HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-18 School Council - Birch Meadow Elementary MinutesTown of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
School Council -Birch Meadow Elementary
Date: 2022-01-18 Time: 3:30
Building: School -Birch Meadow Location: Zoom
Address: 27 Arthur B Lord Drive Session: Open Session
Purpose: Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
RECEIVEU
TOWN IC IR
READING, M
2022 JAN 24 PN 2:4
Dr. Burnham, Stacey Shimkus, Arielle Mucha, Lisa Connell, Gina
McCormick
Members - Not Present:
Heather Sullivan
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Stacey Shimkus
Topics of Discussion:
1. All forms have been completed by Site Council members.
2. School Committee approved Birch Meadow Elementary School Improvement Plan.
Site Council watched 8 -minute video reviewing SIP. Site Council discussed
curriculum audit which was removed from Birch Meadow's SIP as the district will take
on this function. Site Council discussed building staff capacity as well as use of
supplemental materials.
3. Leadership team to develop Connectivity Survey to evaluate student connection to
school. Will adapt survey used by Joshua Eaton Elementary School.
4. Restorative Practice Initiatives - circles have been presented to PTO, some School
Committee members, some classrooms, as time has allowed and is appropriate.
Grant completed to bring Restorative Practices to Birch Meadow. Plan to use
Restorative Circles to engage community and parents, Incorporating social skills and
ensuring all voices are heard.
5. Health Updates - No changes noted in allergy information. Covid updates -
increased cases in school; maintain 3 -foot distance and dividers in cafeteria.
Conducting contact tracing for close contacts. Increased frequency of cleaning high
touch surfaces to multiple times per day. Pooled testing school wide every
Wednesday. Test and Stay if designated close contact. School received donation
from DESS of masks and tests. Site Council discussed Covid data, impact on school
- open positions for substitute teachers, open position for tutor.
6. Attendance Policy - district evaluated attendance data and district wide Attendance
Committee was formed. Policies will be specific to grade level but forms will be
standardized. Each school will run attendance list and SST (student support team)
will look at data and develop appropriate plans. Focus less disciplinary.
7. Next steps - Initial meetings of Site Council focused on procedures and policies.
Upcoming meetings to examine Core Values with an equity lens; gather more
information about Connectivity surveys.
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