Skyline High School PTSO February 4, 2013 – Meeting Minutes ...

Skyline High School PTSO
February 4, 2013 – Meeting Minutes
Attendees: Ellen Ward, Terri Trumble, Alexis Boyden, Kathi Kobylarz, Pat Jenkins,
Kathe Hetter, Suzanne Dickie, Sara Duvall, Lisa Hirsch, Brock Winger, Theresa Lawton,
Cindy Krueger, Melanie de Vros, Christine Stead, Marni Arnett, John Kao, Steve Calef,
Lori Reece, Greg and Boaksun Mushaka, Chris Levlert, Ying Bonny Cai, Emma Borjigan
Wang, Maggie Levenstein, Doug Portz, Catherine Daligga, Glynda Wilks, Lily Lee,
Sheila Cafert, Judy Landau, Heidi Kerst, Paul McKenney, Robin Hess, Cory Reina,
Glenn Nelson, Andrew McColm, Leanne Chadwick, Katy Gold, Christine Pellar-Kosbar,
Laura Klein, Jie Weng, Tony Denton, Lori Pierce, Denise Carethers, Mori Richner, Bill
Ebright, Sulura Jackson
Welcome and Introductions: Mori Richner called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Upcoming Events (Mori Richner):
2/8 Open enrollment window closes 3/11 SFA mtg. 7 p.m. B329
2/11 SFA mtg. 7 p.m. B329 3/13 Trimester 2 ends
2/13 COUNT DAY 3/14 Final Exams: 2 & 4 hours
2/18-22 Mid winter break 3/15 Final Exams: 1, 3 & 5 hours
3/4 PTSO mtg. 6:30 p.m. Media Ctr. 3/18 Records Day NO SCHOOL
3/4-12 ACT PLAN testing window 3/19 Trimester 3 begins
3/5 11 th grade ACT (no school 9, 10 & 12) 3/19- 21 MME Make-up window
3/6 MME ACT Work Keys 3/29 Spring Break begins
(9, 10 & 12 start at 11:30 a.m.)
3/7 MME (9, 10 &12 start at 11:30 a.m.)
Minutes (Judy Landau): The December 3, 2012 minutes were approved.
Treasurer’s Report (Bill Ebright): The report is attached. There was not much activity
this month. Scrip revenues appear as 39% projected; a check next month from Busch’s
should fix that. Many Skygrants have been awarded and we are waiting for receipts to
pay out the grants.
New Business: There was no new business.
Principal’s Report (Sulura Jackson): “Why Trimesters?”
Ms. Jackson introduced two school board members: Christine Stead and Glenn
Nelson and had the many teachers present stand and be recognized.
Ms. Jackson shared why the trimester model was chosen for Skyline and how the
students are faring with this model. The trimester model was chosen to provide more
effective instruction for all students. Longer class times allow all students, regardless of
ability, enough time to master a subject. Classes can be one, two or three semesters long.
This is helpful to both low and high achieving students. For example, Algebra I can be a
two or three trimester course depending on student ability. AP classes are taught over

three trimesters. Many electives and physical education classes can be completed in one
trimester.
Skyline students are performing well under the trimester system. Of 82 students in
three-trimester Algebra, only 7 did not pass. Students who pass Algebra are less likely to
drop out of high school. The AC integrated science classes taken by all 9 th and 10 th
graders are possible with the trimester system. Success in these classes inspires students
to take more AC classes. Many students are taking AC and AP classes and grades in
these classes are very good. Many students of color are in AC and AP classes. Discipline
has not been a big problem at Skyline with a 3% suspension rate. Skyline has similar
numbers of AP scholars and National Merit finalists as the other high schools. Skyline
has two National Achievement Scholarship finalists. ACT/MME scores improved in all
subgroups from 2010/11 to 2011/12 years. The graduation rate for the 2012 class cannot
yet be revealed but is very good.
Teachers at Skyline have additional Professional Development time compared to
other schools. This allows for more collaboration and relationship building. Thus,
students benefit from all teachers’ strengths.
Compared with other district high schools, Skyline had a higher percentage of
students that completed Algebra I and 9 th grade biology, a higher percentage of 11 th
graders in algebra 2 and more students taking at least one AP course.
Some advantages of trimesters include: longer class periods, credit recovery, and
shorter electives. The cons are: grading is out of sync with the rest of the high schools,
can be problematic for students transferring from a semester system, and more work for
the staff. Thus, the pros affect teaching and learning and the cons affect staff and the
system. If trimesters are lost, Skyline probably could not have the four magnet programs,
there would be less elective choices, less professional development time, it would be
harder to do project based learning, advisory time may be lost, ACIS would be lost, and
students could not repeat a course in the same year.
Q&A&Comments: What triggered the trimester discussion? The school board is
looking at logistics to find ways to cut the budget.
Many parents expressed positive remarks about trimesters: students like them,
Skyline graduates are now doing well in college, less homework conflicts with fewer
classes, magnets are a great opportunity, and trimesters work well for underachieving
students.
Concerns: students don’t retain what they have learned during the gap between 1 st
and 3 rd trimesters, particularly in math and world languages, too much free time after
school, and scheduling difficulties for music students.
A parent suggested a survey of all parents and students to better assess opinions
about trimesters.
Dan Neaton, math teacher, stated 72 minutes is very helpful getting kids through
math. Finishing Algebra 2 before the ACT is a real advantage. The “gap” of not taking
math in successive trimesters doesn’t seem to be a problem. Teachers are aware of
individual student needs and all teachers are consistent about course content.
Two students spoke positively about the trimester system. It would be difficult for
current students and teachers to have to switch over to semesters over the summer. The
SLC/Skytime experience has been very meaningful.

Christine Stead said that the Board of Education needs to cut $20 million from the
budget this year. A committee is studying logistics including start times, transportation,
and trimester v. semesters to find ways to cut the budget. Skyline costs an extra $300,000
over the other high schools. The trimester issue will be on the agenda at the Feb. 27
Board of Education meeting (7 p.m. AADL, downtown). All are welcome to attend.
Anyone can sign up to make a public comment. Email comments to the board:
boe@aaps.k12.mi.us. Glenn Nelson provided a phone number 994-2232 for BOE
information and meeting times.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. The next PTSO meeting will be
March 4, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. in the Skyline Media Center.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Landau, recorder

SKYLINE PTSO
Treasurer’s Report
February 4, 2012
Revenues: $10,446 Recommendation:
Avail funds/Budget: $29,841 Keep a fund surplus
Budgeted exp rem: $22,449 of 15% min.
Budgeted surplus: $ 7,392 With approved budget
Income: December & January
$ 7.50 Hiller’s scrip revenue (Dec)
Expenses: December & January
$ 5.00 Bank fees, (Dec)
$ 50.00 PTO Council dues (Dec)
$ 5.00 Bank fees, (Jan)
CTA: Deposits:
CTA: Payments:
$1,120.00 (ASAN)
$1,000.00 (directed donation)
$ 750.00 to SFA (directed)
$1,120.00 owed to ASAN, less dues
PTSO Checking balance of $ 27,909
ASAN Checking balance: $ 22,928
Robotics Checking balance: $ 14,424
Respectfully Submitted,
Bill Ebright, Treasurer, Skyline PTSO