001Good evening and welcome to our work session business meeting of October 9th, 2025. >> Hello. Hello. >> Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance 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. >> Welcome everybody to fall. Have your jackets on tonight. Um, I'm going to open it up to public comment on any of the listed agenda items. Uh, not seeing anybody waiting to speak, I'm going to move to the consent agenda. Mr. Oliverio, >> resolve to approve the consent agenda items 2 through 10 is presented to the board at this meeting. >> Second, questions or comments. >> Good evening. >> Hi. >> Morning. Is that on? Can you begin by introducing yourself,
002please? >> Hi, I'm Warie Bolino. I'm the district clerk. >> It's not on. Is it? Is it on, Dan? >> Is it on, Dan? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> The consent agenda tonight includes approval of the previous meeting minutes. We're approving additional or unpaid hours for two staff members. We're approving additions to the 2526 clubs and adviserss. That would be car k Carrie Carol who's the co-advisor for the high school freshman foundations program an updated 2526 substitute listing cseps placements amending the resolution for the driver education classroom teacher rate to pay approving a contract change order proposal from field turf USA which was referencing a chain link fence and gate amending inservice credits for two staff members and approving the contract with blue path service dogs for mason >> thank Thank you. Uh any question
003other questions or comments from the board? All in favor? >> Opposed? Abstensions. The resolutions pass. >> We are going to move into the presentations and we are going to begin with middle school opening of school from the middle school. >> So we'd like to invite up Mr. Travis McCarti and Miss Jamie Zucker. Welcome. [Applause] All right. Good evening everyone. My name is Travis Mccardi and I have the privilege of being the principal of Pine Valley Middle School and I'm here with my assistant principal, Miss Jamie Zea. And I'd like to welcome you all to our middle school opening of schools for our school year. And um as Dr. Lu had mentioned in previous uh meetings, our focus this year is on resilience. So, we're going to talk a little bit about resilience throughout our presentation
004this evening. So, we're going to start off with um some fresh faces in the building and some veteran uh students amongst our school. So, we always like to post some photos of our first day of school. As you can see, uh, we have a few students up here who range from 8th grade all the way down to fifth grade and some siblings as well as they walk into the building. So, always those first day photos are great to see. Um, kids coming off backpacks, uh, coming off buses with their backpacks and, um, very smiling and ready to go and learn about our building and explore the many choices that they have of our middle school. So before we get into the new school year, we always like to review a little bit about last school
005year and there are a number of events that occur. Some that are annual, some that were new to last year. So uh we have our student government elections. Um our main stages game show presentation which is highlighted up here in the corner. Um they were actually here today as well for our middle schoolers. Our fifth and sixth had an assembly along with our seventh and eighth. We had our middle school drama last year, School of Rock, which actually had four shows over the course of the weekend, the most we've ever done in one, uh, weekend event and it was well attended on all four days. um our student staff. Uh volleyball game and Olympics always something that our eighth grade students look forward to. Uh especially with our volleyball games and the Olympics involving all
006of our students in grades 5 through 8. Our band and chorus concerts of course uh the Halloween bash which will be coming up uh very soon in a couple weeks probably three weeks or so. Uh we had our spring fling, our art, music, tech, and talent show. Extremely well attended. Um thank you to our PTA uh with our minute to win it event at the end of the school year. Parent workshops put on by our school counselors. Uh our career fair, which continues to grow, extremely well attended. And you'll see uh a photo here of our students um at one of the booths. That's actually Mr. Polo and uh he talked about being a real estate agent um right there. And we had our National Junior Honor Society induction, of course, our moving up ceremony
007and a number of trips that continue to grow. Um at our middle school, um we did have our sixth graders already attend our TOEC um trip. We had our trip to Lake Compounds and Washington DC for our eighth graders. Last year was a first for us for seventh grade with Extreme Play Adventure Park. Our sixth graders went to Town Park and Medieval Times, fifth grade to bounce. And then we have our music events, additional music events, our junior high all county, seventh and eighth grade band and chorus students. Elementary all county which includes our fifth and sixth grade band and chorus students. NISMA Solo Festival Band and Chorus uh students in grades five through eight. And last year, this was pretty cool, our eighth grade band students were able to perform and go to Six
008Flags in New Jersey. Um, thank you to Mr. Soprano for putting that together and our education foundation for helping to fund that event. I hope our eighth graders get an opportunity to do that again this year. And you're going to hear more about um our international baloria middle years program, but we are now an IB world school uh that offers the middle years program. We were authorized in June of and this was quite a process. Um, I'm gonna let Miss Tracala talk more to this, but it's very exciting as a step in the right direction with our authorization and then eventually down the line, um, they will come in and review our progress. So, I did want to look back on our New York State assessments and our scores. I know Dr. Vodesta spoke a
009little bit about elementary scores and in doing so she compared Putham Valley to Putnham Northern Westchester Boseies Boseies as well as Southern Boseies. So I figured I'd do the same. So here you can see our ELA scores from last June. And you'll see if you look in these green boxes um our fifth grade was in the 69th percentile. Um Putin Northern Westchester was at the 63rd percentile and Southern Boseies at 72%. Sixth grade uh at 82% and what I mean by proficiency those that scored levels three and four um so they were at 82% uh northern Westchester Boseies at 55% and Southern Boseies at 64%. seventh grade uh at 65%. Putner northern west sister Boseies at 55% and uh southern Boseies at 65%. And finally 8th grade at 68% Pudner northern Westchester Boseis at 60%
010and um southern Boseies at 68%. So I kind of have this as Dr. Podesta showed it in chart form. Um, so you can see here visually where we are compared. So this would be Putinham Valley here and this is 5 6 7 8. This is northern Westchester Boseies. Um, and that's schools in the northern Westchester Boseies. And this is southern uh Boseies. So, um, as you can see, you compare the red to the red to the red, the yellow, the green, and the blue across the board. And then we jump to math. Um, in looking at our fifth grade math, we were in the 70th percentile. um Putin, Northern Westchester schools in the 61st percentile and then Southern at the 70th percentile. Sixth grade we have here at 86 percentile. Uh we have Northern at
01160 percentile and then Southern at 67. We have seventh grade at the 73rd percentile. We have uh Northern at 65th percentile and then Southern at 71st percentile. And then in eighth grade math, and I'll talk more about this, we were in the 53rd percentile. Uh Northern Westchester at 58th percentile and then Southern at 60th percentile. But please keep in mind our algebra 1 students do not take the algebra uh the eighth grade math assessment. So, our 52 students actually had a 100% passing rate with our class average of 84.4. So, I have to tell you, there two sections of math here. Um, and our teacher, Miss Mave, did a tremendous job in preparing our students. Again, 100% passing rate with a class average of 84% is outstanding. So if you also look at these numbers,
012this will show you in fifth grade, we had 118 students take that exam, 84 uh in sixth, 90 in seventh, and only 43 students in 8th grade, which um is a small number. And here we just wanted to show again you compare the red to the red these columns. sixth grade continues um to show that strength in math. Um and you compare those columns and then green and blue. So I just wanted to break it down. I know it's a little bit boring talking about numbers, but I wanted to give you the numbers so that you could compare the charts along the way as well. And of course, we don't just offer ELA math, but we also have the science state assessment in the middle school. So, we have our numbers here for science as
013well. And our fifth graders take this exam. And just to give you a little bit of background information, this measures um the acquisition of science in grades three, four, and five. So, our third graders um continue to grow into fourth graders, continue to grow into fifth graders, and then they take a culminating exam in fifth grade at the end of fifth grade. So this measures their acquisition of science knowledge from grades 3, four and five. Um so showing you the numbers here. Um in grade five 113 students took the exam and our proficiency was at 52%. Now Putnham Northern Westchester Bosey's proficiency was at 51%. And then Southern was at 63%. And when we look at eighth grade, please keep in mind this measures the growth of our sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. So the
014acquisition of science in those three grades. Um 87 students took that exam in as eighth graders and we had 62% proficiency, 53% northern Westchester Bose schools and then 60% in Southern. And this is just of our a few of our students. um working on science activities to start the school year and this shows you in chart form or graph form I should say. So when we talk about resiliency and taking a look at data and how we grow from results um we constantly reflect as um our IB model shows um we take risks and we reflect on the choices that we make and we always are open-minded to change. So in ELA um some of the materials that we use in addition to um professional development uh opportunities that are offered monthly um we have
