Morris School Council

The Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993 established School Councils in each school in the Commonwealth. The Morris School School Council normally has nine members (4 parents, 3 teachers, 1 community representative, and the elementary principal). The Council meets once a month to assist the principal in (1) adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards, (2) identifying the educational needs of students attending the school, (3) reviewing the annual school building budget, and (4) formulating a school improvement plan. Whenever there is an opening on the Council, parents will be notified and may express an interest to be a member. All School Council meetings are posted at the Town Hall and are open to the public.

2007-2008 Council Meeting Dates and Members

Agenda for Upcomming April Meeting

Morris School Council
Agenda - April 10, 2008
6:00-7:30 p.m.

* Minutes of March 13

* 2008-09 School Budget – Marianne Young/Jay Carberry

* Principal Search Committee update – Timothy Lee

* Discussion of 2006-08 School Improvement Plan – any updates - Mathematics

* Reading update (selection of Reading program)

* Update School Improvement Plan

* New Business

* Election of new Council members

Morris School Council
Minutes of March 13, 2008

The meeting began at 6:05 with the following members present: 
Karen Labanaro, Carol Edelman, Francine Shelhamer, Bob Vaughan, Jen Sacon, Cynthia Schwartz, and Lou Senecal.

* Minutes of January 10 were accepted as written

* Playground Policy Changes:   

Bob discussed the changes in playground policy.  During the first week in February, at the regular meeting of Head Teachers and Paraprofessionals, the suggestion had been made to eliminate competitive team sports from recesses, that most of the ongoing issues, arguments, and fights came from the intensity of play that occurred during the games, lining up, and then often followed into the hallway and classroom.  We had planned to phase this in through discussions at regularly scheduled morning meetings.  In fact, we met immediately with the third graders and explained the changes; the next day, in the wake of an intense and serious incident, we accelerated the phasing in of the policy change and spoke with each class separately.  We stressed the importance of student safety and a more fun, less intense playground atmosphere.  A few students took this change as being punitive in nature and we had some feedback from parents whose children had expressed concern.  Very little feedback came directly to Bob.  Eventually we were able to speak with each grade level at their regularly scheduled morning meeting – we emphasized that there are many community opportunities for team sports,  that our situation often involved 110 students and 4 supervisors on the playground as opposed to a dozen children and 2-4 coaches in soccer, baseball/softball, football, basketball, lacrosse teams in the county. 

The feedback we have received from the playground paras, as well as classroom teachers, has been positive: the children are coming in more calmly, they are using their creativity, they are playing games we haven’t seen in years, and there will be support from Mr. Evans, Mr. Vaughan, and Ms. Kennedy in the Spring when the fields are dry.

While there was an expectation that we might have had a cadre of parents attend this meeting about this issue, in fact that did not happen.  We expect that as these changes become the norm in the next few years, the younger students will adapt quite nicely; we acknowledged to the students in Grades 4 and 5 that we knew that this would affect them more than the younger grades, that we would offer suggested activities, and that we appreciate how well they are responding. 

Bob also noted at the Council meeting the important need to support the paraprofessionals who are there with the students on a daily basis, improve their time with the students, empower them in the process of relationship-building with the students.  Their goals are the safety and inclusion of all students and Council members feel that this policy change was the best decision for the benefit of all children.

A suggestion was made to measure off a section of the playground and see if students could walk or run the distance of the Boston Marathon over many recesses.

* Hot lunch Program Follow Up:

Bob had spoken with John Tranfaglia after the last meeting about using regular silverware rather than plastic.  John noted that with rising costs he may have to cut back on staff time next year.  There were concerns from Council members that we are not making attempts to be slightly more “green” in our cafeteria.  Bob mentioned that cans and bottles are recycled in the kitchen.  There are definitely initiatives going on at LMMHS.  Jen mentioned the Alliance for a Healthier Generation (www.healthiergeneration.org), an organization that gives schools tips on getting started with the process toward reinforcing good healthy practices.

* Principal Search Committee update:

Jen gave a review of the Principal Search Committee process in which Marianne Young narrowed the applicant pool from 23 to 13 for the PSC to review; 8 were interviewed over three nights and they completed writing samples.  A decision is imminent.

* Budget update:  

Our initial requests started about $600,000 higher than last year; preliminary cuts were made that brought this number significantly lower.  Recently there was a combined meeting of the School Committee, Finance Committee, and Selectmen – they are not all in agreement at this time.  There are extraordinary expenses in one area this year that are beyond our control.  The official budget hearing is scheduled for March 25.

* Discussion of 2006-08 School Improvement Plan – any updates

Mathematics nothing new on this

Reading update (selection of Reading program) still under discussion

* New Business There are several items of note:

Kindness Counts is an initiative being undertaken by Morris faculty and staff , suggested by Mrs. Pezze and the Service Club, to recognize and record acts of kindness observed by adults in the building.  There is a hope to get to 500 by the Grade 1-5 Morning Meeting in May, the principal is supportive (which is important because he will be asked to do something unknown at this time but dignified and silly at the same time).

Harlem Rockets -  The Mid-School PTO is sponsoring the Harlem Rockets vs. the LMMHS faculty and friends (N.B. – perhaps this could qualify under the Kindness Counts above) on Thursday, May 8, at 7:00 pm.  Please note that we may need to have an abbreviated meeting that evening since that is a Council meeting night.

April Morning Meetings – John Evans and Bob will be talking with each grade level about good touch/ bad touch at their April morning meeting time.  This coincides with April being Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Bob has sent an e-mail and/or letter to parents that this is taking place.  Dick Noble is also doing his part of the Great Body Shop curriculum that addresses similar issues with 4th and 5th grade classes in April.

The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.