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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-21 School Committee MinutesO�yy OFR ' Town of Reading ire Meeting Minutes 's39'�HCOn4 °9`Pfi' Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2013 -10 -21 Building: School - Memorial High Address: 62 Oakland Road Purpose: Open Session Attendees: Members - Present: Karen Janowski Chuck Robinson Hal Croft Jeanne Borawski Lisa Gibbs Chris Caruso Time: 7:00 PM Location: Superintendent Conference Room John Doherty, Superintendent Mary DeLai, Assistant Superintendent Craig Martin, Assistant Superintendent Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Conner Traugot, Student Representative Andrea Nastri, Student Representative Members - Not Present: Others Present: Karen Feeney, Joshua Eaton Principal Michelle Ofilos, Joshua Eaton Teacher Jody Carregal, Joshua Eaton Teacher Rebecca Liberman, Parent Stefanie Walsh, Young Women's League Jean Pulpi, Young Women's League Ellen LaMarche, Young Women's League Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: John F. Doherty, Ed.D. Superintendent Topics of Discussion: I. Call to Order Chairperson Croft called the School Committee to order at 7:00 p.m. He reviewed the agenda, announced the meeting was being recorded and welcomed guests. Accept a Donation from the Young Women's League Chair Croft welcomed Stefanie Walsh, Jean Pulpi, and Ellen LaMarche of the Young Women's League who presented a donation in the amount of $4,846.37 to the Reading Public Schools. This donation will be used to support the elementary science programs. The group held two fundraisers last year and plan on holding two this year. One will be a private screening of FreeBirds on November 2 and a 5K road race later in the spring. Page 1 1 Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to accent the donation in the amount of $4,846.37 from the Young Women's League as part of the BEAKER fundraiser program to support elementary science. The motion carried 6 -0. Mr. Croft thanked the group for their continued efforts to support the Reading Public Schools. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Mr. Croft asked for public input. Rebecca Liberman, parent, asked about the decision to not participate in the NEASC Accreditation process and the impact on our student's acceptance to colleges and universities. Dr. Doherty said we were not dismissing the process. We will be suspending the process as presented in the School Committee's October 7th meeting. He also shared that RMHS Director of Guidance Lynna Williams has called over 50 universities and colleges to ask about the impact for students applying from a non - accredited high school and she found that our students will not be at a disadvantage. Mrs. Liberman also asked if there would be a math presentation for parents of older students and the status of summer school geometry. Mr. Martin is hoping to have a math meeting later this fall for the parents of the upper grades. The details are still being worked out regarding the summer school geometry opportunities. Reports I) 1. Student Student Representative Traugot shared that the grade 9 students would be taking the Career Work Readiness Assessment in the upcoming weeks. He also indicated that Sam Bacon and Nick Emmons will be presenting at the upcoming MASSCUE Conference on robotics. Mr. Taugot was happy to announce that the Veterans Chair is in place at the high school. Student Representative Andrea Nastri shared that the Marching Band received a gold medal at the event held at RMHS. The second training session of "A World of Difference" has been held and the Drama Club's annual Shocktoberfest will be coming up. The high school will be holding a Halloween dance on November 2nd as well. 2. Liaison Mrs. Gibbs said that the Reading PAC will be holding the election of officers on Monday night. She urged anyone that might be interested in running for office to contact the PAC. Page 1 2 3. Director of Student Services Ms. Elmer also shared that in addition to the PAC elections there will be a presentation by the district occupational and physical therapists. 4. Assistant Superintendent Assistant Superintendent Craig Martin shared the activities of the recent in- service day. Some of the activities faculty and staff participated in were DDM and SMART goal development, curriculum mapping and alignment, and math training at all levels. He felt the work done on this day was productive and moving the district in the right direction. Assistant Superintendent DeLai also shared that during the in- service day the first A.L.i.C.E training was held for the district substitutes and extended day staff. It was well attended and received. 5. Superintendent Dr. Doherty updated the School Committee on the meeting of the Elementary Working Group. There are 19 members of the group and the first meeting was used to bring everyone up to date. The group explored additional options and is looking at 14 different ideas. The group will be meeting on Wednesday evening to continue the discussion. Dr. Doherty said that he and several teachers will be attending at the upcoming MASSCUE Conference in Foxboro. He also shared that several teachers will also be presenting at the conference. The Joshua Eaton PTO is sponsoring a speaker on Wednesday evening in the Performing Arts Center. B. Continued Business C. New Business Joshua Eaton Presentation Chair Croft welcomed Karen Feeney. Ms. Feeney shared that Joshua Eaton is celebrating Red Ribbon Week which is to bring awareness to the students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Ms. Feeney introduced Michelle Ofilos and Jody Carregal who will assist in the presentation "Joshua Eaton Writes ". She reminded the School Committee that two years ago the Joshua Eaton staff presented their plan to improve student writing at a meeting held at their school. She is pleased to present the progress being made as they enter year three of the initiative. Ms. Feeney said that she, Ms. Ofilos and Ms. Carregal were all fortunate enough to participate in the NISL program through Reading Public School where they collaborated and presented Page 1 3 this information to their peers. Ms. Feeney continued with the vision for the writing curriculum at Joshua Eaton with goals being to have the curriculum aligned with the Common Core in grades 3 — 5, to use data of student performance levels at varying stages of the project to establish the validity of rigorous process- oriented instruction using well- trained staff along with an increase in student time spent writing and the ability to demonstrate that given high expectations, students can reach higher levels of performance. After determining the problems that impacted student writing the staff was able to develop a strategy for success. Ms. Carregal shared that for many years students have not engaged in a "process" type of a writing