001Mhm. >> 26 Board of Ed meeting. We're going to start this meeting. We're going to call this meeting to order at 6:00 and start with the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. So, we We a big group of guests for the Board of Education meeting today to start off with a wonderful student presentation. Um we our guests are here from the Griswold um Elementary School, so I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Campbell to start the presentation. >> Uh good evening everyone. Uh John Gimble, principal at Griswold. We are really excited tonight to present uh something that our kindergarten team along with
002our technology integration specialist are doing. Um kindergarten is an amazing year of growth with our students. They come in at 5 years old and what we're expecting them to do is quite impressive. Um purposeful play is a really big part of it, but it's it's not just, you know, going out and playing. There's a reason and there's a lot that we have to do to get them to fifth grade and beyond. So we've got six really, really excited kindergarteners that are going to show some really cool stuff. Along with that, uh two of our kindergarten teachers, Mrs. Testro and Mr. Miller, are here. Our technology integration specialist, Ms. Sterrantino, is here and then our Dean of Students, Ms. Frob. Um I'm going to turn it over to our kindergarten team and they're going to talk
003to you more about what our kindergarteners are doing cuz they're quite impressive. >> Good evening. Thank you for having us today. Um while the focus of this presentation is on technology, specifically coding, we would like to share the impact of our approach that goes far beyond of what you'll see on the surface, especially for our kindergarten students. Um play-based learning, as Mr. Campbell shared, is a vital important part of our our academic day and um at this age learning is most meaningful when it's active, hands-on, and playful. And coding activities are designed as exploration and problem-solving games rather than the traditional technology games that your that students would play. Students build, they test ideas, and they learn through trial and discovery. This playful environment encourages curiosity and persistence, while allowing students to naturally develop the
004early computational skills. Although coding may appear to be a technology activity, it is also a powerful way to build collaboration, self-regulation, and critical thinking. Skills that we will support students throughout their learning journey. >> Because these activities are collaborative and hands-on, cooperation is essential. Students must communicate with one another, share materials, take turns, and work together to solve challenges. They practice listening to peers, negotiating solutions, and supporting one another when something doesn't work the first time. These experiences strengthen empathy, patience, and positive peer interactions. Skills that are critical at the kindergarten level and beyond. Coding tasks also build important executive functioning skills. Students learn to plan steps in order, focus their attention, remember directions, and adjust their thinking when a plan does not work. They practice flexible thinking, problem-solving, and perseverance as they debug and
005improve their solutions. These foundational skills support learning across all academic areas, and help students become more independent learners. >> So, in kindergarten, we start talking about what programming is and we talk about who's smarter, a computer or a person, and we go through that until they're in fifth grade because we want them to know that though it seems like computers are taking over and that they can do anything, it's the people behind it who program them. So, kids become programmers, they learn what a programmer is and how they're really the ones to write the instructions for the computer and what they're telling it to do is what the computer or the robot in some of our cases, you know, will actually do. We introduce the term coding and it's the language that kids use to
006program. But, with our kindergarteners, even in first grade and second grade, we don't start with an iPad app. We start with our bodies. So, in the beginning and the kids will demonstrate this to you, too. We play a game called code hopper where they literally put puzzle pieces down and we talk about how the order that all of this is done is so important and they program themselves. We then move on to another game. Oh, you can skip that one. Um, with a robot. And again, this is something that the kids have brought to show you, too, and how they can learn directionality and how they program the robot. Do you see you up there? Yeah. >> [laughter] >> How they would program the robot and it does what they teach them to do. And
007it's not just for the sake of um, programming, it's for lots of different skills. We eventually move on to two different apps, two different coding apps, but we haven't gotten there quite yet. And the reason why we do it is because there are so many benefits. So, we talked a lot about logical and comp- computational thinking and how breaking apart problems is so crucial. So, they take a big problem, how to get somewhere, how to get a truck somewhere, and break it up into pieces. Lots and lots of executive functioning skills, which the two prior teachers mentioned. We look for patterns. We talk about structural thinking. A lot of persistence and resilience is involved. When you program something, it doesn't always work the first time. Um we talk about algorithmic thinking. We talk about those
008soft skills, communications, working together, teamwork. And it's huge. So today we brought six kids with us and they are going to show you some of what they've learned. >> So working with the um the robots, I have three students from my class. We have Matthew with us today. You can come on up, Matthew. We have Hadley with us today. She's going to help out. And we have Liliana with us today. Thank you for coming to help out. >> And showcasing Code Hopper, we have Ava. Come on up, Ava. McKenna and Rowan. >> But they want you to help them, too. So we have um some robots which we'll put on tables. >> But some lucky few of you you can um code hop with the kids and build your own codes. So I hope you
