HIGHLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL
SBDM COUNCIL
MINUTES
OCTOBER 28, 2014
4PM
1.
OPENING BUSINESS
a.
Call to Order: Mr. Goetz called the meeting to order with the Pledge of
Allegiance at 4:01pm.
b.
Members Present: Mark Goetz, Dawn Laber, Dan Gorman, Kristan Vennefron,
Rick Rafferty, Kathy Donelan; Absent: Kevin Nieporte (Athletic Director Duties)
c.
No guests.
d.
October Agenda Approval: A motion was made by Dan Gorman and seconded
by Kathy Donelan and the October Agenda was approved.
e.
September 23, 2014 Minutes: A motion was made by Rick Rafferty and
seconded by Kristan Vennefron and the Minutes of September 23, 2014 were
approved as read.
f.
Good News Report: Mr. Goetz gave the following Good News Report:

Highlands Middle School has been named a 2014 School of Distinction by
Kentucky’s Unbridled Learning accountability model, ranking in the 98th
percentile in the state. In the Unbridled Learning accountability model, middle
schools were evaluated based on data and information about their achievement,
gap, growth and college/career readiness.
For more information about the Unbridled Learning accountability model,
please visit www.education.ky.gov.

These amazing students have been selected as Bluebird Students of the Week:
6th Grade:
Dominic Robinson, Audrey Durr, Jasmine Rehberger, Luke Myers,
Catherine Young, Tommy Norman, Quincy Barrett, Izzy Salter
th
7 Grade:
Rylee Kirschenbaum, David Herfel, Jessica Kreeger, Ali Gessner
8th Grade:
Betsy Sellers, Hailey Barnes, Liz Schwalbach, Tanner Juett,
Brendan Conley, Eddie Etter, Haley Dougherty, Michael Penrod,
Haley Whitt

Adriana Muntaner was the 4th varsity runner at the Cross Country Meet at
Thomas Worthington High School in Columbus.

Two HMS 6th grade students were honored by the YMCA: Maggie Stieby and
Ashley Herfel. The YMCA reported that Maggie was recognized as Camper of
the Year. Only 2 campers this summer received this distinguished award given
for leadership and character. Ashley was chosen as Honor Camper. This
award is given to campers who display the core character values of honesty,
caring, respect, and responsibility.

The 6th grade girls competed at the Middle/Elementary Regional Cross Country
Meet and were Regional Runners-Up! Special congratulations to Adriana
Muntaner who placed 4th overall out of 208 runners in the 8th grade and Under
Division!

The HMS Academic Team won their meet against Bellevue.

Catherine Dauer and Karlie Baioni had outstanding performances at last week’s
JV Regional Meet at Scott. Catherine placed first and Karlie finished 5th.

The HMS Fall Choral Concert was held on October 7 at 7pm in the PAC.

Mr. Burgess met with students interested in auditioning or being on crew for
this year’s musical, The Music Man.

The HMS Library Media Center celebrated Teen Read Week 2014 with some fun
activities.

The sixth grade students had an author visit with Alan Gratz. Mr. Gratz has
written several books for middle graders such as Fantasy Baseball, Samurai
Shortstop, Prisoner B-3807 and The Brooklyn Nine. His newest book, League of
Seven, is about seven young kids out to save one boy’s parents and the world.
We were very fortunate to host Mr. Gratz, courtesy of The Blue Marble
Bookstore. The Blue Marble carries a wonderful selection of books appropriate
for our middle school students so students were encouraged to stop by The
Blue Marble and show their appreciation for their support.

On Tuesday they created works of art using old books and magazines in the
library from 2:45-3:45. Students made a hedgehog by folding an old book or
they made a colorful work of art using old magazines. All materials were
supplied and all HMS students were invited to attend.

Wednesday began the literary trivia contest. Students picked up a trivia sheet
in the library and returned to compete for prizes. Books were awarded and one
lucky winner received a gift certificate to The Blue Marble Bookstore!

Thursday morning in the library before school students made bookmarks.

