Quarter 2, Week3: Nov 22 – 23

Mon [11/22] A Day

Daily Question – Where do cranberries grow? [Answer: Cranberries grow on bushes in a bog. Wisconsin grows the most cranberries in the USA.]

Return Quiz [student with less than 23/34 may make quiz]

Demo on Erosion

Erosion & Weathering Worksheet – continue

Video on Weathering and Erosion with worksheet [20 minutes]

End of Hour: Thanksgiving Trivia [~ 5 min]

Homework: No Homework – Enjoy Thanksgiving! [Reminder: Earth Science in the News – Due 12/2 Here is the assignment, if you can not locate your handout, Earth Science in the News]

Tues [11/23] B Day

Daily Question – Where do cranberries grow? Answer: Cranberries grow on bushes in a bog. Wisconsin grows the most cranberries in the USA.]

Worksheet: Erosion and Weathering [continue]

Video on Weathering & Erosion with worksheet [20 minutes]

Redeem Points

End of Hour: Thanksgiving Trivia [~ 5 min]

Homework: No Homework – Enjoy Thanksgiving! [Reminder: Earth Science in the News - Due 12/3 Here is the assignment, if you can not locate your handout, Earth Science in the News ]

November 28, 2010 | | No Comments »

Quarter 2, Week 2: Nov 15 – 19

Mon [11/15] A Day and Tues [11/16] B Day

Daily Question [On average how many earthquakes are there each day in the world? Answer: 50 source: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsanim/ ]

Demonstrate Seismic Wave simulator website

Locating an Epicenter –Figure 11, Locating an Epicenter, page 57

Video on Earthquakes

Notes: Earthquake Damage, Measuring Earthquakes, and Earthquake Risk [use Earthquake Risk in the United States, p. 18, p. 69 Earthquake Risk in The United States]

Lab: Building Earthquake resistant Models Part 1 [A1, B1, B3] and Part 2, if time

Do Review Worksheet to prepare for Quiz and Handout Study Guide

Homework: Study Guide, Review for Quiz Parent/Guardian Signature due on Study Guide by Thurs/Fri

Wed 11/17 [B Day] and Thurs 11/18 [A Day]

Daily Question [What is one way that an earthquake is measured? Answer: Richter Scale – based on size of earthquake’s seismic waves, Mercalli Scale – rates earthquakes based on amount of damage, or Moment Magnitude Scale – estimates the total energy released ]

Review briefly before quiz

Quiz

Word Find [optional]

Hand out and explain homework, “Earth Science in the News”

Lab: Building Earthquake Resistant Models Part 2 [if not completed]

Homework: Earth Science in the News Due: 12/2 [A] and 12/3 [B]

Earth Science in the News

Friday [11/19] B Day

Daily Question [Which planets, other than Earth, have volcanoes?

Answer: Mars – Olympus Mons (a shield volcano) is that tallest volcano in the solar system, 16 miles high, three times as tall as Mt. Everest. The base of Olympus Mons would cover the state of Nebraska! While Mars has the largest shield volcano, Venus has more volcanoes than any other planet in solar system with up to a million total and 1600 major volcanoes. Some are large shield volcanoes. Many planets’ moons also have volcanoes: Saturn’s moon, Enceladus and Titan; Neptune’s moon, Triton; Jupiter’s moon, Io is the most volcanically active in Solar System, and Jupiter’s moon, Europa, also has volcanoes.]

Return Quiz

Demo on Erosion

Worksheet on Weathering and Erosion [start first page in class]

Homework: Earth Science in the News, due 12/3 [B]

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Lionsgate Academy Bylaws

ARTICLE 1

PURPOSE

The purposes of the Corporation are as stated in its Articles of Incorporation.

ARTICLE II

OFFICES

The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Minnesota is as stated in the Articles of Incorporation. The Corporation may have such other offices within the State of Minnesota as the Board of Directors may determine or as the affairs of the Corporation may require. The registered office may be, but need not be, identical with the principal office in the State of Minnesota.

ARTICLE III

MEETINGS OF THE BOARD

Section 1. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held each month. A schedule of the regular meetings of the Board of Directors will be kept on file at the Corporation’s primary offices. The schedule must state the date, time, and place of the Board’s regular meetings.

