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Subcommittee Response to Standard #7: Student Life and Student Activities

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Standard #7

Standard #8

Subcommittee Members: Ray Moyer, Abby Yavorek, Bill Switala

Survey Responses

Faculty Survey

Standard #7: Student Life and Student Activities

A healthy atmosphere exists for day and/or boarding students. At all levels, non-discriminatory, appropriate student activities that supplement classroom experiences or community life are provided. An adequately financed student activities program fosters a positive intellectual, cultural, and social climate, promotes growth in student leadership and social interaction skills, and encourages students’ special interests.

Faculty

Survey

4 < > 1

Indicator

3.47

a.) Relationships between staff and students demonstrate respect, fairness, and understanding.

3.59

b.) Student life is organized in such a manner that provides students with the opportunity to experience responsibility, initiative, leadership competencies, cooperation, and self-direction.

3.68

c.) The school provides activities that are non-discriminatory, supplement the regular classroom instruction, and contribute to the academic, physical, and social development of students.

3.53

d.) Provision is made for students, staff, and community to offer input to the school's student life and student activities.

3.53

e.) The school maintains a desirable balance among academic, social, co-curricular, and service activities and ensures appropriateness according to the age, development, needs, and interests of students.

3.30

f.) The student activities program receives adequate financial support, and finances are under the control of school authorities.

3.51

g.) Staff members, parents, and others who participate in student activities are suitability qualified and provided appropriate supervision to students.

3.67

h.) In boarding schools, provisions are made for healthy relationships with adults in loco parentis, for student privacy, for recreation, and for religious practice as appropriate.

3.67

i.) Continuous and responsible supervision by qualified adults is provided for all dormitory students.

Sample Comments

At the high school level, we offer a large variety of activities and organizations for students to participate in, so any student who wishes to be involved should be able to find something to suit his or her interests.
We have an EXCELLENT school atmosphere and wonderful co-curricular activities.
Student Council has a strong record of providing activities to promote school spirit and school citizenship.

S tudent Survey

Standard #7: Student Life and Student Activities

Student

Survey

4 < > 1

Indicator

3.10

1. Relationships between staff (administrators, teachers, counselors, coaches, paraprofessionals, office staff) and students show respect, fairness, and understanding.

3.56

2. My school offers a variety of student activities that give opportunities for learning outside the classroom.

3.44

20. My school offers student activities that are appropriate to the needs and interests of students.

Sample Student Comments

As I've mentioned before, there are some students who are treated unfairly because they are known as "trouble students" which is inappropriate, all students deserve a chance despite their history. Yes, you can only get burned so many times, but the more respect a teacher gives the more willing a student will be to listen.

Parent Survey

Standard #7: Student Life and Student Activities

Parent

Survey

4 < > 1

Indicator

2.94

1. Relationships between staff and students show respect, fairness, and understanding.

3.17

2. The school offers a variety of student activities that supplement classroom instruction.

3.21

3. The school offers student activities that are appropriate to the age, development, needs, and interests of students.

3.00

4. Staff members and others who sponsor student activities are qualified and provide appropriate student supervision.

Sample Parent Comments

The school needs to monitor and disband "Smokers’ Corner.” Destruction of private property, drug use, and under age smoking before and after school is unacceptable, inexcusable, and tacky!

Note: Other comments seemed to be pointed at specific staff members and were seen as a chance to personally attack these coaches and directors.

List the significant strengths of the school in the area of Student Life and Student Activities.

The overall results of the three surveys for Student Life and Student Activities indicate that the programs at Selinsgrove Area High School are certainly adequate, and many stakeholders believe that we provide a wide variety of activities that significantly enhance student life.

List the significant weaknesses of the school in the area of Student Life and Student Activities.

Some parents seem dissatisfied with certain coaches and directors. This is a common issue with most extra-curricular activities.

