School Committee Meeting Summary
May 27, 2021
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 viewed on the Walpole Media Youtube page here.
RECOGNITION
Walpole High School Student Report
Grace R., Walpole High School student representative to the School Committee, gave a report as follows:
MCAS began this week with English for all Sophomores and optional for Juniors.
MCAS math will be held next week.
Freshman will be taking the Science MCAS next week.
For sports, all the teams have done well and had a successful season thus far!
Last week, Massachusetts and the MIAA set new protocols that allowed for outdoor activities, including sports, to no longer require mask wearing during practices and games.
Student athletes were excited to go back to a sense of normalcy that they had not seen for over a year and not have to wear their masks while playing, especially with this warm weather.
Seniors had their last day on Tuesday and senior events have begun!
On Monday the Seniors visited their elementary schools for the annual Senior Walk where they were cheered on by the elementary school students and former teachers.
On June 2nd, Senior night will take place on Turco Field with games and food trucks.
Sunday, June 6th is graduation day followed by a car parade.
As school is beginning to wrap up, so are some clubs! The Film Festival held the Red Carpet last Friday with a big crowd to watch the films from both last year and this year. Congratulations to everyone who participated!
The Pops Concert took place last week for the orchestra, band, and chorus to show off what they had been working hard on all year.
Lastly, Student Council is currently voting and appointing their Executive Board for next school year.
New Business
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Update - Ms. Sarah Scales, head of the district-wide SEL Committee, provided an update with respect to work being done for SEL learning to date as well as what to expect going forward. Ms. Scales indicated student surveys were done to elicit student feedback in areas of strengths and needed improvements relative to the SEL competencies. Ms. Scales said these surveys encouraged student voices in the shaping of the SEL committee work. The surveys were designed to be developmentally age appropriate for elementary, middle and high school-aged students. Ms. Scales went through the results of each level as far as strengths and challenges for school climate, peer relationships and teacher to student relationships. Keeping in mind this past year was not a normal year, at all levels the surveys demonstrated the majority of students feel connected to at least one adult, have confidence in understanding ideas, have supportive friends and a sense of belonging and feel that bullying/teasing has improved. The challenges focused on ensuring real-world connections are explicitly taught, that teachers and staff have the opportunity to demonstrate a deeper investment in SEL well-being and understand how students are as individuals. These surveys tell the Committee what is working and what areas need to be refined. Ms. Scales indicated that this summer the Committee will finalize the Walpole Public Schools SEL framework to include their mission, vision, goals, tiered recommendations and best practices. Work will continue to involve and engage families in the SEL process. They will continue to have a District SEL Committee that oversees smaller SEL Committees at each school/level.
Anti-Vaping Curriculum - Walpole High School Nurse Rachel Jackson and School Committee Chairperson Nancy Gallivan served on a Massachusetts Curriculum Development Committee to create a statewide, evidenced-based, adoptable, developmentally appropriate curriculum on the impact of vaping on student health and wellness for Grades 6–12. The Committee reviewed and evaluated national, state, and local anti-vaping programs and curriculum models. The Committee then created a comprehensive curriculum guide. Ms. Jackson said she enjoyed the experience of working on this Committee and collaborating with disciplines in different towns from all over the state. It was a lot of work but well worth it to her and Mrs. Gallivan to create this comprehensive curriculum model. Mrs. Gallivan and Ms. Jackson also spoke about a vaping cessation program at Walpole High School. This program offers help to students who are looking to stop vaping. All students interested in the vaping cessation program are strongly encouraged to contact Ms. Jackson. To see the Anti-Vaping Curriculum Resource Guide click here.
Capital - Mr. Friscia outlined the Capital Request process timeline for FY '22. Mr. Friscia indicated capital requests have been received from leadership of all schools, the Central Office, the Technology Department, Athletics and School Nutrition. All requests will be provided to the School Committee on Tuesday, June 1, 2021. The School Committee and Administration will discuss all Capital recommendations culminating in an approval vote by School Committee of a final list. This vote will be held at the June 10, 2021 Meeting. The list will then be provided to Town Administration.
