School Committee Meeting Update

Thursday night’s meeting primarily focused on the School Improvement plans for all four schools.  Prior to those presentations, comments from members included appreciation for all the exciting end-of-the-year events going on.  The RAMS and HHS concerts were wonderful, Senior Awards Night was amazing, and the 8^th grade Community Service/Intergenerational Day a complete success.  Holliston’s Destination Imagination Team who attended the Global Competition in Knoxville had a great time and met students from all around the world.  And, Ginny Murphy and Carol Emmons expressed their appreciation at being re-elected for another term and look forward to serving the community.  

Dr. Jackson informed the Committee that, in keeping with Going Green, the schools will no longer be printing any Student Handbooks.  They will all be available on-line and of course, will be provided, to any family or student who does not have on-line access.  This effort will save the District over $9000.  

The School Improvement Plans and presentations, as always, are extremely comprehensive and will only be summarized below.  The complete plans will be posted shortly on each school’s website.  If you have any questions, please contact the School Principal. Additionally, all administrators are very grateful for the individuals who serve on the School Councils, from teachers, to parents, to community members. 

Mrs. Weene and Mrs. Stewart were the first presenters for the Placentino School Improvement Plan.  They gave a brief update of the current plan and moved on to the 2010-2011 plan.  Critical Issues focused on:

1. Literacy- identify and incorporate strategies that support Differentiated Instruction for all students
2. Writing Assessment- initiate and sustain a summative writing prompt assessment to monitor student progress
3. Mathematics- incorporate 21^st century skills to ensure competence in all strands of math
4. Science- promote use of UbD in Science and Technology
5. Creating a School-wide System for Assessment and Instruction- expanding RTI at Tier 1 level in every classroom
6. Community Outreach- focus on opportunities for involving children in charitable community activities
7. Improve Resources for Parent Access to Information
8. Respectful School Culture
9. School Security and Safety
10. Health- provide more specific information about nutrition and making good choices
11. Fitness Awareness- provide a higher level of awareness of “lifelong fitness skills”

At the Middle School, Mr. Keim and Ms. Maloney also provided a brief update of the current plan (which included information on the progress monitoring of the students in Low NI or Warning from the 2009 MCAS. Out of the 35 children, 23 showed positive results after an eight-week intervention) and moved on to 2010-2011.    The Miller Critical Issues focus on:

1. Literacy- grade-level consistency, strategies, and skills; Essential Questions and Big Ideas; digital literacy opportunities, and celebrating student reading.
2. Mathematics- consistent grade-level core lessons, technology, and differentiated activities; benchmark assessments; ensure an intervention action plan; and focus on technology, as it pertains to record-keeping and curriculum sharing.
3. Science- grade-level assessments and Essential Questions/Big Ideas
4. Collaborative School Climate- teaching of Social and Emotional Lea