So he's been really good um about doing public service too while he's been here and he also had a wonderful impact on some of the younger students at Wheeler. Uh my son Bennett here has Mr. Bon for social studies class and he did his final project on Spain. So Pablo came to what 22 sixth graders in a room.
And not even outside the in the health care industry we are throwing out about 7 million pounds of plastic a day in the US. And I think there's one interesting fact that I it's a little tangential but in the US we are 4% of the world's population but we're responsible for about 30% of the world's waste stream. In the US health care system we're responsible for about 27% of the world's greenhouse gas health care emissions. So I think in health care we've just adopted this like we don't think about where our stuff goes. We just use what we need and we just toss everything and so we're there's but there's a growing movement in communities but also in health care to to look at that being responsible for that part of our climate work and going back to reusables where we can, reducing unnecessary plastic, switching to better methods of plastic, better quality stuff that can be reused and and cleaned and whatnot.
Uh I have a follow-up question on the treatment system. I I I know you're doing sort of a broad brush approach here. I don't know, do we want to get into detail at this point? Well, it it I would say not tonight. I mean, we're we're going to be unless you feel differently, Mr. Mr. Lucas. Well, I have a million questions, so we're not going to get to it all tonight. Uh I've read all of this stuff several times and formulated a bunch of questions, but I'm trying to do the the general overview tonight so that we at least can take the next step all in the same on the same page. If that works. I I'd say let's get through as much as we can you're comfortable with tonight. You know, let's let's hit the high stuff and then maybe we can dive into some of those tonight.
So having a third party answer or look into the same questions that this committee wants the school to answer I think would be a good idea because then we have an even view of all the departments. Um, so even though I think that the information is already out there, if it needs to be put in a different package and I would hope that the cost for the study would not come out of the school budget, but the uh general um town budget. >> Um, so I'm I'm fine with it. I don't I'm not gung-ho about it, but I'm fine with it. Um before we discuss further, I just questions that I have would be um what would be the next step and how would we get that information the the specific information that anyone would be no not the what how would we know what whoever is out there is seeking so that we could >> Oh well I think I think we would bring it up tomorrow's at >> and we would discuss what exactly it is that we don't have at this point that some people still think we need >> and and I personally I wouldn't even want to like take if there was if we needed to vote I wouldn't even want to take any kind of vote tonight >> I would just be looking to see what the committees um feel get a feel for everyone on the committee so when Beth and I go to the joint meeting tomorrow we can say listen we certainly shared your shared what we discussed at the last meeting.
And it was in the dead of summer. It was one year we lost our power at noon a lot. Transformer on the corner. I got the flashlight I guess. The generator power on to the hallway and then everything was shut in these offices. Um oh, I'm not able to see the Okay, yep. Okay, we're getting the smart board computer thing all up here. Maybe a federal street thing? Yeah. >> [laughter] >> That's how you know. They called everyone. Okay. I am going to just leave my phone on as just in case. Oh, I think it's your laptop I was hearing. So, I was like, "Oh, no." No, it's not. It's Is it I have my phone muted. Your mic's on there anyway. You're getting a lot of feedback. I said that I've got the mic turned off. Okay, I'll leave It's like you have the mic turned off but you're still getting feedback.
I don't want to sit there and just keep saying no. Um and then I found it really empowering to then um change my mindset about what my role is in meetings and how I can help to educate families um on the process and what their kids need um and and what their kids' strengths are, too. You know, so often our meetings are um about what's not going well, but if we can leverage strengths a child has, that helps to make that conversation um be more productive, too. That's interesting because we'll see both sides of that equation, not just from families who want additional services, but we will also occasionally see families who reject all services when you know, we have a lot of data and evidence to suggest the child would benefit or qualify for services. So, in both cases, you're trying to connect with families and articulate you know, the reasoning behind that and and really hope hopefully create better outcomes for kids, but um Anyway, yeah, thank you.
Um and as we went through our textbook evaluation process, we really looked at comparing it with some other texts and and going through some texts that we had looked at in the past to see if things have been updated. Um and we went through our review process with uh our evaluation template and we kind of came to the point where we still had questions. So, we really looked in detail and looked at what are the problem-solving strategies associated and what are the needs that we need the textbook to provide for us. And really um the textbook is meant to be a supplement. It is not something that drives our curriculum. Uh we have uh current instructional strategies, our current pedagogy incorporated into our curriculum as it is. Um and honestly, Cheshire is ahead of the game with that. Uh we are making the students think critically.
