HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-18-Bridge-minBridge School Site Based Council
November 18, 2011
Members Present: Meg Colella, Naomi Priver, Susan Orenstein, Lucia Gates,
Lisa Diamant, Jenny Lisle„ Erin Maguire, Michele Welch and 2 interns, Amy
Laquerre,Jill O'Reilly, Justine Wirtanen, Rebecca Moore
Minutes of last meeting accepted.
Agenda:
1. Bridge Renovation Update
2. Parent Meeting at Clarke
3. Technology
4. Recycling
1. Renovation:
Meg reported that Rebecca and Justine are on the Renovation Campaign
Committee. Town Meeting has approved the 22.7 million dollar debt exclusion
that will go to the voters on January 24, 2012.
Rebecca said while this is great news, there are hurdles ahead.
Educating citizens is the challenge. The campaign is in full swing with the logo
"Yes for Our Schools ". There is a website for information which includes
everything people need to know about the question on the ballot.
There is a kickoff event on November 21, 2011 at Sacred Heart Church
Parish Hall from 7:30 to 9:OOpm.
The PTA has supported the campaign with a donation. Flyers will be
given to parents and lawn signs will be given to those willing to display them.
A suggestion was to have PTA coffees and potentially there will be one at
Avalon. People will be encouraged to vote and register to vote if they are not
currently registered. Materials may be printed in languages other than English.
Justine said that teachers may have a sign on their lawn, attend the
kickoff party, and donate if they are not doing so on school time.
Meg said that at Town Meeting there was a timeline given and gave
information that noted that this project's planning has been going on for over two
years. At Town Meeting there was a slide to show the amount of the tax
increase for the average taxpayer if the question is approved.
Presidents of all the PTAs have written in support of the project and there
has been money raised for mailings. Also, there is encouragement for absentee
ballots. Rebecca suggested that perhaps the PTA and site council would would
to sponsor a coffee for parents in the future.
There is a need to spread the word, encourage others to get informed and
vote.
2. Parent Informational Meeting
Lynne Griffin will be the speaker at an interactive evening meeting at Clarke on
November 29, 2011 from 7 to 9pm. She is an author and family life educator.
There will be flyers given to parents. Meg showed two sample flyers.
3. Technology
Tom Plati has a three to five year plan for the schools. All the
administrators will be coming together to talk about the needs at all schools. He
is looking for funding from the School Committee. Smart boards will be given to
grades three to five if there is funding. There are many infrastructure issues at
Bridge and the renovation will address some of these with updated wiring.
Meg said that some teachers have been frustrated by slowness of the
Internet, not being totally wireless and with the maintenance of some computers.
Our Tech Aide at Bridge (Ann Tenhor) has been great about giving support.
Teachers have been encouraged to write LEF grants.
4. Susan asked if after the renovation vote, there can be some focus on
multicultural signs that parents and children can make. There could be welcome
signs in different languages to be hung up. Meg noted that there is a need for
another flag to be made because a student has been asking her for a flag. Jenny
volunteered to look at the specifications that Rebecca has.
5. Recycling
Jenny said that the recycling has been going very well and is done every day.
Staff, Lucia and Erin specifically, and students have been helpful and have done
a great job.
Next Meeting: December 16, 2011 at 8:00am