Wacona Elementary School
School Council Minutes
October 22, 2007
Chairman Wendell Bagley called the meeting of the Wacona School Council to order at 6:00 p.m. on October 22, 2007.
Officers/ Parents/Representatives in attendance were:
Wendell Bagley Chairman
Dr. Jacqueline Turner Principal
Marni Shuman Assistant Principal
LeVar Garner Teacher Representative
Kelvin Lanier Parent Representative
Rochelle W. Varnadore Business/Parent Representative
Julie Rigdon Parent Representative
Brenda Spearman Secretary/Teacher Representative
A quorum was established and official school council business was conducted.
Mrs. Spearman read the minutes from the last meeting (September 10). A motion was offered to accept the minutes. Mrs. Rochelle Varnadore seconded the motion.
Copies of the Wacona Elementary School Bylaws were distributed. They were amended as follows:
Article III-School Council Membership items four and five
Mrs. Varnadore wanted to know how many members were on the council. The chairman responded by saying that there are seven members.
The Bylaws were accepted as amended.
Dr. Turner passed out a ‘new’ Report Card sample. Representatives expressed their concerns and the concerns of parents regarding the new card. Some concerns were the durability of the card, a running record of grades, and parents being able to retain a copy of the card. Dr. Turner explained that she thought that there would be a running record for the first two nine week periods and cardstock would not be used for Infinite Campus Program.
The Wacona Parent Resource Room was a major topic of discussion. The group agreed that the resource room is very damp due to the leaky roof and poor insulation. Dr. Turner assures that a new roof is forthcoming. The group also agreed that the room still needs more work. It was mentioned that Daffodil has a good check out system and that we should look at establishing a check out and asking teachers to donate more materials to make sure they are plentiful. Also the skills need to be categorized to make it easier for parents to find what they need to help their children. Mr. Bagley talked about the Harcourt site that he found on-line with great resource materials. Volunteers are needed to work in the Resource Room so Mrs. Varnadore said that she would ask PTA committee members to volunteer their time to get the parent room up and running. Dr. Turner reminded the committee that there is some money allocated for the Resource Room but more funds may be needed. Mrs. Varnadore suggested that we recognize parents/children who logged in and utilized the resources a certain amount of time/hours.
The lunchroom has been extremely loud this year and the committee discussed ways to bring the noise level down during lunch. Dr. Turner uses the megaphone to talk with students about showing good manners while in the lunchroom. Mr. Bagley suggested a Traffic Light and playing music. Someone else suggested using a whistle. Mrs. Varnadore suggested that we allow the students to wear their Halloween costumes or some other incentives when they exemplify good lunchroom behavior. Mr. Bagley questioned the procedures for infraction in the cafeteria. Dr. Turner explained that students are first warned and then put on silent lunch. The last resort is no recess privileges. Parents are rarely called regarding discipline in the cafeteria.
Mrs. Rigdon brought up the issue of head lice among our students. Lice have been an issue for the last few weeks at Wacona. The school nurse has been involved and we have had to send students home for treatment. Parents are supposed to send the empty ‘box’ containing treatment. Literature was sent home to educate parents on this problem.
MRSA Staff Infection was mentioned and that we should express washing and sanitizing hands at all times.
Fundraisers: Mrs. Varnadore mentioned the Fall Charity Event at Belk Nov. 10 from 6-10. Representatives are needed.
Applebee’s Pancake Breakfast $5.00. Proceeds go to the school.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.