HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-03-02 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Reading, Massachusetts
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
OPEN HEARING MARCH 2, 1992
Chair Barbara Philbrick opened the hearing at 7:25 p.m. in the
Reading Memorial High School Library. All members were present
with the exception of Mary Williams. Also present were
Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly and Assistant_ Superintendent
Lynn M. Bak.
Superintendent Munnelly introduced the high school Principal
Rena Mirkin, who in turn acknowledged the presence of Assistant
Principal Robert Quinn and members of the faculty.
High School PTO President Beth Stakem addressed the School
Committee about the activism of the parents in support of the
school.
Vice President Tom Meharg spoke about the formation of a
committee which has been gathering resources and gifts for the
high school. Recent gifts include a duplicating machine from St.
Agnes, an eight foot photographic sink from Duracell of Needham,
and a donation of office supplies from Cameron and Colby.
Rachael Baumgartner related how the parents have organized a
C.A.R.E. (Citizens Action for Reading Education) committee whose
first main thrust was to supply textbooks. The C.A.R.E.
committee's role has branched off to build a community of strength
in the Town of Reading, which has as its mission to see schools
funded properly.
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Library /Media Coordinator Joan Morse presented an overview of
Research Resource Skills, a unit she teaches to incoming freshman
social studies classes. In explaining how students are taught
about tele- communications, Ms. Morse demonstrated the DIALOG
service. She also showed a three - minute on -line search in the
database Historical Abstracts using the CLASSMATE Program.
Examples of materials that she and her staff have prepared to help
students fully utilize the library media resources were also on
display.
OTHER
Principal Mirkin made the following announcements regarding
Reading Memorial High School:
. Six national finalists in the National Merit Scholarship
Foundation
OPEN HEARING MEETING 2 MARCH 2, 1992
• Ben Abbott is one of the state high school math top scholars
• Science Olympiad scored 10th out of 40 schools
• Drama Club Production won individual awards in the Regional
.x Competition
• National History Day Regionals were dominated by Reading
Memorial High School students
• Jazz Band and the parade for Nancy Kerrigan are music
activities
• Early decisions have been made at Harvard, Bowdoin, West
Point, Tufts, and Boston College
• Fifty Reading faculty and students attended the Literacy
Coffee House
Ms. Mirkin thanked Arnold Berger for the math books and parents for
$1300 donated to the text book fund.
A parent rose to thank Mr. Berger for the testing contribution.
Another parent expressed concern regarding testing within the time
frame.
Dr. Munnelly announced testing would go forward on time.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Philbrick adjourned the Open Hearing meeting at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Robert I Munnelly, Ed. D.
Superintendent Of Schools
Secretary To The School Committee