Agenda:

1. Call to Order; Good things

Good things were mentioned by all attendees including the news that Lehman's percussion earned 2^nd in the state! Welcomed new students: Liam Keller and Ana Jakubauskas

2. SchoolLinks

School board president Vanessa Petrea asked for student feedback on using SchoolLinks to register for classes. Students commented that the program needed to be taught to students and they felt their campus staff was not able to help them and they had to figure it out for themselves. One student noted, “It has the potential to be helpful for applying to colleges but I spent too much time having to learn it on my own.” Abram noted that registering was too buggy and not all the classes were listed. Both Live Oak students and Hays High students noted they were not familiar with the program and had not heard of it as of 4.6.23.

3. Student IDs and consequences for non-compliance

Students felt that non-compliance should have a 3 strikes-out policy that would step up/tiered consequences each time. Students noted they forgot their ID’s and maybe magnetic-type fasteners would be cooler than lanyards. Marcos noted that ID’s should be scanned to have bathroom privileges because it would cut down on vaping in the bathroom if the admin could tell who was in the bathroom at any time.

4. Legislative updates pertaining to public education

The potential 4-day week was prohibited in a new bill by Senator Campbell. Bill to decriminalize vaping by age restrictions was presented. Students noted that kids would be more likely to vape if they knew there were no legal consequences to vaping.  It was noted that 60% of impact students were in trouble for vaping on campus.

5. What is a challenge you are facing as another school year comes to an end?

Students are worried about senioritis and staying focused until the end of the school year. Students report feeling drained from the rigors of academics and extracurriculars by April. Students said that teachers were complaining to students about feeling burnout. Admin and students agreed that teachers should not complain to students about their jobs. Students also said they do not want teachers to be religious or anti-religious but focus on academics. Students said teachers should have more freedom to take lessons so that lessons could be more engaging, like at the beginning of the year. Members noted that their most memorable days of learning included; learning outside instead of in a classroom, having fun projects, and being able to get out of their chairs to collaborate.

6. Ideas to consider as we plan for the 2023-2024 school year

Students wanted fewer Google slides and computer-based learning and more teacher-student engagement. More class discussions and fewer one-sided lectures.

7. Say Farewell to Seniors members. Seniors were asked, “What advice would you give incoming high school students?” and gave the younger class advice on having a great high school experience.

1. Call to Order; Good things

Good things were mentioned by attendees, including the news that Ikaika Engleman broke the school pole vault record with a vault of 12 ft!

1. Campus Safety

Alyssa asked for a doorbell in the HHS trainer's room to assess student athletic injuries faster. Students asked that they have access to bathrooms at the same time and location within the campuses. The administration decided that more bathroom monitor sweeps needed to be performed. Graffiti issues in the bathrooms needs to be reported and removed asap on all campuses and a work order was placed for the HHS cafeteria bathroom.

Fentanyl assemblies were considered by students and administrators. Students felt that large school-wide assemblies were too distracting and that the messaging would be better in a small-scale environment. All agreed that an opt-out should be given to allow students with trauma or personal experience with Fentanyl the option to have additional privacy and support during the messaging campaign. Billboard for Forever 15 was approved and will hang as a banner in secondary campus cafeterias.

2. 2023 Bond Plan & Feedback

JHS gyms are too small to accommodate every student organization and a new gym to prioritize fine arts. Students asked where new campuses were likely to be built. Students wanted feedback about what specifics would be added to their campuses for athletics. Students asked about the details of Hays HS & Lehman HS Initial Design Fees for Future Modernization and Expansion

3. C Day Schedule

Students were asked their opinion about C-day schedules. Some students noted that Fridays were helpful for athletes who may miss class for games to see all their teachers twice a week and to get assignments. Students not involved in UIL thought Friday C days were too short to accomplish much in class and thought alternating AB days were a better use of time. Student-athletes said that grading guidelines were tough to adhere to when they missed too many days without seeing their teachers (missed because of events.) Students said that teachers assigned too much homework on Fridays and weekends. It was upsetting their family and social life balance.

The meeting ran short on time with feedback for agenda items 4 and 5 will be moved to the following meeting.

4. Time allowed for lunch
5. Bullying Education

1. Call to Order; Good things

Good things mentioned included power lifting competition season had started.  Students had enjoyed spending time with their families over the holiday break.

2. Attendance Numbers/ Absenteeism

Attendance rose from 92% to 93%.  Dr. Wright spoke to the students about pushing the legislature to base school funding on enrollment instead of daily attendance. 

3. Schoology was discussed with several students saying that Google classroom was more intuitive and compatible with Google documents than Schoology.

Students were asked how many used the district supplied technology and computers. Many students said that they used their own computers but wanted the option of district provided lender computers to remain for students that can not afford to have individual computers, especially for students with multiple siblings. 

