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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-11-06 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session November 6, 2000 CALL TO ORDER Chair Cavicchi called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, D'Antona, Griset and Keigley. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Richards and the curriculum initiative presenters. Chair Cavicchi and Dr. Harutunian thanked Jill Macari for her service as student representative. BILLS & PAYROLL There were no bills and payroll. CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen input. CURRICULUM PRESENTATIONS Dr. Harutunian advised that twice per year the School Committee hears a presentation by staff on curriculum. Tonight's presentation is on social studies, language arts, mathematics and science. Mr. Richards advised that the first part of this evening's presentation would cover social studies, 6 -12 language arts, mathematics and science and a special presentation on language arts K -5. Social Studies Karen Callan, Rosemary Palmer, Walter Huston, Tom Darrin and John Doherty updated the Committee on the elementary and secondary social studies curriculum. Dr. Harutunian stated that it has been a huge loss not having a middle school instructional specialist for social studies. He stated that it would be very difficult to move forward in curriculum without the leadership of an instructional specialist. Ms. D'Antona stated that Ed Weekly had an article on a new direction for teachers, educational specialists. The article talks about how educational specialists enhance education and talked about the value of educational specialists in supporting teachers in the classroom. Regular Session 2 November 6, 2000 Mr. Dahl asked if the state has put together anything to assist districts in aligning with frameworks. Walter Huston advised that no updates have been forwarded by the state, and there continues to be lack of direction from the state. Mr. Dahl stated that he was pleased to hear that RMHS has implemented an AP history course. Mr. Dahl asked if the curriculum for an AP course is a national curriculum or if it coincides with the state frameworks. Mr. Darrin advised that it is more contingent on a national curriculum. Ms. Jill Macari stated that she is in AP history course and stated that the teacher is doing a fabulous job, and the course is extremely interesting and challenging. Ms. Cavicchi stated she was pleased to see that grade 3 is studying Reading and asked Mr. Huston to provide some details on what they were studying. Mr. Huston stated that the framework asks that districts look at local and state history. He stated that the emphasis is more of a cultural study. Mathematics Frank Orlando, Paul Guerrette, Dr. Chris Redford, Karen Macari and Pete Moscariello updated the Committee on elementary and secondary mathematics curriculum. Dr. Harutunian advised that Dr., Redford has returned to the classroom because the elementary mathematics instructional specialist position has been eliminated. He stated that it is important that this position be reinstated if the curriculum is to move forward. Dr. Harutunian discussed a K -12 grant that is available to assist students in passing the MCAS tests. He stated that Reading would be applying for the grant and any and all funds received would go to the high school to assist students to pass the MCAS in order to graduate. He stated that the goal is to get 100% of the students to pass the MCAS in order for them to graduate in 2003. Mr. Griset stated that he was pleased to see that the high school is attempting to assist students with the MCAS and asked what percent of students were identified to take the course and how these students were identified. Mr. Moscariello advised that 8th grade MCAS results were reviewed and students were identified. He stated that the course is not required but it is suggested to students that Regular Session 3 November 6, 2000 they may want to take the course. The total number of students taking the course is approximately 85. All students who were identified agreed to take the course. Ms. Cavicchi asked if at any time this course would become mandatory. Mr. Orlando stated that he believed the motivation to take this course is built into the MCAS test and the tie to graduation. Mr. Dahl stated that he agreed with Dr. Harutunian that having the math instructional specialist not available to teachers and instructional staff really takes away from the program and yet he is hoping that as a silver lining that going back into the classroom has been helpful professionally for Dr. Redford. Dr. Redford stated that it is nice to work with the children and is interesting to see the math program and all the work that goes in to make it a successful program. Ms. Macari stated that even as an instructional specialist Dr. Redford spent a lot of time in the classroom even when she was an instructional specialist. Science Ann Harney, Carol Galvin, Karen Rickershauser and John Doherty updated the Committee on the elementary and secondary science curriculum. Ms. Harney stated that coordination is needed between math and science and not having a math instructional specialist leaves a large hole in the coordination process. Mr. Doherty stated that Andrea Bruno, instructional specialist for science for the middle schools is greatly missed. Dr. Harutunian stated that the loss of Andrea Bruno in the areas of math and science is a mayor concern. Language Arts 6 -12 Gary Hart, Mike Scarpitto and Ron Howland updated the Committee on Language Arts 6 -12. Mr. Hart stated that Ellen Howland, instructional specialist, is sorely missed. Regular Session 4 November 6, 2000 Mr. Dahl stated that he can see a real hole that is developing with the elimination of Ms. Howland's instructional specialist position. Mr. Dahl stated that he believes that the writing across the curriculum is an important tool. Ms. Cavicchi stated that portfolio assessment is a great way for a student to see how they have improved over the years. Mr. Richards stated that staff is working very hard to pull curriculum together and that he hopes that in better financial times the initiatives can be funded to move forward. At 9:00 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi advised that the Committee would take a short break. At 9:05 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi called the meeting back to order. English Language Arts K -5 Lisa Pittella, Mary Beth Banios, Keri DiNapoli and Debbie Kwiatek updated the Committee on the new elementary language Arts K -5. Ms. Pittella gave an overview to the Committee on the new elementary language arts program. Ms. DiNapoli gave a presentation to the Committee on a week at a glance. Mr. Griset asked what a week at a glance would look like last year. Ms. DiNapoli advised that it depended on what school you looked at. Each teacher followed a scope and sequence and now all schools have the same weekly plans. Ms. Cavicchi asked if there was a component in the program for a student who can achieve more and for a student that needs more help. Ms. DiNapoli advised that through cooperative learning students are mixed together and can help each other. Ms. D'Antona asked how a student's progress is assessed. Ms DiNapoli stated that the program includes assessments and that teachers across town now have a common language and common assessments for their students. Ms. Banios gave a presentation on the technology part of the program. Regular Session 5 November 6, 2000 Ms. Kwiatek gave a presentation on Jr. Great Books, Write Source and John Collins Writing Program. Ms. Cavicchi asked at what point we expect perfection in students' writing. Ms. Kwiatek stated that teachers are meeting to discuss accountability so that there is consistency through out on the expectations of students. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 11:05 p.m. Mr. Griset made a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Union, to discuss pending litigation and to approve minutes. To return to executive session following regular session. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset and Mr. Keiglev. At 11:50 Chair Cavicchi called the meeting back to order. MINUTES Ms. D'Antona made a motion to approve the minutes of October 10, 2000. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset and Mr. Keigley. ADJOURN At 11:55 p.m. Ms. D'Antona made a motion to adiourn. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset and Mr. Keigley. Respectfully submitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools