HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-22-SC-min
LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Twelfth Baptist Church
160 Warren Street
Roxbury, Massachusetts
Present: Dr. Paul B. Ash, Superintendent; Mary Ann Stewart, School Committee Chair;
Alessandro Alessandrini, Vice-Chair; Jessie Steigerwald, Bonnie Brodner, and Noah Coolidge,
student representative
The minutes were taken by Mary Ann Stewart.
I. Call to Order and Welcome
The Chair called the meeting to order and recognized Boston parent Ms. Cheryl Crawford. Ms.
Crawford welcomed everyone to the Lexington METCO Parent Group meeting and thanked the
School Committee and Dr. Ash for attending.
1. Recognition of Vito LaMura
Dr. Ash invited Vito LaMura to the podium. Mr. LaMura is the former Co-Chair of the Equity
and Excellence Committee. Dr. Ash formally acknowledged Mr. LaMura’s contributions and
thanked him for his commitment to the gap-closing goals of the Committee.
2. Update on the METCO Program
Dr. Steven Flynn, Principal of Clarke Middle School, and Ms. Barbara Nobles, K-12 Academic
Director of the Lexington METCO Program, presented highlights of many of the K-12 programs
supporting Boston student achievement, including:
METCO Extended Learning Program (MELP), a Thursday afternoon extended learning
program in mathematics and literacy for 40 students in 2nd through 5th grade;
MATHpath Summer Program, a 4-week program offered in July for incoming 6th and 7th
graders;
Extended Day programs at Clarke and Diamond, with the goals of completing homework
and building a greater sense of connection to the Diamond and Clarke communities;
Freshman Academic Achievers Program that offers peer-to-peer study at LHS, whose goal is
to assist students with transition into high school, develop strong study skills, and self-
advocacy; and
METCO Scholars Program which empowers students to lead workshops to support each
other to academically achieve and plan for the future.
Dr. Flynn also presented MCAS data from 2007 to 2011 showing African American and
Hispanic students, in grades 3-10, are achieving at greater levels (proficient and above) in ELA
and Math, with impressive results in 10th grade mathematics.
3. Question and Answer Period for Parents
Elizabeth Crockton, grandmother of a middle school student, commented about the desire to
continue the good work that has been done with regard to closing the achievement gap.
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LaDawn Dubose, parent, asked about the hiring of diverse staff and training in cultural
proficiency for all staff and faculty.
Cheryl Crawford, parent of an elementary and a middle school student, wanted to know how
best to transition students from middle to high school for greater success with advanced classes.
Andrei Radulescu-Banu, Lexington parent, asked about interventions for areas not tested by
MCAS
Motion to adjourn (Steigerwald, Brodner). The Motion was approved (4-0, Coppe). The
meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM and followed with break-out sessions with individual school
principals and staff.
Documents: Agenda, PowerPoint handout.
Voted by the School Committee December 20, 2011