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READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS <br />Reading, Massachusetts <br />SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING <br />OPEN HEARING MINUTES JANUARY 4, 1993 <br />CALL TO ORDER <br />Chairman Matthew Cummings called the Open Hearing to order at <br />7:25 p.m. All members were present. Also present were <br />Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly and Interim Assistant Super- <br />intendent Susan Wheltle. Chairman Cummings welcomed and <br />thanked the Coolidge people and turned the meeting over to <br />Principal Al Lahood. <br />Principal Lahood introduced the Coolidge Parent Advisory <br />Council Member (PAC) Jane Giacalone, who spoke of Coolidge PAC <br />activities: <br />. fundraising for school supplies - calculators <br />. funded CD ROM for the library <br />teacher recognition activities <br />. ice cream party <br />. sunshine committee <br />. fall dance for students <br />Ms. Giacalone commented that the particular way the Coolidge <br />PAC operates builds a strong relationship between students and <br />parents and faculty. <br />HIGHLIGHTS <br />Library Media Specialist Mary Hichborn and Social Studies <br />Department Head Ellen Svensen presented information on study <br />skills units. The Coolidge Middle School Study Skills Program <br />was initiated as a pilot project for sixth graders three years <br />ago, and has been expanded to serve all three grades. The <br />faculty discussed the impact of this program on student <br />grades, test scores and achievements in class. <br />PUBLIC COMMENT <br />Comments and questions, from the community, revolved around <br />the research skills approach and its relation to critical <br />thinking, about standardized testing, and the instrumental <br />music program's legal status. <br />ADJOURNMENT <br />The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. The School Committee <br />voted unanimously to go into executive session for purposes of <br />negotiation strategy. <br />