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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-11-10 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS + Reading, Massachusetts 1 SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING OPEN HEARING NOVEMBER 10, 1992 Chairman Matthew Cummings opened the open hearing at 7:30 p.m. at Reading Memorial High School. All members of the School Committee were present. Also present was Superintendent Robert J Munnelly, Interim Assistant Superintendent Susan Wheltle, and Student Representative Michael Shannon. There were approximately 10 members of the community attending this meeting. WELCOME Reading Memorial High School Principal Rena Mirkin welcomed School Committee members and the Reading community that were present, as well as, the citizens watching on the Cable tele- vision station. Ms. Mirkin introduced Reading Memorial High School PTO President Tom Meharg. Mr. Meharg discussed the program, Parents as Academic Boosters and invited the high school Department Heads to meet with the PTA to find out how the program functions and how they can help advance. Mr. Meharg stated that a recent PTO auction was a good fundraiser with a profit of $12,000. Some of the projects the PTO plans to support include: . Reading Scholarship . Field Trips . School Enrichment . School Beautification Identifying needs for and finding donations . Teacher Recognition materials and equipment within the community SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL'S THEME OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Principal Mirkin introduced faculty member Hal Croft who explained Reading Memorial High School's theme of Roles/ Responsibilities /Rights /Rationality. Ms. Mirkin led a discussion of school activities around this theme. Faculty members Joan Morse, Kathy Montejunas, Peter Rittenburg and students Michael Shannon and Rob Bennett discussed how the 4 R theme plays out in school discussions. Ms. Mirkin shared, "While our job is to teach chemistry or OPEN HEARING 2 NOVEMBER 10, 1992 English, our mission as a key institution in the community is to try to help students be good citizens." THE MENTOR GROUP Assistant Principal Pat Schettini and Social Studies teacher Anna Normand - O'Brien presented the collaborative efforts in teacher training through the High School Mentor Program with area colleges and universities. Year -long mentorships will be required for provisional teachers for certification beginning in 1994. It was explained that the purpose of this Reading Memorial High School initiative is to reach out to the colleges so student apprentices can be better prepared. To be selected an apprentice teacher needs to exemplify the same high qualities found in teachers at Reading Memorial High School which include: 1. the ability to motivate students. 2. good command of the subject matter. 3. the ability to explain material. 4. the ability to maintain an orderly classroom environment. 5. evidence of sound preparation. 6. a genuine liking of adolescents 7. a dedication to the profession and the art of teaching. Ms. Normand - O'Brien, Mr. Schettini and Mentor Group Member Peter Greene are included in a statewide advisory task force on implementing the mentor program. OTHER HIGHLIGHTS Principal Mirkin highlighted other areas faculty and students at the high school are involved in: . EPA Vernal Pool Grant . AmVets - Sports and Education Award . Fall Sports Team . NEASC Evaluation New School Newspaper Orbit . AIDS Awareness Ms. Mirkin concluded by reading a letter from the parent of a youngster in the SEEM class at Reading Memorial High School that praised the student body, athletes, and administration. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Matthew Cummings thanked the presenters for a very informative evening and adjourned the open hearing at 9 p.m.