- Update on the Level 4 schools, particularly in light of the reception of School Turnaround Grant funds, but not at the amount originally budgeted. This is the report of the superintendent.
- a report back on science and tech initiatives at Worcester Public Schools
- a report back on the demographics of Seven Hills Charter School
- motions including the PTO Guide to Success, disaggregating MCAS scores by birthdate, admission policies at the Tech school, report on homeless students, various congratulations and recognitions, consideration of the policy handbook for next year, and a suggestion for a "Young Man of Consequence" award. All of these are either going to administration or to subcommittee.
- motion for an immediate update on MCAS training.
- motions to consider several policies now required by the state: on admission of transfer students, on animals in schools, and on head injuries.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Worcester School Committee this Thursday
The Worcester School Committee has its regularly scheduled meeting this Thursday (St. Patrick's Day) at 7pm at City Hall. You can find the agenda here. Topics include:
Was there any advertising done for the March 5 event listed in the STEM backup? It is not on the worcesterschools.org calendar. I searched for it and found it on the COWC calendar. Would have liked to know about it as I have a daughter interested in this field. Hopefully it is a yearly event.
ReplyDeleteCW, I didn't see any advertising, but I can check into it. I'll ask if they plan to do it yearly when this comes up at meeting.
ReplyDeleteThe less than supportive reference to FIRST robotics caught my attention as well. I know that the majority of the school committee has first hand experience with FIRST and recognizes the value of this program. One might infer from the item that WPS provides financial support for FIRST in the high schools; to my knowledge that support is limited to allowing the kids a classroom to work in after school. The teams rely on community sponsors and fundraising to pay for their involvement. At one point I was told the supervising teacher was not paid a stipend even though the time commitment is similar to a sports team coach. If the administration wants to take credit for the extensive list of STEM activities in the backup then I encourage the school committee members to inquire how these activities are being promoted and supported.
ReplyDeleteThe less than supportive reference to FIRST robotics caught my attention as well. I know that the majority of the school committee has personal experience with FIRST and recognizes the value of this program. One might infer from the item that WPS provides financial support for FIRST in the high schools; to my knowledge that support is limited to allowing the kids a classroom to work in after school. The teams rely on community sponsors and fundraising to pay for their involvement. At one point I was told the supervising teacher was not paid a stipend even though the time commitment is similar to a sports team coach. If the administration wants to take credit for the extensive list of STEM activities in the backup then I encourage the school committee members to inquire how these activities are being promoted and supported.
ReplyDeleteI'll see if I can work that in, too! And they aren't paid a stipend.
ReplyDelete