1985-05-06 School Cimmittee Minutes

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54 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 6, 1985 conducted by the school nurses, speech and language therapists, school psychologist, teacher aides and kindergarten teachers. Prospective kindergart- ners are observed in small groups and given the opportunity to visit classrooms they will be placed in when they start school. All test results are reviewed by the screening team to determine the children's levels of ability and insure that individual needs will be met. If screening results show further testing should be done parents are notified immediately. Mr. Farnham explained that because children often change and mature during the summer months, further screening is done in the fall after they have had time to become comfortable in their surroundings. After several questions from the School Committee, Chairman Allen thanked Mr. Farnham and his staff members for their presentation. Student Advisory Committee Mr. D'Orlando introduced Mrs. Mirkin and Student Advisory Committee (SAC) members Patricia Callaghan, Susan Nordberg, Lisa Rotondo, Richard Byron, William DeCoste, and Kenneth Lento. Mrs. Mirkin noted that five of the six students were seniors so this would be their last visit to the School Committee as members of SAC. Miss Callaghan said the group had met that day to discuss what they would talk about when they met with the School Committee and one thing they wanted to note was the great improvement in the Guidance Department , due in a large part to Mrs. Mirkin's leadership. Among ideas broached by SAC members were the possibility of eliminating final examinations for Seniors who have an "A-" or better grade in a course; advancing to later than eighth grade the time when students must decide whether to enter vocational school; and placing more emphasis on how valuable a vocational school education can be to some students. There was a lively exchange between SAC and School Committee members on the above topics. Chairman Allen then announced that he recently had the pleasure of attending a banquet, sponsored by the Wakefield Elks Club, honoring outstanding teenagers in the area. Among those honored were Reading Memorial High School students Patricia Callaghan, Karen Collari, Timothy O'Connor, Christina Harris, and Susan Nordberg. Mrs. Mirkin explained that these students were voted by their peers in the Senior Class to be the outstanding students of the year during elections held five different months during the year. On behalf of the Committee Chairman Allen thanked the students for an interesting discussion and wished them luck in future endeavors. Lease Renewal Mr. Winslow said that the lease for the Central Office, 34 Gould Street, expires May 17th and that the owners are willing to continue the lease under the existing terms for another year, with a six-month option.