(selections from unofficial minutes)Atherton High School Site Based Decision Making Council Meeting
October 28, 1999Members present: Sarah Almy, Nina Bedford, Lin Billingsly, Gary Cook, Ed Farrar, Fred Harbison, Cassandra Minor, Ellen Prizant, Suzy Ward, Stephanie Wright
Members absent: Ms. Neff, Mr. Peters
Guests: Jenny Brocar, Connie Ellis, Paula Goins, Ed Green, Carolyn Hedges, James Hedges, Jeanie Hedges, Lisa Hite, Eli Levine, Sherry Long, Brent McKim, Dona O'Sullivan, Tony Prince, Trude Scharff, Kim Schildef, John Schlafer, Chris Schwartz, Rebecca Tardy, Sheila Tasman, Marcia Torpey, Paul Weldy, Sandy Weldy-Cook, Thomas Wilson
Minutes
These and future minutes will record who addressed the Council, summarize their remarks, and list guests present....Quorum
Seven members, including at least one parent and one teacher, constitutes a quorum....Speakers
Paula Goins (teacher) recommended that the SBDM Council hold every third meeting in an location other than Atherton to make it easier for parents and students who do not live close to the school to attend. ...There was general support for this idea.Eli Levine (student) spoke against the uniform dress code. Issues included his regret about the lack of color in the clothing that students must wear and the generally depressing atmosphere that some students are experiencing as a result of the dress code.
Chris Schwartz (student) expressed his belief that the uniform dress code is not working. Issues included his observation that there are more fights and more gang activity this year than last; teachers are spending a lot of time on dress code issues; inequity in cost has not disappeared because some students still wear designer clothing; attitudes are more negative; the need to find a real solution.
Sheila Tasman (parent) spoke against the uniform dress code. Issues included the need for this issue to be resolved before the school community can move on to other issues; schools with high parent involvement have generally high test scores; the need to work together to find a solution; Climate & Safety Task Force meeting earlier that day discussed the need to identify what the problems and solutions really are; need to improve relationships; need for opt-out provision and excerpts from e-mails on the dress code issues (full list attached).
Jeanie Hedges (parent) spoke against the uniform dress code. Issues included need for opt-out provision, confusion among students about what is compliant and what is not; concern that parents' rights are not being respected; also concern about the choice of music (including the lack of diversity) in the jukebox in the cafeteria.
Committee and Task Force Reports...
Spirit Day. The Committee developed guidelines for allowing variations from the dress code "from the waist up" on Spirit Day. Ms. Bedford asked for a consistent policy for face paint.Climate and Safety Task Force
[Chairperson] Rebecca Tardy reported on these issues...Next meeting time
- The Task Force meeting that was held earlier that day was to gather background on and hear various opinions both for and against the uniform dress code. The group reviewed recommendations made by Dr. Rick Alleva at the Jan. 14, 1999 Climate & Safety Task Force meeting. Several issues were discussed including divisiveness, disrespect to and among teachers and to and among students; frustration; difficulty of enforcement; parents' rights; multiple populations served by the school and their needs. The task force began discussion of a proposal for dress code changes. Time ran out, but this issue will be addressed at the next meeting. There is a lot of insightful input from many people, but the Task Force still needs plenty of parental and student involvement. Next meeting is November 17 at 6:00 p.m. Meetings will be held at alternate times to accommodate different schedules (2:45 and 6:00 p.m.).
The Council decided that the November 18 meeting will be at 3:30 p.m. as was announced in the newsletter.Agenda items for Nov. 18 meeting
- proposal for venue change of SBDM meetings
- scheduling of games on religious holidays
- dress code
- the Professional Development and School Planning Task Force will report
- other task force reports
Atherton High School
Climate and Safety Task Force
October 28, 1999selected excerpts from unofficial minutes
Attending: (students) Eli Levine, John Healy, John Schlafer, Melissa Ferry, Sarah Martin, Tara Isaac, Kelly Burdick. (faculty) Fred Harbison, Stephanie Wright, Amy Herman, Maritza Cassidy, Fran Thompson, Pat Cantwell, Anne Wilson. (parents) Rebecca Tardy, Lisa Hite, Sheila Tasman, Janet O'Koon, Bebe Brechner, Dona O' Sullivan, Trudy Scharff, Jeanie Hedges, Ellen Prizant, Lin Billingsly.
... 3) Uniform Dress Code information gathering. The following people spoke:
a) Amy Herman (teacher) presented her memory of the events leading up to the current Uniform Dress Code (UDC). 3 yrs. ago Climate and Safety Task Force proposed a dress code (basically dress clothes in approx. 10 colors). SBDM voted it down, recommended that they come up with three types (strict, lenient, and in between). Nine schools with uniforms in place were visited. A survey was circulated, responses from 53% of teachers and 5% of parents. Again returned to the SBDM, again voted down; Reason being that a new principal would be coming. Last year proposed again. A survey was again sent out and approx. 100 parents responded; more of the faculty was for it.The reasons cited for the dress code were discipline (other schools said uniforms reduced the need for it), cost (not all students can afford a different shirt each day, uniforms would reduce clothes teasing) (38% of Atherton students are on free of reduced lunch, other school with 90%+ free and reduced lunches made the transition nicely), and safety (5 yrs. ago some gang activities were noticed, 4 yrs. ago other gangs started to be seen, more kids were intimidated, more stories of intimidation). The idea was to start with a strict Dress Code since other schools ended up strengthening theirs the second year, this was to be avoided.
