Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-23 School Committee Minutes• dFn A' Town of Reading Meeting Minutes PIL Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee It I P 12' 43 Date: 2016 -05 -23 Time: 7:00 PM Building: School - Memorial High Location: sc� }�•^ L'b`'° ry Address: 62 Oakland Road Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Jeanne Borawski, Linda Snow Dockser, Chuck Robinson, Julie Joyce, Elaine Webb, Gary Nihan Members - Not Present: Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent Craig Martin, I Student Representatives Alex Nazzaro and Carl Gillies, Chronicle Reporter Al Sylvia, RTA President Chris Copeland, Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Chair Topics of Discussion: I. Call to Order Chair Robinson called the School Committee to order at 7:00 p.m. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input Chair Robinson asked for public input on items not on the agenda. Marianne Downing asked about the extended school day on Wednesdays at elementary level and what about status of Edline. Mr. Robinson shared that the elimination of the half day Wednesday is in the discussion stage and no decision has been made. Dr. Doherty said that our contract with Edline expires on June 30th. We are in the process of transitioning to the new website. Mrs. Webb arrived at 7:07 p.m. B. Consent Agenda Page 1 1 Mr. Robinson reviewed the consent agenda and asked if any members would like any items removed from the consent agenda. • Accept Donations to RMHS — Target Take Charge of Education & Conference Room Chairs from Carol R. Johnson Associates • Accept a Donation from the Wood End PTO — to support Art, Physical Education and Music Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Joyce, to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried 6 -0. C. New Business (out of order) New Science Curriculum Presentation Mr. Martin thanked the Curriculum leaders and administrators that were in attendance. He explained that the state has adopted the new framework for science which is inquiry-based and hands -on. Students need regular opportunities to experience dynamic, interdisciplinary nature of science and technology /engineering. The curriculum and instruction should instill wonder in students about the world around them through engaging and exciting learning experiences. This year we have been piloting the Know Atom curriculum at grade 5 and selected other levels and we have partnered and collaborated with other districts to discuss best practices. A decision on the new curriculum will not be made until early June. The new standards incorporate all science practices which are asking questions III and defining the problem, developing and using models, planning and carrying' out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, using mathematical and computational thinking, constructing explanations and designing solutions, engaging in argument from evidence and obtaining, evaluating and communicating information. It is important to start the process of mastering STEM inquiry in the early elementary years. Mr. Martin explained that there are several commonalities among the practices of Science, Mathematics and English Language Arts. Mr. Gillies arrived at 7:18 p.m. Mrs. Marchant and Kim Peterson, Parker teacher, presented information on the', middle school implementation. The middle school PLC has developed into a , great collaborative group. The collaboration is allowing the teachers to get comfortable with the standards. They have created a digital platform with all resources and materials. The middle schools science instruction will be moving to hands on, inquiry based approach. The new framework will be implemented) with the grade 6 students who will have experience with Know Atom. Mrs. Marchant explained that the decision has not been made as to which curriculum to use at the middle school level. The goal is to select a program that will align with the new science standards as well as the MA Literacy Standards. Page 1 2 Mr. Martin said that a decision will be made based on contributing factors such as the work that the elementary PLC has done and feedback from other districts regarding the programs they are using and considering. Killam grade 5 teacher Jo -Ellen McGinnity shared information from the elementary perspective. She shared that Know Atom is an opportunity to develop scientists and engineers in the classroom. At the beginning of the year STEM practice skills were developed with the goal of independent proficiency with practices. The second third of the year has focused on refining the student's performance expectations with a goal of independent proficiency with the processes and the last third of the year has focused on extending the student's performance of expectations with the goal of deeper expression of higher order!,, of thinking. Students come to class knowing the expectations and know what to do. The students have embraced this all- encompassing curriculum. Students are learning to ask the right questions, gather data and prove the hypothesis. The inquiry based approach reinforces critical thinking skills, including argument and analysis of evidence. Students need to be able to argue, support and defend their opinion based on what they have learned. The cross - curricula standards in Know Atom are wonderful. Mrs. McGinnity la collaborated with the Reading Specialist to create science libraries allowing students to incorporate all aspects of curriculum. This curriculum allows for independent and collaborative learning opportunities. The students are keeping) a lab notebook. The students note the data they have collected and write conclusions to the tasks. Know Atom comes with multiple assessments. Mr. Robinson called a brief recess at 8:23 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 8:30 p.m. Special Education Update Education Update Mrs. Wilson started her presentation by reviewing the key findings from the Walker Report. The district has had varying degrees of MTSS implementation, and we need to develop a DCAP, there