2026-08-25 - School Committee

0:16Good evening everyone. Today is Tuesday,

0:18August 25th for our Marvel Public School

0:21Committee meeting. We had a nice summer

0:23break and now we're back into business

0:25which is great. So I'd like to call this

0:26meeting to order. I'd like to remind

0:28everyone that we are being taped and

0:30televised by WMCTV.

0:32So having said that, let's call the

0:33meeting order. If I have everyone rise

0:35for the pledge of allegiance, please and

0:36thank you.

0:39I aliance to the flag of the United

0:43States of America [clears throat] and to

0:44the republic for which it stands. One

0:47nation under God, indivisible, with

0:50liberty and justice for all.

0:52>> Excellent. Thank you everyone.

0:55>> Since we have a new school year, we have

0:57a new student representative. So, I just

1:00asked her if she'd like to say a few

1:01words on the spot, and she agreed. So,

1:04it's already already a great start. So,

1:06Maggie, I'll turn the floor over to you

1:07if you'd like to say a few words.

1:09>> Is this pushing? Is this on?

1:10>> Tappy, the green lights on.

1:12>> Uh, my name is Maggie Morrisy. I'm the

1:14new student representative. I'm a senior

1:16this year at Malbor High School. This is

1:18going to be my second year on the

1:19student advisory committee and I'm so

1:20excited to get the year started.

1:22>> Excellent.

1:23>> Thank you. Thank you for joining us

1:24every Tuesday for the whole school

1:27calendar year. Yeah, it's going to be

1:29great.

1:29>> Okay, moving on. So, we shall dive into

1:32the superintendent's report.

1:34>> Excellent. Thank you, uh, Mr. Mayor.

1:35Good evening, everybody. Good to see all

1:37of you. Happy New Year. Uh, as many of

1:39you know, this is my most, uh, favorite

1:42time of year. Get very excited to have

1:45the students and staff starting to

1:46return. Uh, visiting band camp, seeing

1:49our preseason athletes, seeing teachers

1:51come in with their, you know, buckets

1:53and bags and bins and all the things

1:55that start to set up their classrooms

1:58and uh, and really getting the school

2:00year off on a on a strong note. So very

2:02excited uh about all the work that's

2:03happening across the school system. Um

2:06we have a lot of really good news to

2:09share this evening. Uh but before that,

2:11welcome Maggie. Very happy to have you

2:13here. Um and look forward to working uh

2:16with you in this capacity this year. So

2:18and congratulations.

2:20Um so uh this evening we have uh lots of

2:23good information to share with uh the

2:25school committee and the community. Um

2:28we are going to start with introductions

2:31of our leadership team. Um as the school

2:35committee knows and I hope our community

2:37as we've been communicating a lot about

2:38all the changes throughout the summer uh

2:40in personnel and in programming across

2:42the system um we've been sharing updates

2:45as as they've been kind of coming along.

2:48Um and so I guess first what I'm going

2:49to do is just share a little bit about

2:51some of the uh transfers that we have

2:53had across the system. Uh so individuals

2:56that have been with us in one position

2:58but um have been uh you know transferred

3:01or interviewed and applied and selected

3:04to uh move into a new position. And so

3:06I'm going to offer the opportunity to

3:09any of those uh who are brave and bold

3:11in the audience that want to say a few

3:13words uh to the committee and community

3:16once I um introduce you in your new

3:18roles to please uh do come to the podium

3:20and do so. Uh to our new folks um that

3:24are joining the district for the first

3:25time, you will have to come to the

3:27podium these [laughter] days. So I know

3:29that you are prepared for that, but just

3:31wanted to let you know you're not off

3:32the hook. It's not optional [laughter]

3:34>> for the for the internal transfer.

3:36Maggie did it. So [laughter]

3:39>> the bar has been stuck.

3:43>> Uh first uh would like to reintroduce uh

3:46Miss Jennifer Ryan who is our new

3:48executive director of teaching and

3:49learning. Jennifer has shared um has

3:51been in multiple roles and will be

3:53sharing in a moment uh with us but has

3:55been in multiple roles across Malbor

3:57public schools I think Jen for 20 years

4:00quite some time um you have been serving

4:02our community um and we are thrilled

4:05that you will be bringing your expertise

4:07and your deep commitment to teaching and

4:09learning to this new role so welcome.

4:11>> Thank you. My name is Jennifer Ryan. So

4:13this is my 22nd year here in Malbor in a

4:15variety of roles. I'm very excited to

4:17return to the central office team in

4:18this new capacity this year. Um, and I'm

4:20just really grateful for the

4:21collaborative nature of the team last

4:23year because I feel like I'm not

4:24stepping in blind. So, we've got a good

4:26pace going. Um, and I'm just looking

4:28forward to supporting it this year.

4:30>> Thank you.

4:31>> Thank you.

4:33>> Uh, next I would like to reintroduce,

4:35although she needs no introduction, Miss

4:37Ruple Patel, who is now serving as our

4:40new executive director of English

4:41language learner services. Uh, as you

4:44know, Ruple has been with Malboro Public

4:46Schools. I believe this is her 20th year

4:48in a variety of capacities um up to most

4:51recently as the principal of Jarwick and

4:53is now bringing her ELLL expertise into

4:56this new leadership role. So, Ruple,

4:58welcome.

4:59>> Thank you. And um like Jen, I am

5:02excited, a little bit anxious, but

5:04really excited to start working in a

5:07very very different

5:09leadership capacity and supporting the

5:11schools and our EL learners and all of

5:14our learners. So thank you.

5:16>> Thanks, Ruple.

5:19Um Mr. John Fletcher has been our

5:22director of special education is now

5:24being elevated into an executive

5:25director role where he will be in charge

5:27of all things special education. John,

5:30we are thrilled to have your expertise

5:32and leadership in this new role.

5:34>> I'm thrilled to be here. John Fletcher,

5:36my 13th year. And I just realized that

5:38as I looked around, this is a little

5:39scary that I am the m now the most

5:41senior sitting central office

5:44administrator, which I didn't realize a

5:45little just now. Um, but I'm very very

5:48excited for this new opportunity.

5:49There's a lot of cool things going on

5:51and a great team. It's been a lot of fun

5:53working with them. So, looking forward

5:54to continuing the great work and

5:55continuing working with you guys.

5:57>> Thank you.

5:58>> Thanks, John.

5:59>> Uh, next, uh, she needs no introduction,

6:02but we'll introduce her anyhow. Lin

6:03Medallu, uh, who was serving as our

6:06director of E, has now taken on the new

6:08role, which we are thrilled to have her

6:10in, as the director of educational

6:13pathways.

6:14>> Hi, good evening. Um, I I feel it's a

6:17it's a thing. We're all so excited and

6:19we all just look so good for how long

6:20we've been in this district. Let me tell

6:22you, [laughter] we used to start back in

6:23fifth grade. So, that was, you know, it

6:26really, really excited about this role.

6:27Those of you who've been part of the

6:28committee for a while, you know, it's

6:29near and dear to my heart. Alternate

6:31pathways and programs. And so, I can't

6:34wait and it's going to be an amazing

6:35year. Thank you.

6:36>> Awesome. Thanks, Lynn.

6:38And our last internal uh transition, we

6:42have Mr. Chris Henry, who was our former

6:44director of instruction and educational

6:46technology, is now at the helm of the

6:48Jawick Elementary School. Welcome,

6:50Chris.

6:54>> Good evening, everybody. Um, I was going

6:58to like speak longer, but I feel like

6:59everyone was so brief that I'll I'll

7:01wrap it up quick. Um, also a 20-year

7:04vet. Like, so I I guess there there's a

7:06this graduating class is doing great

7:08things now um here in in our community.

7:11Um, I am so excited to be the new

7:16principal of Jar Elementary School. I

7:19have had a really rewarding, wild, and

7:22exhausting three weeks on the job so

7:24far. Um, I've learned a lot of, um,

7:27different things. Um, from the

7:29importance and of JJ the Jar Jaguar, um,

7:32to yes, the floors do need three coats

7:35of wax minimum um, as we navigate um,

7:38our school. But um one of the things

7:40that I really need to mention is how

7:43impressed I am with the staff and the

7:46families. Um they really do care about

7:48the JAR community and it is such a

7:50privilege to be the steward of um that

7:54place um and to take care of it. Um,

7:56I've said before and other times up here

7:59at this podium, what a privilege it is

8:01that I um feel that I have to work here

8:04in Malboro and spend 20 years of my

8:07professional career um serving this

8:09community. So, I thank you again for the

8:10trust um for the support from Dr.

8:13Defalco and my principal partners in

8:15crime as they orient me um into the role

8:19um and I'm looking forward to a

8:20wonderful year when the kids return next

8:22week. So, thank you very much.

8:24>> Thank you, Chris. And just a big thank

8:26you to our leaders who have been with us

8:28and who have stayed with us and who have

8:30been willing to make a transition into

8:33something new. Uh change is not always

8:36easy. Uh and uh I'm confident that each

8:40one of you are going to crush your new

8:42roles. So congratulations.

8:44Um we'll keep the introductions going

8:46and now we're going to shift to our new

8:49team members who are joining Malboro

8:50Public Schools for the first time. Uh

8:52first I would like to introduce Dr.

8:54Jennifer Lipton who is our new executive

8:56director of clinical services. Jennifer

8:59is coming to us with a uh um quite

9:02extensive list of experiences in public

9:05schools and in other settings uh and

9:08ranging from things from school

9:09psychologists to team chair. Uh and we

9:12are thrilled uh Dr. Blitin to have you

9:15in this new role.

9:16>> Hi everybody. Um thank you so much for

9:19this opportunity. I'm just humbled to be

9:22part of this team. I've been here, this

9:24is my third week, so I feel like just in

9:27awe of this leadership team. Everybody

9:29has such excitement for the the start of

9:32the year. I always cherish working in a

9:35school because it's this opportunity for

9:37a fresh start every year and it's been

9:40really exciting to sort of hear all the

9:42work that's being done and that we're

9:44going to continue to do and some of the

9:46new plans. Um, it's also amazing to be

9:49in this new role with so many layers of

9:52support in the schools. Um, it's really

9:54great. I thank this committee for right

9:56providing all of those positions in the

9:59schools and just valuing all of the

10:01wraparound services, seal work, all the

10:05counseling, psychologists, all of those

10:07folks, nurses, can't forget them. Um,

10:10such important folks and such important

10:13work being done. So, I'm just so excited

10:14to be here. But I have to say the

10:17buildings are weird in the summer

10:18because the children aren't here. So

10:20it's been really fun because my office

10:23and Dr. McCarter, we are right near

10:25where the band has been practicing for

10:28the last three weeks and that has

10:31actually brought so much joy to me as

10:32well. So it'll be kind of sad when that

10:34stops. But I just want to thank everyone

10:36for welcoming me and for the committee

10:38and superintendent for entrusting me

10:41with the students in Marboro. So thank

10:43you all.

