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2012-07-09 School Committee Minutes
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2012-07-09 School Committee Minutes
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t <br />July 9, 2012 <br />Mrs. Janowski thanked Mr. & Mrs. Young for sharing this information. <br />Reports I No Reports <br />1. Student <br />2. Liaison <br />3. Sgperintendent <br />4. Assistant Superintendent <br />B. Continued Business <br />Elementary Space Study Discussion <br />Dr. Doherty reviewed the focus of this evening's discussion. The ultimate goal is to determine <br />which direction the district should take to address the space issues at the elementary and <br />preschool levels. Areas to be discussed include Special Education Programming, Specialized <br />Classrooms for science, technology and foreign language, full day kindergarten, and integrated <br />preschool programs. The Superintendent discussed driving variables for additional space which <br />included the need in the community for full day kindergarten, increased use of the <br />Superintendent's Option when placing new students, commitment to support Fine Arts programs <br />at the elementary level, preschool expansion and an increased number of students requiring <br />special education services at the preschool level, the addition of in- district special education <br />programs since 2004 and the vision of improving STEM areas at the elementary levels. <br />The space needs are being driven by programs rather than enrollment. The addition of programs, <br />the focus on technology and the District Improvement Plan goals have put an increased need for <br />program space in our buildings. <br />Dr. Doherty reviewed the current enrollment numbers. There will be 9 full day and 7 half day <br />kindergarten classes in the fall. The RISE Preschool will have 1.5 classes at the Wood End <br />School as well. He reviewed the historical use of space pointing out that full day kindergarten <br />enrollment has increased from 77 students in 2005 to 182 students for the 2012 -13 school year. <br />The RISE Preschool enrollment has increased from 72 to 100+ students during the same <br />timeframe. Special Education programs have increased from 1 classroom to 6 classrooms as <br />well. The Superintendent stressed that the increase in enrollment and the addition of programs <br />have contributed to the space shortage. There are no available classrooms in any of the <br />elementary schools for the 2012 -13 school year. Discussion continued regarding dedicated <br />classroom space for art and music programs. The question was raised as to why these programs <br />required their own spaces. Dr. Doherty indicated that the curriculum is different when art and <br />music travel class to class versus being in their own space. When taught in their own space <br />instruction can be more a hands on experience. The instruction time is also unaffected. <br />Discussion turned to full day kindergarten. Studies have shown that full day kindergarten is <br />beneficial to students by contributing to their school readiness; it leads to higher academic <br />achievement, supports literacy and language development, prepares students for the increased <br />rigor of the common core implementation and benefits children socially and emotionally. <br />Ms. DeLai reviewed full day kindergarten in Massachusetts. Several comparable communities to <br />Reading offer free full day programs. If Reading were to move in that direction it would be <br />implemented over time. Free full day kindergarten would be phased in first at a reduced rate to <br />
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