have been numerous mid -level leadership changes over the past several years and over 20 team chairs in the last 5 years, we need to further develop and expand existing program options for the special education population, need to develop a clear and consistent approach to co- teaching and inclusion across the district, there needs to be a more comprehensive approach to professional development experiences, the transition process needs! to be structured in a sequential and consistent manner between the various school levels and the district needs to develop effective strategies to improve parental !, awareness. Parents need to be an integral part of the IEP process. It is important that the SEPAC be reestablished as well. She provided information on the district and explained the referral process and reading services provided. Page 1 3 Mrs. Wilson provided an overview of what we have done to address the Walker Report findings. The district has made progress in several areas addressed by the report. In the area of MTSS we continue implementation under the SCTG and have rolled out a DCAP to all staff. There continues to be turnover in the team chair position and work is continuing in refining the role, there is a need for additional clerical support and an Assistant Director, work also continues on a Policy & Procedure Manual. Staff continues to work in their PLC meetings to increase vertical alignment, we are reviewing all program spaces this year to ensure they are appropriate to meet student needs and are collaborating with the Wakefield Public Schools on the POST Program for our 18 — 22 year old students. The Administrative Council continues to work to develop a shared definition of co- teaching and in -class instructional support. Professional development opportunities continue to evolve with offerings for all staff. This year the district has provided clinical supervision for counseling staff and has been consulting with the Landmark School to work with the LLD program at the Parker Middle School. The Administrative Council has also been working in developing a process for transition building to building. Information on this process was shared at the January SEPAC meeting. The SEPAC has been restored in the district and has been communicating information out to the parents in the district. Members of the SEPAC spoke briefly about the work they have done this year. They were successful in revising and voting in by -laws which will make it easier to meet. The have held 4 meetings at which attendance has been good and are seeking interested people to run for office in the organization. Mrs. Webb is concerned with the team chair turnover. Mrs. Wilson said that paperwork bogs down the team chairs and she would ideally like to have additional clerical support for them. She also shared that her department is looking at creative ways to provide support and it is important to have this type of leadership and support in our schools. Dr. Snow Dockser thanked Mrs. Wilson for making herself available to the SEPAC and Mrs. Alicia Williams for taking initiative in getting the SEPAC up and running. D. Old Business Superintendent's Evaluation Process & Timeline Dr. Doherty reviewed the process and timeline for his evaluation. E. Reports Student Ms. Nazzaro reported that the choral concert is Thursday night. Mr. Gillies reported on the senior activities. Liaisons Page 1 4 Chair Robinson presented Student representative Carl Gillies with a token of appreciation on behalf of the School Committee and thanked him his two years of service. He also wished him luck at the University of Miami in the fall. Mrs. Borawski reported on the recent Recreation Committee meeting. The Committee has had inquiries asking that the field usage on Sunday morning guideline be reviewed. They are also working with town and school officials to address the neighbors' concerns over parking on Bancroft Ave. near the tennis courts and lastly FORR will hold a kids fun run and fireworks display as part of the Friends and Family event on June 11 `h. FORR will also hold the 10th annual 5K on July 21St Dr. Snow Dockser thanked the PTOs and REF for hosting speaker Michael Thompson and the next HRAC meeting will be on May 31St Mr. Webb congratulated our student representatives for their recognition at the recent awards celebrations. The annual Baccalaureate will be held on June 2"a at St. Agnes. She also updated the committee on the progress made thus far by the Late Start Committee. Assistant Superintendent Mr. Martin shared that a team of educators from Plymouth were in Reading to work with ELA Curriculum Coach Trisha Stodden and elementary students on writing. It was a great day of collaborative learning. Superintendent Superintendent Doherty reported on the Coolidge Science Team trip to the Nationals in Wisconsin. The team finished 26 out of 60 teams and the hovercraft project came in first in the country in their event. He reminded the committee that the hovercraft was demonstrated at an earlier meeting. He congratulated the team on their success. I The Superintendent attended the RMHS Jazz Ensemble performance at the Hatch Shell and an instrumental band concert this week. He thanked Mr. Mulligan and Mr. Blackman. RMHS held its annual AP Art Show on Main Street and the senior awards were given out recently. These awards were handled a little differently this year. Ali awards were given out during this ceremony; therefore no awards will be given) out at graduation. This year the awards were given out by each department and were centered on the high school core values. Dr. Doherty reminded the community of the upcoming Community Listening Sessions on June 1St and June 7th. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) Page 1 5 Warrant 51646 5.12.16 $150,737.71 Warrant S1647 5.19.16 $197,913.09 Warrant P1623 5.6.16 $1,434,376.06 b. Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Joyce to adiourn. The motion carried 6 -0. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda note the order they occurred during the meeting. Jo . Doherty, d.D. Page 1 6