School Committee Meeting Update

Did You Know?..... That The Metrowest Daily News endorsed Holliston’s override on Thursday, May 20th?  

 

“…you can't ask a child to hold on until the economy improves. You only pass through first grade once, and if you can't get the instruction you need in a class that is far too big, those lessons aren't learned. High school is a one-shot deal, but the classes you take and the activities you pursue help determine where you go to college and what happens after that.

"I just can't afford it," is an argument impossible to refute. We can't blame anyone for voting against a tax hike they can't afford. But if the questions are do the schools really need this override and are public officials delivering the best value for the taxpayers' money, our answer is YES, and so we support passage of Holliston's May 25 override.”

For the full text of the article, please see: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinions/editorials/x258107692/Editorial-A-yes-vote-in-Holliston

(If anyone is available to hold a sign on Election Day Tuesday, please contact Support Holliston member, Lynne Rahim, at therahims@verizon.net by Sunday).

Thursday night’s School Committee meeting began with a few announcments: June 1 is Senior Week for our graduating seniors, culminating in graduation on Sunday, June 6 at 2:00 pm.  Senior Awards Night is Wed. June 2.  If you know a graduating student, please congratulate them!

Also, Holliston’s DI Team headed to Knoxville for the Global competition next week, wishes to thank the community who came out in force to help them raise the funds that will enable them to get to Tennessee.  If you know a DI member, please congratulate them!

More congratulations to our students who participated in Art Saves Lives last week.  The talent showcased by our Fine and Performing Arts students is remarkable.  

Assistant Superintendent Tim Cornely announced a pilot program for Professional Development through TEC.  Participating Districts include Holliston, Needham, and Wellesley.  Courses run the gamut from Data-Driven Differences, Making Your Practice Culturally Responsible, to Digging into Reading, and ELL.

The first presentation of the evening was by Principal Linda Weene, and Curriciulum Specialists, Alison Lindstrom and Kathy Balcom.  They shared an update on the Reading Street Pilot Study, which first came to the Committee’s at the end of the last school year.  Holliston is one of eight Districts around the country participating in this pilot (which is being evaluated by an independent research firm).  Mr. Cornely began with a brief history of early literacy learning in Holliston, which has moved away from the Basil and whole language movement, into a balanced literacy approach. The data from this approach has revealed inconsistencies in classroom practice, as balanced literacy is highly dependent on how knowledgeable a teacher is in the art of delivering quality literacy instruction.  While initally skeptical about participating in the Reading Street program, after due deliberation, it was decided that this program brings together the best current research and essential components of a balanced literacy program.  Reading Street is: data driven and research based; linked to Massachusetts Standards (which we’ve already noted are some of the highest in the country); structured using UbD; ha