001So, Andrea is on the phone. Kim. Okay, good. She can hear you. So, she's here on screen. >> The only person that we're missing is Rosemary. I'm going to ask that someone else asks for Addie to come join us. I know that there's many of us who would love to have an update about what is happening in the school system. So, um Mike, if you could take that away, that would be great. >> Okay. So, there's Oh, Joan is back. Okay, great. So, here I am. Okay. So, uh there's been there's been a huge amount of course that that that has happened over the last few days. Some of the big developments are that the governor has told us that we need to shut down our schools at least through April 20th. We we used
002the 13th of of uh of March to put packets together and then as you know o over the over the weekend actually Friday night the governor said that we were going to be closed and he he he issued the stayhome order uh effective Monday night. So on Saturday, I I phoned the I I phoned all the principles and we decided it would it would not be not be appropriate to uh have us uh try to give out the computers on uh on Wednesday and Thursday as we had hoped. So all the all the principles and the secretary and head custodian assistant principal came into the schools on sat on Saturday uh excuse me on on Sunday morning. We called the parents. The parents came in and from o'clock to 2 o'clock on on Sunday uh
003we gave out 1,300 computers. Uh Sam Kilpatrick went to uh went went to a couple of staple stores and we we bought uh several hundred big envelopes so we were able to pack the pack the uh the computers Chromebooks basically and and assign them to each child. The parents came and picked them up pretty much the way we were giving out the food. Uh and and we have now as of today we have begun ordering we ordered today uh the the hotspot devices we we only need about a hundred of them. So out of four and a half thousand students only about a hundred did not have internet access. So we ordered we ordered those devices and they they will be in as soon as possible. Not not soon enough unfortunately, but it may may
004take a week to 10 days, but we'll we'll we'll pushing pushing the order. Susan, can you on do you know anything any update on the hot spots? >> We are doing a rush order to get those hotspots in. Dennis is helping out with that and Ken also. So, um, and we'll have all hands on deck when they get in so we can get them delivered to children and to students. Parents are anxious for them. Um they're a hot commodity these days. I think everybody's trying to order them. So um but we're on it. And I would say that the biggest shift in the next week is going from what we called supplemental learning to distance learning. So you received all board members received anou that was signed by the superintendent and um the GA president
005Beth Horler. You also received what we called the brief on phases of learning which was one page so you could see in a snapshot what the plan was. Then you received a comprehensive document that I um had drafted through a lot of um research and then I had many many of my colleagues look in on it, teachers, administrators to make sure it was the just right plan. also a phases of learning plan for distance learning and our mission is to go slow and grow. So we're providing a lot of professional development for our teachers. We have resource sites for parents, teachers and um parents and we will be communicating with parents to make sure that they feel comfortable with the distance learning plan and and we're communicating with our students as well. So, um, you
006know, we're looking forward to this, you know, 21st century immersion. So, um, and we'll be, you know, listening very carefully to our constituents to see how it's going and to see what other assistance we can give them. >> Great. Thank you very much. >> Are there any since it sounds like Susan, you just covered your one of your pieces, which is distance learning, are there any board members that have questions about that? All right. I don't hear any. So, >> and questions may come up, Kim, and that's perfectly fine. Anybody can just email me. um even community members, you know, um you know, if people have questions, we actually have a hotline for technology that's going to be posted on the front page so that you know if parents have any questions about accessing curriculum,
007we can get right back to them. >> Absolutely hear you. I just um this is our first time since we've been able to be all together. Um, and so, um, I want to make sure that we all have as much information as possible. Um, Kim, uh, I got a note. Could you, uh, when you speak, could you, uh, get a little closer or turn your microphone up? I have to unmute yourself. >> Unmute. So, how does this sound? >> Oh, much better. >> All right. So, um though I do um are we sure that there's no one that might have from the board any questions about the distance learning? Susan, you and your team and the teachers. It's been amazing. >> Tim, this is this is Rita. You hear me? >> Um my my for
008some reason my screen is flashing. I'm not sure why. Um, so it almost looks like the Twilight Zone, but my question, I'm much more interested in what Susan is going to tell us about um, special education services for remote delivery. So, I don't think she quite finished her report yet. So, we should go back to Mike, right? Well, I was just thinking for continuity purposes, even though that's not how it has on the agenda that while we're thinking about distance learning, why don't we let Susan just continue? Sure. >> Well, Rita, you bring up a really very good point because a big piece of this distance learning is to have access for all of our students, no matter what their needs are. So whether a child has a 504 or is receiving intervention or has
009an IEP um or is gifted, we want to make sure that we're reaching all kids. So, one of the ways that we designed our plan for curriculum is something called curriculum compacting, which I learned about with Renulli and Ree at Yukon. And it's not only for gifted kids. It's really finding out what kids know and be being able to move forward and finding out what kids don't know and making sure that we're attending to their needs and giving them the right amount of education. So we've had teams of teachers working together at every level, departments at the high school, departments at the middle school, and then grade level teams at the elementary with administrators doing this compacting curriculum. And um it's actually on the staff side of curriculum. And with that, we've had special educators
010involved too so that they can then modify any assignments um that are happening and they can reach out to their their families to make sure that kids can access the curriculum. When you have services like OT, PT, and speech, we'll have um we're actually Denise reached out to a a company that helps um specialize in those services. that would be almost onetoone or small group and one speech pathologist working with the child um to have that therapy session. So that's all in the works right now and in the process. And um we do have a letter that needs to go out to parents to make sure that we have their permission to do this kind of service. As part of our district plan, there is this option for teachers to go live with classrooms or
011small groups and but the big recommendation from our GA is that we make sure that we we do record the sessions. So, we've really worked very closely with our GA and AGSA um the, you know, district um team at the central office, Lori Le Pine and Dennis and Denise and Ken, we've all really worked together to make this um Okay, hearing none for right now, which is fine. Let's go back to Mike. >> Okay. So, uh just a couple of the the first thing is um the food service department is continuing their distribution of meals. And uh if Sam is here, I I know we were thinking about moving uh not to just five days, but actually to include Saturday meals. Sam, can can you unmute if you're here and weigh in on that? >>
012I can weigh in. I can do it now or I could wait and make it part of my full report. >> Well, do it now. What the heck? You're here. >> Okay. So, uh food services um the grab and go uh is uh still continuing um on a on a a daily basis. We're averaging about 1,600 meals a day at the three states, the library, Westside, and Mary Morrison. And tomorrow being Friday, this is going to be the first Friday when uh we're going to uh start uh giving out weekend bags too, which will consist of three breakfasts and three lunches as well. And that will continue uh on Fridays uh going forward. >> That'll be seven meals, seven meals a week. >> Can I continue with uh with the uh grant information too that
013we just uh was awarded today? We're talking about food services. >> Okay. So, I was uh meeting with Ernie uh this morning when he got a phone call from the Winston Foundation. Uh he had applied for the Winston Foundation kitchen grant. Uh there were 850 uh entries, a national competitive grant. Uh, and Graten Public Schools Food Services was one of four selected for a $65,000 new kitchen that's going to go to Charles Barnum School. So, we hope to complete it over the summer. In addition to the $65,000, there are other manufacturers. Winston is one of the equipment manufacturers. Other equipment manufacturers are also going to be kicking in on this. Uh, and uh, this grant could actually uh, go all the way up to as high as $100,000. So, uh, congratulations to Ernie and the
014the food services department. Uh, really a terrific job. And this is going to, while they do a terrific job of of of feeding the kids at Charles Barnum, um, having a an operating kitchen right there in the building will just improve it that much more. So, uh, we're real happy with that. >> I'm assuming that this now needs to go through our charter program. Um, >> yes. >> Okay. And so we are um who will be responsible to uh get back to the town manager? >> S and I uh will get together tomorrow. We'll write it up and we'll send it to John and it will spread through the through the town council and then the RTM. >> So I >> congratulations. So Mike, I'm gonna Oh, Rita, >> I do have a quick question.
