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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-09 School Committee Minutes1. Reading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: April 9, 2012 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: Birch Meadow School Cafeteria School Committee Members Present Karen Janowski Hal Croft Chuck Robinson Lisa Gibbs Chris Caruso Visitors: Eric Sprung, Birch Meadow Principal Joanne Garelick, Birch Meadow Teacher Kerry Mullen Patti Beckman Heidi Murray Maureen Thumauer Kristie Lambert I. Call to Order Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Ashley Testa, Student Representative Jack Aherne Barbara Jones, Reading Chronicle Janis Gerety Johanna Anderson Tullie Warshauer Jan Rhein Chairperson Robinson called the School Committee to order at 7:33p.m. He reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. Chair Robinson thanked Principal Sprung for hosting this evening's meeting/ II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input II) Mr. Robert Aiello addressed the need for students to perform community service during their high school tenure. Reports I 1. Student Ms. Testa on several items: • Spring sports are in full swing • Night in New Orleans • Artsfest April 9, 2012 • Senior countdown • College decisions 2. Liaison Mr. Robinson reported that he attended his first RCASA Board meeting. The Chris Herren presentation, Teen Screen and the Chemical Health policy were discussed. 3. Director of Student Services Ms. Elmer held the last session of the Parent Workshop series. She also reported on a recent parent meeting to discuss summer programs. 4. Superintendent Superintendent Doherty announced that Kevin Higginbottom has been offered and accepted the position as RMHS principal. Dr. Doherty and several others visited North Middlesex Regional High School and were quite impressed. He also announced the retirements of Phil Vaccaro and Richard Davidson and thanked both for their many years of service and dedication to the Reading Public Schools. Dr. Doherty reviewed the plans for the Athletic Director position. It is the goal to have this person become an integral part of the high school culture. To that end the position is being restructured to become an Assistant Principal for Athletics and Student Activities. The candidate will have to be a licensed educator. The hiring process will be similar to the high school principal search process. He also announced that Kristin Killian has been named Fine Arts Department Chair and the hiring of a Drama teacher is in process. 5. Assistant Superintendent Mrs. deGaravilla updated the School Committee on the Artsfest celebration and the Blue Ribbon Conference occurring this week. B. Continued Business Second Reading and Approval of Policy JICH: Drug and Alcohol Use in the School Facilities by Students with JICH — R: Chemical Health Regulations for High School Students The School Committee did the second reading of the policy. Chair Robinson reminded the policy includes revisions based on input from the School Committee and other stakeholders. Mr. Croft felt it was important to educate the coaching staff, particularly the rehabilitation aspect and communicate with regard to the suspension process. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept the second reading of Policy JICH: Drug and Alcohol Use in the School Facilities by Students with JICH — R: Chemical Health Regulations for High School Students and to approve Policy JICH: Drug and April 9, 2012 Alcohol Use in the School Facilities by Students with JICH — R: Chemical Health Regulations for Hiah School Students of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual. The motion carried 5 -0. C. New Business Birch Meadow Presentation (Out of Order) Mr. Sprung shared Birch Meadow's journey to becoming a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School. The process began in October of 2010 surveying parents, student, teachers and staff, administrators to arrive at the Birch Meadow School strengths and the standards that provided opportunities for improvement. Seven teams were created to recommend improvements and ways to implement them. The teams were made up of teachers, parents, student and other staff. In the fall of 2011 members of the Birch Meadow staff presented Best practices at the Blue Ribbon Conference as a Showcase School. Birch Meadow received the Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School Award while at the Conference. Mr. Sprung introduced Joanne Garelick and Kerry Mullen who focused on the Challenging Standards improvements and recommendations. They shared information on the block scheduling model at Birch Meadow. This model allows students to receive core subject instruction for an extended period at the same time every day. Mrs. Garelick discussed the Tiered Instruction Model for Reading (TIMS) which allows students to engage in activities such as reading alone, reading in small groups or reading to each other during the class time. Mrs. Mullen provided an overview of the specialty teaching in math, science and social studies at the fifth grade level. Students move from class to class to receive instruction. In Grades 3 -5 math students are placed based on their math needs so they are able to receive instruction that meet the specific needs of their level. To sustain the process Birch Meadow teachers and specialists meet yearly to discuss the block scheduling model. Mr. Sprung introduced Mrs. Beckman who addressed the Active Teaching Standard improvements and recommendations. She provided an overview of the Birch Meadow Cares