School Notes

**Dave** · Admin Posts: 315 Join date: 2009-01-18 Age: 98

I am starting this thread as a go to place for information and comments on school stuff;

Just wanted to drop a note on a few School things…

Hats off to... Lucas Thompson

The Middle School held a Career day. I was very impressed at the setup and speakers. Featured were a Toymaker (Hasbro), an Attorney General Prosecutor, Police, Fire, DEA, and at least 15 other occupations.

The Middle School Bands (6th, 7th, and 8th each have a band) participated in the Great East Competition in North Andover. 6th received a Gold, 7th a Silver, and 8th a Gold for their performances.

Though limited time kept me from attending other district events that perhaps other members can comment on, I must say that the level of commitment and pride on the part of faculty, parents, and students alike has been quite impressive.

We are moving through quite a transition period between the incoming Superintendent and the almost daily budget issues. Several policies are in the process of being updated or created. One such policy that is in the process of being finalized is a Multi-Media Communications policy. The goals of this policy are to connect the public information generated from School Committee meetings, such as budget information, contracts, information used to determine a motion on, with the taxpayers through the website, cable 17, School Notes, and e-mail.

Another topic that is entering the High School is a pilot program that creates student advisors. This person aids a student by being a confidant and pointing them in the right direction for resources. This is done at no additional cost to the district and is another example at the level of commitment in our schools.

Hope to add more as time allows.

Dave

**tombenoit** · Re: School Notes on Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:30 pm **tombenoit**

Dave;

Great start. Keep the info flowing. One hint - keep a ruuning list of the new services being performed (i.e. student advisors) at not cost. Have that ready when it comes time for contract discussions. My experience was that they somehow show up as a proposed stipend.

Wendy · New Report Cards? on Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:39 am Wendy

I was at the meeting for about an hour and a half, but I had to get back home.

I was interested that the elementary schools will be instituting new report cards for K-2 next year (which would include my son; I guess my daughter would never get the new report cards because she'll be in 5th next year then move to the middle school).

I like the concept of the new cards, which are "standards-based" (or what we used to call outcomes-based until the right wing turned "OBE" into a dirty word back in the 90s). They are more specific about what our students can do as opposed to whether or not they've sat in a classroom for a specified amount of time. As the speakers pointed out, we will have to recalibrate our ideas of what a "good" report card is. The standards will be 1-Beginning, 2-Approaching 3-Meeting and 4-Exceeding the standards. So it's reasonable to expect that none of the students will be meeting or exceeding the standards in the first grading period. They should all have 3 or 4 by the end of the year.

I'm not crazy about the way that MCAS is driving this a bit, as I am skeptical of accountability testing in general, but I guess it's an imperfect but best-for-now answer to accountability.

I was sorry to leave before the SC discussed the Multimedia Communications policy, so I am very glad you explained it, Dave. If there is any need for additional input, volunteer work, or committee membership, I'd be happy to volunteer, though I would recommend taking me up on that offer sooner than later. The day after Labor Day, I turn into a pumpkin (i.e., my full-time job starts up again) but until then I've got lots of free time.

interestedinseekonk

Hi Dave,
Where can we find the agenda for upcoming meetings? It has been emailed from the schools, but I'm not able to open it. I've checked a few sites, no luck there either. Very frustrating for parents who want to stay involved. I'm sure this will be addressed in the Multi Media Policy being organized , but what about now?
Any insight you can provide would be helpful/appreciated.

**Dave** · Re: School Notes on Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:58 pm **Dave**

From the school website- district calendar;

June 15th

The language in the multi-media policy will address the agenda with the method of posting the agenda and the timeframe to do so.

D

**Dave** · Re: School Notes on Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:24 pm **Dave**

I am very happy to report that the District's first ever Multi-media Policy was passed Monday night with a 5-0 vote. This policy is a major step forward for the District in that it shifts the burden of obtaining information about the District from the stakeholder to the District Administration.

Here is the policy-

Quote:

Multi-Media Communications Policy

The Seekonk School Committee recognizes the importance of providing communication and transparency through the use of multi-media including, but not limited to, the School Notes Community Board, the Educational Access Channel, the School Website, and e-mail.

The purpose of this policy is to establish a series of guidelines to address several methods of multi-media formats. The guidelines are designed to provide the District Stakeholders with information in a timely and effective manner.