10:43>> Thank you. Thanks, Dr. Lipton. Uh, next,

10:47Dr. Corey McCarter is joining us as our

10:49new executive director of student

10:50management systems. Dr. Marter is

10:53bringing 40 years uh of her experience

10:55in education in a variety of roles, and

10:58we are thrilled to have Dr. Marter's

11:01leadership uh in our district.

11:03>> Thank you. Hello everyone, and thank you

11:05for having me. And I'm really excited to

11:07learn and listen to everyone in the

11:09community. I've had a warm welcome.

11:12Everyone has been so sweet and so kind

11:14and I look forward to working with the

11:16students, the systems, data and

11:19continuous improvement for the district.

11:21Thank you.

11:22>> Thank you.

11:25Um, as our uh school committee and our

11:27community knows, uh, we have prioritized

11:30making sure that we have opportunities

11:31for all students in Malbor from our

11:34accelerated learning program, which

11:35you'll hear about later, but also to

11:37children who need something a little bit

11:38different than what our um, general

11:41education classroom may provide um, at

11:44particularly our elementary and middle

11:46school levels. And so with that, as you

11:48know, we went through the process of

11:50developing a therapeutic day uh program,

11:52which you'll hear more about as well

11:54later. Um we are thrilled to share this

11:57evening and introduce Miss Melissa Belo

11:59uh who is boomeranged back to us who was

12:02with uh Malboro Public Schools for many

12:04years and will now be taking the helm of

12:07the PA um academy at Hildruff. So

12:10welcome.

12:11>> Thank you. Hi everyone. Thank you so

12:13much for having having me today. I'm

12:15really excited to be starting here in

12:18Malboro and also returning. I spent um

12:22time in Malboro between the years of

12:241997

12:26to 2011. So, it's pretty exciting to be

12:28back here with all of you. I'm uh

12:31bringing uh many years of special

12:33education um experience in special

12:36education and looking forward to um

12:39developing the new program, working

12:40closely with John Fletcher, who has been

12:43uh great. All of you have been so

12:45welcoming and I really appreciate it and

12:47I look forward to collaborating with all

12:49of you and the families and meeting all

12:51the students. I'm super excited. I can't

12:53wait to meet everyone. So, thank you for

12:55having me.

12:57>> Thanks for returning. Um, and last but

13:00certainly not least, I would like to

13:02introduce our new communications

13:04coordinator, Sophie Scapon, who uh is a

13:08resident of Malbor and will be uh

13:10joining our team to help us really tell

13:13our story. Uh, and Sophie, if you want

13:15to share a few words and introduce

13:16yourself, that'd be great.

13:17>> Hi everyone, and thank you so much for

13:19having me here. Um, yeah, I just got

13:22hired two weeks a week ago. Um, so it's

13:25been a pleasure to be here. I'm so

13:27excited to start this new year, meet all

13:29of you, and I hope we're going to have

13:31um a great community, communications

13:34community all around for all the

13:36students and families as well. Thank you

13:37so much.

13:38>> Thanks, Sophie.

13:40>> And so those are the changes uh we have

13:43uh to our leadership team for the school

13:45year 2627.

13:47Um could not be more thrilled with the

13:50individuals who are sitting in front of

13:52the school committee uh tonight, but

13:54also to our team members who are not

13:56here. Uh we'll hear a little bit more

13:57about our leadership retreat in in a

13:59couple of minutes. Uh but I can tell you

14:01I've worked with many leadership teams

14:03in my career and never one like this. Uh

14:07so I could not be more thrilled with the

14:09direction in which um the school system

14:11is moving as a result of their

14:13dedication and commitment to the

14:14children of Malboro. So

14:16>> excellent.

14:16>> Thank you folks.

14:17>> Thank you.

14:18>> Thank you.

14:21>> Okay to keep moving or

14:22>> do you have a question?

14:25>> No. I'm going to say go team.

14:26>> Okay. [laughter]

14:28>> Short and sweet. I like it.

14:31>> Okay.

14:33Uh, next on my agenda, just a very quick

14:36update on um an August 12th meeting that

14:39u I had with the citywide parent teacher

14:42organization. Um, they are just amazing.

14:44I know I'm not saying something that you

14:46all don't uh already know. Um, but they

14:49are just such an incredible group of

14:51individuals who are so committed to the

14:54success of our students, our staff, uh,

14:56and our district as a whole. Actually,

14:58prior to this, I was with Collia uh at

15:02KAE for their kindergarten um event that

15:05was put on by the PTO and there was a

15:07school bus there and popsicles and

15:09lollipops and it was just awesome to see

15:12all the incoming kindergarteners and

15:14their families running around and

15:15playing and exploring the school bus and

15:17getting to meet the staff. Our teachers

15:18were all there. Um just amazing. They

15:21were totally like invested and involved

15:23in talking to parents and children and

15:25the PTO sponsors. so many events like

15:28this. Um this was the Kane PTO

15:30obviously, but um the citywide PTO uh

15:33really showed up in August to talk

15:35about, you know, what do we need from

15:37them? Uh what is this upcoming school

15:39year uh going to bring and how can they

15:42um really help kind of us navigate the

15:45next steps with our strategic plan, with

15:47any events we have, with our new

15:49leadership team. Um there it's really

15:52humbling like the dedication that these

15:54individuals put into this work. Um, and

15:58you know, at the end of me probably

16:00going on a little too long about all the

16:02changes and, you know, once I get going

16:03on some of this stuff, I get, you know,

16:04really kind of revved up. You know, I

16:06kind of stopped and said, "Do you, you

16:07know, do you have any questions?" And

16:09they just said, "No, clearly everything

16:12is set, but what do you need from us?"

16:14And they just kept coming back to that

16:15question. Uh, which I think is a really

16:18important um piece. So, just a big shout

16:20out to our parent teacher organization

16:21for that. Um, and I look forward to my

16:23uh continued meetings with them

16:25throughout the school year. Um, we'll be

16:27checking in in the fall. Um, and um, you

16:31know, seeing what else now we can do for

16:33them as they continue to set up

16:34programming for our classrooms, uh,

16:36educators and students. So, big thank

16:38you to our PTO families. Um, launching

16:43into the 2627 school year. We have so

16:46much happening. Um we did something

16:50different this year with our leadership

16:52retreat. Um we invited um all of our

16:56administrators, all of our lead

16:58teachers, our intervention coordinators,

17:01our EL coordinators. There were close to

17:0390 of us. Uh and we went to Assumption

17:05University. Uh we went off site for for

17:08it's the first of the two-day training.

17:11um and spent a lot of time talking about

17:15our strategic plan and our main

17:16priorities, talking a lot about the

17:19portrait of a learner and how we bring

17:21these u kind of aspects of life to our

17:25school community. Um and really focused

17:28on this idea that these are both a

17:31commitment and a promise to our youth

17:33and to the city of Malboro. that this is

17:36what Malboro Public Schools has set out

17:38to do uh for its uh children and for the

17:41city as a whole. Um

17:44it was so amazing to engage in the

17:47different groups that we had set up

17:49throughout the day. And so we had um our

17:52leaders in, you know, school-based

17:54teams, we had them um in kind of job

17:58alikes, so all of the principles

18:00together, all of the intervention

18:01coordinators together, etc. Um and just

18:06you know kind of watching the dynamic of

18:09uh our different leadership groups how

18:11they were interacting with each other

18:12for the first time and engaging around

18:15our priorities and how we're going to

18:16move this work forward uh frankly in

18:19many cases was overwhelming uh in such a

18:21strong way because the commitment in the

18:24room was just palpable. Um you could

18:27hear uh just the passion, the drive and

18:29the motivation. Um, one of the things

18:32that I really appreciated most, um, was

18:36on our second day we were doing a share

18:40out. Um, we started Friday in our

18:43buildings, right? So, Thursday we were

18:44at assumption, Friday, we were back in

18:45the district. We started Friday in our

18:47buildings. We came back together in the

18:49afternoon and these schools had an

18:51opportunity to share out all the

18:53progress they had made on the uh,

18:55developing their new school improvement

18:56plans and their professional development

18:58plans. Um, and it was just so powerful

19:01to hear our teams sharing out their

19:05ideas around these common goals but

19:09unique to their buildings. Right? So,

19:12you have seven schools, soon to be eight

19:13with our PAUSE uh program. Um, seven

19:17schools present, seven different sets of

19:20leaders, but one common goal and one

19:23common uh mission. And um, it was really

19:26powerful to hear. The plans weren't

19:28done. they weren't supposed to be,

19:29right? They just were kind of they had

19:30about three and a half hours to really

19:31get things rolling. But to hear some of

19:33the initial thinking um and to kind of

19:36listen to them share ideas with each

19:37other was really amazing. One of the

19:39things too that I just want to highlight

19:42that I think is real unique about our

19:43leadership team, we have more classroom

19:46educators, less so lead teachers,

19:48intervention l coordinators on our team

19:51than we have administrators. Um that

19:54means something. That means something.

19:57Um our office of teaching and learning

19:59is comprised mainly of classroom

20:01teachers again lead teachers and the and

20:04the uh coordinator roles. Um that's

20:06important. Those are the individuals

20:08that are on the ground doing the work in

20:10front of the students and supporting our

20:12uh colleagues. So um I just wanted to

20:14kind of highlight that because that is a

20:16unique um that is a unique experience I

20:19think that Malboro has uh to offer its

20:21its teacher leaders. So very excited

20:23about the work we've done as a

20:24leadership team and uh more to come um

20:28on that. You will be hearing quite a bit

20:29about these school improvement plans and

20:31the targeted PD plans as we move into

20:34October after we share our spring MCCAST

20:37data. Um we'll be then launching into um

20:39preliminary goals for myself, for the

20:42district, and then of course for our

20:44schools. So it will all be threaded

20:46together. Um we are in the midst of our

20:50new staff orientation. Many of you had a

20:52chance to join us as we did our launch

20:55on Monday. Um again, the energy in the

20:58room was pretty awesome. Uh lots of uh

21:01excitement. Uh we had about 30 members

21:04uh join us, but we do have more uh I

21:06know at the um more new staff at the

21:09school committee meeting on September

21:108th. Um Patty Brown uh will be giving an

21:13update on our um hiring and where we

21:15stand with that. Uh so we have that to

21:17look forward to. But all of those that

21:19were on boarded and ready uh started

21:21with us this week. Um and we really

21:23tried to do something a little bit

21:25different um in that um we had a lot of

21:29kind of team presentations. Uh we really

21:32kept our dialogue anchored in that

21:34portrait of a learner, anchored in our

21:36strategic plan. So we kind of keep the

21:38main thing the main thing. Um and really

21:40had an opportunity I've had an

21:42opportunity to check in with them uh

21:44frequently uh which has been really

21:46nice. uh and we'll do so um the rest of

21:49the week. Um and then sort of another

21:52piece that I've really appreciated this

21:53year with how we set it up, there's sort

21:55of a new leader kind of teeing off each

21:58of the days uh with the uh new teachers.