The other thing and lastly, cuz I know I'm going to get timed out, we're talking about anatomy tables. $70,000. I have taken more anatomy classes than probably almost every single person in this room. And guess what? Not a table, not a video, a teacher is who taught me how to be what I am today. I can tell you that the top surgeons in the country are not learning from a table. If you want to have children exposed to the latest and greatest technology, live from surgery. Liberty Science Center, check it out. It's funded by Johnson & Johnson, multiple major health organizations in the state. Allow children to watch things like open heart surgery, bypass, renal transplant, neurosurgeries, even semaglutide in diabetes management so they understand what an Eliza is. So, before we go spending money, again, I'm all about technology, but that's money that we don't necessarily need to spend for our children to get a great future in healthcare.
Those versions of you will always be here. They are the foundation of the adults you are becoming. So hold fast to the friendships you forged in this place. They are your constant companions in a world that can sometimes feel cold or indifferent. The people who knew you when you were still a young cub are the ones who will help you remember who you truly are. And one other thing to remember and one other ask [music] from me please is that you will never forget that you will always be someone's child. Not all that long ago, the people in these stands looking down at you tonight on the field here once looked down on you as you crawled along the floor or as you sat in their laps with your very first books, perhaps even Winnie the Pooh. And they dreamt of this very moment. Ever since then, they have lived their entire lives to ensure this moment would happen in yours.
Um, it has been a long day. I apologize. So, we are filming this. Is that right? Okay. Are there any >> Sorry, you may not be able to see me nod, but yes, we are. >> Okay. Are there any people um in particular who would like to speak in that presentation? >> Do I need to speak? No, because they're going to be hearing a lot from me when I do my four progress monitoring board updates. Actually, I might have five. Um, two of which are combined, but um I can I'll be there. So, >> is there anybody else? >> Please don't make me do this by myself. >> I don't see it. >> If you need >> What's the date again? >> Recorded. So, we just would need to get the group together to record it. Um, >> and then the um, >> yeah, and then the like presentation itself is I think he said June 23rd.
And why it matters is if we don't tell our story, someone else will. And we have such a wonderful opportunity with just the wonderful students and the staff that we work with to be able to do that. And I believe wholeheartedly in transparency and working with our local media. And that concludes your community relations presentation. I now turn it over to Ms. Kathleen Kelly Colgan. Thank you. Hi, you already know my name. She said that. I wrote notes about myself so I wouldn't forget who I am and what I'm here um it is my pleasure to serve as assistant superintendent for human resources. I'm just finishing my fourth year in District 62, but I just realized I'm well into my second decade in school personnel. So, I have been a teacher, assistant principal, principal, instructional coach, and in the HR game for a little bit longer than all those other roles there.
They were given two like top two activities they were looking for and top three sports that they were looking to participate in. When we got all of that data, we sent to the head coach or head sponsor for those activities and sports all of the names of the kids who said, "My goal is to participate in yours." We asked the sponsors to then look at those lists and the coaches, and then determine if they are not on my list participating right now to reach out to those students to lower the bar of participation to get them to participate. Um we started throughout the year working with Phil and Travis on a report where we could have these coaches to get a report saying like, "Hey, this student's not in school today." And it gives that number of tardies and absences, so coaches and sponsors could address that with their students because most trusted adults for our students are our coaches and sponsors.
So, we will make sure that that's there. But, I think it's been it's been very seamless cuz middle school is a natural transition. All of a sudden, you go from one teacher or two teachers depending on math and how that's going to be too. I have seven, eight, nine teachers. >> Right. That's like one of my concerns in going to middle school is like is this now one more thing that's kind of getting thrown at the kids that they have to now adjust to as well as already it's kind of tough to adjust to middle school at times, too. >> Yeah. I think that's something we have to work with our sixth grade teachers on you know next year to help them be able to help them understand and also fifth grade honestly in the spring just to help them understand what's coming, but kids adjust.