015our ready workbook materials, our worldly wise for vocabulary and then alignment through department meetings. One of the unique features of the middle school that a lot of people don't know is our teams meet every day. So our grade level uh teams in fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade meet for 40 minutes together every day. And that's by content areas as teams. The math department uh teachers can work on math. The ELA department uh teachers work on ELA, science on science, and math on math. And um Miss Zea and I get the opportunity to come in once a week and we're kind of on a 3-week cycle when we come in for professional meetings. We talk about calendar events, we touch base with teams, we talk about um concerns that they might have, uh some initiatives
016that are coming up. And then we come in the next week and we talk about data and we look at our I Ready data. We took a take a look at our student test scores. Um and then we have um what's called student conversation meetings with our clinicians where we focus on our students and their social emotional needs as well as their academic needs. So we are constantly in touch with our teachers um through administration and clinical meetings as well. In the area of math, we are now using Eureka math in grades 5 through 8 and we've seen some growth um in our math scores, not just through Eureka math, but through the skills of our math teachers and the hard work that they're doing. And then we use EMath in our math 7A and
017our algebra 1 uh curriculum. And then of course, as I spoke, um alignment through those department meetings. Oops. And then with social studies, um, Miss Zea and I have actually, um, started to talk about writing expectations and curriculum AC across content areas and mirroring those same expectations that we have in ELA classes, in our social studies classes, um, as well as in our science classes. And I didn't want to skip out on science. We've used science 21 now for a number of years. Um we are finding that um as a supplementary piece science 21 is great um but we also added this year something called measuring up in fifth grade which provides more um graphs and charts and data. So our students are looking at that and then coming up with a claim and supporting
018it. So, um we're looking forward to seeing how measuring up um aligns to our New York State um science assessments and it was actually good feedback from our department which is why we went in that direction. And then of course I didn't want to leave out world language um with our SOMOS curriculum in seventh day and eighth grade and our Vamos curriculum in sixth grade. And of course, um, being that we have a small world language department, our two teachers actually mirror one another, um, day by day. And now I'm going to transition to Miss Zea, who's going to talk a little bit about our 2025 2026 school year. And if you take a look at the happy faces up there, um, actually all these photos are taken from our website under our Google Slides
019right on our homepage. So, what I really love about this, and I'll talk about it at the end, is you can see a timeline of events for our whole year just by clicking on that Google Photos page. And I know I talk year after year after year, but here's some of our students out on our brand new turf. How beautiful did that come out? um our students here in our performing arts center on our opening day community meeting. Um here's one of our students at TOEC um that our sixth grade went to. And uh these are some opening week get to know you activities, more of our um community meeting photos. And uh this is a picture from one of our fifth grade classes. So, I'll turn it over to uh Miss Zea, who's going
020to talk a little bit about a successful opening. >> Good evening everyone. So, so far we've had a really successful opening. Um, and I just wanted to say that the best thing about working with our middle schoolers is watching their evolution from being 9 to 10 year olds. Um, and really on their journey to 13, 14 year olds. It is an incredible journey. Um they learn a lot. Um and part of what we do is support our students and I will say that we have so many adults who are here. Um and when I say here in our building um that support our kids and they nurture them along their journey. So these are some of the events that we've had um thus far. Um part of our yearly meet is with fifth grade parents.
021We want to make sure that they feel comfortable um with their student coming into our building and we do an orientation. Um we definitely have the staggered start so that fifth and sixth graders can come into the building first. It is a big step for sixth graders to come into the building and learn their locker combinations. Um we've already had our Washington DC parent info night. And of course we've kicked off our first grade level with going to toec. There is one difference with TOEC this year. Um I've written for the same grants for the past three years and that came out of building steering and I've had lots of help from teachers and from parents writing the grant. Um this year the major difference was they wouldn't cover the cost of their lunch. So
022we have an awesome kitchen staff who literally when um parents got their forms they were able to pick the lunch that their child wanted to eat that day and our kitchen staff was able to accommodate all of our kids in that way. Um this year uh they do have a new program for sixth grade which is forest ecology which is a little bit different um than what the other students are doing. Um and fifth, 7th and eighth at this point for the past three years have been the same um events. And the nice thing about it is kids can go from fifth grade through eighth grade and not do the same program over and over again and still have that same enjoyment that they do when they're at COC. So we look forward to continuing
023a relationship with them. I'll continually looking for grants monies to make sure that they're funded. Um, and I look forward to looking at the pictures and hearing all the feedback that students have when they come back from TOEC. Um, we've also had our two back to school nights and similar to the staggered start, we had a fifth grade um, sixth grade night and we had a seventh grade eighth grade night. So some of the people who support our students on a daily basis in classrooms and also individually are our clinical staff. One of the models that we use with our school counselors is called the ASCA which is the American School Counselor Association. They have a framework that kind of guides the work that our school counselors do with our students. And we use a
024program called Character Strong, which is the program where when our guidance counselors are working with kids, they specifically pick out um topics to work with our students, things like social emotional intelligence, self-awareness, how to relationship build, how to work through relationships and friendships, um and to really talk about their overall well-being. This year our model looks a little bit different in um fifth and sixth grade. So for our fifth grade, we're still using our SEAL class as an encore. So every six weeks um our students switch in their encourse and one of the selections is the SEAL and they still focus on all of those things um that our school counselors focus on. They still um they can modify topics based on things that are going on with our students, but it is more of
025a school counselor running that six-week program, which is a little bit different than our sixth grade model this year, which is innovation and design. Through that lens, we're looking at not only meeting some of our IB expectations, but also social emotional learning. So, it's kind of like a combo of both. Um, and we have staff that are really encouraging some creativity and critical thinking skills as well as hands-on projects and collaboration. Sixth grade um, for our model does a lot of collaborative work, learning about communication, how to work well with others. So, here are some of the highlights for seventh and eighth grade because we never want to make sure or we actually do want to make sure that we don't drop anybody. We want to make sure everyone feels like they're supported. We want
026to make sure that everyone's touching base with our school counselors. And as our students get older, the model changes a little bit. Sometimes it is counselors going into the classroom and talking with our students whole class on specific topics, but we also have nice rotation where students are able to work in small groups in groups of four or five and our counselors are kind of talking with them one-on-one um for high school. But the group dynamic is really awesome for our students because they're hearing from others. They're still building those collaborative and communicative skills. Um, and our guidance counselors run them through different scenarios, different topics. Um, and one topic that will always come up during is empathy and how we recognize empathy, how we build empathy with one another. Um, and how our students
027build empathy. And from our fifth grade to our eighth grade transition, you do see that process changing. So we want to make sure that not only are they communicative, but that empathy is also built as well. Okay. So I'm going to turn it back over to Mr. McCarti um because we have some special guest stars here. Thank you, Miss Seka. Um, so we did, um, we know that every year we talk a little bit about that transition to middle school. Um, so we thought it would be a a wonderful opportunity this school year to invite some of our fifth graders who have been in school for about 6 weeks to talk about their new experiences in the middle school and what it was like transitioning from the elementary school and weighing some of those differences.
028And they're not going to speak just on behalf of what has gone well thus far, but some of the challenges that they see as well. And then at the other end, we've invited some of our eighth graders um to share some advice that they would give our fifth graders. So, our fifth graders are coming through for four years. Our eighth graders are in their last year of middle school and they're going to give some advice to our fifth graders and of course the rest of our building on their journey. So, I do want to start off with Michael Denulo. Michael, come on up. Okay. So, I've learned that the middle school is different from the elementary school because you get to walk by yourself and the food is way better. Um, one goal I have
029for myself in middle school is to be better at science and learn the way around the building. The subject I'm enjoying most so far is social studies because I love to learn about the world. And the subject ch that challenged me the most so far is is math because we're learning a lot at one time. And one thing I want to keep working on is getting better grade getting a better grade in science and learning more songs in band. [Applause] By the way, I did not ask Michael to put that Aaron Judge up there, but that is near and dear to my heart. Thank you, Michael. Tremendous. Um, I don't know who we're rooting for now that the Yankees lost, but uh, any other team will be okay. Uh, at this time, I would like
030to invite up Celeste Leate. Come on up, Celeste. I have learned that middle school is different from elementary school because you change classrooms and there is a bell. One goal that I have for myself in middle school is to do my homework early then I can play with my friends. The subject that I enjoy the most so far is chorus because I love to sing. The subject that challenged me the most is science because you have to do tests in the end of the year. One thing I keep working is typing stories because I want to become an author for my hobby so I can write horror stories. [Applause] >> Next up we have Sophia Castro. Come on up, Sophia. I have learned that middle school is different from elementary school because they have bells
031for periods and have vending machines. One goal that I have for myself in middle school is to work on math and reading. The subject I'm going to the subject I'm enjoying the most so far is chorus and band because I love music and love playing instruments. It's my favorite thing to do when I'm bored. The subject that challenged me the most is science because when we're learning because we're learning new things this year. One thing I want to keep working on is ELA because I'm a little stuck on vocabulary and reading. [Applause] Thank you, Sophia. And by the way, she's extremely creative um in textiles and design. I got to see some of her products so far and they are outstanding. So, I'm hopeful that those uh some of these fifth graders are really enjoying
032textiles and design as well. Next up, we're going to jump to our eighth grade and we're going to start off with Aaron Killian. Come on up, Aaron. [Music] Hi, my name is Aaron Killian. One goal I have for this school year is to get higher honor roll for each quarter. Um, honestly, middle school has taught me like to be careful who you trust because it's a really like it's an age where people you can't you don't know who you are yet. Like, it's very difficult. Um, honestly, if I could go back and give my fifth grade self advice, I would say don't worry about like little things you can't control. like it doesn't matter that much. Honestly, the best part of my middle school experience was the people I met along the way who make
033my life just like so much better. Like honestly, I think P PVMS means like much more than me than I thought it like really would. That's it. >> Thank you, Aaron. Next up, we have Sophia Kennedy. Come on up, Sophia. [Applause] Hello, my name is Sophia Kennedy and one goal I have for school this year is to make high honor role. Middle school has taught me to be responsible and have accountability. If I could go back and give my fifth grade self advice, I would say to listen to your teachers and have fun. The best part of middle school, my best part of middle school experience was making all of my friends. Pave means to me a kind, open armed community that I feel safe and comfortable in and where I can express myself and
034make new friends. [Applause] >> Thank you, Sophia. And next we have James Curran. Come on up, James. Hello, I'm J. Hello, I'm James Curran. I'm in the eighth grade. Uh, one goal I have for this year is to get student of the month. The middle school has taught me to be more efficient while doing my work. If I was to give my fifth grade self advice, it would be to get to get less mad at myself if I get a question wrong and more focused on what I did wrong so I could do it better. Sorry. Uh, the best part of the middle school experience was making new friends and learning from others. PV means to me a good spot to make new friends and a good place to learn. The teachers here are great.
035[Music] >> Thank you, James. And next up, we have Leia Kron. Come on up, Leia. One goal I have for this school year is achieving high honor roll for every quarter. Middle school taught me that you have to be careful about who you open up to. Not everyone is this as they seem on the inside. And realizing that usually takes some time. Keep your true friends close because you'll need them. If I could go back and give my fifth grade self advice, I would say take advantage of your free time, but still rest when you need to. Don't wait until the last moment to finish work, but your schedule will also get more packed with time. Just set aside time for work and stick with that time. So any fifth graders, if you have a
036packed schedule like me, please relax, but just also please do your work as well. The best part of my middle school experience was receiving a test back and getting a good score, especially if that was a test I had to study for. I get home late on most nights, so knowing that staying up late for studying was worth it eases some of my pain. PB means more to me than I ever thought it would when I first walk through the doors to this step of my life. I've made friends here that I will keep and remember forever. And I've learned a lot through experiences, some good and some bad. What I've learned will stay with me, as will memories from this chapter that will soon be my past. [Applause] >> Thank you, Leia. And by
037the way, congratulations. Leia is our eighth grade class president as well. Well, and Travis, before you go on, thank you to the students for coming and to you for inviting them. It is so important for us to hear your voices and to hear your advice. Most of that advice, things that I could use. So, it's not it's not just for fifth graders or eighth graders. So, thank you so much for coming and we appreciate your sharing with us. Well, thank you. >> Thank you. And by the way, it takes a lot of courage to come up at this mic and speak to the community and the public. And I say this every year. Um, they're voices of angels. When our children speak and we listen and we take their feedback, it's vital. And they have
038so much to say. I mean, if you go around the lunchroom and you speak to them, you walk into an academic study, you walk into a classroom, they are focused and they also ask you the most unique questions and they have some of the most unique thoughts that you'll ever hear. So, we really appreciate their voice and continue to make an impact on the world around you. We greatly appreciate it and thank you. So, at this time, I know this came up a little bit about uh middle school communication. So, I did want to speak to the broader community about some of the things we do at the middle school to get the word out. And I say this every year and I want to thank the board for their feedback and I want to
039thank the community for their feedback. But one of the areas that we did change this year was our fifth grade orientation. It was something that um in the past had started on our staggered start day um which was the first day of school for fifth and sixth graders. We were able to move that to the um week before school to hopefully get more parents out in the evening and to give parents that had elementary school children as well as middle school children an opportunity to see their children get on the buses that first day. So that change came from the community and we were able to communicate that and it was very well attended and actually based on our first building steering meeting we've even received more feedback about that fifth grade orientation. So more
040to come in the future for sure. Um but some of the ways that we communicate and I say this year after year I spend a lot of time writing our weekly um I'm sorry our monthly um communication. I usually call the one that's out right now is called our October newsletter. Um, one will come out November 1st, which is our November newsletter. And in that newsletter, I not only send it as a connected message to all of you, but we put it on our website. So, there's important dates of events that um occur that month as well as some of the topics that we'd like families to address with their children and for the community to hear what we're addressing in school with their children as well. So, please, and I say this year after
041year, read it. Read what we put out. I know Dr. Podesta puts out a weekly preview. We put out a monthly communication. um that is right on our website. In addition to that, if you look up here on the right hand side, that's on our homepage. So, you'll see um as Michael said, we have our middle school lunch menu for October. Don't get me wrong, the middle school lunch is the best in the community. It's the best out of all three schools. I say this over and over again. Grace, our cook, is phenomenal, and our middle schoolers will tell you that. So, there is our lunch menu. There's our bus routes. Here's our supply lists. Washington DC, where's my eighth graders? We have around 55 students going. We want 110 students to go. So, please
042contact me if you need support with finances or other questions that you have. We'd love to see double the number that we have thus far. Um, we have our middle year's program presentation. We have our community meeting information, our bell schedule, letter day schedule, that's always a big question, club information, uh media out uh opt out form, and we also have our daily announcements that are posted as well. So, please know that you can check and see our daily announcements right on our website by just a click away. I talked a little bit about our Google Photos page. Please click on it and see your children. You get to see them in their uh middle school environment. And of course, our Connect Ed emails that continue to go out throughout the week. The feedback from
043the community was actually a little different than we initially thought. We thought sending things out in the evening when it's a little quieter for families to read would be the best, but we actually heard that families wanted those communications to go out earlier in the day so that they could call the middle school if they had any further questions. So, we've tried to make them a little bit earlier. Um, but you'll see them come out at random points of the day. So, please, the number one rule is >> read them. building steering. What a tremendous turnout we had for our October 7th meeting. There were about 20 people in the room and our conversation thus far has been around the format of our back to school nights um as well as our fifth grade orientation.
