HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-06-BRIDGE-min BRIDGE SITE-BASED COUNCIL
Friday, October 6, 2017
MEETING MINUTES
Approved December 8, 2017
Present: Melanie Alexander, Lynette Allen, Erin Cerat, Meg Colella, Kristen Gray,Allison
Gullingsrud, Kimberly Hensle Lowrance, Ruth Litchfield, Huan Liu, Sejal Patel, Deirdre
Schadler, Debbie Side, and Shawn Wood.
The meeting began at 8:00 AM with a welcome from Meg Colella, Bridge School Principal and
Site-Based Council (SBC) Chair. Since this was the first meeting of the year, everyone—staff,
administration, and parents—went around the room, introducing themselves to one another.
Ms. Colella next led the group in a discussion about this year's objectives. She explained a
priority is to raise the profile of SBC and to let community know what is going on with this
group so they can see it as a resource. The SBC discusses issues that are pertinent to our
school as well as anything that is high profile in the Bridge community.
Topics that the SBC is likely to address this year include: the district's revised homework
policy; community events like Bridge Learns,which is scheduled for next month; and the
search for a new superintendent. Ms. Colella emphasized that SBC can take up issues
throughout the year, as they arise. The SBC provides an important opportunity for teachers
and Bridge administration to get a sense of what Bridge parents are worried about,thinking
about, and talking about.
It was suggested that the SBC look at what is being done to welcome new families to Bridge so
that we can be sure no one is getting lost in the transition to our school. Ms. Colella shared
that, as of today, all but 33 families (out of 572 students) have signed up for My School
Anywhere,which is the new PTA online communication tool. This is an excellent response,
and the PTA and school leaders are working on reaching those last 33 families. Ms. Colella
offered that at a future SBC meeting we could review the packet new families receive when
they enroll at Bridge and offer input.
Another issue that was raised was the November 7 information session about the YES
Campaign. The Bridge PTA is sponsoring this event, and its purpose is to raise awareness of
the effort underway to get town support for a new Hastings Elementary School, renovations to
Lexington Children's Place, and a new fire station headquarters. SBC attendees were
encouraged to attend this meeting and spread the word about it to others. (More information
about this campaign can be found online at tt ://www.ves4lex.or2/.)
One of those in attendance raised the question of communications from the school.We get
news electronically—from the PTA, administration, and teachers—and in our children's
backpacks, sometimes multiple times if there is more than one child in a family. It feels like
too much and yet we sometimes still miss items; is there a way updates can be streamlined?
Ms. Colella agreed that information could be overwhelming. Communicating effectively is a
professional goal for Bridge staff, so this is a timely matter to bring up. It was suggested that
Bridge consider adopting an "oldest and only"policy whereby printed notices only go home
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with the oldest or only child in a family. This would eliminate duplicates. It was also suggested
that notices go home only one day a week and that they are color-coded so parents can
quickly determine if the information is from the classroom teacher, PTA, or administration.
This can be a topic for a future SBC meeting.
The discussion next turned to SBC membership. We are currently recruiting parents to join
SBC, and are aware that some, in addition to those present, have expressed interest in SBC but
could not attend today.Additionally, we should reach out to kindergarten families to inform
them about SBC, as they may not yet be aware of the council.
Ms. Gray alerted the SBC to a new topic: the superintendent has asked for feedback on new
dress code,which was distributed to the group. The proposed elementary school dress code is
as follows:
There is no formal dress code at[SCHOOL NAME]. Students are asked to wear clothing
that is appropriate to the importance of school and learning, and clothing that will not
interfere with students taking part readily in the normal learning activities of the school
day. Students may not wear clothing which significantly distracts from the school's
purposes or routines. Students may not wear clothing that has writing or symbols which
may cause disruption or be offensive to others, including clothing that promotes drug or
alcohol use.Students may not wear hats or have the hood up on hoodies inside the
building.
Ms. Gray explained that the dress code is not a problem at Bridge. She noted that this new
policy gives each school's leadership discretion in applying the policy,which is helpful.
A question was brought up about high school dress code. Some towns have prohibited
university or college gear from being worn at the high school to prevent stress; is this
something for Lexington to consider? The group had differing opinions about this suggestion.
Some wondered if it would be seen as an infringement on freedom of speech,while others
thought it was an intriguing way to discuss the causes of stress in our community.While the
group was undecided, Ms. Gray said she would pass the idea onto the superintendent for her
consideration.
Our next meeting is Friday, October 27, 8:00-8:30 AM, in the Bridge School Library. Topics for
that meeting will include: a) Bridge Learns and b) the town's revised Homework Policy.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 AM.
Submitted by,
Kimberly Hensle Lowrance
Bridge SBC Co-Chair
For additional information, visit httpseIIIps.lexinatonma.org Pam 7920 or contact.Meg Colella,
Principal and SBC Chair, mcolella@1exinatonma.ora, and Kimberly Hensle Lowrance, Parent
Representative and Co-Chair, khensle(@amail.com.
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