Jefferson Middle School

Site Council

January 8, 2008

 

 

Present: Buchholz, J., Cimino, M., Gentry, L., Hoffman, T., McElreath, C., Plager-Brockway, M., Smith, K., Swanson, D., Williams, S. Guests: Early, T., Weems, M.

 

Mr. Cimino called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm.

 

Olympia Parks and Rec. Program: Mr. Cimino introduced the recreational supervisor, Tad Early and the recreational specialist at JMS, Mo Weems. They run the drop-in, after school program at JMS. They provided a background on the City of Olympia budget, and explained how the after school programs were previously identified as non-revenue programs. For the first time this school year, 2007-08, a tuition charge has been instituted. Currently, the cost is $100 per month. When the program was free, JMS averaged 35-40 kids per day, and with the tuition charge, the current attendance is about 15 students per day.

 

The committee discussed at length ways to increase participation in the program. It was identified that many of the previous participants are now seen after school around the community unsupervised. One idea to increase participation was to offer a ≥Free Week≤ as a way to identify more potential participants.

 

Follow-up: ≥Free Week≤ tentatively set for February. JMS: To advertise ≥Free Week≤ on Channel J (videotape Mo). Information on program to be distributed with sports applications. Distribute information to block class teachers for announcements. Oly Parks staff: Notify elementary school Y Care programs about Free –Week as an effort to capture siblings. Establish a web link on JMS web site linking to the Olympia Parks program. Examine application process. Request to JSSO: Items needed for after school program on wish list and subsidize tuition for students in need. Also, field trips and food supplies would be appreciated.

 

Food and Nutrition: Mr. Cimino will talk to kitchen about saving extra food from lunch for the after school program. Health guidelines prevent school from offering food to shelters or other agencies.

 

Sports Court: Mr. Cimino updated the committee on the Sport Court plan. The ground was leveled to prepare for the court over the holiday. Unfortunately, someone damaged the early work by driving on the area.

 

Health Curriculum: Jeff Carpenter from OSD is requesting that a community committee be formed to review four different health curriculums for the 200-09 school year. One will be selected by the committee and presented to the school board. Mandatory reporting on health curriculums are required by the next school year.

 

The committee discussed current health classes at JMS. Currently one 8^th grade block teacher is teaching a unit in the spring which includes guest speakers. Unsure if health PE classes are still occurring. The committee reviewed a list provided by OSD of suggested topics. The committee felt it was imperative that priority health topics be covered this year for 8^th graders and are looking into resources to provide this. In lieu of a comprehensive program, the committee felt that a focus on prevention was of greatest need. Specifically, the top three priorities for 8^th grades are: drug and alcohol prevention, legal issues, healthy lifestyles.

 

Follow-up: Lucy and Muriel to contact Capital HS staff regarding their curriculum. Tamara is to contact juvenile court staff for possible presenter. Mr. Cimino will find out more about OSDπs contract with ≥TOGETHER≤ program.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

 

The next meeting will be held February 5, 2008 at 6 p.m. in the library.