Present: Renee Liston, Mariko Yamada, Heidi Loper, Mike Cawley, Guy Michelier, Melinda Zimmerman, Michael Joyce, John Rundle, Marie Rundle, Lynda Yancher, Lee Groen, Karen Schmitendorf, Ann Devereux, Renuka Mannapperuma, Gail Houck, Mary Herbert, Sally Ryen, Peg Smith, Jane McLaughlin, Nahid Abdali, Catherine Louie

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 by Renee Liston.

Approval of September 10, 2002 Minutes

A motion to approve the minutes of the September meeting was passed unanimously.

Treasurer's Report-Mary Herbert

Mary Herbert distributed a treasurer's report showing current income of $19,717.00 and current expenses of $4,925.46. Mary noted that Membership income and expense exceeded budget projections as the number of PTA memberships (891) exceeded expectations. DHS PTA forwards $3.55 out of every $8 membership to the California State PTA.

Principal's Report-Mike Cawley

Mike Cawley reported the following:

• Ceramic artist Donna Billick will be producing two tile mosaics to be placed on each end of the new gym. The proposed mosaics will be 6 feet in diameter with a likeness of the Blue Devil mascot surrounded by figures representing DHS sports. A sample bronze casting of the mascot has been submitted for approval. Mike displayed the bronze cast and sample tiles and sports figures. Some reservations were expressed about depicting the Blue Devil on the mosaics, especially since the new gym is a joint use facility with the City of Davis and some community members have expressed dissatisfaction with the DHS mascot in the past. An alternative of simply using the words "Blue Devils" was suggested.
• The new Oak Avenue parking lot is not officially open although it is complete and awaiting final inspection and release. There are 130 new spaces; 83 for students, 45 reserved for staff, and two 30 minute visitor spaces. There is a single outlet on Oak Avenue for entering and exiting the new lot.
• The City of Davis preferential parking district surrounding DHS (extending to B Street) will be instituted in February. Parking will be allowed on both sides of E. 14th and on the DHS side of Oak Avenue. Scripps Drive on the west side of DHS will be closed to traffic for a 3 month trial period.
• There are currently 34 students in the High Potential Program at UC Davis. First quarter student grade reports will be mailed by Saturday, November 16.
  

Assistant Principals' Report-Heidi Loper

Heidi described the duties of the three DHS assistant principals, which include responsibility for the individual classes in the major areas of discipline and testing. They are currently planning Spring testing schedules for approval by DHS administration and staff.

The STAR testing for sophomores and juniors will take place over 2 weeks with 4 days of testing for all 10th and 11th graders in the first week and 3 days of California Standards testing in mathematics, science and language arts in the following week. Heidi noted that parents can help by not excusing their students from the optional STAR tests. The data gained is extremely helpful to DHS and the DJUSD and can be used to improve the academic programs for all DHS students.

Heidi reported that 790 Advanced Placement Tests in 28 subject areas were taken by 438 DHS students last year (2001-2002). Many colleges and universities give college level credit to students who score 3, 4 or 5 on these tests. One hundred per cent of DHS students who took AP Tests in English, English Literature, Calculus, European History, German, Physics and Spanish were eligible for college credit. Statistics were somewhat lower for the newer DHS AP course offerings. Heidi noted that these exams are rigorously proctored and makeup tests are difficult to schedule.

Heidi emphasized that it is not necessary for students to take every AP class that DHS offers, and encouraged parents to help their students to be selective. Overloading on AP classes can lead to increased academic pressure and make for a very stressful high school experience. In addition, taking the AP Test is optional even if the student is enrolled in an AP class.

In addition to STAR and Advanced Placement Tests this year will be the first year that students, beginning with this year's juniors, are required to pass the California High School Exit Exam (CaHSEE). All sophomores and any juniors who have not passed the exam will be taking the CaHSEE this Spring. Seniors will also be taking the Hart Bill tests.

Homecoming Wrap-up/Student Elections-Michael Joyce

(Renee Liston announced that a PTA committee is being formed to discuss ways to improve communication and participation for next year's Homecoming activities. Interested parents should contact Renee.)

Michael reported that the Leadership Class students have written their quarterly reports on student activities including a thorough evaluation of Homecoming.

