Community Council

 

 

Community Council 2015 August 27

Community Council 2015 Oct 22

Community Council 2016 April

Community Council 2016 January 28

Community Council 2016 February 25

Community Council 2016 October 26

Community Council 2017 January 25

Community Council 2017 SIP with action steps

Community Council 2017 October

Community Council 2018 10 9

Community Council 2019 2 12

Community Council Meeting Notes 9-30-19

In attendance:

Kathryn Ashton                                                 Tiffany Sowby

Amy Hughes                                                       Jenn Nielsen

Andrea Davis                                                      Michele Strong

Crista Tovey                                                       Sheri Dean

Emily Van Orman                                             Jenn Pond

Polly Mcquarrie

 

Council Members were introduced to each other.

 

The Chair and Vice Chair were elected.

2019-2020 Community Council Chair- Andrea Davis

2019-2020 Community Council Vice Chair- Jenn Nielsen

 

Council Member responsibilities were reviewed using “The Work of School Community Councils” by Natalie Gordon from the Utah State Board of Education. Additional training information was given.

 

Kathryn Ashton walked the council through the 2020 School Improvement Plan and Trust Lands Plan. We reviewed each goal and the funds that were allocated to achieve that goal.

 

The 2018-2019 Final Report was given out for review.

 

The council discussed how things are going so far this year and went into further discussion on the following topics.

Cell Phone Usage- If a teacher is requesting the students to look up information using their cell phones, then other devices need to be available for the students without cell phones to use.

Incentives for academic improvement- Parents on the council suggested that an email be sent to parents explaining how students can get recognized for academic improvement and let them know that they can donate gift card and other prizes to the school to help encourage students to keep making improvements in the academic efforts. Parents are more likely to donate if they have a more specific cause and request of what to donate.

Eagle Time- Eagle Time was fully explained by Mrs. Ashton and council members suggested the more information was given to the parents and students so that time can be used as it was designed to be used. Parents and students should be reminded that if they need help from a specific teacher, they can let that teacher know to make a request for that student to come get help from them during Eagle Time. Also, students should be reminded that if they are all caught up on work, to use that time for the Social and Emotional Learning program that is available to them on Canvas.

Speaker System- It was proposed that the school charge a $3-5 fee to reserve your seats for the choir concerts. A parent Michelle Blauer is willing to provide the support to Mrs. Bradbury to organize the carry out the purchasing of tickets. Many parent members of the council thought this was a great idea and would happily pay to have reserved seats instead of waiting in line for an hour before the concert begins. The funds generated could go towards a new speaker system, which is currently a great need at the school. Kathryn Ashton will discuss the proposal with Mrs. Bradbury.

It was discussed and voted on that our meetings will be held one time a semester. Emily Van Orman motioned and Polly Mcquarrie gave a second. All on the council agreed.

Next Meeting will be on Monday Dec. 9, 2019 at 7:30am

Dec. 4, 2019 Community Council Meeting Notes

Attendance: Kathryn Ashton, Emily Van Orman, Michelle Strong, Stephanie Patton, Andrea Davis, Alan Crookston, Krista Tovey, Polly McQuarrie, Jenn Nielson, Wesley Gold, Jeff Christensen

Discussion about using money for productivity. Will use TSSA funds for now. There is some other money that could be used from Trust Lands funds. However, the wear and tear of the students using their computers each day and transporting them to and from school may necessitate a larger budget for Technology to replace damaged computers.

Fridays are awesome. It is appreciated by the teachers and students.

The teachers are tired. This has been a challenging year. How can we best support them? Discussion about giving thanks and acknowledgement to the teachers. Discussion of an email blitz or an email asking parents to show their appreciation for our teachers. Even more meaningful would be a note of thanks from the students themselves. Discussion of using Social Media in February to have a thank a math teacher today, thank an English teacher today, etc. and go through each department. Also discussed having the PTA help with passing out a postcard to students as they arrived at school for them to fill out with their thanks and then deliver to their teachers.

Discussion about changing the dress code to allow hats at school. Most dress code problems deal with hats. It was voted unanimously to try allowing hats and see if it caused any problems.

Next meeting in February around Parent Teacher Conferences.

Feb. 24, 2021 Community Council Meeting Notes

Bountiful Jr. High Community Council 

Feb. 24, 2020   

In Attendance: Kathryn Ashton, Daron Kennett, Jenn Nielsen, Andrea Davis, Jared Johnson, Wesley Gold, Emily Van Orman, Michelle Strong, Alan Crookston, Stephanie Patton 

Daron Kennett- District Professional Learning Department 

Davis Learner Profiles- Descriptions of what students should be able to know and do by certain key grades. 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th 

Critical Thinkers, Collaborators, Communicators, Creators, Innovators, Global citizens, People of Character, Problem Solvers.  

Input on what a 9th graders should know around problem solving- Skills, Dispositions, Experiences 

Skills- Communication Skills, Identifying the problem, working with others, verbal communication skills to work with others to solve the problem, weigh pros and cons, judgement and evaluations, social and emotional skills to remain calm and approach this problem objectively.  

