CEO Highlights Per School
Elementary School

• ELH held another great staff breakfast with the ES team this month; heard their reflections on recent bigger conversations (more later – early release Fridays, EDP/YRP) directly
• Big news from the ES – the new upper ES playground is complete! Kids' faces were so happy, and they are maximizing every inch of the new turf space. H. Darilek reflected that, sadly, she can’t watch them play on the big track/soccer field anymore. But happily this gives her an excuse to get out to the playground more often.

Middle School

• House Days: to build culture, every MS student is a member of one of two houses (green and blue). Last Friday, the MS students had the first house day of 2017. The elective/specials team coordinated the day with a Black History theme. Students rotated through engaging activities focused on history, art, dance, and games. H. Darilek wasn’t there because she was at REES but she heard great feedback and knows that the MS teachers who were at REES were sad to miss it.

High School

• Last Monday, ELH hosted a cross-campus Haynes Family Team evening focused on student recruitment. 
• The highlight of the evening for H. Darilek, and the family members she talked to, were our HS seniors. They shared their experiences and why they loved the school.
• We also saw these and other students giving MS students tours through Shadow Days.

 
Key Updates

Student Recruitment – ELH is working hard to support parents in their decision making.

Facilities Update – Berm construction is nearly complete. We are waiting for sod and trees (to plant when the ground is warm enough), and finalizing signage for Kansas Ave.

Early Release Fridays – We are getting feedback from staff at each campus and it opens a larger question about the calendar in the future.  H. Darilek will keep Trustees updated. 

Extended Day – We have determined several options based on Springboard’s current performance.  These options include ELH taking back some of the Extended Day internally and leaving Aftercare with Springboard. 

• T. Wincup asked what gives us confidence that Springboard can even do before and after care.
• H. Darilek described the parent committee input and also working through a longer-term strategy.  There are not a lot of after-care providers in ELH parents’ price range.

Class of 2017 Academic Updates (not cohort)

• On track to graduate = Passing all the courses they need to pass AND completing community service.
• Passing all the courses they need to pass – 64% (78% for all but one class), compared to 84% (2016) and 32% (2015). We are on a push to end the quarter and we have plans for every student not currently on track.
• Community service – 43% already completed 100 hours (44% last year); 67% have 50+ hours (12% last year).
• J. Edelman asked what is driving the lower pass rate for the Class of 2017. 
• H. Darilek shared that it is more students' “will” than “skill” and later in the year students’ motivation increases.

 School Review – We’ve emailed School Review committee members about a potential date; initial responses have not been strong. We will make a final decision within the week about whether or not the review will happen this year.

 

• H. Darilek has designated a new committee at the school to focus on the following items: 1) drafting the ELH equity stance and what it means in our community; 2) include at least two board members; and 3) have committee members continue to lead discussions across the School community.
• A. Smith asked for Board members to both 1) attend REES, and 2) be a part of the monthly Race and Equity Committee meetings.  
• A. Smith will ask each Board member to answer a set of questions on “what does diversity and equity mean to ELH and the Board?” as prep work for a significant time at the June Board retreat.
• M. Hall asked if there is parent participation in the Race & Equity Committee.  H. Darilek said not at this time.  There is an elementary school “bookclub” on this issue and it may be a place to start the parent conversation and expand to a Haynes “Parent Team.”

• M. McDonough described the positive end-of-year trends in annual giving and longer term cultivation strategy in 2017.

• M. McDonough shared an update on potential honorees.   
• M. McDonough asked Board members to please confirm their level of support both for the Annual Fund as well as for Toast outreach. 

• S. Kershow reported that ELH Kansas Avenue Inc. has been randomly chosen to be audited by the IRS.
• A facilities member (M. Hall) will be added to the Finance Committee.
• S. Kershow reviewed potential changes to the current budget based on reconciliation.
• H. Darilek reviewed the process for the SY 2017-2018 planning and budget that aligns to Vision 2020.