009wore your sneakers. No, robots. >> You want me to do all three here or spread it out? >> Let's spread it out. These are yours that we Yes. >> This is going >> We have two, okay? So that you don't All right. So you want to start taking these apart? >> Yeah. >> All right. All right. You ready? >> I don't want to break this if this is yours. >> All right. >> Tell me how this is Oh, perfect. >> Yeah, there's a crew. There's room over here, too, if somebody wants >> Do you have someone? Can we work with you? We make one big one together. Can you say growing? Do you want to work in your own group, or do you want to join up with the girls? You know how to do
010it. Do you want to show them what to do? He can help you. >> Okay. >> What should we do first? >> Oh, that would be a good place to start. >> Yeah. Okay. >> All right. So if So if I put that there >> Mhm. >> And if I put that This is what I'm saying. If I put I would do it like >> Okay. Got it. >> So wave your arms times two. >> Okay. >> All right. Is there something on each side, or is it on one Secret. We didn't have them like that. That's always good. >> All right, my dear. >> Okay, my turn. You want to relax and I'll do it. Oh. First I do the code. Kick the legs. All right, just to be clear, the action the action
011Oh, yeah. And then I was going to ask >> Do you remember how it was >> So now you have to evolve. >> Miss Gina wants it to end early. >> No, no, I just I'm curious. How you redo that. >> She was It's only five times. >> I only saw You look like pretty close. >> Let's try it one more time. >> Oh, yeah, I do know. I like the three things. Let me try. I'll order one. I like it. You choose. I'm all in here. It doesn't matter, right? >> Can you do the transform and >> So around now, what are we doing? >> Well, I did it too far. Nice balance. >> So if we do three >> Oh, yep. I like you doing it. Yeah. >> No, I I think I
012think you left the lever on that. >> No. No, you're not supposed to be your nose. Yeah. But you Yeah, no, you did perfect. >> So now Rowan, you're >> You're a good teacher. >> You can go back and tell us we're doing it right now. >> I can make it and then >> You want to be the teacher now and tell All right. >> Gina's up first. >> guys are up first. >> Good? >> So, how do you know it was correct? Like, I just I'm not totally sure what I do here. >> So, how do we know what to do? >> So, I know you have to wave your arms, but I noticed you did it at a certain amount of time. >> Yeah. All right, can I start? Or do I need
013to step >> Now, is there anything that can be switched up? >> No. Yeah? >> [laughter] >> You did it. Great job. >> Oh, that's cool. >> So what's your favorite part of ice skating? Yeah, do you like the part where it's you your body's moving slowly or do you like when they do the spins? The body, yeah, me too. And it's fun cuz you can move all the time. Oh, is that your best one? Yeah. I love it. You got some dance moves. Yeah, dancing is so cool. Thanks so much for showing us your ice teacher. Wow. The drive adds >> I did. You weren't the only one. It's okay. You weren't the only one. It's okay. >> David. >> Uh so that's our presentation and hopefully you could see not only is it
014very fun and engaging. Our kindergarteners have learned a ton. They're really really fantastic at it and it does require a lot of complex thinking. Um did anyone have any questions for any of our kindergarteners that you didn't get to ask them? Which to do? What what of those events is your favorite one to do? Does anyone want to answer that? >> I like to do the code hopping one. >> I like to do um the code cars. >> I like to do the code cars. >> I like to do the code hopping as well. >> Can we give them a round of applause? You guys are fantastic. >> [applause] >> So before Yeah, before anyone leaves, I mean, I don't know if you smelled it as you were hopping around. Um, but just one more
015uh agenda item before we um move on, just a special recognition. Um, the month of March is the board member appreciation month. So, I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Bigney. >> Thank you. I just want to take a moment if we all could thank our Board of Ed members. All these are volunteer positions that sit in front of you. Without them, the school district could not be where it's at. They may they spend their time, they make decisions that help support the the district um from hiring a superintendent to the budget, the policies, and they keep the district going. So, it's all for volunteer. There's no monetary um reward that they get. Just just just just the fact of what they're putting their time back into the community. So, if we could have
016a round of applause for the Board of Ed. And seeing that it's Board of Ed appreciation, there are some cookies that you're welcome to have, but you're also welcome to a cupcake. If you'd like a cupcake, um please help yourself. And thank you to all of our K students for being here. It's a wonderful presentation. Thank you, Mr. Campbell. >> Yeah. So, we're going to take a short break so that board, you may also indulge in some sweets as well. Yeah. >> Please help yourself. >> Mhm. >> All right. Um just to notify you we're going to add an item to new business. So I'll add I'll need a motion later on in the meeting. Um moving on to reports and correspondence to the board. So we'll start with reports from board members. Any board