Dispositions- How to evaluate and place a true weight on the problem that they are dealing with, Counseling Office put responsibility on students- helping them see and make choices, positive forwarding thinking disposition, confident, know they have people who care about them and will help them. How to have a positive view of someone who you might disagree with. 

Experiences- Experiential classes-learn and apply to outside things, do better at preparing students to be willing to persevere, work hard, apply learning and stick with it to the end- more important than the straight A book learning.  

Grade to see the amount of effort that is put in, Spectrum program has 17 questions that both the teachers and students both do their own assessments to rate work ethic, responsibility and other areas.  Need to not put more on teachers-they are already overworked, Need to have a way to have parents support at home.  

SIP Goals for next year-  

Keep all goals the same 

Add in an SEL Goal- Implementing Mindfulness into the classroom, Everyday at the beginning of the school year for 2 weeks to do a base mindfulness curriculum. 5-10 minute lessons. Then teachers will do a 1 minute mindfulness activity each day. Give each student a singing bowl.  

Mindfulness- Teach the students how to cut out the distractions and learn to live in the moment. Help them to settle down and handle stress better.  

Everyone agrees to keep the same goals.  

Having a designated mindfulness area-possibly in the library. Have P.E. Teacher buy in and teach it during PE.   

We will need to meet or communicate through email in March to finalize the SIP goals, including the SEL goal. Mrs. Ashton will communicate through email when it is time to do that.  

Meeting Notes from October 6, 2021

Welcome and introductions were made (I wasn’t taking notes yet so I’m not sure who was in attendance)

Jenn Nielsen was elected as chair

Brandee Nadauld was elected as co-chair

The purpose of the Community Council was discussed:

We are looking at what is working and what isn’t working.

Goals are made in spring for the next year.

Minimum of 3 goals.  All goals have to deal with student improvement.

We looked at goal 1 and all is going well.  Good feedback was given

Goal 2: They are using mindfulness, but not purchasing singing bowls.  That will leave an extra $1,100. Good feedback is coming from students.

Goal 3: Tutors are working.

Agenda items were discussed:

First was dress code: It was decided they would measure from the inseam 5” index card.  Hats are allowed, but teachers have the option to ask kids to remove them.

Second was Advisory assignment cut off time: No changes will be made. Admin will be sure teachers are not going rogue.

Third was SEL video: This has been resolved

Fourth was the house east of WBE: Jenn was just wanting some details.

Next meeting will be December 8^th at 7:30 a.m.

December 15, 2021

Bountiful Jr. High Community Council Meeting Notes

In attendance:

Adrienne Crockett                           Kimberlee Nelson

Andrea Davis (zoom)                      Krista Turner

Lindsay Blackburn                            Jenn Nielsen (Conducting)

Stephanie Parke                               Tiffany Thornock

Jared Johnson                                   Wesley Gold

Kim Madsen                                       Jodi Poll

Justin Spencer                                   Kathy Ashton

 

1.       Parent Email regarding Language in the halls.

Foul language is not tolerated in the school. Teachers and staff do their best to monitor it and will give students warnings. Discipline strategies in place if problem persists. Parents encouraged to get more involved and welcome to visit at lunchtime to help monitor as well as build relationships with students. This ties into topic below with an increased awareness and action plans to better the students conversations as a whole.

 

2.       Discrimination, exclusion & Equity.

·         An email circulated from a Viewmont parent that many may have seen. Viewmont’s principle has addressed the concerns and reached out the parent.  A parent group was started by said parent and can be found on Instagram.  

·         Certain words are never tolerated among any students from any background. All students and staff taught- “if you see/hear it, stop it, report it! Education and Discipline action will be taken according to each individual situation. Consideration for lack of understanding will be given. Offender will be given resources and education as needed.

·         District if implementing a Not here, Not ever campaign. More information will be available on the district website. Along with that, they are opening up an office of equal rights with 30 new hired administrators to oversee the schools and equity programs.

·         Bountiful Junior specific steps for inclusion and anti-discrimination include the GSA club run by Jodi Poll, the Multi-culture club run by Jared Johnson (teacher) and Justin Spencer (assistant principal), and 2-3 minute videos sent monthly to faculty addressing different aspects of these topics as well as teaching skills of resilience. The multi culture club is a new start up and an opening social will be held in a few weeks. The short videos will be available to all students and parents on the school’s website.

 

3.       Mental Health/Social Media

·         Expansion of the Social Emotional Curriculum by Kim Madsen (counselor).  Moving from weekly to daily activity done during first period. Teachers will be given a plan to follow. All tools and information used will be posted on school’s website.

·         Presentation given by Tiffany Thornock regarding Smith Alley who is a young man from the live life better foundation (www.livelifebigger.org). He speaks to teens about the harmful affects of social media and porn as well as dealing with mental illness. Has been approved by the district.  Looking at doing a presentation with the health classes.

 

4.       Finance- Budget/expenses following proposed plan. No changes made.

Link to the School Improvement Page on the Assessment Department.

