Slow roll out. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Well, I mean I know there's like a little bit of a different you know we wanted to have it cohesive but we know that you know each of the buildings have different priorities to Yeah. make sure that kids are used to uh doing what they need to do and are communicated what their expectations are. So great. >> Yeah.
008Thank you. >> So funny story. I was walking through the high school today and I was hearing, "Hi, Miss O'Shea. Hi, Miss O'Shea. Hi, Miss O'Shea." I was like, "Wow, I'm really because people were and students were in the hallway and seeing each other and so that that was pretty interesting. Uh so I did want to tell you that um also in terms of the reports I think you saw that uh kudos again to the facilities crew um everything uh very complimentary and uh thank thanks to your team. Um any um before I go into some other um items, anything I know you have the reports um a few things still in the process of being ordered. Most most everything in a few things in terms of technology. Um Tim's not in today. So uh
009PJ and I did meet and anything on the list is in process in terms of um being ordered or being being sent out. So, any any other questions about opening debt? >> I mean, I personally have not been through all of the reports. I'm just wondering if there's anything that can hit on for each of the buildings or if there's anything that we need to um discuss even if even if it's positive. >> It was it was everyone was extremely positive about facilities about this, you know, state of their building. there were many many >> about how everything had just a few little things that I mentioned um you know with technology that that we're working on but you know I mean I've been here quite a while it was it was very smooth opening
010>> so kudos to our administrators board >> I just want to give kudos I know Laura Tarlo did a lot of investigating into the yonder pouches and um went and visited the schools and stuff like that and I know She went with someone else, a couple of different people. But I just want to say thank you to Laura publicly for taking that on. >> Yeah. >> Especially to hear such the good news from the kids. >> Great. >> Um so I met with our our student exeicio board members uh could not make it today. Um they will be at the next meeting. Uh I met with them uh Gabe White and um uh Drake Milano who are the co-advisors of the student council. Uh and um they're going to use the student council meetings as
011a vehicle for um our student board members who are both also uh president and vice president of student council to to share out information and also to receive information. um you know that they're and come up with ways to receive information from this student body and um also through um our student voice committee um that one of them is a member of. So we discussed that and um we also discussed having a report from student board members uh at our our meetings monthly and they are um they're eager to do that. I didn't want to put them on the spot. We talked about it. Um they're not here today. um that they said they would be more than willing to start with an opening school report after the first few weeks of school at the
012next meeting. That does entail changing our um one of our policies a little bit because we outline the um board meetings uh agenda at the pol at the um in a policy. So, I just wanted to to let you know that and get any feedback and ask if you're fine with changing that at the next meeting. Yeah, >> I think it's important for us to, you know, have an inclusive process and and having it defined in our policy is going to make it so that, you know, there is a space in time where they can speak. Um, you know, one of the other things we're talking about is, you know, possibly looking at, you know, some of the things where we could have them introduce themselves, where, you know, they're they're actually engaging in conversation,
013too. So I think uh policy committee can meet and get get together for that and come up with something at least for >> thank you. Uh they also have been invited on September 17th to attend uh at BOSI's a meeting with student board members throughout the capitol region and they are interested uh in attending that. So um they can also share about how that went well. It's a great leadership opportunity for them too to communicate with students from other districts. Uh the CHS track opened on Monday. Uh no walkers yet, but Matt Lumbard received five registrations. Uh and he's going to keep me posted. The communication went out also at the same time that the indoor track would open from November to April, November 1st to April. send something out in October with the with
014the sign up for that. But so that community knows that it'll be open. Right now it is just in the morning because there are after school practices and events almost almost every day. Um but we we'll continue to monitor that. And um I mentioned we are looking into uh because right now Matt will be there in the morning starting his shift then. Um but for the future maybe the spring you know look at ways that um community members can either sign in have a code sliding badge etc. We talked about that with CSR and are getting the information back um and then >> uh ask question about that. So um we have that communication on our website. How do community comm community members know that it's there and accessible? So it also went out through
015parent square. So but I know that is primarily parents. Um I can ask Mary to also put it on Facebook because that is the way many of our community members you know reach. So ask put it on Facebook as well. um some districts and I would really like to look into this use parent square for community members as well where community members can sign up for a parent square account. I think um your former district uh did that. Um so I might be talking to you about that too. Look at us pouch. Um but so that's another way that if um community members want targeted messages. So that's something we can start to explore. So, I know the mayor does a quarterly kind of newsletter. Not to say that it needs to be, you know,
