1985-11-04 School Cimmittee Minutes

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129 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 4, 1985 Call to Order • Chairman Allen called a meeting of the Reading School Committee to order on November 4 , 1985 , at 7 : 32 p. m. , in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present except Mr. Lewis . Also present were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were over 30 visitors, including Coolidge Middle School Princi- pal Albert Lahood, members of his staff Mrs. Mary Cann, Library/Media Specialist, and Ms. Ellen Svenson, Social Studies Department Head, Food Services Director Miss Catherine Cook , many members of the Reading Schools' teaching staff, and representatives of the Finance Committee, League of Women Voters and the Daily Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of October 28 , 1985 On a motion by Mrs. Philbrick, seconded by Mr. Shannon, the minutes of the October 28 , 1985 School Committee meeting were unanimously approved. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills November 8 , 1985 - General Expense - $36,532 . 32 Payrolls November 1, 1985 —Weekly - $34 ,543 .54 November 8 , 1985 - Weekly - $28,195. 47 Citizens ' Input There was no citizens' input. School Highlights The academic spotlight was on the research skills program of the Coolidge Middle School. Making the presentation was Principal Lahood , Mrs. Cann, Ms. Svenson , and former Coolidge students Gina Silva and Ben Trevor, who are now enrolled in Reading Memorial High School. Through brief talks and a video tape, they demonstrated the approach being used to teach students how to learn. For a typical project students must narrow down their topic, establish reading targets , select a variety of research sources, set up formal note cards , make a draft, write a bibliography and edit, before finalizing their reports. The various basic skills are integrated in preparing the final Social Studies report.