4. 4-Day School Week Options Discussed

Students were asked their opinion about a 4-day school week. Many students noted that they would have to care for younger siblings on their "day off." Others noted that athletes and UIL competitions would still occur on Fridays for many students and were worried they would not have bus service to get to school for athletics.  

Notes for Student Advisory Board 10.6..22

1. Call to Order; Good things

Good things mentioned included a student getting a new baby niece, a student accepted at the engineering school at KU and another student getting to see Red Hot Chili Peppers at ACL festival.

2. Attendance Numbers

Bringing up attendance numbers was discussed. Students felt that after being able to do so much learning remotely, that it was hard to go back to the pre-covid model of in-person learning. Students felt that more communication needed to be spread about finals exemptions in terms of unexcused absences. It was brought up that Texas requires daily attendance instead of enrollment for funding purposes. Students also noted that mental health is important and sometimes they felt stressed and just needed a day off for mental health and balance.

3. Cell Phone Policy

Students felt like the cell phone policy was helpful in keeping them on task. They didn't want to put their cell phones at the front of the classroom in case of emergency. Many students mentioned that noise levels in the classrooms were very distracting and that white noise and/or calming music from headphones/cell phone use was extremely helpful to them for focus.

4. Homeroom and advisory times

Students were asked what they used homeroom time for. Some said they only socialize but many athletes used that time for sports training and time for homework so they wouldn't be stuck with homework late at night after traveling for games. Students wanted to keep the midnight submission in Schoology because it allowed students who work to be able to complete their assignments on their own schedule. 

5. Work Session for peer-to-peer fentanyl media campaign

Students worked collaboratively to come up with campaigns to encourage fentanyl awareness and the dangers of drugs. Designs and slogans by the students will be created into stickers and images for social media. 

Notes for Student Advisory Board 9.1.22

1. Call to Order, Good things, special advisor to the superintendent on board matters, Letters of recommendation, Selfies at graduation

Best time for meetings: Feedback: Cassidy- wants to keep standing day so that she can prepare for absence. Ryan-AM was good but lunch is better because of the food.  Trace, Zeniah, Abraham, liked the timing of the meeting. Alyssa thinks maybe adding a different day like Wednesday and Jordan and Vivian agreed with having a Wednesday meeting option.

Make a written poll for the meetings for the year, Food and Days options

2. Stricter dress code enforcement

ID’s released for mid September – no ID’s at Live Oak and Watson will address.

Issues about wearing Id’s were discussed.

Shirt length appropriate for dress code an issue at JHS.

Shoulders showing doesn’t make sense to students and they want more research done for feedback.

Students would like for lanyards to be provided to identify the campus.

3. Security

Locked doors, Students opening doors at LHS- no, unless approved by teachers

SmartTag ID’s to open doors- work in progress but Bond $ needed

Building security- if student gets locked out to go to the office to get a pass to enter the building

Live Oak will have all doors locked at AM bell

Suggested locked entrances at LHS to have admins posted at all doors

Salazar said a new security guard will be posted at D- building because the fieldhouse door gets locked and it is inconvenient for student-athletes to walk around the entire building for re-entry.

4. Fentanyl awareness

Be aware of lives lost, Savoy and Skrocki present a summary and discuss and show the new video.

Students appreciate the urgency to educate awareness of dangers

Kids need to spread on their own social media to their stories to help spread awareness

Media: IG is the best for sharing to youth, TikTok is best for viral, StuCo could help also, student section pages could help and focus on any drug since they could all be laced.

In 6 months Hays County found zero real Xanax- all counterfeit.

Visitors spoke to students and brainstormed a campaign idea- ongoing conversation about drug awareness

The Board and Superintendent Student Advisory Panel met and the following items were discussed:

• Students and faculty began with talking about something good going on in their lives. Students mentioned many great things. Yoshi was excited to tour Stanford. Deema found the perfect prom dress. Alyssa was practicing her speech for the Shriner’s Temple. Knyla was accepted to Brown University. Nayeli was accepted into honor society. Ikaika tied the school record on the pole vault on an 11’6” jump. We are so proud of all the great things happening to our students.
• Dr. Watson circled back about the 8^thperiod option for high schoolers. It was discussed that Friday could be a rotating A/B day and M/W, T/TH could be non-rotating schedules.
• SAT testing was discussed. Students are now required to take the SAT at school and it is now free for them to test and they are able to send the results to 4 universities for free instead of paying for them. Some students mentioned bells going off during testing that created some interruption during testing and what can be done to improve a calmer atmosphere.
• The bond was discussed in reference to the growth of the district. Enrollment projections were explained. The students will tour the new elementary school at the following meeting.
• Students and administrators believed it is important for students to engage in community volunteer experiences. All students agreed that high schoolers should be required to volunteer 10 hours a year and with an additional 16 hours should be able to earn a graduation cord for community service that is not based on membership or grades such as the other clubs that offer community service cords.
• Students were asked to give their feedback by completing the student engagement survey online that was sent from their campus principals.