HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-11 School Council - Wood End Elementary Minutes - DraftGiVED
xr Town of Reading TOWNECLERK
Meeting Minutes READING, MA.
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
2023 APR 24 AM 8: 32
Date: 2023-04-11 Time: 3:15-4:15pm
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Building: School -Wood End NSiaon:
tion: Virtual (Zoom)
Address: 85 Sunset Rock Lane Open Session
Purpose: Regular Meeting for 2022-2023 Version: raft
Attendees: Members - Present:
Lindsay Baker, Mia Gaska, Maureen Habeeb, Caitlin Koehler, Nicole Schwartz,
Christine St. Hilaire, and Lindsey Tainsh
Members - Not Present: Kevin Sexton
Others Present: none
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Lindsay Baker
Topics of Discussion:
The third meeting of the Wood End Elementary School Council for 2022-23 school year was
held via Zoom on April 11, 2023.
Call to Order:
A quorum of members being present, and the meeting having been duly convened for Wood
End Elementary School by Principal, Nicole Schwartz called the meeting to order at 3:21
p.m. and proceeded with business.
Public Comment:
Christine St. Hilaire shared gratitude for a good first MCAS experience for her third grade student
and appreciation for the support shown by the entire school during the testing process.
Review and Acceptance of Minutes:
Members reviewed draft minutes from the January 17, 2023 meeting. There were no
corrections or additions.
Vote: Minutes Accepted 7-0-0
Old Business:
Sense of Belonging Data: Principal Schwartz shared data points from the results of this
year's Connectedness and Panorama Surveys. Overall the surveys showed that a significant
majority of students have a strong sense of belonging in their Wood End school community,
reporting that they feel safe, understood by adults and peers, valued, and shown respect
among other measures. A parent asked whether the surveys are anonymous and Principal
Schwartz verified that the results are individually confidential but that some information can
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Meeting Minutes
be tied to grades which can help the administration deliver further support where It may be
needed. The school administration and building staff am digging into the nuances of the
results and will identify ways to support those who may have indicated lower levels of
belonging and connectedness.
New Business:
Assistant Princloal Role Filled: Principal Schwartz shared further details about the recently
filled Assistant Principal position at Wood End. Current third grade teacher Jess Hester will
serve as Assistant Principal beginning in the 2023-2024 school year. This role will look
different at Wood End than It will at other Reading elementary schools. Principal Schwartz
and the hiring committee specifically sought a candidate with a strong teaching background
as the Assistant Principal will work directly with students iR combined administrative,
Interventionist, and prevention focused position based on Wdent need in a given year.
Lindsay Baker expressed gratitude that Mrs. Hester will remain a part of the staff at Wood
End, after having learned that the school will be losing a third grade teacher position in the
2023-2024 school year due to district budgeting decisions.
uocomina Sorino Open House: The Spring elementary open house will take place on
Thursday, May 11th, from 5:30-7pm. To accommodate open house set-up, 5/11/2023 will
be an early release day and the following Friday, 5/12/2023 will be a full school day. Parents
and guardians will be able to visit classrooms, view exhibits of student work around the
building, experience student robotics opportunities In the library and do activities set up in
the gym.
Kinderaarten Screen no: Kindergarten screening for the Incoming 2023-2024 kindergarten
class will take place on Friday, May 12, 2023. The staff will conduct four screenings sessions
In one day.
Field Dav7 Field Day has been set for June 6, 2023 with June 8th as a rain day. There will be
two sessions: Kindergarten, first, and second grade in one session and third, fourth, and
fifth in another session. Due to parent feedback, Mr Bauer will try to accommodate as many
parent/guardian volunteers as possible, but it will have to be limited for safety and
functionality.
Book Fair: The PTO has scheduled the Scholastic Book Fair for the first week of May. This
will include a family night with an ice cream truck as In the previous year. The PTO is also
trying to add a movie night. Christine St. Hilaire suggested adding a spring pizza night.
Principal Schwartz will share this suggestion with the PTO along with an additional
suggestion to add an ice cream truck or popsicles on the playground date for all interested
returning families in the fall to Increase connection and welcome in the community at the
start of the new school year.
New School Council Member(s) Needed: Caitlln Koehler's youngest student will be moving
on to middle school, so at least one seat on the School Council will be opening for the
2023-2024 school year. Principal Schwartz will put out an invitation to the school community
for any parents and guardians interested in joining the council to apply. The other current
council members expressed willingness to continue on, and also openness to give up a seat
to anyone else who would like to join the council, should there be multiple Interested
parties.
Reauest for New Curricula Reflection, Christine St. Hilaire requested Principal Schwartz and
council teachers to share reflections on the implementation of the new curricula adopted by
the school this school year at the next School Council meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the School Council adjourned at 4:05 p.m. The next
meeting will be held at 3:15 on June 6, 2023.
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Meeting nutes
Respectfu bmitte
Lindsay Ba
Recording Se
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