22:01So, um you know, this morning they heard

22:03from Dr. Lipton. Um tomorrow, I believe

22:06it's Dr. McCarter. So, we kind of set up

22:08a system that is just rotating where

22:09they'll be meeting with different

22:10leaders each day and just for just for

22:13kind of a kickoff uh to the orientation.

22:16And then of course they have an

22:17opportunity to work in their buildings

22:19uh toward the end of the week and meet

22:21with their principles. Um one of the

22:24things that um Patty and I got to do

22:26that I really enjoyed was to work with

22:29our mentors. So kind of the other end of

22:31the continuum. So it was kind of a

22:33little bit of like whiplash. We were

22:34with the mentees in the morning

22:35yesterday and then shifted and had a

22:37chance to work with our mentors and talk

22:40uh a bit about our mentoring program and

22:42uh did some work around um some research

22:45and u um emotional intelligence and some

22:48of that work that kind of the people

22:49work. So it was very cool to go from our

22:52brand new folks just joining the

22:53district to our veteran uh teachers who

22:57have committed so much of their uh time,

22:58effort and energy to to our district. It

23:01was really refreshing.

23:03Um, so more to come on new staff

23:05orientation this week. We've got a few

23:07more days, but things are off to a

23:08really good start. Um, now shifting a

23:11little bit to our students. Um, I know

23:13our school committee and our community

23:15heard us talk a bit about um,

23:18kindergarten and wanting to do

23:19kindergarten a little bit different. Um,

23:23one of the things that, uh, we started

23:26discussing in April with our principles

23:28in our central office team was just the

23:31kind of the need to

23:33provide more learning experiences

23:35particularly for those students, uh,

23:37that had did not have any preschool

23:39opportunities before starting

23:40kindergarten with us. And so, uh,

23:42tomorrow we will be launching our first,

23:45uh, kindergarten jump start program

23:46where we actually will have about 80,

23:48um, kindergarteners from across the city

23:51joining us for three days, uh, before

23:53the school year really officially kicks

23:55off. Uh, and so, a big shout out to our

23:57our principles, to our teacher leaders

24:00that were uh, really kind of charged

24:02with pulling together this structure.

24:04Um, and it's been under um, kind of the

24:07toutelage of Lisa Richards. So Lisa,

24:09thank you for meeting with the new

24:10teachers and helping them get organized

24:12and and uh settled into what that

24:14program is going to look like uh from a

24:16curriculum perspective. Um and a lot of

24:20kind of detailed work went into

24:21transportation and so Muhammad, thank

24:24you to you and your team for that making

24:26sure that the families that needed it

24:27would have it uh to get to school. Uh it

24:29was a team effort, our educational team

24:31leaders, our administrative assistants.

24:33Uh it doesn't maybe to the kind of the

24:35common uh ear sound like it would be a

24:37heavy lift. It's actually quite

24:39extensive. Um, we backed up our

24:42kindergarten screening into the spring

24:44so we could start kind of teasing out

24:46who the students were that might need

24:48additional support. We don't think these

24:49three days are going to be, you know, a

24:51significant problem solver in terms of

24:52that. We can't make up for a year of

24:54preschool in three half days. Uh, but it

24:57will help the students learn a little

24:58bit about routines and how to do school

25:01before their uh their friends join them.

25:04So, we're uh thrilled to be offering

25:05that to our community. Um, and speaking

25:08of community offerings, uh, this

25:10Saturday we will have our first, uh,

25:12back to school barbecue. We are

25:14thrilled. It will be at Ward Park from

25:1610, um, a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Um, it is,

25:20uh, meant to be just kind of a light

25:23lift for everybody involved. All of our

25:25schools will have a table and a little

25:27activity for students and families.

25:30We'll have some um, um, community

25:33partners that really help in kind of the

25:35health and wellness space. Uh Lindsay uh

25:37Castro and our wraparound coordinator

25:40team have been at the helm of making

25:42sure that this program comes together

25:43for us uh which we're thrilled about. Uh

25:45Lindsay, thank you to you and the team.

25:47Um and uh we will have a barbecue. We're

25:51going to have a DJ. Um just a really

25:54kind of feel-good community event. Our

25:56athletes um our MHS athletes will be

25:59there in their MHS gear. Um soccer

26:02balls, footballs, kicking the ball

26:04around with our little ones. you know,

26:06we hope that our younger students look

26:08up to our high school students and

26:09aspire to be them. Um, running parallel

26:12to that, we will also have our musicians

26:15uh present uh with some instruments and

26:17doing some different activities with our

26:18students and they too will be although I

26:20I have been told and I understand how

26:22hot the marching uh band uniforms are.

26:25So, they're not necessarily thrilled

26:27about wearing them and may wear

26:28something different, but that's okay.

26:29Um, right. Again, the idea is to really

26:32help uh inspire our kids to aspire um to

26:36right to be the big kids, so to speak.

26:38Uh so, it's pretty cool. Hopefully,

26:40we'll have uh a good turnout. We're

26:42excited. Uh there's plenty of food,

26:44great music. Uh all of our tables will

26:47be ready, and so we hope to see families

26:49come out on Saturday from 10:00 to

26:5112:00.

26:52>> Weather looks great.

26:53>> Weather looks great. Yeah.

26:55Uh, I also heard, I don't know if this

26:57is true, but there may be some of our

26:59mascots running around um talking to

27:02kids and high-fiving and that sort of

27:04thing. And so, um, also, uh, we will be

27:07giving away backpacks to, uh, families

27:09who are interested. That will be, uh,

27:11full of school supplies. So, thank you

27:13to our community who has sponsored that.

27:16Um, really excited, um, to offer that to

27:19our families. And multicultural uh,

27:21literature books that Mrs. Castro has

27:23ordered for our families. So, those will

27:25all be set up. Uh we encourage families

27:27to take them, bring them home, uh read

27:29them to their children, and add them to

27:31their home libraries. So, um really

27:33hoping for a good turnout. We have

27:35plenty of food. We hope it doesn't go

27:38back in the freezer, but [laughter]

27:41we'll see. First time out.

27:44Uh with all of that, we will be kicking.

27:46>> And I just This is our first back to

27:48school cookout.

27:49>> Yes. Yeah.

27:50>> And I just want to recognize and say

27:52thank you to you, your leadership team,

27:54and the staff and the community in the

27:57buildings for continuing this

27:59overwhelming sense of community from one

28:02school year to the next. Um, it's

28:04heartening. Thank you.

28:06>> Actually, I was going to say a couple

28:08things. First of all, thank goodness.

28:10Um, thank you to Jen Smith who was able

28:13to step up and take pictures of the

28:16leadership team on last Friday when you

28:20guys had that.

28:21>> I was out of town and I'm helping and

28:23boy am I happy you're here. [laughter]

28:26>> Pointing at you, Sophie.

28:27>> I'm pointing at you, Sophie. Um, because

28:29I've been running around taking a lot of

28:31pictures, which a lot of you all know.

28:33Don't worry, you still have a week or so

28:35with me running around shoving a camera

28:37in your face. So, keep it up. Um, but I

28:40wanted to really thank Jyn Smith for for

28:42doing that. Um, because she's a

28:45wonderful photographer and it was great

28:46to have her help since she loves this

28:48district oh so much. Um, I did really

28:51want to say a kudos to everyone for the

28:55um, welcome for the new staff. um which

28:58I was able to be there and Michelle and

29:00Dan were able to be there and I know you

29:02guys were there in spirit that weren't

29:04necessarily there physically, but it was

29:06a great kickoff and um I really loved to

29:10hear all of the rundown of what they

29:13were going to be doing, but it was so

29:15evident to see where everybody was going

29:17to have their like different faces

29:18there, which obviously helps um and

29:23making it more comfortable for people as

29:26it's knew, right? Um, you're not going

29:28to have to remember everyone's name and

29:31we're going to all help you. And it was

29:33a lot of I just felt like a lot of team

29:35camaraderie. And I have to say kudos for

29:39also actually having the conversation

29:41about working through the evaluation

29:42thing because I think that that was one

29:45of my biggest transitions in coming onto

29:48school committee was from a business

29:51perspective and then coming into like

29:53the educational teacher world. It's very

29:56different around evaluations and I think

29:58it's really helpful to walk through that

30:02that it's never a gotcha. It's a

30:04discussion so that we can all improve

30:06and get better. And I really appreciated

30:09you bringing that up right away because

30:11other districts may not handle it that

30:13way, but I want I love that that's

30:16something that we all want to work

30:17together on that. Um, so thank you for

30:20for doing that and making it a really

30:22welcoming situation I felt for everyone.

30:26And the kindergarten jump start amazing.

30:30Absolutely amazing. I think that's

30:32really really incredible. Um because I

30:35feel like I keep seeing people on um

30:37Facebook, our lovely social media, not

30:39on Marorrow, but just out there going,

30:42"My kid's going to kindergartener and

30:45I'm so afraid and they're panicking.

30:48this is like one of those opportunities

30:50to help probably not just the kids but

30:53the parents too and thank you. Um it's

30:57great to have that started to make it an

30:59easier transition for everyone. Um and I

31:03know that's not easy. So I don't want to

31:06let that go by just you popping it out

31:09there. So thank you.

31:12>> Move ahead. Sorry.

31:14>> You done?

31:15>> Yeah. Sure. For the moment.

31:17>> For now. [laughter]

31:19The summer was wonderful.

31:22>> Love you.

31:23>> Love you, too.

31:25>> So, just uh just to wrap up, a couple of

31:28quick pieces. Um our staff return on

31:31Monday, which we're thrilled to have

31:33everybody back. Can't wait to see

31:35everyone. Um we will be starting in the

31:38uh auditorium at Wickcom. The uh program

31:40begins right at 8:30. Um so, we are

31:43thrilled uh to greet our faculty, all of

31:46them. Um, and then our first through

31:4812th graders will be joining us on

31:51Wednesday, um, September 2nd. Sounds

31:54strange, uh, because Labor Day is late

31:56this year, but, um, kindergarten

31:58orientation is September 9th, and then

32:00the preschool and kindergarten start on

32:02September 10th.

32:05Um, so, um, with that, uh, just moving

32:09forward, we're actually going to hear,

32:10um, from some of our leadership team

32:12members some very important updates

32:14about our upcoming programming. We

32:16wanted to kind of tee off the year with

32:18sharing all the progress that's been

32:20made and where we are as it relates to

32:21our launch of uh some of our biggest um

32:24teaching and learning focus areas for

32:27school year 2627. So we'll start with

32:29pause.