015Um, are the meals still being is it 9 to 9:30 in the morning or is it later in the day? I can't I I don't remember or if you changed it. I know that New London went to meals on wheels in buses or something. Did we do any changes or did we extend the time to more than a half an hour? >> No, it well >> are there long lines? That's what I was asking. >> It does extend beyond a half hour. It the hour. >> Can you hear me? >> Hello. >> Am I on now? >> Can Can you hear me? >> Nita, we were hearing you. Yes, Kim. >> Yeah, we hear you Rita. >> What happened to this? Oh, boy. Hey, Kim. Damn, if you talk, can Rita hear you? >> Um,
016this question was for Sam. >> Yes, Rita, can you hear me now? >> Yeah, I don't think she can hear me. You lost me. Oh boy. Wait a second. >> You're back now. Rita, >> I can still see everybody. I don't know what's going on. >> I can hear you. I see you, too. >> Can you see me now? >> No, but we can hear you. >> You can't see me. >> Um, I can see your text mic. Can you hear me at all? I can >> I can't hear you. Oh, darn. I'll try to redial in. >> Okay, >> good. >> I think Liz may be on twice and it's causing feedback. Can you hear the phone version? >> Can you hear me? We can now >> see. >> Okay. Thank you. I finally
017figured it out. Wow. Technologically challenged. >> So, my question was about the meals. What time are they served? And are there long lines? >> Yes, Rita, it is scheduled to be from 9:00 to 9:30, but the staff is there a little bit earlier than that and they stay until uh until people uh stop coming. So they're there longer than that, but it takes about half an hour to 45 minutes before the lines uh calm down. >> Well, my my concern was if there is a long line, are people doing social distancing in these lines? >> Yes, they are. >> They are. How wonderful. Thank you. Thanks. >> All right, Mike, continue. >> Okay. Uh I just want to talk about a couple of other points and we're still waiting for some guidance uh from the
018state department. The state department has has suspended uh all statewide testing for this year. So we will not giving the back test. We will not >> We lost you, Mike. >> Great. Can you hear me now? No, >> I can hear you. >> Can you hear me now? >> I can hear you. This is Liz. >> Oh, okay. Let me see if I can uh get everybody up. Can Can people hear me now? >> I can. >> Yes. Clear. >> Okay, good. Perfect. So anyway, the the testing the testing has been cancelled for this spring. The statewide testing, no uh no science testing, next generation science standards, no SAT and no uh ESPback teacher evaluations has have been suspended also for this year. Uh so we u won't we we wouldn't have much opportunity without
019being in the classroom. So that's going to be difficult. But the other the the other thing is we are we don't know how we're going to report attendance to the uh to the state but we are monitoring participation daily. So the problem with attendance is a student might not get on in the morning when we're taking attendance. They might because of perhaps other siblings in in in the house or whatever, they may not get on and do all of their work until starting 3 in the afternoon, which is perfectly fine, but uh we want to uh we monitor participation in that way. U the other the other big thing that's sort of hanging out there uh is the issue of grading. Uh we're waiting for some uh guidance from the state department. We're not exactly
020sure. You can imagine it it it would be difficult to grade students under under these circumstances a accurately. So one one possibility is pass fail, but no not too many people think that's a particularly good idea because it it really would lack the rigor. Can I chime in on this? Because that's part of this curriculum compacting document are ways to assess our students. So it might not be just an attempt um you know a typical quiz or fill-in- thelank um it may be something like uh producing a research paper. So, we're we're incorporating in this curriculum compacting document, not only what are the priority standards, what do kids need to know by the end of the year, but how are they going to indicate that they have that learning? So, teachers are being really creative
021and thinking out of the box to figure this out. Um, a lot of our softwares not only include um, participation, but then what objectives are they accomplishing while they're on it, whether it's Lexia for reading or Dreambox for math. So, we're really trying to get creative on how do we keep track of what students are, you know, are learning and how do we know they're learning. So, I just wanted to add that part because it is it is something that we're um, you know, tackling. Um, and then the the um the last thing I'll say is I've been in contact with uh the the uh the public works department, Rick Rick Norris, and I'm happy to report that Graten Middle School is is is still right on track. They have not missed any any uh
022any days. Uh and they are still on track to open the school. uh in fact maybe even a little bit earlier. So we're we're in we're in good shape there. Uh so that's that's my my next thing I wanted to talk about the calendar if we're ready. Kim. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. So the the the question of the calendar and I'll let Susan weigh in. We we work really hard over the last week uh to make sure the kids had the computers and that we're getting everybody the hotspots that they need. Uh so we we thought do do we really in uh two or three weeks from now do we want to stop? And virtually everybody all the principles uh said that now that we have the momentum they wanted to keep going. And
023so uh the way it works out and we'll have a vote later in the meeting. We if we if we don't stop for April vacation that is to say if we keep the distance learning going from the 13th to the 17th of of April. Uh that that would have the 181st day to be Friday June 12th. Uh if the board wanted to, we could end the year on on June 11th and use the 12th. That would be the teacher's last contractual day. Uh if if we uh if we're able to get into the building, I mean, that that that'd be terrific. Hopefully, please God, we'll be able to get back even sooner than that. But uh the idea of stopping vacation did did not seem to make much sense to our guys. and I'll let
024Susan weigh in. >> Well, I feel that um we've heard that from the teachers as well. You know, this has been a labor of love. They've put their heart and soul into putting these plans together and, you know, communicating and making sure that we get going with this. And I think the feeling is that people probably aren't having many choices of going anywhere on spring vacation. So, we'd rather just continue the momentum and continue the teaching and learning and, you know, maybe with um we talked about Good Friday being off, but then really just trying to get to the end of the the year and with some of the waiverss that could mean that we would be done by June 12th or June 11th. So, I think that seemed more um t tangible to our
025teachers um especially if we have a new building going up and there's going to have to be transition with that. So, that's what I'm hearing from people. >> Liz, I would like to recognize you. >> Thank you, Kim. Um, do you realize that a letter has already gone out to Fitch Senior High School students that says the last day of school is June 11th and that um there's no April vacation? That that was already announced and we're just now hearing about it. I'm sorry. I'm a little irritated about that. >> Yeah, that that was I'm sorry. That was premature that we shouldn't have done that. >> Yeah. Well, it's now it's out there. So, you know, we can't very well go back on that, but still. >> Um, that was already I mean, published. >>
026Yeah. Yeah. >> Was it published for other schools in the other districts? I mean, not the other districts in the other our other schools. >> No. And we we can make we can make a robocall. I I'll I'll I'll fix that tomorrow if votes not to do that. Um I had a a a quick question Dr. Grineer. I I I had heard about that also. Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Okay. My question is is there any thought for students to go back earlier in August and sort of have a refresher if we are out of school through June? That is just something I kind of wanted people to to think about if it is possible, if we do have to miss all the all these months with no student teacher contract, if there
