Friends of LACES

September 14, 2011 ☼ Meeting Minutes

            Co-President’s Maggie Scott and Lauren Garza called the meeting to order at approximately 7:05.  After welcoming everyone back to school and brief introductions of the board, it was decided that we would have our Principal’s report before approval of the June minutes.  Maggie introduced our new Principal, Mr. Boger.

Principal’s report:

            Mr. Boger gave thanks to everyone for his warm welcome into LACES.  He is impressed with our amazing students and faculty and all the support that is there.  He acknowledged that all change is difficult, but what makes the difference and what makes LACES what it is – is the active participation by the parents. 

            API: Our API scores increased this year to a 895 which was an increase on every subject area, we are one of the highest performing schools in the district.  We also had 37 more students taking the AP exams last year and our percentage of passing also increased.

            Tech upgrades:  We are receiving a tech upgrade by the district.  We will have fiber optics and wireless access throughout the school.  Unfortunately the project will not be completed until next fall. 

            School calendar: The new Superintendent does not want all schools on an early start date next fall, but the school board voted against him and passed an early start date of mid-August for next year.  School will then end in early June.  Furlough days can’t be decided until the spring.  This is not final yet, however it looks like the early start date will remain. 

            A parent asked if the Tdap was a requirement for 6^th graders as the original information called for 7^th grade and above.  Maggie explained that the reason for this was it was assumed 6^th graders would be current with their inoculations from their regular vaccinations, whereas 7^th graders and above may need boosters.

            Approval of June minutes:            Phyllis Kory moved to approve the minutes from the June meeting, Caryn Dalessandro seconded the motion and the minutes were approved.

            Math Department:   Mr. Vriesman gave a presentation about the math department at LACES – He spoke about the math progression at our school and how it is different than at other schools (i.e., Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and then Geometry).  He informed parents they will place kids in classes at their math level, rather than just grade level.  He spoke about Calculus camp and how that program has grown and encouraged more kids take calculus at LACES.  He talked about the after school study groups on Monday and Thursday afternoons and that there is also a chess club during that time.  He explained that the math teachers like the idea of study groups rather than tutoring, saying that study groups promote independence whereas tutoring promotes dependence.