High School Attendance:

• Current attendance requirement for class credit is 90%. Raising the bar to 94-95% was discussed, but many students felt it would increase anxiety and pressure, especially for those who struggle with motivation or have health/mental health challenges.
• Some students view attendance as tied to exemptions, and students who fall below 90% often must attend credit recovery, which they find less effective than regular classes.
• Concerns were raised about students who don't have parental support or understanding regarding attendance, which can lead to severe consequences like court involvement.

HB 1481 (Cell Phone Ban):

• A bill proposing to prohibit cell phones during instructional time was discussed. Students expressed concerns about the logistics and potential safety issues, like being unable to contact parents in emergencies.
• Some felt the policy would be disruptive, expensive, and ineffective, given that students can still use devices like Chromebooks for communication or learning.
• Dr. Wright mentioned that other districts use this method for attendance but acknowledged challenges with the policy’s wording and implications for instructional time.

HB 186 (Social Media Bill):

• This bill seeks to ban social media for those under 18. Students generally felt that 16 would be a more appropriate age to start limiting access and that trying to enforce an 18+ ban would be ineffective.
• Concerns about privacy risks were raised if social media platforms required personal documents for age verification.
• Many students emphasized the role of parental guidance over state-imposed regulations. They also raised the question of whether educational platforms like YouTube would be affected.

Exemption Policy Feedback:

• Students discussed the exemption policy, with some suggesting that if a student has 90% attendance and grades above 90%, they should be able to exempt exams.
• Concerns were raised about the attendance rule, where students feel their academic performance should be the primary focus, not the amount of time spent in class.

Next Meeting: January 15, 2025.

Thanksgiving luncheon & school design discussion:

• presentation of comprehensive high school #4: the new school in buda will feature a unique design, wrapping around a stadium. key features include:
• mpac (multipurpose activity center) with indoor sports facilities (artificial turf, a/c, covered practice fields).
• cte tower with 4 stories dedicated to career and technical education.
• specialized areas: sped suite, fine arts suite, event entry, and athletics suite.
• classrooms: science labs, forensics, criminal justice, and large windows for natural light.
• student experience: emphasis on intuitive design, soundproofing for classrooms, and shared spaces for multiple uses (e.g., mpac, culinary kitchen).
• stadium: will be shared initially between high schools, with plans for additional stadiums at other campuses.
• parking: more spaces are being added, applying lessons learned from current campus parking issues.
• classroom space & accessibility: considerations for wide stairwells and direct routes to avoid congestion.

scheduling and school breaks:

• feedback on breaks: students generally enjoy breaks like halloween but want clarity on scheduling around holidays (e.g., veterans day).
• college prep & exams: some seniors feel unprepared for sat/act due to late college prep. confusion also exists regarding exemption processes for finals.
• advisory periods: mixed feedback on the usefulness of homerooms/advisories, with some students finding them redundant or underutilized. others appreciate dedicated time for homework or specific activities.

extracurricular and academic scheduling:

• time management & extracurriculars: students discuss challenges balancing extracurriculars with academic responsibilities, noting that it’s up to the student to manage their schedule, though some struggle with conflicting commitments. coaches and teachers are often flexible but communication and awareness of personal limits are key.
• advanced classes: some freshmen feel unprepared for ap classes and suggest earlier preparation in middle school or even elementary school.
• cheating & ai: the rise of ai has made cheating easier, particularly in higher-level classes. however, students acknowledge that ai cannot replace genuine learning, especially during exams. there's a call for more supportive, respectful teacher-student interactions to prevent cheating and foster understanding.

general feedback:

• students want more clarity on processes (e.g., exemptions, scheduling) and greater consistency in the management of extracurricular and academic commitments. communication from teachers and administrators is essential for ensuring students stay on track with their responsibilities.

 

Threat Regret Among Younger Students

• Understanding Consequences: Many 11 and 12-year-olds do not grasp the seriousness of making threats.
• Recent Incidents: 6 students arrested for social media threats; 4 of them are 11 years old.
• Impact Awareness: Many students fail to realize the broad repercussions of threats, affecting various individuals.

Student Insights

• Motivations for Threats:
• Some students believe media coverage encourages them to act out for publicity.
• Desire for attention may lead to threats being perceived as "jokes."
• Accountability: Parents often bear the financial consequences of students' actions. Discussions on whether parents are involved when threats occur.

Curriculum and Campaigns

• New Curriculum: Chief of Safety and Security to implement a curriculum focused on threat regret in classrooms.
• Successful Campaigns: Reference to a fentanyl awareness campaign that reduced overdose deaths.
• Restitution Discussion: Exploring restitution for threats and potential financial impact on families.