027was a possibility that we could ever somehow have a couple of weeks just as a refresher for students before the regular school year started. So, it's just I'm not sure how to go about that, but >> we'd have to work that out with the teacher uh union. I mean, that'd be that'd be an extension. Uh, >> well, I don't know if there would be an extension or if we would just finish earlier in June. >> Yeah. Well, no. The by the governor's executive order, we we have to have 180 days. >> Well, we would have 180 days. We would just start earlier in August, >> right? But that would add days to the teacher contract for the next year. Unless we move the whole calendar up. I guess we could. >> That's what I'm talking
028about. moving the whole game. It's just something in the back of your head. >> Yeah, that's interesting. Yep. >> Students gonna be so far behind, >> right? >> And we're gonna have to help them in some way bring them up so that they could actually maybe start a little bit more on grade level than they're going to. >> Right. Right. >> I guess that our students are going to be in the same um That's right. in the same boat as many of our other our other colleagues in other districts. Um it is an interesting idea and I guess what I would like to hear I got you Gretchen and I will recognize you. Um is I I guess I would like to hear from our teachers about um what they are thinking possibly um um
029about that. >> I'd like to bring it up at learn also and see you know what the whole what what all the districts might be doing. >> That makes a lot of sense. Gretchen, >> my concern with opening early is the reason we were opening late in the first place was the opening of the new middle school. If there's any slowdowns due to whatever virus that the building is not going to be open on time, so we have nowhere to put the children if we bring them in early. >> Good point. Thank you. Welcome, >> Dr. Grineer. Uh so uh that uh that's pretty much pretty much what what I had. Uh we're going to have a a non-meating on Monday to talk about uh some uh sort of negotiation items with uh having to
030do with uh bus drivers and par profofessionals and hourly workers and so forth. Um, so I'll leave we can talk about theou or the MOA um at that time. But so that that's it for me right now. >> So let me just um I got you one second, Liz. Let me just make sure that I'm clear is is that one of the things that we will be voting on today would be the vote of um moving the schedule um to June um 11th or 12th. Sorry, I can't remember which of those dates, but that is um that is so that we can then post our graduation date, etc. Is that correct? >> Yes, that's that's correct, >> Liz. Um, have they announced anything about IB or AP testing? Have they changed the dates for that
031or are they calling it a wash? Does anybody know? >> Yes, they're calling it a wash. And >> both? >> Yes. They're they're not going to do they're not going to do IB testing and the students are going to be evaluated like they are on their um on their IAS and and yeah, they're not going to do it for the rest of the year. >> Wow. Wow. >> A as opposed to uh AP AP is going to try to do something remotely. >> Oh, okay. >> I'm not sure how that's going to work exactly, but they're that's what they're planning. Thank you. Welcome. >> This feels like this is a moving ship that we are building and designing and creating all at the same time. >> Yeah. No, no question. >> Okay. So, um if
032there's no more questions for Dr. Mcernier about the la the two things that he has spoke, um I am going to bring it back to Addie. Addy, are you still here? >> Yep, I'm here. I just joined. Can everyone hear me? >> I can hear you, Addie. you look wonderful and it's so good to see you. >> It's good to see you too. I hope everyone is well. Um so the student report um is probably going to be a little bit shorter uh since there's not too much to talk about. Um I did want to briefly me mention two things. Um the class of 2020 is going ahead with ordering graduation robes um and regalia. Uh so information uh will be sent out soon via email and um also will be available on the school
033website. So that's for all senior families will receive that email. Um and the second thing um is a studentrun visual talent show that's being put on. Um, so this is being put on by the Falcon Theater. Um, it's called the Crystal Geyser Show. Um, it'll be on Friday, April 3rd from 6:00 to 7:55 p.m. Um, students will be able to be interviewed, uh, like show off their talents or musical songs or anything like that. Uh, lip sync or just talk about, uh, their favorite club or activity. It's kind of just trying to like carve out a a community I think for students. Um so this will be this will be on Instagram live on um the Fitch Falcon Theater Instagram which their um their name is Fitch Falcon Theater theater spelled with an RE. Um
034so that'll that will be very exciting for students I think to be able to um kind of interact with their peers in this way. Um, and I also wanted to just very briefly kind of talk about some concerns I've heard from students. Um, so I'm just going to read out some questions that I've gotten from students and this is generally where people are at. Uh, I want to preface this by saying that you don't have to answer it right now. Um, and I think actually Dr. Dr. Ger answered a couple of them already just in this meeting, but um just kind of want to put out where students are right now. Um so a couple students are asking um if quarters are still the same length. I'll just kind of read through the questions. Um
035how will graduation work as of now? Um and if students buy their cap and gown right now and then graduation is canceled, will there be any refunds? Um, what will happen to senior activities like the class trip and etc. Um, are teachers allowed to send out videos of their lesson and is video chat allowed? Uh, how will attendance work? How will grading work? Do we still have final exams? What will happen in terms of grades if students can't return back to school? Um, and then how will the SATs work? So, those are just some questions that I got from students who are wondering about what's happening. Um, just so you guys are aware of what the concerns are. Um, and that's everything I have for you. >> Kim, can you hear me? >> Wow, those
036are really very thoughtful questions um that the students are coming up with. And um I'm actually wondering if there's different ways besides um just the robs that we could get some of those these answers out. Obviously, some of those answers I don't think we're going to be able to just because we just don't know. I mean, yeah, you know, if we if we if you know, Governor is the he said that we're going to be able to go back to school within you know what, April 20th, then my sense is that some of the things can kind of can kind of sort of begin to go back to some resemblance of what it used to be. But, um, I I think that that this is another one of those blazing trails, but thoughtful questions and
037I'm hoping that maybe um Dr. and Susan. Um, we can kind of get together with Addie and the students and making sure that those questions and whatever they have get answered because specifically the seniors, this must be so very difficult for them. >> Well, can you hear me, Kim? >> Yes. Yes. >> So, what I'm what I'm thinking, Addie, uh, is that I'll also share these with Mr. tell her and maybe we could set up a video chat with like student leadership and uh talk about some of these things. Uh like Miss Watson said, we don't know. I mean, if we're back, then of course we well we'll have a graduation one way or the other. That was one of the first things Mr. Keller said to me. um whether we have to have it