Section 2. Special Meetings. Any director may ask the Chair to call a special meeting for a particular purpose. The Chair will honor such a request, provided that the requested date, time, and place of the special meeting is reasonable and that a regular or special meeting of the Board is not already scheduled to be held at or around the same time. The Chair, or a designee, must give three days’ advance notice of the meeting to each director. Any director who appears at a meeting waives the right to assert that adequate notice of the meeting was not provided, unless the director states at the beginning of the meeting that his or her appearance is solely for the purpose of asserting the illegality of the meeting. The Board, or its designee, must post and deliver written notice of the date, time, place, and purpose of a special meeting in accordance with the Open Meeting Law (currently codified at Minn. Stat. Ch. 13D).

Section 3. Emergency Meetings. When circumstances require the immediate consideration of an issue, the Board of Directors may call an emergency meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Open Meeting Law (currently codified at Minn. Stat. Ch. 13D).

Section 4. Quorum and Adjourned Meeting. Except as expressly provided in these Bylaws or applicable law, a quorum is required to hold a Board meeting and to transact any business at a Board meeting. A majority of the directors constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors. If less than a majority of the directors are present at a meeting, a majority of those directors who are present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum is present. If a quorum is present when a duly called meeting is convened, and enough directors leave the meeting early so that less than a quorum remains, the remaining directors present may not continue to transact business and must adjourn the meeting.

Section 5. Voting. The Board must take action by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors who are present and entitled to vote at a duly held meeting, except in those cases, if any, where these Bylaws require the affirmative vote of a larger proportion. Only current directors on the Board may vote at a meeting, and each director may cast only one vote per motion.

Section 6. Parliamentary Procedures. The Board will strive to conduct meetings according to the rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, unless such rules are suspended by majority vote of a quorum of the Board, or such rules conflict with other rules of order adopted by the Board. The failure to strictly follow parliamentary procedure, including any procedures established in Robert’s Rules of Order, will not invalidate an action of the Board.

ARTICLE IV

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. General Powers. The Board of Directors is responsible for governing, managing, and directing the affairs of the Corporation. Toward that end, the Board of Directors is authorized to exercise all corporate powers except as limited by law, the Articles of Incorporation, or these Bylaws.

Section 2. Number, Tenure, and Qualifications. The number of directors constituting the Board shall be at least five and not more than eleven, with the exact number to be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board. Licensed teachers employed by the Corporation, including any teachers providing instruction under a contract with a cooperative, must be a majority of the members of the Board of Directors before Lionsgate Academy completes its third year of operation, unless either the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education waives the requirement that the Board be composed of a majority of licensed teachers or the Minnesota legislature amends the law to eliminate that requirement.

Section 3. Classification; Term.

(a) Beginning with the 2008 election of directors, the directors shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II, and Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors. At the 2008 election of directors, Class I directors shall be elected for a term ending at the 2009 election of directors, Class II directors shall be elected for a term ending at the 2010 election of directors, and Class III directors shall be elected for a term ending at the 2011 election of directors. Thereafter, all directors shall be elected for a three-year term.

(b) Each director will remain on the Board until expiration of the term for which the director was elected or appointed and until a successor is elected and qualified, or until the death, resignation, removal, or disqualification of the director, whichever occurs first.

Section 4. Election of Directors.

(a) On or before [February 15] of each school year, the Chair will appoint a nominating committee consisting of one or more parents of students enrolled at Lionsgate Academy, one or more staff members employed by the Corporation, and such other individuals as the Chair sees fit.

(b) The nominating committee must nominate at least one candidate for each seat on the Board held by a director whose term will expire during that school year. The committee must submit its nominations to the Board in writing on or before [March 15]. The Board of Directors must accept the nominations, but may nominate additional candidates as well.

(c) On or before [May 15], the Board must hold an election in a manner that the Board sees fit to determine which candidates will be elected to the Board. The following individuals may vote in the election: staff members who are employed by the Corporation, including teachers providing instruction under a contract with a cooperative; students enrolled at Lionsgate Academy who are at least 18 years of age; and all parents and legal guardians of children enrolled at Lionsgate Academy. Voting will be by ballot. The ballots will be counted by a person selected by the Board. The counting of the ballots will be witnessed by a third party and will be promptly reported to the Board in writing. The persons receiving the greatest number of votes shall be elected for the open seats on the Board.

Section 5. Resignation.

(a) A director may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board of Directors. Such resignation shall be effective upon delivery of the notice to any officer, unless a later effective date is specified in the written notice. The Board is not required to accept a resignation in order for it to become effective.