Approval of Superintendent Contract - At the School Committee Meeting held on May 13, 2021, the Committee summarized their evaluation of Dr. Gough. Mrs. Gallivan indicated that Dr. Gough is invested in our school system and has done an amazing job in difficult times. The Committee unanimously voted to extend Dr. Gough's contract for a six year period.
Superintendent Report
Dr. Gough reported that:
- On May 17, 2021, after consultation with the MA COVID Command Center’s Medical Advisory Board, the Governor announced that given the low rate of outdoor transmission of COVID-19, students no longer have to wear masks when outdoors. Effective May 18, this guidance update applies to recess, physical education, youth sports, and outdoor learning environments. Adults must continue to wear masks outdoors if distancing cannot be maintained (minimum of 6 feet). At this time, adults and students must continue to wear masks indoors.
- The definition of a close contact has not changed. Anyone within 6 feet for 15 min or more over 24 hours of a positive case is deemed a close contact. However, only close contacts who are within 3 feet in a classroom or on a bus do need to quarantine. We must still maintain six feet for eating lunch and snack.
- Dr. Gough extended thanks to the Walpole Health Department, which offered a Pfizer vaccine clinic to Walpole Public School students ages 12 and over. On Monday, an email was sent to all high school and middle school families with dates and the corresponding link to register for the vaccine. The first vaccination will be held at the school next week. The second dose will take place on June 25th at the Council on Aging. If you are unable to locate the email and would like more information, please contact Mary Mortali (mmortali@walpole.k12.ma.us) or your child’s school.
Dr. Gough thanked the DPW for facilitating a truck day at the Daniel Feeney Preschool (DFP) and Elm Street School. When asked by the DFP Director Julie Martin, the DPW replied “anything for the kids”. Eight big trucks of all types arrived at DFP/Elm and children were able to examine, climb on/in and beep the horns. On Thursday the Walpole Police Department went to Elm/Feeney with ATVs and motorcycles. We thank them also for providing the students with a wonderful community event that was so much fun!
- Tuesday was the last day of classes for our Walpole High School seniors. Dr. Gough commented on their resilience, their strength, and their adaptability. Our seniors have been presented with many challenges, but they continue to rise to the occasion and represent our community with pride and integrity.
- On Sunday, June 6 at 2:45 p.m., we invite the entire community to come together to congratulate our seniors as they drive the parade route after the conferring of their diplomas.
- Walpole Public Schools would like to thank the Walpole Police Department and Walpole Fire Department for their support with this event. This graduation parade would not be possible without them. We hope you can join us in celebrating the class of 2021.
- Dr. Gough congratulated our National Honor Society inductees and current senior members. Co-advisors Laura Kay and Elizabeth Albertelly created a wonderful virtual NHS Induction Ceremony that was shared with the community this week. We would have preferred to recognize these students and educators in person, but she is grateful for the work involved in creating this virtual ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZClhL65czwg.
- Although we are unable to be together for the District Art Show, it is being held virtually again this year. Dr. Gough thanked the Art Department for their dedication and for providing a format that features our students’ work. The next school year, we are looking forward to having this along with many other events in-person!
- Finally, this weekend provides us with an opportunity and much needed time to get together with family and friends. As many of us look to this weekend as the unofficial kick off to the summer, it is also a time to pause and honor military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Dr. Gough is proud to be part of a military family. Her grandfather, Marine Corps Sgt. Major, fought in WWI, WWII, and the Korean war. Her uncle, Navy Veteran, fought in Vietnam, and her father was a Navy Corpsman. Fortunately, they all made it home after the completion of their service. She noted that recently she was able to visit those family members at Arlington National Cemetery and Bourne National Cemetery and pay her respects to those who never made it home. On Monday, May 31st, we salute our fallen and honor our heroes.
Middle School Building Project
Mr. Breen reported that a Community Forum is scheduled to be held on Thursday, June 3, 2021 via Zoom. A mailer is being sent to all Walpole residents. Mr. Breen urged the community to pay attention to this project.
It is imperative that the community become involved and learn more about the project. Citizens can check out the middle school building project website here. Anyone with questions or comments can email the middle school project at middleschoolproject@walpole.k12.ma.us.
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