School Committee Meeting Update

Well, it’s that time again.  The summer is drawing to a close, sports tryouts have begun, and the students are getting ready to head back to school. 

The School Committee had its first meeting since June, and while somewhat brief, included some important information. A reminder to all parents and guardians to check your child’s backpack and the school websites for important information.  Superintendent Jackson also cautioned the community that with the opening of school on Tuesday, to anticipate traffic delays while buses make their way through town, and construction is still happening.  Additionally, Dr. Jackson pointed out that all households should now have received the September District Newsletter.  As this endeavor does cost in excess of $6200 for printing and mailing, he is looking for feedback on whether this is useful information (we do understand that it can be emailed to parents, but it does also go to homes without school-age children) presented in an efficient and accessible manner.  Please email Dr. Jackson with your thoughts (jacksonb@holliston.k12.ma.us).

 

In Policy, the School Committee voted to approve an Overnight Field Trip Request from the Fine and Performing Arts Department at the High School for the Band and Choral trip to Disney World over April Vacation.  Details regarding transportation should be finalized by the end of September and students will have to commit to this around the same time.  

 

The next item of information was on staff members who are new to our District.  The twelve individuals coming into the Holliston Public Schools have impressive credentials: Simmons, Yale, Northeastern, UVM, Lesley, Virginia Tech, BU, Trugers, CU Boulder, BC, West Point, and Brandeis.  We hope everyone will welcome them as your children start in their classrooms, go to their Nurse’s Office, Guidance Office, or come to the High School with new Assistant Principal, Nicole Adams.

 

Subcommittee Assignments for the School Committee, begun in the spring, were then finalized.  If you have any questions about these, please contact any School Committee member.  All School Committee members hold roles, and always multiple roles, on various sub committees.

 

In New Business, the biggest presentation of the evening was by HHS Principal Mike Cournoyer, and Assistant Principals Marc Bender and Nicole Adams on five substantive changes to the High School Handbook.  These can be found in their entirety on the District Website (http://www.holliston.k12.ma.us/handbooks/HHSHB.pdf) after August 27th.  The School Committee approved all of the changes and the summary is as follows:

Consequences for Drugs/Alcohol in School or at School Events: Essentially, these changes were made to allow first time offenders an opportunity to mitigate the consequences of risky behavior or poor choices through drug/alcohol education sessions with one of the school adjustment counselors and a ten-week social probation period (vs. the historical one-year period). 

Extended DSB Privileges for Seniors: This change will extend the privilege from once every two weeks to every week on a Friday. 

Elimination of Academic Consequences for Behavioral Infractions: The consequence has been that the student with an infraction cannot achieve more than a 70% on a test or quiz that might be given on the day they are suspended.  Now, the consequence will be restructured to be more impactful (see below) 

Addition of Saturday School as a Disciplinary Consequence: Rather than a daily detention, the HS will establish a Saturday morning detention that will run from 8:00 am- 11:00 am once or twice a month.  

Change to the “In the Presence Of” Language:  Students who can prove that they are innocent of use of possession of drugs or alcohol will receive no consequences even if they are in a social situation where these might be present.  Students who flee or evade the police or other officals would receive the same consequences as one who possesses or uses.  This change would align Holliston’s policy with that of the MIAA.  The High School and the Police and Safety Officials hope that this change will encourage students to continue to come to the aid of a friend who may be in need, but doesn’t for fear repercussion in the form of guilt by association. 

If you have any questions after reading the Handbook changes, and ensuring your student reads them, as well, please contact the High School.  

 

The last few items of information included a brief review of the changes to the Open Meeting Law (in effect July 1, 2010, the notice from the Town Clerk regarding upcoming fall elections (Sept. 14 and Nov. 2- both regular school days), and Dr. Jackson’s report on Opening Day readiness.  The schools are clean and the teachers will officially begin the year on Monday with the Welcome Breakfast sponsored by thePTSA.  (Thanks to Mindee Meltzer for coordinating this annual event.  She is still looking for volunteers, please contact her at mindeemeltzer@verizon.net).  Dr. Jackson is concerned about two openings we have not been able to fill: the SSA position at the Adams School, and the Math/Science Curriculum Coordinator, also at the Adams School.  Please be aware that these positions are open, posted,  and are both of vital importance to the middle school.  

 

The next meeting will be Thursday, Sept. 2.  On the agenda: the Opening Day Report; a brief presentation on the Common Core Standards that Massachusetts has now adopted; the new teacher Induction Handbook; and a first look at a Capital Request for the October Town Meeting. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact any member of the School Committee or Central Administration.  On behalf of the whole Committee, we hope students, parents, and staff  have easy summer to school transitions!