(b) If a director is an employee of the Corporation, including a licensed teacher, and his or her employment with the Corporation terminates for any reason, the director shall immediately submit his or her resignation from the Board.

Section 6. Removal of Elected Directors. A director who has been elected to the Board may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by a two-thirds vote of the other directors on the Board.

Section 7. Removal of Appointed Directors. A director who has been appointed to the Board may be removed at any time, without or without cause, by majority vote of the other directors on the Board.

Section 8. Filling Vacancies. If a seat on the Board becomes vacant before the director who held the seat completes his or her term on the Board, the vacancy may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors on the board, provided that the vote occurs at a properly noticed meeting of the Board of Directors. A director who is appointed to fill a vacancy will hold office for the unexpired term of the vacant seat, subject to his or her earlier death, disqualification, resignation, or removal.

Section 9. Compensation. Directors will not receive compensation for their services as a director. However, directors may be reimbursed for actual, necessary, and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred while rendering services to the Corporation. Subject to any limitations imposed by law, the Board of Directors may determine whether out-of-pocket expenses are necessary and reasonable, and whether such expenses were incurred while rendering services to the Corporation.

Section 10. Committees of the Board. In addition to other actions relating to committees, the Board of Directors may: (1) establish standing or ad hoc committees as it sees fit; (2) define the powers and responsibilities of any committee that it has established; (3) designate and determine the members of any committee that it has established; (4) select or provide a method for selecting a chairperson for a committee; (5) designate one or more individuals to replace any absent or disqualified member of a committee; (6) direct and oversee any committee that it has established; and (7) disband any established committee as it sees fit, regardless of whether the committee is a standing committee or an ad hoc committee. An ad hoc committee is considered disbanded once its designated task has been completed.

(a) Authority of Committees. Unless the Board affirmatively acts by majority vote to provide a committee with decision-making authority, the committee must be deemed to be advisory only, such that it has no decision-making authority. In the event that the Board gives a committee decision-making authority, the meetings of that committee must be posted and held in accordance with the Open Meeting Law. A committee that has been given decision-making authority may exercise that authority only though the affirmative vote of a majority of the total members of the committee.

(b) Procedures for Conducting Committee Meetings. The activities of all committees of the Corporation must be conducted in a manner that will advance the best interest of the Corporation. Each committee must fix its own rules of and must act in a manner that is consistent with the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, and the policies of the Corporation. The Chair will be an ex-officio member of all committees, unless the Chair also serves as a member of such committee.

(c) Limitation on Authority of Committees. Every committee that is established by the Board will be subject to the direction and control of the Board. The actions and decisions of any of decision-making committee that has been established by the Board are subject to review, ratification, modification, or reversal by the Board.

ARTICLE V

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Section 1. Conflicts of Interest Prohibited. No director may violate any common law or statutory prohibition on conflicts of interest. Applicable statutes include, but are not limited to, Minnesota Statutes Sections 471.87; 471.88; 124D.10, subdivision 4(b); and 124D.10, subdivision 23a. Abstaining from a vote, or abstaining from participating in a discussion of the Board relating to a vote, does not cure a statutory conflict of interest. Any director who has a personal financial interest in a transaction that is being contemplated by the Board, or who has a relationship with any person who may be involved in such a transaction, must fully disclose to the Board the existence of the interest or relationship before the transaction is initiated. Directors must comply with all conflict-of-interest policies adopted by the Board of Directors and must submit any annual statement required by such policies.

Section 2. Compensation. A director who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Corporation may not vote or participate in any Board discussion pertaining to his or her compensation. Similarly, a voting member of a committee who receives compensation, directly or indirectly from the Corporation may not vote or participate in any committee discussion pertaining to his or her compensation.

Section 3. Confidentiality. Absent a court order, a director may not disclose to any third person information that was discussed in closed session or information that relates to the Board’s negotiation strategy or competitive bargaining position with respect to any transaction, sale, purchase, lease, agreement, or contract.

ARTICLE VI

OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

Section 1. Officers and Terms. The Corporation will have the following officers: (1) President; (2) Vice-President; (3) Treasurer; and (4) Secretary. The President is also referred to as the Chair, and the Vice-President is also referred to as the Vice-Chair. By majority vote of a quorum of the Board, the Board may appoint any director to serve as an officer of the Corporation. Each officer will serve a one-year term, which will begin on the date of appointment and will end one-year later, or when a successor is duly elected and qualified, whichever occurs later.