038in August or December or whenever, but we will have a graduation. Um but let me let me take that as a to-do and I'll talk to Mr. Kelly and we'll get back to you. >> Okay. I do have one suggestion. Um I know all of the class councils I think all of the class councils have their own Instagram and Twitter and different social media. Um so that might be one thing that we could do is put it out on there. >> Okay. But that sounds great. Thank you so much. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Thanks for your >> Yeah. Well, I can tell you SATs are canceled as of right now. The big SAT is canceled the statewide 11th graders and I know they're trying to set up, you know, regional national test sites. So, we'll
039this is so disruptive. Um, Miss Watson is right. We are we are making decisions on the fly here. >> Okay. I had a question for Addie. >> Addie, I don't know how what what people are doing about college acceptances and visits of seniors. Do you know like like what the thought is? >> Yeah. So, a lot of my friends are actually finding out right now whether they got into colleges and um because all of the visits are cancelled. Um one big thing is virtual school tours. >> So, a lot of schools I think most schools have um kind of like either pictures online or virtual tours where you can kind of they took like 3D photos or something like that. Yes. >> So, it's it's not as good as a school visit, but a lot
040of students are using that. >> Good. Thank you. >> Yep. >> Any other questions um for Addie or Mike or Susan before we go on to the business manager report? Liz, >> I just had a question about um Addie, you mentioned something about video lessons. So, I was wondering, is that something that's going on right now? Have teachers been doing video lessons? Have they been doing video chats? Um, I was just wondering what's happening. Uh, so as of right now, um, teachers have only been contacting students through email or through messages on Schooly just kind of saying this is the plan or this is the homework that you should be doing. So, no, there's been no video chat as of now. I think that would be if we could do uh something for classes and
041stuff, you know, even if it's still a once a week thing, that might be something we could do in this f in this platform. >> Liz, can you hear me? >> Yeah, I can. >> So, we're we're trying to work that. It's a little bit tricky because of FURP laws. Uh >> oh. >> Have have kids. Well, no. We That's what Susan was referring to. We we could have an opt out. Uh and so every and we could use Zoom or uh we could use this uh Google uh Google Google Meet or Google Hangouts. Uh so we're just trying to work our way through that. Uh it it's a little bit little bit tricky, but uh certainly I I think for small groups like if a teacher puts a lesson out, uh we can certainly
042have a a a small group. And we're just trying to we're trying to be careful about it because there are some there are some uh sort of complications that could that could arise because we're we're working >> Go ahead, Susan. >> I'm I just wanted to say um I know that my niece who teaches in Texas, what she does is they have done lessons on YouTube and then distribute it through YouTube. It's just an idea. I just throwing things out, that's all. >> Yeah. Yeah. For sure we're gonna for sure we can do the YouTube and we can tell kids to watch uh uh Khan Academy and so forth. But I I I I think there's great value if we could get through the complications in having at least small group if if not full
043class meetings on u on Google Hangouts or Google. Mike, can I just add that a lot of energy and thoughtfulness went into this Grten School's um distance learning plan. So, if you took the time to really read through it, you could see even the one page kind of describes like in a in a broad brush stroke what's going to happen. But the comprehensive plan really in working with the GA and the AGSA, we tried to really give out a lot of different suggestions on ways to really make um learning engaging for kids. So things do take some time to look through that. Um I think you'll find out a lot of information and the teachers um you know are already doing the planning and getting ready for this to launch for Monday. >> Sounds wonderful.
044Well, I I I have no doubt, Susan. I I know that you guys are doing phenomenal work. >> It's just new work, you know. >> Yeah, I do. I do. And if I can help in any way, don't hesitate to reach out. >> Thank you. >> And I actually had a question for Susan. Um, Susan, I was wondering, I know like the multicultural magnet school and a lot of towns in the area are doing a story time for children at night, having different staff people read a story. And I was wondering if we were doing this in Grun. >> So, we are having teachers do read alouds um and they're recording them and they'll go up for students. And we just made our plan very flexible because we know that parents are home trying to
045do their own work and trying to help homeschool their children so that they can go into any of these activities that are stored there at any time of day. That works out really nicely for the families. So if they wanted to do the teachers read aloud at night or they could have a story told at night, that would be certainly doable, >> right? I know some of the towns are doing it every night at like 7 or 7:30 so the kids know just to sort of go on then and someone will read a story and I just thought it would be a great way for you know children might even give the parents maybe 20 minutes or so of some quiet time they could go do something. >> They certainly would need that. Right. >>
046Right. Thank you. >> Sorry my chair just broke. [Laughter] if it's not. Yes, Liz. >> I'm sorry. I don't mean to interrupt, but um my cousin, my my niece works, of course, in in other areas, too. I have another one that works in Illinois. And what they did, the elementary school teachers did a a car parade through neighborhoods and honked and waved to the kids and stuff >> and it was very wellreceived. So, I just wanted to throw that out. They were um my niece is a music teacher and they she was blasting music and waving to her and her kids. Everybody came out of their houses and stood at the door end of the streets and and waved. They announced that it was going on. Just thought it'd be something that we might want
047to think about. >> Great. >> I do want to I think it's great what other communities are doing. I I just for me I want to make sure that any of the any of the administration or teachers or staff that are hearing what what Graten has been able to pull off in this short of a time to make sure things have happened is just amazing. And so hearing those other suggestions I hope that they hope no one gets the impression that we're feeling that they are not they have not done um exceptionally well. And my guess is is the criteria the the creativity of this district we are is if this keeps on prolonging um which it won't because I'm just we're just going to put positive intention out to the universe um is is
048that we'll be able to kind of get through this. But I just want to make sure that people know that because other districts are doing some things differently or that we like them better. It has nothing to do about the fact that how incredibly um um just gotten proud about how hard the teachers and administrators have worked um to pull this um this crazy thing off um and a job well done. With that, Seth, um I I am going to move us to the business manager. Hi Jay. Um and uh so I believe that would be Ken. Are you there? >> I am here. >> Hello. Hey, good to see you. I'm glad that you're back. I was worried about you. >> I was a little worried, too. Uh so for the object code summary
049report, uh this was this was prepared on March 4th of uh of this year. And so uh at that time we were uh projecting as we had in the previous m uh months uh a projected unexpended balance of around let's see what's what's the number here 84,561 that was in your attachment one. Uh, of course, uh, uh, this will be completely different in our next look at this, uh, as as more decisions are made. Uh, at this point, it's it's it's really up in the air. Uh, but, uh, we we are, um, monitoring all of it and and we do believe that we're we're still um hopefully going to stay within the parameters of this budget. Uh, but but these numbers will look completely different the next time we look at this. >> Thank you.
