Friends of LACES (FOL) Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, December 8, 2010 – 7:00pm

Location – LACES Library

Attendees: Lauren Garza, Maggie Scott, Dr. Kim, Pam Baker, Natalie Brill, Phyllis Kory, Kelly Ponchetti,
Helen Kang, Caryn Dalessandro, Paul smith, Ana Wynne, Glenn Johnson-Grau, Ron Schneeberger, and
Katherine Clendenen.

7:00pm - Call to Order/Welcome Lauren Garza, FOL Co-President

Maggie Scott, FOL Co-
President

Minutes were approved with no changes.

Principal’s Report - Dr. Margaret Kim - Dr. Kim reported on 4 categories. The first category is reduction
in force for 3 custodians and 3 clerical staff. With regard to volunteers needed in the main office or
attendance office, she reported that they are doing okay for now with the parent coverage in the main
office and that students are assisting in the attendance office. She also thanked everyone for helping
out and said it was greatly appreciated. With regard to Mr. Haynes, he is no longer at LACES, however,
he has put in for a transfer from his new school and we are hoping that he will be back at LACES. For
now we have a Plant Manager that will be coming to LACES from a middle school. Campus
Beautification – Mr. Diliberto, Mrs. Kang, KPO, Leadership and Seeds to Maintain Change have done a
great job with campus beautification and maintaining the new landscaping on our campus. Elevator –
the update on the elevator is that the external heat detector has been installed and there are silent tests
being conducted. The next step is to pass the State Inspection. Measure Q – we are included in the
Hamilton Complex with regard to distribution of the Measure Q money in 2015. This means that LACEs
will be included in the first group to undergo construction to improve our facility instead of the last
group for a change. The money will be allocated based on need. A general walk through was conducted
by District Staff. Dr. Kim will also survey teacher’s needs. Construction is likely to include upgrades in
classrooms, electrical upgrade including wireless connection, science labs in all science classes and other
school wide improvements. Dr. Kim said that she will request video surveillance with regard to Park and
Rec afterschool public use of the campus. Instruction/Title 1 – Salary savings and furlough savings will
pay for additional intervention. Additionally, one more teacher has been added to the after school math
study groups. A new study group has been added for Foreign Language on Wednesday in room 256. 40
students attended the first study group. All Foreign Language teachers will rotate. There will also be a
middle school science study group headed by Ms. Selig. Title 1 has also purchased the Accelerated
Reader program books. Students will read and then self check. Eight laptops were purchased for the
English Language Dept. and other related supplies were also purchased for the Science Dept. Staff
Development – meeting on diverse instructional needs of students. Report Cards – will be mailed home
on Monday, December 20 because they will not have time to handout in homeroom because Friday is
the last day before the winter break. Safety – Students need to be picked up immediately after school

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especially now that it is darker sooner. There was a student hit by a BB-gun metal pellets randomly shot
on Fairfax and 18th at approximately 5:30pm. The student’s fingers were grazed but the student is
alright. All students must be cognizant of their surroundings. Truancy letter – the District is now
strongly enforcing absences that are not cleared within 10 days and they will result in truancy. The only
legitimate excuses will be illness, doctor appointments, funeral services and pre-approved by the
Principal absences. If the absences are not cleared through one of these excuses it will fall into the
category of parent approved truancy. If you know that your student will be absent, please fill out a form
in the attendance office and ask that Dr. Kim sign off on the form (i.e., college visits, educational trips).
Family vacations will become parent approved truancy. Students technically have up to 30 minutes to
be considered tardy. After 30 minutes they are considered absent.

Financial Report/Natalie Brill – Current assets are $142,015.57 with Encumbered funds totaling
$110,324.39 and FOL Funds total $31,691.18.

Meeting regarding Mid City Center for Enriched Sciences – Estelle Luckett from the Office of Integration
has agreed to meet with the parents at the next FOL meeting scheduled for January 12, 2011. It was
suggested by Pam Baker that all parent groups join in on this meeting in lieu of their January scheduled
meeting. Many parents agreed and the meeting will be held in the auditorium. Leadership – Talent
Show on December 10 and Spirit Day on December 12. Hospitality/Susan Robinson – many thanks to
all who donated food for the breakfast. There will be an upcoming faculty breakfast. FOL Newsletter –
it is late but they are working on it. There will be a posting for volunteers to help with mailing.

Open Discussion - A question was asked about no swimming because no lifeguard is on duty. It was
confirmed that there is no swimming allowed because there must be a certificated PE teacher physically
in the pool. No one wants to actually do that and you cannot compel someone to do what they don’t
want to do. Swimming conditioning is in the 1 st half of the year in the morning. Conditioning is done in
the afternoon.

Fundraising - Phon-a-thon – going well and will start up again after the winter break. $197 made so far
from Amazon purchases. Café Press – it’s there however the student store has better items and parents
can just sent money with kids. It was felt that Leadership should do advertising for the student store so
that parents know what items are available. If someone created an ad it could be posted on the LACES
website.

Parent Group updates – BPO meeting Monday, December 13, LPO meeting this Saturday. Please make
sure all Parent Groups are aware of the January 12 combined meeting.

PSAT results should arrive in January.

Meeting Adjourned – 8:05pm

Respectfully submitted,

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Pam Baker
FOL Secretary 2010-2011

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