So, some other things that we've been discussing is just screen time and the importance of having balance in our schools and with instruction. I think our UDL framework helps us a lot with that in providing the best options for students for learning and devices are part of that. We work hard to prepare our students for future-ready skills. We also are very conscious that not everybody has the same access to devices at home. And we have a lot of testing that of course is all online now including the I learn that our math students excel at. And there is a certain percent of IEPs and ILPs that students have some technology requirements to as as well and trying to support that with instructional use. So some of the things we're doing proactively is that we are moving to classroom sets K through 2. So there every device could go home with a student on e-learning day.
Any questions on the project? >> I was at a baseball game and would recommend maybe raising the the fence to protect the balls from >> We have nets incoming. We in contingency funds, That's a good we do have um really um elastic netting that will be put right there on the um right next anchored next to the new building. >> Yeah. >> And it will go very high to prevent that. >> Perfect. >> Yes, because I >> I saw a couple of them they didn't hit it but I was >> Well, they have to do it. I think so. Yeah. So, we have a plan. So, thank you. >> All right, sounds good. Communication C5 first reading of the 2026-2027 student handbooks. >> So, when we say first reading what we mean is is that I like to give two readings for the board to have a month to um to review it.
Um so, that's not a a light fee for our you know, that's a lot for us to cover. So, covering this debt has become increasingly challenging for Central Noble, especially with the budget constraints that we are now facing. So, we are exploring a program called TRECS, or it's a tax refund exchange and compliance system. A lot of public schools in the state of Indiana use TRECS. Um this is a program that takes debts owed from an individual state tax return. There would be a learning curve for our families with this program, but we would push information out as much as possible. So, again, this is something we're exploring. It's not set in stone, but I wanted to at least speak to you all publicly about that. >> [snorts] >> Um and then I just wanted to give a solar project update. Um as of last Thursday, all physical work is complete for the solar project on the elementary building.
Then it presented and uh Pablo got to answer any questions. Um so all of this has been a spectacular experience for our family and anyone in the community that has crossed paths with Pablo. And I know our system, our school system's facing some cuts, but I just hope that this type of thing doesn't go away um for programs like this in our school district because it's been really good. So, I want to thank you all and Pablo might have something to say too. >> Pablo, if you have something you want to say, I'll say something. >> I just got to say that this was a good experience and I had a good time. I like Crown Point High School especially because of all the physical activity you can do there and I really like the YMCA. I also have to thank the Crown Point Community High School Corporation for hosting me in the high school.
So there is it's bubbling but I think yeah. Change takes time. Yes. We don't have much I just found out where the plastic comes from in people's bodies like if if you want to make a change I I just is the is the plastic that they're finding people's bodies particular kind of does it come like from your clothing? Does it come from from other things or could it be going through be inhaled or It's everything. It's It's inhaled, it's eaten, it's it's trans- transdermal is probably more of the chemicals, um but we're breathing it in, we're eating it constantly, and then smaller plastics can get through the intestines. We do pass through the bigger pieces of plastic out the other side, but um What's the But I think it's every I mean, it's everything. That's an excellent question. There's a lot of research going on that trying to determine the source.
We have the whole team here that's ready to address these questions tonight, so we we'd like to move it forward as much as we can. >> Well, I'll hold off for now. Yeah, it's it's going to be more than one hearing. We anticipated it might be. It's it's a complicated issue. We thought this might go a second hearing on this topic. Okay, continue. Um so, supplement number two, we we focused um specifically on how to handle the soil contaminants and water contaminants. Um that was the response to the March 5th letter and that specifically addressed comments again 1G, 9E, 10D, and 10E for reference in the March 5th ConCom letter. Um the the first question was specific on how we're going to handle soils and we prepared a detailed soil management plan. Um we can get into the details on that, but generally that plan specifies how it the goes through the general provisions of soil management during construction.
Um, and you know, it came up as like Beth said, we we're willing to do this or we're not willing to do this, but if we're willing to do this, it's based upon what and it's got to be equitable across all the departments. >> Good. Agreed. Um, the other one thing that I would say before I pass it over to to um, Kathleen and John is I know that the school department does a number of different audits and studies and assessments. Um, would it be helpful to share what those are, what that information is, how often they're done, what's done. Would that be helpful to the advisory group? I guess making a list. >> Yeah. Okay. That >> I think so. >> Yeah. >> Is that something that >> I don't know if you could come up with it by tomorrow, but is that something >> That's definitely something that we can work on providing for the committee.