044And then of course kind of a a dialect between how families question uh teachers and how teachers can question families and have that open dialogue back and forth. So more to come on that topic. Some of the past topics have been IB policies to trips schedules and one that we haven't talked about in a while is one book one school. Um and we have a tremendous uh library media specialist in Mrs. Hotberg who uh spends a lot of time in classrooms around the building. So I wanted to update you a little bit on communication. The next and this is fresh off the press like I said. Um a big congratulations to the following. Um Leia Kron as our eighth grade class president. Andrew Cross as our vice president. Our representatives seventh grade Adam Deino. sixth
045grade Ryan Bird and Connor Keeler and fifth grade James Delico and Avery Pinatello. And please, we encourage more and more to join our student council. You don't have to have won a seat to join and stay with student council, but uh Miss Diaz and Miss Turner actually have meetings every Wednesday. Um, and I know it's not always easy to get up in the mornings and get there at 7:00 a.m., but our students are there. It's outstanding. And one of the first events that they're preparing for is our Halloween bash. And for those that ran for positions, I heard a lot of really neat ideas to expand on our um, Halloween bash. I actually heard something about a haunted house idea this year, which I thought was unique. And then of course we have our food
046and clothing drive, spring fling talent art and tech show. Um our monthly dress themes which we're trying to start up soon and uh those meetings are on Wednesdays. And here's just a group photo, an early group photo of our student council. And here's our um election uh posters that were around the building. They are so creative. In fact, one of our students this year had a light around their poster that blinked so that it actually drew your attention to their uh poster, which I thought was pretty neat. So, some of the continued opportunities of the middle school. Um I know that our high school ran their blood drive today. the middle school. We're bringing back our blood drive after quite a few years and it is going to be um studentdriven um which uh is
047one of our goals with IB um and our students will be uh encouraging family members and community members to donate and they will be volunteering their time on Monday, November 3rd. Um, we also have our uh weekly and and dress themes, our student of the month breakfast which is coming up next week. Clubs have started. What a great turnout we've seen thus far from our clubs. Some in the morning, most in the afternoon after school. And of course, sports. You wouldn't know this, but we actually have some middle schoolers who play on varsity sports, which is outstanding. Um, so we have a lot of great athletes in our community. In fact, I just came from a modified volleyball game. Um, and I think Miss Anderson had shared with me our volley girls volleyball team is
048undefeated like the last four years. So, they're looking to keep their streak alive. Very competitive volleyball team. So, again, I want to talk a little bit about numbers. Um, I know we talk about class sizes decreasing, but we're actually growing in the middle school a little bit. So, uh, we went back all the way to 2122, but I'm not going to go and talk about all these numbers. I just want to talk about the 25 26 school year. Um, we had a big fifth grade come over. Uh, we have six sections with 131 students. And I say it's a minus 8 change because the fifth grade the year before was at 139. But don't get me wrong, they went from 139 to 136. So they only lost three kids um that probably moved um and
049some probably came in, but it kind of balances out. So this year's fifth grade is at 131 with six sections. This year's sixth grade is at 136 with six sections. And what I mean by sections is six classes across the grade level. Um, which is actually three pods. And then our smallest group in the middle school, and I'm really hopeful they get up to 100 by the time they move up to 9th grade, but they're currently at 94. Um and we are actually at four sections in seventh grade and then we have um up to 109 students in our eighth grade and that's at five sections. So if you look here last year we had 450 students in the building. This year we have 470 students in the building which is a growth of 20
050students. So if you look way back here to 2122 there were 491 went down to 479 big jump down to 439 then we're slowly growing again 450 470 with that growth of uh 20 and at this point I would like to invite up Miss Tracala who is one of our IB uh middle program coordinators. Um, and Mary Kay Cohen couldn't be here with us this evening, but Stephanie will speak on behalf of both. They've done tremendous work with our teachers and our students. Thank you. >> I need a PhD. >> I'm just going to go with that. So, I have a tough act to follow with those students. Um, but I'm going to do my best to wow you with our middle years program. So, um, I am Stephanie Trala. I have the pleasure of
051working with Mary Kay. Cohen, my partner in crime. Um, my left hand or my right hand on any given day. Um, with regards to what we're going to talk about or what I will talk about this evening is where we were, where we're going. Um, and also show you a little bit of what's going on in our classrooms with our program. So looking back at last year um in September we launched ourformational NYP IB website. Um we have updated it with videos um showcasing some of the work that's done in the classroom. Um it's for all of our families and community members to learn more about the program. Um what is my? Well, it's for all. Um back in October of last year, Mary Kay and I had the opportunity to go to Mystic Connecticut
052um for the Gibbs conference. The Gibbs is the guild um for the Northeast schools. Um, we had an opportunity to connect with other coordinators, teachers, and learn about the program and how it works for us in Putham Valley. In December, we submitted our application for authorization, and right then and there, it just basically went in pretty like fast speed. Um, January, we received our feedback. Um, with regards to our authorization application in April, um, our visitors came to visit. It was over the course of two days where they met with teachers, they met with myself and Mary Kay, our administrator, they met with board members, they met with parents, and they even met with students. They were in and out of the classrooms. And in June, we received word that we are finally an IB
053world school offering the middle years program to all. Um, also in June, um, I think this was with the work of Jackie Lavine, um, teachers had the opportunity to go locally instead of flying to Florida or flying across the country to um, Colorado, but rather just go to Putnham Northern Westchester Boseies and receive training in creating authentic units um, in mathematics, I'm sorry, not mathematics, ELA and social studies. So it was right in our backyard where we were able to offer training to our teachers and allow them and afford them that opportunity to go as well. So looking forward um this year our goal is to create an additional NYP unit in the eight different subject groups. Um we're also going to work on focusing on assessment, not only addressing the objectives and the strands,
054but assessing them through authentic summitive tasks. We're also rolling out our community project to our eighth grade year three students. And what does that look like? Well, Miranda Hawkberg has been appointed our community project coordinator. She is our library media specialist. Um she actually last year did get trained up in Boston um on the community project and she has also worked with um one of the well the library media specialist and coordinator in Srmers. Um so she's been doing a lot of work um inside and outside of um the classroom. In fact, in a couple of weeks, she will be moving into the INS classes um social studies to introduce the program. Um what's going to happen is the students will learn about how they're going to be investigating, planning, taking action, and then also
055reflecting on their projects. the projects. Um, with regards to them, the students are expected to complete or work 15 hours on these projects. Um, they will be in groups of three to five students. They will utilize some of their time in INS, but then also some of the time will have to um happen outside of school um or even in the school day. We have our academic um study period um which will be a great time for students to also work on those projects. Um we are looking for teachers um to also be supervisors for those groups. Um so we will have teachers that will act as supervisors for a group of um 10 to 12 students. So um to now show you a little bit of what's going on in our classrooms. Um so
056our fifth graders since my is for all and our fifth graders would be considered not necessarily part of the program they are very much part of the program. Um, our fifth graders work really hard with the learner profile. This past month, um, the month of September, they learned about principled. Um, they read the book, The Empty Pot, and did different activities discussing what it means to be principled and were reflective on when they too had been um when they too had been principled. Um, so they made connections with the characters in the story. They just they discussed the importance of being principled. And now we move into October and our next um learner profile attribute and also the different activities they will do with that. So here is and let's see if it'll work. Fingers
057crossed. It is um in the arts. This is an actual interdisciplinary unit um that Miss Gazola created. Uh it is incorporating design and the arts. Um the statement of inquiry that the students studied throughout their unit was our perspective shapes our stories and storytelling methods. The summit of task that they had to um complete was to create a stop motion animation film with a story that contains a beginning, middle, and end. The movie should be short. It needs to be a narrative and utilize various techniques to animate 2D and 3D figures. Um the students were assessed in three of the strands. Investigating, developing, and creating a performance. In this case, a small film in math. There we go. Um the students in Miss Mafe, um Miss Babalo, and Miss Mch's class, um they studied the