Section 2. Vacancies. At its next meeting or at a later date, the Board may appoint a director to fill any vacancy in any office. The appointment must be by majority vote of a quorum of the Board.

Section 3. Chair. The Chair is the principal officer of the Corporation and must not be an employee of the Corporation. The Chair must perform the duties of the Corporation’s President in accordance with the Minnesota Nonprofit Corporation Act (currently codified at Minnesota Statutes Section 317A.305, subdivision 3). Accordingly, among other things, the Chair must:

(a) have general active management of the business of the Corporation;

(b) call and, when present, preside at regular, special, and emergency meetings of the Board;

(c) see that the orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect;

(d) sign and deliver in the name of the Corporation deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments that have been approved by majority vote of the Board, except in such cases in which the authority to sign and deliver is required by law to be exercised by another person or is expressly delegated by the Board to another officer or agent of the Corporation;

(e) maintain records of the Board and, when necessary, certify proceedings of the Board; and

(f) perform other duties prescribed by the Board.

Section 4. Vice-Chair. The Vice-Chair must assume the duties of the Chair when the Chair is absent or unable to act, and must perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may prescribe.

Section 5. Treasurer. The Treasurer must perform the duties of the Corporation’s treasurer in accordance with the Minnesota Nonprofit Corporation Act (currently codified at Minnesota Statutes Section 317A.305, subdivision 3). In addition, the Treasurer must perform such other duties and have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.

Section 6. Secretary. The Secretary must record and preserve the minutes of meetings attended by the Secretary and perform such other duties and have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Removal of Officer. Any officer may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause, by majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Section 8. Resignation. Any officer may resign from office at any time by giving written notice to the Board of Directors. Such resignation will be effective upon delivery of the notice to any other officer of the Corporation, unless a later effective date is specified in the written notice. The Board is not required to accept a resignation in order for it to become effective. Any director who resigns from the Board shall be deemed, without any further action, to have resigned from all offices held by that director.

ARTICLE VII

DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS

Section 1. Right to Cease Operations and Distribute Assets. By a two-thirds vote of all directors at a meeting held for the specific stated purpose of considering the question of dissolution, the Board of Directors may adopt a resolution requiring that the Corporation cease operations and voluntarily dissolve in accordance with all applicable laws.

Section 2. Cessation and Distribution. When cessation of operations and distribution of assets has been called for, the Board of Directors and the designated officers shall cause the Corporation to discontinue its regular business activities and operations as soon as practicable, and shall liquidate and distribute all the Corporation’s assets in accordance with all applicable laws. Notice of intent to dissolve shall be filed with the Secretary of State as required by law.

ARTICLE VIII

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1. Indemnification. The Corporation shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless its directors, officers, employees, and committee members to the fullest extent permitted by Minnesota Statutes Section 317A.521 and any amendments thereto.

Section 2. Insurance. The Corporation shall purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, representative, or agent of the Corporation, or member of a committee of the Board of Directors, against any liability asserted against and incurred by such person in his or her official capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against liability.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended, altered, or repealed and new bylaws adopted upon proper notice and a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE X

FINANCIAL MATTERS

Section 1. Contracts. By majority vote of a quorum, the Board of Directors may authorize officers or agents of the Corporation to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of, and on behalf of, the Corporation. Any such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws, no officer, agent, or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement, or to pledge its credit or to render it financially liable for any purpose or to any amount.

Section 2. Loans and Pledges. No loans shall be contracted nor pledges or guarantees given on behalf of the Corporation unless specifically authorized by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. Authorized Signatures. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such person or persons and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.

Section 4. Deposits. All funds of the Corporation shall be deposited to the credit of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may designate and shall be disbursed under such general rules and regulations as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

Section 5. Corporate Seal. The Corporation shall not have a corporate seal.

Section 6. Documents Kept at Registered Office. The Board of Directors shall cause to be kept at the registered office of the Corporation originals or copies of:

(a) approved minutes and records of all proceedings of the Board of Directors and all committees;
(b) records of all votes and actions of the members;
(c) all financial statements of the Corporation; and
(d) the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Corporation and all amendments and restatements thereof.