b) Fran Thompson (teacher): was on the SBDM 2 yrs. previously. When she was on, and the year after, the Climate and Safety Task Force brought it to the SBDM, and it was rejected. She personally never saw a need, nor increased violence. This seems like a worse year.
c) Maritza Cassidy (faculty) recalled that SBDM gave the Climate and Safety Task Force the task of looking into and coming up with a dress code
d) Trude Scharff (parent) requested the results of the survey:
Amy Herman recalled that it was:
1997-1998 school year survey
option 2 a less restrictive code Students: 42% Parents: 59% Teachers: 28% option 3 more restrictive Students: 8% Parents:18% Teachers: 64% other no dress code Students: 50% Parents: 24% Teachers: 8%1998-1999 school year survey
against the proposed uniform: Students 91%; Parents 81%-Request for surveys from other schools. Reminder - at some schools surveys not returned and were counted as a "yes."
e) Anne Wilson (teacher)- materials dropped off and memo read to group urging reconsideration of uniform dress code.
f) Sheila Tasman (parent)- Presented selections from her remembrance of the events leading to the UDC. Passed out a packet of materials
* Climate and Safety Task Force meeting minutes w/ Rick Aleva Jan. 14, 1999. Reviewed by group. Highlights included problems in school and possible solutions.
* Response letter to Larry Simon, a lawyer retained by a group of parents to appeal the UDC, informing him that all arguments of the appeal had been denied with the exception of an opt-out provision and provisions for economically-challenged students. The provisions for economically challenged students were made, but there was no re-visiting of the opt-out provision.
* Excerpts of messages posted on an e-mail, 10 were read to the group. These messages can be reached through e-mail or the internet at www.egroups.com/athertonissues.
It was pointed out that there are positive arguments and negatives. Some students who support the uniform need to be represented. This was rebutted by the co-chairs:
John Schlafer: "It's not right for me to represent these people. It's not right for you [Ms. Herman] to represent those people. They have to represent themselves."
Rebecca Tardy: "That's what this meeting is for." [To get all the sides.]g) John Healy (student): Noticed obvious suffering in the school and much animosity of student to student, student to teacher, and teacher to teacher. It's had a "de-unifying" effect of splitting the school up. However, it would be worth it if it keeps students safe, but no facts are available yet. Until then the UDC is draining the school.
h) Kelly Burdick (student). Would like to think that everyone agrees that if there are no problems at AHS then the UDC would never have come up, but the problems won't go away with uniforms. If uniforms did what they were supposed to that would be great, but at best they are a step not a solution.
i) John Schlafer (student) had reviewed a survey of students in middle schools about uniforms then again in high school. The summary stated that there were no benefits, effects were minimal. Not a constructive step. The emotive quality of the atmosphere at Atherton has been very disturbing. Much hostility noticed. Someone suggested that the uniform mostly offends AP and IB students. He rebutted that these were the students who often represent Atherton to the community. He personally had been made sick by the atmosphere on several occasions. Recommended that an opt-out clause be proposed to SBDM.
Discussion ensued as there were no more scheduled speakers.
Janet O'Koon (parent) sees inconsistent enforcement as a major problem. Trude Scharff (parent) Any system that is full of anger, fear, shame, and guilt is ripe for gangs. The opt-out would give parents their rights back. She was blown away by the atmosphere; she hasn't seen the like in 21 years of dealing with JCPS.
Barbara Neff (teacher) talked with many students (all comprehensive classes) and many say they are glad to have the UDC. Mr. Smith (teacher) was on the Task Force when it first considered a dress code (it was very hard to get implemented). Thinks the atmosphere is how it should be; mellowed. Most of the ones who don't speak up are the ones who need the UDC. Maritza Cassidy (administration) only 230 of the school's 1050 students are all advanced program. Consistent enforcement is hard because some of the students just choose not to follow it. Concerned about opt-out ruining the equalizing effect, that gangs would be able to intimidate again.
Sarah Martin (student) taking AP classes and plans on being full IB next year. To Ms. Neff: "Why are comprehensive student's feelings more important than ours? ...Their opinions are no more important than ours."
Rebecca Tardy came up with 5 summary items for the Task Force to address:
1) Divisiveness with teachers and students
2) Resentment/Disrespect: there's nothing new in disrespect to teachers, how do we address that?
3) Enforceability: Not enforcing it makes sense if you have reasons, when others don't.
4) School Spirit??? Maybe we need to look at it.
5) Change in student population: Perhaps separate representation for resides and non-resides on SBDM?
Other points made: Opt-out is required in 7 states. Parent rights are protected in many. Three possible courses of action: 1) see what happens, 2) request opt-out, or 3) demand a rescinding of the UDC. Agreement needs to be reached.
Motion made by Sheila Tasman (parent) to recommend to SBDM to add an opt-out provision to the current dress code until everything is worked out. The opt-out would revert to the Dress Code currently in place at Highland Middle School. With signed parent contract. Seconded by Lisa Hite (parent). Heated discussion ensued, resulting in meeting going overtime forcing a tabling of the vote until next meeting.
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