058statement of inquiry, which is a change in form can artistically reshape space. So even though this wasn't an interdisciplinary unit, it actually is because they incorporated the arts into their mathematics class. Um the summitive task that the students were asked um to create at the end of their unit was to create a beautiful piece of wrapping paper um using transformations. So they had to use their knowledge of translations, reflections, rotations and dilations. They had to use these transformations to make their design look balanced and interesting. And balance is actually one of our learner profile attributes. Um they also had to explain the math behind their thinking behind their design and how the transformations work together. So through this the students were assessed in their understanding of mathematical terms, how well they communicated that and then
059also how they applied those skills to real life contexts. You said all those terms so well, one might think you're certified in math. >> I might be one of my many, many, you know, jack of all trades, master of most, um, is what I like to say. So, um, my is truly for all students and at the middle school, um, the teachers have done an outstanding job, um, making this all happen. Um, we really would not be where we are if it wasn't due to their hard work. Um the staff and the teachers are absolutely outstanding and I really see great things coming our way at Putham Valley Middle School. So um if any of them are watching, thank you for all that you did last year to make this dream a reality. Um it
060really is their hard work that made this truly possible. So and that is what moving on. >> Thank you. I know that uh Stephanie and Mary Kay don't always like to recognize themselves for their hard work as well, but I have to tell you being the teacher leaders that they are, they go into our team meetings weekly and work with our teachers. Um and I know how difficult that can be from a leadership perspective at times and they do a tremendous job in bringing um items back to us as administration some of the challenges that might exist and then we come together to brainstorm solutions and uh uh a big round of applause for Mary Kay and Stephanie for all the work that they do and like in [Music] Sorry, I think the mic was
061giving some back feed. Um, like in all organizations, I do want to recognize all of our teachers and our staff. Just like Stephanie mentioned, they've done a tremendous amount of work in creating their IB units over the past few years and they continue to grow those units and as she mentioned, they're now working on assessments and our community project and we're continuing to grow those and that's no easy feat. But the one commonality that we have at the middle school is a common language moving forward, a common structure, and a common format for all. And as she stated, it's for all students, and it's for all of our teachers. There's no one content area that weighs more than any other. It's balanced across the board. And that's super important to remember. And thank you. Thank
062you to all. I did want to highlight our website again. Um being that uh people talked a little bit about communication. When you click on our middle school site, um here it talks a little bit about our school student parent resources, staff directory, our support team, which does a tremendous amount of work um with our clinicians, our school psychologist, social worker, school counselors, and supporting our students. Here's the whole um site on the middleear's program and then of course notices and right below this you'll see a couple of pictures and then below that you'll see the Google photos and then below that you'll see my October newsletter. So again, please refer back to that website um to answer any of the questions you might have as well. And the last part, um, and these are
063a few photos from TOEC, um, from our sixth graders who visited this year. And by the way, you would have no idea what an impact this has on our kids unless you see it in pictures. I mean, it's one thing to be able to sit here and say our kids went to TOEC. It's another to see their experience through the photos. And, uh, it was a tremendous opportunity for our sixth graders so far. Um, our fifth, seventh, and eighth graders will be going soon. But, uh, at this point, does our board have any questions with regard to the information that we've posted and shared. >> Very good presentation. I I I do have something for Miss Za if you could come up. You would ask for a map and I chronicled I did get a
064map that's 22 years old put out by our Putinham Valley Business Association which no longer exists. >> Now it also has the history of our town. All the advertisers at the time from 2004 2004 and the whole map of Putnham Valley at the time. Most of those businesses have long since disappeared unfortunately. Uh but it's a nostalgic piece. And now >> good luck with that. >> Right. And >> thank you. Thank you, Sam. >> Travis, I I I do have one question on the science results. Now, this is a a fairly new program, isn't it? And and the exam >> it is. >> Could you talk a little bit about the history of that? >> Sure. Um so quite a few years ago New York State uh had shared with us that um they released
065a whole bunch of standards with regards to science and they said that the assessment was coming in a few years and then it got delayed and it got delayed and it got delayed. So it was like we were addressing these standards but we didn't have an assessment right >> to be able to kind of work off of. So last year um was our second year of the assessment. So this year coming up will be our third year. And now they've released some of the questions. And again, it's always about aligning to what the assessment is going to look like. Exactly. >> And and if you hit on the standards, our students will do well. And one of the things that our teachers preach often is think like a scientist. And I love that line because
066the kids basically need to look at um the data in front of them and observe and then come up with claims and support it in a sense. Um and I know Miss Boss is here um who does a lot of work with the science in the elementary school and again it takes a village right um and these children come up to the middle school and continue that experience but yes it is new it's only we only have two years worth of results and as you can see compared to this region in a sense we're right along the lines of how the region is doing. Um, again, there's always room for growth, but um, we'll get there over time. And again, our teachers are doing a tremendous amount of work and a great job with these
067investigations that were new. We're learning as we go with the materials that are used. We're using some companies, then we get our own materials. We find that are better in some cases. So, um, over time we grow and improve and our kids are getting better and better. >> I I I don't understand the logic of the state. assigning a course with a an amorphous assessment floating in some outer space area. How can you base a program when you don't even know what the expectations are going to be from the state of New York? It it it makes me crazy. >> Well, and the thing that I um struggle with sometimes is our students are taking this assessment computer-based. And when I think of science, I think hands-on. >> There you go. I think it's important
068to look at data, but I also think it's important to get your hands dirty, to get out into nature, to look, yes, to look at the data. Um, and I know there's got to be efficient ways to assess, but again, um, it is so important to have those labs and those investigations now. Yeah. Um, and when you walk into our science classrooms, you see our kids engaged, collaborating, working together, hands-on, and that's what science is to me. And then we're assessing them over a computer. >> I agree. I agree. Good. Thank you. Thank you. >> Absolutely, Sam. Travis, just to the science. Um, I'm I'm hoping because I know the fifth grade teachers, if they're building on the elementary school work, there has to be deliberate coordination between the elementary. It can't just be I
069I don't know kind of haphazard because those scores will directly depend on the work that was done at the elementary level. Um, the other question I had was I think you had like 80 some students taking the science assessment out of a class of 10 and something like do they also have I know math has an an alternative for kids that are taking algebra but does science have or >> there used to be science? >> Um, they do not have an alternative but um with any New York State assessment there is the opportunity to refuse. That's right. >> So there there is some sort of refusal rate, but with that class of 87, the entire class was 110. So we're not far off. Um >> yeah, but I'd hate to think that 30 kids didn't
070even challenge themselves to take the exam. So >> maybe we need to do some >> PR or something around, you know, challenging yourself to take an exam even if it's hard. >> Absolutely. Otherwise, we it's hard to know how successful our program is if we have students that are not participating in the test. >> Agreed. We've actually seen less and less students refuse assessments. >> I feel like that trend is moving in a positive direction. We've had more kids take um New York State assessments than we've seen um in the past. At one point, we had upwards of 30% >> refusal rates. We're way down to like I don't want to make up a number, but we're either in the teens or we're at like 10%. >> Okay, that's good. Okay, thank you. >> Um,
071thank you to the kids, the students, um, you Jamie and yourself for presenting. Appreciate it. A couple questions. First of all, would love to see a science fair in the middle school. Put putting that out there. So, um, with that, um, I'd love to I'd like I know that, um, Miss Livian's going to go through test results in detail in a couple meetings, but I'd love seeing the growth that's occurring at the middle school, but I have to call out the sixth grade because once again, they have stellar results and there has to be special sauce or best practices we can utilize there to carry out through the grades. >> So, about that. >> So, thank >> So, I do want to give you a little feedback on the science fair. So, I know Mr.