• Positive aspects included:
  • Night Rally-This was the first Night Rally scheduled in a couple of years. It was well organized and well attended. The entire student body including all athletic teams and clubs were invited. The football team members were introduced and friendly competitions were staged. There were no discipline problems. Homecoming T-shirts-Design was by a DHS senior. Four hundred twenty-three of 450 shirts printed were sold.
  • Homecoming Parade-The parade was longer this year as more clubs participated. All participants lined up on time including the convertibles.
  • Class Banners-Students did a beautiful job on the banners that were hung in the Quad. In addition the Quad was not "decorated" with toilet paper this year much to the appreciation of the custodial staff.
  • Homeroom Decorating Competition-There were several great entries in the contest.
  • Homecoming Dance-The dance was well attended although it was shorter than planned because of the length of the preceding football game.
  • Finances-Unlike previous years all expenses were covered, due in part to the number of T-shirts sold.
    
• Areas for improvement/concern included:
  • Communication-Communication among staff, administration, students and parents was not as effective as it could have been in several areas. The Davis Enterprise mishandled some of the information this year.
  • Float Building-Few students (around 60 out of 2,000) participated in float building. Michael noted that in the future the Homecoming/float theme will emphasize DHS pride rather than the visiting team and mascot.
  • Vandalism-Incidents took place at one of the float sites and during the Homecoming game half-time, resulting in student suspensions. Michael stated the need for clearer consequences for inappropriate student behavior.

  Michael noted that the sophomore class advisor was not in place until the day before the Homecoming planning meeting. He suggested that the sophomore class advisor be appointed in the Spring before the new sophomore class enters in the following Fall. Mike Cawley agreed this could be done. Michael also suggested that written guidelines for the faculty class advisors be developed.

  Michael announced that student elections for class officers will take place December 11. Current student class officers will vacate their positions at semester break. A new president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and PTA representative will be elected for each class. Only the class presidents must enroll in the 4th period Leadership Class.

  Application packages are available now in room C-4. Candidates must submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher, 50 classmates' signatures endorsing their candidacy, and show proof of a 2.0 GPA with no "D"s or "F"s in the previous semester (for sophomores this means the last semester of 9th grade). Applications are due December 4. Candidates must give a speech to their classmates on December 11 unless they are running unopposed. Balloting follows immediately after the speeches in the homerooms. Ballots are collected by the members of the Leadership Class (except those students who are running for office) and counted by the non-candidate Leadership students under the supervision of Mr. Joyce. Winners and losers are notified before the official results are announced to the student body.
  

Student Representative Report-Nahid Abdali

Nahid reported that the Junior Prom will take place December 14 in the MPR from 9 p.m. to 12 midnight. The theme will be "Dancing in the Moonlight." There will be a DJ, desserts and drinks. Bids will be $45/couple from November 18-26, $50/couple from December 2-6, $55/couple from December 9-13, and $65/couple at the door.

Photography will be by Lifetouch. Photos are paid for at the dance and packages will be around $25. The photo order forms will be available with the bids. Students may sign up for a photo appointment between 4 and 7 p.m. on the 14th to avoid standing in line for photos at the dance.

Questions about the Prom may be directed to Jeff Okita, Junior Class President.

Counselors' Report

No report was given.

Pertussis Update

Renee Liston distributed a written report prepared by Susan Hawkins, RN, DHS Nurse on November 8. DHS and the County Health Department are continuing to send out exposure notification letters. Parents should be alert to possible pertussis exposure and if it is suspected parents should not wait for a letter but should contact a physician immediately.

Teacher Representative Report-Sally Ryen

Sally thanked the PTA Hospitality Committee and everyone who contributed to the wonderful Halloween Treat Table. The entire DHS staff thought it was fabulous!

Sally reported that recent contract negotiations ended on somewhat of a sour note regarding the issue of teacher "case loads" (number of students seen in a school day by each teacher). An equity issue has arisen as a result of the state-mandated "capped" classes (such as English 10 at DHS).

Discussion and Approval of Proposed Wish Lists

There was a discussion of the wish list items recommended for funding this Fall. Sally Ryen thanked the committee for recommending the $1,000 grant to the student publication, The Hub. It was decided to reconsider the Career Center's request in the Spring. Mike Cawley stated that he will look into the possibility of obtaining a copy machine for all students to use in the library through a current DHS vendor, IKON. Ann Devereux and Peg Smith requested that ADA guidelines be considered when the picnic tables are ordered to ensure that the tables are accessible to disabled students and adults.

