Loading...
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