050Any questions for Ken? >> No. >> Health insurance, Ken? >> So, uh, unfortunately, the health insurance report didn't didn't make it uh onto the attachment, but I do have the report through uh through January of 2020. Uh, for the month of January, uh we were at 89% of budget uh and year-to date uh 84% uh of budget. So, uh, we're trending well, uh, in our health insurance. That compares to last year in January, we were at 88%. So, we're we're trending just a little bit better than last year at this point with our health insurance. >> Great. and um uh the alliance grant report, Ken. >> So, at this point, uh we actually uh have not um finalized our budget with the uh with the uh Department of Education. Um we have been going back
051and forth. Uh we are at the point where they have said that we can we can start moving forward. Uh but the funds actually have not yet been received. Uh so uh with Susan's help uh we are going to start um uh uh start our requisition uh process uh to spend down those funds but as of this point uh no funds have been spent. >> They did Can I just add to it? I have um we have a representative at the state department who has been really very helpful. Um she says that it has passed through but we're just waiting. She thought the funds were going to become become available like last week, but I think everybody has slowed down. >> Yeah. >> I did tell her though in an email in writing and I
052think Dr. Grineer also talked to Desi Nesmith, who is really one of the um assistant commissioners that we will be moving some of our professional development money into technology and other resources like these hotspots that are needed because of what we're going through. And they are fine with that. They said whatever we need to make access for all they would. Okay. So, just wanted to give you that heads up and when we do that finalization um I'll make sure I share that with the board those numbers. >> Kim, can I just weigh in for a second on that? >> Please. Uh I I was on a I was on a call today with the local superintendents and the the if if uh if you look at our response, Susan has kind of called it phase
053one, phase two, phase three. Phase one included making sure that all of our students uh had a computer and access to the internet. And uh I was uh I was disappointed to hear some of the districts that have u lots of uh kids who struggle with poverty, they are woefully short on computers. So they can't move ahead with distance learning. And uh so we we actually have given out distributed about 1,500 computers over well over a two or three day period. So we we now are are just about a 100% of our of our children u have the computer and when I spoke to deputy commissioner Nesmith uh who is also used to be the head of the alliance I said you know we we would like to purchase more Chromebooks because we anticipate some
054of those Chromebooks failing some of those Chromebooks uh when we come back uh not not getting full replacement So he said, "Yeah, you can use that money to uh to replace the technology." And I I can't I can't think of a better a better use for that money to than to to make sure that we have equity in the district. I mean, that that that is the huge problem that this this state is facing. That's for sure. and we seem to uh be well on our way to providing distance learning equal distance learning opportunities for all our children. >> Thank you Mike for um adding that. Um and I have also heard those stories as well um talking to other colleagues and also I'll share my course correspondence um that I was on a uh
055board chair Cabe call um and that was absolutely one of the things that was um uh talked about. Um if there's no more questions on the the business manager report um I would like to move us to the director of building and grounds. Sam, are you there? Yes, I am. >> Hello, sir. >> Hello. >> Yep. >> Okay. So, um well, I'll start with 2020. Uh and as uh Dr. Graner already reported, uh the Graten Middle School is moving forward as uh as planned. Uh no delays at this time. I also spoke to Tammy Hamlin, who's our uh running the job over there. uh and she's quite happy with the progress that's being made and if you've gone by you've seen the uh traditional red brick uh being exposed. It's uh it's going to be
056quite quite a structure. Um she did so uh say though that they have had some reduced numbers of uh of workers uh uh and that's mostly due to child care issues. Um and uh working with this uh the concerns uh and um social and work distancing uh they've uh put up wash stations uh throughout throughout the uh the site. So that's what's going on at Graten Middle School. Uh the uh elementary schools uh that is also on time. I did speak to Rick Norris about that. Uh there are contracts uh that look like they're going to be signed very soon regarding site work, the excavation, the digging, and the steel work. So it looks like uh we'll be able to start that project on time. Any questions on the graten 2020? It's absolutely amazing where
057everything else kind of goes on hold or gets swayed off and we're still having a middle school building being building in the present. Um, thank you. Thank you, Sam. >> Okay. >> Any other questions for Graten 2020? >> No. Um, Sam, the last thing that was on there was cleaning of the school buildings. Do you want to touch on that, please? >> Sure. Um the custodial staff um has been uh working uh non-stop uh needless to say uh and uh all the classrooms now I I think 100% of the classrooms offices spaces and so on have been uh um deep cleaned and disinfected and uh a lot of times they're spending time now they have other projects they're going to start working on but one of the things that they are doing is when staff
058comes in or or somebody comes into the building they're essentially following right behind them to get the hight touch areas, door knobs, all of those things that are being touched uh so that we remain disinfected in the building. Um so they're moving on to other things like um uh floors um uh they're actually power washing lavatories uh with disinfectant >> um washing and disinfecting the the actual hallway uh walls. Um so uh we should be all set. Uh hopefully when uh school resumes soon. Um and that would be about it for that. >> Any other questions for Sam about that? >> No. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Hearing none. I'm going to go to committee reports. Um and I'm going to be um policy me that would be you. Do you have any um
059any new reports um since the last time we met? >> Looks like Lee might have left the meeting, but we really haven't met um in the past couple weeks. And I know that we had some things coming up for a second, but we kind of put those on hold because we've been paying attention to other things. >> Okay. really. Okay. Um All right. Um curriculum Andrea. >> We I don't believe we've curriculum is met. >> Okay. >> Join. >> They did join. All right. Um thank you Gretchen for um uh uh uh putting in um finance and facilities. Jay, >> yes. Good evening everyone. Um we met on March 2nd. Um we covered a lot of things. Um one piece of good news is that uh Sam was able to work with an engineering company
060to uh repair the deficiency at Cloudchester school under the uh cafeteria there. Um, and um, I'd say that's good news because this may allow the the town to be able to use that that building at some point in the future, whereas we were concerned that it would have to be basically become unusable. Um, we went over things like rates for banner displays at high schools and and that sort of thing. Um, which right now seem like the least of our works. Um, we talked about a a proposed enrollment study uh to be done by Mike Zuba um so that we can plan for you what the district would look like with all the new schools are open. We went over the U FY21 CIP. Um, we discussed that due to the new town council um,
061uh, ordinance that we would have to spend at least $120,000 on dishwashing equipment as we move away from the disposable. Um, but I don't think that that number actually includes that we have to buy dishes, silverware, and I don't think it takes into account the um, the additional labor now that we're going to have to wash all those items and also replace them. So, um I think that number is much too optimistic. Um we went over the MYP multi-year implementation budget, reviewed the uh non-UN pay rate schedule for fiscal 21, and we also discussed the treehouse summer program rates. And um I certainly hope that that'll be able to go ahead. Um so Jay is some of the things that you were talking about in terms of um Zuba is that going to be a
062referral to a regular committee the whole meeting? >> Uh yes. See I believe this will have to be um done before um Dr. have just basically outlined um that since today um are basically the experts um and have helped us with these kinds of issues in the past, but they be able to to help us move forward the elementary school. >> I I had a question for Jay. Yeah, >> Jay. Um, in terms of Mike Zuba, um, is it is the town still working with him and are there other firms out there that we could possibly interview? >> Um, I don't know if the town currently has a contract with him. I think the the thought and and obviously we didn't make any decision that night >> and maybe Dr. can forward more information to
063the individual board members before we come to that vote. But I think the thought is that they have been with us through multiple um redistricting plans and >> you know they sort of hold the um >> they they do understand our district. I felt their numbers were off um somewhat in terms of our um population. and they had it going down quite a bit and and that hasn't happened over this 10-year period. So, I was just curious, you know, whether or not I know the town was using them, so that's one of the reasons why the board did. So, I was just, you know, wondering, but if we're going to have a committee of the whole about it, then that's good. >> Okay. So, I'll move that to the committee of the whole. >> Thanks.