Below is the final approved list:

• Storage Case for Backpacks - PE Dept. (Penny Smith) $ 250
• Color Photo Printer - Art Dept. (L. Diem) $ 250
• Lucite Boards - Art Dept. (Judy Brewington) $ 250
• HUB - Journalism Dept. (Sally Ryen) $1,000
• CD Burner - Science Dept. (Ajay Advani) $ 290 (this item will be kept in Admin. to be checked out by any teacher)
• Geography Video Series - Social Studies (R. Davenport) $ 390
• Dissolved Oxygen Meter - Science Dept. (N. Coulson) $ 200
• Picnic Tables - Admin. (Mike Cawley) $1,500
• 20 Spanish Dictionaries - Foreign Lang. Dept. (O. Perez de Baker) $ 160
• 100 boxes of Kleenex - Health Dept. (S. Hawkins) $ 70

  A motion to approve the expenditure of $4,360.00 to purchase wish list items was passed unanimously.

Committee Reports:

• Membership - No report was given.
  
• Ways and Means - Lynda Yancher reported that a fundraising letter will be sent to DHS parents and guardians in February. Mary Herbert commented that the letters have been most effective when a specific use for the donated funds has been described in the letter. Lynda will develop the letter in January based on input from the Spring wish list.
  
• Volunteers - Renuka Mannapperuma reported that she has given Michael Joyce a list of parents who have volunteered to chaperone the Junior Prom.
  
• Newsletter - Renee Liston reminded those present that the deadline for articles for the double issue December/January newsletter is November 14.
  
• Student Directory - Guy Michelier reported that he has received the final data from Susan Linz. The directories will be 43 pages and there will be minimal changes from last year's format. The PTA received requests for 724 directories. This week Guy will be segregating labels by number of directories requested per household while the directories are being printed. They will be mailed by Thanksgiving.
  
• Publicity - No report was given
  
• Scholarship Committee - No report was given.
  
• Hospitality - Lynda Yancher reported that using e-mail lists to contact parent volunteers for the Halloween Treat Table contributions worked out very well.
  
• Computer Support - Guy Michelier reported that he and Tsui Chang met with DCN regarding the DHS website. There is a possibility that a subcommittee will need to be formed to address this well.
  
• Website - No report was given.
  
• Listservers - Jane McLaughlin handed out a report on current listserver policies. She reported that a listserver for the DHS Class of 2006 has been approved and will begin to take signups from current 9th parents this Spring. Ann Reioux will be the interim administrator until a Class of 2006 parent is appointed. A list of "Nettiquette Tips" has been sent out to current Class of 2003, 2004, and 2005 subscribers. The Tips will be automatically sent to new subscribers.
  

Parent Representative Reports:

• C&I - Jane McLaughlin reported that teachers will spend time in their colleagues' classrooms to observe teaching methods. The committee feels that the textbook adoption process needs to be simplified. New courses are being planned, including a Peer Helping Class and three classes to rebuild the DHS Agricultural Studies Department: Environmental Science, Plant Biology, and Integrated Environmental Biology. A dedicated in-school suspension room has been proposed. Fifty seniors have not passed the Hart Bill tests.
  
• Site Council - Jane McLaughlin reported that no funding information has been received and no funding actions will be taken before January. A new school site plan template from the State means that the DJUSD will have to change several forms
  
• GATE Advisory - Cathy Louie reported that DHS teachers spoke at the meeting about the proposed replacement of GATE 10 English with Honors English 10 and the introduction of Honors English 11. (Heidi Loper noted that Honors English 10, like GATE English 10, will not carry weighted grade points.) Only eight families opted out of the universal GATE testing piloted at Valley Oak, Pioneer, and North Davis Elementary Schools. The Gate Committee would like more participation by parents whose GATE-identified children are not in self-contained GATE classes. The 5-Year GATE Master Plan was approved by the Davis School Board.
  
• Human Relations - Mariko Yamada reported that the DHS Human Relations Committee will be meeting on the third Wednesday of the month. She attended the District Coordinating Council meeting with other representatives from all school sites. There will be three meetings of the Council this school year. A 1992 document describing the human relations tenets of the DJUSD was distributed. It was noted that the document does not address lesbian, gay, transgender, or transexual issues, or issues relating to persons with disabilities. Superintendent David Murphy stated that he was not able to commit to an update of the document at this time because of limited staff availability. On the subject of school climate Mariko commented that targeting individual student groups (such as GATE, as suggested by a recent Davis Enterprise article) as the cause of problems on the DHS campus was not an effective way of bringing students or the community together to address human relations issues at the school.
  

Old Business

No old business was reported.

Announcements

Mary Herbert announced that the DHS Drama Department students will present their Fall play, "The Matchmaker." The production opens Friday November 15.

The meeting was adjourned by Renee Liston at 9:25.
Respectfully submitted by Ann Devereux, DHS PTA Secretary.