HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-20-BRIDGE-min BRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SCHOOL-BASED SITE COUNCIL
55 Middleby Road, Lexington, MA 02421
781-861-2510
SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 MEETING MINUTES
APPROVED NOVEMBER 15, 2019
Attendance: Erin Cerat, Margaret Colella, Tiffany Crooker, Kristen Gray, Kimberly Hensle
Lowrance,Amy Kvaal, Zeba McGibbon, Sejal Patel, Deirdre Schadler, Kira Sevene, Brienne
Thibodeau, Maria Totniou, Shawn Wood, and Betty Yee.
The Bridge Elementary School School-Based Site Council (SBC) held its monthly meeting on
Friday, September 20, 2019 at 8:00 AM in Bridge School, Room 19.
Meg Colella welcomed everyone, including new members. Introductions were made.
Next, Meg gave an overview of the role and purpose of the SBC (provide a forum for
parents,teachers, and administrators to dialogue about issues facing the Bridge
community; weigh on site plan; offer feedback and suggestions). She also shared that the
back-to-school season has been going well, and that we're a bit smaller this year with 26
classes. The new playground's construction is on target,with a dedication scheduled for
October 2 at 9 AM. The dedication will be 15 minutes long,will involve all students, and will
be held outside. Families are welcome.Also new this year is the new sensory path around
the school,which the children are enjoying. It's especially helpful for kids who need to take
a break from the classroom during the day.
Meg explained that she and Kristen Gray are working to address data that indicates
students of color and students with disabilities are sent more frequently to the principal's
office. They're working to figure out why and to create mechanisms to address this. Overall,
though, Meg added, Bridge doesn't have a significant problem with student behavior.
Shawn Wood talked about Bridge's mentor program,which she has taken over managing
from Kristen. The program matches students who "need a little TLC" with teachers,
administrators, and other staff for one-on-one support. The mentors (who volunteer to
participate) and mentees go for walks, play board games, do crafts, etc. Currently, Shawn is
working on the purpose and parameters of the program to make sure the program is
equitable and addresses student needs.
SBC members brainstormed topics to discuss during the 2019-2020 school year.
Suggestions included:
• Homework Policy
o This topic has come up again due to the district's new homework policy.
o The new policy essentially says that elementary school students won't have
homework outside of reading- except for 5th graders who may have more
homework in order to prepare for middle school.
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o Zeba McGibbon talked about an effort a group of teachers worked on this
summer to offer a menu of supplemental academic activities that support the
classroom work but are optional. This initiative was rolled this out this year.
• Redistricting
o At the October 1 School Committee Meeting, a redistricting plan will be
presented. [Note: the proposal is available here.]
o Meg is planning to send a follow-up message out to the Bridge community
afterward.
o It is expected that students will be moved from Bridge, since we are
overcapacity by 100 students (as is Bowman), and the new Hastings will
have room for an additional 200 students.
o Perhaps we could invite Maureen Kavanaugh, Director of Planning, come to
speak to our community about the plan?
o Meg explained that the principals have already been talking about how, if
numbers go down due to redistricting, some schools may not need as many
staff. Principals want to start planning for this as soon as possible.
• Strategic Planning
o Meg reported that Bridge staff members were in a meeting yesterday about
this topic. The superintendent is encouraging all staff to be involved in the
process.
• Change in School Times and Transportation Consequences
o Starting next year,the elementary schools will begin at 9 AM,with the
building opening at 8:45 AM, instead of starting 8:45 AM,with the building
opening at 8:30. Dismissal time will be 3:30 PM instead of 3:15 PM.
o There has been some talk about before care, but no plans are set at this time.
o The SBC expressed concern about the impact of these changes on the bus
routes and traffic, as this is currently a significant issue. Kristen agreed that
traffic and transportation is a challenge, and gave an example of one of the
Bridge buses being 25 minutes late for pick up last week due to traffic. More
than 300 (out of 520+) students at Bridge take the school bus.
• Diversity and Equity
o We could invite the new Director of Equity,Johnny Cole,to come to speak to
SBC.
o We could share updates from Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain
book club for teachers
o We could share updates from Deirdre Schadler's/the ELL team's ongoing
efforts to reach out to cultural groups in town to understand
needs/expectations/etc.to better support those kids and family
• Parent Night/in-depth talk related to culturally diversity,brain development, or
another important topic
• Climate Change
o What can we do at the elementary school level to address this? Meg reached
out to head of K-5 science, and she's provided some ideas. Next month's all
school morning meeting,the topic is on responsibility, and representatives
from EcoBridge come to speak. Shawn reminded the SBC that, on a
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curriculum level,this matter is addressed in science classes; for example,the
51h grade does a section on ecosystems.
• Strategies to spread the word about the SBC's work
In other news, a new website for Bridge is coming soon and will include a place for SBC
announcements and minutes. Curriculum Night is scheduled for Thursday, September 26.
For its final item,the SBC approved its May Meeting Minutes. The meeting was adjourned
at 8:30 AM.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact Meg Colella, Principal and Co-Chair
(mcolella(@lexingtonma.org), or Kimberly Hensle Lowrance, Parent Representative and Co-
Chair (khensle(@gmail.com); or visit https://Ips.lexingtonma.org/domain/481
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