Minutes

Academic & Arts Booster Committee (ABC)

Meeting Minutes, November 14, 2000

In attendance

Nina Millar, Kathryn Atkins, Leonard Cowles, Bill Lee, Cherie Schenck, George Clasby, Crystal Ogden, Barbara O'Connor, Marghy Moen, Sue Vaughn, Nancy Melbourne, Ralph Opacic, and an estimated 100 parents.

Welcome, introductions, Mission Statement and Role of ABC

1. Kathryn Atkins brought meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.

2. Nina Millar explained the name of committee, that Barbara O'Connor had originally suggested "Academic Advisory Committee", which had been changed to "Academic Booster Committee" (ABC) and finally "Academic & Arts Booster Committee" to incorporate the arts.

3. Nina Millar explained the mission statement and role of ABC as a volunteer organization, planning to meet five times during the year.

Subcommittees of ABC -- Need for Chairpersons

1. Kathryn Atkins thanked volunteers for bringing food and drink. Introduced Leonard Cowles as Vice President of the OCHSA Parent Network (OPeN). Acknowledged staff members in attendance: Barbara O'Connor, Marghy Moen and Sue Vaughn. Solicited volunteers as committee chairpersons.

2. Volunteers were secured:

1. Committee volunteer signups were passed around. 

OCHSA Board of Trustee Liaison Report and Communication and Technology Report: Bill Lee reported:

1. Parent network now has its own telephone number: (714) 564-3283. There is or will be a voice mail tree.

2. Student identification tags are being made. Plans are being discussed for color-coding the cards based on elevator privilege, bus use, etc. and having students wear cards on a lanyard.

3. Crash bars for doors are being researched.

4. Phone lines are being routed to the information kiosk after hours for emergency calls.

5. Plea for volunteers on Security Committee. Needs a chairperson and volunteers to work morning and night shifts assisting security staff in managing parking lots, traffic control, information kiosk, and theater patrol.

6. Questions were raised from attendees:

• Q: "Have there been any security problems? A: One teacher was harassed by an unsavory character while holding class out on the lawn by the theater. Another was a father who couldn't locate his son, but it turned out the son had already gone home with his brother.

• Q: "I worry about the outside stairwell open to strangers." A: There is enough staff around during daylight hours to prevent any problems;

• Q: "Did we get the radio/walkie-talkie from the bus company to keep in touch with the busses in case busses are delayed? Can we have a bus hotline?" A: Barbara O'Connor: We will put bus phone numbers in the newsletter;

• Q: "No lighting outside the Black Box Theater on Main Street, and flag not lit at night." A: We will look into that;

• Q: "What about security for the Symphony Hall?" A: That is why it is important to get security volunteers. We have only three security people on staff, only two on duty at a time;

• Q: The practice room doors and walls at the Symphony Hall are solid, and should have a glass window to see into the rooms. A: (Barbara O'Connor: I'll ask if it's doable.) Bill said to call whenever anyone has questions, and he'll get back within 48 hours, or sooner if it's an emergency;

• Q: Have there been phone problems? I've been trying to get through yesterday. A: There is a leak in the 1000 building, right on top of the computer that controls the communications. We will be moving the computer. Also, the biggest problem with the phones is staffing.

• Q: Where are teachers' mailboxes? A: (Barbara O'Connor) Leave a note in student services office, and it will be delivered to staff mailbox. Email is the best form of communication, and we will publish a list of staff email addresses.

• Q: Regarding smokers. A: (Barbara O'Connor) We have found them in the parking lot, in cars, they have gone to Burger King. We have taken the parking lot back, since it is too difficult to supervise.
  

1. The communication system is all-digital. We will be adding an analog back up system.

2. Students are getting network logon accounts by the end of the month. The plan is to give families accounts next year. Parent networks will have accounts as well.

3. Barbara O'Connor announced the staff email address scheme: firstname.lastname@ocsarts.net
   

Bingo Fundraising Proposal

Gorge Clasby introduced proposal to raise money for the parent network by operating a Bingo fundraiser. He reported that Los Alamitos High School raises $100,000 per year with bingo. He said that if there is enough interest among parents to volunteer, the program could launch in February. A bingo company will get all necessary permits and find a place to hold the games. Sixteen to 20 volunteers are needed per night to operate bingo. A flyer was passed around for volunteers.

Patrons-Arts Conservatory Volunteers

Crystal Ogden reported need for ushers, box office, concession and reception volunteers for upcoming shows. Expressed need for head manager in each conservatory area to make arrangements with volunteers and oversee volunteers.

Principal's Report

1. Barbara O'Connor promised that the next meeting would be in a bigger room, like Symphony Hall. Confessed that after opening four schools, this is the biggest enterprise she's undertaken. Since she's a problem solver, she's focusing on solidifying the basic structure of the school. Then she can concentrate on being an instructional leader. She said she has the advantage of handpicking a trusted staff.
   

2. Sue Vaughn reported that 60 students were identified at progress report time to have less than a 2.0 grade point average. They are receiving remediation: study hall, Saturday and lunchtime study hall, teacher tutoring, peer (upperclassmen) tutoring, and teacher advocates. A study skills class is being explored for next semester. She reported that students with less than a 2.0 at the semester will be put on academic probation, and not allowed to participate in conservatory performances. Less than 2.0 at the end of the school year will result in dismissal.
   

3. Barbara O'Connor addressed the homework issue by saying that it is a necessary evil. We cannot meet California standards without it. She will survey students and teachers on homework and report results to teachers. Parents suggested: that students be given a day off of conservatory each week to catch up on homework; that study hall should be counted as an elective; that homework should be assigned on a Thursday or Friday so students can work on it over the weekend; a semester syllabus; AP classes every day.
   

4. An envelope was passed around for questions to Barbara O'Connor and Nancy Melbourne. It was decided that due to time constraints these questions will be answered in the newsletter.

ABC's of our Charter School--Assessment, accountability, comparison with public schools

Ralph Opacic passed out copies of the 19-page charter agreement for OCHSA. He explained that most of the state education code doesn't apply to charter schools, that a charter need only address 12 essential elements, including the educational program, finances, assessment, accountability and teacher contracts. He described a charter school as an "independent public school." He explained the OCHSA Foundation as a 28-member fundraising body charged to raise $2 million per year to augment state funding -- $4900/ Middle School student & $5500/HS student. He explained that the OCHSA Foundation appointed a five-member board of trustees:

Dr. Opacic encouraged parents to be involved, and said OCHSA is successful because of community, parent and staff support. He said that when concerns arise, to talk to the teacher or arts director concerned. He also suggested that parents take responsibility for balancing their child's schedule regarding after school activities.

Questions were posed: Is OCHSA subject to WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation? Answer: Yes, right now we are certified through the Santa Ana Unified School District, but are working on getting an early WASC accreditation. Question: Are board meetings open to the public? Answer: They meet quarterly and dates are posted in the school's front window, and can be put in the newsletter.

Future Meetings

Kathryn Atkins took suggestions of alternate meeting times. It was decided that the next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. in February, however, this is subject to discussion and approval by Barbara O’Connor. It was suggested that the morning meetings start at 8:00 a.m. rather than 8:30 a.m.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 a.m.

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