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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-19 School Committee Minutes..� Reading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: December 19, 2011 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: Killam Library Media Center School Committee Members Present Karen Janowski David Michaud Chris Caruso Chuck Robinson Lisa Gibbs Visitors: Karen Macari, Killam Teacher Deb Dellovo, Killam Teacher Cathy Giles, Killam Principal Ellie Freedman, RMHS Principal Jen Buckley, RMHS School Psychologist Scott Gray, RMHS Team Chair Call to Order Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance and Operations Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Andrew Jeromski, Reading Patch Barbara Jones, Reading Chronicle Joanne Senders, Reading Advocate Chairperson Robinson called the School Committee to order at 7:34 p.m. He reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. Il. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Reports I 1. Student 2. Liaison Mr. Michaud announced that he would not be seeking reelection to the board, 3. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty reported on the successful lockdown drill held at the high school. Planning stages occurred over several months. A K -9 search was part of the drill as allowed by school Committee policy. The K -9 search included the search of random classrooms, corridors and common areas of the school. The Middlesex County K -9 Unit indicated that this drill was well planned and executed. ♦D December 19, 2011 4. Assistant Superintendent Mrs. de Garavilla reported on the upcoming Korean Exchange Program. There are 40 students coming to spend either 3 '/z or 7 weeks in the states. We have had great response for host families. The Chinese exchange will take place at the end of January and she is finalizing plans with the organizers of the trip. Mrs. deGaravilla also shared that we just complete the third of four Open Circle training sessions. B. Continued Business First Reading of Revised Naming of Facilities Policy Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept the first reading of revised Section F, Policy FF — Naming of Facilities or Places within or on School property. Dr. Doherty outlined the revisions to the policy that were requested by the School Committee. Mr. Caruso was does not support the criteria regarding employees or elected officials. Mr. Michaud suggested the removal of the word only in section D -3. Mrs. Janowski stated that the revisions reflect what the Naming Sub - Committee wanted. Mr. Michaud and Mrs. Gibbs recommended a wording change in section D -3. Mrs. Janowski began the first reading. Mr. Michaud moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso to waive the reading of the policy. The motion carried 5 -0. The main motion carried 5 -0. Second reading of Reading Public Schools Policy JJIF — Athletic Concussion Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept the second reading of Policy Section J, Policy JJIF— Athletic Concussion of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual and move to approve Section J, Policy JJIF— Athletic Concussion of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual. Dr. Doherty indicated that the Athletic Concussion regulations — JJIF -R will be included with the policy. He indicated that the information was recently received from MASC. The motion carried 5 -0. 'V-� December 19, 2011 C. New Business Killam Presentation Chair Robinson thanked Mrs. Giles for hosting the meeting and appreciated the building tour prior to the meeting. Mrs. Giles introduced Karen Macari and Deb Dellovo who were on hand to share information on the Daily 5 Reading Program. Mrs. Dellovo gave an overview of the Daily Five program. This program teaches children good reading habits and they are able take ownership in what is best to read and how they accomplish their reading requirements. Mrs. Dellovo introduced the Daily Five to Killam after she attended a presentation on the program. She felt it was a great way to address the literacy challenges in her classroom. She along with Mrs. Macari presented a workshop at the April Blue Ribbon Conference and other teachers in the district have been using this program for literacy skill development. Mrs. Macari outlined the advantages and challenges of the program. Advantages of this program include the fact it is aligned with the curriculum frameworks, the students are engaged in reading the whole time, the program meets the individual needs of the students, the students are engaged and invested in reading and it teaches them to pick good fit books. The biggest challenge of the program is getting started and setting up the library. The students have five options to choose from; Read to Self, Read to Someone, Listen to Reading, Writing and Daily Word Work. Mrs. Dellovo went on to discuss the children's routine. The children are allowed to find a comfortable place to read because this helps the children build their reading stamina. Each week the students are allowed to "shop" for books to replenish their bags. The students are able to recommend books to their friends and this activity also allows them to find the good fit books. These activities are aimed to make reading enjoyable for the students. They went on to discuss the five activities the students can choose to do each session. Mrs. Dellovo shared what her class typically does. When the students read to each other they can discuss the book with each other and share what they liked and didn't like about it. The students can also listen to reading using mp3 players, books on tape and other types of media. This helps them develop reading fluency and expression. The students also spend time on word work and writing skills during the Daily Five sessions. Mrs. Macari shared the Grade 2 