016like point people in the direction of the website if they if they choose. And there is a condition in there that it is for residents. >> It's it's for residents. They have to sign up. Children need to be accompanied. Um Mr. you know, uh he will be giving, by the way, he'll be giving a report at the next meeting about fall sports and how everything went. Um we were talking today about uh dogs. Um so, uh to add, you know, not to have dogs and we're we have we're getting signage, etc., but to really put that out there there too because that's something that we're starting, you know, to notice. >> Is that something I know that we have an animals in school policy. Is that something we have to review for >> um we
017can >> exclusion on certain >> we can look through that. >> I mean I think it might make sense if we're going to policy anyway to just look at that >> y >> policy to see if it does have anything about track or the grounds. >> I know that we had >> nice thinking and >> yeah just because there's different differentiations on service dogs too. So we do go to policy with that. We should do a little research to make sure it's not as all-encompassing as >> we do. I know that part of that policy does mention service animals and how to qualify, you know, that that >> Yeah. like certified. >> Yeah. >> So, we have a social service dog policy. Um, but then we also we can look at, you know, on school
018grounds policy. I know that the elementary principles put out not on playgrounds, etc. So, we'll see where that all lies and and pull it together for concert. >> Okay. I was good with that. >> Yeah. I just I know that we were we discussed it when the track when we went to the opening ceremony of the track because people were bringing their animals to the sporting events and it's just not appropriate to be, you know, in that condensed area with >> with the fences and everything >> with the fences and challenging. Yeah. So I know >> being on the track because >> or Yeah. being on the track. Yeah. Yeah. I know, right? But I know that they were Jeff and well, Mr. Huno and M. Tarlo were talking about getting, you know, a sign
019for outside that >> and there is there is some signage currently. Um but uh Jeff is going to be uh speaking with you. Yeah. So we spoke this morning. >> Well, I hope that we can expedite the process at least to get signage. >> Yeah. because we want to make sure our kids know our expectations. Like let our guests know their expectations, too. Like it's not fair for us to put a bunch of rules up but then not tell anybody. So, >> absolutely. >> I think our current signs might have that on that, but I have to have to go look. >> Don't check that. >> I just don't know how many of them have stayed intact since >> Yeah. Um and then finally, and this is just the beginning of the conversation, but I
020would want to start. Um so I'm working with Mary Beth Galano, our district communications uh person through CAP region Boseies on our district communication plan. Um which we would like to share with the board this second meeting in October. Um so uh this will be a clear framework for communicating with our school community both internal and external to promote our programs and students. Um really clearly tying a communication into our mission, vision, beliefs, and commitments. You've heard how we've been doing that through every uh meeting with with staff and how to really expand that um you know to our parents and students. Um and also uh working on the timeliness of communication. Uh so uh we have we have some ideas what I would really like and it could be at our next meeting to
021spend a little time can be now too just having that conversation. I know I talked to uh Mr. Charone um today about working you know um working with teachers asking them in terms of you know my communication to staff um on a on a regular basis. So that's internal. Um but also you know what are some what are some thoughts about external? I know that we did um uh get a newsletter last year and our first issue is going to come out midepptember that's going to be a welcome back to school pictures positive. Um but really, you know, are there other other things we can promote through our our newsletter? You know, in terms of um yes, still focus on the pictures and the positive and about really tying it into some more programmatic things
022um communication with parents about, you know, um you know, our partnership. So, we're looking I know there'll be feedback when we present the plan, but also um you know some for for some feedback even prior to having it all put together. >> So, I think um expectations are are important for people to know and understand when they should be expecting to see something. If we're talking about a monthly newsletter, what does that mean? Is it the first of the month? Is it the last of the month? just laying out a plan that that people can see and know when something's coming. I like the idea of using Parent Square um to incorporate community contacts. Um in our district, we send out a list of community contacts and every single Friday, you know, superintendent sends something
023out and it goes to everyone and you can click through if you want to and if you don't, then you don't. Um you know, but it's an opportunity. One of the other things I think is important is I know that we have done a lot of work on our branding and done a lot of work on our website but making sure that whatever we're talking about if it is a tool that we're using that it you know kind of looks the same or it has like similar expectations. Um, you know, we want to offer principles autonomy to do what works in their building. But I think that even setting minimal expectations to, you know, have some consistency as we know our our families move a lot and and not necessarily out of the district, but
024between buildings sometimes. And I think it would be good for us to kind of just establish a framework of expectations and that and that moves with families so families know what what to expect or what to find on the website or what they're going to get from parent square or you know whatever whatever the case is. I just think that if we're building this framework that we build it with intent to make sure that down the road, you know, Rick has always has been talking about this branding and and not in a way that it's just pretty, but in a way that really can talk about, you know, us as a district and and our successes as a district and what we have to offer that other districts don't. And I think it that community
