NORTHAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL COUNCIL 2006-2007 Beth Singer, Principal, Co-Chair 587-1344 Lonnie Kaufman, Parent, Co-Chair Ellen Hirschberg, School Nurse, 587-1344, ext. 1359 Maureen Moore, Guidance 587-1350 Ben Taglieri, Faculty 587-1344 ext. 1120 Denise Lello, Parent Ken Moore, Parent Stella Xanthakos, Parent 584-2764 (W) and 586-7952 (H) Damian Johnson '08, student Manpreet Kaur '07, student Simon Pollock '07, student Sigrid von Wendel '08, student Sam Intrator, community member The Northampton High School Council generally meets at 5:00 on the second Wednesday of the month, in the NHS Library. School Council meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend and participate. If you would like to come to a meeting, you can confirm the day and time by calling the main office at NHS at 587-1344. Members of the NHS community can get in touch with any member of the School Council by phone or email to discuss school-related concerns. ROLE OF THE SCHOOL COUNCIL AND PRINCIPAL UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS EDUCATION REFORM ACT OF 1993: The School Council shall meet regularly with the principal of the school and shall assist in: 1) adoption of educational goals for the school that are consistent with state and local policies and standards; 2) identification of the educational needs of the students attending the school; 3) review of the school budget; 4) formulation of a school improvement plan The principal, in consultation with the Council, shall be responsible for preparing a written school improvement plan annually. This plan shall be written with the advice of the School Council and, per Section 59C of Chapter 71, it shall: 1) consist of the educational goals for the school consistent with the goals and standards, including student performance standards, as adopted by the Massachusetts Board of Education and by the Northampton School Committee 2) assess the needs of the school in light of the proposed educational goals 3) formulate a school improvement plan to advance such goals 4) address such needs as to improve students' performance 5) may include an assessment of the impact of class size on student performance, and shall consider student-to- teacher ratios and other factors and supportive adult resources, and may include a plan for reducing class size 6) address professional development for the school's professional staff. This plan for professional development shall specify how the need for training and skills in second language acquisition and in working with culturally and linguistically different student populations shall be addressed 7) address the allocation of any professional development funds in the annual budget 8) address the enhancement of parental involvement in the life of the school, safety, and discipline 9) address the establishment of welcoming school environment characterized by tolerance and respect for all groups 10)address extracurricular activities 11)address the development of means for meeting the diverse learning needs of as many children as possible, including children with special needs currently assigned to separate programs, within the regular education programs at the school 12)address further subjects at the principal in consultation with the School Council, shall consider appropriate, except: a) the Council shall have no authority over matters that are subject to Chapter 150E, the collective bargaining law, and b) the Council may not expand the scope of its authority beyond that established in law or expressly granted by School Committee policy.