HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-23 School Council - Wood End Elementary Minutes - DraftU'ATown of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Date: 2022-5-23
Building: School - Wood End
Address: 85 Sunset Rock Lane
„� : 7:00pm
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Session: Open Session
Purpose: Regular Meeting for 2021-2022 Version: Draft
Attendees: Members - Present:
Lindsay Baker, Mia Gaska, Danielle Gianatasslo, Joanne King,
Kevin Sexton, Christine St. Hilaire, and Lindsey Talnsh
Members - Not Present:
Caitlin Koehler
Others Present:
Nicole Schwartz, incoming Wood End principal
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Lindsay Baker
kECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
READING: MA'Cr-
2022 MAY 31 AM 8:22
Topics of Discussion:
The fourth meeting of the Wood End Elementary School Council for 2021-22 school year
was held via Zoom on May 23, 2022.
Call to Order:
A quorum of members being present, and the meeting having been duly convened for Wood
End Elementary School by Principal, Joanne King called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
and proceeded with business.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Review and Acceptance of Minutes:
Members reviewed draft minutes from the March 21, 2022 meeting. There were no
corrections or additions.
Vote: Minutes Accepted 7-0-0
Old Business:
Sing Open House Feedback: The Council members reviewed the recent Spring Open
House held on May 12, 2022. Highlights included the adjusted format that allowed
specialists to have their own dedicated presentation space and timed events to showcase
their diverse and unique programs. Additionally, the museum style of the open house
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Meeting Minutes
communicated to students and their families that their work is strong and worthy of
admiration. The common theme was a celebration of student work, especially writing
accomplishments and math progress, and opportunities leaving written compliments for
students were enjoyed by all. The involvement of the PTO in the open house has also been
a helpful means to connect families with. opportunities for further involvement in school life
and to provide a welcoming parent community presence.
Kindergarten Screening- Dr. King shared that currently there are 38 Kindergarten students
assigned to Wood End for the 2022-2023 school year. This translates to two full-day
Kindergartens with 19 students per class. All were recently screened In small groups during
a regular school day. Both kindergarten teachers, speech & language pathologist, school
psychologist, and literacy specialist were involved in the screening and were able to debrief
later on the day of the screening. The screening involves small groups of incoming
kindergarteners cycling through five stations that focus on specific developmental and
learning categories while interacting with teachers and specialists. Dr. King shared that It
has been found to be helpful to have the screening at the end of the current school year
rather than over the summer so that screening results can be considered during class
placement. It was also noted that new families are always moving to the Wood End
neighborhood and some potential summer enrollment is anticipated.
New Business:
School Choice, School Choice is new to Reading for the 2022-2023 school year. Spots in
grade levels with small class sizes can be opened up to the School Choice program at the
building principal's discretion for students residing in other districts. There is an application
process requiring families to designate a specific school of their choice. Applications are due
June 1st, 2022 and some have already been received for the district. Applications enter a
lottery system through which class spots are awarded. A set number of school choice seats
are set aside and this number will not affect the number of class spots available to Boston
resident students through the METCO program. Some of the benefits and intentions of
opening up the district to school choice are increased income, stabilization (not growth) of
class sizes and retention of talented teaching staff who might otherwise be downsized.
Sssond and third oracle class number hang Dr. King shared that state-wide and district
level data shows that the current (2021-2022 school year) second grade class is displaying
the greatest social/emotional and academic needs as a result of their particular experience
of school through the Covid-19 pandemic (interruptions of their Kindergarten -second grade
development). Based on these findings, Dr. King has designated that third grade at Wood
End will remain as three classes in the 2022-2023 school year, lowering the student to
teacher ratio for this high -needs class Into the mid -teens (from 23:1 and 24:1) and fourth
grade will be two classes, resulting in the current third grade class having a higher but still
below -district -maximum -levels (max 27:1) student -to -teacher ratio. Currently the 2022-
2023 school year grade four classes will have 24 students in each class, and these ratios will
be offset by bringing in a fellow teacher to support the 4th grade classes. The fellow will be
a graduate student who is a licensed certified teacher and will serve as a co -teacher shared
between the two classrooms.
fRel I cion of Council Members, Dr. King received no new volunteers to serve on the
School Council for the 2022-2023 school year. Therefore, and in the interest of transitional
stability as Mrs. Schwartz takes over leadership of the school in July, three council members
with terms expiring this lune have volunteered to stay on for another year of service. These
members, Lindsay Baker (parent), Christine St. Hilaire (parent), and Mia Gaska (teacher),
were unanimously re-elected to the council by the council members present. A motion was
made by Kevin Sexton and seconded by Lindsey Tainsh.
Vote: Council Members Re-elected 7-0-0
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- •• • • - 1• 1 o ai ur.'1 ur--Wood d Principal: The council
collectively took a moment to express ap W iation for the work done thus far over the cof
the Covid pandemic school years. Many council members communicated their gratitude oourse
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King for her immeasurable impact on the character, culture, and overall success of Wood End
Elementary School over her many years of dedicated leadership.
Adjournment,;;:,
There being no further busine a School Council adjourned at 7:58 P.M. This was the
last scheduled meeting for the 2021-2022 school year.
Respectfully Submitted,
Undsay Baker,
Recording Secretary
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