Middletown Public Schools
7:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting
MICHAEL S. PINTO CONFERENCE ROOM
Members
Present: Michael F.
Crowley, Jr., Chairman
Liana
F. Fenton, Vice-Chair
Edward
K. Draper
Theresa
M. Spengler
Member
Absent: William Coogan
Also
Present: Rosemarie
K. Kraeger, Superintendent of Schools
Catherine
McLeish, Business Manager
Edward
Collins, Director of Facilities
The
regular meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chairman Michael
Crowley. Administrative staff members
present were Timothy Ryan, Steven Ruscito, Vincent Giuliano, Stephen Ponte,
Maureen Cicchitelli, Gail Abromitis and Linda Savastano. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
SPOTLIGHT ON
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Middletown
High School Directors – Mr. Ruscito introduced the new directors:
Laura Yentsch, Director of Humanities; John McDevitt, Director of Math
and Science; Christopher Savastano, Director of Fine and Applied Arts; and
Colleen Larson, Director of Performance Based Graduation.
Mr. Savastano framed the presentation in three
parts: goals, strategies and challenges. The Directors met for five days in late August
to discuss a vision for the school, and identify a focus to bring the high school
to a new level ~ a premiere high school
in New England.
Mr. Savastano presented their four areas of focus:
(Minutes of October 18, 2007 School
Committee Meeting, Page Two)
Mr. McDevitt presented their different strategies:
·
Personal learning communities (PLC)
·
Streamlining portfolio implementation
·
Huge challenges that should be transparent to students
Mrs. Yentsch presented the challenges:
Mr. Crowley acknowledged the Directors’ challenges. Mr. Crowley also likes the idea of common
assessments. Mr. Crowley said the
committee will try to address and help with the challenges. Mr. Draper asked how the students were
accepting these changes. Colleen Larson
addressed this question. More students
are successfully completing tasks and pursuing the CIM. Theresa Spengler said in the past five years the
faculty has been reenergized regarding CIM projects and portfolios. Liana Fenton expressed thanks “for the kids”
and for helping their future.
PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS
· STUDENT AWARDS – Student Awards were presented in the following categories:
o Newport Daily News Student of the Week
o Newport Daily News Athlete of the Week
· NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK – Proclamations for National School Bus Safety Week were presented to Bus Driver Ann Atkinson and School Bus Monitor Mrs. Patricia Ferrebee by Mr. Michael Crowley.
STUDENT
ACTIVITIES
Mr. Steven Ruscito introduced Student Council representatives, Haley Call, President and Christina Sherman, Vice President.
(Minutes of October 18, 2007 School
Committee Meeting, Page Three)
President Haley Call said the council is interested in reorganizing and redefined the role of student council explaining that they wanted to have a better presence in the high school. They attended a meeting for student councils state-wide in Providence. Ms. Call said the council has considered creating a constitution, requirements for running for office that mirror the academic, civil, and social skills expectations of Middletown High School.
Additionally, Ms. Call informed the school committee the school spirit week is next week. Some spirit week activities planned are a powder puff game, a hallway contest, blue and white day, and a new request for this year is to add a senior class tent night.
Mrs. Kraeger said she was pleased to see that they joined the state student council organization.
INFORMATION
Mrs. Kraeger noted items of information in the School Committee Package:
· School Committee member Liana Fenton received the Tech Collective Award for Advancement of Youth In Technology
· Vaccinate before you graduate data
· The Middletown Canvassing Authority chair requested a polling location change.
· Technology department completed a Needs and Data Analysis Survey to gain information on how they are progressing in the delivery of technology to students and staff. Mrs. Kraeger commended Mrs. Savastano for providing this survey and its’ feedback.
· Laidlaw Transportation was acquired by First Student. All of their employees are in the same positions.
CORRESPONDENCE
No “Correspondence” for October 18, 2007
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION: 1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton.
To approve the Consent Agenda. Unanimous
vote.
1000. Approval of Minutes of September 20, 2007
School Committee Meeting
1100. Approval
of Invoice Register, dated September 18, 2007, in the amount of $377,116.92
1110. Approval
of Invoice Register, dated September 24, 2007, in the amount of $2,681.94
(Minutes of October 18, 2007 School
Committee Meeting, Page Four)
1120. Approval
of Invoice Register, dated October 2, 2007, in the amount of $725,682.29
1200. Approval
of Special Grants Register, dated September 18, 2007, in the amount of
$48,238.54
1210. Approval
of Special Grants Register, dated October 2, 2007 in the amount of $22,482.34
1300. Superintendent’s
Recommendation on Personnel
SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL
TRANSFERS
Ronald
Viveiros Custodian,
Gaudet Middle School to Night Lead Custodian, MHS
FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT
Jonathan Paquette Art Teacher, Gaudet Middle
School
From October 22, 2007
through November 9, 2007
MATERNITY LEAVE - ARTICLE XIV, C, OPTION #1 (NEA/Middletown)
Robyn Borges Grade Two Teacher,
John F. Kennedy School
from January 2, 2008
to April 6, 2008
GAUDET STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Ronald Dumais Computer
Club Advisor
Jill Armstrong Art
Club Co-Advisor
Jonathan Paquette Art
Club Co-Advisor
Meaghan Corr Drama
Club Co-Advisor
Jacqueline Zahm Drama
Club Co-Advisor
Paula Guarino Student
Council Co-Advisor
Tina Murphy-Reynolds Student
Council Co-Advisor
MHS STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Liana Fenton Volunteer
FIRST Team Advisor
Alicia Hicks Junior Class
Co-Advisor
Samantha Hines Academic Decathlon Advisor
(Minutes of October 18, 2007 School
Committee Meeting, Page Five)
ACTION ITEMS
MOTION: 1) Theresa Spengler 2) Liana Fenton. That the School Committee approve Home
Schooling for 07-08-01, 07-08-02, and 07-08-03. Unanimous Vote.
