1998-02-10 School Committee Minutes

Home Browse Search

School Highlights Page 2 February 10, 1998 Dr. Harutunian said he would be interested in having volunteers work in his office. He thought it would be beneficial if students volunteered at the other six schools for: afternoon programs, reading programs and enrichment programs. He suggested having the five students attend a principals meeting to give their presentation on community service. Principal Orlando suggested having each high school class adopt an elementary school. He said this would break down barriers between students and schools. He said a lot of students receive bad press in town through the newspaper and this program would certainly improve that. Dr. Harutunian added that eighth graders have anxiety about high school, if students came from the high school to the middle schools that would also break down barriers. He said that students in the middle schools look up to the high school students. Ms. Cavicchi said the school committee has had discussions about making community service a student requirement. She said she was glad the students felt community service was an important issue. She was in favor of seeing it introduced on the elementary level. Chair Twomey said in the big picture of things, what each student gets out of this themselves is what's important. He said the trick will be to convince others to participate as well. Ms. Von Euw mentioned the Andover community service program and how well received it has been there. She said they hope to attract a wide variety of students which may take awhile but she felt it would catch on in Reading. Assistant Principal Finigan said you need to think big when you start small. He said there is good in all students, even students on detention have made volunteer contributions. Ms. Cavicchi said the school committee discussed making community service a school committee goal and decided not to. She said a lot of students do not know what the school committee is or who the board of selectman are and what they do. She suggested a civic portion be devoted to community service so the students can have a broader knowledge of town government. Ms. D'Antona said the impetus for this is coming from the students and it is a positive program about students coming together. She questioned whether students new what community service was. Mr. Rulison agreed that not all students consider some of their volunteering involvements as community service. He gave an example of a student who responded to the survey saying he did not do community service and he knew him personally and new that he had done service at the cable studio. Ms. D'Antona said that is why the directory is a good idea. Mr. Stohlman referred to the handout from the Stoneham high school where credits are given for community service, he asked if that was being considered in Reading. Principal Orlando said some of that is being done now. He said over time he sees that as something that may develop. Manpower and proper adult supervision need to be addressed. He said that staff members are willing to support this program. He said this will be discussed at the meeting tomorrow. He reiterated what Assistant Principal Finigan said that we need to start out slowly. Principal Orlando said that these five students are the best advertisement for community service. He felt it is an evolving program. He said he truly appreciated the work of this group of students has done and he congratulated them.