32:32>> Good evening everyone. Thank you. Um I

32:35was going to jump right into the updates

32:36but something dawned on me today when I

32:38was working on this and and the

32:39excitement and energy around the

32:41Hilddrth building. I've been there for

32:42two years now. I'm about to move to

32:44deck. And I never realized the sense of

32:46community at Hildruff, the new waiting

32:48pool last year, the softball field. Uh

32:51Miss Ryan uh recommended the uh I think

32:55it was you recommended the uh snack

32:57shack to me. One of the hidden gyms in

32:59Marboro for if you want a cheap night

33:01out for dinner, go to the snack shack.

33:03But the energy around there has been is

33:05incredible. and and then it dawned on me

33:07that the Paul's Academy, one of the one

33:10of the hidden things that we're doing is

33:11we're bringing a school back to life.

33:13Now, even though it's never closed down,

33:15it's been active in a lot of different

33:17things over the years from the

33:18alternative school for a while. Uh

33:20during COVID, we used it as a school for

33:22our um children of our staff to to

33:25attend online learning and then for the

33:27last several years, it's been ALA and

33:29Meta. So, it's always been there, but to

33:32now really bring it back to life as a

33:34school fulltime, we're going to have

33:36kids there every single day, Tuesdays

33:39and Thursday nights and t every other

33:41week, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

33:42night. So, it's going to be almost like

33:44a little cultural hub there. And and

33:46that was something I didn't really

33:47realize. And then being over there,

33:49being there this summer as everybody's

33:50been coming in and doing the work, the

33:52people that have come into the building

33:53and said, you know, cuz it was built in

33:551931. Um, my grandfather went here, my

33:58father went here, I went here, my kids

34:00went here, that when Jarrick was being

34:02rebuilt, kids came here, and it like

34:04almost every single person that's come

34:06in in some capacity has reconnected to

34:08that building. So that's like a little

34:10hidden gem in addition to the incredible

34:13opportunity that Paul's Academy is going

34:15to present. It was something that I

34:16didn't really expect and realize and and

34:19that's just a to me a really big deal

34:21for Marbor to bring a beautiful school

34:24building like that back online. Um so

34:27with the updates I want to start with

34:28the most recent thing is our um the

34:31Paul's Academy and I want to start by

34:32saying thank you to Lindsay. It was a

34:35189 page application. A lot of work and

34:38a lot of effort went into that and I

34:40couldn't have done it without Lindsay's

34:41hard work. She had no obligation to do

34:43that. she rolled up her sleeves, offered

34:45to do it, and has done an incredible

34:46job. So, thank you, Lindsay, for that.

34:48Um, we've been working closely with

34:50Desi, as you know, we've been working

34:52closely with uh the city of Marboro, the

34:54facilities, DPW, everybody's been

34:56incredible. Um, and we're happy to say

34:58that we have received provisional uh

35:01approval to open the doors on September

35:042nd. However, um, as part of that review

35:07process, we learned just on August 14th

35:09that we did require some additional

35:12documentation. uh for lead and PCB. So,

35:15we went to work quickly on that. We're

35:17working on that. We've been working

35:18closely. Again, the city's been

35:20incredible. Everybody has been um you

35:23know, jumped right in and helped us with

35:24this. Andy White Facilities has really

35:26led the charge. Um we have um we've

35:30contracted with EFI Global. They're an

35:32environmental team. They will be on site

35:34tomorrow morning somewhere between 6:30

35:36and 9:00. Andy White and I will be there

35:38with them uh to begin the testing of

35:41everything in the building. Um, we will

35:43provide information to everyone um, as

35:47we receive it. We'll keep the school

35:48committee and all of our principles and

35:50leadership team um, up to date on

35:52everything as it as it's happening. Um,

35:56at this point there's nothing the school

35:57committee or anybody needs to do. We're

35:59taking care of everything. U, we just

36:01wanted everyone to be aware that that we

36:04do require this additional

36:05documentation. Um, and I will say that

36:08we are understandably frustrated as I

36:10just told you with the hard work of

36:12Lindsay and and others. Uh, we completed

36:14our application on proc and on time. We

36:17submitted it on time. Desi set on it for

36:20about six weeks. Uh, Lindsay and I had

36:22two meetings with Desi. We had three

36:24meetings canled on us and then we found

36:27out on August 14th that we needed this

36:29additional work. So, um, it's

36:31frustrating.

36:32Special shout out to Dr. Dr. Defco um

36:37for working with us and helping to

36:39support us to really be the liaison uh

36:41to DESIE to make this happen. Um with

36:44all of that said, obviously we're going

36:46to continue to work in collaboration

36:48with DESIE um the city and everyone to

36:51get everything done and everything we

36:52need to do um to make sure we get

36:54everything in place to really provide

36:56and again bring the school back to life,

36:58back online uh for the city of Marbor.

37:02the space, the actual space, even though

37:04it was in great shape, we've maintained

37:05incredible um buildings here. I have to

37:09give a special shout out to Peter Mafa,

37:11the head custodian here at the ECC. He

37:14has worked four, five, six, seven days a

37:16week over there, Andy White, because not

37:19only were we bringing Paul's back up,

37:21but we also there's 16 classrooms in

37:23that building and ALA and Medis will

37:26continue to operate out of there. So

37:28they did all 16 classrooms really mostly

37:32Pete by himself. Um in addition to that

37:34we have refernished all the classrooms.

37:36We're putting air conditioner in all the

37:38classrooms. We've done rewiring in that

37:40building because the wiring was old. We

37:41needed new wiring to be able to install

37:44air conditionings in all the spaces. Um

37:46so it's not just Paul that's going to

37:48reap the benefits of this hard work.

37:50It's going to be the incredible program

37:52that Lindsay put together over the years

37:54for our night school kids. they're all

37:56going to benefit from this. Um, so

37:58that's been really incredible. And like

38:00I said, I just can't emphasize enough

38:02the incredible work it, you know,

38:04installing Smartboards in all the rooms.

38:06So, every single room has a Smartboard

38:07now. Um, I mean, it really is I I can't

38:10wait for the grand opening for you guys,

38:12the community, everybody to get out

38:13there and take a look at it and see it.

38:15It's it's really incredible what they've

38:17done in a very short amount of time. Um

38:20the staffing, we're making great

38:22progress with that thanks to Patty and

38:24the team. But starts with Melissa. Um

38:26again, we recruited her back to Marbor

38:28where I I always tell the story that if

38:30you go over to richer in the

38:32kindergarten wing, that was our very

38:34first ever pathways program back in

38:361997. And Melissa started as a behavior

38:39tech in that program working through

38:41Walker um the the Walker program and she

38:45stayed with Marborlh to 2011. So, it's

38:48ironic now that the only school that

38:50doesn't have a Pathways program is

38:51Richer, but we will with the new Richer

38:53building. Um, Nicholas Rolando, a lot of

38:56you may know him. Um, he's been in the

38:58district now just a couple years, but he

38:59really sparheads the uh Special Olympics

39:02for us. He was uh recognized teacher of

39:04the year at the high school. Um, he's in

39:07been an incredible fine for the city of

39:08Marbor and Marbor Public Schools. He's

39:10going to be our ETL. Um, he's also going

39:13to do double duties as ETL of that

39:15building as well as the out of district.

39:17And he's going to continue to help out

39:18with the ALA. I think I'm telling him

39:21he's crazy, but he's convinced he can do

39:23this. The teachers, we have filled uh

39:25four of the six positions and and it's

39:28an incredible team. Yesterday, we'll get

39:29to that in a second. Uh we had the

39:31opportunity to have everybody together

39:32for the first day, but Katie Spot's been

39:34in the district forever. Um S started

39:37out here as a behavior tech. She's these

39:40and these people all went there

39:41voluntarily. They want to do this. They

39:42want to be part of something new and

39:44exciting. Um Mariana Sagutas who again I

39:47keep giving Lynn a shout out for some

39:49reason, but she started as an e she

39:51[laughter] started she she started out

39:53as an eel parah teacher, science teacher

39:56at the high school. Uh she's finishing

39:58her dissertation. She will defend her

40:00dissertation in December. Um she

40:02initially came on as a parah decided she

40:04wanted to be a teacher. She's going to

40:06be one of the teachers there. Um and

40:08then Chuck who has been at the high

40:10school um alternative program he was at

40:12the Wickham TLC program he's there. So

40:15we have a real good group core group of

40:17teachers u paras uh we have um one pair

40:21hired we have one pair that we've put

40:23through um to HR and then we have about

40:26eight openings but we'll take care of

40:27those and but we do have enough when I

40:29tell you where we're at with numbers we

40:31have more than enough staff to get going

40:33and to provide the supports that the the

40:35students need. Um, we have our BCBA,

40:38Kelly Gray. I think at this point,

40:39probably our most senior BCBA, um, who's

40:42been incredible. She's probably our lead

40:44BCBA. She does a lot of mentoring for

40:46the new BCBAS. She wanted to go over

40:48there because she wanted to be a part of

40:49something new. And again, one thing I

40:51forgot to add about Chuck and John Pino,

40:53our Perah. They've worked with the nine

40:56kids that are going to start at the

40:57pause program. They worked with all

40:59these kids. They know all of these kids.

41:01Um, so that's exciting. two school

41:03adjustment counselors from Wickham.

41:05They've been at the high school, they've

41:06been at Wickham. That's Michelle Smith

41:08Packard and uh Jill Buren. Um we have a

41:12nurse that thanks to uh Dr. Dr. Lipton

41:16put through a nurse candidate that is

41:18that is in HR. Um and even our custodian

41:20Ryan Williams started his career many

41:22many years ago as a behavior tech at the

41:24Dr. Franklin Perkins School um up in

41:26Lancaster. Then he started his own

41:28business. He's been a custodian um at

41:31Wickcom for several months and he's over

41:33there. Not that he's going to be

41:34involved in any kind of anything with

41:36the kids, but I just love that that

41:38everybody there has had some years of

41:40experience working with kids um and and

41:43and helping kids. Um students, we're

41:45going to start with 13 to 14 kids, nine

41:47from the middle school and four or five

41:50from the elementary. And I wanted to

41:52highlight something that happened here

41:53because already this program is paying

41:54dividends. We have two students coming

41:56from Jarvik, one from Kain, and one or

41:59two from Good Now. Um we just had a

42:01student move in um from a from a

42:03neighboring community. And if it wasn't

42:05for a pause, that student would be going

42:07out of district. So before so this

42:09student is moving from another

42:10community, come into Marboral and before

42:12they could ever get established in

42:13Marbor, we would be turning around and

42:15sending them right back out of district

42:16again. But because we have this

42:18therapeutic day school now within

42:20Marbor, this student will now be a part

42:22of his community that he and his family

42:24moved here to be a part of. So that to

42:27me instantly has has paid off. Um that

42:30all the work, all the hard work,

42:31everything we've done have done right

42:33there is all you need to hear. Um then

42:36as far as curriculum, um again, these

42:40students are part of our community. Our

42:41goal is to get them back into their

42:42school. But we will have all right now

42:44it's all sitting in boxes stacked neatly

42:46in the in the auditorium over there or

42:48the u in the gymnasium but we're using

42:51all the same materials the HMH the open

42:53sad the investigating history Chris

42:55Henry before he abandoned me and went to

42:57be a principal and Angela House before

42:59she went out on maternity leave uh we

43:02met and we uh started working on a plan

43:05they put together an incredible plan and

43:06I wake up one day and Angela's having a

43:08baby and Chris is a principal and but

43:10luckily they generated this incredible

43:13calendar for us that we're going to roll

43:14out our curriculum. And it's really I

43:16can share it out with with the committee

43:18if they'd like to see it. But um but

43:20Chris and Angela and Jen will pick up

43:22the work. Um we'll get her caught up to

43:25speed on it. Uh but the whole roll out,

43:26but right now everything is in boxes.

