Sharpstown High School

Principals Forum

10/28/09

Question:

Answer:

Why can’t students wear white shirts?

White is a color that is associated with a gang.  Any other color is okay for now but if colors become gang colors then they will also become off limits.  The #1 priority is the safety and security of the students.

Why can’t students go off campus?

If you are in the CATE class with a job then you can.

What is being done about Sharpstown MS not having a band program?

We are very proud of our band program and it is also a concern for Mr. Allen.  He believes in the program and building it from the ground up.  He gave Ms. Corral and extra period off to help deal with this issue.

Why are the lunches all uneven?

If it is true that more students go to B-Lunch then that needs to be addressed.  He will investigate.

Why aren’t organizations allowed to sell certain things, i.e. candy?

Nutritional guidelines that are Federal and State law prevent schools from allowing the sale of certain items during school hours.  Students and parents are encouraged to lobby congress and state legislators to change this law but Mr. Allen can do nothing about it as Sharpstown HS could be ticketed and fined.

But why are some people selling those things?  The cafeteria is selling chips and slushies and it’s not fair.

Who? Please let me know, not to punish them, but I need to stop it.  Mr. Allen will look into the cafeteria selling chips and slushies.

Why can’t students ware jeans?

Sharpstown will reward groups of students and all students are welcome to e-mail Mr. Allen requesting this reward for positive recognition to sharpstown.  Mr. Allen requested help from the students to make sure that the boys do not wear pants with their “butts hanging out” and girls not to wear too short of shorts. Students can request this reward but they need to have a sponsor of some kind.  The only exception when it comes to rewards is that he will not allow ANYTHING to compromise instructional time.

Why restrooms aren’t open, clean, and well supplies with soap, paper towels, and toilet paper?

Students should e-mail him with specifics when a there is a problem with the bathrooms and he will immediately take care of it.

Why have hall sweeps during advocacy, it’s not a real class?

Teachers should always be in the learning with you during this time.

What steps are being taken to address the dropout rate?

Many, many, many steps including: credit recovery, student tutorials, Saturday school, tutors in the classrooms…….

Why are you suspended if you miss tutorials?

Wednesday tutorials are MANDATORY not optional.

Why can’t students have off campus lunch?

There were complaints from the community and from business owners to the Houston police department and to the city.

Are band t-shirts allowed?

If it’s an official Sharpstown organization t-shirt then it can be worn on Fridays.

Why are you (Mr. Allen) at football and not at band events?

He is sorry but he has a schedule to keep.  He is very proud of the band and has been to volley ball and soccer but he is not always aware of all the events going on.

Why does band not get to ride the coach busses?

Houston ISD pays a package for coach busses only to UIL events.  The yellow bus is from the school budget and for non UIL events

Sharpstown HS needs more clubs and organizations.

Mr. Allen agrees as the more extracurricular activities students are involved in up to 4 the more likely a student is to stay in school.  Mr. Allen will support any reasonable club or organization.

There is not a sponsor for the step team.

Mr. Allen cannot force a teacher to be a sponsor.  He encourages students to approach teachers on their own and ask them to be a sponsor.

The band sponsor needs help, she is stressed out allot.

The school budget does not have the money for an extra contract person, but he has hired hourly help.

Can they fundraise by throwing lock-ins?

Yes, with a sponsor.

The band needs financial help for the band trip. The band needs more money in general. At completion they suffer because they don’t have enough instruments for the number of students.

Sharpstown spends more money per student n the band then on any other organization.  Mr. Allen agreed to meet with 6 band officers monthly.

Can you set up meetings with all clubs and organizations?

Monthly meetings to be scheduled for student council.

There is not enough time to go from class to class, only 6 minutes.

Students have 6 minutes between classes and should be able to make it easily.

In the new t-buildings the bell does not work.

If you are late for that reason then go to your dean and they will excuse you.  He apologizes for the inconvenience.

International school does not want their students to participate in SHS extracurricular activities. Students request that Mr. Allen talk to that principal nicely and get that resolved.

Mr. Allen will talk to that principal nicely and handle this situation on a professional level.

Can we change the graduation location?

The location has already been set by the district.

What about the teachers who don’t teach?

Shoot Mr. Allen an e-mail with the specifics and he will work with teachers, parents, and students address instructional issues.  The focus of SHS is teaching and learning.

The computers in the computer lab are not working.

Mr. Allen did not know this issue was occurring.  Please e-mail him because the key to school improvement is communication.

Can we get rid of the dress code?

We will always have some kind of regulation, but…
“If we are recognized or better in ALL sub-populations and grade levels he will recommend no dress code next year.”

The equipment for the commendation journalism is very old.

Will address that with the teacher.