8 September 2014
Local School Council Meeting
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Local School Council Meeting
Monday, 8 September 2014
Members Present:
Chris Murphy, president (senior representative)
Stephanie Johnson, Principal
Don Grant, vice president (sophomore
Representative
Virgil Murray, Business Partner
Ebony Martin, secretary (educator)
Stephanie Johnson, principal
Alex Elliott, Teacher (educator)
Don Grant, sophomore representative
Trudye Young, at large representative
Mrs. Briana Murphy, eleventh grade parent
representative
Motion Approved at 6:13 pm for all members
who are present
*A ninth grade representative must be elected.
Visitors Present
Adam Danser, 9th
grade academy leader
Mr. Rollo, father 9th grade
Shirley Shealey, 9th grade parent
Communities in Schools of Atlanta (2
representatives)
Lynn Brandli, 9th grade parent sponsor
Principal's Report
#1 Focus--getting out of priority as early as possible. Slated for 2017, but because of our progress we
should be slated for 2015. The CCRPI data for the last school year will be available in January 2015.
Every single parent and student will be invited to attend the "I Am Accountable" counselor conference
sessions and be informed of their expectations for meeting and/or exceeding the standards. We have to
improve our attendance to get assist us with getting off the priority list (less than ten days is the goal).
Mr. Benson is our new hall monitor. Two more hall monitors should be on duty by next Monday, 15
September 2015.
A copy of the weekly administrative duties was provided by Mrs. Johnson. The building has ten exterior
doors, eight stairwells, and rooftop access. We ensure that a late night administrators is assigned every
day. The instructional coaching cycle was also provided (will be presented at a national conference next
year).
8 September 2014
Local School Council Meeting
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The Jackson cluster was recognized by the GE foundation for preparing students for post secondary
success. The high school is working with the feeder schools to discuss skills that are needed to prepare
students for success. The Jackson cluster is the only cluster in the district that is tackling this issue;
hence, the Zeist Foundation has commended us for this.
The school's focus is on improving reading and math. Excluding the pre-IB students, all ninth and tenth
(9/10) graders who did not exceed on the CRCT are double-dosed in reading and math. In addition,
every Monday, from 3:30-5:30, students who scored in the lower 35th percentile (35%) can receive
additional training. Learning Labs will occur Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for the other core
classes.
Beginning next month, Maynard Jackson will begin to provide free dinners to all students who stay after
school.
We have 43 students who are risk at Jackson. This becomes an issue when you realize that the preceding
group and the socially promoted kids are causing disruptions in the building.
Mr. Danser noted that most issues arise from neighborhood issues that occur over the weekend. A small
portion of the population is causing a disturbance.
In response to this, we will go to four (4) lunches. All lunches will remain 22 minutes and five-minute
transitions. Counselors will implement the Positive Behavior Intervention Support System (PBIS).Mrs.
Johnson will meet with the concerned clergy to ask for assistance and mentoring programs. We would
like to have more corporate sponsorships to mentor students. An attempt to reach absent parents will
also be made. The PTSA is trying to create a mentoring program to work with students.
Mrs. Young asked about the training that is going to be needed. Mrs. Johnson will ensure that the
mentors are trained because some of the students are negatively impulsive.
Mr. Murphy noted that social media posts can be made to promote community involvement.
Alex Elliott and Principal Johnson will ensure that a mentor meeting will occur.
Mr. Murray noted that the Maynard Jackson foundation will work with juniors and returning seniors.
Jackson Cluster Night has become a big event. Pep rallies, tailgating, and a tailgate will occur.
We are working on building school culture.
GA Milestones--Parents will have workshops to understand the standardized assessment. As the school
receives information, so will the parents.
The board will vote in November on the system's status.
Mrs. Johnson answered questions about restroom availability, homework distribution, attendance rate,
textbook distribution, and the shift from the textbook to multiple sources.
8 September 2014
Local School Council Meeting
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Building Concerns--Winter Construction has not fixed all the issues. The dance floor, leak in the
auditorium, and the leak in the courtyard will be fixed. The hole on the roof was covered Friday. The
roof access doors have no alarm on them. A camera is upstairs. Alarms need to be placed on multiple
doors to ensure student safety.
Mrs. Martin can be the school contact for truancy issues.
Mr. Albert, Communities in Schools for Atlanta, came to meeting to listen and learn of areas where they
can be supportive. A site coordinator may return to the campus later in the fall.
We will have a new club, Future Voters of America. A voter registration will occur in front of Barnes and
Noble on 23 September 2014.
24 October 2014-2 November 2014--The German exchange students will be here.
Bus monitors for high school has not been discussed in meetings. The majority of APS buses have no
working cameras.
Student Id's will have bus numbers, walker, or car rider placed on them.
Purchase a plaque in honor of Cecil Houston for the band room.
The district is going to pay for the turf field.
New Business
One seat is open on the council. The election must be advertised for the freshmen seat on the local
school council. Mr. Holmes has the forms from last year that can be used this year. A nomination box
will be setup in the main office. Mr. Holmes will preside over this again this year.
Motion--Possible dates for the rest of the year.--The council suggested every second Monday in the
month. Have the October meeting during homecoming week (. No meetings will held in December or
April.
Approved by all on the council excluding Brianna Murphy at 7:48pm.
Can anyone attend the truancy meeting on Friday, 12 September 2014 at 11am at city hall? Mrs.
Johnson and Mrs. Young will be there.
Truancy--It must be known to call 911 to report truant students.
Traffic Plan for drop off and pick up--The administrative team is attempting to figure out what to do
about traffic flow. A designated drop off and pick up plan need to be established.
Students will be on patrol with orange jackets and bullhorns directing traffic.
8 September 2014
Local School Council Meeting
Via "Graduation Generation", Alex Elliott will get to take students to the tour championship. Mrs.
Johnson will contact Don tomorrow to get parking space for the tournament parking.
Meeting adjourned at 8:04 pm
Meeting Summary
The Maynard H. Jackson High School local school council met on Monday, 8 September 2014 beginning
at 6:13 pm. The council listened to Mrs. Johnson's principal's report, which discussed construction
issues, ideas for student mentorship, international travel (China and Germany), building security, and
honoring Mr. Houston (deceased band teacher). After the September elections of a ninth grade parent
representative, all members' names will be posted on the school's website. The meeting was adjourned
at 8:04 pm.
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