ABC Board Meeting
Sep. 19, 2008

Welcome: The first meeting of the school year was called to order at 9:05 a.m. by ABC co-manager Shelby Barron. Thirty-three parents and four school representatives attended. Shelby announced that ABC meetings will move to Mondays beginning October 20. She invited parents to direct questions and concerns about the academic and arts programs to the new ABC e-mail address via abc@ocsarts.net or to her directly at shegrey48@hotmail.com. Shelby distributed copies of the procedure for e-mail communication (attached).

ABC Treasurer’s Report: Michelle Gerstley presented this year’s budget in writing (attached) on behalf of Jeanine Konishi, ABC treasurer, who could not attend the meeting. Michelle reported that only 30 percent of parents have joined ABC, which will result in a smaller budget for classroom funds unless membership can be increased. Parents may have skipped over the ABC membership option during the new online registration process, which will be revised next year to include: 1) ABC’s mission, which is to support the administration as it implements the curriculum; and 2) a membership option for extended family. ABC will also promote its value at next year’s Back to School nights. To increase this year’s membership, the ABC board will launch an awareness and enrollment campaign and will revise the ABC webpage. Parents and family may join ABC anytime during the school year. Mike Ciecek, vice principal, stated that parents can verify if they have joined ABC by checking their registration receipt or by logging into www.ocsarts.net/register. The ABC board is considering issuing ABC membership cards.

Executive Director’s Report:
School Opening: Dr. Opacic welcomed parents and announced that OCHSA has had an exciting opening this school year, which is going smoothly.

Arts Integration: Dr. Opacic explained OCHSA’s initiative to incorporate the Arts Integration Movement into the school’s instructional program. He reported that a team from the University of Tennessee will be assisting both the academic and arts teachers to find common themes, so that they can use the arts as a tool to teach academics in an effective way.

Strategic Partners: For its second year, an advisory board is meeting to develop strategic partners with arts organizations and local colleges to provide arts enrichment, master teachers, on-campus attendance, and the like. Local partnerships have already been formed with Chapman University and USC. This year, progress will be made to secure national strategic partners, headed by Robin Fullman, artistic director. She and Dr. Opacic met with Juilliard and New York University this summer to learn how to better prepare OCHSA students for auditions and other admissions requirements. Juilliard representatives will be visiting OCHSA on October 2.

Upcoming Events: On September 28 at the Hyatt Newporter, OCHSA will begin its kickoff reception week for Encore, an organization that provides social opportunities for families and parents to meet others from the school. This year’s GALA takes place on March 14. The theme is “Jubilee de Paris.” Silent and live auction items are requested. Last year’s GALA grossed $1,060,000; this year’s goal is a net of $1 million. OCHSA will host a first-time event on January 27 called “Operatic Fusion,” directed by Steven Mercurio, in which opera conservatory students will sing alongside professional artists.

Parent Questions: In response to a suggestion that OCHSA host a career day, Dr. Opacic mentioned “Industry Speaks,” a Saturday event that was well attended only at first. Administration has been considering when a similar event could take place within the school’s busy calendar. A parent recommended that OCHSA enroll in an online college planning network called Naviance. Marghy Moen, director of student services, will look into this.

Principal’s Report:
Administrative Team: Sue Vaughn introduced herself as the new OCHSA principal. She stated that although the administrative team has been restructured, they have been working together for eight years. She clarified that she and Mike Ciecek are principal and vice principal, respectively, of both the academic and arts programs.

New Academic Sections: Even though state funding is down, OCHSA has been able to add five new academic sections to reduce class sizes. There are three new Lit. & Comp. sections, one algebra section and one new Spanish 3 section. Additionally this year, OCHSA hired two new lit & comp teachers, two new world language teachers, two new chemistry teachers, and one new part-time health teacher. All new OCHSA teachers are provided support through: 1) BTSA, the Beginning Teachers & Assessment program, for weekly one-hour meetings with another teacher; 2) administrative classroom visitation; and 3) information about how the OCHSA culture differs from other schools.

