Any questions for anyone? >> [laughter] >> Thank you, Mr. Dennenberg. We had a welcome house crash course, so everybody in here learned a little bit too much maybe about us as a group, but thank you, everybody. Thank you very much. Um next we have a presentation on special education, social emotional learning, and health updates. Mr. Henry. And I would like to bring up Dr. DeChristofaro, our assistant superintendent of student services, Heidi Gruen, our director of student services, and Colleen Bear, director of social emotional learning. All right. Good evening, board of Is this working? Good evening, Board of Education, Dr. Amade, and members of our community. I want to thank you for this opportunity to share what we've been doing in student services. And before we begin our presentation, I want to take a moment to recognize and thank our incredible student services team. Our staff, our teachers, our related service providers, our paraprofessionals, nurses, health clerks, behavior specialists, and administrators, and some of whom are here today in this audience.
Were there other gaps that we need to address? Yeah, I think that we would like to dig in a little bit more into the kids who say they don't have a sense of belonging and yet they're participating in two or more sports. What is that? Um because everything tells us that their grades are better, their attendance is better, and yet I mean that they had other choices. They could have not responded to that question. It's not a required question, but they still responded that. And to me, um that is like a sense of I'm wondering if anyone's going to ask me about it. Um I There was a student who responded absolutely not last year that I ran into by chance um at one of the schools, and we talked to him about it, and it was a pretty heavy reason. Um it didn't have anything to do with the sport that he was in, or um but it was something that I'm like said, "Do you feel comfortable me talking to your counselor about it?" And I did.
Thank you very much. >> [applause] >> That was little impromptu. Thanks, Brian. We really appreciate that stepping in. >> And next is facilities. Dan, did you want to >> Dan, do you want to add anything? I know we have the written if you there's anything you want to add. One thing I will I will add, it's not really directly on the facilities report, but it is related to our facilities. Um I think I told the board this, but I think we should go on the record. Um STR, our lead architect, uh is Jennifer Costanzo and and um also Alan Armbrust. And unfortunately, Adam uh passed away or Alan passed away um recently. And so, we will have another uh lead architect assigned. Um but just again, Alan did a lot of work here um and he was very well respected in this field. And so, um we wish the best to his family and hope that um hope that the firm is doing well.
Our curriculum adoption committee represented teachers from East and North across the agriculture, business, fashion and textiles, nursing, and veterinary sciences. Our goal was to evaluate content specific resources that align with Indiana's next level programs of study or NLPS, a state initiative that redesigned high school CTE to better prepare students for the modern workforce and higher education. This alignment allows our students to earn state recognized certifications, dual credits, and CTE concentrator status, which is a post-secondary ready competency for graduation. We primarily worked with Cengage and Goodheart-Willcox because of their Canvas compatibility. And we are also recommending resources from Kendall Hunt and Pearson for their content specific offerings. This is a brief overview of our recommendations by program. Automotive services, GW's modern technology online resource supports accessibility tools like Read & Write for Google and aligns with Automotive Service Excellence ASE state recognized certification. Automation and robotics, the two new texts include Cengage and Cengage's industrial robotics and GW's industrial maintenance mechatronics.
Um we updated the suspension policy. Um it was kind of in there it talked about a formal meeting and that was more of the expulsion protocols. So, um you know, before we would So, we would no longer We don't have to have that formal meeting before suspension. We notify parents most of the time by phone and they also get it through the Harmony notifications. Um and then we did add in that those students are given the opportunity to complete the missed work while they are gone on a suspension period. Um after school program, which will be page 17, we will update that after the board approval hopefully tonight of the ASP handbook policies and procedures. Um and then lastly page 18, we just changed the wording RTI to MTSS. Same thing, just a multi-tiered support system. It's the new new and improved wording. So, um other than that, they're very minor details.
I don't want those to fall I did that role here. I know what that can be like. We can put them on the back burner sometimes with admin. Um make sure that we start those conversations now so they're secure. Our hiring season is upon us and people are finding ways to take their district. We'd like to keep those people in place and just keep stability and support there. Yeah, I I have some plans, but I have not not put plans to paper with actual details yet. I do have some ideas. Uh I'm trying to share some of those with admin to make sure that we're not forgetting what I'm forgetting. You know what I mean? I know what they're talking about, but I want to make sure that I'm organized enough to present that to you publicly. Thank you for calling me to forget that, though.
But again, want to thank her for providing the opportunity in the first place. And then to the students for all of their hard work, care, poise, and dedication to their glucose care. On Thursday of last week, some of us were able to attend an entrepreneurship fair over at Crown Point High School. And want I want to thank Allison Duncan, who is one of our business teachers over at the high school who organized this event, allowed us to come in and hear students presenting a sales pitch for a product that they had researched andor developed. They were able to do um extensive, I think, interaction with either community members, with each other to really prepare for this event. And so it was a great opportunity to kind of see what we saw here today, which is what our coursework really prepares kids to be able to do.
