Minutes for the Pelham School Committee Meeting of March 3, 2011

Budget rescheduled until March 17^th at 5:00 pm at the Rhodes Building because Rob is ill.

Kathy approved minutes from last meeting

Debbie introduced new Pelham School Committee Member, Annemarie Foley, to the committee and public.

Ed asked that recycling on Saturdays be done at the school because parking is a problem down at the police parking area. Debbie deferred to Lisa and Janet. Janet said as long as it is not on School Fair Date then all other Saturdays would be fine.

Ed shared that Lisa Silverstein from and electric and fuel company could come and give an estimate for fuel and electric cost savings. Debbie Gould asked if it was free and Ed responded yes so it was approved.

Ed asked who the observer for negotiations would be and Maria responded that they would talk about it in the four town meeting and add it to the four town meeting agenda.

Ed introduced Linda Michaud as a soon to be new member of the Selectmen.

Trevor Baptiste, a Pelham resident, shared that he has two (soon to be three) children and he wanted to learn more about the Pelham School to explore educational opportunities for his children.

Lisa share that MCAS test are coming up in few weeks

Students in grades 2-6 completed RTI for math. There were some kinks in the level of difficulty the questions appeared.

Lisa will take a workshop on Monday to help her better inform staff about how to deal with any kinks and how to help prepare students for the evaluation. The workshop will also provide training on how to interpret the information gathered by the RTI.

Maria invited members to come to training.

Kathy voiced concern about the language used when talking to children about the evaluations and worries that the word test will make it hard for children.

School Council parent survey is almost finished and Lisa hopes it will go out by the end of the month.

Town report was sent to all members and is due tomorrow.

No updates tonight

Maria shared the district initiatives. See handout titles Inquiry Groups to Inform FY12

Maria explained a multi year collaborative initiative which includes Teacher Teams, Instructional Rounds and Inquiry Groups. Teacher Teams are groups of teacher who meet around an action plan. These groups can go across schools and grades. Instructional Rounds are a tool for administrators to gather data and help guide teacher training. Inquiry groups are a tool used by administrators to give district wide information not individual teachers evaluations.

Kathy wondered about teacher evaluations in instructional rounds. Maria explained this tools gives us district data not specific teacher information. Maria

Mike Hayes explained that the goal of evaluations is to help teachers improve while the goal of instructional rounds is to help administrators understand teaching and learning.

The Amherst Education Foundation is providing funding for professional development around teacher teams. Marie is also exploring grant options.

Kathy asked Who are we as Pelham in the District? How do we fit in?

Lisa said that Pelham teachers will be part of teacher teams. Teachers are dedicated and don't want to lose instructional time with students. Lisa explained that some teachers will be freed up by the Robotics lessons higher grades.

Kathy made a motion to remain a school choice school. Debbie seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Kathy asked that the School council be informed of future use but that the current money is not for the school committee to decide.

Lisa will meet with Rob Detweiler to move forward with the current money.

Mike Hayes, the middle school principal, shared information about the middle school.

Highlights include:

Kathy suggested that it might be helpful to have parent to parent communticsation about the transition to middle school.

Debbie wondered how choices about academics come into play. Mike reponded that 6^th grade teachers will give assessments to help place kids in the appropriate class for them.

Summer program with Amherst College students is open to all families for free academic and fun classes and enrichment.

Tom Fanning, Technology Teacher at Middle School, appreciates the full time principal and superintendent. He also appreciates the clarity of the superintendent's handout.

Changes were made but Rob is sick so another meeting was scheduled for March 17^th at 5:00pm. The meeting will be at the Rhodes building to approve vote on Pelham budget. School Committee members will attend the Finance Committee meeting also at the Rhodes building at 6:00pm.

Visioning group approves of having a preschool

Lisa has met with several principals of local schools to discuss different models

Parent survey will also have questions about the preschool.

Kathy motioned to accept gifts. Debbie seconded the motion. It passes unanimously.

Kathy asks to step down as chair of visioning committee. Kathy is serving on the Regional Committee and the Region Sud Committee on finance policy. Debbie chairs the School Committee, serves on the Region Committee and the Regional Sub Comm on Finance Budget.

School Committee wants to add two slots and ten the select board can add them untilthe elections.

BBBA. Debbie motioned and Kathy seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

BBBB. Kathy motioned and Debbie seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

March17th 5:00pm and 6:00pm at Rhodes Building

April 7^th 6:00 Community Room.

School Committee would like to talk with teachers about Robotic program in the upper elementary grades.