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Home My WebLink About1989-10-23 School Committee Minutes- l READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts School Committee Meeting Reqular Session Minutes CALL TO ORDER October 23, 1989 Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:05 p.m., in the Lecture Hall at Reading Memorial High School. All members of the School Commit- tee were present; except George Shannon and Margaret Cowell, who arrived at later times. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak, a reporter from the Chronicle and members of the community. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Barbara Philbrick moved to approve the minutes from the October 16, 1989 meeting. Mary Williams seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Carol Lyons abstained, due to her absence at the meet- ing of the 16th. BILLS AND PAYROLLS PAYROLLS October 27, 1989 - Weekly - $52,867.23 CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no Citizen's Input. SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS Dr. Munnelly turned the meeting over to Principal Don Farnham who introduced Eaton School's Reading Specialist Elia Marnik. Ms. Marnik described the development of a Reading Activities Program (RAP) for parents of kindergarten and grade one students that she was able to develop through a Horace Mann Grant. The program consists of workshops and demonstration lessons, review of children's books, and activities to be used at home. She also shared the RAP boxes that were developed and are used on loan to parents. The boxes consists of authoritative books; research and informative articles; and children's books for independent reading or for parents to read aloud to their child. Ms. Marnik also informed the audience that the program had been very enthusiastically received, and will be extended during the 89 -90 school year to include a wider range of grade levels. The School Committee was very receptive to this program and would like to encourage the sharing of the materials to other District Schools. They thanked Elia for this fine example of parent participation and her input into the program. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 2 OCTOBER 23, 1989 INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS REVIEW OF GOALS FOR THE ENGLISH /LANGUAGE ARTS PROGRAM K -12 Per the request of the school committee, Lynn Bak asked the School Committee to reexamine the English /Language Goals K -12. Members complimented this version for its thoroughness and clarity. Barbara Philbrick moved to acce t the goals statement as enumerated in Enclosure B-4-b. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ` VISITORS RMHS STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR 1989/90 Reading Memorial High School Assistant Principal Pat Schettini introduced Thomas Fuller the Chairman of the Student Advisory Council to the audience, Mr. Fuller then introduced the members that were present Timothy Christmas, David Platt, Melissa Brown, Jennifer Gregorio, Scott Losinger, Matt Prudente, Michelle Abate, Lisa Pustorino and Michael Shannon. Areas of discussion included: SMOKING Several of the members gave their views on the smoking issue. They noted that the Smoking Policy is being observed and that they con- sider the program a success. One of the members stated he will be participating in the course that Ms. Wood will be conducting for students who would like to quit smoking and need a support group. ATHLETIC FEES Questions regarding the fees for students involved in sports and the bus fee and how the budget has effected this new policy were answered by Chairman Shannon. NUTRITIOUS FOOD In response to more nutritious food in the cafeteria and a juice machine in the Field House, Dr. Munnelly stated that he and Mr. Nissen would meet with Cathy Cook to discuss these issues. The Committee applauded the Council's positive attitudes and look forward to their next meeting. OLD BUSINESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE The Elementary School Building Committee Chairman Don Farnham and members of the committee discussed project figures on the proposed additions to the Birch Meadow and Joshua Eaton Schools. Discussion followed which included state reimbursement and capital improvement items. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 3 OCTOBER 23, 1989 Barbara Philbrick moved to submit to Town Meetinq the cost estimate for both schools, Birch Meadow and Eaton Elementary, for the full scale project $5,478,700, which includes a three percent esca- lation factor. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. Discussion regarding the three percent increase for cost escalation was explained, stating that the projects are not expected to be put out to bid until June 1990, if approved by Town Meeting. The vote was 4 in favor, and 1 opposed. NEW BUSINESS GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM DISCUSSION: GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak shared with the School Commit- tee and audience the recommended goals and objectives of the Gifted and Talented Program: To foster the development of high academic potential in 15 -18% of the grades 3 -5 student population; To provide unique and differentiated experiences to capture special interests and increase skill development; To help students in identifying and addressing real world issues that are consistent with their interests; To help students to become life -long learners who can learn independently; To increase the awareness and understanding for parents and teachers of the educational needs of bright youngsters; To develop with teachers a sense of collaboration for the education of the gifted and talented child in both the re- gular and gifted and talented classrooms; To promote and support parent participation in the gifted and talented education of their own children; and To promote parent /community involvement as a means of pro- viding resources for program activities. These goals were formulated based upon the feedback that was gener- ated from the four parent meetings that were conducted at each ele- mentary school; the consensus of the elementary school principals; and feedback from classroom teachers. The gifted and talented program coordinators, Karen Rickershauser and Susan Wood also shared in the discussion with School Committee members. Members heard suggestions for the program including in- creasing the number of mentors for children, encouraging more Type I exploratory sessions, and changing the name of the program to eliminate the inference to elistism. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 4 OCTOBER 23, 1989 Barbara Philbrick moved that we retain the Gifted /Talented proQram at the current level of 15 % -18% of the school population in meeting the needs of academically talented students in grades 3 -5. Mary Williams seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0, with George Shannon abstaining. Carol Lyons moved to adopt the enclosed goals B4 as modified indicated by underlined words in listed goals. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. The School Committee thanked Ms. Bak, Ms. Rickershauser and Ms. Wood for their information. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS PHYSICAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM REVIEW AND REPORT Dr. Munnelly asked Director of the Physical Education Program Marc Alterio to come forward and introduce hi .s colleagues: Virginia Quinn and Lauren Stevenson; Co -Chair of the elementary Health Edu- cation Committee; Ted Bryson, RMHS Physical Education Staff; and Nels Nelson, Parker Middle School Physical Education Staff. Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak shared with the Committee that Physical Education was the first of four curriculum areas to be evaluated this year. The format that was to be used in this pre- sentation and all future ones will include the Philosophy, Goals, Description of the Program, Evaluation of the Current Program, Commendations, Concerns, Recommendations and Future Direction. The staff then proceeded to provide specific information as related to each format area including the level of developmental learning that is experienced by students throughout their K -12 education in Reading. The School Committee thanked the presentors for their thoroughness in assessing Reading's Physical Education Program and commended the curriculum format design that is now in place. ADJOURNMENT At 10:55 p.m. Chairman Stan Nissen adjourned the meeting since there was not a quorum present. Respectfully Submitted Robert J. Munnelly, Ed. D. sunerintendent Of Schools ��r rptary To The School Committee