072Kala talked about uh Miss Hawkberg with the community project. Although the community project isn't necessarily fully just based on science, some of that work will be based on science. And with that um community project, there will be a fair for kids to present that work with inviting the community in to see that work that they do. So, I know that it's not based solely on just science, but there will be opportunity to present um that work and it'll be community project based. Um but again, I hear you about the community fair. We did um post it. Um we're working on getting advisors for that to happen. Um, we're hopeful to do something similar to what the elementary school does with the science research students coming over and working with middle schoolers. Um, much in the
073same way that they come over and work with the elementary school teachers. We actually drafted something up, had everything kind of laid out, and now we're working on finding the adviserss to make it happen. So, don't think it's not in the works. Working behind the scenes to try to encourage it to happen. >> Right. Thank give me a little bit of time. >> Yeah. And I just want to make sure I don't remember if I called you out. Stephanie, great job. And to the entire team that's working on the um MIP program. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> So for me, I think maybe an overarching theme for this evening, this presentation is leadership. And it takes tremendous um building leaders in order to make this all possible. And we had an opportunity to hear
074from Mr. Mccardi and Miss Zea. I think we heard from some of our outstanding teacher leaders. um hearing from Stephanie and obviously Mary Kay who can't be here but certainly deserves a great deal of congratulations for the work that was undone and then we heard from some of our student leaders right and leaders of tomorrow talking a little bit about their experience in fifth grade and their experience in eighth grade and I think you guys represented everyone who is not here this evening but still makes everything that we heard about this evening possible. So I did want to thank and congratulate you all. Um an outstanding job. Thank you. >> Yeah, very good. Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> I I do have just a couple of um items. First of all, I just
075want to thank you for uh listening to the feedback about the fifth grade orientation. Um also about the the feedback to the district that many have given around conflicts in different areas. We have gotten so much better at that. So, thank you to everybody who works on the district calendar to make sure that uh a person who has a kindergarten student and a fifth grade student can be at both really important first days. um and that not be uh something affected uh you know in in their lives. Um so thank you for that. I do think that one of the most significant transitions in the the prek to 12 career is that of going from elementary school to middle school. Um and having that orientation ahead of school beginning I think relieves a tremendous amount
076of anxiety for students and for parents. Um, and so I would encourage you to continue that theme if we can. I also want to mention that that was a significant topic at our steering committee. Um, so thank you so much. That was a wonderful turnout. Kudos to you for getting 20 people in the room for steering committee. That was just awesome. We had a lovely group of parents and and educators there. It was great. Um, and I'm look forwarding looking forward to more of those conversations. Um, I want to just tail back on what you said about the sixth grade. something is happening in sixth grade that is golden and that's super exciting because that means that we can hopefully replicate it. Now I don't know enough about the historical data to know if it
077is a cohort thing or if it is a an educator thing but according to what um I heard tonight it seems to be a pattern. And so um the other piece of that that I'd like to just talk about is the comparison charts. Thank you so much with the data um comparing our data to the surrounding areas. Um what I would say is that the elementary school is also seeing a tremendous amount of impact in that particular data set against uh surrounding districts. And what I would say is there's an opportunity here um to be able to intervisit one another. Um and I would love to see the district take advantage of that opportunity. uh inter intervisitation with those sixth grade teachers for the middle school and also inter visitation between elementary school teachers and
078middle school teachers to go to both, right? So that middle school teachers can see what's happening in elementary school and perhaps why um the scores at the elementary school are so incredibly outstanding, but also for elementary school teachers to see the expectations of middle school and what students are having to look forward to specifically as it relates to science. Because that science assessment, as you shared, is not just a fifth grade or an eighth grade assessment. It is multiple years of learning that is combined into one. And if we looked at the science test last year, specifically the fifth grade, it had many, many third grade concepts on it. And so, it's really important that that intervisitation be happening if it's not. Um, I don't think we necessarily celebrated the algebra students as much as
079we should have. 100% pass rate for those classes is absolutely outrageous and amazing and that deserves to be completely and totally shouted out especially because for most of them I think for all of them it's their first regions that is wonderful so I think that that deserves fireworks um uh and the only other thing that I would say regarding the communication piece is I think one of the challenges is probably that parents don't necessarily realize coming from the elementary school to middle school if it's their first rodeo in the middle school that the communication won't be weekly anymore. It'll be monthly. And so maybe that's something we can mention prior to the end of the elementary school year um before that transition so that they can just know it's going to be more information but
080fewer throughout the school year and this way they can just know like just look for that communication at the beginning of the month to know what's coming. So thank you for all the work that you've done. >> Can I just address one of your points? >> Yeah. >> I'll let Miss Zach address one of your points and then I'm going to address like three of them. >> Okay. Awesome. I'll be short and sweet. Hi. Um, so part of the work that I've been doing with our district K12 writing committee is just that. It's really looking at what are we doing at each level from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. And it's eye opening when you see the types of writing, the types of strategies that are being used in every single classroom, the
081kinds of tasks, the rubrics, how kids are producing. We're using models. We're growing it this year to include what does it look like for a brand new teacher to walk into any grade level. What are those tasks? What are the models? What should I expect from students? Um because I do think that the answers are here, right? We have tremendous staff. We have wonderful teachers. The answers are here. And I do think that with looking at it districtwide, it gives everyone an opportunity to truly understand where did our kids come from? Where are they going? Um we've had great conversations in the um K12 writing committee over the past two years that are eyeopening. It's no longer like a each building is siloed. It's how are we going to work together as a community to
082really foster this? And part of our conversations at the end of last year and the beginning of this year is what does that science test look like? What do those students need to do in order to pass that test? And some of it is legitimately writing non-fiction, writing for informational responses. What does it look like for the reader? Well, they need to dissect what those charts, what those graphs, those visuals look like and apply science, but it's a reading test. At the end of the day, our students are being asked to read and write in science. So with that in mind, our ELA teachers are kind of leading the charge in what does that look, what strategies do our kids need to access that information, to access that test. Um, and the benefit of being
083in elementary school is you're one person teaching all of those classes and you have complete control over the content. Um, it gets harder in middle school and high school because now we're departmentalized. fifth and sixth grade has the luxury of being the um science and math teacher or the um humanities teacher. Um but once we get from seventh grade, we really do need to rely on our other colleagues to kind of lead the charge in those areas. But again, they're reading and writing tests as even the math. It's reading what those graphs are saying and how I need to produce an answer and explain my answer. So we are trying to look a little bit deeper in what are those expectations and what is the common language happening in every single classroom so that we
084have kids transferring those skills so it's not just I'm doing this in ELA and the door closes or opens and that's it. It's really taking those pieces and going into every single classroom and every single task utilizing the same language and the same skill set. So it's happening. Um I think that it's been a a slow charge but we're building momentum. >> Yeah, absolutely. Thank you for that. And I think the power of looking at student work samples specifically in writing can go a really long way. It's a very high leverage move because writing is in every content area. >> Absolutely. Um and learning how to navigate different genres of writing for the audience that that you're looking to uh write to is really really important and I I can see that work 100% affecting
085what's happening in science and every other content. there for um I would say that intervisitation though when you have um a unique skill set within one particular grade level like it's undeniable what's happening in sixth grade and I do think that there is an extreme amount of power in teachers being able to go visit one another whether it's just through a partnership of you're my accountability partner I'm going to go see you and you're going to go see me um but you know in the city that that is that is the model is to be able to go and see labs site classrooms classrooms that have been trained classrooms that have been uh in full-blown um uh whether it's about a body of work, looking at a particular body of work or looking at >>
086classroom. Exactly. And so looking at those labsite classrooms can be really really very powerful because there's nothing like a teacher seeing another teacher teach. >> Um and and truthfully administrators really don't need to be part of it which is a wonderful thing. It's teachers growing other teachers which which really uh helps to increase the leadership in the school as Dr. Luff was mentioning. So I think it is a unique opportunity that we might have. Um I would ask everyone to try to just explore that. Um and I also think that building that bridge from elementary to middle school all the more can really help our students to have a little bit more of a smoother transition as they go from one school to the other from non-dep departmentalized to departmentalized for all of those reasons.
