The Halifax School Committee met Monday, Aug. 28. Committee Chair Lauren Laws began with a reorganization of the liaisons to various sub-committees including Admin Review and Youth and Recreation. They discussed whether to continue a sub-committee called Curriculum Development. The sub-committee had been started by the School Committee’s previous Chair Summer Schmaling. Current Vice-chair Jessica Page said that the intent behind the sub-committee was to allow for a point person for parents concerned about curriculum. After some discussion, it was decided to absolve the Sub-Committee.
Superintendent Jill Proulx addressed the issue of Silver Lake’s substantially separate programs including preschool. The State pointed out to the District that the preschool currently operates under Silver Lake Regional, despite its being a Grades 7-12 district. The State gave the school a set amount of time to correct the issue. Proulx said that the hope was to have the three towns recognize the preschool as remaining part of Silver Lake Regional via a warrant article at each of the town meetings. There are a handful of other positions that fall under the purview of the region despite not serving Grades 7-12. A member of the Committee asked Proulx about the instrument teacher shared by the towns but was told that that individual was employed part -time by each town individually.
Principal Kayne Beaudry provided an update saying that enrollment was down a bit since the outgoing sixth grade class was quite large. He said, however, that the new kindergarten class was the largest in five years. Beaudry also provided a staffing update saying that there were five new positions. He said that they currently have two open paraprofessional positions as well as an open cafeteria manager position.
Proulx told the Committee that they held staff meetings over the summer that revolved around a LEGO theme and included fun team-building activities. She said that during their welcome back with staff they focused on the strategy for district improvement, what was accomplished last year, and upcoming goals for the new school year. Proulx said that they will continue to monitor student’s social and emotional well-being based on incoming data. She noted that teachers will provide necessary interventions based on that data. Proulx said that the Middle School will continue with their anti-bullying curriculum, Second Step. Proulx said that a new school website will be launched by December of this year that will help make things consistent throughout the District. She said that it would also provide for more ease of accessibility.
One of the District goals, according to Proulx, is to set high expectations for all students while providing the least restrictive environment for all students. “We continue to work on and build our capacity to be more inclusive,” Proulx told the Committee. She said that they implemented a new K-5 literacy program last year. She noted that the plan was to add resources, particularly in the area of science for the upcoming school year. She also noted that they were able to hire a Human Resources Director last year.
Assistant Superintendent Ryan Lynch said that there were nine Halifax teachers who participated in co-teaching professional development over the summer. “All of our administrators from our four elementary schools were there and really talked about how our special education staff and general education staff worked together to support our students and adopt their co-teaching models and schedules for interventions,” Lynch explained. He also expressed thanks to the custodial staff for the work they do over the summer to get ready for the upcoming school year.
There was some discussion among Committee members regarding the social and emotional learning surveys that are distributed to students. One Committee member asked why the school went with the survey from Panorama as opposed to other ones available. Lynch said that the school liked the twice per year approach as it provided an opportunity to check in with students more than once. One Committee member expressed concern with the Panorama survey using vocabulary that might be over the heads of elementary school students including the word “grit.” Proulx said that while the surveys are important, they also rely heavily on feedback from classroom teachers, support staff, and adjustment counselors.
A Committee member asked if after the implementation of a sub-separate classroom this year, the school found the adjustment counselor and behaviorist to be too taxed? She asked if the addition of a second sub-separate classroom might exhaust resources too far? Beaudry explained that they added a part- time position to help alleviate that load.
He said that were they to identify another need, they would adjust accordingly.