43:28We're going to unpack it. It's going to

43:29roll out. We have our PDS organized um

43:33for October 7th and I believe December

43:353rd. Um we have it all lined up. So

43:38we're very excited about that. Um

43:40consultations, Dr. Alex um Hersburg. Uh

43:44we had our like I said yesterday was the

43:45first day that we had everyone together

43:47and it was the energy was incredible.

43:50Everyone was so enthusiastic. Um we did

43:52a three-hour professional development.

43:54We started reinforcement strategies and

43:56building therapeutic classrooms. Um I

43:59had to leave to go do some other things

44:01with new new staff orientation. The the

44:04I only requested that staff be there

44:06from 10 to 1. I came back around 5:00

44:08and they were all still there. And in

44:10fact, when I I think it was around 7:00

44:13or so before they finally left, they

44:15didn't have to be there. They stayed

44:16there. And then today, I hear I was out

44:18of the building all day doing things.

44:19They were all back in there again today

44:21um working. So, the energy and

44:23excitement for this is incredible. Dr.

44:25Alex Hersburg will come back an

44:27additional 16 hours over the course of

44:29the summer or over the course of the

44:31school year, I'm sorry, one to three um

44:34times a month uh to really work with

44:36this team. And again, I think that, you

44:38know, Melissa can speak to it if you

44:39have questions on that because I missed

44:40most of it. But I come in and there's

44:42poster boards all up and everything. And

44:44just there was again, just the energy

44:46was incredible. Food service, we're

44:49meeting Muhammad, Matthew, Paul Gdet,

44:52we're all meeting tomorrow to finalize

44:53all the plans for that. How we're going

44:55to uh provide food service there.

44:57Muhammad and his team has been gracious

44:59enough to provide us with new

45:01refrigerators, new ovens, new heating

45:03devices, and all of that stuff. So, I

45:05mean, it's been incredible what we've

45:06asked for, you guys have provided. Um,

45:08and then transportation to wrap it all

45:10up. We've finished all the requests for

45:12transportations. All that is in uh

45:15Christina Ward has worked hard to get us

45:17all up and running so we don't have um

45:19hopefully we won't have any delays

45:20there. Um so, all the routes are done

45:23and we're set and good to go.

45:25>> Questions?

45:28[laughter]

45:28>> That was a lot to take in.

45:31>> What do you think? [laughter]

45:35I do all the time because you think I

45:37talk a lot. Me, too.

45:38>> True. [laughter]

45:39>> Only when I'm nervous. So, uh, honestly,

45:42uh, first I wanted to thank you,

45:43Lindsay, for getting our team together

45:46and, um, really setting up the

45:50consultation. I think that Dr. Hersburg

45:52is going to be an incredible uh, piece

45:56to this program and helping us build it

45:58from the core up. uh it will be really

46:01you know hearing from him and his

46:03expertise was really um enriching for I

46:06think for our team and uh Lindsay set

46:08that up and she did a really nice job

46:10but it really was nice to see all of us

46:12together and working through I mean they

46:14everyone has so many questions and

46:16there's so much uncertainty because it's

46:18just we're just starting and everybody

46:20has been working so collaboratively

46:22together it's really been humbling um to

46:25see and everyone is very very excited to

46:28you know get going and uh piggy piggy

46:30back on what John said. We've been

46:31there. I This is only my second day. Um

46:34I'm still here. It's late at night. I

46:37was here last night late at night, but

46:39so wasn't the team. I wasn't alone,

46:41which was really nice. And you don't

46:42often see that. Um but they're, you

46:45know, everybody's changing exchange

46:47exchanging numbers and you know,

46:49checking in uh pretty frequently

46:51throughout the day. But you know, I'm

46:52super excited.

46:54>> Any questions?

46:56>> No, it's just great to see that new life

46:57in that building. I am a product of

46:59Hilddrth school. So I went through K

47:00through five. So it was just such a

47:03great neighborhood school, you know,

47:04because of the field, because of

47:06everything that's there. So it's great

47:07to see that magic back into that. So it

47:10warms my heart to see it. We we had the

47:12regular. There's a gentleman that comes

47:13and plays tennis right outside of my

47:15office every morning for a couple a

47:17couple kids that play lacrosse against

47:18the wall. But but it is a community. I

47:20mean, it's it's incredible.

47:22>> Yeah. No, it's it's great.

47:23>> When I was here, it was a transition

47:24program for the 18 to 22 year olds.

47:29Yeah, it's it's great to see how it's

47:30evolved over all the years, you know,

47:32but I wasn't there in 1931, but

47:34[laughter]

47:35>> it's nice to see that.

47:37>> Oh, not so maybe a little bit. But thank

47:40you. Any other questions?

47:43>> No. Good. Good.

47:44>> Thank you.

47:44>> Thank you. Thank you for the update.

47:46>> Thanks, John. Thanks, Melissa. Uh next,

47:49uh we are going to get actually uh two

47:51updates um from uh the same team. We

47:54have our director of educational

47:56pathways and our middle and high school

47:58principles uh who are going to share uh

48:01an overview of where things stand with

48:03our new accelerated learning pathway

48:05that is running uh starting in grade six

48:07through the high school and then the uh

48:10Malbor High School alternative education

48:12program

48:14and I couldn't tell if it was just Lynn

48:17or

48:18>> you know [laughter]

48:20support

48:20>> there might have like a little dance

48:22number there you

48:24>> [laughter]

48:25>> Um, I'm really excited to work with

48:26these two. It's been tons of fun so far

48:28and of course a lot of hard work and

48:30amazing programs um that we're

48:32developing and getting ready for all of

48:34the students. So, pretty excited. So,

48:36I'll start I'll stop blah blah blah

48:38blah. I'll start talking about the

48:40accelerated learning program. We have

48:43just under 240 students that will be

48:46taking part in that program from grades

48:476 to 10. And um we're really excited to

48:50have them. This will allow, as I'm sure

48:52many of you know, this will allow any

48:54interested student to really be able to

48:57take on advanced coursework and really

48:59challenge themselves um and be able to

49:02take those risks with support. So, we're

49:04very excited about that. And of course,

49:06the the point is that when they get

49:08through um into the 11th and 12th grade,

49:12they will have these opportunities

49:13because a lot of this course work will

49:15be taken care of. And so all these other

49:16opportunities, whether it's advanced

49:18placement or early college, high school

49:20or internships, um we're going to have

49:22so much fun developing so many different

49:24things for the students um in addition

49:26to what we already have that I'm really

49:28excited uh for that. And um so parents

49:31and students in that program, you know,

49:33they can expect challenging coursework

49:35with support. they can expect, you know,

49:38homework, working sort of at an

49:39accelerated pace, but we're also going

49:42to make sure we meet the students where

49:43they are and bring them forward. Um, I

49:46love the portrait of the learner because

49:48when you read what we're trying to have

49:51our graduates and all of our students

49:53have and be, it's all about being part

49:56of your education. That education is

49:57something that does something for you

49:59and isn't done to you. And I think

50:01that's what I love so much about my job

50:03is because I get to say like, well, why

50:05isn't it doing something for you? Like,

50:06what can I do? Like, what can we do to

50:08make it something that that gets you

50:10where you want to be. Um, and so we

50:13really um look to have those kids in

50:17their energy. The teachers are working

50:19with them. Um, parents, we're going to

50:22have tours for our eighth graders who

50:24will be up at the high school. So, watch

50:26your emails. We'll be sending out

50:27information about that so the kids can

50:29come in. in. Some of them have been

50:30there already, but come in and see the

50:32school. Um, have that picture in their

50:35head of where they might go and uh

50:38that'll be their school as well. So,

50:39it's really exciting.

50:40>> And then we have 95 eighth graders

50:43taking freshman. Is that the the

50:44freshman courses?

50:45>> 90. Yeah. I knew you were going to ask

50:46so I have it broken down just in case.

50:49[laughter]

50:49>> You want to give an overview of the

50:50numbers? That'd be great.

50:50>> Right over here. Well, you know, sixth

50:52grade we have about 39 students. Not

50:54about. I suppose I could say about 40 if

50:56I was going to go that route. Seventh

50:57grade we have 84. Um eighth grade we

50:59have 90 and then ninth grade 20 and 10th

51:02grade we have about five kids who are

51:04taking on some extra things um who

51:06wanted to of course we'll be growing

51:07this as the kids move on and get older

51:11um and pass us in age because we're

51:14ageless um lot a lot of excitement in

51:17the buildings. So the other thing we're

51:19going to talk about is our alternate day

51:21learning program. Um, as we've

51:24mentioned, uh, Mateas and ALA will still

51:26be going on at night, which is exciting.

51:29And we are so excited for that air

51:31conditioning. Can I tell you? Uh,

51:32that'll be wonderful. There's only a

51:34couple nights, but we will appreciate

51:36it. Daytime and we are excited to have

51:398th through 10th grade um, be part of

51:42that learning and that program. those

51:44students. You know, this will be a

51:45chance for students to really have

51:47smaller groups, um, more attention, more

51:51project-based learning, really

51:53connecting learning to, once again, not

51:55only their interests, but to their

51:57experiences, to what they're interested

51:59in. Really make sure our students stay

52:01engaged and see that connection with

52:03their future. We've talked a lot about

52:05how to from sixth grade on really talk

52:08more and more and more about career and

52:12um you know continuing education and

52:14goals and so making sure that everything

52:17is tied to that and students know why

52:18they're there and um in in Malber public

52:21schools in general right the al the

52:24alternative learning program will have

52:26our eighth graders also taking nth grade

52:28courses which is exciting um we need a

52:31name we're going to have the students

52:33work on that, you know, um with Mas and

52:36ALA, we can't keep saying the alternate

52:38day program, you know, so that would be

52:39exciting. And um also making our little

52:43we mean business wing, uh exciting and

52:47their home and more of a community.