025piece is very important because it's I do feel like that's one of the things that sets us apart especially from you know some of the surrounding neighborhoods. Um so I don't know those are my thoughts. I don't mean to take your words out of here, you know, if you had anything to to add on, but just think it's important for us to set the framework and have it come from, you know, a place where people can contribute to, but again, speak of expectations and and what people will know will happen. You know, I think that's important. Do you guys have any >> just to echo consistency like across the board everyone wants to have that autonomy which is great but having a level of consistency helps it helps you it helps all of us to
026make sure things are getting done the same way. So >> I mean I think it'd be great for us to be able to review the plan once we put some work into it. Um, and then maybe at a future meeting we can after we receive it be able to have a little bit of feedback. >> Yeah, I'm going to go along with the consistency aspect of it though. Like if you're doing a monthly newsletter, it's got to be a monthly newsletter. It can't be every other month or, you know, every third month or whatever. So, I think you have to do realistic expectations in the beginning of how much you're going to be doing and stuff like your quarterly reports from the superintendent's office and stuff like that that go out on parents square. Like
027if you're if you're stating that it's a monthly newsletter, you need to keep going with a monthly newsletter. >> So, we did have a monthly newsletter every month last year. I I know that timing was sometimes late on the last day of the month. Um, I'm leaning more towards that level of newsletter being an every other month, but more indepth where it's not just pictures and positive happenings, but we're we're we're picking a portion of our beliefs or commitments and really digging deeper and highlighting around them and then looking at some other consistent ways to have some other messaging go out. Um, >> so can I ask a question? Not to get in the weeds, but just to ask about like what what tools do we have in place where we we know Mayor Beth
028can't be everywhere at every moment. What tools do we have in place to communicate some of our things that are happening or h things that we would like to highlight? Do we have anything in place to make that happen? So, I mean, all of our principles have access to their individual parent squares, but I heard about framework and expectations uh at the at the district level. Um, you know, Ashley, myself, we have districtwide parent square. So, when there are are short, you know, things that we need to get out, we do that. I mean, depending crisis communication definitely. Um in terms of the website right now it's just um Mary Beth work or supervisor having access we have talked about maybe some access in some smaller areas for example um postings of employment where we
029could look at that to open up uh Mary Beth's ability to really focus more on some of some of the stories at some point in time and this this does tie in um I'd like to talk to the board about board docs. It's a different way of um communicating and I I know that you've done a lot of research on it because right now even the board agendas etc that then has to be you know put on the website um through Mary. So there's some other key places I think that we can utilize um by really looking at some efficiencies in the other areas. Um, I'm not sure if I quite answered your question, but really it's Parent Square is what we all have access to in terms of social media. You know, Facebook, Instagram,
030web, that's district communication. I think that's kind of important to really monitor what goes on Facebook, what goes on Sure. social media. >> I think um what I was asking more is like how does So, I'm gonna just use an example. >> Yeah. And I don't mean to go back to, you know, the districts that I work for, but it it is relevant. It like they actually have a Google form that anybody can submit a story. So even if you are a parent and something is happening like you can submit photos and you can submit a story, the kids can submit something that they want to highlight. Any it's it's kind of an open forum. Obviously, somebody needs to, you know, go through those submissions, but it is a a a tool and, you know,
031you can upload photos to um, you know, not to say that you necessarily need to do that, but it's just a way for people to kind of highlight things that they think are important or things that they need to see. But again, this goes to our branding, you know, conversations of opening things up so that this is a a community district and, you know, everybody has a responsibility, you know, to not only behave in school, but, you know, to contribute to, you know, some of the good things that are happening. and and you know maybe giving people a space to be heard is also building the capacity of saying this is my responsibility too like this district is my responsibility too and and maybe that translate to cleaner playgrounds or I I don't I don't
032know what the I'm not saying that that's automatically going to happen but you know having a public vehicle to submit stories and maybe it starts small to open up to just you know, folks in the district. But, you know, I like the idea of kids being able to highlight because it's not necessarily always stuff that's happening in school, but our kids are doing great things outside of school and maybe they want to highlight something um that a friend of theirs did, which is a great accomplishment that nobody went to school and said, "Hey, guess what he did today?" You know, and I think that that helps build that community piece. I just a suggestion. So I do know Mary Beth reaches out to the teachers and staff members and says you know please invite me
033in if you have something happening classroom if you have something to share >> but we also know her time is limited and if she is the sole you know >> I agree >> person managing the website. >> Yeah. >> Um you know the things that we're asking for are is above and beyond what she's currently doing. And so providing that support by even just, you know, doing something small that just gives an access point to people to be able to do something >> that's relevant. >> Anything else? >> Can I just touch on the newsletter? Um, I I actually loved it. And I think when you think about going by monthly or every six weeks or whatever you want to do, just keep in the back of your mind that parents or families might expect
