HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-22-Harrington-minHarrington Elementary School Site Council — Meeting Minutes
2013 -2014 Academic Year
Meeting Date/Time: Location: Secretary:
Tuesday, October 22, 2013 Harrington 1st floor conf / room Rucha Londhe
7:30 — 8:30 am
in Attendance (Council Members):
x Elaine Mead (Co- Chair)
x Judy Crocker
x Michelle Motta Dardeno
x Kathy Martin
x Nancy Taylor
x Micah Viana
x Amy Chamberlain
x Rucha Londhe
x Geri O'Neill
x Travis McCready
Standing agenda items Minutes
1. Approval of minutes from September 24, Approved as amended.
2013
Agenda Topics Discussed
1. Harrington updates
a. Enrollment update a.
b. Staffing update
c. District support for personnel search
d. Budget implications
e. Harrington budget priorities b.
Re
Two kindergarten classrooms are over
maximum limit. By November, two third
grade classes and another kindergarten
class will also reach max numbers.
Currently teachers' aids are being
interviewed for these classes. Search has
also begun for long -term substitutes for
some other classes.
The district supports the principal in
terms of advertising for the pasts and an
online application process.
The increased enrollment affects
budgeting and physical space in the
school. Conversations between the
principal and the superintendent are
ongoing. The superintendent has
informed that the budget will be done
differently this year. The district
priorities for budget are 1. Expanding
program for autistic children through the
high school, 2. Expanding resources for
homeless children, 3. Increasing
resources for mental health and social
emotional need of children and 4. Hiring
fixit people for te chnological needs.
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Harrington Elementary School Site Council — Meeting Minutes
2013 -2014 Academic Year
2. Lexington Transportation policy
3. PTA meeting update
4. Lets Chat updates
a. Future topics
b. November I" Lets Chat
Action items
Item
1. Future topics
Next meeting: November 19, 2013
e. Harrington budget priorities are mental
health resources, followed by poverty
and homelessness issues and technology
Issues
Last spring, traffic engineers conducted site
studies and developed district and individual
school transportation and traffic flow
recommendations. Using this information, a
proposed Lexington Transportation Policy
was drafted (the policy will now be
discussed during School Committee
meetings). The study underscores the need
for consistency and standardization in these
procedures across the nine schools. Legal
regulations for signage need to be followed.
Capital money will be needed to make these
changes happen.
The PTA held an Open Dialogue with the
principal and the vice - principal. Nine parents
attended. Discussions focused on lunch,
transportation, recess, curriculum, and Lets
Chat.
a. The discussion about the mental health
issues led to a discussion about
children's extracurricular activities and
striking a balance between structured
activities, leisure, and healthy sleep
habits. It was decided that this will be
the topic of Lets Chat session in
December
b. The November 1, 2013 Lets Chat will
focus on bullying prevention and will be
led by the principal, the vice - principal,
and the school counselor
Resp onsible Due
All '
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