52:50Anything you want to add? Yeah.

52:55So, going back to the accelerated

52:57pathways for the eighth graders that

52:59will be going up to the high school for

53:01their um ELA, math, and their foreign

53:03language classes. Um their schedules are

53:06complete and parents can see them on

53:08Aspen. They will be starting their day

53:10at the high school. So, they will be

53:12taking high school transportation

53:14to the high school. They will come back

53:16to us midday with transportation that's

53:19already set up. they'll return to

53:20Wickcom, finish their schedules, and

53:22then they'll go home on Wickcom

53:24transportation. Um, one of the things we

53:26wanted to make sure we had in place for

53:28support for our eighth graders um was

53:31the additional math supports since they

53:34are essentially skipping eighth grade

53:36math. So, we have a math interventionist

53:38ready to go um our last two periods of

53:40the day so that if students need extra

53:42support with their algebra 1 coursework

53:44or whatever ma math they're taking um

53:47she's there to pull them and provide the

53:49extra support so that they can um have

53:51success when they're up at the high

53:52school. I think that's all I have.

53:56The only other thing I want to add is

53:58that we have a whole team behind us

54:00supporting this work. It's it's a lot.

54:02We're starting two new programs in

54:04between two different schools and we

54:06want to make sure that everyone sees a

54:08real seamless communication between the

54:09two buildings between administrators,

54:11the guidance teams, everyone has been

54:13working really hard together to make

54:14sure that this is a a smooth transition

54:16for you, especially the students that

54:19are split between buildings, but the

54:21eighth graders that will live at the

54:22high school for the whole day in the

54:23altaded program and make sure that

54:25everyone is getting all the experiences

54:27that they possibly can from both

54:29buildings. So, we're really working as a

54:31a team. Um the guidance program has been

54:34great. The um adjustment counselors will

54:36be supporting the eighth graders when

54:38they're at the high school. And so

54:39really making sure again that everyone

54:41is on the same page and if anyone needs

54:43anything that they can ask any of us and

54:45we have one consistent message. So thank

54:47you.

54:49>> And just to add one quick piece um while

54:52it sounds like there is a lot happening

54:54and there is a lot happening a lot of

54:56these programs we started developing

54:58them late last fall. So as the committee

55:01knows like this has been a kind of a

55:03long time in the making to bring these

55:05forward. Uh and then the only other

55:07piece I just want to highlight um about

55:09the accelerated learning program is that

55:12uh the students who decide uh who choose

55:15MHS for high school, we will issue them

55:18the credit uh for the courses that they

55:20take as eighth graders. So they will

55:22start their freshman year with three

55:24high school course credits out of the

55:27way. That's how we open up their

55:28schedule on the back end. Uh and I'm

55:31really really happy that we've got 90 um

55:34students who are enrolling in that.

55:35That's tremendous.

55:38>> Okay.

55:40>> Um thank you. So we do have the 90

55:42students. Um I'm hoping that we are just

55:46like you were articulating about the

55:48credits that they'll already start with

55:50something. I'm hoping that we can really

55:52highlight that with the parents so that

55:53they're really knowing that they're

55:55already starting on that path. That's

55:58huge, you know, and that's one to play

56:01up when we're talking about choose MHS.

56:04Um the other question I guess I would

56:07have is relative to the alternative um

56:10educational program, how many students

56:12have we identified at this point that we

56:15think we're going to have there? Number

56:17one. And then number two, about how many

56:20teachers, staff do we have kind of

56:23slotted for being able to be ready to

56:25support that program at this time andor

56:28are they going to be toggling between a

56:30couple different areas?

56:33>> So we have and we're still having

56:34students join us, you know, as we as we

56:37see how this summer went and and

56:39different things and the guidance is

56:41coming back. So we have currently um

56:44just over 20 students in there, but more

56:46will be joining by, you know, the first

56:48of the the first week really. And the

56:50classes will be around 10 to 15. That's

56:52where we'd like them to be, around 15 or

56:54so. And we have currently our four

56:57teaching staff um dedicated completely

57:01for them. And then in the afternoon,

57:03they go and they take their specialist

57:05classes, their electives. If they're

57:07taking English language development,

57:08they would also take that in the last

57:09two periods of the day. out in the high

57:11school.

57:12>> out in the high school. Yes.

57:13>> Right.

57:14>> And then they can also pick up potential

57:17of um additional classes whether it be

57:20involvement in different music courses.

57:24>> Um okay. And also those eighth graders

57:26in that program are taking ninth grade,

57:28you know, classes as well. And so they

57:30would also have that opportunity later,

57:32you know, for the internships and such.

57:34>> Okay. Um I'm assuming that this would

57:38happen, but I I'll ask it. Can we just

57:40as you all are growing that, can you

57:43guys let us know how that's growing so

57:45that we can at least just have a kind of

57:47a yard stick along the way?

57:49>> Okay. Thank you. Really exciting.

57:52>> I have two quick questions. One is this

57:54is in the old business wing. Is that

57:57where you're located? And um

58:01is the goal that

58:04similar to pause that they would

58:06reintegrate back into the high school or

58:11is this what? So we we want to be

58:16flexible for the needs of the students.

58:17And so the way we built the schedule

58:19with the staffing, we had that potential

58:21to roll up to to 11th grade if needed.

58:25The goal is to give the students what

58:27they need. So students will be

58:29transitioning back to the mainstream

58:31high school. Um some of those students

58:33would have the potential to shift to ALA

58:36May test if that's what they need as

58:37well. So we really have three different

58:38pathways that we can take advantage of.

58:40Um as we see use the data this year to

58:43see what the students really need in

58:44that next step.

58:45>> Yeah. So we have three different

58:46pathways

58:47>> and with and they're going to be

58:49academically at their regular level,

58:51right? So like if they wanted to let's

58:53say do the EMT program

58:56>> Exactly.

58:57>> they would have that opportunity.

58:58>> Yes. Absolutely.

59:00>> Yep.

59:00>> Awesome.

59:01>> And then just two other pieces to add um

59:04regarding um the academic side of the

59:07work. Uh we are moving we have moved

59:09forward with the project based learning

59:11model as the instructional design. So um

59:14we will be uh it's kind of in process

59:16now but still a lot of work to do

59:18integrating the PBL model into our core

59:20programming. Right. So the idea we

59:23understand that an alternative program

59:25doesn't just mean smaller classes,

59:27right? We actually need to take a

59:28different approach to how we're

59:29instructing. So the uh the team of the

59:32four teachers that they mentioned are

59:33our core subject teachers. They will be

59:35integrating the project-based learning u

59:37strategies and kind of instructional

59:39concept into our core programming. Um

59:42and then with the accelerated learning

59:44program, we have had um a small team of

59:47educators go out to our uh pre-advanced

59:49placement preap uh strategies course. So

59:53we'll be bringing a trainer in um in the

59:56fall months to work with our teachers

59:57that are instructing the accelerated

1:00:00learning course that we can integrate

1:00:01the preap strategies into our core

1:00:03teaching and learning program. Um so

1:00:06we're really excited about that as well.

1:00:08work to do still in that space but happy

1:00:10to uh bring that forward.

1:00:12>> Are the four dedicated teachers internal

1:00:15or did you hire new people?

1:00:17>> Uh no, they are all internal. Uh they

1:00:19all volunteered. They're all really

1:00:21excited. Um most of them were actually

1:00:24on a team for many years together. So

1:00:26they're really excited and they they

1:00:27really focused on the STEM projects and

1:00:28so they're really excit Yes. Um so

1:00:31they're they're very familiar with the

1:00:32the PBL concept. They're very familiar

1:00:34with the team model and um I'm really

1:00:37excited for them.

1:00:37>> That's awesome. So, thank you. That's

1:00:39exactly where what I was wondering

1:00:41because we learned so much I think over

1:00:44um when the STEM introduction and with

1:00:47really the focus of PBL. So, I I'm

1:00:51really excited to hear that it it's some

1:00:53of those teachers that actually had that

1:00:55experience because it was extremely

1:00:57successful.

1:00:58>> Yes. Um, and then with the pre-AP, are

1:01:01we also then tying that back towards um,

1:01:04some of the AP courses? Like I know we

1:01:06were talking about business being a good

1:01:09link for that aled program.

1:01:12>> Um, I believe don't we have the AP

1:01:16business that's starting up to

1:01:18>> starting this year. Yes.

1:01:19>> Right.

1:01:20>> So that might be something then to

1:01:22continue to push as well.

1:01:23>> Absolutely.

1:01:24>> Okay. Y great.

1:01:25>> Yeah. Everything is threading together.

1:01:27>> Yes. That's awesome. Yeah, thank you.

1:01:29>> I want to add one thing related to the

1:01:31accelerated pathways. I can't believe

1:01:33I'm going to talk about fifth grade

1:01:34flyup night before we even get into the

1:01:36school year. Uh I'm I'm sure and I'm

1:01:39excited that there'll be lots of

1:01:40communication around the inaugural

1:01:43year's success of Accelerated Pathways.

1:01:46I just want to highlight the

1:01:48criticalness of using FlyUp Night to

1:01:51communicate that program to parents and

1:01:53families and to pay attention to its

1:01:56timing. I think the AMSA equivalent was

1:01:59a week or two before. Um, and I think

1:02:03people should make whatever decision

1:02:04they think is right. But if we want

1:02:06folks to have a full view of the

1:02:09information, it would be great to be

1:02:11either at that same time or before so

1:02:15folks have um eyes wide open on the

1:02:18great programming available uh for MHS.

1:02:20I I also think just it struck me um I

1:02:24thought about when a tool would mention

1:02:26the student mentors coming down to

1:02:28mentor other students. Um it may be

1:02:32interesting to have some of this first

1:02:35cohort of the accelerated pathways just

1:02:37share their experiences

1:02:39in whatever ways appropriate at the

1:02:41middle school and and potentially even

1:02:43at the fifth grade level again to give

1:02:46people access to the information.

1:02:48Thanks. screen, Denise.

1:02:51>> Um, Mrs. Casey, I just had a question

1:02:53about the high school schedule. I'm

1:02:55assuming that with so many of the eighth

1:02:56graders coming up to the high school.

1:02:59Um, in the past, the schedule would drop

1:03:01a class and the schedule would rotate.

1:03:03Is it more of a fixed schedule this

1:03:05coming year?

1:03:06>> So, the the whole high school is a fixed

1:03:07schedule. Yes. Um, and that really helps

1:03:10us align with with Wickham and it also

1:03:12helps us align with the internships that

1:03:14we're hoping to create, the pathways

1:03:16we're hoping to create so that we can be

1:03:17consistent in the community as well. Um,

1:03:20so yes, that is a set schedule. Um,

1:03:22which is it really makes a lot of things

1:03:24easier for everybody.

