Meeting 4 - Nov '11

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Loyola High School Science Department
November Meeting 2011

Present: Kwan, Utley, Bouma, Gorr, Ramon, Lew, Cagnio, Qazi, Picard, Uy Absent-Gatfield (@ Kairos)

Science Department Meeting
Thursday, November 17, 2011 (7:15am – 8:00am)
H103


I. Important Dates to Note
a. Friday, November 18: Learning Walk
b. Thursday, November 24: Thanksgiving
c. Monday, November 28: Faculty Inservice (WASC)
d. Thursday – Saturday, December 8-10: NSTA Seattle
e. Sunday, December 11: Open House (required event)
f. Tuesday, December 20: Senior Science Exams
g. Wednesday, December 21: Christmas Vacation Begins
Notes:
Handed out Agenda
  • Learning walk with Pedroarias on Friday morning. NSTA is close to Open House, make sure you don't have a conflict. We are at the home stretch!

II. Laboratory Safety Guru (Brian) – Lesson three
Notes:
  • Response to an accident or incident. Suggestions, use a safe code as first response, to alleviate tendency of not doing anything in the beginning.
  • What to do in an incident...there is a .pdf guideline from CA state that Kwan posted on science dept. Cubview group we can reference.
  • Check 1st aid kits beforehand. (1st Aid Kit guidelines handout provided)
  • Usage of accident report, incident report (Sample Loyola incident report, generic Flinn report)


III. Period Seven Survey
a. 103 responses out of 140
b. Academics is a “clear priority” (above all else)
Notes:
  • Academics, cocurricular, relieving stress of the kids are the main reasons why we are doing the schedule change
  • High response of the survey
  • Gorr saw raw data from Aristov
  • Majority of survey takers were teachers
  • The "other" choice was the schedule type that was selected the most
  • Low response of being "against" per. 7 change
  • 7th period committee officially frozen until the powers that be decide
  • 40% of people surveyed wouldn't mind 7th period change
  • 40% of people don't want to change

IV. Period Seven Schedule Discussion (Continued)
a. Hypothetical Amusement
b. Preparing a Department Response to “What if…”
Notes:
  • Left the board for a month for what if's and a survey will come out to finalize.

V. Diagnostic Exams
a. Subgroup Discussions
b. What are your choices?
c. Decide by December 1
Notes:
  • Let's get the decisions made by subgroups by December 1st to prepare the diagnostics test.
  • Let Gorr know even if you are doing the same test from last year.

VI. Methods Test Prep
a. SAT and ACT resource
b. Free for all Loyola students through Naviance
Notes:
  • Paul Jordan brought in a test prep site through Naviance, a free resource for the students...a 20 week course
  • As teachers, we can look at Naviance and see what concepts are being covered in the methods test.

VII. Open House
a. Ideas (Exploratorium Banner?)
b. Room Assignments
Notes:
  • December 11- from 1 to 4pm be ready by 12:45
  • Science Dept. Handout- Craig's brochure and memo of open house responsibilities.
  • Recruit 2 to 4 students for Xavier table
  • Create banner to show parents where we are
  • Recruit students for Exploratorium
  • Need great student work to show at Exploratorium
  • Video and pics-send to Andrew for slideshow
  • Get the 3d printer up and running for Exploratorium
  • Presentation rooms- can float to other areas as needed
  • Handouts will be handed to the presentation room- look over.
  • Change PowerPoint presentation into Prezzi like presentation with visuals, video, etc. for factoids...
  • Lew-personal interaction is important in the presentation rooms...

Other:

  • Utley-visited an elementary school and they have a "smart room" resource, with macs and pc's @ Turning Point in Culver City an integrated room, integrating science and math.