AP Results ~
Mr. Ruscito discussed the
latest AP results.
Teachers need advanced
mastery in the subject area. AP offers professional
development.
Mr. Draper asked if the AP
classes were applied to the tasks development at the high school.
Mr.
Ruscito said our teachers are not fully engaged in using the resources provided
by AP. Mr. Crowley said Rhode Island
scores are in the bottom for students taking AP classes. He said there are bright spots such as
English and European History. He also
said it is puzzling why the rest of the country’s scores are increasing, but this
trend is not happening at MHS. Mr.
Crowley suggested the results of AP exams might indicate that students are not
being very well prepared.
(Minutes of October 18, 2007 School
Committee Meeting, Page Six)
Mr.
Draper asked if the Virtual High School could be utilized for AP courses. Last year, students were enrolled in virtual
AP courses and scored well on the exam.
Mr.
Tim Ryan concurred with Mr. Ruscito’s assessment of the SP courses. Mrs. Fenton asked about dual enrollment. She also asked if we have honors and AP in
same subject. She suggested that maybe we
should push those students into the AP course instead of offering an Honors
section.
Coach/Volunteer Evaluation ~
Mrs. Kraeger noted that this
evaluation was included in the school committee packet.
NEW BUSINESS
COZ ~
Mrs.
Kraeger introduced our new COZ director, Mrs. Carmela Geer. Mrs. Geer distributed an information packet
to the school committee members. She
highlighted the program, reinforcing a buy-in from everyone; schools,
community, and families. Mrs. Geer wants
to provide better access of COZ services, resources/referrals, and parent education. She plans to update the strategic plan for COZ within the next 60 days, create a COZ
calendar.
Theresa Spengler highlighted Mrs. Geer’s community networking
skills to be a huge asset to Middletown Public Schools.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS
·
CURRICULUM –
Mrs. Kraeger introduced Maureen Cicchitelli, who outlined the new ESL model of
services. Mrs. Cicchitelli and Mrs.
Geer, our COZ Coordinator, attended a meeting at the Naval War College. We have a high population of war college
families in Middletown who send their children to our schools. Mrs. Cicchitelli provided a Powerpoint
presentation which highlighted the need to take a look at how we provide
services to our ESL students.
o
We currently have
approximately 78 ESL students enrolled, with a new group of officers and their
families coming in January 2008
o
These families
speak 20 different languages, mainly Arabic and Spanish
o
We recognized
that families do have a person who speaks English in the home, and spouses are
required to enroll in an English class at the War College when they arrive
o
Multiple forms of
identification of student needs is necessary
(Minutes of October
18, 2007 School Committee Meeting, Page Seven)
o
Professional
development is needed for differentiated instruction
o
Parent and
teacher focus and advocacy group are needed
o
Evaluation of
program
o
Suggests multiple
measures for ESL program participation, not just at point of registration
o
Family meeting is
planned for November 30th to
talk about programs and support available for youngsters
o
Salve volunteers
will be available to help these students at the Middletown Library
o
Introduced the Rosetta Stone computer model on how we
learn language will be provided—pilot program offering is online. It will provide support for language learning
in all languages for all students in district with a tool to track progress. The program also has a screening piece
available with the program
o
Grant funds will
support the program
o
Many districts
across the country are using this tool
o
Maureen
Cicchitelli will be contacting Emily Kline at the Department of Education to
ask for the new regulations proposed for the LEP program. She reviewed literature and research by the
U.S. Government, and Emily Kline provided insight into the Office of Civil Rights
and their view of this concern.
o
Also, the War College
would be happy to have an officer from a particular country share their
language and ethnicity at any school.
o
Liana Fenton
asked if the war college would assist with funding for this program.
Mrs. Kraeger addressed other
activities:
·
Parent teacher
conferences are scheduled by each school
·
Planetarium
activities continue to evolve
·
MRSA info – We
are emphasizing hand washing and are waiting for direction from the Department
of Health regarding guidelines. Every
school has assured all safety precautions will be taking place.
·
FINANCIAL –
o
Preparation of
this year’s budget was difficult. The
budget for 2008-2009 won’t be any better.
o
Impact aid
numbers are not clear yet. There was
hope that we would receive the same as this year as last year. The military property was sold after October
29, 2006, which allows us to receive additional money.
o
MISA expressed
interest in Middletown hosting the Summer 2009 Conference
(Minutes of October
18, 2007 School Committee Meeting, Page Eight)
o
We will be meeting
with the Town Council and Legislators on December 10th at 6:30
o
Funding formula
for group home, pension relief are possibilities
o
Fielding Nair
Workshop will be held on November 20th at Gaudet at 6:00 to share the
results of their report with the Town Council.
MOTION: 1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton. That
the School Committee receive the Superintendent’s Reports.
Unanimous vote.
MOTION: 1) Theresa
Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton. To adjourn from School Committee Meeting at
10:00 p.m. Unanimous vote.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Rosemarie
K. Kraeger, Clerk