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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-10 School Committee Minutesg+ orn�o ur c Town of Reading Meeting Minutes n' Board -Committee -Commission -Council: School Committee Date: 2025-04-10 Time: 8:15 PM Building: School - Memorial High Location: School Library Address: 62 Oakland Road Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Shawn Brandt, Sarah McLaughlin, Carla Nazzaro, Erin Gaffen, and Lara Durgavich Members - Not Present: Tom Wise Others Present: Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Teaching Dr. Sarah Hardy and Superintendent Dr. Thomas Milaschewski Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Olivia Lejeune on behalf of the chairperson. Topics of Discussion: A. Call to Order —Mrs. Gaffen called the meeting to order welcoming new committee member Ms. Lara Durgavich and congratulating Mr. Wise on his reelection. B. Public Comment —None Consent Agenda 1. Minutes(03-27-2025) 2. RMHS Music Program Donation 3. Nature's Classroom Field Trip Request Accounts Payable Warrant Reports 1. 03-27-2025 2. 04-03-2025 Payroll Warrant Reports 1. 01-17-2025 2. 01-31-2025 3. 02-14-2025 4. 02-28-2025 S. 03-14-2025 6.03-28-2025 Page 1 1 Mr. Brandt motioned to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Mrs. Nazzaro. The vote passed 5-0. Reports 1. Students —Student representatives shared a number of recent highlights and upcoming events: a. Academics & College Prep: i. A successful college fair hosted over 120 colleges. ii. School counselors are actively working with students to plan courses for the 2025-26 school year. ill. AP exams are scheduled for May 5-16. iv. Math MCAS will take place on May 20-21, followed by Science MCAS on June 5-6. b. Extracurricular Achievements: L The winter drama team advanced to the next round of competition. ii. DECA had a strong showing at the state competition, with five students qualifying for the international level. iii. Artsfest was a success, featuring performances by choirs and bands, along with visual art displays. c. Student Life & Activities: i. Spring sports tryouts are currently underway. ii. The junior prom was held recently. iii. A recent affinity group meeting was held with Barbara Best and the Reading Coalition. d. Upcoming Events: i. ALICE drill —April 16 ii. Winchester Hospital career panel —May 2 iii. Job shadowing day— May 21 iv. Awards nights —May 21 and June 3 2. Assistant Superintended for Learning and Teaching— Dr. Hardy shared an update on the review of executive functioning, noting that data collection is well underway with staff support, and that the most recent step involved holding family forums to discuss and learn about their experiences at home —progress is moving along well. 3. Superintendent— Dr. Milaschewski thanked and congratulated Barbara Best, who has been a doctoral resident in the district this school year following three years of involvement through her internship, noting that she will defend her dissertation next week, conclude her time in the district on May 9th, and that her capstone defense is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. 4. Liaison/Sub-Committee a. Mrs. Nazzaro—Ajoint virtual forum with Killam and RECAL is scheduled for next week, with the vote taking place on May 13th and signage already up for both projects. b. Ms. Durgavich —No report c. Ms. McLaughlin —No report Page 1 2 d. Mrs. Gaffen—No report e. Mr. Brandt —No report E. New Business 1. Annual School Resource Officer Update School Resource Officers Lewis, Davis, and Vatcher provided an overview of the work completed during the 2024-2025 school year. Updates included the following: Certifications, Training, and Professional Development • Officer Vatcher and Officer Lewis received state recertification as SROs. • Officer Davis is currently in training and working alongside Officer Lewis to learn the role of the SRO. • Officer Davis completed the required MPTC SRO Training to become a certified SRO. • SROs attended training from the FBI Boston on best practices when responding to bomb threats and "swatting" calls at schools. • The SROs worked with the Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support to assist with Youth Mental Health First Aid training for junior health classes. • We will be working with the Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support to teach Choose to Refuse (opioid prevention) in RMHS health classes this spring. School Safety and Crisis Response • Assisted with ALICE drills at RMHS and middle schools. • Led professional development classes on ALICE for elementary school staff. • Worked with the schools to assess threatening behavior using the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) as needed. • Continued to work closely with the Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support to provide resources to students and families in need. • SROs continue to be part of the District Crisis Team and the RMHS Core Crisis Team, addressing safety issues and concerns as they arise. • Worked with Dr. Stys and the District Crisis Team to roll out the recent overhaul of district -wide incident response plans. • Participated in a video highlighting district -wide safety measures and procedures. • Worked with the