I think that's gives um I I think that's a more than appropriate way. It's common practice in this industry and uh it it gives this board some insurances here. I would add to that and once again, if to the extent that you want to hear from McPhail or Callahan, we've done There's very few pristine sites in Massachusetts that are not developed. So, it's common to have RAM plans and contaminants [snorts] and things that need to leave the site. It is very unusual and we have never done it where you do a full characterization before you have permits. It's done as part of the prep for the construction. Moreover, if something is found, that's our risk, not the town's. All right? If we find a compound or something that needs to be removed, we have an LSP that identifies it. We have a general contractor that has to find a a place that will accept that.
Amaral about Mr. Kylie's ability to articulate those connections so clearly and in lang in plain language because that is important and I would agree as far as our finances are concerned because that seems to be you know where we end up focusing uh but there's so much more to it than just what that bottom line dollar is. It's about how those dollars support what goes on every day in our schools. And you saw you saw that tonight. You saw how the dollars that you budget as a committee support the children in the Dartmouth public schools. You saw it through the ninth grader who sat up here as your student representative. You saw it through the two students who just received those academic scholarship, not scholar, academic uh recognitions. You saw it through the young students who are in our school district right now talking about CKLA and the way that you as a committee had invested those dollars in a way that you can and we've heard it a few times this year where we've had our students come here and talk about the work and and that doesn't just happen.
Yeah. Okay. It's all good. It's all good. I was just asking. I'm just going to say gratitude is the the word of the day here because [clears throat] I mean We're maintaining at a time everyone else is cutting. >> that's a that's a great way to say it again. We're maintaining, right? There's a lot of and wants. We all have wants. Yeah. Myself included, right? In our own personal life, I mean but the fact that we're not cutting, we're not removing that type of scenario. We're not setting up the future superintendent or other brand new principal right etc coming in for any types of I'll say tough times. Yes, they're going to have to work. Don't get me wrong and we doing this again every year in the future right but at least it's they're not coming into a bottom show. blown up you know Yes, so you know me everything you want on next agenda.
I mean, I look at a department's chair as kind of a different level than this person. I I I wouldn't want someone else if I'm the superintendent. I'm not. Um They don't coordinating pre Well, preschool application process Yeah, I don't want them submitting the Smart Start grant. >> comes to me and Jeff. Yeah, ultimately that gets evaluated by central office. >> you're going to have I'm sorry. If you're going to have this person and an administrator and an assistant that assistant or one of these other people should be going to those state meetings. I that's just my interpretation of it. I mean With the Smart Start grant, we're probably talking about one or two a year on the Smart Start >> about meetings with the Office of Early Childhood, right? I mean, representing Treasure out there in that Yeah. arena. I think the assistant I mean, the sup- the principal can send the assistant principal.
You're not 100%, but you'll have a pretty good idea within the next 2 weeks. But we we will. Um And I mean, I don't think we have a problem with having some books there at the beginning of the school year. Okay. Yeah. I think it should be. Yeah. Yeah. Because there also is the kids like you you said before what I heard you say was it's not strictly limited to a 504 or an IEP. If somebody really does have a >> wants a book, we'll get them a book. Got it. 100%. Okay. I I found over the you know, cuz we have transitioned over the recent time to the online textbooks with the hard copy in class um over the past 5 years. I I would say even without COVID making an impact, there has been fewer and fewer students requesting a physical copy. Um as the online textbook platforms have improved, I think they've become much more easy for the students to interface, and they're so used to being able to use the tools like highlighting, like saving their notes, which you can do with this platform.
There's an AI piece for lesson plans, okay? Uh we're using AI portals for Power Buddy that's coming up. All the parents are going to be able to look at their phone and say, "Hey, my kid hasn't done their homework yet." That's AI. All All of it's infused. We just had someone get up here and talk about AI for budgeting. Um that's another thing, right? So, so I don't know how AI gets involved in this either. This is This is good stuff. But the last thing I'm going to talk about, if you if you don't mind, Madam President, are the Anatomage tables. We've been talking about these things for months. These things are incredible. I can't wait, hopefully with your support tonight, that to get individuals in the field to look at these things. They are a game-changer, okay? Uh Jack was talking about it a little bit in in the in the work session cuz he he was at the demo.