017members have anything to report out? I'll start although I saw a lot of familiar faces there. I think the majority of the board was there on Saturday. Uh went to go see the Frozen play which was absolutely spectacular. I was blown away. Every year I say I want to go and there's a conflict. Um now I'm really disappointed the other years that I had missed. Live band, I mean the program itself, it's like you're walking out of Broadway. Um, so I just want to say congratulations to all of the staff, um, you know, on stage, behind the scenes, um, the musicians. I It was spectacular. The talent is unbelievable. >> I I definitely I was there Saturday night and I was just so happy to see the, um, the amount of people that came out
018for the kids. It was really a great show. And, um, I'm going to continue to go to them. They're really they're awesome. It's It's such a It's an inexpensive night out and you get to see what the kids are doing and it's really really fun. And I love musical theater, so. Awesome. Great job. >> Well, I'm a huge fan, but you might have already guessed that. Um, but I you know, I said this at our Board of Finance meeting that was right before this. Um, we had some really incredible support from our community in Berlin. We wouldn't been able to do what we did without the sponsorships and the ads that, um, we got from parents and and businesses in town. So, um, you know, that's just really appreciated. >> Any other >> And all
019the past theater kids that still make it a point to go. I think, you know, my son unfortunately didn't his flight didn't land in time to make it to this this year's performance, but he he was, you know, really upset that he couldn't go. So, just the connection they still feel years after being in theater. I mean, that says something about the program, so. >> Great. Any other board members? All right. Going on to the report from the student representatives. >> All right. To start off, on February 26th, Berlin High School's DECA team attended the State Career Development Conference, an event that helps students develop both their career and leadership skills. The conference consisted of competition, networking, and overall community service. >> On March 18th, the distinguished members of the Rho Kappa National Honor Society
020will be celebrated during their induction ceremony. Among the honored students are those who exemplify excellence in the social studies field. Their dedication to scholarship and service has earned them a place in this esteemed society. Congratulations in advance to all the newly inducted members on this significant achievement. >> Also on March 18th, juniors will be taking the SAT. They have been preparing for this test in their respective English and math classes. Good luck to the juniors. >> This past weekend, the BHS Performing Arts Department put on their phenomenal rendition of Frozen. Besides it being an outstanding show, the musical aids in showcasing the diverse talents of all students at BHS. The tickets were nearly sold out demonstrating the students' and directors' effort. It also helps to raise money for the music scholarships as well as future
021educational trips and productions for students. >> After a win in the state championship, our Redcoats football team was honored with their rings. This is a great honor for Berlin High, and thank you to all who donated and showed up for the team. After the breakfast of champions on Saturday, the best football season in Redcoats history will come to an end. >> Along with football, all winter sports in Berlin are coming to an end to an end. Most recently, the Lady Redcoats basketball team fell to Notre Dame on Saturday. Our men's Redcoats basketball prevailed at Stonington, moving on to the next round of states tonight in Danbury. Berlin's um spring seasons will begin soon with baseball, softball, track, lacrosse, golf, and tennis. Go Redcoats. >> On Sunday, March 29th, the class of '26 will host Senior
022Feud, a game show style fundraiser to raise money for All Night Grad. Join us to watch teams of seniors face off in a fun filled showdown of quick thinking and big laughs. Tickets can be found online. And that concludes our presentation. Thank you so much. Um, and then moving on to committee reports. Now, ad hoc met prior to this meeting. Anything from ad hoc? To share? No. Okay. >> Couple things we're going to go over those, right? >> Yeah, curriculum was at beginning of the week. >> Yep. >> Or last week. >> Yep, and we'll we'll get into that. We're going to talk a little bit about the calendar and then also an additional textbook. >> Okay. And then Any other reports? Okay. Um, correspondence to the board. >> No correspondence received. >> Okay. So,
023next we'll move on to audience of citizens. You're encouraged to share your thoughts. And we're going to go ahead and move on to the consent agenda. Do I have a motion for consideration? >> I move to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> And second? >> I'll second. >> And all them all those in favor? >> I. All those opposed? All right, carries 7-0. All right. Adding No. Adding it now? Well, we have a couple of motions in between. For new business. >> You can add it now, we can do it at the first or we can put it in the middle, whatever you'd like. >> Okay. We'll just All right, so in the um, new business, it would be letter H. We're adding a retirement, Um, um, Denise Marshall. So, when that comes, I'll
024need a motion. But, you can add that to the agenda. Um, all right. So, for new business, adopted adopted 2026-2027 Board of Education budget update, Mr. Bigdaddy will report on the status of the adopted budget. >> At this time, um, we've presented to the Board of Finance. Um, Julie and I presented it to Ashley upstairs with all of you there. And now we had our meeting tonight with the Town Council and Board of Finance members. So, the budget moving forward, the next steps will be the town, um, either taking action. And at that point, it would be the maintaining it the same or reduction. They don't actually increase it at that point. So, that'll be the next step towards the budget before the referendum. Anyone? I mean, I could just note that there is, uh,