Explanation of Block 7: Mrs. Vaughn explained that Block 7 assignments are for students struggling in class or have less than a 2.5 GPA. Regardless of GPA, students can make appointments and get passes from any teacher for academic support. Students that are not assigned to a study hall class are to check in with the receptionist before going to a room to keep classroom sizes reasonable and rooms quiet. Teachers take attendance in all classes. On cold, rainy or windy days, teachers will open their classrooms to students during Block 7.

Block 7 Benefits: Students and administrators agree that Block 7 is going wonderfully. Its many benefits include: enabling some students to study alone and others in groups; allowing teachers a means to encourage homework completion; helping students to be better organized and to provide them a solution to time management; helping academic probation students get their work done; bringing out student suggestions for improving Block 7 logistics, such as hall passes, snacks, etc.; and offering many teachers a lunch time that they did not have before. Some issues that are being addressed are the traffic jam that occurs after Block 7; the possibility of a staggered lunch period; and laminated, permanent passes for students that go to the same room daily. Improvements are ongoing.

Center Stage Bistro (cafeteria): This is a work-in-progress which is constantly being evaluated. By removing the outside railings, students now have two ways to exit, which has reduced the line from 10 minutes to no line. An additional food area will be added near Symphony Hall and the Tech Building. Administration will address the need for students to access water without having to pay $1.50 for vending machine water.

STAR Tests: OCHSA API scores jumped considerably in every subject area, from 856 last year to 872 (please see attachment). Teachers continue to strive for even higher scores. STAR scores reflect content standards, which are important, but “teaching to transfer” and critical thinking is this year’s focus.

AP Tests: Most scores went up; some scores went down (please see attachment). Scores are evaluated over time because effort and student abilities vary. One hundred percent of English Literature AP students passed the test, and the English Language AP students received one of the highest AP scores. OCHSA students always test above state scores. To compare OCHSA scores to other schools, go to www.cde.ca.gov. OCHSA rotates its AP science (biology and chemistry) course offerings if there is insufficient enrollment for a class.

Parent-Teacher Communication: Mrs. Vaughn explained that it is administration’s job to provide students with the best learning environment possible. Everyone must work together to accomplish this in a positive way. Administration wants to hear about problems and concerns, but there are ways to have that conversation that are productive. Mrs. Vaughn wants to set a positive tone for the school. Toward this end, she distributed two documents, “How Can I Talk to My Child’s Teacher?” and “Talking with Teachers” (both attached), and reported giving information to teachers on how to communicate with parents. Frequent contact with parents will continue with e-blasts plus a new quarterly newsletter. Parents shared many positive comments about Principal Vaughn and the school.

Vice Principal’s Report:
Visitor Parking: Mike Ciecek announced that a parking pass from the reception desk is needed to use student lots during ABC meetings or when visiting the school for other reasons. Numbered spaces are not assigned spots. The number is used for the parking pass form. Street parking is metered and is heavily monitored by the Santa Ana police, not by OCHSA.

Online Registration: OCHSA’s new online registration procedure was successful with 89.6 percent of parents using the system. Administration continues to improve the registration process, especially for those who registered in person.

Facility Changes: OCHSA has installed 25 security cameras for video monitoring, in addition to access-controlled doors. These security features are for asset protection, to deter crime, to enable review of film if a problem arises, and to make the buildings more secure at night during rehearsals. Cameras are equipped with night vision to automatically view images in zero light.

Emergency Procedures: Students have already participated in a safety evaluation drill, which was successfully completed within 10 minutes. OCHSA is included in the Santa Ana Unified School District’s grant to update all first-responders with facilities information. All field commanders will soon have advance information about the OCHSA campus. In an emergency that occurs during non-instructional time, students know to go to their Block 2 number on the curb.

Website Update: OCHSA is in the process of a comprehensive website update.

Student Services Report:

Student Services Department: Marghy Moen explained her department’s role plus college testing facts. She is the 10th- through 12th-grade academic advisor. Vanessa Musso is the 7th- through 9th-grade advisor. Their class level objectives are:

Freshmen: Mrs. Musso helps students prepare their four-year OCHSA plan and encourages them to get on a college track.