064Anything else, Jay? Um I think that about wraps it up. Um I just uh I just want to say how how thrilled I am with how all these departments have pulled together. I guess this is a reminder that if you're not talking to make sure that your microphone is on mute um so we don't get to hear personal conversations that maybe you don't want us to be hearing. >> Oh no. Jim, I have one. >> Hello. I have a thought. Um, you know how every hurricane, blizzard, power outage, we end up with extra children for that little pocket of window. Birth rates go up for nine months later. We need to I think just keep in mind towards looking to our future schools. We're going to have about a year depending on what if they
065change Connecticut's cut off date. We will have one giant blip. All right. >> One year. >> Yep. And then maybe that's a really good thing that we'll when we have the committee of the whole and we talk about that stuff that we would be a good thing to talk about with Zuba. >> I just wanted to bring it up. Done. >> Um so the others is um Lee, I saw that you kind of came back on. Do you have anything for scholarship? Lee has left the meeting. Okay. So, um so she doesn't have anything to say. Uh so I just wanted to let people Oh, uh Rita, do you have anything u from learn? >> Oh yes, we our last regular meeting was March 12th um before everything stopped. Um tomorrow I have a virtual
066executive meeting but at the meeting on March 12th um we had updates concerning um the marine um science magnet high school principal search there were 30 applicants which they are presently you know somehow conducting the interviews right now. Um we discussed the in light of the schools possibly closing the hourly workers learn is continuing to pay them the those um their pair of professionals do not have a contract like ours and so they made the decision rather than losing some of their very valuable they they've they're doing it on a two-week basis. Um, we also had an an update um from the principal of the friendship school which is just sounds phenomenal, Andrea Simmons, and she presented an overview of their curriculum. Um, so that was really good. And let's see, um, you know, they're
067working on they're going to start the second floor hopefully of the um of the Ocean Avenue Learning Center, but I'll know a little bit more tomorrow when we have our next meeting. Thank you. virtually. >> Thank you. Um so the the board of ed town council RTM leazison um Lee are you are you on >> Okay. So, I do know that they met. Um, but tomorrow's meeting or next week's meeting has been [Applause] mute. >> Thank you. >> Um, and um, we were in the middle of doing um, and so our also the board of ed um, ASA and GA leazison meeting has also been cancelled. Um and we were doing we were um starting the negotiation process and those two meetings have been um cancelled uh just because of the complications of um the
068of what we're doing or what what's happening to us right now. Um if I have not heard anything more, I'm going to go to action items. Um and um just for continuity purposes, even though I like to have everyone's voice to be heard during meetings, I am going to open new business. I am going to be reading the um the motions just once again for um just kind of keep things smooth. Uh but in the consent agenda, all matters listed under the consent agenda are considered to be routine. It will be enacted by one motion. Um and the one thing that's in our consent agenda is approval of the regular meeting minutes of February 24th, 2021. I need a second and the person whoever seconds it would you please state your name. >> I agree
069to vote and I'll second that. Thank you. I am now going to um any discussion on that hearing none. I'm going to go for a vote. Um so at this point people we're going to need to sort of um I'm going to ask by name. Um and Joan and um um Joyce, if you could make sure that I I capture all of our board members, I would really appreciate that. Um, and so I think I'm just going to do a roll call vote. Um, just to because I think it's going to be too confusing any other way. Um, Andrea, um, are you yay or nay on the consent agenda? >> She said I. >> Yes. >> Elizabeth, >> I. >> Thank you, >> Gretchen. >> Yes. Jane. >> Jane, if you could be unmuted. Thank
070you, Jane. >> Oh, >> hi. >> Approval or not approval of the minutes? >> Approval. Okay. >> Jay, I >> thank you, Lee. I think Lee left it said. >> Okay. All right. And Rita, >> uh, yes, I approve the minutes. >> Okay. Um, it looks like >> it looks like we have um gone through and the that has been accepted. Um, whatever that is. Sorry, I've lost my I've lost my mind. >> I'm now moving on to the new new business. Um and the motion that is before us is to certify pursuant to CDS um section 10-215F that all food items offered for sale to students in the school under its jurisdiction and not exempted from the Connecticut nutrition standards published by the Connecticut State Department of Education will comply with the Connecticut nutrition
071standards during the period of July 1st 2020 through July 30th 2021. The certification shall include all food offered for sale to students separately from reimburseable meals at all times and from all sources, including but not limited to school stores, vending machines, school cafeterias, and any fundraising activities on a school premise sponsored by the school or by non-school organizations and groups. I just need someone to second and once again, can you please announce who it is? Andrea and I'll second that. Except Tim, you said July, you said July 30th, 2021. And >> it's June 30th. Thank you very much for the correction. >> I'm now seconded it. >> Yes, she did. >> Okay. >> I now need to have a discussion about it. So, Mike, can you weigh in on this, please? >> Yeah. Th this
072is uh this is the certification that uh that uh provides us uh that uh uh I don't know if it's a stipen we we get an additional additional supplement uh with the with the meals program but it's it's something that we've done we certainly want to promote the healthy food option and there is there is that uh that exception for during school events or so forth, but uh this is something we've done for the last several years and it's it's certainly been a benefit to our food service program. >> Is there any questions about this? >> No. >> Liz, >> um did I understand correctly that this was also about things that were being sold like pizza and cookies and candy bars at different um sporting events or am I mistaken? No, you're correct. >>
