SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS - October 30, 2006
**School Committee Meeting Minutes are posted to the Scituate Public Schools website www.scituate.k12.ma.us
Committee Members in Attendance: Maura Curran, Libby Michaud, Edward Tibbets and Michael Hayes
Administrators Present: Mark Mason (Superintendent), James Kelleher (Asst. Superintendent/Curriculum), Judy Norton (Special Education) and Paul Donlan (Business & Finance)
# of Attendees: 12
Special Matters:
CORSE Funded Grants - Tracy Johnston and Marynell Henry updated the Committee on the CORSE Funded Grants. Over $16,000 were granted across all of the Scituate schools. See http://www.corsefoundation.org/ for a listing of grants. Johnston and Henry reviewed the grant procedures and explained the formation of the Philanthropic committee. The Committee thanked Mrs. Johnston and Mrs. Henry for their continued efforts and success on behalf of the Scituate Schools. Comments included “unbelievable – never seen a not-for-profit get up and running so fast and provide such value programming”; “speaks to the need for funds, services and programs”; “exemplifies what Superintendent Mason exemplifies that people matter and ideas count”. Johnston added that this was a collaborative effort with 100+ members and additional supporters.
Hatherly School Improvement Plan Mari-An Fitzmaurice, Principal of the Hatherly School, presented the Hatherly School Improvement Plan. The plan is included on the Hatherly Elementary School website (www.scituate.k12.ma.us/hatherly). Fitzmaurice introduced School Council members and gave the highlights: library mural, art kiln, lunch around the world, building-wide recycling program, new playground, increased after school programs, staff development using Thomalson book study and connection to town library. Organization of the students is a goal, including the binders that students use to transport information between school and home (i.e., FROG binders for 1st grade = Fully Responsible & Growing Students). Hatherly is short staffed as it does not have a math specialist. Teachers are finding math websites to assist.
MCAS Scores Dr. Kelleher reviewed the FY05-06 MCAS scores and provided a hand-out on the “New Textbook/Curriculum Program” Adoption Cycle for 1990 – 2006 (see www.scituate.k12.ma.us/curriculum). Hand-out demonstrated the need for new textbooks, particularly in the area of English Language Arts which has textbooks and materials from 1993 & 1994. Kelleher explained that textbooks which are 5 years old are old; 5-10 years old are out-dated and 10 years old are in need of replacement. Kelleher expressed concern that we need more money to adequately train teachers in the No Child Left Behind Curriculum.
Budget Timelines Paul Donlan, Director of Business and Finance, presented the 2006-2007 Budget Timeline to the Committee, as included athttp://www.scituate.k12.ma.us/ on the superintendent’s page. Key dates include:
11/7 – Capital Planning meeting 7 PM town hall
12/4 – Budget presented at School Committee 5:30 PM Gates
12/9 – Public Work session with School Committee (open meeting with public)
12/11 – Public Hearing on Final School Dept. Budget
TBD – Advisory and Board of Selectman
March 3, 2007 – Town Meeting
Bid - It was voted: To approve the recommended bid for the purchase of two vans in the amount of $54,322 combined.
Gifts - To accept with appreciation the donation of: (1) Books from the Scituate Historical Society to the Jenkins School3rd grade class and (2) office chairs and whiteboards from Mr. Jeffrey Lawson to the Hatherly School.
Superintendent’s Correspondence Mr. Mason read a letter received by Mr. Frank Hynes, State Representative, congratulating the schools for their commendation by Standards and Poors.
Other Business – Annual Turkey Trot was held on 10/24. Grades 5 & 6 participated, with 150 students. Tradition began 31 years ago. Thank you to the physical education teachers, principals and school nurses for making this event a success. Mason congratulated all involved.
Sub-Committee Reports –
Facilities – Maura Curran provided a hand-out
Communications - Libby Michaud commented that the Communication Sub-Committee was discussed at the Joint PTO/School Council meeting on 10/23/2006. First official meeting is 11/6 – open meeting in Mason’s office 7PM. Discussing the future of district-wide communications with CSI Scituate (Central Source of Information for Scituate Public Schools).
