HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-01-04 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Reading, Massachusetts
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
OPEN HEARING MINUTES JANUARY 4, 1993
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Matthew Cummings called the Open Hearing to order at
7:25 p.m. All members were present. Also present were
Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly and Interim Assistant Super-
intendent Susan Wheltle. Chairman Cummings welcomed and
thanked the Coolidge people and turned the meeting over to
Principal Al Lahood.
Principal Lahood introduced the Coolidge Parent Advisory
Council Member (PAC) Jane Giacalone, who spoke of Coolidge PAC
activities:
. fundraising for school supplies - calculators
. funded CD ROM for the library
teacher recognition activities
. ice cream party
. sunshine committee
. fall dance for students
Ms. Giacalone commented that the particular way the Coolidge
PAC operates builds a strong relationship between students and
parents and faculty.
HIGHLIGHTS
Library Media Specialist Mary Hichborn and Social Studies
Department Head Ellen Svensen presented information on study
skills units. The Coolidge Middle School Study Skills Program
was initiated as a pilot project for sixth graders three years
ago, and has been expanded to serve all three grades. The
faculty discussed the impact of this program on student
grades, test scores and achievements in class.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Comments and questions, from the community, revolved around
the research skills approach and its relation to critical
thinking, about standardized testing, and the instrumental
music program's legal status.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. The School Committee
voted unanimously to go into executive session for purposes of
negotiation strategy.