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This page has been established to document issues of concern to Dance Families and provide answers to questions as we get them.
Proposed New Schedule for '08-09
The Dance Family Organization is currently working to better understand implications of the proposed new schedule on the dance department. Updates will be posted on an ongoing basis, as information becomes available.
5.12.08
The Collaborative School Committee (CSC) will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, 5/14, at 5:15 pm in room D-109. It appears that at least one of the CSC members will encourage the administration to delay the proposed new schedule implementation. The DFO encourages as many parents as possible to attend as a show of support. Even if you need to arrive late, please try to come. Parent Constituency Meeting Review will be from 5:15 to 5:30; Public Input from 5:30 - 5:45; CSC Role in Schedule Implementation from 5:45 - 6:30 (Update on Schedule Implementation, SIP Impact, CSC role in terms of "oversight", Parent concerns - how they will be addressed). Note: The format of the CSC meeting only allows non-member discussion during the public input portion of the meeting.
DFO is waiting to hear whether the CSC has been able to schedule a meeting with the administrative team and parent representatives from every major.
5.8.08
The DFO is aware that other parents/parent groups/staff are interested in the Open Letter (advocating for a slow-down in new schedule implementation) as well as FAQ working documents and encourages their use as a model for other communications. These documents are now circulating at many levels of DSA and DPS and hopefully will aid in substantive discussions of the issues. DFO has produced a new, one-page Issues List for quick reference. The items on the list (and many others) are backed up in detail in the DFO FAQ - May 2 (11 pages).
The DFO continues to gather endorsements of the Open Letter to DSA and DPS Administration. (To add your endorsement, send an email to: janice@janicemcdonald.com. Please type the word ENDORSE in the subject line of your email. In the body of the email message, include your name and your dancer's grade level.)
At the CSC Parent Constituency Meeting (5/7/08) the schedule was a major topic, along with the budget (see 5.7.08 notes below). While the CSC feels that the schedule itself is not within their authority, they will report the high level of parent concern regarding potential schedule implementation to the administration. The CSC will suggest that the administrative team meet with a group of volunteer parent representatives from every major as soon as possible.
Another issue discussed was a report that CU Succeeds classes are not workable within the context of the new schedule proposal and those electives may be eliminated. The DFO will try to get more information/clarification.
5.7.08
In the interest of spreading information (and somewhat tangential to the schedule issue)... a concern was raised at the recent CSC meeting (5/1/08) regarding whether DSA is being shortchanged in funding from the district. Jeanne Price has been doing research on budget issues and has written a letter and fact sheet for parent reference. If you have questions or would like to get more involved with this issue, Jeanne can be contacted at: otlgroup@comcast.net.
5.6.08
The Open Letter and DFO FAQs were emailed to the Collaborative School Committee (CSC) and the counselors today so they would be more fully aware of the scope of the concerns DFO is working to address. Hope to see many dance parents at the CSC parent constituency meeting on Wednesday, May 7th, from 7:30 - 9:00 pm in the DSA library!
5.3.08
The DFO FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) has been updated again. Please note that this is the same update that was distributed at the banquet (on green paper) and to help save trees, access the new information as appropriate: (1) DFO FAQ - pg 5-9 updates contains just the four updated pages and (2) DFO FAQ - May 2 contains the entire 11 page fact sheet.
Express yourself at the constituency meeting on Wednesday, May 7th, from 7:30 - 9:00 pm in the DSA library, hosted by DSA's Collaborative School Committee (parents/teachers/students) and open to any DSA family as a forum for sharing issues and concerns.
5.1.08
The DFO FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) which includes suggestions about how to manage the uncertainty of schedule issues is being continually updated. This is the latest version for your reference.
4.30.08
The DFO Open Letter to DSA and DPS Administration is now available for your review and will be sent to all appropriate parties asap. Individual members of DSA’s dance community have the option to personally endorse the open letter. Though these personal endorsements will add emphasis to the letter, it is entirely optional. You can choose to endorse the letter now or at any time during the coming weeks. DFO will keep a running list of endorsements and will periodically update the administration.
To add your endorsement, send an email to: janice@janicemcdonald.com. Please type the word ENDORSE in the subject line of your email. In the body of the email message, include your name and your dancer's grade level.
The DFO working document compiling issues of concern, circa 4.30.08, may be helpful to parents in evaluating the situation.
4.28.08
The DPS School Satisfaction Survey was sent home with students today. Please take time to fill this out -- the survey results will be reviewed by the district and are another viable way to communicate our concerns. The survey must be postmarked by May 9th.
4.27.08
The Collaborative School Committee (CSC) has scheduled two parent meetings for the purpose of discussing issues relating to the school improvement plan and the school climate.
4.25.08
Read the collected List of DFO issues and concerns which will be submitted to use as reference and as a basis for further discussions with the administration.
4.20.08
Read the complete Notes from 4.17 DFO Meeting re: Proposed Schedule.
4.16.08
A meeting with the administrative team is scheduled for 4/17 at 6 pm in room B-114. The meeting will be based on an agenda developed at the last DFO meeting (see above). The DFO will request that the administration table any schedule change until all concerns can be resolved. Minutes from the meeting will be posted here as soon as possible. Interested parents who did not attend the last DFO meeting are welcome to attend, however, it is unclear whether there will be time to open the floor for questions and comments. If necessary the DFO will work out a time to accept further parent input at a future meeting or via email submissions. Agenda 4.17
4.8.08
At the regular Dance Family Organization meeting for April the group discussed concerns and created a list of issues that need to be addressed related to the potential schedule change. Topics included: dance class size and safety, level/age appropriate groupings, available studio space, sufficient instructor coverage, student schedule planning for dancers, future of the senior project as an elective, ability to achieve an arts endorsed diploma*, etc. Sue Gonzales, DFO chair, will request a meeting with the Principal to review these concerns as soon as possible.
*Requirements for arts endorsed diploma are in the Student Handbook.
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