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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-19-SC-min LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, November 19, 2019 Madison Park Technical Vocational High School 75 Malcolm X Boulevard, Boston, MA 02120 CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 6:30 p.m. Chair Eileen Jay welcomed and introduced committee members SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Eileen Jay, Chairperson Kate Colburn, Vice-Chairperson (7:00 p.m.) Kathleen Lenihan, Clerk Deepika Sawhney Scott Bokun SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT Dr. Julie Hackett, Superintendent Dr. Christine Lyons, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development Mr. David Coelho, Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations The minutes were taken by Kristen Cronin, Executive Assistant to the School Committee and Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent. Ms. Jay provided a brief introduction and a review of the evening's agenda and introduced Ms. Barbara Hamilton. Ms. Hamilton presented an update on what has been happening with METCO over the past year. A few highlights from Ms. Hamilton's presentation include the following: • METCO Goals o Continued increase in parent engagement o Serve as educational liaison to increase home/school partnership o Plan & conduct monthly METCO parent education meetings o Parent Seminars o Efficacy groups o Professional Development courses offered in partnership with the Lexington PD Department and METCO • General Expectations: o Parents will support their children by participating in their child's school and in the Lexington METCO program o Parents work to remove structural obstacles that can impede their participation • Expectations of our Communities: o Partner and work together to ensure the optimal academic and social emotional growth of our children in LPS o This partnership begins by school staff, personnel, and parents exhibiting a mutual respect, support and trust in our efforts to effectively work together • Lexington High School o Full time METCO Academic Support Teacher o After-School Homework Club ■ Any METCO student with an average grade of a low C is required to attend the after school homework club (Tuesday & Wednesday) o Tenacity Challenge ■ Academic competition; sponsored by Bedford Public Schools • 9th Grade Summer Transition Program o Calculus Project • Middle School o METCO Middle School Counselor o BMAC- Boston METCO Academic Coaching o Coaching 4 Change -A multi-tiered mentoring program that will be piloted in the spring at Diamond Middle School • Elementary 0 3 Elementary METCO Social Workers o Jump Start - 3 week summer program for students entering the Lexington METCO Program o Family Friends - Monthly playdates to promote friendships and cultural exchange o MELP - Summer extended learning program for students in 4th & 5th Grade Ms. Hamilton also provided information on the after school programs including the MATHPATH Program, Pretty Brown Girls, Becoming Me (for 5th graders of Pretty Brown Girls), and Young Kings. Ms. Hamilton reported that the METCO program has a 98%graduation rate. There are 50 students at the High School and 15 of the students made honor roll. For a complete copy of Ms. Hamilton's report click here: METCO Presentation Superintendent's Report: Dr. Hackett provided highlights of work being done by the Lexington Public Schools:Superinten ent's Rgggrt 11-19-2019 • Redistricting Update • Strategic Planning Update • Later School Start Times • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Update Community Speaks: Leslie Zales, Lexington Parent, spoke on behalf of the non-profit organization, Project Giving Kids. Project Giving Kids is an easy tool for kids, teens, and families to engage in volunteer services. Volunteer service helps build empathy, compassion, communication, and teamwork. These skills are not necessarily taught in every school, but are crucial for life-long success and essential for tomorrow's leaders. Many community members expressed their thanks for the METCO program and their extended Lexington families. They are grateful for the opportunity to have their children in the program. One speaker requested additional funding for another METCO bus and tracking for buses. Ms. Hamilton reported that she is working with Mr. Thomas Martellone, Director of Innovation and Instructional Technology, to have iPads provided on the elementary bus, as well as tracking so that parents can track the buses independently. Ms. Jay closed the formal portion of the meeting at the end of Community Speaks. For the remainder of the evening, the Principals for each school led break-out sessions for families and attendees to learn about what is happening within their school and to discuss topics of interest and specific concerns of parents.