Program as well as information on first grade's participation. The Birch Meadow Cares Program is designed to give students the opportunity to learn about other people and reach out to the community and the world. The first graders are working with a school in Honduras to provide school supplies and to develop friendships. The students have shared through video streaming their schools. Birch Meadow had a supply drive and had a great response. They were able to send two duffle bags full of supplies to Honduras. The students also created books to share with the students in Honduras that they hope to sip to them soon. The grade two teachers, Heidi Murray, Janis Gerety, Johanna Anderson and Library Media Specialist Tullie Warshauer shared information on the Heritage Project. The students learn about a country of their heritage. They start off by interviewing a family member to find out about their heritage. Next steps would be to develop a concept map focusing on three areas; physical features, people and interesting facts. The students are given research goals and the means to achieve them. The students use color -coded "main idea" cards together gather facts. Once the facts are gathered the students begin the process of creating their flyer. Parent volunteers play an important part in this stage. They assist the students in sentence structure and flow. The students integrate technology skills by importing pictures to their flyer to go along with the text. The students also create a voicethread presentation for their county. The students are proud of their flyers and can share with their peers and family. Jan Rhein, Maureen Thurnauer and Kristie Lambert addressed Technology Integration. The third grade is involved with blogging. The use of blogging is a way to improve student writing, teach 21" century skills and foster parent/student communication about school and leaming. The students are instructed on internet safety and what blogging is. They then choose a topic as a grade. This year's topic is Books and Authors. The students sign blogging contract and a blogging letter is sent home to parents. The teachers are using a free secure website. The students create user names and passwords and all content is reviewed by their teachers prior to posting. Parents are able to view blogs through the school edline page. Mrs. Warshauer shared information on the Read Across America initiative at Birch Meadow. The theme this year was "Get Fit with Lit ". The students were given a reading challenge in January. 97% of the students at Birch Meadow participated in the challenge. As part of the celebration students decorated sneakers to promote their favorite book. Chair Robinson thanked Mr. Sprung and the teachers for presenting this evening. The Chair called a brief recess at 8:35 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 8:37 p.m. Food Service Update Director of Food Services Kristin Morello provided a USDA Foods Update regarding beef. She indicated that the Reading Public Schools receive the beef from the USDA as part of an entitlement program through which Reading receives approximately $70,000 of food products. Superintendent Doherty said that Mrs. Morello would update the School Committee on the Food Service Department at a meeting in May. Last Day of School Dr. Doherty recommended the last day of school as June 15th for students and June 18th for staff. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept the Superintendent's recommendation to set June 15, 2012 as the official last day of school for students and June 18, 2012 as the official last day of school for teachers. The motion carried 5 -0. Approval of Field Trips Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the RMHS field trip to Europe during the summer of 2014 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated April 5, 2012. The motion carried 5 -0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to approve the RAMS field trip to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in February, 2013 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated April 5.2012. The motion carried 5 -0. April 9, 2012 Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the RMHS Band field trip to Orlando, in April, 2013 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated April 5, 2012. The motion carried 5 -0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the Coolidge Middle School Science Olympiad field trip to the University of Central Florida in May 2012 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated April 9, 2012. The motion carried 5 -0. Wood End Principal Search Dr. Doherty reviewed the timeline and process which will be similar to the high school search. He thanked Mr. Davidson for his 25 years of service. Mr. Davidson always puts kids first. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the proposed Wood End Principal Search process and timeline as presented. The motion carried 5 -0. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the open session minutes dated March 26, 2012. The motion carried 5 -0. • Bids and Donations Accept Donation Donation to Parker Middle School Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to accept the donation in the amount of $135 to the Parker Middle School to be used to support the GSA Club as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated April 5, 2012. The motion carried 5 -0. Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to adjourn. The motion carried 5 -0. Meeting adjourned at 9:47 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. April 9, 2012 Doherty, EdYD. tendent of Schools