So I've got these spaces here and I'm going to put the name for the person who's going to work on them. So maybe pick the topic that feel you feel most comfortable with. >> I'm also happy to help record. I just can't be at that board meeting. We're already off contract by then or that's like our last day or something. >> Yeah, that's fine. >> I just can't commit myself to being there until all hours of the night on the first day of my summer vacation. >> No, you're good. No worries. >> Um I can take the first couple there. uh suspensions, expulsions. I don't know. I mean, I don't I don't want to I don't want to go through and like say, "Oh, I'll take one and Evan will take the rest." Um >> Okay. So, James, you got those two >> suspensions and expulsion.
Just want to recognize all of your hard work. Um the work that our staff do each day is complex, it's demanding, and it's deeply meaningful. They support students academically, socially, emotionally, behaviorally, and physically. Their dedication, flexibility, compassion, and belief in our students make a difference. So, tonight's presentation is really a reflection of their work and their commitment, and the progress we continue to make together as a district. So, with that, I'm excited to share updates from student services, and tonight we'll focus on special education, health services, and our continued efforts to strengthen social emotional learning here in District 62. At the center of our work is a commitment to belonging and inclusion. In District 62, we believe that every student has unique strengths, abilities, and potential. And our responsibility is to create an environment where students feel valued, respected, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our work goes far beyond compliance.
Um it is something though that it's going to be different for every student. So, I think that is going to be a C triple S weaving. And to um sort of talk like what Courtney I can't remember Courtney or Arwen had said, that you do have to find that low entry in because you don't want the students be like, "Oh, so wait a minute. I told you the truth, and now you're going to come at me." Um so, we have to figure that part out of it. Um but um having students participate, I always want two or more um to partici- for them to participate in two or more sports. Um but I also think that as academics amp up for kids, and as social pressures amp up for kids, um it is a a figuring out how to reach the kids about are you also finding balance, not just participating.
And we'll see uh Jennifer here in in uh June. >> Yeah, it's a tremendous loss. I knew Alan from earlier in my career and he was very dedicated to us and to all of his clients and co-workers. Thanks, Amy. >> [clears throat] >> All right. Next we'll move to new business, which we have the March 2026 board policy updates. Which will be Are we going to discuss those or are they just going to be for next >> You know, it's it these are going to be coming next month. These updates, most of them they're going to be coming are legal citations. Um they're not substantive changes. And so, you we will run those through the board, uh but wanted to make sure that we put them on your radar because it we're going to start start seeing this on a more regular basis because we've moved to Press Plus.
Our current resource was published in 2002, the year of the flip phone. It's about time. Business, managing your personal finance supports Indiana's new mandated semester-long personal finance course, required for the graduating class of 2028. Criminal justice, students request for criminal justice have more than doubled in 4 years. We added introduction to public safety for freshmen and sophomores. It will offer five sections of this class next year. Public safety in America ensures consistent content across all five sections of this class. Culinary arts, Foundations of restaurant management, third edition, aligns with NLPS and the ServSafe state recognition state's certain state recognized certification. Dental, Cengage's Dental Assisting provides comprehensive support through real-life photos, case studies, and structured procedure steps. Fashion and textiles, This resource offers a cost-efficient, high-quality curriculum at $7.67 per student, while aligning with NLPS and standards with industry expectations. Nursing, GW's Health Science Concepts and Skills supports instruction aligned with the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, CCMA, state recognized certification.
Um and we will have to go back once all is said and done and kind of update the page numbers and take things out. We'll tweak it, but we are happy to answer any questions. Anyone else? >> Yeah, I was just curious what what um stems with the homework policy change. I think you covered that. Talked about it though, so I appreciate the additional information. Um didn't know if you had like benchmarked on any other schools. We know other schools that were were doing this. You see a imbalance of a lot of kids turning it in and then a big group of kids not turning in and then you're like you sit your re-teaching that in the daytime and >> Yeah. >> some of that. >> It's good just to focus on it. And I I think we'll get more kids focused on it where they don't have to I don't necessarily be focusing on on a one class, you know, for the sake >> Work hard during the day and let them be kids.
Anything else? Meeting is adjourned at 5:48. Thank you. Mr. Jason Miller, you are served. Thank you. When did you come into office? My elected term? Yeah, just is coming election. >> Okay. Yeah. Okay. Will be in here in June. I will not. Okay. Sean. You got a second? Summer school is expected to be bigger because you're going to Okay. How does summer school Is it mandatory? Is it Yeah. Um we have contacted the individuals that will not be Summer school is not a And what that would be is what course to recommend and why. We have to do Yeah. Yes. Let's go. students to go. starting this year already in credit Sure. Um This is We had You said a lot of >> [laughter] >> just had to go. The last couple of years they're attending and You know, why it opened again for We have to find That's really something else.