VENICE HIGH SCHOOL

School Advisory Council

February 11, 2008

(January 14, 2008 meeting was cancelled).

 

 

The monthly SAC meeting for Venice High School was held in the Media Center with the following present:  Candace Millington, Lisa Callaghan, Andy Britton, Leslie Bachtel, Wade Swikle, Crystal Miller, Ken Gehrls, Steve Dembinski, Greg Miller, and John Jefferson.

 

Guests Present:  Jeanette Donohue, Marilyn Ruthardt, Kim Kindell, and Carole Losey.

 

Lisa Callaghan, Chair, presided over the meeting’s scheduled Agenda

 

Marilyn Ruthardt, Internship Coordinator gave an overview of the successful VHS internship program that boasts fifty-four interns between: HELP; Life Science; Science Engineering; Visual Performing Arts and BIT. Being an intern takes hard work, dedication and responsible behavior.  An intern, when applying, must sign an Oath of Responsibility and Confidentiality Statement, in addition to a very detailed Executive Intern Application.  Quite often, besides taking care of academic business, the intern must put in hours after school and on weekends.  However, the chance to experience, shadow and work towards a goal you have set for your post-secondary future is well worth it according to student evaluations.  The final project is a presentation summarizing the students’ experiences as an Executive Interns.

 

Carole Losey, Life Science, SLC Coordinator gave an overview of the progress of the sixteen interns placed in health care settings that she is overseeing.  Six students are working at Venice Regional Medical Center.  One student is shadowing at Doctor’s Hospital.  Four students are interning at Physical Therapy offices.  Two students are with Greg Miller of Florida West Coast Physical Therapy.  Three students are in private medical practices offices, including: Dr. Mimh & Kahn (Pediatrics); Dr. Wolpmann (GYN) and Dr. Miller (Family Practice).  One student is interning at Beacon House and one student is at Dr. Prosser (Chiropractor).  All interns are trained on confidentiality, HIPAA and VRMC which is a checklist that mirrors teen volunteer expectations.

 

SAC applauded the efforts and participation in HOSA.  Ten students competed in the regional competition last week  and all ten placed in the “Top 3” of their category and will go on to a state competition.

 

Jeanette Donohue gave SAC members and guests a copy of the new SLC brochure featuring the Academies and their missions; pathways; internship possibilities, career possibilities and contacts.  She also presented a new Internship Flyer.  John Ryan offered to have 1500 copies of the flyer inserted into the Chamber’s newsletter.  Jeanette also reported on her Business Partners’ Luncheon with Steve Boone, Attorney; Debbie LaPinska,  PGT; Jim Clinch, Robert’s Insurance and representing the Chamber of Commerce: Don Hay, Barney Smith, David Pierce and John Ryan.  All in attendance were interested in supporting the SLC concept.

 

John Johnson suggested that we explain the SLC and Interning opportunities to the Venice Business League at a breakfast held at the Habitat for Humanity, Ogden Road, 7:45-9:00 A.M., February 20, 2008. 

 

Kim Kindell, Director of the Rotary Futures Program gave an overview of the program which is celebrating its sixth year on the VHS campus.  The overwhelming support from the school, students, parents, business partners and community is directly responsible for the success of Rotary Futures.  In addition, four SAC members are also Rotary Future Board Members: Andy Britton, Lisa Callaghan, Greg Miller, and Ken Gehrls; their support is also instrumental in our success.  Kim continued by reminding SAC that the sixth annual College Night will be held on Monday, March 3, 2008 at 6:00 P.M. in the north gym (VHS).  We expect over fifty-five universities, colleges, and technical institutes to be present. Volunteers are needed.

 

Senior Awards Night will be Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. in the auditorium.  As in the past, SAC members are very appreciated for volunteering to be presenters.  Last year, VHS seniors received 1.1 million dollars in private and institutional scholarships and another 2.2 million dollars in Bright Futures scholarships.

 

SAC presented certificates, candy and flowers as tokens of their appreciation for the time, effort and dedication of Marilyn Ruthardt, Carole Losey, Jeanette Donohue, and Kim Kindell.

 

Bill Mowry, Assistant Principal, pointed out the location of the new Wellness Center on the VHS Campus. It is slated to open this fall (August of 2008).  Some conversation pursued about the rebuild of VHS.  Candy said she attended a Capital Funding meeting and one of the options for the rebuild which is still on the table is to borrow the money.  The School Board is expected to come to a decision about that in the near future.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

 

Next meeting: March10, 2008