HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-21-FISKE-minFiske School Site Council -3.21.23 Meeting Notes
Members
Brian Baker,Principal Present
Sara Fenzel,Fiske Staff Absent
Michele Carter,Fiske Staff Present,joined at 4:12pm
Catherine Murphy,ELL Absent
Lana Panasyuk,Parent Present
Rebecca Bell,Parent Present
Sarina Sherwin,Parent Present
Updates from Principal Baker
Fiske Science Fair
Back this year and was a great hit!Around 100 students,63 projects.The projects as
well as the students who participated were impressive.Thank you to the parents as well
as the PTO.
Kindergarten Registration is open
●18 students registered thus far,not uncommon at this time.
●Please inform neighbors that registration is open.
●LPS will send more information to all incoming families on March 31.In the past,
there was an info night for parents.The district will continue to use the digital
presentation deck in lieu of hosting an info night for parents as they did in years
past.
Sara Ward -Expert on Executive Functioning Skills
●Made possible with LEF Grant
●Presented on Friday,March 10th
●All Unit A,and SSI’s attended
●All KIA’s,IA’s and SSP’s were invited
●Mr.Baker looking to have her come back for Part 2
●Parent Night TBD
MCAS Testing
●Begins on Mon.March 27th with Gr.5 ELA
●2 test sessions of ELA &Math for grade 3-5
●2 test sessions of Science,Tech &Engineering for grade 5 only
Question from Sarina:What are students told about it?Has a 3rd grader going
through this for the first time and there seems to be a varying degree of what kids
know about it and how to feel about it.
Mr.Baker:Teachers try not to hype it up.It’s one data point for English,
Language Arts,and Math.In the past,teachers would tend to teach more
towards the test when they could,but now not so much.Students are
encouraged to show what they know.The testing is all computer-based so
teachers will be doing some practice tests to help students become
familiar with the format and tools (e.g.,online ruler for measuring).
Question from Lana:What’s this year ’s take on kids chewing gum during the
test?Can be confusing for those who don’t understand its purpose during exam
time.
Additional Input from Rebecca:As a parent,her son finds the opportunity to
chew gum to be exciting and helpful.As a teacher,she considers the equity of
this.I.e.,If gum is allowed,is there access for all?Can parents afford gum?
Mr.Baker:Some kids ask to chew gum to help curb anxiety.He will check
in with the teachers to get their thoughts.
Parent Teacher Conferences
●This week and next week:Thursday -3/23,Friday,3/24,Thursday,3/30 &Friday,
3/31
●All four days students will dismiss at 12:30pm
●Parents can use the placement form coming out on March 31 if there are
concerns around placement.The form will be open until the Friday before April
vacation.
Last day of school is Thursday,June 22
●Barring no more snow days
●Gr.5 Move Up Ceremony:Thursday,June 15th
Other Topics
[Lana]Question regarding Human Growth &Development A genderbread visual
recently shared with students generated feedback from parents and has resulted in
some families opting out of the program.
Mr.Baker:
●The 4th grade team and Mr.Small felt there was a need to talk about
gender identity as there are a couple of students in 4th grade that are
considering changing pronouns.
●Mr.Small gave a lesson with 5th graders at Estabrook with 5th graders
that went well.No feedback from students or parents.
●The expected outcome of the lesson was:regardless of pronouns you
choose,you are to be respectful of everybody.
●Picture of genderbread was there for the lesson.In retrospect,not the best
idea -allowed kids to focus on something that was beyond what was
needed.For example,the lesson includes when you’re born,you’re given
sex/gender.The word ‘sex’was confusing to some students.
●Unfortunately,the message did not land where they had hoped and
parents were not informed about this lesson because the expected
outcome was different.
●Since then,Mr.Baker and Mr.Small have had productive conversations
with parents.They have agreed that it did not hit the mark with 4th graders
at Fiske.
●Looking forward,they are not sure this particular lesson will be needed.
And if so,the lesson will be changed.Want to be respectful of students
that are feeling they want to make the pronoun change as well as parents
that want to keep the conversations at home at this young age.
[Rebecca Input]As teacher and elementary school parent of G4/5 and leader of
Rainbow Alliance.Teachers in MA have a responsibility to be inclusive.The
reality is that there will be students that want to change their pronouns.
Learning has to be appropriate and read by many different people in the
community.It’s important that children learn there are diverse members of the
community and they need to be respectful.
There are ways to approach these topics in age appropriate ways.For example
at her school,for Kindergarten they cover:Why gender neutral bathrooms?What
about pronouns?
[Lana]Comment About Health Class -the use of “person who identifies as
boy/girl”instead of “boy/girl”.There was concern around bringing the “person who
identifies”qualifier into the Health class arena.Health class should stick to biological
designations.Lana will also write her a follow-up email and will suggest other parents to
do the same.
Mr.Baker:Will relay this feedback to Julie Fenn,who oversees this curriculum.
Mr.Baker thanked Lana for encouraging other parents to submit feedback.
[Sarina]Question about updates on a therapy dog?
Mr.Baker:Stay tuned!There is a PLC he will be attending on Thursday.These
are available for schools that have therapy dogs and he was recently invited to
join.
Next Fiske School Site Council Meeting:April 26,2023 at 3:45pm