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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-24 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts ' RECEIVED TOWN CLERK Regular Meeting of the School CommitKe,� D I N G, M ; S S. Open Session Date: September 24, 2012 Time: 7:00 p.m. Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Karen Janowski Hal Croft Chuck Robinson Lisa Gibbs Chris Caruso Rob Spadafora Visitors: Doug Lyons, Parker Principal Craig Martin, Coolidge Principal Kathy Favazza, Parker Math Teacher Chris Friberg, Coolidge Math Teacher Call to Order 2011 NOV -1 A 9- 21 Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Mary DeLai, Assistant Superintendent Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Conner Traugot, Student Representative Maham Ahmed, Student Representative Martha Moore, RMHS Science Teacher Justin Coleman, RMHS student Alex Webb, RMHS student Sam Curtis, RMHS student Chairperson Janowski called the School Committee to order at 7:00 p.m. She reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Reports (I )(out of order) 1. Student Student Representative Ahmed reported on the BYOD registration process at the high school. Students are excited and eager to register their devices. Student Representative Traugot updated the Committee on the recent Back to School Night and Jr. Class Buffet. Both events were very successful. He also said that the sports, clubs and activities are in full swing. 2. Liaison Mrs. Janowski offered condolences on the recent death of Ellen Endslow. September 24, 2012 3. SLiperintendent Dr. Doherty reported that Ms. DeLai worked with MASBO and the DESE to develop a School Business Manager Evaluation tool. He also said the opening of school went very smoothly thanking the administrators, custodial and secretarial staff for their efforts. The school open houses are in full swing and are going well. In addition, John Fiore, RMHS football coach, was named Coach of the Week by the New England Patriots. He reminded the group of the RCASA Annual meeting on Thursday evening. On the agenda are the chemical health/substance abuse policies and a new grant the organization has received to combat adolescent drinking. 4. Assistant Superintendents Mrs. Degaravilla updated the Committee the professional development activities that have taken place over the last few months. Ms. DeLai reported on a reserve fund transfer to replace the West Side Fire Station emergency generator. She also shared that she was involved in the production and publication of a resource Guide for School Districts in conjunction with the Rennie Center. The publication is a guide to creative use of school district finances. 5. Director of Student Services Ms. Elmer told the Committee that the Special Education PAC is hosting a back to school coffee at the Senior Center on October 2 "d. She has also been working the high school administration on posting information on the procedures and information for returning to school after a concussion. New Business (out of order) Young Women's League BEAKER Donation Mrs. Janowski welcomed Jodi Cirrone and Laurie Goodwin to the meeting. They provided an overview of the fundraising efforts on behalf of the Bringing Educators and Kids Exploratory Resources (BEAKER) programs. Each year the group hosts a private showing of a children's movie on a Saturday morning. They have added an electronics recycling fundraiser in the spring as well. The Young Women's League of Reading has donated almost $30,000 over 11 years to support elementary science curriculum. Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to accept the donation in the amount of $6,700 from the Young Women's League as part of the BEAKER fundraiser program to support elementary science. The motion carried 6 -0. September 24, 2012 Amazon Presentation Ms. Martha Moore presented information on the RMHS field trip to the Amazon over the past summer. The students arrived in Iquitos, Peru and journeyed into the Amazon jungle making three stops along the way. The students went on a night hike and saw many different species of animals and birds. They also experienced a canopy walkway that led them through the treetops of the jungle. During one of the stops the students observed and recorded information on the feeding preferences of wildlife. They also assisted in the repair and painting of a fence and bleachers at the soccer field in an Amazon village. Ms. Moore commended the students that participated on the trip. Students, Justin Coleman, Alex Webb and Sam Curtis shared their Amazon experience. Justin Coleman thought it was a phenomenal experience and the Amazon was an amazing place. He also said people need to go to the Amazon to realize how important it is to protect that environment. Alex Webb agreed and the whole experience was phenomenal. The jungle was dense and there was a lot of diverse wildlife. Sam Harris shared that his experience put much into perspective. The villagers were very thankful for the assistance they received from the students. Ms. Moore shared that Justin Coleman held a fundraiser before the group left to support a water treatment plant in a village. She said the group was able to see a similar plant in action and in speaking to the medical people in the village they said the incidents of waterborne illness have decreased. Common Core Curriculum Standards Presentation Mrs. de Garavilla introduced the panel for this evening's presentation on the Common Core Curriculum Standards. The panel included Craig Martin, Doug Lyons, Kathy Favazza and Chris Friberg. Mrs. de Garavilla reviewed the reasons for the adoption of the Common Core Standards including the need to prepare our students for college and career, the ability to compete in a global market, equity and clarity that all know what is expected and there is consistency throughout subjects and collaboration on a large scale. She indicated that 46 states and the District of Columbia have adopted the Common Core Standards. We will be able to draw and share information with districts across the country. Mrs. de Garavilla updated the Committee on the ELA/Literacy standards advances including a balance of literature and informational texts with a focus on text complexity, emphasis on argument, informative /explanatory writing and research, speaking and listening skills, and literacy standards for history, science and technical skills. There will be a focus on writing standards. Students will be expected to compose arguments and opinions, informative /explanatory pieces, and narrative texts, focus on the use of reason and evidence to substantiate an argument or claim, emphasis