1:03:25>> I bet. Yeah.

1:03:26>> Yeah. Great. Awesome. Thank you.

1:03:30>> Anything else?

1:03:34>> Um, and that is my report. Is there any

1:03:37further questions regarding the

1:03:39superintendent report? No, we can move

1:03:41on.

1:03:42>> A couple things going on.

1:03:43>> Just a few. [laughter] Yeah. Okay. Well,

1:03:45let's move on. Thank you everyone. The

1:03:48executive director of finance and

1:03:49operations, Mr. Muhammad.

1:03:51>> Good evening everyone. Thanks for uh

1:03:55glad to be here. Excited to uh start the

1:03:57new year. Uh it's been I hope everyone

1:04:01had a good summer and since the last

1:04:03time we were here until now there's a

1:04:06lot that took place and I just uh want

1:04:09to fill you guys in and give you some

1:04:10updates on the food services,

1:04:12transportation facilities and uh so uh

1:04:17the first item I have on my list is the

1:04:19food services. So, uh, a big shout out

1:04:22to the team, uh, Denise Rodriguez who

1:04:25piloted, uh, the summer program this

1:04:27year was a great success. It was, uh,

1:04:30uh, we had a great engagement from the

1:04:33community. Um, we actually projected

1:04:36around 13,000 meals to be distributed,

1:04:39but we ended up providing 17,000 plus.

1:04:42So you know it was a great success and

1:04:44we we are looking forward to expanding

1:04:48this program and uh just keeping it

1:04:51going year after year. So um and also to

1:04:54give some updates on the capital

1:04:56equipment um that uh updates that took

1:05:01place was um pause uh academy uh the the

1:05:05kitchen was renovated not renovated but

1:05:08added some new equipments to the kitchen

1:05:10and uh uh we'll look into some more

1:05:13improvements as that program grows. Um

1:05:18there were new ovens at Woodcom Middle

1:05:20and we're we installed uh a dishwasher

1:05:23at Good now. Uh moving into fall, uh we

1:05:27are launching a hot graband go station

1:05:29at Wickham and um also rolling out a

1:05:32district-wide online ordering system

1:05:34before the year end where um I had a

1:05:38conversation with Matt where the staff

1:05:40may be able to participate in this

1:05:43online ordering with the small charge.

1:05:45So um you know we'll pilot that and see

1:05:48how that goes. Just an FYI. And also

1:05:52furthermore uh the department is fully

1:05:54booked um for catering with orientation

1:05:58and as Dr. Defalco mentioned you know

1:06:01capping it off with the uh a big uh end

1:06:04of summer back to school barbecue. Um so

1:06:09uh big shout out to the team. They're

1:06:11working hard to uh accommodate this. Oh,

1:06:14and also they are aiming to expand the

1:06:16catering services and be the go-to

1:06:18source for uh the town staff uh for all

1:06:22the events. So, uh they're working hard.

1:06:26Uh the next item is the facilities

1:06:29department. um another superstar team.

1:06:32You know, big shout out to Dan Jackson

1:06:35and his team for taking on um over 17

1:06:40building improving projects, some big,

1:06:42some small, but they worked very hard

1:06:45over the summer and um all of the

1:06:48projects are um scheduled to wrap up

1:06:52before the school starts. Well, just to

1:06:55give you some highlights, uh card swipe

1:06:58installation, entry um entrance

1:07:00security, we did a a

1:07:04big um electrical and air conditioning

1:07:07work over at Hilda to get that going. Um

1:07:10and also

1:07:12some interior projects over at high

1:07:15school. We renovated bathrooms. Um

1:07:18installed new athletic lockers. I don't

1:07:20know if you guys had a chance to see

1:07:21that. They they look beautiful. So, um,

1:07:25and also,

1:07:27um,

1:07:29we finished, um, we finished the the the

1:07:33gym floors over at Goodn Now Whitcom.

1:07:36Uh, there are some long-term capital

1:07:38improvement projects that are still

1:07:39taking a place, but they're mostly

1:07:42outside of the buildings, but inside of

1:07:44the building work is is um is coming to

1:07:47an end with the school year. Um so um in

1:07:52addition to that um due to uh limited

1:07:57procurement lead time in FI26

1:08:00um I know this was on the uh I know this

1:08:03was on the agenda for [laughter]

1:08:05>> on our capital plan for a long time. I

1:08:08think it this is actually going to take

1:08:11place and I'm working to get this done

1:08:14this year at the end of this year. So um

1:08:17we just need a little bit of time. We've

1:08:20planned this and we just [snorts] ran

1:08:21out of time for that project.

1:08:25>> Muhammad, can I just jump in as you're

1:08:27going to your next piece? So, Muhammad

1:08:28and I last week went and walked each of

1:08:31the buildings and looked at all of these

1:08:33projects to just kind of check in. Um,

1:08:36our city team, I know that you know

1:08:38this, but they are really talented. The

1:08:40work that they have done this summer is

1:08:43is quite impressive. Um even just the

1:08:46level of detail, you know, looking at

1:08:47the safety vestibule. When you walk into

1:08:49the uh one of the big important projects

1:08:52for us was the um family registration

1:08:55center. Uh there is now a double locking

1:08:57vestibule system where before the

1:08:59community would have access right to

1:09:01classrooms, kids, teachers. That's all

1:09:04secured now. It's all double locked. You

1:09:05can't get in there without being buzzed

1:09:07in. Um they just did such a good job

1:09:09with even just the fit and finish on all

1:09:12their projects at Jarwick. uh kind of

1:09:15dividing up a section of the library

1:09:17into additional space. Very very

1:09:19professional. Um like really well done.

1:09:22Um securing this space here so that the

1:09:26public doesn't have general access to

1:09:28our students and staff moving the

1:09:30office. Um very thoughtful in how they

1:09:33organized and set up these projects. And

1:09:36uh the bathrooms, we heard our high

1:09:38school students last year talk about how

1:09:42the lobby bathrooms were, you know, in

1:09:44quite disarray. Um we went and checked

1:09:47them out. They they look great. I mean,

1:09:49they look they did a really nice job. Um

1:09:52the lockers in the locker room Yeah.

1:09:54>> have all been replaced. Uh the ones that

1:09:56were all busted. So we have all brand

1:09:57new lockers in the boys locker. Just the

1:09:59boys or boys and girls?

1:10:00>> Um boys.

1:10:01>> I think it's just the boys.

1:10:02>> Um

1:10:03>> yeah, first floor. Yep. So just like

1:10:06>> really well done. The projects all came

1:10:09out excellent. Um I will say though this

1:10:12is what happens when we get organized.

1:10:14We were really organized through the

1:10:16budget process about our capital

1:10:18priorities. Um and a shout out to all of

1:10:20you frankly for helping us do that and

1:10:22kind of get situated around like these

1:10:24have been on the punch list for a long

1:10:26time. What's happening with these

1:10:27projects? We never heard back about

1:10:28this. So now we have a system.

1:10:30Muhammad's meeting regularly with the

1:10:32facilities team. Um, and so but that's

1:10:35just what happens when we come together

1:10:36and get focused on something, right? So

1:10:38really, really good work.

1:10:40>> I I want to add the deck. I mean, all

1:10:43the new office spaces like it's amazing

1:10:46like one year there's one configuration,

1:10:49the next year there's like all different

1:10:51offices. They just put up walls and it's

1:10:54they're really very talented.

1:10:56>> We're very fortunate for our facilities.

1:10:59I'm so exceptionally excited. I may go

1:11:02over to the high school first thing. So,

1:11:04sorry Sarah, you may see me there.

1:11:06>> I mean, because the the first floor

1:11:08bathrooms, that's huge.

1:11:10>> Cuz we were hearing it not only from our

1:11:12own students and families, but honestly,

1:11:14even from visitors, so it's it's nice

1:11:18because we have so many people that are

1:11:20coming there.

1:11:21>> You want it to be decent. And I have to

1:11:24say, I'm really excited to go look at

1:11:26the the lockers. Um, and I know that

1:11:30sounds kind of crazy, but as a person

1:11:33that wears multiple hats, um, the Marbor

1:11:36Junior Women's Club runs the Princess

1:11:38Boutique, which is huge, and it brings

1:11:41in huge amount of people from all over

1:11:44as a wonderful opportunity. And we

1:11:47utilize that locker room space. So, I

1:11:50have to say I'm excited to go see what

1:11:52it looks like because,

1:11:55you know, you want you want the people

1:11:56that are coming into um that experience

1:11:59to really feel good. So, yay. Thank you.

1:12:03>> Yeah.

1:12:05>> Um and next on my list is transportation

1:12:10update. So, um I've been updating the

1:12:14school committee on the planning before

1:12:17we went on break about um adding for

1:12:21buses, you know, removing walking zones

1:12:24um and finally like throughout the

1:12:27summer and we worked hard to finalize

1:12:30routes. uh we were supposed to post it

1:12:32on August 10th but we ended up post

1:12:35postponing that to August 17th to ensure

1:12:38accuracy and make sure that um we are

1:12:41doing our due diligence to make this

1:12:43process smooth for the students and the

1:12:45families. So um so that was officially

1:12:49posted on August 17th um for all of the

1:12:53programs that was coordinated with the

1:12:55the leaders and the regular bus

1:12:58transportation

1:13:00special education um where and also to

1:13:03increase transparency this year we

1:13:05launched a beacon connect family app um

1:13:08that enables uh the real real time

1:13:11tracking for regular yellow bus routes

1:13:14um But we're so this is only for the

1:13:17regular bus at the moment, but we're

1:13:19working with NRT to get the special um

1:13:23um uh trans special education

1:13:26transportation uh involved in the

1:13:29application soon. So um we'll roll that

1:13:32out um hopefully soon. and uh you know

1:13:36just the transportation coordinator and

1:13:39I will remain dedicated to ensuring

1:13:41safe, punchial and efficient student

1:13:43transit across all district

1:13:45neighborhoods. Um and we'll continue to

1:13:48hash out and make any final adjustments

1:13:51before uh September 2nd. So hopefully

1:13:53it'll be a a lot more smoother

1:13:55transition and the start this year than

1:13:57it was in the past. So, [laughter]

1:13:59>> well, it's already been night and day

1:14:01compared to a year ago last year when

1:14:03>> yeah,

1:14:04>> my office had numerous calls regarding

1:14:06the bus transportations and the lack of

1:14:08communication. So, kudos to the team for

1:14:10making it a smooth transition thus far

1:14:12and will continue throughout the actual

1:14:15first few days of school. So, I know

1:14:17there will always be hiccups and I

1:14:19understand that, but compared to last

1:14:21year, it's already been a very, very big

1:14:24difference. So, kudos to you and and the

1:14:26team. I mean, I know NRT has not been

1:14:27great this summer, but we're going to

1:14:29put that all behind us, and we're going

1:14:30to

1:14:31>> we have a wonderful superintendent who

1:14:33is on it, and I'm very thankful for

1:14:35that. So, uh, kudos kudos to you,

1:14:37Muhammad. So, thank you.