025the, you know, give the date here. We did publicize it in the letter. But, we do have, um, Sorry, let me get the date here. So, the annual town budget public hearing is the 31st. Um, and it it's at uh, McGee Auditorium. That's the That'll be the time for the, uh, presentation by the town and the Board of Ed to the entire public. >> Anything else? >> Nothing to add to that. And the ref- the referendum date is April 28th. >> Okay. Uh, moving on to the proposed school calendar 2027-2028, um, which you can find on Schoology. Um, Public Act 19-195 allows boards of education to establish a firm graduation date for students in grade 12 for that school year, which at the time of establishment um provides for at least 180 days of school
026in accordance to the public act Superintendent Begnal is recommending that the board set the date of the 2028 Berlin High School graduation for Friday, June 9th, 2028. So, do we have a motion? >> I'll move to adopt the 2027-28 Berlin Public Schools calendar as proposed and set the 2028 Berlin High School graduation date for Friday, June 9th, 2028. >> Okay, and do we have a second? >> I second. >> Perfect. And then, um all those in favor? >> I. >> Um anyone opposed? Vote carries. >> Well, >> Oh, sorry. Oh, I am so sorry. Man, I just want this meeting to be over. No, that's fine. Open Yep, go ahead. Open to discussion. >> Uh meetings ago, we had um some families come in to talk about the Muslim holidays, especially the Eid holidays. Um
027and I just I I just wanted to say that I would support that. I I think, you know, they took the time to come in, talked very um about some very important points that they made. I understand that by doing that, it opens us up to other other holidays, but I think we should at least think about, um and I'm sure you have, but think about those holidays, um as uh being pretty um important to put in the calendar. Or at least one of them. >> Do Yeah, no, go ahead, from our curriculum. >> about >> what we talked about at the curriculum committee the other night cuz I do agree with Jen. I mean I really would love to find a path to yes on this. It was challenging and or I'm not sure
028if it's there. So I mean I'm hoping that maybe as a board we can think and see if there's anything we haven't considered and it's not just necessarily for Eid, it's for, you know, trying to consider any anybody who wants to observe a holiday and how can we make that a little bit easier for them. Um so we did kind of go back through the calendar and again we're just specifically talking about 27, 28. We looked at our professional development days cuz those are the days that we'd have flexibility and they I think they're all maybe one anchored in something. >> Yes. >> Yeah, so like in other words we have two on the April 25th, April May 23rd. Those are for referendum first referendum and then if needs be second referendum and we, you
029know, went there because we got caught not doing the second referendum one year. Not caught but it it didn't work out for people. Um we have, oh gosh, the election day is November 2nd and that's that's something and then the only other one is Friday, December 3rd and I don't think that was anchored in anything other than just kind of spreading it out in a nice 3-day weekend and towards Christmas or what have you. So um having said that that was one of the challenges was trying to think about where would we create this additional day. And again would love to if anybody has any other ideas or thoughts about where that could maybe happen and be considered, I would love to have that conversation cuz again I would love to try to make that
030happen for all the special observances days as much as possible. But having said that the second tier part of that conversation and is that an agenda item was really >> is but it I mean it does it does relate to but we would have to go to a vote first. >> So it's okay. >> I mean we can it's in the same topic. >> So I'll talk about it in theory at least. So like so the idea was one of the things we talked about is if we can't give these days and a lot of the things we heard from the audience of citizens that day is how much stress it creates for the students to want to get their work done while they're trying to celebrate the holiday and their family and their religious
031observances observances, but was to try as minimize or actually eliminate any need for assignments to be done or due during that time period. And so, we did talk about it in this and the school is going or the you know, the Board of Ed is going to really pay a little bit more attention to make sure that people recognize the observances of the holidays. There is the second sheet that was on the agenda. It's a nice big sheet that Cara's now holding up to really remind all the teachers of these dates and try to plan around those so that, you know, the students on the excused absence days also aren't worrying about for their religious observances aren't worrying about getting school work done. So, if I misstated any of that, Jamie's not here to tell
032me, so. Okay. >> Yeah. But, I do want to point out our list. And if you look at our list, it's quite extensive. And and to be honest, my family is both Christian and Jewish. And so, we have to make accommodations like if I would miss I would have almost um I wouldn't be able to go to school or work or anything because when I start to look at all the different holidays that I have to recognize, that adds up to be extensive. And and since the schools really are separation of church and state, it it should just we're not recognizing any particular religion. We have spring break. We have winter break. Um and when we I I know we can't keep track of demographics, but the reality is when we start to look at