November 23, 2010 | | No Comments »

Corporal Punishment

  1. PURPOSE
    The purpose of this policy is to describe limitations on corporal punishment of students.
  2. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
    No employee or agent of the school shall cause corporal punishment to be inflicted upon a student to reform unacceptable conduct or as a penalty for unacceptable conduct. As used in this policy, the term “corporal punishment” means conduct involving hitting or spanking a person with or without an object, or unreasonable physical force that causes bodily harm or substantial emotional harm.
  3. EXCEPTIONS
    A teacher or the executive director may use reasonable force when it is necessary under the circumstances to correct or restrain a student or prevent bodily harm or death to another. Other school employees, or other agents of a school, may use reasonable force when necessary under the circumstances to restrain a student or prevent bodily harm or death to another.
  4. VIOLATION
    Employees who violate the provisions of this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action as appropriate. Any such disciplinary action shall be made pursuant to and in accordance with applicable statutory authority and school policies. Violation of this policy may also result in civil or criminal liability for the employee.
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Policy 521: Student Disability Nondiscrimination

  1. PURPOSE
    1. The purpose of this policy is to protect disabled students from discrimination on the basis of disability and to identify and evaluate learners who, within the intent of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, need special services, accommodations, or programs in order that such learners may receive a free appropriate public education.
  2. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
    1. Disabled students are protected from discrimination on the basis of a disability.
    2. It is the responsibility of the school to identify and evaluate learners who, within the intent of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, need special services, accommodations, or programs in order that such learners may receive a free appropriate public education.
    3. For this policy, a learner who is protected under Section 504 is one who:
      1. has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, including learning; or
      2. has a record of such impairment; or
      3. is regarded as having such impairment.
    4. Learners may be protected from disability discrimination and be eligible for services, accommodations, or programs under the provisions of Section 504 even though they are not eligible for special education pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
  3. COORDINATOR
    1. Persons who have questions, comments, or complaints should contact the executive director regarding grievances or hearing requests regarding disability issues. This person is the school’s ADA/504 Coordinator.
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Policy 526: Hazing Prohibition

  1. PURPOSE
    1. The purpose of this policy is to maintain a safe learning environment for students and staff that is free from hazing. Hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with the educational goals of the school and are prohibited at all times.
  2. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
    1. No student, teacher, administrator, volunteer or other employee of the school shall plan, direct, encourage, aid or engage in hazing.
    2. No teacher, administrator, volunteer or other employee of the school shall permit, condone or tolerate hazing.
    3. Apparent permission or consent by a person being hazed does not lessen the prohibitions contained in this policy.
    4. This policy applies to behavior that occurs on or off school property and during and after school hours.
    5. A person who engages in an act that violates school policy or law in order to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization shall be subject to discipline for that act.
    6. The school will act to investigate all complaints of hazing and will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer or other employee of the school who is found to have violated this policy.
  3. DEFINITIONS
    1. “Hazing” means committing an act against a student, or coercing a student into committing an act, that creates a substantial risk of harm to a person, in order for the student to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization, or for any other purpose. The term hazing includes, but is not limited to:
      1. Any type of physical brutality such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking or placing a harmful substance on the body.
      2. Any type of physical activity such as sleep deprivation, exposure to weather, confinement in a restricted area, calisthenics or other activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
      3. Any activity involving the consumption of any alcoholic beverage, drug, tobacco product or any other food, liquid, or substance that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
      4. Any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects a student to extreme mental stress, embarrassment, shame or humiliation, that adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student or discourages the student from remaining in school.
      5. Any activity that causes or requires the student to perform a task that involves violation of state or federal law or of school policies or regulations.
    2. “Student organization” means a group, club or organization having students as its primary members or participants. It includes grade levels, classes, teams, activities or particular school events. A student organization does not have to be an official school organization to come within the terms of this definition.
  4. REPORTING PROCEDURES
    1. Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of hazing or any person with knowledge or belief of conduct which may constitute hazing shall report the alleged acts immediately to an appropriate school official.
    2. The executive director is the person responsible for receiving reports of hazing at the building level.
    3. Teachers, administrators, volunteers and other employees of the school shall be particularly alert to possible situations, circumstances or events which might include hazing. Any such person who receives a report of, observes, or has other knowledge or belief of conduct which may constitute hazing shall inform the executive director immediately.
    4. Submission of a good faith complaint or report of hazing will not affect the complainant or reporter’s future employment, grades or work assignments.
  5. SCHOOL ACTION
    1. Upon receipt of a complaint or report of hazing, the school shall undertake or authorize an investigation by school officials or a third party designated by the school.
    2. The school may take immediate steps, at its discretion, to protect the complainant, reporter, students, or others pending completion of an investigation of hazing.
    3. Upon completion of the investigation, the school will take appropriate action. Such action may include, but is not limited to, warning, suspension, exclusion, expulsion, transfer, remediation, termination or discharge. Disciplinary consequences will be sufficiently severe to deter violations and to appropriately discipline prohibited behavior. School action taken for violation of this policy will be consistent with the requirements of applicable collective bargaining agreements, applicable statutory authority, including the Minnesota Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, school policies and regulations.
  6. REPRISAL
    1. The school will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer or other employee of the school who retaliates against any person who makes a good faith report of alleged hazing or against any person who testifies, assists, or participates in an investigation, or against any person who testifies, assists or participates in a proceeding or hearing relating to such hazing. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, any form of intimidation, reprisal or harassment.
  7. DISSEMINATION OF POLICY
    1. This policy shall appear be communicated to students, parents and staff and shall be available in the main office of the school.