073So those things would not be allowed to be sold. >> No, that's the exception. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you for the clarification. >> Good question, Liz. Any um any further discussion? >> No. >> Hearing none, I'm going to go once again. Does anyone know a better way of me doing this? Okay. So, Rita, do you are you in favor or not in favor of this? >> I'm in favor. >> Okay. All right. Andrea, >> hi. >> Thank you, Elizabeth. >> I >> Thank you, Gretchen. >> Hi. >> Thank you, Jane. >> Hi, Jane. >> Hi. Do you hear? It worked. >> Hi. >> Thank you. >> You've already spoken to me, Kim. >> I lost my mind. Okay, it looks like the motion has passed. >> Great. Okay, I'm moving on to the second
074um motion. Um, once again, if you're not on, please >> Gretchen, if you could move, that would be great because there's a lot of feedback. >> Oh, sorry. I thought it was. >> Thank you. Um, the motion is to allow the sale to students of food items that do not meet the Connecticut nutrition standards and beverages not listed in section 10-22 uh 221Q of the Connecticut general statutes provided that the following conditions are met. Number one, the sale is in connection with an event occurring after the end of the regular school day or on the weekend. Two, the sale is in at the location of the event. And three, the food and beverage items are not sold from a vending machine or school store. An event is an occurrence that involves more than just a
075regularly scheduled practice meeting or extracurricular activity. For example, soccer games, school plays, and intercolastic debates are events, but soccer practices, play rehearsals, or debate teams are not. The regular school day is in the period from midnight before to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day. Location means where the event is being held and must be the same place as the food sales. Can I have a second to this? >> It's Liz second. >> Thank you. Dr. G, can you um do a discussion quickly for us? >> This is this is the exception I was referring to. So, we're not allowed to sell uh non unhealthy foods essentially during the school day as part of our program, but this is the exception that allows concessions at games and plays and so forth. Not
076every day at practice, but for events for boosters to raise funds. This is the exception and we've done that and there's no penalty after this. >> All right. Any further questions on that? If not, Andrea are um uh yay or nay. >> Hi. She said >> okay. Liz. >> Yay. >> Gretchen. >> Yay. >> Jane. >> Yes. I >> thank you. Um, Rita, yes. All right. And it's a yay for me too for both of those. And uh, looks like the motion has carried. We're now moving on to number C. Um, which is the discussion of the school calendar. Um, we previously had a dis um that Dr. Ganier had discussed it. Um in terms of the recommendation from the school staff uh or administration uh principles is to keep the kids in virtual learning
077through the April break. Um which would then make our last day and Mike help clear this up for me. The last day would be >> the last day the the 181st day would be uh June 12th >> and that's a Friday. Friday. Correct. >> Okay. >> And at the end at the end if the board so desired at that time you you could say that the last day of school uh is going to be a PD day for the teachers. But for right now, if we said the 12th that we'll use April vacation and the 12th of June would be the last day of school. >> And so do we set the graduation date or is that just that's so in flux right now? Well, we set it for the 19th. It could stay the
07819th. >> Okay. So, so PD So, is it the recommendation is the recommendation to have the PD day um that that following Monday or the PD day um June 12th? >> June 12th is the teacher's last day. >> Okay. All right. >> So, I'm going to propose a motion. Would that be would that make sense? and then we can have more discussion about it. Folks, is that um we move the the revised 2019-20 school calendar to represent that a um the last day of school would be June 12th, which would also serve as a professional day for the teachers. Does that make sense? >> Yes. >> Okay. Can I have a second? >> I'll second that. It's Rita. >> Thank you, Rita. Can we do we need to have any more discussion about that? >>
079I think it's a great idea. >> Oh, thank you, Rita. >> You're welcome. >> Any other discussion? >> Oh, wow. I can't hear. >> You're on. We see you on the telephone, Mike. >> Yeah. Uh, Andrea just said I >> Okay, thank you, >> Liz. Hi, >> Gretchen. I'm good. >> I >> Thank you, Jay. >> Hi, >> Lee. >> Hi, Sam. >> Oh, sorry. Lee. >> Yeah. Go ahead. >> So, Michael and then Rita. >> Um I >> Okay, so it looks like that motion has passed, too. Great work, guys. They really needed to have that done. The next part um is >> Excuse me, Kim. I I have to get off. I have to go to this other meeting. >> Okay. So, but if you leave, does that mean that we're we get
080kicked off? >> No, I don't think so. you you can keep going because I have another computer. I'm going on the other one. >> Okay. So, um All right. And so, this is actually about new business discussion um and stuff, talking about things happening while we're building um is that just to let the board know, um Dr. is actually leaving to go to a Zoom meeting um because we are um he is presenting along with Ken Knight um and Susan um and myself I guess uh to a uh presentation of the board to the town council. Not quite sure if people were aware of this, but that they have the town council has condensed the budget schedule meetings. Um, and it's happening really, really, really fast. Um, so to tonight there is our normal presentation
081that we've had which was scheduled for the following week on Monday. Um, and it's now going to happen um it's now going to happen tonight. And then on Saturday at 8 o'clock there is um going to be um there's going to be uh I think first we're we're first on where the uh town council gets to have questions about um the budget. So I just want to let you know that's what's happening. I don't know when it's going to the RTM, but if it's moving through the town council that quickly, I can imagine if it's um I can't I can't imagine it's probably going to move pretty quickly with the RTM. Uh let me just kind of >> I have a quick question. Um are they going to send out a Zoom invite to everyone?