087Um so you know I look forward to hearing more about the writing work. I know that the MTSS work went really well last year. Um so thank you again for all that you're doing. Thanks for your feedback. >> I have one question for Jamie. Um you spoke about how it's a writing and reading which I absolutely agree. Um unfor and you have mentioned that science is really hands-on. I'm really concerned that um you know only 50% are passing. Um that's a low number. I don't care what the other districts are doing. It's a low number. Um, I think it's really important that they learn through like the ELA numbers are much better, but are they learn are they practicing taking science tests >> in ELA? They do see non-fiction text all the way through. I
088mean, it's literally from kindergarten through 12. Absolutely. Because reading is not just siloed to fiction. It's non-fiction as well. And what happens in literacy is in elementary school, most students are exposed to fiction specifically. And as we increase as adults readers, um, we're exposed to mostly non-fiction. So there is a transition to start to teach those non-fiction strategies. Um, but I will say I last year when Carrie Berdette presented, they were in non-fiction pieces. So it is happening. Um, I do think that, um, the science test is something that we're just we're really examining it and dissecting it and and really trying to understand what is the state asking our kids to do? um how do we help them answer those questions but not just answer questions on a test and be a good bubbler
089or a good sentence writer but where's the thinking right and what is the thinking that students need in order to answer any questions that they're being asked um so we are being reflective on what are those metacognitive skills our kids need in order to answer any question anywhere um for any genre >> okay >> I mean I think I that is all all of them um I I think it's great. I just think that unfortunately test taking is a part of our lives. You know, they take the SAT, you take the MAT, it's a skill. And um >> I just worry or not worry, it's not worrying. I just >> I I know that there's not that I don't know if there's enough practice and enough test taking strategies. >> And I don't know if
090they're learning it in the elementary school. I just like to see like >> it go from the elementary school up. Um >> yeah. >> So one of the things that I want to just share so that the community knows is that this science test is very different than the former one. Um the former one was more of a learn science facts, learn things about science and be able to regurgitate them. That this is no longer the test. The test is actually not drawing upon much of their knowledge of science. It's drawing upon their ability to critically think with science information given to them on the test. So they have to take this piece of information, this piece of information, and this piece of information, put it all together, and synthesize an idea that is supported
091by evidence from those pieces of information that we're given. And so it is no longer that recall information, science fact kind of, you know, test. To your point though, and just like we talk about with, you know, last night was back to school night at the high school and I heard a lot of teachers talking about um this is how we prepare your kids for the regents because at the end of the day they they need to pass that, right? Um and it is the re the reality is our teachers are phenomenal at being able to understand that yeah, they have to take that test, but building it in more to help the students understand how to do that while they're really teaching the content that they need to learn because it's about learning, not
092test taking, right? And so I think as we get better at learning the science exam that we'll be able to do that over time to embed test questions that look like the state exam in everyday instruction so that it's not just cramming them for test prep, but it's instead really teaching them to critically think over time. And I will say that our IB program will absolutely feed into that thinking um because it's all about critical thinking. So I think we're going to be in an okay place. And and Sasha, I also want you to know that no one has really passed this test well in the last two years that it has come out. >> I'm not trying to criticize and I I agree. I absolutely believe that critical thinking was obviously the more important
093thing. >> No one has. >> Yeah. >> Um but like in nursing school, which is science, that's how we tested. We just practiced and practiced and p practiced exams and that's what helps you pass the exams. So if we're not having science tests, >> Right. Well, right. And to your point, science 21 >> content, but maybe on non-fiction. >> The curriculum science 21 that we use um has projects at the end of um units that are graded based on a rubric, but it does not come with an actual full-blown assessment that will help them to practice that. So, that might have to be something to be thought about. I know certainly we're thinking about that in the >> I think too to Sam's point, um we've had this assessment for two years. >> Yeah. And
094I don't think any New York State assessment in their infancy had a tremendous amount of proficiency in the first couple years. Like the state didn't release a state test. >> Exactly. >> For the first change and 80% of the state was proficient. I think in I like if I look way back at our numbers, there were times where we changed from that recall assessment to synthesizing. And by the way, synthesizing is something that is also developmental over time. So I know we continue to think that as we push down the ability to synthesize, some kids aren't able to do that until certain ages developmentally. So being the fact that we've only had two New York State assessments in science, we're still learning as teachers because as Crystal had shared and Sam, those first few years,
095we didn't know what that assessment was going to look like. So we were just addressing standards the best way we could. Now that it's released, it makes it easier on us to know how to mirror what they're looking for. And at the end of the day, um, being good test takers is one piece, but also being a able to look at data and think critically and use that is so important. That's a life skill. So >> that's obviously >> we're growing. We're getting there for sure. >> The point you made, Travis, earlier about this hands-on, you know, getting the kids involved, doing the, you know, the investigations, that's the key to it, the assessment. And I've never been big on those and you know that Travis from way back when. Uh it's what they learn
096while doing that that couple hours of exam time. I don't think it measures much of anything quite frankly. >> And just to address um the question around sixth grade. Um, so some of you may or may not remember, it was a time ago, but um, I was a sixth grade humanities teacher and um, we are trying to leverage what sixth grade does well amongst our other grade levels and we have certain grade levels that share common time with sixth grade that we are leveraging. Uh Miss Zea and I are having departmental meetings monthly to share best practices. And to another point of intervisitation, this was actually a big topic for us already in September where we talked about having not only our new teachers um visit veteran teachers or teachers who have good practice in
097certain areas um but to work with their mentors and to work with uh departments to ask for that time to visit. And I always say you don't know what you don't know. So we as administrators can share with them this teacher has great classroom management skills. This teacher has great structure in their class. This teacher does a really nice job with exit tickets and entrance tickets. So what we do is we give those ideas to teachers through our observations and we give them opportunities to visit and we put subs in their spaces. So wonderful. Absolutely a tremendous practice that we're trying to leverage and also using some of what we have seen over time with sixth grade results. Actually, the sixth grade results are the best in the district. I know that for a fact
098cuz I look at all the data. Um, so what we're trying to do is leverage those best practices. And I will tell you one of the pieces is consistency >> and collaboration. Those are the two pieces that that grade level does very well and I think other grade levels are growing in those areas. Um and we're seeing growth in those other areas. But again, when you look at the results, >> it's you you see it, >> right? And just looking at the trajectory that our elementary students are on, >> if they are performing between 10 to 20% greater than PNW Bosey's district and lower Hudson districts, then that trajectory in theory should continue. Um our trajectory for the middle school right now is that they are in line with those other districts which is wonderful