ADOPTED BY THE BOARD ON: December 16th, 2008

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Open and Closed School Board Meetings

  1. PURPOSE
    1. The school board embraces the philosophy of openness in the conduct of its business, in the belief that openness produces better programs, more efficiency in administration of programs, and an organization more responsive to public interest and less susceptible to private interest. The school board shall conduct its business under a presumption of openness. At the same time, the school board recognizes and respects the privacy rights of individuals as provided by law. The school board also recognizes that there are certain exceptions to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law as recognized in statute where it has been determined that, in limited circumstances, the public interest is best served by closing a meeting of the school board.
    2. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines to assure the rights of the public to be present at school board meetings, while also protecting the individual’s rights to privacy under law, and to close meetings when the public interest so requires as recognized by law.
  2. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
    1. Except as otherwise expressly provided by statute, all meetings of the school board, including executive sessions, shall be open to the public.
    2. Meetings shall be closed to the public only when expressly authorized by law.
  3. DEFINITION
    1. “Meeting” means a gathering of at least a quorum or more members of the school board, or quorum of a committee or subcommittee of school board members, at which members discuss, decide, or receive information as a group on issues relating to the official business of the school board. The term does not include a chance or social gathering.
  4. PROCEDURES
    1. Meetings
      1. Regular Meetings
        1. A schedule of the regular meetings of the school board shall be kept on file at its primary offices. If the school board decides to hold a regular meeting at a time or place different from the time or place stated in its schedule, it shall give the same notice of the meeting as for a special meeting.
      2. Special Meetings
        1. For a special meeting, the school board shall post written notice of the date, time, place, and purpose of the meeting on the principal bulletin board of the school district or on the door of the school board’s usual meeting room if there is no principal bulletin board and also on the web site. The school board’s actions at the special meeting are limited to those topics included in the notice
        2. The notice shall also be mailed or otherwise delivered to each person who has filed a written request for notice of special meetings.
        3. This notice shall be posted and mailed or delivered at least three days before the date of the meeting. As an alternative to mailing or otherwise delivering notice to persons who have filed a written request, the school board may publish the notice once, at least three days before the meeting, in the official newspaper of the school district or, if none, in a qualified newspaper of general circulation within the area of the school district.
        4. A person filing a request for notice of special meetings may limit the request to particular subjects, in which case the school board is required to send notice to that person only concerning those particular subjects.
        5. The school board will establish an expiration date on requests for notice of special meetings and require re-filing once each year. Not more than 60 days before the expiration date of request for notice, the school board shall send notice of the re-filing requirement to each person who filed during the preceding year.
      3. Emergency Meetings
        1. An emergency meeting is a special meeting called because of circumstances that, in the judgment of the school board, require immediate consideration.
        2. If matters not directly related to the emergency are discussed or acted upon, the minutes of the meeting shall include a specific description of those matters.
        3. The school board shall make good faith efforts to provide notice of the emergency meeting to each news medium that has filed a written request for notice if the request includes the news medium’s telephone number or email address.
        4. Notice of the emergency meeting shall be given by telephone or any other method used to notify the members of the school board.
        5. Notice shall be provided to each news medium, which has filed a written request for notice as soon as reasonably practicable after notice has been given to the school board members.
        6. Notice shall include the subject of the meeting.
        7. Posted or published notice of an emergency meeting shall not be required.
        8. The notice requirements for an emergency meeting as set forth in this policy shall supersede any other statutory notice requirement for a special meeting that is an emergency meeting.
      4. Recessed or Continued Meetings
        1. If a meeting is a recessed or continued session of a previous meeting, and the time and place of the meeting was established during the previous meeting and recorded in the minutes of that meeting, then no further published or mailed notice is necessary.
      5. Closed Meetings
        1. The notice requirements of the Minnesota Open Meeting Law apply to closed meetings.
      6. Actual Notice
        1. If a person receives actual notice of a meeting of the school board at least 24 hours before the meeting, all notice requirements are satisfied with respect to that person, regardless of the method of receipt of notice.
    2. Votes
      1. The votes of school board members shall be recorded in a journal kept for that purpose, and the journal shall be available to the public during all normal business hours at the administrative offices of the school district.
    3. Written Materials
      1. In any open meeting, a copy of any printed materials relating to the agenda items prepared or distributed by the school board or its employees and distributed to or available to all school board members shall be available in the meeting room for inspection by the public while the school board considers their subject matter.
      2. This provision does not apply to materials not classified by law as public, or to materials relating to the agenda items of a closed meeting.
    4. Data
      1. Meetings may not be closed merely because the data to be discussed are not public data.
      2. Data that are not public data may be discussed at an open meeting if the disclosure relates to a matter within the scope of the school board’s authority and is reasonably necessary to conduct the business or agenda item before the school board.
      3. Data discussed at an open meeting retain the data’s original classification; however, a record of the meeting, regardless of form, shall be public.
    5. Closed Meetings
      1. Labor Negotiations
        1. The school board may, by a majority vote in a public meeting, decide to hold a closed meeting to consider strategy for labor negotiations, including negotiation strategies or developments or discussion and review of labor negotiation proposals.