Students were encouraged to stop by anytime during the week to visit the
Favorite Books Post-It table and the Book Thief/Book Burning table. At the PostIt table, students left a post-it note with the name of their favorite book, a one
word description, and the name of a student or teacher to whom they would
recommend the book. At the Books on Fire table, the students channeled the
main character, Liesel, in the Book Thief who saved the book The Shoulder
Shrug from a book-burning in Nazi Germany. The students told the title of a
book they would save from a fire, and why.

Teen Read Week 2014 was wrapped up by awarding prizes and being grateful
that we have access to wonderful books in our schools and our community.

Two fall chaperone training sessions were scheduled:
Tuesday
Thursday
October 14
November 13
6:30pm
6:30pm
HMS Library
WES Cafeteria

Letters were included in report card envelopes (went home Wednesday, October
22) inviting parents to schedule an appointment for Parent Conferences. We
asked that they keep in mind that we love seeing our parents but this is not
mandatory! If parents and their children are happy and do not have concerns,
we asked that they feel free to email teachers and say “thanks – we are having a
great year” and do something else fun on conference night! For those who
would like to make an appointment, times were going to be scheduled from
October 23 through October 28.

Once again, the teachers and staff at HMS will be dressing up on Friday,
October 31 for charity. Students will have the chance to make “bucket votes”
during lunch by placing loose change in the bucket with their favorite costume
choice. Last year, we raised $385.23 and this year, if we raise $500, one lucky
teacher from each team will get a pie in the face at the Turkey Bowl! Mr.
Nieporte, Mr. Weinrich, Mrs. Manning, Mrs. Donelan, Mrs. Workman, Mrs.
Kampschmidt, and Mrs. Trimbach are willing to put their face on the line for
charity. All proceeds this year will benefit the Histiocystosis Association.

Parent classes are being offered on Parent Conference night (November 3) by
Librarian Stephanie Griffith during the following times: 3:30, 4:15, 6pm, 6:30,
7pm, 7:30, 8pm and 8:30 in the HMS Library. Topics will include basic use
and care, online textbooks, Schoology, shortcuts, and other applications.
Registration is not necessary.

The 6th Grade Halloween Dance was Saturday, October 25 from 7:30 to 10pm.

Volunteer opportunities are available in the HMS Cafeteria. Needed: 1
volunteer every Monday, 2nd Friday, and 4th Friday. Volunteers were directed to
contact Nancy Gesenhues at nancy.gesenhues@fortthomas.kyschools.us.

RED RIBBON WEEK: The HMS Student Council members have done an
amazing job organizing Red Ribbon Week! They designed and ordered bracelets
for every student and faculty/staff member, as well as a t-shirt for faculty/staff
and club members. These are the Red Ribbon day-by-day activities:
Monday:
Students received the Red Ribbon bracelet to wear all
week.
Tuesday:
Wear your favorite sports team jersey
Wednesday:
Wear RED day
Thursday:
Crazy Hat/Hair day
Friday:
Halloween Dress-Up day* for students and staff!

Dr. Laber complimented Lisa Birkley and her Journalism class on their behavior and
professionalism during the field trip to Tower Park and the Veterans’ Day exhibits.

Mr. Goetz reported on Veterans’ Day and Turkey Bowl plans.
g.
Public Comments:
2.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Mr. Goetz gave a power point presentation and distributed color copies of K-Prep Data.
Council reviewed. Dr. Laber distributed a Standards Survey. Council discussed and
answered Areas of Notable Achievement and Areas in Need of Improvement.
3.
BUDGET REPORT
a.
2014-2015 Budget: Council reviewed.
b.
Monthly Report: A motion was made by Rick Rafferty and seconded by Kristan
Vennefron and the Monthly Budget Report was approved.
4.
AdvancED ACCREDITATION
a.
Creating the Stakeholder Feedback Data Document – Reviewed and discussed.
5.
NEW BUSINESS
No New Business.
6.
SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING
Council decided to combine the November and December regular meetings (they fall on
Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks) and meet on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at 4pm.
7.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made by Kathy Donelan and seconded by
Dan Gorman and the meeting was adjourned at 5:23pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Shelley Kappesser
None.