Role of Cell Phones

• Cell Phone Ban Discussion:
• Mixed opinions on banning phones; concerns about safety if phones are not accessible during emergencies.
• Phones seen as a resource for information and communication, not just distractions.
• Trust in Responsible Use: Emphasis on teaching students how to manage phone use responsibly.

Safety Reporting Mechanisms

• Reporting Tools:
• Encourage students to use resources like Hays Hopeline and iWatch Texas to report suspicious activity.
• Importance of knowing how and where to report threats.

Questions and Concerns Raised

• Social Media vs. Verbal Threats: Are they treated equally? Yes, all threats are taken seriously, regardless of the medium.
• Campus Wifi Issues: Ongoing problems with slow loading speeds due to recent construction affecting fiber connections.
• Future Policies:
• Discussions on maintaining "Grey Days" and the possibility of a 4-day school week (not currently feasible).
• Need for better communication about AP exam registration timelines and college application processes.

Next Meeting

• Date: November 13
• Lunch: Wings and boneless wings provided.

 

Good Things & Welcome:
The meeting began with a warm welcome extended by the Hays CISD Board and Superintendent to the Student Advisory Panel. Members shared positive updates about "good things" happening in their lives.

 

1. Advisory Panel Tour Summary: Guided Tour: Students were led on a tour of the Academic Support Center (ASC) by:

• Tim Savoy (Chief Communications Officer)
• Jeri Skrocki (Chief Safety & Security Officer)
• Christina Courson (Chief Human Resources Officer)

 

2. Student IDs on Campus

• Current Status: Students are wearing IDs; adults are actively checking them.
• Student Feedback: No issues reported.
• Adult Feedback: Ensuring compliance with ID policy.

 

3.  Dress Code

• Hat Policy: HHS students are pleased with the allowance of hats.

 

4. Class Schedules and Adjustments

• Issue: Schedule corrections took a few weeks
• TEAMS Access: Difficulty in viewing or selecting off-periods; specific concern with CCMR.
• Ag Mech (Welding): Welding will continue but might be categorized differently in CTE
• Counselor Response: Response times are slow

 

5. College Applications

School Links:

• Jackson noted the addition of a new tab with no prior training, leading to a trial and error learning process
• The system is perceived as overwhelming and not user-friendly.
• Teachers require training to assist students effectively

 

Recommendation Letters:

• Adults submitting recommendations without a School Links account may not receive necessary emails.
• Contact Emily Herrin, Kris Peterson, or Maritza Gonzales for issues.
• Distinction between letters from educators versus family and friends.

 

6. Mission Statement

• Presented by: Tim Savoy
• Objective: The new mission statement aims to communicate the core mission and vision of Hays CISD clearly.

• Approach: Incorporated language from the previous statement to create a direct and impactful message.
• Goal: Ensure that the mission statement reflects the district’s commitment to its goals.

 

 

Good Things & Welcome:
The meeting began with a warm welcome extended by the Hays CISD Board and Superintendent to the Student Advisory Panel. Members shared positive updates about "good things" happening in their lives.

New Student Introductions:

Bryce Clore and Sofia Landaverde were welcomed as new students to the panel.

Introduction of New Volunteer Coordinator:

Elizabeth Bracamontes was introduced as the new Volunteer Coordinator. High school volunteer hour requirements and details as to when the clock starts for recording hours were asked. Future meeting to decide details was made.

Evaluation of Fighting Fentanyl Campaign:

• Discussion centered around evaluating the effectiveness of the ongoing fighting fentanyl campaign.
• Identified aspects that are working well and areas that require adjustments.
• Potential UIL Playoff Restructure:
  Deliberation on the possibility of restructuring UIL playoffs. Further examination needed to determine the feasibility and potential impact of any restructuring.

Testing Fatigue:

• Addressed concerns regarding testing fatigue among students.
• Strategies to mitigate testing fatigue were discussed.

Announcements:

The next meeting will be a tour of the New Cullen Elementary on April 3rd, 2024. Participants are reminded that closed-toed shoes are required for the tour.

Welcome and Introductions:
The meeting commenced with a warm welcome from the Hays CISD Board and Superintendent to the Student Advisory Panel. "Good things" happening in members' lives were shared. 

Student Dress Code:

• Clarify the rationale behind the dress code – is it primarily for maintaining professionalism, ensuring safety, or fostering a conducive learning environment?
• Address the specific issue of hats within the dress code. Discuss the reasons behind any existing regulations regarding hats and whether there's a need for adjustments.

