Meeting One - New Senior PLC

Members present: N. Fankhouser, J. Hudson, D. Wellner.

Our Senior PLC met this afternoon to discuss start-of-school issues and possible developing problems. We considered several new programs at Pine Ridge, including more uniform language ( like "KIA" ) and new cell phone guidelines. All agreed that these efforts seem worthwhile so far.

We have already begun coordinating our Senior curriculum as it is given in our Scope and Sequence. Ms. Wellner and Mr. Hudson have aligned their expectations for a Senior Exit Project, so that student requirements will be compatible throughout all of our classes. All members discussed adjustments to be made therein for different learning levels among our various sections - from Honors to ESE.

Mr. Hudson recommended an addition to our co-curricular project with the Social Studies Department: a chapter to be reproduced from The Red Badge of Courage. The best choice, for our purposes, would be a chapter that deals with Henry Fleming's fears of cowardice. This would be studied in conjunction with the short story, "An Episode of War",  and reflected in the Social Studies Department's review of the Civil War. Assent all around.

An additional topic: College Presentations.
Mr. Hudson brought up the requests from DeVry, Keiser, and Full Sail. All were enthusiastic about encouraging these. We vowed that we would coordinate these visits with Ms. Bridgeman's and Mr. Bucich's groups.

Finally, we all agreed that we were feeling somewhat overwhelmed with large classes and new demands upon our time. Perhaps it would be more productive to introduce new, positive efforts in a more extended way rather than everything in the first week.