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Ms. DaSilva supported Mr. Twomey's comments that there is a giant gulf between the <br />level l and level 2 classes. She and Ms. Commito brought up the request for support for <br />an intramural activity which would allow all students to participate in sports without <br />requiring try-outs. <br />Dr. Harutunian asked what the school could do to get the tremendous parental <br />participation we see at the elementary school level. He suggested a consistent program of <br />informing parents and workshops for parents to help parents understand how to <br />participate and work with their students. Ms. DaSilva asked about providing a "go with <br />your student" to school day. She felt that this would encourage more parental <br />involvement and help them see what the student issues are in the current classroom <br />structure and scheduling. Ms. Commito asked Mr. Harutunian to consider providing <br />conference periods at the middle schools as are help at the elementary and high school <br />levels. Mr. Orlando suggested parent education programs which could be put on cable <br />TV such as: using graphing calculators, Cornell note-taking, and setting up an appropriate <br />study environment. The idea was brought up of exchanging e-mail with teachers for <br />things like assignments, syllabus information, and other information about specific classes. <br />Ms. Macaulay mentioned that lots of parents feel insecure and don't feel that they can help <br />their students with academics. She suggested that we open up the schools at night and <br />have people available to help students and parents with homework and projects. Also <br />during this period, parents could help other parents as well as community members help <br />parents and students. <br />Mr. Meharg said that he felt that it was important to get students involved in outside <br />activities to help them organize themselves. Clubs, perhaps run by retirees, would help <br />bring in the community. <br />A suggestion was made that adults be able to attend high school classes along with <br />students classes they missed while they were in high school or classes they are now <br />interested in. <br />A discussion ensued about students providing community service. Mr. Orlando talked <br />about a program where high school students practiced job schools at the home of seniors <br />in the community such as construction skills, yard work elementary plumbing, <br />wallpapering, and painting. Mr. Orlando thought that we are about 3 years behind where <br />we should be, and that it would take about 3 years to make community service a <br />graduation requirement. Mr. Meharg suggested a gold seal, tassel, or some other <br />recognition device be presented to seniors at graduation for a certain number of hours of <br />community service. He felt that this should be an award, a certificate, or some mark on <br />the student's transcript. <br />Ms. Macaulay feels strongly that all students need to learn how to organize their time. <br />- Ms. Cavicchi suggested that instead of community service, an issues hotly debated within <br />the School Committee, high school students need more course like civics, sociology, and <br />