1997-06-02 School Committee Minutes

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READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts School Committee Meeting REGULAR SESSION MINUTES June 2 1997 CALL TO ORDER Chair Susan Cavicchi called the regular session to order at 7:34 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams who were expected to arrive later. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards. A Reporter from the Chronicle was present. Dr. Harutunian acknowledged Eileen Litterio and her Second Grade class at the Barrow Elementary School, under the leadership of Charles Papandreou, for the drawings displayed in the Superintendent's Conference Room. The topic of the pictures is "Collect and Protect" Endangered Species Reports. He added that the Postmaster was also instrumental in the display efforts. Dr. Harutunian thanked the entire Second Grade for their pictures on endangered species. Ms. Litterio thanked Ms. Pekins and Ms. Bresnahan for their classes efforts. She also acknowledged the Reading Post Office and the administration for the computers used by students to create the display. Recognition of Coolidge Middle School Olympiad Students Dr. Harutunian commended the Coolidge Middle School Olympiad students for finishing third in the United States at their recent competition in North Carolina. He said they finished first in Massachusetts this year, last year they finished fifth and the year before they finished ninth. The Superintendent said that Reading couldn't be more proud. Principal John Doherty introduced the team of students and also announced those who were not present. Mr. Doherty conveyed a few facts to the Committee. The team was actually third place in North America. He said that 12,000 participate from the United States and Canada, 53 in the middle school level get to the national competition. We did not have any ninth graders on our team. The majority of the schools had over 1,000 students, we have 461. Mr. Doherty talked about the first and second place teams from Georgia and Pennsylvania. He talked about the teams from Michigan and Indiana and the universities they were sponsored by. Mr. Doherty said the reasons he felt Reading was successful was (1) commitment of students (2) commitment of coaching staff (3) significant amount of volunteer and parent volunteers (4) parents in the community very significant in fund raising and going on the trip. While in N. Carolina, parents were a great help with transportation of the kids between events. Mr. Doherty said this was not just a group of 29 students, it was a community effort. He said because Reading has done well for the past five years, it does not necessarily mean they will be in first or second place next year. He said he was very happy at third place. Mr. Doherty presented a plaque to Dr. Harutunian from last year when they were in fifth place. Chair Susan Cavicchi said on behalf of the School Committee, she felt they were awesome. She thanked the teachers and parents for their dedication, care and concern. She said the students seem confident and self - assured. She said the Committee was pleased with their high level of achievement