033who's calling out how often for certain religious the percentages are low. And so, when we start making accommodations for one religion, you get better believe you better make it for everybody else and it's not to be we want to be able to help people and that's why we have this list here so that people can recognize, okay, this might be coming up. But when we start taking days off for one, we it only makes sense that you start taking off for everybody else. That's my only concern. >> So my concern is also we you know, we made exceptions for the voting days um and and to put that above something like religion, I think is is it's an interesting twist. I mean these students I think about it as if it was my holiday and
034if I if I didn't get it off or my family didn't get it off and um and I just want to be sensitive to that to to students who yes, we make accommodations. I don't know what those would look like, but you also have to think about the stress that if you know, they're in classes that even if there are exemptions from taking a test the next day, they're still thinking about that test as they're trying to celebrate with their family. >> You know, I definitely I understand it because like Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, we have to fast. There's all of those things that go into it, but knowing that it's on the calendar, my kids know they have to make the accommodations necessary to be able um to deal with the fact that society
035isn't necessarily religious and and so that's why when we're looking at this, when we're looking at the special observance days, we're just bringing it to attention to the teachers to say, "Hey, look, if you're going to have a test, maybe have it before they're going to have this holiday so the kids don't stress out." So, I mean, I appreciate that. That helps the teachers, it helps the students, it helps people to be um it to acknowledge the different religions that are out there, but I I don't know. I think you're opening a box where like once you say yes to one, you have to say yes to all cuz then you're not being fair to all concerned. >> And also on that topic, we were also we have all received an email about Veterans Day
036as well. So now that also opens up the Veterans Day as well. >> And just to go back to the referendum. >> Cuz I just remember the discussion before. Um and our schools are used for voting sites. Our schools are elementary schools. So I think the major driver around not having school those days was safety. Even though that there was police presence, that's a lot of people going in and out of the building. >> I'm sorry. >> Yeah. >> Um I was going to say in regards to like >> As you said, um if we accept one, we have to accept everything. I would suggest that rather than doing it all at once, like cuz I think that's what was being suggested. Like maybe like if we take one day off, we might have to
037take the whole list all those days off. I was going to say like as year by year, we can slowly take it off as we accommodate for other things. Um it would be easier in that sense. Rather than just taking it all at once and trying to adjust one year specifically, we could slowly start off with like taking one holiday off, then the next, then the others. >> So just for clarification, these religious observances, these days are the teachers are aware that these days are coming up. So these students are not It's not an excused absence. Is that Is that correct? >> It is an excused absence. So I'm I'm not sure what the what the issue is then. If they're getting an excused absence and we're still observing their holiday, why why are we
038having this discussion? >> Christmas Eve. I might not like that because I celebrate Christmas, and so I might not like having to work on Christmas Eve. Even though, like when I had other jobs, I worked on Christmas Eve. >> But they're But they're able to be absent. >> Correct, but it's >> Right. >> the work. Even when they're absent. >> Right, but they would >> They're excused and we're asking teachers not to assess during that time, but instruction will still take place. So, they would miss the instruction for that day and have to learn on their own. That That's That's That's the issue. >> fair I think that's a pretty fair deal. I mean, to give them an excused absence and I mean, yes, there there's still instruction going on, so there the stress of
039them missing that, but they're not getting counted as being absent, which is pretty fair. No, I I don't know. >> I don't know if this is >> dental or not, but one of the e-days does fall on a half day, a professional development day, and that still gives students an opportunity to be at school and other students who might be celebrating the opportunity to miss less instruction. You're not going to hold a test on a half day, but teachers get the professional development and the remainder of students will be in school and you're not missing as much instruction time. So, that might have been almost a lucky coincidence, but it definitely is something. And the other day is on a weekend in this calendar, so that is just something to keep in mind. >> I
040did notice that e-days fall on a weekend for one of them, so I wasn't sure. >> It seems like the dates aren't consistent, like they're not always the same day every year, so I wasn't I was going to ask if it falls on a weekend every year, but I did look and next year it does not. So, or this year it doesn't and next year it does, one of the two. >> Both. Yeah. >> calendar, um it goes back like 10 days. So, that's why the dates um like fluctuate um like this year it started off um February 20-something. Or like um that year it was like March 20th, while last year it was like 10 days before. Um in that sense. And then when it comes to like the instructions and stuff, um personally,
041I try not to skip school because obviously you miss instruction. Um 2 weeks ago I was like sick, so I did miss a day. And so because of that, I did the teacher can't change their instruction schedule based off of one student. They have to account for no matter how much effort they put, they have to account for everyone in the class, which is obviously reasonable. And therefore therefore I miss a very important topic, and I was very struggling for the next 2 days. And previously in like the past couple of years, even though when it comes to Eid and I've missed that day, um even though teachers tried their best, they can't change their whole schedule curriculum around one student or two students. So, therefore it's like the next couple of days I'm struggling