Subcommittee Response to Standard #8: Facilities

Subcommittee Members: Garth Shipman, Reed Messmore, Chris Markle, Jeff Whitmore, Abby Yavorek, P.J. Adams, Charles Longwell

Survey Responses

*Faculty Survey*
*Standard #8: Facilities* The school facilities, consisting of the site, building, and equipment, provide a safe, well-maintained physical environment that supports optimal student development and achievement. The school facilities are appropriate to implement the stated philosophy, mission, beliefs, and/or objectives of the school.
*Faculty* *Survey* *4 < > 1*	*Indicator*
2.43	a.) All grounds, buildings, furnishings, and equipment are sufficiently maintained to meet the school's philosophy, mission, beliefs, and/or objectives, including achievement of desired student learning outcomes.
2.51	b.) Facilities and equipment (including dormitory facilities) provide for the health and safety of students and staff, are regularly inspected for effective operation, and meet all code requirements for all health and safety issues including safe access and egress.
3.29	c.) Students and staff are trained in safe occupancy and use of facilities (such as through emergency drills.)
2.75	e.) School and class sizes meet student needs and effectively utilize the intended capacity of the facility.
2.51	b.) Facilities and equipment (including dormitory facilities) provide for the health and safety of students and staff and are regularly inspected for effective operation, and meet all code requirements for all health and safety issues including safe access and egress.
*Sample Faculty Comments*
The heat in the building is a distraction to students and a barrier to student learning and concentration. Bathrooms need work; Class size is often too large; Many travelling teachers without classrooms. The high school building and equipment (heating/cooling system in particular) are not sufficiently maintained/upgraded to provide good health or conducive learning environment for students. safety drills are practiced Class sizes are too large to be effective within the classroom.

*Student Survey*
Standard #8: Facilities The school facilities, consisting of the site, building, and equipment, provide a safe, well-maintained physical environment that supports optimal student development and achievement. The school facilities are appropriate to implement the stated philosophy, mission, beliefs, and/or objectives of the school.
Student Survey 4 < > 1	*Indicator*
2.71	1. The school building, grounds, furniture, and equipment are clean and well maintained.
2.86	The school facility offers adequate space and equipment for a variety of high quality programs
2.94	The number of students in each of my classes is reasonable.
3.24	My school provides a safe learning environment.
3.51	My school has an emergency plan in the event of a crisis situation.
*Sample Student Comments*
I think 29-30 students in one class is too much for one teacher to handle. We need more classroom space. air conditioning that works would be nice.

*Parent Survey*
*Standard #8: Facilities* The school facilities, consisting of the site, building, and equipment, provide a safe, well-maintained physical environment that supports optimal student development and achievement. The school facilities are appropriate to implement the stated philosophy, mission, beliefs, and/or objectives of the school.
Parent Survey 4 < > 1	*Indicator*
3.20	The school grounds and building are clean and well maintained.
3.04	The school’s furnishings and equipment are clean and well maintained.
3.13	The school facility offers adequate space and equipment for high quality student programs.
2.97	The number of students in each class is reasonable.
2.97	The school is large enough to accommodate the number of students and the educational program.
2.97	The school provides a safe learning environment.
3.11	The school has an emergency plan in the event of a crisis situation.
*Sample Parent Comments*
Class sizes too large; inadequate facilities at high school for music / arts The High School Needs Air Conditioning! Fans and open windows are not acceptable on high heat index days! It's a health hazard and these students are not sent home. ie...Heat stroke and Dehydration. It's unfortunate that the auditorium is so small and performing groups have to compete for rehearsal time at the middle school. Also, it's a shame that the auditorium is not air conditioned for the comfort of the audience. The Fine Arts at the high school seem to have taken a back seat to sports. That is one area for which I feel less proud of our school.

List the significant strengths of the school in the area of Facilities.

While there are issues with the building security, all parties felt that the school was generally safe, that procedures have been developed, and that regular drills enhance the commitment to a safe learning environment.

List the significant weaknesses of the school in the area of Facilities.

It is clear that all groups felt class sizes, heating and cooling, an auditorium and other facilities need work.

The school board approved Plancon A in June, 2007, for a building project that would provide for extensive heating and cooling renovations at the high school. Additionally, security and doors are being addressed in the project. It is expected that the school board will have a vote to commit to this project sometime before the Middle States review in November.

As for class sizes, additional staff has been added in recent years to accommodate an increasing student enrollment. However, enrollment at the high school is projected to decline beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, and drop by as much as 20% over the following several years.

Efforts to reduce class size have been reasonably successful. Eliminating naturally high-population classes such as physical education, band, and chorus, only seven classes this current school year have a number of students exceeding thirty, with 33 being the most. There are 56 classes with enrollment between 26 and 30, 151 with enrollment between 21 and 26, 100 with enrollment between 16 and 20, and 74 with enrollment between 6 and 15. In the core subject areas, social studies classes average 22.0, math 21.0, science 21.8, and English 21.4.

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