        2. The time and place of the closed meeting shall be announced at the public meeting. A written roll of school board members and all other persons present at the closed meeting shall be made available to the public after the closed meeting. The proceedings shall be tape recorded, and the tape recording shall be preserved for two years after the contract discussed at the meeting is signed. The recording shall be made available to the public after all labor contracts are signed by the school board for the current budget period.
      2. Sessions Closed by Bureau of Mediation Services
        1. All negotiations, mediation sessions, and hearings between the school board and its employees or their respective representatives are public meetings except when otherwise provided by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Mediation Services.
      3. Preliminary Consideration of Charges
        1. The school board shall close one or more meetings for preliminary consideration of allegations or charges against an individual subject to its authority. If the school board members conclude that discipline of any nature may be warranted as a result of those specific charges or allegations, further meetings or hearings relating to those specific charges or allegations held after that conclusion is reached must be open. A meeting must also be open at the request of the individual who is the subject of the meeting.
      4. Performance Evaluations
        1. The school board may close a meeting to evaluate the performance of an individual who is subject to its authority. The school board shall identify the individual to be evaluated prior to closing a meeting. At its next open meeting, the school board shall summarize its conclusions regarding the evaluation. A meeting must be open at the request of the individual who is the subject of the meeting.
      5. Attorney-Client Meeting
        1. A meeting may be closed if permitted by the attorney-client privilege. Attorney-client privilege applies when litigation is imminent or threatened, or when the school board needs advice above the level of general legal advice, i.e., regarding specific acts and their legal consequences. A meeting may be closed to seek legal advice concerning litigation strategy, but the mere threat that litigation might be a consequence of deciding a matter one way or another does not, by itself, justify closing the meeting. The motion to close the meeting must specifically describe the matter to be discussed at the closed meeting, subject to relevant privacy and confidentiality considerations under state and federal law.
      6. Dismissal Hearing
        1. A hearing on the dismissal of a licensed teacher shall be public or private at the teacher’s discretion. A hearing regarding placement of teachers on unrequested leave of absence shall be public.
        2. A hearing on dismissal of a student pursuant to the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act shall be closed unless the pupil, parent or guardian requests an open hearing.
      7. Coaches and Opportunity to Respond
        1. If the school board has declined to renew the coaching contract of a licensed or non-licensed head varsity coach, it must notify the coach within 14 days of that decision.
        2. If the coach requests the reasons for the nonrenewal, the school board must give the coach the reasons in writing within 10 days of receiving the request.
        3. On the request of the coach, the school board must provide the coach with a reasonable opportunity to respond to the reasons at a school board meeting.
        4. The meeting may be open or closed at the election of the coach unless the meeting is closed as required by Minn. Stat. § 13D.05, Subd. 2, to discuss educational or certain other nonpublic data.
      8. Meetings to Discuss Certain Not Public Data
        1. Any portion of a meeting must be closed if the following types of data are discussed:
        1. data that would identify alleged victims or reporters of criminal sexual conduct, domestic abuse, or maltreatment of minors or vulnerable adults;
        2. active investigative data collected or created by a law enforcement agency; or
        3. educational data, health data, medical data, welfare data, or mental health data that are not public data.
      9. Purchase and Sale of Property
        1. The school board may close a meeting:
          1. to determine the asking price for real or personal property to be sold by the school district;
          2. to review confidential or nonpublic appraisal data; and
          3. to develop or consider offers or counteroffers for the purchase or sale of real or personal property.
        2. Before closing the meeting, the school board must identify on the record the particular real or personal property that is the subject of the closed meeting.
        3. The closed meeting must be tape recorded at the expense of the school district. The tape must be preserved for eight (8) years after the date of the meeting and be made available to the public after all real or personal property discussed at the meeting has been purchased or sold or the school board has abandoned the purchase or sale. The real or personal property that is the subject of the closed meeting must be specifically identified on the tape. A list of school board members and all other persons present at the closed meeting must be made available to the public after the closed meeting.
        4. An agreement reached that is based on an offer considered at a closed meeting is contingent on its approval by the school board at an open meeting. The actual purchase or sale must be approved at an open meeting and the purchase price or sale price is public data.
      10. Security Matters
        1. The school board may close a meeting to receive security briefings and reports, to discuss issues related to security systems, to discuss emergency response procedures, and to discuss security deficiencies in or recommendations regarding public services, infrastructure, and facilities, if disclosure of the information discussed would pose a danger to public safety or compromise security procedures or responses.
        2. Financial issues related to security matters must be discussed and all related financial decisions must be made at an open meeting.
        3. Before closing a meeting, the school board must refer to the facilities, systems, procedures, services, or infrastructures to be considered during the closed meeting.
        4. The closed meeting must be tape recorded at the expense of the school district and the recording must be preserved for at least four (4) years.
      11. Other Meetings
        1. Other meetings shall be closed as provided by law.
    6. Procedures for Closing a Meeting
      1. The school board shall provide notice of a closed meeting just as for an open meeting. A school board meeting may be closed only after a majority vote at a public meeting. Before closing a meeting, the school board shall state on the record the specific authority permitting the meeting to be closed and shall describe the subject to be discussed.
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Quarter 2, Week 1: Nov 10 – 12

