Attending
Amy Walker, Jane Dodge, Syeda Amina, Jeff Shepherd, Ashish Naran, Kelly Constantinetis, Wayne Tindle, Lesley Hubbard, Don Shupe, Pat Hill, Kathy Chontos, Doug Foster, Wilda Whitley, Jason Steele, Jenna

Guests: Nancy Spainhour – Director Career Technical Education with Pitt County
Leigh Mobley – ADHS Administrative Intern
Megan Kirkpatrick – WCPSS Business Alliance Coordinator
Denise Maeyaert – BA Chair for Sanderson High School
Bree Pentilla – Chair of the Wake Tech Web Design Program, representing Witold Sieradzan

Introduction of newest Alliance member
Jason Steele, Financial Planning with Morgan Keegan

March Meeting Review – Amy Walker

• Review of March meeting minutes
• Announcement that “Alliance Notes” is ready for distribution

CDC Review – Jane Dodge

• Distributed yellow sheet with overview of recent events
• Future 4 Kids kickoff assembly held 3/25. 190 students have signed up for access to web site.
• Showed video from the recent Xtreme Beginnings program
• Lesley Hubbard with NCSU recently spoke to Jane’s class
• Introduced Jenna. She will be joining the Alliance. She is a rising Senior. Jenna is active with the NC Theatre Kids on Broadway program and is presently appearing in “Chess.”

Student Survey Results – Syeda Amina
Conducted student survey on 4/5. Student suggestions:

• More equipment for ATV.
• Better maintenance on water fountains.
• Better art work around the school.
• Make field trips to different businesses.
• Help students learn more about different colleges and how to apply; grants and loans. Not many students know about colleges / universities.
• Since Athens is a very diverse High School, you should make an International Club. The club should basically be about people from different religions and customs. Anybody can be a member of the International Club.
• Improve business education for the underclassmen.
• We should have better computers.
• Athens should have more clubs and more activities.
• There should be a talent show at Athens once a year. The winners should be given prizes, which are from different businesses.
• Get more speakers to promote being more successful in life.
• Businesses can help out to make new uniforms for the different sport teams at Athens.
• Big recycling bins should be placed in the cafeteria.
• Have a variety of speakers come to Athens from different businesses, colleges and universities to talk to student about their business, college or university.

The Steering Team will review these suggestions and will bring forth those which the Alliance can assist, per our mission statement.

Projected Course Schedule for forthcoming school year – Pat Hill
Distributed ADHS course listing to familiarize Alliance members of the classes given. Members are to review and identify potential areas in which the Alliance can assist. Please note that all classes will not be taught, will be based on the number of students who register for each class. Pat Hill will advise of actual courses that will be taught.

Meeting with ADHS department heads – Amy Walker
Did short presentation during 5/14 department head meeting. Objective was to familiarize them with desire to have a “summit” with five to six teachers to discuss their needs and wants. Idea was well received. Ultimate goal of summit is to gain fresh ideas for the Alliance as we prepare for the forthcoming school year and provide teachers what they need as it related to the Alliance mission.

Impact of Block Scheduling – Kathy Chontos
Block scheduling has impacted the teachers tremendously. They are faced with teaching the same material in less time, while having students for an extended class period time. The aim of the teachers is preparing students for end-of-year testing. Teachers have been overwhelmed and therefore opportunities for the Alliance have been somewhat limited compared to previous years.
With one year of block scheduling past them, teachers should begin to feel less overwhelmed and more open to Alliance resources and participation. Per Kathy, it typically takes three years for teachers to totally acclimate to the block schedule. When meeting with the teachers for the “summit,” it will be important to hear their challenges with the block scheduling in relationship to Alliance activities.

BELC Celebration
The BELC end of the year celebration will be held May 5th from 8:00a – 9:30a at the One Renaissance Center at 3301 Benson Drive, Raleigh. Benson Drive is located behind the North Raleigh Hilton, off of St. Albans Drive. RSVP to Megan Kirkpatrick at 850-1873 or mkirkpatrick1@wcpss.net

Next Alliance meeting will be held Friday, May 21st