Meeting minutes, january 13th, 2021

Attendees: Hien Larson, Susie Overall, Celli Baker, Raughley, Jen Standteiner, Nate Melon, Jenny Suh

Principal’s Update
We had over 100 students participate in water reading challenge.  Many great photos submitted about where and how and what they are reading. Participants will vote for winners, and they are working on a celebration. Always looking for ways we can we reward them and encourage continued reading.

Opening schools: We are all working hard to reopen schools ASAP. Board meeting on January 20th to hopefully announce a plan for opening. Hoping for vaccination to come ASAP. We want everyone to come back and feel SAFE. 

Family Connection Night is tonight.  First live virtual event. Sign in using your student account. Follow your child's schedule. Teachers Smith and King are out due to medical. Expect big turnout. Counselors will be there. 

ACMS had 12 nominations for Linda Brown and Star awards.  Our own Elvia Esparza received the Star Award!

Need yearbook photos, please email them to Mary Berelson. Encourage more yearbook contributions.

Sports are still on hold. Cross country team is going to Auburn ski club, training themselves. Indoor sports are out for the rest of the year, as of now. Hoping for at least track, cross country, anything outdoors. 

Counselors are working hard with Hope Squad. There will be a parent night next week.  Hope Squad already running. Kids train each other on how to be a friend and recognize key indicators of kids in need of help. 

Many lunch-bunch groups with the counselors are happening. Hang out and have lunch with counselors, great turnout. Past surveys ask kids “who is your trusted adult”? What can we do about kids with none? Organic strategizing to connect with students who don’t. We usually do connection data 3x per year. In November, about 80% had connection, end with about 95%. We will be surveying over next few weeks. Need to make sure our kids are connecting socially and emotionally.

Kindness Week is coming up in the couple weeks. Activities to spread kindness. 

There is a load of tutoring available. One on one opportunities available, sign up (for math, language arts, social studies). Also high schoolers are tutoring our kids through Aim High. Demand for tutoring is high. Mrs. Larson has spent her discretionary funds on tutoring. 

Update on reworking the standards for this year? Working on Essential Standards. What do kids need to know to be successful at the next level? Ongoing meetings. Grades will remain the same for now. Hearing from teachers and examining what is necessary for success in the next grade.

Parents and teachers need to work as a team to hold kids accountable for missing assignments. Hien has been doing 5-10 home visits per week to follow up on vulnerable kids. Hien attends classes with students, acts as a sideline coach. Making sure they have gotten the most out of a class. 

One parent is concerned that kids are descending into apathy, losing their motivation and spark. Hien says that are working proactively to address this. Committees, Advisory, studying what kids need right now - is it mindfulness, skills in tech, needing a tech break, etc. 

To get an easy to understand view of kids’ assignment: In Google Classroom, go to Classwork - View my work. To see a snapshot of all assignments, what is completed, and what is missing. Parents can set up an alert to get a weekly snapshot. 

Do the teachers or staff need anything from PTO? All staff appreciated Christmas gift and masks. Thank you to PTO!

8th grade promotion. Will need to speak to 8th grade parents. We haven’t planned it yet, because not sure if group activities will be happening then.

Spirit Wear Update

Kate: Sold 52 units, we made $504. Our margins were better than expected (30%!) Orders still to be picked up are at school. Website coming soon for online ordering. Very successful first go! Top seller was hoodies with black sleeves and grey body.

Treasurer’s Report

Raughley: Panda Express fundraiser raised $148; average $170 per month from Grocery Outlet; $504 from Spirit Wear; Balance is $7,347. Tamale fundraiser is ongoing. Taxes are done. 

Other

Private Minecraft servers for the school. Can we do a district-wide game? Kate and her son will look into it. Looking at Creative mode, not Survival mode.

Nate: Plug for lacrosse. Have your kids come out, as it may be one of the only spring sports happening. 

Rent out the Regional Ice Rink? Celli will follow up.

Tamale Fundraiser
$10 donation gets you one entry into the raffle to win one of 12 tamale dinners. Lots of people are donating $50 or $100. Random winner generation from a spreadsheet. Tamales will be ready for pickup Friday February 5th. Possibly sell tamale dinners after the drawing, will speak to the person who makes them.

Adjourn: 9:45 am