February 1, 2017

Time: 4:00 pm
Place: BCCHS Library Conference Room

Present: Ken Frazier, Chair
Reverend Steve Zabrocki, Parish Representative
Carlos Arce
Leo O’Brien
Mary Susan Fishbaugh
Ashley Harada
Ryan Huppert
Brittney Souza
A. J. Miller
Shaun Harrington, BCS President
Superintendent Timothy Uhl
Jan Haider, Foundation President
Kaitlin Overton, Finance Officer
Shel Hanser, Principal BCCHS
Levi Osborn, Teacher BCCHS & Students

Opening Prayer: Shaun

Approval of  Minutes: Vote: Mary Susan made a motion to approve the minutes from January 18, 2017. Carlos seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

Apple School Manager
Presentation: Levi Osborne and a few of his students gave a presentation on technology and iPads in the classroom. Each teacher uses the iPads differently. A lot of time is freed up in the classroom with the use of technology. Homework is generally saved for bigger projects.

Classroom technology management use to be scary. Apple Classroom is an app that allows the teacher to see what is on each student’s iPad and also gives them some control of the iPads. A student can be sent an individual reminder to refocus on the topic without the other students knowing it took place. It is also beneficial for the teacher to not have to physically speak to the student and disrupt the class. The iPads give the teacher leverage if students are not on task because they can take them away and make the students go back to pen and paper which is a very good control method. The students do not like doing things the “old fashioned way”.

The Apple Classroom app also gives the instructor the power to lock students into particular apps, like a test, so the students are unable to research answers on the internet. The Apple Classroom app also does all of the grading and the answers can be seen instantly to help disaggregate data. Without the app, the teacher may not notice if all of the students missed the same question which has implications for instruction.

When students are away from school they can access the lessons and do homework they are missing. The instructor can see what time the homework was submitted. Levi puts a lesson stop time of midnight so the class won’t be doing their lessons in the middle of the night. Classmates can share notes and collaborate with each other but there is a line drawn between collaboration and cheating.

Students have to write out assignments, even if on the iPad, to keep a focus on penmanship. Other schools do not have the technological advantage that BCS has. Notability is an app that allows the students to take notes and organize their lessons. Moodle combines BCS technology with outside programs. Remind is a program that allows the teacher to communicate with the students and remind them when a lesson is due. Students are not on their school iPads all of the time but usually have their cellphones so communication is usually sent to their personal phones.

Zero Period classes at MSU-Billings are done entirely online. It is very time consuming for a teacher to get the technology set up but once it is done, countless hours are saved in the classroom. The staff is aware that some students need a book and paper. Technology does enable the instructor to teach a student at their own level for subjects without slowing down the rest of the class.

Foundation Update: There was no report this week.

Business Committee Report: There was no report this week.

Marketing/Enrollment Report: There was no report this week.

Catholic Culture Committee
Report: There was no report this week.

President’s Report: New Board Member: Alexandra McCready has been approved by the Bishop as a School Board member. Her first meeting will be February 15th.

Tuition Implementation Report: The families have been very comfortable with the change in tuition once the staff answers their questions. Three percent or less is the typical tuition increase from last year which also covers the increased cost of doing business. Many parents are pleased with the new process. Please let the office know if you hear of concerns so the staff can contact the parent.

Work Study Program: One of the things discussed at the Business Committee meeting was the possibility of having a work study program for 11th or 12th grade students. The technology department and the Administration accounting department could use some assistance. The tasks would be generic and would involve about 4 students per semester. They could obtain skills that would be good on a resume or college application and they would earn tuition discounts. Part of the requirement is that the student be in financial need and has filled out a SmartAid application for documentation.

Catholic Schools Week and Mass: Friday morning is the All School Mass and Awards at 9:30 am. It would be nice to have Board members there to assist with award distribution.

New Business: St. Francis Primary had an appreciation day for firefighters, EMTs, police, sheriffs, school board members and priests at their open house from 9:30 am until 11:00 am Thursday, February 2nd. It was very well attended and a great experience for all. The kids made little books for those in attendance and the interactions were great to see.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 5:10 pm to attend Discovery Night.
Respectfully Submitted: Shaun Harrington, Billings Catholic Schools President