Teaching, Learning, and Student Supports standing committee report: much on Fanning

Mr. O'Connell on the report from Tuesday's session, taken out of order, due to the presence of students from the Fanning Learning Center.
Periodic review of curriculum, specifically mentioning mathematics
Application for "Health Assisting" program Ch. 74 status (that gives us vocational reimbursement for this program) at North High School
dropout decrease/ graduation increase which includes reorganization of the system, including an administrative recommendation of closing of what is now the Fanning Learning Center
(which I'm still figuring out, to be honest)

supporting statutes requiring CPR and AED training and medical emergency response


Novick asks for more information on the Fanning Building program: those kids will no longer be taught by the Collaborative, but by WPS staff for a saving of $20,000. It would also add seventh grade. To Mrs. Mullaney's question, Dr. Mulqueen answers that the students should not see a real change in services; that it would be "building on the good work" of Fanning.
Applications by Fanning staff: the mayor asks if those staff can apply. HR says that the positions have to be open to those in the district first, then could be open to Fanning staff.

Director of the Fanning Learning Center, works for Central Mass Collaborative
told on Jan. 31 (the date of the first meeting), went to that meeting and another
not clear on why the program is being closed
Staff and students concerned
"have to reach these kids at another level; I've been saying that for years...not sure if it's for the benefit of these kids or if it's for something else"
seventh grade was removed from us several years ago
"feel it's quality program...kids a second chance at becoming successful"
what's going to happen if it doesn't work this time?
"at least have us at the table...how's it going to run?"
Staff has a passion for what they do...really feel that we need to have a part of this

second year student: better in a public school in another session
concerned about his brother, who is in sixth grade...having the same experience
"like him to have the good life when he gets older, and make the right choices"
principal's been very patient with him
helps us understand, learn

another student: "I understand that you guys are just trying to help, but it isn't going to help us"
"I can actually understand it here"
"the teachers aren't like regular teachers, they actually listen to us"
concerned with the program getting too big
"I can understand making more Fannings, but not one larger one"
"I don't understand why (my teachers) wouldn't be the first in line for those jobs"

"when you come into school every day it's not just like school"
"it's like a family"
"I can honestly say he's the best principal in the world"
teacher "cries all the time, she cries more than anyone I know"
"Sometimes I don't think I'm in school...it's like dream school"

Thrid year student: "you don't always have to be a thug to get what you want"
"I like it a lot"
"It's a nice school with the best teachers you could ever find"

two years at Fanning now back at South
"all the teachers are like my mother...teachers at South don't care about you"
his mom: "he did great there"
really care about the kids...hard to stay on one child at time
"I feel that you guys should look more into it"

Superintendent Boone: thanks the student for being here
"exactly the vision we share that every student can find a point of success in the Worcester Public Schools"
runs through the expansion: increase of 20 students over four grades
"continuous pathway to success"
another 7-12 school (as we have at UPCS and Claremont)
right now 10th graders either have to go to Creamer or go back to their home school

Biancheria: "had the pleasure over the past years of working...in the Fanning Building"
commend you not only for coming here, but for speaking from your heart
"worked diligently over a number of months with administration"
"assure you that the numbers were not larger than 100"
transition process with the students of this year
Students to be notified individually, notified individually

Mayor O'Brien steps down to speak: people spoke about the relationships with teachers at the Fanning Center
"working in that setting is a unique calling...really clear that those relationships are really powerful and important"
"committed to serving the young people"
"would like to encourage...think seriously about the staff at Fanning...as we talk about continuity for them"
asks when we'd begin to staff the program: "How would we work to prepare staff and kids to transition the program?"
on or before May 1, but could be sooner
suggests that we'd want to start ASAP
"we'd want to explain more comprehensively to students and staff" what the next year will look like: where will it be? Who will the teachers be?

Mullaney asks where the program will be: will be at Fanning, probably
no plans for it to move to a more comprehensive high school
"move the school to a larger resource for the district, and expand the opportunities for the middle school" says Mulqueen
not a big change in the day-to-day operation
Luster runs through numbers: "that small size does lend to the small size and the relationship building..not fair to compare to a teacher who has 125 students"

director points out that it was space restraints that caused 7th grade to be cut
80 students aren't going to work on the 3rd floor isn't going to work
"I could step away if it made more sense"
"and it takes awhile to grow a staff...frustration with this process that we weren't involved...we weren't invited, we weren't at the table...we should have been there"
"I don't know where this savings is coming from"
"let's be realistic: we're not going to be a group"

Report is approved: which closes Fanning