Minutes of the Monson School Committee Regular Business Meeting April 28, 2022 “Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Town of Monson School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the Town of Monson website, at www.monson-ma.gov. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen to the meeting may do so in the following manner: https://zoom.us/j/83240785437 Meeting ID:832 4078 54375119, no in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time, via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the Town of Monson’s website an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. Present (In-person): Chair Colleen Flynn; Secretary Kathryn Peterson and Committee Members Jackie Watts, Alison Morgan; Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Clarke; Director of Business and Operations Leah Zippin; Granite Valley School Principal Joseph Trivisonno; Granite Valley School Assistant Principal Myriah Hudak; Monson High School Interim Principal Matthew Sullivan; Early Childhood Center Dean of Students/Special Education Coordinator Colette Bidus and Recording Secretary Karen Methe Absent: Vice Chair Emily Graves-Harrison Note: This meeting was recorded by M-Pact TV and Zoom. Ms. Flynn called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Ms. Peterson read the Mission & Vision Statements. Announcements/Recognition: The Early Childhood Center (ECC) began their Pre-K screening today and it will continue tomorrow. Kindergarten will be hosting a Bingo Literacy Event and Pre-K Open House on May 3, 2022 between 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Kindergarten screening begins May 19, 2022. A Community Day is planned for June 3, 2022. Representatives from the Police, Fire and Highway Departments will join ECC students to talk about their jobs in the community. Kindergarten graduation will be held on June 10, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. New this year to Granite Valley School (GVS) is High 5 Friday. Tomorrow police officers will greet students with a High 5 as they arrive at school. A Grade 5 and 6 dance is planned for May 20, 2022. Spirit Week begins May 23, 2022. Field Day is scheduled for June 8, 2022. Grade 6 will have a Send-Off ceremony on June 10, 2022. Senior Week activities are as follows:
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May 31, 2022 – Academic Awards June 1, 2022 – Senior Trip to Boston June 2, 2022 – Senior Banquet June 3, 2022 – Graduation (rain date of June 4, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. A Spring Concert has been scheduled for May 5, 2022. The Athletic Awards will be presented on May 26, 2022. Grades 7 and 8 have tentatively scheduled a dance for May 13, 2022. Dr. Clarke noted that she will send all dates to Committee members. The Whatever It Takes (WIT) Program at GVS will host a cook-out for families on May 16, 2022. The Parent Teacher Student Association will hold their next meeting on May 4, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at Quarry Hill Community School. The Monson Teachers’ Association is hosting a celebration, honoring all retirees from the last couple years and those employees that have been with the district for over 20 years, on May 6, The Annual Town Meeting will be May 9, 2022 at GVS. Recognition: Dr. Clarke announced that Monson High School (NHS) ranked in the top 40% of high schools in the country according to the U.S. News and World Report. There are over 18,000 high schools and MHS was rated at 5,782 which qualifies them to display the Best High School Ranking 2022. She congratulated the staff and students for all their hard work. Dr. Clarke attended the National Honor Society Inductee Ceremony at the high school and congratulated Emilia Finnegan, Camrynn Lemon, Ava Ronaldson, Maggie Ronaldson, and Kaitlyn Vedovelli on their induction to the Henry O. Holley Induction Society. Student Representative Report: MCAS testing has been happening around the building. All grades have finished their ELA testing and 5th grade has started their math testing. All students have been showing great effort and hard work. In Science, many grades are involved in their Project Lead the Way (PLTW) studies. This involves using STEM (Science, Technology, English and Math) skills throughout the unit and completing a final project using the design process. Grade 1 students are working on a Designs by Nature module. In this module, students learned that offspring are like, but not exactly like their parents. Students observed photographs of parents and offspring to discover similarities and differences. They also discovered how plants and animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs. Lastly, students learned engineers are inspired by many things and that "inspiration" can come from nature. This is called biochemistry. Other 1st graders are exploring Light and Sound. Grade 2 just finished designing and testing their seed dispersal devices. They learned about seeds and how they traveled, then had to design a device that mimicked how seeds are moved by animals, wind or water to spread seeds quickly. Grade 3 students just finished their PLTW project: Weather Factors and Hazards unit. To end the unit, they were tasked to design a way to protect seedlings from a flash flood and shared their results to the class with presentations. Grade 4 students are working through their first PLTW module about energy. They have learned about what potential and kinetic energy
