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Home My WebLink About2016-03-21 School Committee MinutesTown of Reading Meeting Minutes r V IVED 1,4tOt14� 1 i, 1 1 A J J.. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Nib P12,43 School Committee Date: 2016 -03 -21 Time: 7:00 PM Building: School - Memorial High Location: Superintendent Conference Roonh Address: 82 Oakland Road Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Jeanne Borawski, Linda Snow Dockser, Gary Nihan, Julie Joyce, Elaine Webb Members - Not Present: Chuck Robinson Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent Craig Martin, Student Representative Alex Nazzaro, Chronicle Reporter Al Sylvia, Library Media Specialists; Sharon Burke - RMHS, Robyn Ferrazzani - Parker, Kim Adamo - Killam & Lisa Norcross - Wood End, Wood End Principal Joanne King, Killam teacher Helen Palmieri, Resident Nancy Docktor Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Chair Topics of Discussion: I. Call to Order Vice - Chair Borawski called the School Committee to order at 7:02 p.m. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input Vice - Chair Borawski asked for public input on items not on the agenda. There was none. B. Consent Agenda Mrs. Borawski reviewed the consent agenda and asked if any members would like any items removed from the consent agenda. • Accept a Donation to RMHS Donations — Reading Lacrosse Association, RMHS PTO & RMHS Band Parents Organization • Accept a Donation to Wood End — Arbella Insurance Foundation • Approval of Minutes — March 7, 2016 Page 1 1 Mrs. Joyce moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan, to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried 5 -0. C. Reports Student Ms. Nazzaro reported on the following: • Spring Sports began today • RMHS Robotics finished 4t` in a recent competition • The annual Dodgeball Tournament was held last week • The RMHS bells are still malfunctioning Liaisons Dr. Snow Dockser reported on the SEPAC, METCO Lobby Day and AWOD. Mrs. Webb mentioned the upcoming Youth Mental Health First Aid and Active Parenting training opportunities. She also reported on Safe and Supportive Schools Commission First Annual Report and MASS Position Paper on Social and Emotional Learning and Executive Summary that the Superintendent and Sara Burd played a part in the development. Assistant Superintendent Mr. Martin shared that Mahesh Sharma will present to the community "How Children Learn Math" in the Endslow PAC on Tuesday. Superintendent Dr. Doherty reported on the Robotics Competition held in the RMHS field house. There were 40 teams from all over New England competing. The RMHS team!, was eliminated in the semifinal round. The team was awarded the prestigious Chairmen's award. This award is one of the top awards during the competition. The team will be competing this weekend in Rhode Island and at the district competition in Connecticut in April. Dr. Doherty updated the Committee on the status of the Parker Principal Search. He announced last week that Richelle Shankland has been named the next Parker Principal. She is currently the Assistant Principal at the Lynnfield Middle School. Her official start date is July 1, 2016 but has started working with the current li Parker administration as she begins her transition. He next updated the Committee on the Birch Meadow search. There are three finalists and site visits will be conducted this week. He hopes to have an announcement in the next couple of weeks. Dr. Doherty congratulated several RPS students who won Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. These students are among the top I% at the national level and their work will be on display at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Page 1 2 The RMHS Jazz Band competed and won gold at the recent MAJE competition. They will perform in the Hatch Shell on May 15tH The RMHS Winter Guard finished second and third at their recent competitions and will compete in the finals this coming weekend. Dr. Doherty handed out a report that was in response to a question from the Chair at the recent Fincom meeting. This document looks at the per pupil numbers without some fixed charges and transportation costs. The district changed only'i slightly. The Superintendent reminded the Committee that Town Counsel will be presenting information on Override protocol at the Selectmen's meeting on Tuesday night and the Finance Committee will be voting on the budgets on Wednesday night. D. Old Business None E. New Business Makerspace Presentation Lisa Norcross, Wood End and Kim Adamo, Killam began the presentation on makerspaces in Reading. Makerspaces are collaborative workshops where young people gain practical hands -on experience with new technologies and innovative process to design and build projects. The Library Media Specialists collaboratively wrote their Professional Practiced Goal on creating Makerspaces in each of the school libraries. They have worked together during their monthly PLC meetings to discuss the progress they are making in each school. Each school's approach to the makerspace looks different. The Librarians have written grant proposals for funding from the Reading Education Foundation and are looking at other revenue sources. Our district librarians participated in a five week online course about Makerspaces �tnd have toured Makerspaces in area schools. They went on to explain what the Makerspaces look like in their schools. Our elementary schools have spaces in the libraries dedicated to the Makerspace activities. Students are able to work in these areas after the book borrowing is complete. They can also earn extra time in these areas by showing core values The librarians also provide a home - school connection providing challenges for students to do at home. Wood End, in conjunction with Read Across America challenged the students to build a castle using materials at home. Ms. Norcros; shared that the students were very creative. The students voted for their favorii castle. Killam librarian Kim Adamo challenged fifth grade students to create a pair of snow shoes using materials found at home. The kids that participated v also very creative and voted for the best pair of snowshoes. Parker librarian Robyn Ferrazzani shared how the middle schools have brought Makerspaces to their buildings. She explained that there is no library time scheduled at the middle schools. Makerspace is an eighth grade elective. Page 1 3 Students work independently on projects. Students can access the Makerspace areas during before and after school library hours, during enrichment periods, during ABC time and as part of an after school art club. As with the elementary schools the spaces look different in both schools. The librarians need to be creative in finding spots to store the materials. Materials range from recycled materials, broken tech equipment, old clothes, discarded books and small hand tools. Student's projects include a cell phone projector, Bristle Bot robot that was made from harvested components and a toothbrush. Students took the compon�nt that causes a cell phone to vibrate out of an old cell phone and attached it to thej toothbrush head with a power source to create the Bristle Bot. Other students created a staircase piano using Makey Makey and lastly a Parker student using Sketchup 3D to redesign a neglected garden. Students are also working with coding, blog creation and programming. Ms. Ferrazzani said the Library Media Specialists would like to grow the Makerspaces by inviting guest speakers, utilize the reading Public Library resources, build relationships with local businesses and investigate grant opportunities. RMHS Library Media Specialist shared what Makerspaces look like in the high school. One of the biggest challenges is finding space in the high school library to store the materials and equipment. She explained that Makerspaces are trending now because it provides an opportunity to create, collaborate and I communicate. Makerspaces appeal to our need to create and supports a smalle�f ecological footprint by reusing and recycling. Currently one of the high school) students is participating in a design challenge that involves the design and creation of a garment using thrift shop and repurposed clothing. Another stude� is refinishing a table in the library. Some students benefit greatly from hands -off activities and challenges. Ms. Burke visited Makerspaces at Phillips — Andovet and Lynnfield High School to observe how these schools utilized their spaces. j Collaboration, supervision and storage are important elements when creating these spaces. Ms. Burke is actively pursuing grant opportunities, seeking donations of old tools, frames, metal, paint brushes, etc., time and expertise and looking for partners in the community to generate interest. The Library Media Specialists continue to discuss the Makerspaces during their PLC time and are continually looking for ways to effectively use their spaces. Vice -Chair Borawski called a brief recess at 8:48 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 8:50 p.m. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) Warrant S 1637 3.10.16 $130,406.13 Warrant 51638 3.17.16 $128,835.70 Warrant P1619 3.11.16 $1,494,667.55 b. Calendar Page 14 IV. Information Friends & Family Day The School Committee agreed that with so much going on in Town that they will participate in Friends & Family Day. V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Mrs. Joyce moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan to adiourn. The motion carriedl5- 0. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. Page 1 5