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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-21 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: May 21, 2012 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: Wood End Cafeteria School Committee Members Present Karen Janowski Hal Croft Chuck Robinson Lisa Gibbs Chris Caruso Rob Spadafora Visitors: Richard Davidson, Wood End Principal Sally Mucica, Wood End Teacher Elena Raffa, Wood End Teacher Terry Pailes, Wood End Reading Specialist Joanne Alvarez, RMHS Teacher Call to Order Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance & Operations Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Ashley Testa, Student Representative Garrison Doodlesack, Student Representative Conner Traugot, Student Representative Barbara Jones, Reading Chronicle Russ Graham Bob Beckman, PSST David Michaud Chairperson Robinson called the School Committee to order at 7:34 p.m. He reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. Chair Robinson thanked Principal Davidson for hosting this evening's meeting. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Reports I 1. Student Mr. Traugot reported on the upcoming School Council and Class officer elections. Ms. Testa updated the Committee on the senior activities. Mr. Doodlesack reported that the spring seasons were winding down and several of our teams won league championships. May 21, 2012 2. Liaison Mrs. Gibbs reported on the recent School Games Day held in Malden. Reading had the largest contingent at the games. It was a great event. 3. Superintendent Superintendent Doherty updated the School Committee on the upcoming meeting schedule. A meeting has been added on June 11 with one agenda item — a report from frank Locker on the Elementary Space Study. June 4th will include honoring of retirees and staff with 10 and 20 years of service. The Superintendent updated the School Committee on the Wood End Principal search. He went on to recognized Ms. DeLai and Mrs. Morello for their recent appointments as Vice - President of their professional organizations. Dr. Doherty also recognized Ms. Testa and Ben Weinreb for being recognized as outstanding students at the recent MVSA luncheon. He then thanked Ms. Testa and Mr. Doodlesack for the year of service as the student representatives to the School Committee. 4. Director of Finance and Operation Ms. DeLai updated the Committee on the Assistant Principal for Athletics and Extra - Curricular Activities search. She said the Screening Committee interviewed 1 I candidates and will be recommending 4 pre - finalists to the Superintendent. B. Continued Business C. New Business Naming of Facilities Sub - Committee Report Mr. Russ Graham, Chair of the sub - committee reported on the recent meeting to review the current year nominations. There were 2 nominations to consider but the sub - committee was concerned about the low number of nominations and discussed ideas to possibly reach more of the community. The sub - committee voted to move the William Endslow Performing Arts Center nomination forward for the School Committee vote. They did not feel the nomination for Rocket Stadium provided enough information and support for such a large area to be considered. Mr. Bob Beckman spoke on behalf of the Parents Supporting Student Theatre for the Endslow nomination. Mr. Endslow is a dedicated and innovative educator who is all about the kids and community. He has used theatre to teach many life lessons beyond the stage. He truly deserves this honor. Mr. Croft would like the PSST to look into a plaque that would list Mr. Endslow's qualities. Mr. Spadafora asked some clarifying questions regarding the sub - committee process. May 21, 2012 Wood End Presentation (Out of Order Dr. Doherty wanted to publically thank Richard Davidson for his 25 years of dedicated service to the Reading Public Schools. Mr. Davidson provided a brief overview of the evening's presentation and turned it over to Terry Pailes, Reading Specialist. Ms. Pailes reviewed the Response to Intervention (RTI) approach used at the Wood End School for the reading program. It is a multi- tiered approach to identify students and provide appropriate support for students in need. The children are placed in "book clubs" with students that are at the same reading levels. She reviewed the tiers of the instructional model. Tier one starts with the core reading curriculum and all students are screened to determine their individual baselines. Students are screened periodically to ensure they are progressing as expected. Students that are not making adequate progress are identified and provided with additional support (Tier 2 Targeted Interventions). Students identified as not making the desired progress are then moved to Tier 3 (Intensive Interventions and Comprehensive Evaluation). At this tier students receive individualized, intensive intervention that targets their areas of concern. Benefits from this program include the identification of students that need additional support early therefore potentially reducing the Special Education referrals. Sally Mucica, first grade teacher, reviewed the reading program at the first grade level. Students are put into flexible reading groups. This allows teachers to address the needs of students at all levels of learning. The students switch classes for their reading groups. Students enjoy this portion of the day. Elena Raffa reviewed several activities the children participate in during the reading time. A students needs can be specifically addressed whether it is word/letter identification, phrases or word and letter sounds. Skills development is made fun using games to reinforce skills. Parent volunteers are invaluable to the RTI model enabling teachers to break large groups into smaller ones. Chair Robinson thanked the Wood End teachers for presenting this evening. Spanish Exchange Program Joanne Alvarez provided an overview of the proposed exchange program. RMHS has participated in this program and would like to continue to provide this exceptional opportunity for students. She thanked the School Committee for the continual support of all travel opportunities. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski to approve the proposed Spanish School Exchange Program as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated May 17 2012 The motion carried 6 -0. Extended Day Presentation Ms. Calandrella, Extended Day Director and Jenn Shoemaker, Community Education Coordinator provided an overview of the extended day program. The program currently has 257 participants served by 28 staff members in the five elementary schools. Ms. Shoemaker was May 21, 2012 hired as the full time Community Education Program Coordinator this year to assist Ms. Calandrella. The program has added school in- service day and vacation week opportunities which have been well attended. She reviewed the daily breakdown and grade level comparison. Mr. Spadafora asked why the first grade and kindergarten numbers seem to be higher and why the Wednesday numbers seem to be lower. Ms. Calandrella indicated that the program is in the second year and these grades have had the opportunity to enroll. Families of older children may have already had before and after school coverage in place. Ms. Shoemaker added that she feels that also holds true for the Wednesday coverage. They reviewed the activities offered during the in- service and vacation weeks and reviewed the Wednesday Enrichment activities. Chair Robinson thanked them for presenting tonight. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the open session minutes dated April 30, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to approve the open session minutes dated Mav 7, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. • Bids and Donations Mr. David Michaud reviewed the donation of a 3 -D art display case he would like to donate to the school department in lieu of the traditional gift of a chair to an outgoing School Committee member. He feels it is important to meld art into all aspects of education. Chair Robinson thanked Mr. Michaud for his years of service and generous donation. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept the donation in the amount of $788.85 from David Michaud to be used to cover the cost of a 3 -D art display case at Reading Memorial High School as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated Mav 17.2012. The motion carried 6 -0. Donation to RMHS Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, to accept the donation in the amount of $1,000 from the Reading Memorial High School Class of 2010 to be used as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated May 17, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, to accept the donation in the amount of $2,000 from the Reading Memorial High School Class of 2011 to be used as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated May 17, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. May 21, 2012 Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to accept the donation in the amount of $1.667.69 from the PTO to be used to offset the cost of a kiln as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated May 17, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. Calendar W. Information Mrs. Gibbs reminded the rest of the Committee to send her their Superintendent evaluations. V. Future Business VI. Adiournment Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to adjourn. The motion carried 6 -0. Meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. F. Doherty, Ed.D. rintendent of Schools