034the monthly newsletter. Um, I did look forward to it every month and enjoyed reading it. So, I would just keep that in the back of them. >> Great. Thank you. Anybody else have anything? So go forth and build your plan. >> Thank you. Um and that's uh that's it for me and we have no business office and no assistant superintendent report. >> Okay. So we will move on to the agenda portion of our uh night here. Does the board have any items on tonight's agenda they would like to discuss? There there is one item I would just like to point out. So the initial agenda um that was distributed to you has been since changed. Um 6C was printed twice. So we just extended it to L adjusted all of the letters accordingly. So um
035initially it was one less letter. nothing has changed on the addendum or on um the agenda itself that was distributed to you. It's just an organization. So, I just want to make sure you guys were aware of that. Um the other point um of discussion which I did kind of mention to you guys uh ahead of time is 7A. This is our clubs and activities. kind of brought this up uh at the same point last year when we were appointing advisors, looking at the different clubs that we had available and I did talk to uh Superintendent O'Shea about participation um in various clubs and I think that the buildings have done a good job of narrowing down their focus to you know clubs that they're offering that are are that kids are participating in um
036but I did, you know, want to encourage still the development and so that the clubs that we have available are not just being ticked away, but they're being added to, you know, we've budgeted these items and and we want to give opportunities to our kids. Um and so I would be open to any kind of, you know, club suggestions this year. I'm not sure if you guys, you know, feel the same way. So, I thought we could at least have a brief conversation um about, you know, entertaining the the possibility of something that, you know, might not be listed here, but in conversations now that this is a whole year um in into talking about it, uh it doesn't always regularly come across our desk that someone wants a new club. We had one last
037year. Um, but I also did hear at our new professionals day, um, one of our new folks was super excited about, you know, potentially looking at, uh, Ultimate Frisbee, I think it was, right? Ultimate Frisbee Club. So, I I think that would be exciting. But just to open up the conversation again just to say um you know and and I don't want to speak for the whole board here but you know just that we are willing and open to hear these suggestions um and proposals because we we want to maintain the opportunities for our kids. >> So we're excited that you know this year mixed media club and the national uh music honor society are on there. They're both presented by students. We do have the model UN club started this year. It's not on
038here because it's volunteer, but we'll also be talking. I had a a very brief meeting because our assistant principles over oversee clubs in both of the buildings um with um Mr. Douglas on his uh first or second day. So, we'll have more conversation, but we were talking about that as well, too. Really looking at ways to to build. We know that there's been conversations about can we have more STEM activities? Advanced robotics doesn't run. So, is there something else we can put into place? So, and then the the process of having the kids come to and present continue that process. >> Yeah. >> All right. Great. >> They're great things to promote in every aspect. Know that they can do it the next year. >> Absolutely. Um, any other discussion of agenda items? >> Any
039community discussion of agenda items? Ah, >> my voice. That's great. Yeah, >> understood. I I I think the point is we're appointing advisors and, you know, it's a good conversation piece. Um, and to say, you know, keep keep going. you know, we're here for you and we'd love to hear the kids, you know, um, tell us what they're interested in. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, if there's no more discussion of agenda items, can I get a motion that the board of education adopt the following resolutions of the September 12th agenda and agenda 6 A through M, 7 A through O, and 9A. >> I'll second it. >> Mr. Jackson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Snider. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Gendren, >> yes. >> Mrs. Paradise, >> yes. >> Mr. Dros, >> yes. >> Mrs. Burwell, >>
040yes. >> And Mrs. Gellar, >> yes. >> Are there any comments from board of education not related to the agenda? >> Um, I would say something about um our youth football kids used the track or the new alumni field, sorry, last Sunday for the first game and it was awesome. And they have another game this Sunday, I think, home. But the communication was fantastic. maintenance was there on time. Had access to the booth. Um the kids won. So it was >> it was Yeah, it went over very well. Just want to say thank you. >> So great opening for as well. >> Yeah. >> Good. >> Yeah. >> Sounds like everybody's off to a great start. >> Anything else? >> Great. >> Okay. Any other comments from the audience on anything not related to the
041agenda? >> I just wanted to just point out I didn't go through them. Uh we have a number of upcoming events, open houses, uh powderpuff football, homecoming, uh so many many events going forward. Okay. So, we just did our first reading on mission and vision statement. So, next we'll be adopting on the next >> It's on this one. We need the second reading. >> Wait. Okay. Sorry. One minute. >> That's okay. >> Okay. So, there we go. Um dates for future meeting September 24th and October 8th right here at Host Middle School Library at 6 PM. Again, I just want to take an opportunity to welcome everybody back. Thank you for your hard work this summer and and hope you had a great start to the school year. Um, can I get a motion to
042adjourn the meeting at 6:40 p.m.? >> I will make that motion. >> I'll second that. >> Mr. Jackson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Snider, >> yes. >> Mrs. Gend, >> yes. >> Mrs. Paradise, >> yes. >> Mr. Dro, >> yes. >> Mrs. Burwell, yes. And Mrs. Killer, >> yes. >> Thank you for coming and good night.