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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-11-01 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session 30 P 12: -,b Date: November 1, 2010 Time: 7:30 p.m. (Open Session) Place: Reading Memorial High School Library Media Center School Committee Members Present Chuck Robinson Hal Croft Chris Caruso David Michaud Karen Janowski Jared Beaulieu Student Representative Matthew Conway Student Representative Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance and Operations Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Kim Oliveira, Director of Pupil Services Visitors: Ellie Freedman, RMHS Principal Bill Endslow, Department Chair Fine and Performing Arts & Business Sharon Burke, RMHS Library Media Specialist Janet Dee, RMHS Business & Technology Teacher 1. Call to Order Christine Lyons, Reading Chronicle Matt Casey, Reading Patch Art Katz, Reading Advocate Chairperson Caruso called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and reviewed the agenda. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Reports (1) (Out of Order) L Student Student Representative Beaulieu shared the following events at the high school: a The volleyball team hosted a Dig Pink event and are Middlesex League Co-Champs ® The Drama Club's "Shocktoberfest" was very successful ® The RMHS Band hosted the NESBA competition recently ® The RMHS Golf Team had a successful season 0 RMHS Football continues to roll November 1, 2010 ® The recent Halloween Dance was well attended ® The "World of Difference" program is underway at the high school ® The Foreign Language Department hosted the Hispanic Heritage event for all students taking Spanish. ® RMHS Drama production of "The Scarlet Pimpernel" opens next week. 2. Liaison 3. Superintendent's Report 4. Director of Finance and Operations Ms. DeLai shared that the FY2010 End of Year report has been submitted. It will be audited and she will share the results when they become available. Director of Pupil Services Mrs. Oliveira updated the School Committee on her recent activities as part of her Entry plan. She has met with parents, staff and administrators as well as the PAC group gathering information and feedback as she becomes familiar with the district. Mrs. Oliveira and Mrs. de Garavilla have also met with the Understanding Disabilities group to discuss their programs. Some upcoming events include a full day of professional development for all paraeducators on November 19th. Inclusive Schools Week is the first week in December and Inclusive Schools Month is in the spring. Mrs. Oliveira shared that it is important to address the social/emotional needs of our students. The district staff needs to be proactive and supportive of families and community organizations to support children in crisis. She feels that our staff is dedicated and focused on our students. B. Continued Business (Out of Order) Bullying Prevention Update Mrs. de Garavilla presented an update of the Reading Public Schools Bullying Prevention Plan. She has collaborated with administrators, staff, and teachers and will be meeting with parents, students and school councils over the next few weeks to gather feedback and comments on the draft plan. Once she has compiled the data the plan will be finalized and submitted to the DESE by the end of December. Mrs. de Garavilla reviewed the new law. The Bullying Prevention Plan has been modeled after the plan provided by the DESE. An important element of the plan is that all staff members will be required to report suspected incidents. Mrs. de Garavilla reviewed the definitions and terminology. One goal is to have consistency across the district and between the schools. She also indicated that it is very important that the district collaborates with families keeping them informed and updated regarding the curriculum and tools available to educate their children at home. November 1, 2010 Once the Bullying Prevention Plan is finalized it will be shared with the School Committee prior to submission to the DESE. The committee asked clarifying questions. FYI I Budget Update Ms. DeLai updated the School Committee on the status of the FYI 1 budget. C. New Business RMHS Presentation (Out of Order) Chair Caruso thanked Mrs. Freedman for hosting the meeting this evening. Mrs. Freedman introduced Mrs. Burke and Mrs. Dee who will be presenting "How Web 2.0 tools are transforming teaching and learning" to the School Committee. Mrs. Burke spoke of transforming teaching and learning at RMHS. She went on to review the differences between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0. Web 1.0 - "The Internet" was a static tool - little interactivity - text based. Users needed specialized knowledge to access and contribute data and information. Web 2.0 is a much more interactive tool, allowing users to generate content using Smart technologies such as blogs, wikis and Google dots. Students are able to create, collaborate and connect using these tools. Students are able to access many free applications and information. Mrs. Burke emphasized that where you get your information is important. StudentE need to know their sources. Information literacy is being taught as part of the ninth grade advisory class. Mrs. Dee provided an overview a Computer Applications class at RMHS. Her classes are made up of students in all grades with all different levels of computer abilities. She went on to share what would be expected of students for a typical semester. Assignments include creating surveys, analyzing the data that is produced and present to the class. Students use a variety of Google forms and applications to accomplish these assignments. Mrs. Dee accesses several free sites that provide teaching tools, lesson plans and information. She also emphasized the importance of knowing the source of information being accessed. Mrs. Burke indicated with the movement toward project based learning and the integration of technology, the high school students are moving away from the cut and paste mentality. Technology skills are used in all areas of curriculum. Chair Caruso thanked Mrs. Burke and Mrs. Dee for the information. Review of Superintendent's Goals Dr. Doherty briefly reviewed his goals for this school year. He stated there will be a more in- depth review of goals at the retreat. He stated his goals are driven by the district mission and vision and align with the district goals. He also said they are measurable/SMART goals. He wanted the School Committee to be aware of these goals because he will reference them in the upcoming State of the Schools address at Town Meeting. November 1, 2010 Town Meeting Preparation Birch Meadow Boundaries Dr. Doherty indicated that the discussion on the Birch Meadow boundaries would be postponed. Town Meeting Warrant Article 9 Ms. DeLai reviewed the status of the Green Repairs application. She said that the MSBA would be voting on November 17th and is cautiously optimistic that we will be awarded the funds. She is asking the School Committee to vote to support Warrant Article 9 which authorizes the town to have the required funding for the project available. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by r. Croft, to support Article 9 of the Subsequent Town Meeting Warrant to raise by borrowing or transfer from available funds or otherwise for the purpose of making improvements to the Killam and Birch Meadow Schools as part of the Green Repairs initiative. The motion carried 5-0. Approval of Field Trips RMHS Drama Club Field Trip Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the RMHS Drama Club field trip to New York City to attend two Broadway shows in May 2011 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated October 27, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. Coolidge Field Trip Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the Coolidge Middle School field trip to Prindle fond during April vacation 2011 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated October 27, 2010. The motion carried 5-0 III. Routine Matters ® Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, o approve the open session minutes dated October 18, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the RCASA annual meeting minutes dated September 29, 2010. The motion carried 4-0-1. Mr. Michaud abstained. 0 Bids and Donations Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud to accent the donation RMHS Football Program from the Friends of Reading Football to be used to fund four coaching assistant positions as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated October 27, 2010 The motion carried 5-- 0. -November 1, 2010 Calendar Chair Caruso reminded the committee of the upcoming meetings. IV. Information V. Adjournment Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Croft to adjourn. The motion carried 5-0 VI. Future Business Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. "I A John F. Dohey, Ed.D S1 erintendent of Schools