042trying to wrap up cuz I do take honors classes, and it's hard to make sure that I'm um caught up on schedule with all my classes that I missed that day alongside the next day's classes. So, it's more of um the struggling of it, and it's like I'm thinking about how I'm going to schedule my time throughout the day when I'm with my family, and it just it's kind of hard to do so when I'm supposed to be just celebrating. >> The major driver in the conversation with the curriculum was that list is going to be more prominent for teachers to review to be able to obviously not be able to change all instruction, but to kind of relieve some of those stresses definitely during those times of the year so that you don't and
043the other students don't feel Yeah, missed time understandably is missed time in in some way, shape, or form has to make it up or you kind of catch up in a way. Um So, going back to the motion Gina then Okay, and then um we'll go into a vote. Oh, yep, absolutely. >> So, we did reach out to everyone in under to see what their The majority of schools do not offer the majority of the holidays, the the major holidays in each religion. Because we did ask each of them, you know, what do you We looked pulled up all their calendars. Doesn't mean it's right. It's just I'm just talking about what practice is in um districts similar to ours. >> Say the consideration after the families and students came to speak, it was listened
044to, it was thought out. Um it might not have the ideal solution, but we're driving towards some sort of common ground solution in an effort to um you know, honor. Anyone else have anything to >> Um list of of holidays and observances is there that it probably will impact projects and you know, the due dates for projects and any assessment kind of things, but it's very difficult to, as you mentioned, change a whole schedule around based on the fact that it's a holiday. And so, that's a difficult thing for teachers to do because a lot of times it's um you want all of the everything to follow in a certain order, so that's difficult and I know was a conscious student when I was, I hated being out, too. And having to miss something, so
045I know that that's a tough um decision for families to have to make to choose whether or not they they come to school on their holiday or not. So, I think it's something to consider. >> Yeah, can I just sum up the I I everything Melissa said I agree with in committee we we talked about this and you know, we brought it tonight. We wanted to give it its its proper and I wish there was a way I could figure this out um and I just don't know what it is, but we thought it was important to bring it up because and it's not just Eid, it's any it is all the holidays. I would we'd love to do that and I don't know what that would ever look like in the future, but again,
046I thought it was important to really demonstrate that we we heard they were heard and we really want to do this, but I just not sure I want to do this. I'm just not sure how to do it, so. >> Is is there a way that with with regard to instruction, I know that when you're you know, when you're not here, obviously you're not getting the instruction. Is there a way to get that beforehand? I know that still gives you that on your mind while you're celebrating with your family, but if you had a teacher give you a heads up as to what they were going to do the next day that you're going to be absent, would that help, too, or would that just make it worse for you? >> That is a solution
047that I have tried in in past, like going like maybe like a week or a couple of days before cuz usually um I try to not have excess work the week of. And so I try to go like at the end of the previous week or like beginning of that week. Um but most of time teachers don't maybe have that schedule entirely like ready yet or it's more of like a group thing where um it's also like curriculum based. And it's like teachers who can they always give it. They're very understanding of that. And I do greatly appreciate it as does the rest of the community. Um it's just that again there's things that they can't do in regards like they don't have the entire schedule packed because obviously with like a week you can't
048tell what's going to happen in a week. So it's very hard for them to like I guess have a clear schedule. So with that I guess most of time they don't have the schedule and then also in regards to like group projects and group curriculum. Yeah. Um I remember last year cuz my sister was a senior um her finals became like on the day of Eid. And so what happened with her is that she missed the prayer. She missed going to her friend's house. She could barely come to our cousin's house and like stayed for like 30 20 minutes before we had to go back home. So it's like she wasn't able to celebrate and she was very disappointed about it. But it was what school required so. >> And I I hear you about
049you know the the third group of schools but I think it would be great to see us as we pride ourselves in being an inclusive um to be a leader in this. >> Anyone else would like to add? Okay. So um we already had the motion um second by our first by Gina, second by Christina. Um open it up to a vote. All in favor? >> I. >> Just hold it. I. Any opposed? Okay. So, carries 6-1. And in kind of continuation, um the once again you saw in Schoology including special observant days with the school calendars and we touched upon it already. Um I'll do a motion and then we can go into any further discussion. Do I have a motion? >> I move to adopt the 2020 What? Got the wrong thing. >>
