2013-04-23 School Committee Minutes

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April 23, 2013 • The National Honor Society will be participating in the spring clean-up of the RMHS campus as part of their service requirement • AP test coming up • 18 days left for the senior class 2. Liaison Mrs. Janowski read the following statement from Mrs. Gibbs. "During the week of April vacation, I had the distinct privilege of chaperoning the seventh grade students from Coolidge attending Nature's Classroom. Ms. dennalee Anderson, English teacher, organized the entire trip and was in charge while we were there. The students learned a great deal about their surroundings and science and history while there during this once -in -a lifetime - opportunity as seventh graders. As the horrific events unfolded on Marathon Monday, Ms. Anderson never waivered in her commitment to the safety and emotional well -being ofall students, despite the fact that she herself had family and friends who work and live within a block of the finish line. During that week, Ms. Anderson kept her eye on the ball even as her city was under attack and while she struggled with her own emotion, the students never for one second knew anything was wrong or had happened in Boston Ms. Anderson did everything she could to prevent anythingfrom marring the memories of the week for all the students. When it came time to depart for Reading on Friday, Ms. Anderson needed to tell the students that something had happened because we knew that the shelter in place signs were all over the highway and the students would see them on our ride home. With admirable stoicism, on each bus, she told the students what had happened and that everyone they love was safe and that their families would be able to give them all the details when they gat home to Reading. One student in the METCO program was particularly upset, and Ms. Anderson told her she was as well, as Boston is her home too, and they would figure it out together as far as logistics getting home that day. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Ms. Anderson and her love for her charges and the gravity with which she carried out her responsibilities in the face of uncertainty for her own family and loved ones. I am grateful that Ms. Anderson is in our employ and is with our students each and everyday. In the face of tragedy, I will hold Ms. Anderson in my mind as the standard by which to conduct myselfwith my own students and hope that I can live up to her example. " Respectfully submitted, Lisa Gibbs, Parent and School Committee Member 3. Director of Student Services Ms. Elmer reported that the PAC is hosting a presentation on April 24. She also shared that RCASA will be hosting a presentation in June. 4. Assistant Superintendent 5. Superintendent