082>> You know how that work? >> Yeah. So, you know, um Sue, that's a really good question because I was asking for that. Um, specifically, I wanted all the board members to receive a Zoom um, invite and myself. Um, I don't know if maybe Sam could um, not Sam. Um, I don't know if um, if maybe we can send a text to Mike to see if John would be willing to add us to that Zoom invite. So, once we leave this board meeting, we could go and join a virtual meeting with the um with the town council. >> Okay. Let me follow up on that. >> Okay, Susan, thank you very much. Um, as I mentioned at the very beginning of the meeting, I did I did attend a virtual phone virtual phone call, a
083phone call with other um with other uh board of ed chairs um throughout the state of Connecticut. And it was hosted by CABE. Um, and the big issue that many boards were dealing with that week or last week was about the bus contracts and what to do about the bus contracts. And I know we are going to have a meeting on Monday um where we're going to uh need to kind of talk about how we want to handle that as well. Um uh other school districts were having teachers who were refusing to do virtual learning um at least at that point. So the fact that most of our teachers are on board and doing it um the virtual learning seems to be amazing. Um and uh like all school districts um like ours, they are
084just kind of building everything as as it's being kind of thrown to you. Um I think that that >> um if I find other things, I'll make sure that it sends in an email to you guys. Um, are there other people who have um information um and non-action items? >> I do. Rita >> Kim um you said tonight the budget would be presented and then questions would be on Saturday at 8. >> Yeah. So, they're not going to be speaking. You're just presenting the budget tonight and they won't be asking any question. >> I just I don't stand it. >> Okay. I think thank you for asking a clarifying question. Let me slow down. >> Um it is we are doing the budget presentation as we normally do. I am sure there are going to
085be questions that are going to be asked. Um I think I my understanding that this is kind of like their public hearing um of the budget. >> Okay. >> So like you know like it was supposed to be at the senior center. So, I think it's mostly just >> I'm in another meeting now. If you go to the TV, you you'll see there's a town council meeting. >> Okay. >> Hey, Mike. >> Hold on. Can you hear Can you hear me? >> Yeah. >> Okay, I'm here. Can you hear me? >> I can. >> Okay, sure. I'll >> you can get to him to say that he can mute his mic to us that would be helpful. >> Yeah. Perfect. >> Um but Mike make sure you invite us to this meeting on Zoom >>
086and then on Saturday also. >> Yes. Send it to the all the board of ed members you know. >> Absolutely. No absolutely that's what that's how it has to happen. Anything else? Um yes, I attended the wonderful with and I believe you were there also, Kim, on February 27th at Fitch High School. Um there was another wonderful community and it was meal and it was all soups and salads. It was phenomen >> and we also >> the culinary students at Fitch had the most delicious carrot cakes, all different varieties. It was amazing, even gluten-free. So, we have to have Mike mute his um his mic. >> I know. I know. I'm We're trying. >> Oh, okay. Um I just had questions about the budgets from people distance learning, you know. I mean, I think everything's
087in flux. I'm sure Graten's going to do a great job. And I would love to be able to, you know, I try to click on to see some of this what was going on, but unless you have a child in the classroom, you really can't. Um, so I wasn't I don't know quite how to do that. Like if, let's say, if I wanted to see what's going on in kindergarten, it seems that you had to have um a child in the classroom and then you were invited. So for board members, I was just, you know, I wish there was a way we can do that. So maybe you can just tell Susan or Mike that. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Jay, you said you had >> Yes. I don't know if we can do
088this or not. I was just I was going to request that we suspend the rules to add an agenda item just to express our appreciation to um or have Dr. Grineer express our our deep appreciation for the the efforts of of all the staff certified professional and all the other staff um as we work through this unprecedented change. I don't know if we can do that. >> Um I absolutely and I'm wondering maybe we should um have a board letter that goes out to the all district to say thank you um for the the incredible job. They've done it so well that we actually got recognized by a t um by a TV station. Right. >> Yes. In my >> Yeah. We didn't get to see it though. I didn't get to see it. >>
089No. Nor did I, but I heard about it. >> I think >> Go to YouTube. >> That's what I was going to do. Go to YouTube because I think it was pre preempted a little bit by the president's talk. >> Um Jim, >> yes, Jay. >> Um, so I also um have received questions. I guess there's concern out there that people are asking, have we closed the schools through the end of the year? And I I want to make sure they know that this vote did not close the schools. It changed the calendar. But I I you know, I think obviously we're committed to following scientific medical guidelines about whether or not we can reopen these buildings. Not any sort of political um influence. And we will do what the experts uh tell us to
090do. That may be that they reopen, it may not, but that that decision basically was not done tonight. Um, the other thing that I've had concerns about, I've had some parents who were not receiving all the updates from their schools and they discovered they were hearing Dr. Grineer's um, uh, pre-recorded messages, but for some reason weren't getting their principal's uh, pre-recorded messages. So, they may want to email uh, the school to make sure that their account is is receiving everybody's message. Also new um Jay um and and just a a point of conversation about that is that I know that there is a helpline for families around technology issues. Um so I do know that that is up in place and I would assume um it's on the it's on the district page, but I'll
091make sure that I I talk to um Mike about that that some parents, some families are not getting all the messages. >> Thank you. Yep. Liz, um, I wanted to say to tell you all that I don't remember if I told you, but we had two two groups that, um, were successful at, uh, regional history day. We were the last ones to be used until it went to a virtual contest. The state competition is now going to be completely virtual. Um, Jay, anybody wants to do it, Jay, thanks for judging, but um, they're looking for more judges. And then nationals is also going to be virtual. So I just wanted to give you an update about that. >> History day, right? >> Yeah, history day. >> And they have two groups. >> No, I just
092wanted the dates. >> Oh. Um, the dates for History Day are May 2nd. That's the state competition. And then they haven't announced the um the nationals yet, but it's usually around the 15th of June. If you're interested in going to um to judge atstates, you can go to www.historydayct.org. >> Okay. >> And very appreciative. And maybe we have that in board. I'm sorry. >> I I just said maybe we can um have that listed in board notes. You know what? We'll probably see that in the minutes. It'll be listed in the minutes. >> Thank you. Um anyone else that has something to share? >> All right. Jane, do you have something that you want to share? Yeah, just kudos to everyone, the board, um Dr. Ger, the teachers. Um I had an interesting conversation with
093our son last night about two granddaughters and what what is what is going on um in terms of a four-year-old and older child, etc. The just what we're talking about, but when we involve thoughts of real people, it changes the the scope of um just what they're living with these days. Um thanks so much to Susan, Dr. Dr. Geneer, all teachers, everyone in the Graten School community. Um the teachers are working very hard, parents are working very hard, and it it truly is an unusually wonderful um village that we live in >> here. Here, Kim. >> Yep. Question. I would like to pass along. uh parents in this district who teach in other districts are incredibly impressed with the fact that we were a little bit ahead of the curve and we're doing a f
094fabulous job according to these other parents who are also teachers elsewhere in getting this stuff done. So I'm hearing very positive things about the at home learning. Yay. Great. Anything else? All right. So, I'm going to move us on to I'm I'm I'm starting to get some buzziness from uh the mayor about going into the other Zoom meeting. Um but um we need to I want to be here um as long as we need to be here. Um so, future meeting dates. Whale. Um be prepared. I think we are going to try to meet on Monday um to um I think that we just have so much other stuff that's going on that we need to kind of have a conversation about. Um and it might mean that we are going to go into sort
095of um sort of like a non-meating like a negotiation meeting because there might be some contracts that we need to kind of talk about. So just um um be prepared to know that we're going to be um having thoughts about that um as well. Um and I any uh for agenda items um Jay I'm going to take um the Mike Zuba thing and we'll need to put that in the committee of the whole um once again this is I feel like this is such a fluid um uh piece right now um and so um I really do appreciate people's um patience as we try to sort of move um move forward on that. Any other things folks? >> Nope. Just thank you for everybody and for getting all this organized. Our technology department has been
096extremely helpful >> and very busy. >> Yes. And getting us all on board has been really a is just great. >> Right. >> And I hope everyone stays healthy and well. >> Thank you, Rita. >> Yeah. >> Um so hearing no other um topics, um I I will ask for a motion. Make I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> Can I have a second? >> I second. Liz, >> we have all of them, but it looks like everyone is in agreement to that. I don't know how you guys need to get on to Zoom. I don't. Um, so I apologize about that. Um, but I will download the app and then I think they were going to send us an email maybe. >> Okay. I don't know. But anyways guys, um, stay tuned and it
097was really good to see you. This is the most I've seen as many people as I had in about two weeks. So, it's good to see. >> Bye. >> Good to see you, too. Bye. >> Bye.