on the ability to conduct research, and to incorporate technology as they create, refine, and collaborate on writing. The method of teaching will also be affected by the implementation of the Common Core Standards. There are 6 instructional shifts in ELA/Literacy including balancing informational and literacy text, September 24, 2012 building knowledge in the disciplines, staircase of complexity, text -based answers, writing from sources and academic vocabulary. The discussion shifted to mathematics. There are also 6 instructional shifts in math. Students will spend more time on priority concepts, students will study concepts in a clear grade level progression to build on previous work and prepare for next grade /course, they will know basic skills at a higher level, students will demonstrate a mastery of material at a deeper level and be able to articulate mathematical reasoning, students will learn to apply math skills to other content area and will practice math with an intensity that results in increased fluency and forces application in novel situations. These shifts will result in fewer topics being taught but these topics will encompass more. Mr. Spadafora asked about the purchase of materials. Dr. Doherty indicated that it will be important to purchase materials that align with the standards. Ms. Favazza shared information on the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers ( PARCC) program. She is a PARCC Educator Leader Fellow. PARCC goals are to create high quality assessments that will determine the students college /career readiness, assess a wide range of Common Core Standards, measure the full range of student performance, provide data during the academic year to inform instruction, interventions and professional development, provide data for accountability, including measures of growth and to incorporate innovative approaches throughout the system. Ms. Favazza is excited about the wealth of information available to the teachers because of the large number of states that have adopted the Common Core. Teachers will be able to access instructional tools, professional development modules through PARCC. The assessment tool is computer based therefore results are available during the academic year allowing teachers to assess and align the curriculum throughout the year. She also indicated that the tool will allow the input of student's IEP testing requirements. She demonstrated the difference in the MCAS assessment and the proposed PARCC assessment. PARCC assessments require more inquisitive thinking to determine the answer. This assessment will rate the true depth of student knowledge and understanding. Ms. Friberg indicated that professional development opportunities will be important in the successful implementation of the Common Core Standards. The Common Core Standards will align with the district curriculum with more rigor for all grades and a focus on critical standards. The middle school math courses have been renamed to align with the Common Core. The classes will focus on in depth mastery and knowledge. Teaching styles will change allowing the students to become the teacher — "let them figure it out ". Students will be collaborating and not looking at a board for instruction. Mrs. de Garavilla reviewed what's next with the creation of a Math Vertical Team and curriculum work. She also reinforced that professional development opportunities are critical to allow for cross disciplinary collaboration to meet the district goal of full alignment by the end of the 2012 -13 school year. Mrs. Gibbs asked if there were any punitive measures with the PARCC assessment. Dr. Doherty reminded the Committee that the state has received a waiver from the federal government for AYP. There is a five level transition system. Mr. Robinson asked about the budgetary impact on the administration of this assessment. September 24, 2012 Dr. Doherty said this will be a budget priority for the next couple of years to be sure we have enough capacity /equipment to implement the assessment tool. Ms. Favazza indicated there are still many unknowns with the PARCC assessment tool. Mr. Martin is excited about this transitional stage and how it will affect the way we teach. Ms. Elmer added that this assessment tool will not leave students with special needs behind. Mrs. de Garavilla finished up by saying we want our students to be risk takers. Collaborating and asking questions to discover the outcomes rather than being handed them. Continued Business Naming of Facilities Timeline Mr. Spadafora asked for clarification regarding the process and why we do it every year. He suggested postponing the naming of facilities for 2 or 3 years. Mr. Robinson agreed that it is too frequent. He does not want to run the risk of offending people. Dr. Doherty told the Committee that if they would like to revise the policy there would need to be two readings. Mrs. Janowski asked the Superintendent to make the proposed revisions and the first reading and further discussion could occur at the next meeting. Continuation of Elementary Space Study Discussion Dr. Doherty updated the School Committee on the possible article for the fall Town Meeting warrant for establishing a School Building Committee. Ms. DeLai has contacted the MSBA who indicated that a School Building Committee is not required until a Statement of Interest and invitation to eligibility pool are completed. Mr. Robinson clarified that there is no rush to establish a School Building Committee or to have the warrant article. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Bids and Donations Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, to approve the donation in the amount of $483.39 to the Parker Middle School from Target Corporation's Take Charge of Education Campaign. The motion carried 6 -0. • Approval of Minutes Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, to approve the open session minutes dated August 27, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. September 24, 2012 Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, to approve the open session minutes dated September 10, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, to enter into executive session to discuss stratexy with respect to litization, to consider the purchase, exchanEe, lease or value of real Property and the approval of minutes and not to reconvene in open session. The roll call vote was 6 -0. Mr. Croft, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Caruso, Mrs. Janowski and Mrs. Gibbs. Meeting adjourned at 9:24 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting A * Jofny. Doherty, .D. Su rintendent of Schools.