Reading Police Civil Rights Officer and the Director of the Office of Equity and Social Justice to address any hate -based incidents. School and Community Engagement • Reading Police Comfort Dogs, Rusty and Cooper, continue to work alongside the SROs. • Officer Vatcher will present Internet and social media safety and responsibility to all 5th-grade students district -wide. • SROs will assist with an Internet Safety presentation by the U.S. Attorney's Office this spring at both Coolidge and Parker middle schools. • SROs and the Reading Coalition will help present an Internet/Social Media Safety session for parents at Coolidge Middle School, sponsored by the Coolidge PTO. Page 1 3 • SROs joined other members of the Reading Police to serve elementary school lunches. • Officer Vatcher presented to Barrows kindergarten classes for their Community Helpers Unit. • Reading Police provided rides to school for winners of various PTO raffles. • Officer Vatcher participated in evening reading events at both Barrows and Birch Meadow Elementary Schools. • The SROs are helping to organize the second Reading Police Youth Academy this summer for middle school -aged students. The Youth Academy will run from July 28th to August 1st. Dr. Milaschewski thanked the SRO's for their work in the school community 2. Children's Cabinet Update Ms. Barbara Best and Ms. Theresa Wiggins provided an update on the Reading Children's Cabinet and the work the group has done since its establishment in 2023. The Reading Children's Cabinet brings together key leaders and community members who serve children and youth. Its goals are to strengthen collaboration, align resources, and close programming gaps. The Cabinet builds on the strong cross -sector leadership already present in Reading, with Reading Public Schools, town leadership, the Reading Police Department, community leaders, business leaders, parents/guardians, and students all working together to empower youth to thrive. Since establishing its priorities, the Cabinet has accessed resources and focused on addressing relational aggression and improving connectedness. Ms. Best and Ms. Wiggins shared plans for the future work of the Cabinet and how they intend to build on the progress made over the past two years. 3. Math Pathways FY25 Update Dr. Hardy shared an update on Math Pathways. The packet provided includes a memo with detailed information, and Dr. Hardy highlighted key points during the review. The goal is to ensure high -quality math instruction that supports student success. As students move through the Math Pathways, they begin differentiating their math courses in 7th grade to align with their future goals. The district is working to ensure the pathway includes a range of options, including opportunities for students who are ready for more advanced challenges. There is also an ongoing focus on 12th-grade math courses to provide rigorous academic opportunities. A shift is planned for the next school year: where the district previously offered Financial Algebra, it will now offer a course called Advanced Algebra with Financial Applications, which maintains similar content but at a higher level of rigor. Additionally, the district will continue to offer a variety of math course options over the summer. The district remains committed to supporting teachers through strong professional development and by continuing to leverage the expertise of math coaches. This year, Page 1 4 teachers engaged in new professional development focused on the concept of guaranteed learning experiences, ensuring consistency and high expectations across classrooms. Finally, there is a continued emphasis on clear and effective communication with parents and guardians. The goal is to ensure families understand the Math Pathways process and that all information is transparent and accessible. 4. Approve Last Day of School for SY24-25 (A) Dr. Milaschewski acknowledged recent community conversations regarding whether the School Committee could choose to end the school year on Friday, June 13th or Monday, June 16th. He clarified that it is a formality for the Committee to vote on the last day of school, and according to DESE regulations, districts are required to meet 180 instructional days. Unfortunately, the 180th day falls on Monday, June 16th. Mr. Brandt motioned to approve Monday, June 161h as the last day of school for the 2024- 2025 school year, seconded by Mrs. Nazzaro. The vote passed 5-0. S. Approve the awarding of the David Savio Law Enforcement Scholarship (A) Mr. Brandt motioned to approve the expenditure of $2,051 from the David Savio Law Enforcement Scholarship to be provided to one senior in alignment with the scholarship criteria, seconded by Ms. McLaughlin. The vote passed 5-0. 6. Approve the awarding of the Arthur L. Spencer Memorial Scholarship (A) Mr. Brandt motioned to approve the expenditure of $400 from the Arthur L. Spencer Memorial Scholarship to be provided to one senior in alignment with the scholarship criteria, seconded by Ms. McLaughlin. The vote passed 5-0. Mr. Brandt motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Nazzaro. The vote passed 5-0. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t48DUIQwmFO Meeting Adjourned from regular session at approximately 9:15 pm. Page 1 5