1:14:39>> You and Hallelujah for the Beacon app

1:14:42finally. I'm I'm glad that you guys have

1:14:46gotten them to move that forward

1:14:48considering that other districts have

1:14:50had this for a bit a while and we have

1:14:54it was part of the bid package. So,

1:14:57thank you for finally getting it for our

1:14:59community. Um, I'm not saying it's going

1:15:01to be without having issues, but I think

1:15:04it's good that we at least have it

1:15:07started here because not having it and

1:15:09having neighboring communities that were

1:15:12utilizing NRT and that we didn't have

1:15:14it, sorry, was disgraceful. So, thank

1:15:17you.

1:15:19>> And the instructions for the Beacon app,

1:15:21the step-by-step instructions, the link

1:15:23to the app is all posted on our website

1:15:26on the transportation page. Just an

1:15:27implied

1:15:28>> I'll emphasize the mayor's point around

1:15:30high quality communication for the

1:15:32buses. Transition is tough whether it's

1:15:35coming out of the year or going into the

1:15:36year. And the fact that this was a

1:15:39non-event as a parent is so meaningful.

1:15:43Um it's just frankly one less thing to

1:15:46worry about and something that we should

1:15:47never have to worry about. So uh thank

1:15:50you to you and the coordinator for uh a

1:15:54terrific job.

1:15:55>> Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. And you

1:15:57don't drive the buses, right? Even

1:15:58though you stand in front of the bus.

1:16:00>> Yeah.

1:16:06>> And uh last but not least, I provided an

1:16:09expenditure report in your packet that

1:16:12um that documents uh the monitor of our

1:16:16spending um and the year-to- date

1:16:18expenditures, remaining balances. This

1:16:20is just a preliminary report for where

1:16:23we at at the moment, but uh going

1:16:25forward when the teachers come back and

1:16:29you know we're rolling then I'll start

1:16:31doing the projections and you'll see the

1:16:32the the report that I've been providing

1:16:34last year. So that includes more

1:16:37accurate numbers um going forward. So

1:16:40with that I'll leave the floor for

1:16:41questions.

1:16:42>> Can I just ask one quick question

1:16:43>> Catherine? So, one more kudos about the

1:16:47um food services and that opportunity of

1:16:50making sure that we're um providing food

1:16:52over the summer. Um huge. That's just

1:16:56absolutely fantastic.

1:16:59And um I love that we're growing the

1:17:01numbers and we've exceeded the um

1:17:03estimate. Um my hope would be that we

1:17:06can have some conversation around um

1:17:08supporting during like the vacation

1:17:11weeks as well. I I think we've had some

1:17:14conversation at times and offered things

1:17:16of of pre-prep of some food available

1:17:20before, but you guys keep knocking it

1:17:23out of the park. So, let's just continue

1:17:25to find more ways to make sure that

1:17:26we're we're feeding the folks that are

1:17:28in need. Um would be fantastic. Um and

1:17:33yes, um would love it if we can keep on

1:17:37pushing to get those bleachers

1:17:39um done. And and thank you cuz I think a

1:17:43lot of our conversation around um the

1:17:46capital expenditure and that plan and

1:17:48really putting it in place allowed for

1:17:50you to have some really clear

1:17:53communication with DPW and and make sure

1:17:57that all of our facility discussions

1:17:59were like on mark. So I appreciate it

1:18:02because then we're all working together.

1:18:05There's not somebody, you know, trying

1:18:07to do their own scheduling. and um

1:18:10hopefully we can continue to move this

1:18:12forward soon.

1:18:13>> And they were super easy to work with.

1:18:14They just said like, "Well, tell us what

1:18:16you want us to do." And they really were

1:18:18great. Like you said, just give us your

1:18:20prioritized list and we'll get it done.

1:18:21And they and they did.

1:18:22>> Yeah.

1:18:23>> Yeah.

1:18:23>> And the bleachers will be done this year

1:18:24based on the procurement process because

1:18:27there's such a large it's over 500,000.

1:18:29>> Yeah.

1:18:29>> So it's just a lengthier process.

1:18:31>> Thank you so much.

1:18:34Right.

1:18:35>> Um, can the Wim hot grab and go? Is that

1:18:38at lunch or at breakfast or

1:18:40>> um I believe that's breakfast.

1:18:42>> Breakfast. Yeah.

1:18:47>> Anything else for Mr. Muhammad?

1:18:51>> Okay, let's move on. Acceptance of

1:18:53donations and gifts. We have Shaw

1:18:55Supermarket to support students of

1:18:58Malro. So, we all were at some of us

1:19:00were at the um ribbon cutting of Shaws.

1:19:01They moved to Malro and new grocery

1:19:04store and they donated $10,000. So,

1:19:05we'll just need to approve that.

1:19:07>> Motion to approve with gratitude.

1:19:10>> Okay,

1:19:10>> we got a really big check. It was fun.

1:19:13We have a picture of it.

1:19:15>> Okay. Motion to approve and seconds on

1:19:18the table. Any questions, comments,

1:19:20concerns? Seeing none, all in favor of

1:19:21the acceptance of donations of 10,000 is

1:19:24approved. Good now donation programs and

1:19:26materials for good now students of $250.

1:19:29>> Motion to approve. Motion to approve and

1:19:32second is on the table. Questions,

1:19:33comments, or concerns? Seeing none, all

1:19:35in favor? The motion carries. Okconor

1:19:38Studios for programs and materials for

1:19:39JAR students for $1,442.14.

1:19:43>> Motion to approve.

1:19:45>> Motions on the table and seconded.

1:19:47Questions, comments, concerns? See?

1:19:50None. All in favor? Motion carries. and

1:19:53Museum of Science Boston refund for bus

1:19:56rentals on field trips funds to benefit

1:19:58the charity to account for $350.

1:20:01>> Motion to approve.

1:20:02>> Motion on the table and seconded.

1:20:04Questions, comments, or concerns.

1:20:06>> Is that like a thing? I never heard of

1:20:08that. I was amazed when I read that.

1:20:17>> Actually, this was the second year that

1:20:19this had been reimbursed. So the third

1:20:22grade team had been in touch, the lead

1:20:24teacher had been in touch with the

1:20:26Museum of Science and they were willing

1:20:28to reimburse a portion of the cost.

1:20:31>> That's great.

1:20:32>> Yeah.

1:20:33>> Yeah. Thank you.

1:20:35>> So [snorts] motion on the table and

1:20:36seconded and no more questions,

1:20:39comments, concerns. We're good. All in

1:20:40favor? Motion carries. Okay, that sums

1:20:43up the donations. So we do not have on

1:20:47our agenda public comment but there is

1:20:48no one from the actual general public

1:20:51here. So we will skip the public comment

1:20:53and then members forum is not on the

1:20:55agenda as well. So any last members

1:20:57forum things I think we all said our

1:20:59piece

1:21:00seeing none that concl.

1:21:06But um I think everything's starting for

1:21:09students this week. So this week has

1:21:10been tryyous at the high school. I know.

1:21:12So, Monday through Wednesday that all

1:21:14the teams have been trying out. And then

1:21:15also this week, uh this Friday, it's

1:21:17freshman orientation. So, our link

1:21:19leaders are going to be in the building,

1:21:20I think, tomorrow and t uh Thursday

1:21:22doing like uh preparing for it. And

1:21:24there's going to be a big fresh

1:21:25orientation. So, everything's starting.

1:21:27And then next week's the big week. So,

1:21:29we're all going to be I know I'm I'm a

1:21:30senior and we're going to have on

1:21:32Tuesday, the day before school starts,

1:21:33we're having our senior sunrise. So,

1:21:34we're all getting together, watching

1:21:36sunrise, all that starting. So, big

1:21:38week's exciting.

1:21:41Maggie, do you know how many student

1:21:43link leaders there are?

1:21:45>> I think there's around 40. I Yeah, I

1:21:48think around that. Yeah. And I I don't

1:21:50know how I think 180 freshmen around.

1:21:53I'm like looking at the case for the

1:21:55answer.

1:21:57>> RS

1:22:02about

1:22:06>> awesome.

1:22:06>> So about 100 freshmen.

1:22:08>> Okay. Just want the people at home to

1:22:10hear that.

1:22:12>> Great. Thank you.

1:22:13>> Anything else?

1:22:15>> Um, we did have a policy meeting today.

1:22:18Um, and we will have a number of

1:22:21policies that will be moving forward

1:22:23kind of as swiftly as we can only

1:22:25because um there were a few things I

1:22:27guess that um got moved up a little

1:22:30quickly. Um so we're just trying to

1:22:32address it, but we don't want to move

1:22:34move it forward without really doing our

1:22:36due diligence. Um we are having some

1:22:38conversations around um supporting the

1:22:41conversation around um cell phone

1:22:42policy. Um and pretty much you know it's

1:22:46off and away and that's really just been

1:22:49something that we've agreed to pretty

1:22:50much across the district. Um but we do

1:22:53want to provide some support and

1:22:54structure for our administration to make

1:22:57sure that you have something so that

1:22:59we're really consistent across the

1:23:01district about our approach. So, um,

1:23:04that's something that we're working on

1:23:06which really affects all of us across

1:23:08the board. We just have a number of

1:23:10other things that are moving through and

1:23:11we'll bring that forward um, fairly

1:23:13quickly.

1:23:16>> Oh, that's right. I did review the

1:23:18warrant. Thanks for reminding me. I did

1:23:20review it. I will be signing that on

1:23:22your behalf unless you guys have some

1:23:24kind of major issue.

1:23:25>> Okay.

1:23:26>> But, um, yeah.

1:23:28>> Okay. So, just reminder back starts on

1:23:30September 2nd. Please drive safely. take

1:23:32extra time. Buses will be on the roads,

1:23:34new routes. So, just a reminder, please,

1:23:36let's protect our children and stop at

1:23:38the stop sign when the buses are there.

1:23:41Please, it is against the law. I don't

1:23:44think I should have to say that, but

1:23:45just a reminder. Other than that, um,

1:23:47let's have a successful back to school

1:23:49and, uh, summer's over and let's get

1:23:51back to the work. All righty.

1:23:52>> All right.

1:23:53>> Anything else?

1:23:55>> Move to adjurnn.

1:23:56>> Move to adjourns on the table. All in

1:23:58favor?

1:24:00We are adjourned at 8:53. Thank you

1:24:02everyone for the update.