Wed [11/10] A Day ***Welcome Back and Welcome to Second Quarter***

Daily Question [Why would anyone want to live near a volcano? Answer: Soil is very rich in nutrients. As the volcanic ash and lava breaks down, potassium, phosphorus and other nutrients are released and form top soil.]

Guest Speaker – Mr. Kafle discussing Nepal and Mt. Everest

Collect Blue Worksheet – Volcano Homework

Return Quiz and allow time for corrections

Earthquake Activity

Homework: No Homework

Thurs [11/11] A Day and Friday [11/12]B Day

Daily Question [At what type of boundary are earthquakes formed? Answer: Primarily at transform boundaries, but they can also form at convergent and divergent boundaries]

Earthquake Activity

Earthquake Notes

Earthquake Simulation Website: Check out this website and see how earthquakes transfer energy through the earth

http://www.forgefx.com/casestudies/prenticehall/ph/seismic/seismic-waves-simulator.htm

Activity: Making Earthquake Resistant Models

Homework: None

November 11, 2010 | | No Comments »

Fall Ball/Spirit Week Change

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have to postpone Spirit Week and the Fall Ball at Lionsgate Academy. Spirit Week will start on Monday, November 29 and conclude on December 3, with the second annual Fall Ball. The dance will be from 6:30 – 9:00 PM.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

November 10, 2010 | | No Comments »

For Parents

I encourage parents to review the grade book (which, as a rule, is current within 2 class days –approximately 1 week), and contact me if you have concerns about whether there are missing assignments. We also update TIES so that you can see what assignments will be coming up in the next week or so. To check your student’s grades, use School View. (You will need your login and password to check grades. If you do not have this, please contact LGA administration.)

November 9, 2010 | | No Comments »
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