The High School Council fosters a spirit of community through the facilitation of communication and cooperation among the Laboratory Schools' high school parents, administration, faculty, students, and PA governing board members. We also assist in the implementation of high school activities.
The leadership of the High School Council rests with three Co-Chairpersons who are elected for two year terms, by the PA membership. High School Council membership generally includes the three Council Co- Chairpersons, and grade level Co-Chairpersons for each grade 9 through 12.
The 2007-2008 HS Council members include the following Co- Chairpersons:Nila Barnes (pictured center)– Elected to the council in 2006, she’s the mother of Kamaal Harris (2009) and Akilah Harris (2014).
Leann Gariti (pictured right)– Elected to the council in 2007, she’s the mother of Thomas Gariti (2011).
Lynn Stevenson (pictured left)- Elected to the council in 2006, she’s the mother of Billy Stevenson (2008).
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
HS Council's 2007-2008 Agenda
Some of the items that the HS Council is pursuing include:
Increase Parent Involvement in the High School - There are many opportunities for parents to volunteer in the HS. Parent volunteers are needed this fall.
- to act as mentors to new families.
- to provide food for the HS Open House Reception.
- to provide snacks for students taking the PSAT.
Parents are also needed throughout the school year. To view more volunteer opportunities and sign-up to volunteer, online or print and complete the form.
Increase communication among parents - The HS Council plans to:
- host periodic meetings to provide parents with the opportunity to meet other parents or hear from parenting experts.
- provide links to online discussion forums.
- create and distribute a newsletter.
- maintain a webpage for HS parents.
Collaboration with the administration - The council is pursuing ways to:
- Work to expand the arts program at Lab.
- Enact the parent covenant to curb and or avoid drug and alcohol use among students.
If you have any ideas or suggestions for additions to the Council's agenda, please contact us at pahsc@uclspa.org. The HS Council is here to serve you. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
HS Council Meeting Schedule 2007-2008
September 27th 6:00 to 7:00 PM Location: Cafeteria- Topic: Drug Safety at School Dances. This meeting is mandatory for parents of freshman and sophomore students. Students are invited.
November 29th 6:00 to 7:00 PM Location: Judd 126 - Topic: To be announced
January 31st 6:00 to 7:00 PM Location: Judd 126 - Topic: To be announced
April 3rd 6:00 to 7:00 PM Location: Judd 126 - Topic: To be announced
Watch the HS Council homepage at www.uclspa.org/HSCouncil.html for further details on meeting topics.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Partnership between the parents and administration to curb drug and alcohol use
The Community Standards on Drug Abuse for Lab School Families is now available. Parents are encouraged to sign an agreement , available at the PA HS Council website, to guarantee that any party held in their home would have adult supervision and would be alcohol and drug free. The list of parents who signed the contract will be made available to all parents of high school students, so that parents can know which households are safe for their children.
This school year the high school is providing a drug and alcohol counseling program for 9th and 10th grade students. The program will be presented to 9th graders in the first half of the school year and to 10th graders in the second half of the school year. Components of the program include media discussions, peer pressure discussions, someone from the Illinois States Attorney's Ofiice will be invited to present the legal ramifications of drug and alcohol use, and the school's policy on students' drug and alcohol use.
Procedures have been implemented for handling students' drug and alcohol use at school sponsored dances. This will be discussed at the first high school council meeting, on Thursday September 27th, at 6:00 PM in the Cafeteria. This meeting is mandatory for all parents of freshman or sophomore students, but all parents of high school students are stongely encouraged to attend.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Grade Level Co-Chairpersons for 2007-2008 school year needed
The HS Council needs grade level co-chairs for grades 9 through 12.
Parents are needed to help coordinate programs and events for the each grade level, and to keep parents informed. The primary duties of a grade level chairperson are to assist the council co-chairs with events that strictly pertain to the grade, to plan supplemental activities for the grade, and to attend the HS Council meetings. The time commitment varies and is not intense. It depends on how far your ideas take you.
Some examples of activities where grade level chairperson can assist, include: providing snacks for sophomore and junior students during the PSAT test; providing food items at the HS Parent Night – Open House Reception; set–up for Parent Teacher conference lunch; graduation reception planning; junior students’ fundraising planning for senior prom.
The assignment is for one year. We would like to have two grade level chairpersons per grade. So far we have one parent ((Thank you Nina Suresh) who has agreed to serve as grade level co-chairperson for the 11th grade.
If you are interested in serving as a grade level chairperson, please sign-up via the volunteer form or contact any of the council co-chairs directly at pahsc@uclspa.org. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
The HS Council's New Parent Mentoring Program
For the second year the HS Council is organizing mentoring of families new to U-High. The mentor family is expected to serve as an information resource to the new family. For example, answering questions about the school culture from a parent's perspective, or answering questions about the neighborhood or city, or encouraging the student of the mentor family to meet the new student and assist where necessary.
New families are paired with mentoring families based on student's gender, family household location, and grade level. Mentors will be contacted to confirm their service committment. Those new parents who have been assigned a mentor family were able to meet their mentor family at the HS Welcome Reception on September 10th.
There are still new families who have not been paired with mentor families. Returning parents, we still need your help! If you would like to serve as a mentor family, it's not too late.
For more information about the program or to volunteer as a mentor, contact the HS Council at pahsc@uclspa.org. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
High School Parent Night (Open House) - Tuesday October 2nd.
The evening begins at 6:30 PM with a reception in the cafeteria, hosted by the HS Council. There will be brief performances by the HS Choir, and a welcome speech from Principal Horvat.
“Parent Night” affords parents the opportunity to become familiar with their student’s courses. Parents begin by obtaining their student’s class schedule, during the reception period, then starting at 7:00 PM visit each class listed on the schedule throughout the evening. In each class, teachers will present the class syllabus for the year and provide their contact information.
We could still use some help with food for the reception. If you are interested in providing a food item (including beverages, deserts, or hors d’oeuvres, enough to serve 10 people) for the reception, please email the HS Council at pahsc@uclspa.org , as soon as possible. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Recruitment Open House Volunteers Needed
Recruitment Open House for families interested in applying to the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools for grades 9 through 11, as well as grades 6 and 7, and for current Lab Schools' 7th and 8th graders wishing to learn a little more about University High School, will take place Sunday October 21 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the U-High. Tours begin at 1:00, 1:45, 2:30, and 3:15 PM.
Volunteers are needed for set-up starting at 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM, and to hand out programs and help to direct visitors to the tour assembly area. It is not necessary that you commit for the entire five hours. Choose an hour or two, between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, that fits your schedule.
If you have not signed up to volunteer for this event via the PA volunteer form, you may sign-up by contacting Elaine Woerner in the Admissions Office at 773 834 3588, or email her at ewoerner@ucls.uchicago.edu. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Call for Resource Material
The Parents Association Multicultural Committee (PAMC), is creating an online library of resources and links for parents to help in discussions with children pertaining to diversity, racism, and tolerance, and we need your help. Parents with resources dealing with these and related issues should forward to Lynn Stevenson. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Back To School Celebration!
On the “first evening of school”, September 10th, high school families, who are new to the Laboratory Schools, new to U-High, as well as returning, had the opportunity to meet other parents, administrators, and faculty at the annual back to school celebration “Welcome Reception for U-High Families”. The event was hosted by the HS Council Co-Chairs, in conjunction with Principal Matt Horvat and the Development Office, in the new Lab Cafe.