workshop. Rather than focusing on the process many teachers focused on the end result of writing pieces only looking at the final product. In developing the strategy resources included classroom teachers, paraeducators, PTO funding and more district funding. The challenge was also to change the perception and attitudes of what writing should be. Throughout the process there has been assistance and support from the principal, writing teachers in grades 3 — 5, the PTO, district level administrators, students, and paraeducators /special education teachers. The central questions to be answered to ensure success included; is it possible to utilize process - oriented writing instruction to increase writing proficiency of students in grades 3 -5 and also meet the Common Core standards? Writing instruction needs to begin at the kindergarten level to ensure that students are developing the tools needed to be successful writers. The group had to also look at how writing was being taught at Joshua Eaton and what the current expectations teachers have for their students. Ms. Carregal then shared strategies being employed at Joshua Eaton. The teachers have taken part in professional development activities, new curriculum materials have been purchased, a writing committee and NING have been established to allow for teacher collaboration, a publishing room has been set up to be able to publish student works, and matching an older writing buddy with a younger child have all contributed to the success of the writing program. Ms. Ofilos reviewed the timelines. During the first year Joshua Eaton students presented samples of their work to the School Committee. Other benchmarks that were achieved during that year included the establishment of the Publishing Room, the creation of a common language for teaching writing, teacher training on the new curriculum materials and programs, the creation of the NING for teacher collaboration and sharing and displaying student work throughout the school. Year 2 saw continued implementation of units and an increase in the number of units taught. Specialty teaching was set up for grades 3 — 5, placing students in groups of like levels. Teachers continued to take advantage of professional development activities and there was a school -wide student author celebration. Year 3, this current school year, has seen the teaching of writing becoming aligned with the Common Core. Teachers continue to collaborate with each other as well as teachers from the North Andover Public Schools. At the end of last year the school held a Jr. Author Fest. The event was a huge success. Students shared their writing in small groups throughout the school. Page 1 4 Parents were able to visit the school in the evening to view student writing which was displayed throughout the school and celebrate their children's success. Ms. Feeney pointed out that when the Publishing Room was set up; the hope was to publish one document /student. There have been 605 pieces of student writing published. She also shared that the students were excited to share their publications with their parents during the Jr. Author Fest and are looking forward to the next event. Mrs. Janowski asked how students with disabilities received the support needed and how was technology used during writing. Ms. Ofilos shared that in collaboration with teachers from North Andover strategies have been discussed to ensure all students have the tools to succeed. Ms. Feeney said that students are able to use laptops and iPads to support their writing particularly when preparing their works for publication. Mrs. Gibbs congratulated them for having a vision and seeing it through. Mrs. Borawski feels this initiative is a great way to nurture the parental involvement and develop a wonderful sense of community. Mr. Traugot shared that writing is a lifelong skill and he is glad to see the progress made in writing at Joshua Eaton. Naming of Facilities Process Superintendent Doherty reviewed the process. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the Naming of Facilities timeline to accept nominations as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum. Mr. Caruso feels that the timeline is aggressive and may want to consider extending the nomination period. Mrs. Gibbs pointed out that we must be more aggressive in the advertising methods. Dr. Doherty said the information would be sent to RCTV and the papers as well as sent out via Edline and Blackboard Connect. He also shared that he is hoping to complete the process before the School Committee begins the FYI budget discussions. The motion carried 6 -0. Approval of Coolidge Field Trip Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the proposed eighth grade field trip to New York City in May 2014. The motion carried 6- 0. Page 1 5 First Reading of Policy DGD Move to accept the first reading of revised Policy DGD — Town of Reading, Town Government and Public School Purchasing Cards. Ms. DeLai provided a background of the proposed revision. This policy was developed collaboratively with the Town on a 12 month trial basis. The use of procurement cards has been a great tool for all departments. The language dealing with trial basis will be removed. Mr. Caruso began the first reading. Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to waive the first reading of the policy. The motion carried 6 -0. The vote on the original motion carried 6 -0. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) The following warrants were circulated and signed. Warrant 51417 $336,264.10 Warrant S 1417E $2,108.00 Warrant S 1416 $210,249.93 Warrant P1408 $1,353,222.39 b. Approval of Minutes Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the open session minutes dated October 7, 2013. The motion carried 6 -0. c. Bids and Donations Award of Flooring Contract Ms. DeLai reviewed the bid results. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to authorize the Superintendent to enter into contract with Capital Carpet & Flooring Specialists of Woburn, MA to provide on call carpet & the installation services. The motion carried 6 -0. Accept Donations Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, an anonymous donation in the amount of $5,600 to be used to support the "A World of Difference" programs at the two middle schools.The motion carried 6 -0. Page 1 6 Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adjournment The Chair declared that an executive session is necessary to protect the arbitration position of the body. Executive Session Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson to enter into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation, approval of minutes and not to return to open session. The roll call vote was 6 -0. Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Croft, Mr. Robinson, Mrs. Janowski and Mrs. Borawski. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. Doherty, Page 1 7