IHS School Council

Mrs. Guthrie

Dr. Cave

Mrs. Powell and Mrs. Graham

Mrs. Schuster-Jones and Mrs. Neall

Mrs. Davis

  DISCUSSION and Summary*

Introductions and Welcome

1. Introductions of school council members
2. Principal’s Update
   1. Academic
      1. Preliminary GMAS 23/24 data overview
      2. School Improvement Plan/Goals
         1.  Increase percentage of students scoring at the Proficient and Above level by 3% on the Georgia Milestones Assessment End of Course Exam

Algebra GMAS by 3% (Spring 2024) to (Spring 2025)

Biology GMAS from 73% (Spring 2024) to 75% (Spring 2025)

American Literature from 63% (Spring 2024) to 66% (Spring 2025)

US History from 52% (Spring 2024) to 55% (Spring 2025)

2. The percentage of students with disabilities demonstrating typical growth (SGP 35-65) as measured by Georgia Milestones Algebra 1 Assessment and American Literature Assessment.  

OR *meeting their 3% targets as per CCRPI closing gaps

3. Increase 4 year cohort graduation rate by 1%
4. To achieve a 4 to 5 star school climate rating as measured by GADOE CCRPI or (equivalent rating as measured by school/district well being assessment)

3. Focus for the year:  Creating Memorable Learning Experiences
   1. Students want:  hands-on activities, collaborate with peers, teachers who inspire them
   2. Supports academic achievement
   3. Supports student attendance-give students reasons to come to school
   4. Highlighting teachers-staff shout outs, certificates, prize drawings.  Include in faculty/staff spotlight in weekly newsletter
   5. Professional development and opportunities for teachers to observe teachers who are models for creating memorable learning experiences
4. Teacher Professional Development

Focus for this year stems from info provided by students last year. We want to continue to provide opportunities for academic achievement but also give students a reason to come to school (attendance). Discussed current incentives for attendance. Building relationships is critical. Also trying to balance the use of technology in the classroom. Focus on person to person engagement as opposed to just working on a computer.

1. Floor open to council. 

a. Ms. Jones gave a shout out to the push for attendance. 

b. Parent stated she appreciates technology management. Want to see students off their screens more. Others agreed. Dr. Cave stated students from last year felt there was not a need for them to be at school because they could just do the work at home online. There is a push this year to make it necessary for students to be at school in the classroom to get the most benefit. 

c. Jenny Neall asked how the new entry program has been going, if it has smoothed out. Dr. Cave stated it has gotten better. Data shows that students are screened and in the building within 5-7 minutes when doors initially open. Then there is a lull and students show up at 7:27 am and this creates a long line. Dr. CAve also explained the added safety measures of using a wand if the weapons detector goes off. Students are encouraged to come to school prior to 7:25 am. 

d. Someone asked if teachers keep classroom doors locked during the day. Dr. Cave confirmed that teachers do keep their doors locked. 

2. Dr. Cave asked for help from the council in terms of attendance. He specifically asked for ideas around incentives.

11/4/2024

ADJOURNED:

4:05 pm

Mrs. Guthrie

Dr. Cave

Mrs. Powell and Mrs. Graham

Mrs. Schuster-Jones, Mrs. Neal, Mrs. Bachman

Mrs. Smith

  DISCUSSION and Summary*

1. Principal’s Update
   1. Academic
      1. 2024 Graduation Rate:  92.9 an increase of 0.6 percentage points
         1. Meetings scheduled next week for cohort 2025 at risk seniors.
      2. Preliminary GMAS Data Summary
         1.  Double digit increase in Amer. Lit.
         2. Increase in students reading at or above grade level. Recognized by GADOE as a Literacy Leader
         3. New math standards. Algebra I-highest performance among high schools that are not full choice program high schools.  Only 4 points behind SAA.  
         4. Biology remains high and comparable to year prior, above 90
         5. US History-increase over prior year.  Highest performance among high schools that are not full choice program high schools.  
         6. Focus on students with disabilities.  Opportunity for growth
      3. Attendance
         1. Average daily attendance to date (days present/total days):  91.5; SY23-24: 90.9
            1. Boys:  92.3; Girls: 90.6
            2. November 23-December 23 dropped from 90.9 to 87.9.  Strategizing to avoid the slump this year.  
         2. Shark Bowl was successful.  Planning more attendance related incentives for students. 
   2. Upcoming Events
      1. Curriculum Showcase-November 14th; 5:30 pm-7 pm
   3. STEAM certification Exploration
      1. Planning stages
         1. STEM/STEAM Forum (five IHS faculty members attended October 21st and October 22nd
         2. School visits
         3. Define what STEAM looks like at IHS
      2. STEAM certification application-3 year process. 

Curriculum Showcase-November 14, 2024; 5:30 pm-7:00 pm

February 10, 2025

ADJOURNED:

4:10 pm

Mrs. Guthrie

Dr. Cave

Mrs. Powell

Mrs. Schuster-Jones and Mrs. Neall

Mrs. Smith

  DISCUSSION and Summary*

1. Principal’s Update
   1. Academic
      1. Recognized as a Math Leader School and Literacy Leader School
      2. Official GMAS data for SY23-24 released by GADOE in December
         1. GMAS Readiness
            1. Analyzing district benchmark data-performance on standards
            2. Drilling down to student level data to ascertain level of individual student support
            3. Action plans developed and initiated to support SWD
            4. Faculty/Staff as mentors to at-risk seniors
      3. Attendance
         1. Average daily attendance to date (days present/total days):  91.1; SY23-24: 90.9
         2. Percent of students absent less than 10% of enrolled days: SY23-24:  48%; SY24-25(as of Jan.):  64.8%
         3. Sharkopoly

2. Choice Program Applications
   1. Research Science:  76 total apps.  1st-35; 2nd-31
   2. Vet Science:  72 total apps.  1st-38; 2nd-27
   3. Currently in the process of reviewing applications for eligibility

3. STEAM certification Exploration Update
   1. Planning stages
      1. Introduced idea to faculty/staff-January 6th
      2. Professional development 
         1. January 6th-natural connections to curriculum 
         2. February 14th-STEAM concept and collaboration. 
   2. STEAM certification application-3 year process. 

4. Physical Plant
   1. HVAC

More discussion regarding using volunteers to serve as mentors to seniors who are at-risk.  It was recommended that volunteers could meet with a small group of students.  The purpose is to motivate and encourage students.  

Mrs. Smith from Live Oak Libraries offered to partner with SPED teachers for programming opportunities at the library for students. 

It was noted by Mrs. Schuster-Jones that parents have  GMAS scores in powerschool.  

May 5, 2025

ADJOURNED:

4:17 pm