DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
South High School
Collaborative School Committee
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
3:30-5:00 PM
Minutes
Welcome and Introduction
Review and Approval of September 26, 2012 Minutes: Approved
Student Reports
~ ELA Mentoring, Jackie Chapparro-Sierra described mentoring program. Jackie described her
personal experience. Once a week, every Tuesday period 6, but has been postponed due to
homecoming. Science, writing and newcomer Math are being visited. One senate for every 3 or 4 in
science and other classes are more “one on one.” Give the ELA students a chance to practice English
with their peers. Program will be continued throughout the year. Jackie expressed that she learns a lot
about other cultures and makes new friends. Jordon likes how even though there is little verbal
communication they can still express their friendship. Rinaldi voiced how drama helps rapid ELA growth
due to the group work due to their interaction.
~ Goodwill, Daniel Renkert: The donation drive received funds based on the weight of the
total donations and filled up about 4 trucks. This was very successful and the funds go to PTSA, and then
passed on to the students. $1428 was raised! PTSA may do another drive in the spring.
~ Homecoming, Geoffrey Wilson: Many decorations set up, with the Greek Garden theme and
are trying to make it a successful event. Rinaldi asked to have vines donated for the play since it is along
the same Grecian theme.
~ Attendance, Jordan Thomas; Attendance Challenge which is brought by the student board.
Still need Ideas. One idea is to give t shirts to students with perfect attendance. Students are placed into
a drawing if they have perfect attendance during the specified time period. There is a stipend to help
with a “change” project, they are thinking about something related to the ELA students. The past 2
years they were able to get contraceptives in the health clinic and changed policy about offering the
contraceptives. All is now provided through Denver Health. Jen suggested offering CPR for the school
and an AAD machine, other idea is the ADL anti bully/ peer mentoring etc. Once an area is identified,
there are many organizations which can offer those services. Rinaldi also had an idea of International
day workshops where the students can talk about their cultures. Moss suggested that the ELA students
do not own books; could they find books for the students to own?
Table discussed how “perfect attendance” is defined. Jan suggested a period of time that is
focused. A pizza party was a suggested award and Laray spoke to how to have the pizza donated. Daniel
discussed last year’s attendance challenge. We could not enforce a closed campus, and negative
reinforcement does not work. Karmen spoke to VW’s fun theory, how can we make this fun and
encouraging? Karmen and Daniel will be working together to work on VW fun project. Karmen
mentioned that the “go home freshman” chant be stopped, it is bullying. Moss suggested that if
negatives are shouted then those classes are disqualified. Also to have the students wear hats as a
privilege for attendance.
School Performance Framework Review: 7 different indicators that the schools are measured on. Each
category has a point value and growth is the biggest point value. There are also sub categories of
possible points earned and based on the points earned color coded red, orange, yellow green and blue.
Every year more indicators have been added since 2007. Dr. Waters presented a power point break
down of the SPF based on 2 years of data. Red areas are student status. The SPF compares TCAP to ACT
for the data. CDE graduation rate change; how long it takes for a student to graduate? DPS 4 year
cohort graduation rate; students start at South as a freshman and graduate in 4 years at South. Dr.
Waters is trying to get this removed from the SPF. Last year only 65 students meet that goal. Should we
write a letter as the CSC to dispute this? Rinaldi asked about the remediation categories. Overall our
points are 45% which is the middle of yellow. Rinaldi asked if the students are aware of this report card
and how the school is perceived. Students said no. The concern is the students do not see the
correlation between the tests and how it affects them and the school. Jan spoke about parents who
come to visit south and that the SPF does not reflect the school, and the SPF is an important item to
overcome. Laray spoke to the shadowing program which has sold her daughter and others to go to
South. Karmen asked about the ELA impact on the SPF and test scores. Students whom are at South In
October must take the TCAP. Waters emphasized that the scores are based on growth. Not only ELA but
mainstream students can raise their scores in order to become a green score. Lutz reiterated that we
write a letter as CSC to write a letter to change the graduation rate. Waters said we need to focus on
reading, writing and math growth 1.1a, b and c. Karmen asked if we are fighting a student effort and
caring from the students. We need to help students understand that we need 100% of their effort. Lutz
suggested we give a motivational speech to the teachers about rolling out the TCAP, because the
students can feel the negativity. How do we get the info out in a manner the students and teachers
understand? Laray speaks about the student buy in. Rinaldi suggested that seniors whom had struggled
in HS visit the freshman to be example and talk about their experience.
Future Discussion Topics/Agenda Items
Moss suggested we talk more about areas of focus and how we can get there. Where are we lacking?
Moss and Karmen suggest we need to celebrate the academics as well as sports; assemblies, AP scores
posted in the gym, teachers pick the student of the month, give cords in front of the school, and events
are done during school where all can see.
Adjourned at 5:22
Next Meeting is November 14, 3:30 PM