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
CSI Scituate - Central Source of Information Scituate Public Schools
**Comments and input on the direction of this group are welcome**. Post comments or email csiscituate@yahoo.com - thanks!
Mission Statement:
The Central Source of Information (CSI) is dedicated to promoting timely, accurate and meaningful communication between the parents, teachers, school administration, school committee and the voting community of Scituate through all available channels of communication. CSI supports a partnership between all parties to create community advocacy for the schools and improve communications:
(1) FROM parents, teachers and the community TO the school administration and school organizations and;
(2) TO parents, teachers and the community FROM the school administration and organizations
CSI endorses the concept that community participation in the efforts of the schools is essential if the school system and the community are to maintain mutual confidence and respect and work together to improve the quality of education for students.
CSI will keep local citizens regularly and thoroughly informed on the policies, programs, problems and planning of the Scituate Public Schools. CSI is committed to working towards the betterment of the entire school system, not the needs of individual schools or students.
The goals of CSI are to:
1. Support and enhance communications FROM parents, teachers and the community:
a. Maintain a blog which allows active and timely communication of issues and concerns.
b. Work with the School Committee Communication sub-committee for input.
c. Survey parents, teachers and community members to obtain their input on (1) the quality of the schools, (2) their ability and willingness to actively support the school system via volunteer efforts and/or funding requests and (3) what the most effective and preferred ways to communicate the school’s goals and events. Publish the results and use the input in developing long and short term goals for the schools.
2. Support and enhance communications FROM the school administration and organizations:
a. Support the school administration in delivering its message regarding goals and initiatives through the timely and accurate use of electronic media (CSI blog) and printed media (increased coverage in the Mariner featuring collaborative school efforts and a editorial from the Superintendent). A one time printed community wide brochure is planned for Fall 2006. Increased use of Channel 22, the public education channel, is also being considered.
b. Organize core members to attend school committee meetings and then present brief minutes or updates via the blog. This is also an opportunity for parents to have bi-monthly representation during the public speaking portions of the school committee meetings.
**Comments and input on the direction of this committee are welcome**
Mission Statement:
The Central Source of Information (CSI) is dedicated to promoting timely, accurate and meaningful communication between the parents, teachers, school administration, school committee and the voting community of Scituate through all available channels of communication. CSI supports a partnership between all parties to create community advocacy for the schools and improve communications:
(1) FROM parents, teachers and the community TO the school administration and school organizations and;
(2) TO parents, teachers and the community FROM the school administration and organizations
CSI endorses the concept that community participation in the efforts of the schools is essential if the school system and the community are to maintain mutual confidence and respect and work together to improve the quality of education for students.
CSI will keep local citizens regularly and thoroughly informed on the policies, programs, problems and planning of the Scituate Public Schools. CSI is committed to working towards the betterment of the entire school system, not the needs of individual schools or students.
The goals of CSI are to:
1. Support and enhance communications FROM parents, teachers and the community:
a. Maintain a blog which allows active and timely communication of issues and concerns.
b. Work with the School Committee Communication sub-committee for input.
c. Survey parents, teachers and community members to obtain their input on (1) the quality of the schools, (2) their ability and willingness to actively support the school system via volunteer efforts and/or funding requests and (3) what the most effective and preferred ways to communicate the school’s goals and events. Publish the results and use the input in developing long and short term goals for the schools.
2. Support and enhance communications FROM the school administration and organizations:
a. Support the school administration in delivering its message regarding goals and initiatives through the timely and accurate use of electronic media (CSI blog) and printed media (increased coverage in the Mariner featuring collaborative school efforts and a editorial from the Superintendent). A one time printed community wide brochure is planned for Fall 2006. Increased use of Channel 22, the public education channel, is also being considered.
b. Organize core members to attend school committee meetings and then present brief minutes or updates via the blog. This is also an opportunity for parents to have bi-monthly representation during the public speaking portions of the school committee meetings.
**Comments and input on the direction of this committee are welcome**
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