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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
School Council -Walter S Parker Middle
Date: 2021-05-12 Time: 5:30 PM
Building: School - Parker Location:
Address: 45 Temple Street Session:
Purpose: Monthly Meeting Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
TOWN CLERK
READING, MA.
2021 NOV -8 AN 9:34
Richele Shankland, Erin Gaffen, Marianne Downing, Andrew Spinal!, Ann
Ozanian, Justin Raimo, Grace Therriault
Members - Not Present:
Kimberly Bernazzani, Sherilla Lestrade, Christine Lusk, Miguel Borrem
Others Present:
Brendan Norton, Assistant Principal, Addis Sintayehu, Ilke Walkley, Amy
Koehler
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Richele Shankland
Topics of Discussion:
1. Review and vote on minutes from the April 14, 2021, meeting.
1. Minutes from April 14, 2021, meeting were approved.
2. Continue Handbook Equity Audit
a.) Note the following principles:
a. Equitable (accessible/ considering all stakeholders)
b. Easy to read (simple format)
c. Positive tone
b.) Brendan shared sample sections of handbooks from other schools
a. Seattle Schools Dress Code
i. Student choices, empowerment of families, not defining what kids
can't do, enforcement (no student shall be referred to as a "distraction"
due to their appearance or attire)
ii. Comments:
1. This incorporates a lot of what we were getting at in the last 2
meetings-- I like it a lot.
2. 1 would hesitate to define it further than described here.
3. If it's a distraction, a distraction for who?
4. Right now, some middle school students are wearing crop tops
and showing their navels/ mid-section
S. Liked - No student shall face unnecessary barriers to attending
school
6. Student — some things that students wear are not school
appropriate but I don't think it's bad if someone's shirt is a
little too short
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7. Like the simplicity
8. Students and staff have the right to feel comfortable in their
environment
9. I think any good dress code is going to be a general framework
in which you can hang those delicate one on one conversations
with students.
b. Charles County
i. Philosophies that guide practices, outlining expectations, shared
responsibility, glossary terms, explanation of school exclusions,
statement of philosophy
c. Positive Behavior Support Project
i. Sample policies
ii. Difference between what we are saying and what we are actually
doing
iii. Valued based versus legal wording
iv. Equitable discipline policies
1. Effective policies should..., non -examples, examples
v. What does "disrespect" mean? Discuss with staff and students
vi. Make the handbook more of a shared experience.
vii. Clear, objective discipline procedures (office referrals — procedure,
data collection)
1. Comment: 1 think where "disrespect' is concerned-- almost
always that signifies there's a breakdown in the student -teacher
relationship that needs to be rebuilt-- and that's the language
that needs to be in a handbook. It's not about punishing, but
rather, finding out why there's breakdown and rebuilding the
relationship. All the steps in the world don't change the core
issue if the relationship isn't repaired.
d. School District of Indian River County
i. Bullet points
ii. Responsibilities of students, caregivers, staff/ administration
1. Comments: don't start statements with DO NOT
c.) Met in breakout groups to list responsibilities (students, caregivers, staff/admin)
Group I
Student responsibilities:
-Try our best at school
-pay attention in class
-participate in activities
-talk to fellow classmates and teachers
-Be prepared
-Be present
-Be positive
-Treat others with respect
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-Problem solve, advocate for yourself, "own" issues
-If see something bad happening, e.g. bullying, report it to adult
-Take care of school facilities and shared spaces
-Take academic risks, embrace mistakes
Caregiver Responsibilities:
-Encourage student to problem solve, advocate for themselves, `own" issues
-Trust your student!
-Don't be over -involved!
-Following "chain of command" (not these words, but this idea)
-Support your child and teachers
-Seek information about what is happening from your student, teachers and other staff
Group 2
a. Students — feels authoritative, should be more empowering, make more
positive statements
b. Boxes and bullets more visually pleasing than long paragraphs
Idea for how to structure this:
Goal:
What student is responsible for...
Teacher does
Staff does
Caregivers do
Think about:
How each group's responsibilities are connected and dependent on each other.
Assume positive intent.
d.) Identify next steps
a. Mission/ vision
b. Glossary of terms/ definitions
c. Draft
Meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Richele Shankland.
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