Recent Demographer’s Information:

• Provided a link to the demographer’s information for review.
• Future campus location options
• Expected growth projections

Physical Safety:

• Discussed campus security measures.
• Reviewed emergency response protocols.
• Discussed ongoing infrastructure improvements.

Mental Health and Well-being:

• Reviewed support services available for students.
• Discussed initiatives promoting mental health awareness.
• Shared strategies for stress management.

Next Meeting: Scheduled for March 7th, 2024, at the Kyle Kimbro room.

Welcome and Introductions:
The meeting commenced with a warm welcome from the Hays CISD Board and Superintendent to the Student Advisory Panel. "Good things" happening in members' lives were shared. 

• Presentation on the process of creating academic calendars for the academic years 2024/2025 and 2025/2026. Solicited feedback from students regarding the proposed calendars.
• Security Kiosks
• Discussion on the implementation of security kiosks across the campus.
• Presentation of plans, if any, related to security kiosks.
• Open discussion - Questions or comments from students

Students were given the opportunity to voice any questions, concerns, or comments on topics outside the agenda.

Next Meeting

Scheduled the next meeting for February 7, 2024 (Thursday) at the Performing Arts Center.

Meeting Summary:

• The meeting commenced with a presentation on the process of creating academic calendars for the academic years 2024/2025 and 2025/2026. The presentation covered the factors considered in the creation of the calendars and invited feedback from students regarding the proposed schedules.
• Following that, there was a discussion regarding the implementation of security kiosks across the campus. Plans related to security kiosks were presented, and attendees were encouraged to share their thoughts and suggestions on the matter.
• An open discussion was held, allowing students to voice any questions, comments, or concerns they had on topics not included in the agenda.
• The meeting concluded with the scheduling of the next meeting, set for February 7, 2024 (Thursday) at the Performing Arts Center.

Action Items:

• Gather and analyze feedback from students regarding the proposed academic calendars.
• Further evaluate plans for the implementation of security kiosks based on the discussion and feedback received.
• Prepare agenda items for the next meeting, incorporating any relevant topics raised during the open discussion.

Thanksgiving Reflections:

• Members were invited to share what they are thankful for this Thanksgiving.
• Emphasis on expressing gratitude for both big and small aspects of life.
• The purpose was to foster a positive and appreciative atmosphere.

Cell Phone Usage and Terroristic Threats:

• Discussion regarding the current state of cell phone usage within the student body.
• Addressing concerns related to terroristic threats and ensuring a safe environment.
• Exploring potential strategies and measures to mitigate these issues.
• Recognizing the importance of balancing safety with the promotion of a positive school culture.

PALS Austin ISD:

• Introduction to PALS (Peer Assistance Leadership and Service) program in Austin ISD.
• Highlighting its history since its establishment at Crockett High School in 1980.
• Discussion on the impact of PALS on empowering and mentoring students.
• Consideration of the potential implementation or adaptation of a similar program within Hays CISD.

Meeting Highlights:

Thanksgiving Reflections:

• Members expressed gratitude for diverse aspects of life, including family, education, and personal achievements.
• Acknowledged the importance of fostering a sense of gratitude within the student body.
• Emphasized the role of gratitude in promoting a positive school culture.
• Cell Phone Usage and Terroristic Threats:
• Identified the need for a comprehensive approach to address cell phone usage issues.
• Emphasized the importance of open communication channels between students, faculty, and administration.
• Discussed potential educational initiatives to raise awareness about the consequences of terroristic threats.
• Consideration of implementing preventive measures and providing resources for mental health support.
• PALS Austin ISD:
• Members showed interest in exploring the PALS program further.
• Discussed the potential benefits of a peer mentoring program within Hays CISD.
• Recognized the potential positive impact on student engagement, leadership development, and overall school culture.

Meeting concluded with a sense of gratitude and commitment to fostering a safe and positive learning environment within Hays CISD.

October 5, 2023

Agenda:

• Dr. Watson presented information about the Texas Core Curriculum, students were unaware of the college credit program options
• Discussion of possible IB campuses for ES #16 and #17
• Discussion of cords for graduates earning volunteer hours before it is required (starts with this year’s freshman class)
• Discussion of Intruder Audits and Exterior Doors
• October is Fentanyl Awareness month
  • Access to bathrooms
  • Ideas for identifying known drug dealers 
• Mental Health: anxiety and depression among HS students