New officers elected to advisory committee

SHUNGOPAVI - Danny Joseph is the new president of the Hopi High School Parent Advisory Committee (PAC), Robert Miguel is vice president and Jaselyn Shulavitchie is the secretary.

The Hopi High PAC elected its officers during the September meeting with about 30 people attending.

During the PAC meeting, Superintendent Paul Reynolds, Hopi High Principal Glenn Gilman and Hopi Junior High Principal Albert Sinquah gave reports.

Dr. Reynolds said the school has been working with U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl to obtain a stand-alone junior high school building. He added that they will need the support of PAC as they seek a junior high building.

Reynolds also announced that the alternative school building has arrived and should be operating by the second week in October. This is for students who need credits in order to graduate.

He said the alternative school will have the Novanet computerHopi Junior High Principal Sinquah announced that 20 junior high students will be attending a Native American youth leadership conference at Arizona State University-West Oct. 18-20. The high school will also be sending about 20 students.

Parent Valentine Joseph said she didn't think four minutes between bells is enough time for students to get to class on time. Sinquah responded that it is enough time if students plan their way to get to class.

Kay Lowe, junior high academic counselor, said getting to class on time teaches students responsibility.

"If we don't teach that now, then when? The lower grades do it and the amount of tardies have been decreasing," she said.

Robert Miguel, vice president of PAC after serving the last two terms as president, said parents need to be involved whether the issues involve tardies, bullying or fighting.

Miguel praised the three administrators who have open door policies for talking to parents about school issues.

"I thank the administrators for doing their part to help us help them," he said.

Miguel said one parent raised a question about bus drivers not dropping students off at the right places.

Gilman responded that the correct protocol is to get in touch with transportation director Lyle Laban if there is a bus issue. He said if the parents don't get satisfaction from Laban then they should contact the appropriate principal.

Gilman also said the protocol for finding out about a fight between students is to contact the dean of students.

Miguel said he was concerned about fights, adding that most of the fights that he learned about were at the junior high school.

Sinquah responded that the majority of the fights were due to gossip.

"They're doing exactly what we taught them," he said.

Valentine Joseph said security guards should be placed in every hallway.

Sinquah said a partnership between the home, the community and school is needed to address the problem.

Gilman said the school is looking into getting cameras for the hallways, which would cost the school an estimated $60,000-$80,000.