School Committee Meeting Summary
March 11, 2021
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Public/Citizen Participation of School Committee Meeting
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic and State of Emergency, on March 12, 2020, Governor Baker issued an Executive Order Temporarily Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A sec. 20. Pursuant to the Order, public bodies are temporarily relieved from the Open Meeting Law’s requirement that meetings be held in public places, open and physically accessible to the public, so long as measures are taken to ensure public access to the bodies' deliberations "through adequate, alternative means."
Citizens with a question or comment can join the meeting through the Zoom. The “chat” feature will be enabled at the “Citizens Comments” portion of the Agenda. Participants are asked to comment in the chat that they would like to speak, indicate your name and address in the chat and you will then be let into the Meeting. Please unmute your microphones at that time. If you have any questions regarding this process, or would like to send a comment in advance, please email mmortali@walpole.k12.ma.us.
All votes taken by the School Committee in a remote participation meeting are done via roll call.
The recorded School Committee Meeting can be accessed here.
RECOGNITIONS
Walpole High School Student Report
Madison F., Walpole High School Representative to the School Committee reported that we are coming to the end of another hybrid week, and everyone is settled into their second-semester classes.
- Walpole has decided to let all students return to five school days in person. A survey has gone out to all parents to gauge their comfort with their children being fully in person or if they would rather be in the full remote program.
- Fall 2 sports have begun and football, volleyball, and winter track are ready for their seasons.
- Football will play their first game Friday against Natick at the high school. Due to COVID regulations, only two family members can attend and there will be no students or general admission.
- Winter track has their first meet also on Friday and can also only have one family member/spectator present.
- Volleyball is 0-3, but has a game at the Elm Street School Thursday against Natick. COVID regulations do not allow any spectators for volleyball. She noted the games are broadcast live and can be viewed that way.
- The speech and debate team is getting ready for competing at the state level this April. Over half of the team qualified for the tournament. The team currently has a fundraiser selling speech and debate merchandise to help pay for the team’s tournament dues. Anyone interested in buying something can find a link on Instagram and Facebook. The username is @walpolespeechanddebate.
- The drama club is going to be starting its spring musical production soon.
- The National Honor Society has started their spring clean-up where they clean the town forest of trash.
- Student Council is fundraising for Tim Hoffman, the sports photographer who was recently diagnosed with ALS.
- As the weather is getting nicer, Student Council is planning more COVID safe events for the school, as well as fun activities for the senior class.
- A survey has gone to coaches, teachers, and students regarding possible new mascot names. This survey asks about preferences for the following possibilities: (1) Walpole, (2) Wolfpack, (3) Wild, and (4) Timberwolves. It also surveys some logo ideas.
- Madison closed saying that students are excited for the end of the year and what the future holds.
New Business
1. METCO Update - Jesenia Castro, METCO Director was virtually present at the Meeting along with Lokelani Cummings-Watanabe our METCO Academic Advisor. Jesenia updated on current happening within the METCO program. She said the current Walpole METCO enrollment is 30 students.
- She noted things have changed in the Program due to COVID, but there are still some enrichment programs happening. These include a virtually held leadership conference and an Affinity Group that virtually brings our elementary students together every other Wednesday afternoon. Another program is the R&R (Relax and Recharge) Group that Lokelani started for middle and high school students.
- Jesenia thanked Lokelani for her many contributions including METCO students' participation in the tenacity challenge. This challenge is an annual academic scholarship competition for Latino and African-American high school students.
- Jesenia shared highlights from the recently attended Harvard Students of Color Conference.
- She also discussed the Courageous Conversations program in place for staff to come together to have difficult conversations.
- Jesenia talked about the Wall of Fame at Walpole High School showcasing our 2021 METCO graduates' college acceptances and other plans such as joining the military.
- She encouraged the community to visit the METCO webpage on the Walpole Public School website.
- Jesenia thanked all of her team of METCO tutors and staff. Without them, this Program would not be as successful as it is.
Increase to in-person learning
Commissioner Riley and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to change time on learning regulations to bring more students into school buildings for increased in-person learning. This means he will no longer be counting synchronous and asynchronous sessions toward time on learning hours. Therefore, to fulfill the structured learning time mandate, districts must return to full in-person learning. A hybrid learning model is no longer an option.
Starting Monday, April 5th, our schools (K-12) will return to full in-person learning. In this full in-person model, students and school personnel will still follow important safety protocols. All members of the school community will be required to wear masks, be socially distant, wash and sanitize their hands regularly, and stay home when sick or symptomatic. In addition, schools will continue to implement cleaning protocols, effective ventilation, and other important mitigation strategies. Additionally, to maintain the success we have had this year in protecting our students and staff, the school administration will be adding additional hours to our custodian’s cleaning schedules. Every Wednesday, each custodian in each building will dedicate additional time cleaning and using the electrostatic sprayers for disinfecting. We will maintain all existing protocols for the remainder of the school year. Physical distancing in the classrooms and other educational spaces will now be at a minimum of 3 feet. Lunches however, will remain at 6 feet of social distancing.