050Yep. >> Move to approve adding special observance days as proposed to school calendars as a second page beginning with the 2026-2027 school calendar. >> All right. Anyone second? >> I'll second. >> Okay. And then open for discussion. >> I mean, I think we kind of covered it, but >> Yeah. So, um just to add from before. So, the observant days were always at the bottom right corner of the calendar, which is like a tiny little paragraph in the smallest possible font. Yeah, and not every abbreviated because or else the calendar would be on two pages. Um so, the the full list is the one on Schoology and that's the one that would be presented to all the staff, be have access on our website, um in more prominent. >> If it's a hard If it's
051a hard copy, it'll be on the back of the calendar. If it's digital, it'll be two pages. You'll have the calendar and then have that full page. >> Okay. Any further discussion? All right. So, all those in favor? I. Anyone opposed? Great. Vote carries. 7-0. And then we're going to turn it over to um Ashley Dorsey for the facilities up. >> Okay. It's a short one. Um the bid work for the BHS flooring project is still in progress. Uh since our last meeting, Katie and I met with the architect and the designer for a product and color selection for the flooring. Uh we selected VCT tile in a similar color palette. Pull testing for that product will start this week. There are four areas throughout the building that have been identified for testing, and that
052basically involves removing the existing flooring, um preparing the surface, laying down the new floor, and seeing just how it takes with um the new material and the vapor barrier. Um that test is going to take about a week. The Town Council approved the bid for the architectural design for the McGee Science Labs on Tuesday, February 17th. The next stop for this project is the Board of Finance at their meeting tomorrow, March 10th. The town requested a transfer for $27,765 to the PBC account to cover the cost of the contract. The value of the contract is $120,340, uh which includes a 10% contingency. Peten- uh pending the approval of the Board of Finance, the contract will be executed by the town in the following weeks. The Griswold asbestos abatement started today during the second shift and
053will continue through Friday, March 27th. The contract uh the contract will the contractor will abate two classrooms a night. During that time, persons under the age of 18 will not be permitted in the building. Conversations regarding the anticipated electrical shutdown have also begun. This summer Griswold will will be without power for approximately 4 weeks. They will complete the electrical upgrades that are required for the HVAC project. Uh we met with the electrical contractors last week to identify critical areas that will require generator powers. Uh summer staff will be relocated during the shutdown. Schedules and locations will be determined at a later later date. And site work for the chiller pads will also restart in the next couple weeks as the weather starts to change over. The Hubbard HVA HVAC project is also still moving forward.
054The contractor remains primarily in the hallways and storage areas. However, they are expected to transition into the classrooms in the next couple weeks. Site work for the exterior chiller pads are also expected to start in the upcoming weeks as the weather changes. And that's all I have. >> All right, and the next one is the policy review and revision with ad hoc meeting. Previously, this is just a first reading. There is no Yeah, vote. >> So, the two policies you have in front of you that we've reviewed them, they're the first reading. Uh if you look at the first one, it really was a change in the board policy and procedures of line item transfers. They've repealed that. So, now we're going back to adjusting a policy back to the way it was prior to
055when the state mandated the change. And the second one is really just uh requiring um ongoing annual training and continuing education for all school nutrition program directors, managers, staff to meet and exceed the education and training hours established by the USDA professional standards for regular requirements. Really saying that we have to make sure that our staff is trained and has the latest knowledge of what the USDA is requiring. So, those are the two policies we have that are really just to align with um state policies. >> And those will follow up with a second reading at um a future meeting. Uh moving on to textbook recommendation for adoption with Wit & Wisdom. So, we have Lori Gerpin and Cara Watson to >> I'm just up here for moral support. >> Yes, this is Lori. >>
056She cuz I've never talked about reading curriculum before. >> I know how she's feeling, so. So, just very briefly going over this, most of you have been part of this journey with us. Um we had a legislation that we had to adapt certain program from kindergarten to third grade. We did that and we're in the process of doing that right now. Um and those are the the resources that we're using uh listed at the bottom. Wit Wisdom from Great Minds, phonics training from Sadlier, and Heggerty um for our phonemic awareness. So, this is the part just as a reminder, that top part is the language comprehension and the bottom part is the word recognition. So, the word recognition are um the pieces that go along with phonics and phonemic awareness, how do we read, like
057getting kids to read. The top part is reading to learn, right? So, we want all everyone to be able to read something and figure out what we should do with that. So, those that rope together makes a skilled reader. And when we teach, that's how we kind of make that progression. We start with the letter sound until we're up to where um kids can comprehend what they're reading. And so, we're recommending since right now we're using um K to 3 that we now move on to add grade 4. Although it's not something that the state is requiring us to do, it would be better for kids to have that continuous curriculum as they go through the elementary school. So I can imagine that next year we would probably talk to be talking about grade 5.