Literacy Block lessons. The Grade 2 students are required to "read to self' in one of the 2 — % hour sessions and can chose one of the other options for the other session. They reviewed the C.A.F.E model which is comprehension, accuracy, fluency and expanding vocabulary which create the basis for reading success in our students. The teachers have seen significance in the progress of the students since introducing this initiative. There is collaboration between teachers in the same school as well as across the district. The classroom teachers and students are excited about this initiative. lq�)I December 19, 2011 The School Committee thanked Mrs. Dellovo and Mrs. Macari for providing the information and asked clarifying questions. Mr. Michaud moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to enter Executive Session to discuss the deployment of security personnel or devices, the approval of minutes and to reconvene in open session in approximately 30 minutes. The roll call vote was 5 -0. Mr. Michaud, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Robinson, Mrs. Janowski and Mrs. Gibbs. The School Committee adjourned at 8:04 p.m. Chair Robinson called open session back to order at 8:40 p.m. Behavioral Health Support Program Request Dr. Doherty turned the meeting over to Director of Student Services Alison Elmer. Ms. Elmer presented information to support the creation of the Therapeutic Support program. She reviewed the typical student profile. Students that would be supported by this program suffer from mood disorders, anxiety disorders and depression disorders. The students that will be served by this program are in Grades 9 -12, are chronically tardy or absent, may have had several hospitalizations, have a history of residential placements, are frequently therapeutically dismissed and may have participated in the "Transition Program" last year. Ms. Elmer asked Jen Buckley, RMHS School psychologist to provide an overview of the Transition program. The program targets students that may have been out of school for extended periods of time due to social/emotional issued and are in need of academic recovery to allow them to catch up in their classes. Mrs. Freedman feels it is important to address the need of these students more effectively. If the school and district can provide the needed support as soon as the need is determined and for a longer more dedicated period the more likely we will be able to keep the student in district. The current amount of support provided is inadequate for these students. It is important for the district to provide a long term solution to our students in crisis. The addition of this program is a step to that goal. Ms. Elmer reviewed the program proposal for January to June which includes hiring or contracting the service of a Licensed Social Worker, a full time teacher, the use of Virtual High school courses and consultation to program from contracted provided for program development and individual case consultation. The program would be made up of a small group of students (max. 10) to allow for small group instruction in the same location. There would be social skills instruction, individualized behavior interventions, positive behavioral supports and highly structured incentive structures and individual counseling. Ms. Elmer reviewed the out -of- district costs for placement of the students in crisis. She said it is important to address the needs in- district to avoid possible residential placements and the associated costs. The cost to establish this program for the remainder of the year will be approximately $60 -70K . Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the creation of the RMHS Therapeutic Support position and authorize the Superintendent to hire staffing for the Behavioral Health Program. The motion carried 5 -0. December 19, 2011 Approval of Field Trip London, England Dr. Doherty explained that the field trip is in place of the previously approved trip to Austria, Bavaria and Switzerland. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the RMHS field trip to London in April 2013 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated December 15, 2011. The motion carried 5-0. Ski and Snowboard Club Trips Dr. Doherty explained that the Ski and Snowboard Club is planning 3 out of state day field trips that require approval of the School Committee. Mr. Michaud moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to approve the out of state day field trips of the RMHS Ski & Snowboard Club to New Hampshire and Maine as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated December 15, 2011. The motion carried 5-0. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the open session minutes dated December 3, 2011. The motion carried 6 -0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the open session minutes dated December 5, 2011. The motion carried 6 -0. • Bids and Donations Donations Lueders Environmental, Inc. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to accept the annual donation from Lueders Environmental of $50 to be used for district professional development as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated December 15, 2011. the motion carried 5-0. Anonymous Donation Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs to accept a donation in the amount of $1,000 from an anonymous donor for the purpose of funding a guest speaker in the spring of 2012. The motion carried 5-0. December 19, 2011 Calendar Chair Robinson reminded the Committee members of the next two meeting date; January 3`d at Town Hall and January 5d' in the Conference Room. IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adiournment Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to adjourn. The motion carried 5 -0. Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. - U*4 J F. Dohe Ed.D. S4erintendent of Schools