Photo by Monique Schoenfeld, Town Crier
Kelly Hawkes, president of the Community Advisory Committee at Los Altos High, said the parent-community group will focus on providing parents with more educational resources this year.
Town Crier Staff Writer
Incoming high school freshmen aren't the only ones who feel overwhelmed by their new school's unfamiliar halls, long rows of lockers and multitude of classes. Just ask Los Altos parent Nancy Wildanger.
When her eldest daughter entered Los Altos High School four years ago, Wildanger said she was "completely lost." Wildanger said she didn't know much about the school's day-to-day happenings, which electives would be most beneficial to her daughter or how to motivate her daughter to achieve to the best of her ability.
"Most kids just don't share enough stuff with their parents. You hear all kinds of things, good and bad," Wildanger said.
Then Wildanger discovered the high school's Community Advisory Committee - an organization of parents, teachers and residents that meets once a month to discuss school policies and academic issues.
Wildanger described the committee as the only place to find out "what was really going on" at the school.
"It's really a good forum for parents who feel too intimidated about going straight to the principal or for parents who get little feedback from their kids," Wildanger said. "The meetings get you in touch and clarify issues. It's a good sounding board."
Started by parents more than 15 years ago, the committee is dedicated solely to academic issues, Wildanger said. Because there is no cost or membership requirements, any resident may participate at the meetings, she said.
Wildanger said the meetings are well attended, sometimes attracting as many as 70 participants.
"These are not parents who drop off their kids at school, and you never see them again," Wildanger said about the group. "These parents know teachers are the ones hired, but they want to have some input in what's being accomplished in their (children's) lives."
Kelly Hawkes, committee president, said he got involved with the advisory committee last year when he had concerns about the literature selection for his child's English class and some content in a health class. Hawkes said he had heard that the committee was the place "to put ideas out and bend the ear of administrators.
"We obviously are not the policy makers, but our concerns are being listened to," he said. "(Issues) don't change overnight, but I believe we are moving in the right direction."
Hawkes said each meeting focuses on a different topic decided upon by parents or the committee. He said the forums often include guest speakers and end with an overview from principal David Brazer about what's happening on campus
He said committee goals for this year include making more resources available to parents and improving the scholarship of students. He said this year's meetings have already included discussions on how to help students improve their study skills and changes in the University of California admission requirements to the content of new high school courses.
Hawkes said he believes the entire school community benefits from the meetings. Parents gain resources and teachers often follow up with workshops that reinforce what was discussed at a meeting, he said.
Hawkes said not every issue is resolved, but "I can guarantee that there's always two opinions for every topic. We're a well represented group."
The next Community Advisory Committee meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 26, in Room 215 at Los Altos High School, 201 Almond Ave.
For more information, call 941-3334.