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are and built pendulums and vehicles using VEX kits. This week they will be racing their vehicles down a ramp starting at various heights to collect data on whether or not the amount of potential energy an object has affects how fast and far it travels. Grade 5 PLTW students are learning about the observable patterns that are caused by the Earth and moon’s rotation and the sun’s location; like the day and night cycle and how shadows look throughout the day. Grade 6 students are using microscopes and learning about cells. After that, they will learn about how body systems work together to heal the human body after it sustains an injury. Superintendent’s Update: The first episode of Clarke’s Corner is out and Dr. Clarke sent a link to view it to all staff and School Committee members. This episode highlights some of the great things that are happening at the high school. She added that the students on this segment did a beautiful job and it was a pleasure to work with them. Dr. Clarke encouraged everyone to tune into this and subsequent airings. The next episode is coming out soon. Dr. Clarke thanked MHS Interim Principal Mr. Sullivan, his teachers, staff and students for a very successful Community Day held recently. Students were responsible for cleaning up town fields and working with the younger students. A Food Drive was held at Adam’s and students in the VIP Program had a bake sale in front of Monson Savings Bank. Staff Appreciation is next week. Dr. Clarke said that she and the Administrative Leadership Team will have something to give staff each day of the week, adding that the PTSA will provide lunch at each school on Thursday. She thanked the PTSA. Dr. Clarke noted that currently there are several job postings, which she reviewed for Committee members. Public Session: Ms. Flynn opened Public Session at 7:13 p.m. No one came forward to address the Committee. Ms. Flynn closed Public Session at 7:14 p.m. Subcommittee and Liaison Reports: There is a Policy Subcommittee scheduled for May 12, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. Dr. Clarke recommended that prior to the Town Elections, an end of the year Finance Subcommittee be scheduled to review the final budget and variance. Old Business: Ms. Zippin distributed and reviewed the FY23 Transportation Budget that was approved by the Town Finance Committee. New Business: Dr. Clarke reported that Ms. Tetrault has taken a position as a full-time principal in another district. She stated that the Director of Student Services position has been posted, adding that there are 2 strong internal candidates. Dr. Clarke has created an interview structure and many people are interested in participating in the hiring process. She stated that there will be equal representation from all schools. She will notify the participants and send the candidate’s resumes. Dr. Clarke has
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added additional events to the process that include a Parent and Family Forum on May 9, 2022 from 5:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.in-person in the School Committee Room at QHCS and via Zoom. On May 10, 2022 there will be staff forums, with the candidates, at the high school beginning at 2:30 p.m. and GVS at 3:30 p.m. Formal interviews will be held on May 11, 2022. Ms. Watts provided a Curriculum update. She was excited to announce that for the first time the district is a recipient of the OpenSciEd in MA Grant for middle grades 6-8. She distributed an informational sheet to Committee members and provided an overview of the grant which will begin July 1, 2022. The $25,000 monies will be distributed over the next 3 years to implement the program which is very student inquiry based with teacher facilitated discussions and projects. Ms. Watts noted that Project Lead the Way will continue and added that this new grant will be a nice cohort and connection to it. Professional Development is being offered to grades 6-8 teachers for 4 days, on-site at Boston College. Ms. Watts added that there will be a slow roll-out of the 6-unit program over the 3 year timeframe. The early grades Literacy Grant is in its 5th year having received approximately $62,000 this year. There are 16 teachers up to grade 3 participating that have access to a literacy consultant throughout the year who spends approximately 300 hours in the classrooms. The American Assistance Grant funds for career exploration is split between GVS and the high school for grades 6-8. Ms. Watts added that the grant originator came to the district today to work with her and Mr. Sullivan. They observed students in Mr. Pitcher’s class working with the 3D printer. The district would like to purchase 2 drones and have Mr. Pitcher obtain the appropriate licensing to use in the classroom and embed in other classwork. Teachers continue to work with representatives from Empowering Writers. ST Math support is in the final year of grant implementation and Ms. Watts stated that she is excited with the progress at GVS. Ten History and Social Studies teachers have been working in a vertical team, doing amazing work and just about to finish up. The WIT Program at GVS, which includes 16 teachers and paraprofessionals working after-school with over 50 students since November, has been a huge success. Ms. Watts noted that the next steps moving forward are creating a Paraprofessional Development Task Force, review of the English Language Learners program, Title 1, mentoring, Professional Development and the continuation of the WIT Program. Ms. Watts extended another invitation to Literacy Night at the ECC where students will play BINGO while parents work with her and the Kindergarten teachers to learn more about literacy development and how to support their students over the summer. A question and answer period followed Ms. Watts’ report. Action Items: Schedule Policy Subcommittee Meeting for May 12, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. Ms. Flynn requested that all Committee members attend the upcoming Town Meeting. Change the May 26, 2022 Regular Business Meeting to May 25, 2022 so Dr. Clarke and Committee members can attend the Athletic Awards at the high school. Schedule a Finance Subcommittee Meeting on May 25, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. Schedule Regular Business Meetings for June 8 and 23, 2022.
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Reminder that Town Elections are June 14, 2022. Motion by Ms. Peterson adjourn to Executive Session under M.G.L Chapter 30A, 21a. Purpose #2 – To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel not to return to Open Session. (Second by Ms. Morgan) No discussion Motion carries 4-0 Open Session closed at 7:44 p.m. Documentation for this meeting: April 28, 2022-Regular Business Meeting Agenda Presented at meeting: OpenSciEd in MA Grant Approved by Committee: _________________________________________________ Kathryn Peterson, Secretary