Melrose School Improvement Team
Meeting Minutes
October 20, 2005
Present: K. Almanzor, N. Santamour, S. Schott, J. Wright, C. Petrocelli, K. Chandler, L. Carlisle, M. Andres, J. Filkins, J. Kraus, B. Hawkins, R. Bendick, J. Warner
Guest: K. Sipala
K. Sipala attended to speak regarding four topics: factors relating to the future of the school district; on behalf of the Lawn SIT to present possibility of all school groups having a joint meeting; to get feedback regarding a Lawn school mascot; and to recruit members for the Healthy School/Healthy Kids Wellness committee and to update SIT members on this committee's work.
On the topic of the future of the school district, items discussed were the town council and school committees budgeting negotiations, higher pensions and health insurance costs across the state, dropping enrollment moving from Melrose to Lawn in the near future, the issue of 7 th and 8 th grade needing certifications in four areas but needing to drop to three teachers and the definite need for a full time principal at Lawn.
On behalf of the Lawn SIT, Ms. Sipala questioned committee members as to whether they wanted just a combined School Improvement Team meeting, or another large joint meeting of all school-related groups (SELAC, SITs, Facilities, etc.). A representative from each group would be present at the meeting for discussion with other representatives, and all other members of each group would be welcome to attend as well. It was agreed by the committee members that a meeting of all school groups would be welcome and that members of the Lawn SIT would arrange this at a later date.
Ms. Sipala presented the issues relating to the Student Council at Lawn working to decide on a school mascot. She asked for feedback regarding the issue of the “Warrior” as a mascot being inappropriate or not. After much discussion and debate at Lawn the students have corresponded with the local Native American Indian Chief and are waiting for his feedback.
N. Santamour reminded the committee that originally the school students felt very strongly about the Warrior name because of the school grounds being Indian burial ground and they felt adopting the name of Warriors was a sign of respect to the Indians.
Ms. Sipala reported that the Healthy School/Healthy Kids Wellness Committee is a subcommittee of the School Committee and they want teachers, parents and community members as well. They meet once per month and are in need of more members. She reported on the improvements that have already taken place in both schools regarding. The two main areas that are being addressed are 1) the menus and 2) other times food is at school (class events, community snack in classrooms, birthday parties, “rewards” by teachers).
Mr. Filkins complimented the committee's work on the school brochure that was developed in the previous year.
Ms. Schott presented the three main areas that emerged as possible topics to be addressed by the committee in the coming year: communication with parents (including the school website), differentiation; and service learning. (A plan was made for an ad to be placed in the school newsletter asking for a volunteer to work on the website. If there is no response, something will go in the Press asking for help.) The main goals and steps for each topic will be addressed by the committee at the next meeting and subcommittees will form around each topic.
The next meeting will be held on November 10, 2005.