Assessment's School Improvement Page
 
     - From here, you can find your school and you will see the composite school plan 

Serving on the School's Community Council is your opportunity to be part of a decision making body for BJH. The school receives an annual dividend from the school trust lands, and the Community Council discusses and approves how these funds will be used. (All plans are reviewed for final approval by our school board and by the State Board of Education.) The Council can also propose, and/or review and prepare academic plans for our students each year, and can act in an advisory capacity to school administration.

> Term: 2 Years maximum. Must have a student at BJH during at least the 1st of the 2 years.

> Meetings: Minimum of once per term, with more meetings as determined by the Council

> Meeting Times: 7:30 am (subject to change based on the new Councils' determination)

> Meeting Duration: 1 hour typically

Please reply to this email if you would like to be considered a candidate for Community Council. Include the following information:

> Name:
> Telephone:
> Email:
> Student attending BJH:
> Feeder Elementary School:


Candidate names will be taken for 2 weeks.

If necessary, an election will be held September 14-16. If we have an election candidates will be asked to submit a short statement about themselves and why they want to be on the Council. We have to have more parents than staff members on the Council, and I am always happy to have more parents than we need. The only reason we would have an election is if there are a large number of candidates.

Thank you for your support of BJH!

Sincerely,

Kathy Ashton, Principal

School Trust Land Election Information Website

Rules of Order and Procedure – School Community Council 

To promote ethical behavior and civil discourse each council member shall:

• Attend council meetings on time and prepared
• Make decisions with the needs of students as the main objective
• Listen to and value diverse opinions
• Be sure the opinions of those you represent are included in discussions
• Expect accountability and be prepared to be accountable
• Act with integrity

CONDUCTING A MEETING

All meetings are open to the public and the public is welcome to attend.

The agenda of each upcoming meeting with draft minutes of the prior meeting will be made available to all council members at least one week in advance, will be posted on the school website and made available in the main office.  The agenda will include the date, time and location of the meeting.

Minutes will be kept of all meetings, prepared in draft format for approval at the next scheduled meeting.

The council will prepare a timeline for the school year that includes due dates for all required reporting and other activities/tasks that the council agrees to assume or participate in.  The timeline will assist in preparation of agendas to be sure the council accomplishes their work in a timely manner.

The chair conducts the meetings, makes assignments and requests reports on assignments.  In the absence of the chair the vice-chair shall conduct meetings. 

Meetings shall be conducted and action taken according to very simplified rules of parliamentary procedure as required in 53A-1a-108.1(10).  Items on the agenda take priority over other discussions coming before the council.  Council action will be taken by motions and voting with votes and motions recorded in the minutes.

A motion (or an action to be taken by the council) is stated as a motion.  Someone else on the council “seconds” the motion indicating that at least one other person on the council feels the motion is worthy of discussion.  Then the council members may provide input and discussion as called upon by the chair.  When discussion seems complete the chair may call for a vote on the motion.  Or when a member of the council “calls the previous question” (a motion to end discussion of the first motion), a second is required and then, without discussion the chair calls for a vote that must pass by 2/3.  If the vote on the previous question fails the council goes back to discussing the first motion.  If the motion to call the previous question passes, the chair directly calls for a vote on the first motion.  A vote to call the previous question is usually used to move business along.

Attached is a chart that could be used if the council feels they would like to use additional motions of Parliamentary Procedure in their meetings.

• A tie vote is a lost vote.
• A main motion may be amended.
• Nominations can be closed by saying, “I move to close nominations.”
• Most motions are main motions.
• A point of order is offered when there is some question if procedure had been followed correctly.
• To stop debate or discussion on a motion and force the vote a member would say, “I move the previous question.”  This requires a second and a 2/3 vote.
• Hasty action may be corrected by use of the motion to reconsider. This motion may be made only by one who voted on the prevailing side.
• A person who made the motion may withdraw the same motion. 

 

Election of the Chair and Vice-chair

 After the school community council is seated each year, the school community council shall annually elect at the council’s first meeting a chair and vice-chair. The chair shall be elected from the parent members and the vice-chair shall be elected from the parent or school employee members, excluding the principal.   The principal will conduct the election for chair and vice-chair, in that order, according to the following procedure:  a) Members interested in either office may use the self-nomination process.  Nominations may also be made by other council members. b) Voting shall be by regular voice vote by the school community council.  A nominee must receive a majority vote of the council members present.  Should no nominee receive a majority vote, further nominations may be made, and subsequent elections will be conducted by secret ballot until a nominee receives a majority.  When a vacancy occurs in the office of chair or vice-chair for any reason, a replacement shall be elected for the unexpired term.

Removal and Replacement

If a member of the council fails to attend three consecutive meetings without being excused in advance, or fails to perform the duties of his/her office, the members of the council shall remove him/her from office and declare the position vacant.  The position shall be filled by the regularly established election procedure.

Conflict of Interest

A member who has a personal or private interest in any proposed or pending matter which presents a conflict of interest will disclose such interest and will not vote unless the member’s participation is necessary to obtain a quorum or otherwise to enable the Council to act. 

Laws and Rules