1998-02-10 School Committee Minutes

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Reading Public Schools School Committee Minutes School Highlights February 10, 1998 The meeting began at 7:42 p.m. in the Media Center at the Reading Memorial High School. All School Committee members were present with the exception of Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Williams. Superintendent Harutunian was also present. Principal Orlando of Reading Memorial High School welcomed the members of the PTO, School Committee and School Council. Principal Orlando said the five seniors present are part of Mr. Tom Darrin's social studies class who have been working with Assistant Principal Finigan on a community service program. Mr. Orlando said these are five quality students who have made positive contributions to the high school. He said that a meeting will be held tomorrow discussing community service as a graduation requirement. Assistant Principal Finigan welcomed everyone and explained the community service presentation the students were about to give. He said this is a project the seniors wanted continued after they graduate. He said their goal was to create life -long learners. He felt the legacy the seniors will leave this year is what can they give back to the community. He said these five students have worked hard in their classes and are students everyone should be proud of They realize that it is important to give back. He introduced the five seniors: Laura Doucette, Kevin Downey, Steve Rulison, Mary Von Euw and John Walsh. He said there were two students who were unable to attend. The students began their presentation. Ms. Von Euw said the idea came from a first semester project where they needed to attack and solve a community problem. Mr. Downey said the idea came from Mr. Darrin's class. Ms. Von Euw said they wanted to involve students who haven't had the opportunity to do community service. Mr. Downey said they wanted to establish a clearing house. Ms. Von Euw said they wanted to see that people who did community got recognized for it. It was decided to do a survey to students. Mr. Rulison said they were surprised at the results. One thousand surveys were sent out and 500 were returned. Seventy -five percent said they are either doing community. service or would like to. Sixty percent said they wanted to join. He noted a couple of comments made on the survey (1) students wanted to do more and did not know how and (2) some wanted to do service during school hours. He noted that the interest was not just seniors, many were underclassman. Ms. Doucette explained the need for a directory because many students did not know what community service was available. With a directory students could see their different options and interests. In addition, she said they are in the process of writing to the Chronicle of Reading for additional options for community service. Mr. Walsh talked about the importance of passing the torch on to future students. Mr. Downey said there is a display in the hallways at the high school. Ms. Von Euw talked about the enthusiasm of underclassman. She said they are seeking, with Mr. Orlando's help, a way to track the hours students spend doing community service during the school year so they can be rewarded at the end of the year. One option used in another town are timecards which are signed by a supervisor then the executive board would keep track of all hours. Ms. Doucette said this should benefit the National Honor Society students for their required 40 hours. Ms. Von Euw explained that this program will also benefit students that may not be the top students in their class but a able to make a significant contribution. Mr. Downey said it is a goal of this program that the volunteers can continue this type of service in their lives. Ms. Von Euw handed out two sheets from Stoneham and Watertown high schools about the community service programs. Principal Orlando talked about two high schools, Belmont and Watertown, where is it a requirement for students to do community service. He said in Woburn it is administered through the Superintendent's office. He also mentioned Newburyport, Stoneham and Wakefield and their programs. He said the biggest obstacle is tracking and the best solution is to keep it simple. Mr. Orlando said one of the important aspects of this program is that students who may never get on the honor role are recognized for their community service. He said this program is one that strikes the heart of the human spirit.