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| Madison Metropolitan School District Madison, Wisconsin Art Rainwater, Superintendent | ||
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| BOARD OF EDUCATION Minutes for Student Senate December 21, 2006 |
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Sally Schulz presented about anti-harassment policies and programs at Shabazz. Sally outlined two programs at Shabazz High School that could be implemented at larger high schools:
1) General orientation class where students learn about who they are and are celebrated for the individual classes. At the same time class is also review how Shabazz works.
2) Anti-harassment class that outlines polices, issues and resolutions to harassment issues.
Sally outlined that it is important for students to be viewed as individuals by adults and for students to feel connected to a larger community.
How could these policies implemented at larger high schools?
History 110 could spend 9 weeks teaching an anti-harassment and anti-discrimination curriculum. English 9 could also be used.
Do these policies work? Do kids get kicked out of school?
Not that many students get removed, but students are removed from Shabazz for fights. Sally stated that students are removed from school but many do work towards coming back to Shabazz. There are still harassment issues, but it happens less because of the classes. Shabazz is seeing a decrease in harassment issues over the course of the year because of mediation and peer mediation. Students learn to address their own issues and disagreements.
How do you keep classes small and kids engaged?
Change the topics of course on a regular basis.
How do you change a peer culture at a larger school?
Sally described circle conferences. Offender and victim and two selected adults discuss ramifications of behavior. These conferences help resolve issues, deter future issues, but also help youth become empowered for their community.
Is Shabazz more effective because it is self selected group?
Not sure, but if larger high schools were more personable and more connected would the school feel better for students and help in learning.
School Updates
LaFollette principal resigned on Friday/Monda, a new principal was appointed on Monday
Shabazz vending machines have been removed from the school.
All Nations day was held at West. Was a day celebrating diversity at West.
Board Updates
9-12 million in cuts will be made for the 2007-08 school year. A presention was given of 10 areas to be cut, some that are being recommended:
Transportation
Sports/strings
Administration
Staff Development
Student Services
Joe suggested Student Senate make recommendations for cuts and work with the BOE rather than against. Give a student voice for recommended cuts.
High Schools of the future was discussed three weeks ago, a committee is being developed to comprehensively look at high schools. All changes to high schools have been frozen.
Expulsion Policy
Top two concerns regarding expulsion:
Educating kids who have been expelled
Restorative justice/discipline
Broke into groups. Report out:
1. Every district had some sort of mandated education between expulsion and readmission. There should be a second chance. Many expelled students are minorities.
What percentage of expelled students receive no services at all during their expulsion?
2. Milwaukee Public Schools and Wausau Schools - state funding and a community action agency, grants also. Attendance rates were comparable to traditional schools. Restorative justice article explained success in terms of client satisfaction. Described the circle method. Parties agree on consequences through mediation.
3. Trade and internship learning ideas. Buffalo, NY schools example. Work sites offered to bring the students in to gain credit. Very high attendance rates, graduations rates, and post-secondary school participation.
Adjourn ed at 7:30 pm.