Specific Questions and Answers are:
What about students on quarantine for Covid related illness, symptoms, or close contacts?
- Per the current state guidelines, contact tracing and quarantining (including classroom closure) will continue as per protocol. It is important to note that although social distancing will be a minimum of 3 feet, contact tracing must remain at 6 feet per CDC and MDPH. Therefore, we anticipate that student quarantine cases may rise.
- For the remainder of the school year, when feasible, temporary synchronous instruction may be made available to students, at the teacher's professional judgment, with a minimum of synchronous check-ins depending on the lesson, for COVID-19 related purposes only. Confirmation will be provided by the school nurse in conjunction with school administration. Students and caregivers will be required to provide documentation (i.e. Health Department letter or letter from the school nurse) to school health staff when students are close contacts or required to quarantine for Covid related issues that occur outside of school. Students who are required to quarantine as a result of leisure travel will be given asynchronous work at the teacher's professional judgment.
- As with any student’s absence, the teacher is aware that he or she has the responsibility to ensure that the student has access to the curriculum, providing work for the student and ensuring that the student understands the assignments/work given. Educators must meet diverse needs, teach ALL students, and use instructional practices to promote student engagement. This is something educators have been doing all year, and they will continue this practice for all students, whether they are in front of them or home due to COVID- related reasons.
Why April 5th?
- The Commissioner indicated that he wants districts to bring back students at each grade level as quickly as possible. Many districts and schools are already moving to bring back all students K-12 for full-time, in-person learning in the coming weeks. DESE recommends a minimum of 3 feet when all other mitigation measures are in place, which is supported by the World Health Organization, local public health experts, infectious disease physicians, the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Governor’s COVID-19 Medical Advisory Board. In compliance with MA safety guidelines, students will be at a minimum of 3 feet. Lunches and snack time will remain at 6 feet. We continue to collaborate with other schools, including middle and high schools, that started at 3 feet or changed to a minimum of 3 feet during the school year.
- The tiered approach to return enables communities who aren't ready by April 5th to do so. Some have just started the hybrid model, and others may need more time to figure out how to ensure at least 3 feet of educational spacing and 6 feet lunch areas. WPS, on the other hand, has planned for this and therefore will be able to increase in-person learning on April 5th. The school districts that are ready to will return prior to April 5th.
Why the Wednesday Early Release?
- A return on April 5th will provide enough structured learning time hours to enable an approximately 90 minute early release day every Wednesday. Please be assured that we are maximizing in-person learning time. The dismissal will be 90 minutes earlier as opposed to the 3 hours currently. If we return to the normal calendar schedule for the rest of the school year, there are two early release days, one in April, and one in May. Instead, we are making these full days and moving those early release hours to Wednesdays. These 90 minutes are needed to alleviate scheduling issues across the district that have been created by the ever-changing models. This year, the DESE school year regulation is 170 days. Walpole students will be attending school for 172 days. With that being said, Devin Clifford, Extended Day Director, will provide an opportunity for those elementary school families who wish to have their children remain at school for those 90 minutes.
What will change about transportation?
- Mr. Friscia informed School Committee that there is availability on the bus. Families can sign up by reaching out to Transportation Coordinator Kim Poirier: kporier@walpole.12.ma.us.
- The fee will be $36 for the remainder of the school year.
- Cleaning protocols will continue. All surfaces are cleaned and sanitized often and windows are kept open. Riders and drivers must still wear masks. Students will be 3 feet apart on the bus. Contact tracing still remains at 6 feet
Specific questions about schedules, building protocols, or daily routines should be directed to the principals of your child or children’s school.
Dr. Gough thanked all parents for their continued support.
Citizen's Comments
Parent Bob Hilte appreciated the amount of work done by Walpole Public Schools. He discussed his concerns about the middle and high schools returning prior to the Commissioner's deadline.
Parent Julie Elmhurst asked if parents at Walpole High School students are able to continue with the hybrid curriculum but be completely at home.
OLD BUSINESS
2. FY '22 Budget - The School Committee and Administration virtually attended the Finance Committee Meeting on Monday, March 1st. Chairperson Gallivan provided a summary of the meeting. The School Department is continuing to collaborate with the Town Administrator to close the gap. The final budget decision will be made at Town Meeting on May 3rd.
Students showing their special collections
Day 100!
Students showing their special collections
Walpole Public Schools
Website: www.walpole.k12.ma.us
Location: 135 School Street, Walpole, MA 02081
Phone: 508-660-7200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walpolepublicschools/
Twitter: @PublicWalpole