Sophomores: Mrs. Moen meets with students collectively in Lit. & Comp. classes and individually. She encourages students to enroll in strong academic classes, to get good grades and to learn how to ask for help when they need it. She inquires about their school year and asks about their methods to do well in class and to prepare for the future. She does not discuss college with them yet, because 10th-graders are still learning about themselves and the world around them. She tells sophomores that they can take the practice version of the SAT (PSAT) and the ACT (PLAN) exams. Mrs. Moen revealed that most colleges accept either the SAT or the ACT, but it is the student’s responsibility to check the choice college’s requirements. By taking both practice exams, sophomores can learn which test they excel at. Then they can improve on that test. A parent mentioned that www.fiskeguide.com provides information about obtaining SAT/ACT scores accepted at various colleges.

Juniors: Early in the school year, Mrs. Moen meets collectively with juniors. She tells them to focus on a college entrance exam (SAT or ACT) and to research careers and educational institutions. By the end of their junior year, students should have compiled a list of schools they have researched. In the spring, they should take the actual SAT or ACT exam. She suggests they take this test twice. If their score is strong, they are done. If their score is average, they can enroll in a summer tutorial program, review online or purchase CD programs, books, etc. Then they should retake the exam in the fall of their senior year. Starting in March 2009, students may send just their best scores to the colleges of their choice. In June of their junior year, students may take any two different SAT II Subject Tests, which are additional exams that U.C. schools require.

Seniors: Mrs. Moen is meeting with seniors in small focus groups during Block 7 to discuss repeating SAT or ACT exams in the fall, if necessary, college applications, communicating with admissions departments, entrance exams, how to report scores, etc.

College Representatives: A variety of college representatives will visit OCHSA through the fall to meet with juniors and seniors during the academic day. Laura Ely is coordinating these visits, which she announces far ahead of the visit. Students must obtain a Permission to Attend pass from the Student Services office to attend.

College Night Feedback: Mrs. Moen will soon send an e-blast announcing College Night, in which she asks parents to forward their questions about the college application process to the address listed in the e-blast. These questions will be forwarded to the panel to be used as the focus of their presentation.

Leadership: Chantelle Gibbs, student body president, and Ryan Morton, student body vice president, introduced themselves. They announced that the student body is evaluating many ideas and has many opinions.

ABC Committee Reports:
Parent Ed: Pilar O’Cadiz reported that on October 15, five colleges representing the gamut of higher educational institutions will provide enrollment information. On October 23, a college financial aid session will take place for families of all income. ABC will give a gift certificate to each speaker. A college information night will also take place on October 15 at the Orange County Fairgrounds.
Guest Speakers: Pilar requests that parents attending the next ABC meeting on October 20 come with ideas for parent education topics and speakers.

Hospitality: Lori Solomon and Marla Shaw-Fukada reported that the first teacher appreciation luncheon took place at Back to School. The event came in under budget; 42 families donated food and drinks; nine parents helped throughout the day; and about 100 teachers and staff went through the buffet line. Leftovers were provided for teachers the following day. The next teacher appreciation event will take place for Valentine’s Day.
Grad Night: Shelby Barron announced that the first Grad Night meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 23, at 8:30 a.m. in Room 707. Parents of students in any grade are welcome to help prepare for seniors to celebrate their last event as an OCHSA student. Shelby is seeking parents to take over next year’s Grad Night.

Responses to Parent Questions:

State Funding: OCHSA receives a flat amount of money per student, rather than extra money for special education and other programs, because OCHSA is a charter school.

Cum Files: These can take four months to reach OCHSA.

Math Program: Principal Vaughn would like to pull together a group of parents and teachers to discuss improvements to the math program.

Training Conservatory Teachers: These teachers receive online professional development support, because they are not on campus as often as the academic teachers, who receive on-site training.

Flooring in Symphony Hall: The new floor is reported to be noisy and creaky. Carpet runners may serve to muffle the noise and to provide better footing. Administration will look into this.

Thespian Honor Society: OCHSA thespians are invited to attend the local historical society’s re-creational tour of the Santa Ana Cemetery, where famous people are buried.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m. The next meeting will take place on Monday, October 20, at 8:30 a.m. in Room 707.