COMMUNICATION GUIDELINES

I. Educational Access Channel

The Educational Access Channel is a place where educational information can be easily disseminated to the community. As part of that process, the broadcast of School Committee Meetings and school functions is a priority of the School Committee.

The Superintendent or his/her designee shall be responsible for ensuring that the following guidelines are adhered to for preparing and recording School Committee meetings:

1. All Regular School Committee meetings shall be broadcast to the community. The Superintendent or his/her designee, shall be responsible for setting up all necessary equipment prior to the start of the School Committee meeting. This shall not delay the start of the Committee meeting.
2. Should a meeting not be broadcast live, a minimum of five (5) business days notice (when possible) shall be given via Channel 17 School Notes. The notice will also include the dates and times that the meeting will be shown.
3. The camera positions, operating personnel, and equipment will not interfere with the decorum and dignity of the Committee meetings. The cables, microphone cords, and camera locations will be as unobtrusive as possible, and will not be operated in a distracting manner.
4. Equipment will not be located in such a way that a safety hazard is created for room occupants

The Superintendent or his/her designee shall be responsible for ensuring that the following formats are adhered to for recording School Committee meetings:

1. Every effort will be made to broadcast each meeting live and rebroadcast it a minimum of six (6) times per week (including weekends) until the next Regular School Committee Meeting with proper notice posted on the Channel 17 School Notes Bulletin Board.
2. All meetings will be stored on digital media formats. All meetings will also be saved as a podcast to be uploaded to the district website within forty-eight (48) hours. Streaming and/or Downloadable Video shall also be available via the School Department website within seventy-two (72) hours of the conclusion of the Committee meeting and shall be available for thirty (30) days. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall be responsible for creating the podcast and streaming and/or downloadable video and uploading it to the website within the established timeline.

II. School Notes Communication Board:

The bulletin board known as Channel 17 School Notes shall serve as a portal to information about the Seekonk Public Schools. It will provide useful information to town residents in a timely manner that allows them to access the information from the comfort of their home. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall be responsible for ensuring these notices are properly posted and maintained.

The following shall be maintained and updated constantly in the sequence of announcements:
1. Contact information (including phone, fax, and address) for all schools and central administration (including but not limited to The Superintendent, Business Office, Curriculum and Instruction Office, Special Services, Transportation, Athletics, and Maintenance)
2. The next meeting of the School Committee. This shall include date, time, location, and broadcasting status (live or live to tape).
3. Notice of PTO/PAC meetings as well as other civic groups that are based in the schools (including school, date, time, and location).
4. Notice of School Improvement Council Meetings (including school, date, time, and location).
5. Listing of all programs currently airing on the Access Channel (including date and start times).
6. Any other item as deemed necessary by a vote of the School Committee or the Superintendent.

III School Website

The School Committee recognizes that the school district website is a vital source of communication and information for all Stakeholders. The goals of the School Committee for the use of the school website are; to make the school website easier to identify with by implementing the domain name www.SeekonkSchools.org, to improve transparency by making School Committee meetings available through podcasts and streaming and/or downloadable video formats, and to make documentation and information disseminated during open School Committee meetings and other sources available to Stakeholders in a downloadable format.

a) Any documentation that is part of the agenda or voted on by the School Committee during the open portion of the meeting shall be uploaded to the school website within forty-eight (48) hours of the completion of said meeting.
b) Any Contracts between the Committee and Unions, Individuals, or Collaboratives shall be posted on the website in an easily accessible location within forty-eight (48) hours of being signed or ratified. This shall include contracts dealing with tangible items and real property.
c) A podcast of each School Committee meeting shall be uploaded to the school website within forty-eight (48) hours of said meeting and will remain available for download for a period of thirty (30) days.
d) A streaming and/or downloadable video of each School Committee meeting shall be uploaded to the school website within seventy-two (72) hours of said meeting and will remain available for download until replaced by the next School Committee meeting streaming video.
e) It shall be the responsibility of the School Committee to inform the Superintendent or his/her designee on how long any documentation shall remain available for download on the school website.

IV E-mail

The School committee recognizes the importance of disseminating information through the use of e-mail. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall create and maintain an e-mail group consisting of all district e-mail addresses and of all Stakeholders that register their e-mail address through the district website. The purpose of establishing and maintaining this e-mail group will be to inform all district employees and interested Stakeholders of important events and issues.

a) The district e-mail list shall be used to notify recipients of the School Committee meeting Agenda at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the scheduled meeting time.
b) The district e-mail list shall be used to notify recipients within forty-eight (48) hours of the availability of downloads as they are added to the district website, including, but not limited to, podcasts, streaming and/or downloadable videos, and files.