058And so it's really about getting kids to read really tough books. And so we talked about this a lot with the reading teachers. It's so nice to see all kids talking about the same topic. You know, so uh third grade, one of their topics is um What's one of them? One Oh, the ocean. And so everyone's talking about the ocean and they're talking about and then they're doing the sky and observations that they're talking about Galileo and all kinds of things um that are going on. And it really is a nice way to build um a community within a classroom when they have that. It's also that they're learning a lot. It's so funny to hear little kids talk about topics that you and I probably have to research on and I'm not saying anything
059negative to anyone, but it's just all of those details that are in there. It includes art and music and and one of the reading teachers said she thought look the kids looking at art was going to be a disaster. And she said those kids were just amazing when they look at the art and what they're able to talk about with the art. And I know that when we had our training, that was the one that we as adults were all like we don't know what we're supposed to say when we're looking at the art. Like what's right and what's wrong. Um And then the structure really pulls in a lot of different books. In K-3, there's also what they call Geodes, and so we have those. Those are small books. Um small group books that
060they use. And then, we do learn how to write. They would write narrative, they write informative, argumentative. They have grammar lessons. So, all of that is incorporated into um Wit & Wisdom. And so, grade four, these are the topics that they would be doing. So, A Great Heart is just such a cute um module. It has them figuratively looking at the heart. So, you know, there's a book called I Love My Dog. And so, that's there. And then, they also have um what does the heart do physically for us? So, it incorporates both of those in there as they go through that. Um Redcoats Are Coming is a unit that they already teach. So, that's just a transfer into that. Extreme settings are um tornadoes and all of those lovely kinds of things, which goes
061along with a weather unit that they have in science. And Myth Making is something that would be new for them, which is exciting as well. Any questions? Or anyone on the committee want to talk about anything that we brought up when we met? >> One of the things that I found um wonderful is that the kids are no matter what level they're at, they're all starting at this high level to be able to learn. And it really gives them an opportunity uh to be able to discuss the information, so everybody feels connected. They're learning, they're growing, so they're being challenged. And then, they they work their way down as they need scaffolding or supports. And so, especially since they're already doing it up to third grade, to continue it is just more support for these
062students. Um I thought it would be a great thing to be able to continue, to be able to help these students grow. Because we know that if they don't learn to be able to read and to write by grade three, they're going to struggle. So, this if they see that students are struggling, this system is going to be able to continue to support them so that they can reach those goals. >> Oh, yes. >> If that is anything anybody would need in order to feel like they can vote on this, but we got to read memos created at the take a look at them and and they're pretty interesting. You should check them out on the way out even if we do vote, so. >> And the one thing I would add as Lori pointed
063out with the modules at each grade level, there are strong connections to our science and social studies work, which the day is very busy and we find that sometimes those go a little bit to the wayside. So, as the teachers get more confident, students have more exposure, we're hoping to be able to more intentionally connect some of our other science and social studies work into what's happening in literacy to make it more meaningful on that end, too, so. Just natural connections. >> Questions? All right. Do I have a motion for consideration? >> I move to adopt the textbook Wit & Wisdom by various authors and published by Great Minds. >> I'll second. >> All right. So, Brian and second by Jen. Going into a vote. All those in favor? I. Anyone opposed? All right, vote
064carries 7 0. Um and then this is our retirement of Denise Marshall. Oh. Oh, I thought you were adding something else. Okay. So >> They're running away. >> I know. Um do I have a motion? >> I'd like to make a motion to approve retirement of >> Denise Marshall effective July 1st, thanking her thanking of her service to Berlin schools and wish her the best in her retirement. >> And do I have a second? >> I'll second that. >> All right. And any um anything we want to add? I mean, I'll add as both of my kids um have had the pleasure of um working with Mrs. Marshall um and just being in the library and you know, being invited in the classroom as well. Um spectacular experience. I know my son was always super
065excited to be there early so he could switch out his book prior to having library at the end of the week. Um so just a great bond um that my stu- my kids have made with her and I wish her the best. >> We also had Mrs. Marshall and Mrs. Marshall for several years. Um she's done fantastic in the library. We're definitely going to miss her. Um I love how she really knows what each of the kids enjoy and she's very good at guiding them in a direction if um they're falling off of whatever they're currently reading. Um she does very well at redirecting them. Um and my daughter has one more year there and we have some more coming through. So we're really going to miss her. We wish her the best. >> All
066right. So we'll go for a vote. All those in favor? >> I. Anyone opposed? All right, vote carries 7-0. Um we will also have to um have someone make a motion to go into enter executive session inviting um Mr. Bidigny. >> I move that we move to executive session inviting Superintendent Brian Bidigny for further discussion. >> All right. Seconded by Jen. All those in favor? >> Aye. All right. Vote carries 7-0. And we're going to stay here? >> It's going to be a little warm there, but it should take no more than 5 minutes. >> All right. So, we are entering executive session at 7:16.