Wendy · Multimedia policy on Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:54 pm Wendy

Dave, it looks good! I am pleased about the e-mail dissemination of information, as I don't really have my tv on all that often (unlike many families, we have only 1! So I have to fight for time with the kids and my husband!).

Thanks so much for working on this and sharing it.

Wendy

seek2mend · Re: School Notes on Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:57 pm seek2mend

I agree wholeheartedly with Wendy. The more options you can realistically offer the better.

Now onto the more pressing issue of a School Committee dress code;)

interestedinseekonk · Multi-Media Policy on Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:52 am interestedinseekonk

Kudos and Thank You!

Wendy · Recess on Thu Jun 18, 2009 10:18 am Wendy

I love having this topic just for school issues. Smile

I just read this article and agree with it. I hate it when the kids' recess is taken away as a punishment, especially since it seems to happen most to the kids who really need to run around a bit.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/holly-robinson/teachers-dont-like-boys-m_b_215963.html
or
http://tinyurl.com/na7mcx

I am going to send it to Mr. Madden, but I thought I'd share it with you all too. Smile

Personally, I'd like to see longer school days with more recess time. And as you know, I'd like HS to start later. Smile

**Dave** · Re: School Notes on Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:33 am **Dave**

Our budget went through with a unanimous vote last night at Town Meeting. cheers

Of course the final numbers are still not out from state...keep your fingers crossed. affraid

**MitchV** · Re: School Notes on Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:56 am **MitchV**

The teamwork exhibited by everyone involved with the budget process this year was unparalleled. We were able to present a balanced budget that still provides essential services to the citizens in these difficult times. I am honored to work with individuals that put the community first. Kudos to the Board of Selectmen, Finance Comm., Town Admin, Finance Director, School Admin., my colleagues on the School Committee, and everyone else involved. Also, a thank you to the voters at Town Meeting for their support of the budget!

Mitch Vieira

**Dave** · Re: School Notes on Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:22 am **Dave**

We had our meeting Monday night. Lots to post as more time allows but I wanted to at least put out there that a 3 year contract was approved for rental of the pool by Seekonk Aquatics.

A lot of number crunching and language review went into this and I am quite confident that the rental covers any expenses used. With this agreement signed we can now work on increasing the use of the pool during rental hours to increase the annual revenue. More to say about this as time allows...

d

seek2mend · Re: School Notes on Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:02 am seek2mend

Excellent! The Sun Chronicle did report on it, but I haven't had a chance to read the article or see the meeting.

I think most would agree the pool must generate enough revenue to justify it's exsistence. If not, other options would have to be considered. Hopefully the recreation committee is a management option. The pool was sold to us a a community faciity and has never fulfilled it's promise.

Long ago I suggested working out an agreement with the Y. Whether they meet our entire school health and phys ed needs or a portion, perhaps it is something that should be looked at. They have skilled staff and I do not believe they pay property taxes. IMO, The Natatorium could be a great asset to the Y and still be a community asset if things do not work out with Swim Club.

In any event, it is great that this school committee is being proactive.

**MitchV** · Re: School Notes on Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:24 pm **MitchV**

As part of the School Committee's Multi Media Policy, the Pool Contract is available online at the district's website (www.seekonkschools.org). From the homepage, click on district then school committee. From there, click on School Committee documentation and July 27, 2009. From there, click on SC agenda back up and half way through the pdf is a copy of the contract. A quicker link to the contract should be ready within the next day or two.

Podcasts of the School Committee Meetings are also available on the website under the School Committee page. Downloadable video of the meetings should also be available shortly.

I would also encourage you to peruse the other documentation available in that folder which are items that the school committee approved/reviewed at their last meeting. Also, from the homepage, in the left column, there is a link titled 'contracts'. This contains all Collective Bargaining Agreements, Individual employee contracts, and any leases that involve the School Department. Meeting Agendas and approved minutes are also available on the site.

The goal of this policy is to promote transparency and make retrieving information easier for citizens. Hopefully, everyone will take advantage of these new additions to our website. We would be happy to hear your feedback on the new documentation/podcasts, etc. so please feel free to email us (also on the website).

Thanks,
Mitch Vieira
mvieira@seekonk.k12.ma.us

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