099and it is very hard to be in line with lower Hudson Westchester um lower Westchester Boseies right because the districts are just distinct from Putnham Northern Westchester and we know that so that is already a wonderful achievement for our district to even be in line in that capacity. Um, but knowing the students and their capability that are coming up the way that they have been trained to engage in learning, we would hope that that trajectory would continue to see that 10 to 20% above those other districts. Um, and if that were not happening, which might be the case, we are not sure yet because they haven't gotten to the middle school yet. That's that's why I say there's a good opportunity there for for intervisitation um to see how that consistency can still live in
100the middle school even though they are departmentalized right um and I do think that a lot of it has to do with just like organization you know it might be the trapper keeper you know sixth grade rocks that trapper keeper so um you know who knows right but again the conversations but seeing it live is very different than having a conversation about it and I think there's gold there So, thank you so much for your leadership. Congratulations on your IB uh certification. >> And to your point as well with executive functioning skills, I do know uh >> Jackie Lavine's not here this evening, but we did bring in IDE this year. >> Yes. >> To work on a portal of executive functioning skills that our teachers are engaging with during our PD sessions once a
101month. So, we're not only working on IB work, but we're bringing those executive functioning strategies and skills into our classrooms as well, and they go hand in hand. Um, so >> wonderful. Thank you. >> Thank you all and thank you to our teachers and thank you to our board. >> Great job everyone. Thank you. Okay, we're going to talk about policy updates. The board um well, last year we the last two years I think we had a policy committee that went through all of our policies, but we're trying to not have to do that again. Um so we're trying to do a few at a time so that over five years we will go through all the policies. So I know that you guys met again um at the end of September um and we're
102going to talk about updates and new required policies. Thank you. So, as you had mentioned, this is sort of the second time in the past few years we're going through this policy. This is our first policy on uh what you had said is now going to be a staggered review of policies with the port policy committee. So, uh, some of the topics that were included, obviously, as we always do, we took the NISBA re, uh, recommendations over the past few years since this policy had last been reviewed, um, put those in and then went and reread every word of it to ensure that it still met what we were looking for. Some of the policies that are included in this update are non-discrimination and equal opportunity policy, sexual harassment policy, and student harassment and bullying
103prevention and intervention policies. So, that's a quick overview. Um, I wish it wasn't 51 pages talking about those things. Um, but it is. So, um, tonight will be the first read and then there'll be an opportunity next meeting to have a second reading in which time it will be adopted. >> Yep. Good. >> You're available on the website. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you, Marine. >> For just us or for the community, too. >> Okay. >> So, if people have questions or concerns about any of the changes, they can bring them to the next board meeting before and we'll it'll be part of the agenda so we can discuss it beforehand. Okay. Uh student representatives We have one. Yay. >> Hello. Um >> um today we had our blood drive which a lot of
104people did. Um color wars is next week and with that we have spirit week following. So Tuesday to Friday. Um last week we did club rush so all the clubs went outside in the >> in that wing. >> Courtyard. Huh? >> Courtyard. Oh, they said outside. >> No, no, no, no. Like outside the cafeteria. Oh, got that hallway. I don't know what it's called. Um, and all the clubs lined up so to like spike interest for like especially the freshman to join. >> And then this is actually a big thing. The boys soccer team won their first game in like two years, which I think is pretty cool. >> First game in two years. >> Yeah, they did. And they won. >> Resilience. Resiliency. >> Yes. And then they won again on senior night, which
105is which is really good. And a lot of sports have been we've been having our senior nights and clubs have been starting and then a lot of seniors have been applying for college to meet the deadlines. >> How did the blood drive go today? Did you see >> when it came later it was over? I just wondered how it >> I did it in the morning. I saw a lot a lot of seniors participated. >> Okay. >> Um and teachers do it and I think a lot of pe a lot of people were signed up. the sheet was filled. So, okay. And there was like a constant um rotation of people coming in and out. >> That's excellent. >> Thank you. >> It's desperately needed. >> Did you have any thoughts about the middle school
106presentation? >> Does it sound like it's changed since you were in middle school? >> Yeah, it's really different than I I mean, they're getting a completely different experience than I did cuz I was I had COVID for all of middle school, so I missed out on a bunch. >> Oh my gosh. Yeah. and I missed out on like the like really good years of like learning basic things. So, it's it's definitely affected high school and because high school now they have to go back and like retach basic things to us because we literally do not know like a lot of it which is like but now they have the IB thing there. I don't know how that's going to work for them though. >> How do you think Yeah. Do you think that will help
107feed into the high school or? >> Yeah, I mean I think the kids will come smarter but and with better like cuz right now it's it's like um no one's doing like I mean maybe kids are doing it every I don't know. >> I think they will be more thoughtful learners. >> You know what I mean? Like rather than just memorizers of facts. >> Yeah. Um and one of the advantages I I know that co left gaps but like everybody of your gener you know everybody's in the same boat. >> Yeah. >> So are you got probably more than most you know so okay >> yeah that co uh impacted the education system without a doubt >> and uh the things you said there's much truth to that. Um, I I I hope the state
108takes a better look next time, god forbid, if we ever have another epidemic because they messed it up. I I really >> I don't even want to start that topic because I could get rapid on it, you know. >> I'm just glad colleges don't require SAT scores because >> Yeah. >> No one's doing too great on that. >> I hear you. I hear you. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh, Dr. left. >> Good evening everyone. So, just prior to this meeting, I had the opportunity to hold our first superintendent listening hour of the year. So, I want to thank those parents who showed up as well as the board members, administrators, as well as other staff members. Uh some of the topics we discussed uh this evening were I know
109a letter went out to some families of middle schoolers regarding a vacancy in Spanish. Uh just some background information. In anticipation of what was going to be a maternity leave, the district was proactive in hiring a replacement teacher um several months earlier. Uh unfortunately, that teacher um has not uh decided to come to work. So, we will be rescending their appointment this evening. Uh but we have for the last several weeks been anxiously seeking a replacement uh teacher that will be able to cover that class from now through what we anticipate will be April. So my public service announcement to everyone in the community is if anybody knows anybody who may be interested to please have them reach out. We're willing to work with people to help get them certified. We're willing to get people
110on the substitute list and they can help support the lessons that already been given in the classes. Um but we are anxiously seeking a replacement for the teacher and um looking to best support the students as we can in that class. So any internal coverages that we can put in place we've already done. Uh now we're seeking any help from outside that we can. We're contacting colleges or contacting other school districts. We're on list serves. We're doing everything possible to reach out there and uh hopefully find the right person that can help bridge this gap for us. So uh that was the topic. uh middle school lunch and recess is always a popular one that had come up as well as well as some other um um classroom conversations about specific grade levels and I'm
111trying to think was there any other big topics I know Spanish took up a lot of it >> oh we spoke a little bit about CTE program there was a sentiment out there where students grades were too high to attend Boseies um I I know for a fact that in many cases as The exact opposite is true. In some cases, students grades are not high enough or they do not do well enough to get into certain Boseis programs. I know many of the Boseies programs now are are credit granting. So, they're affiliated with colleges. They're extremely rigorous and actually uh reward students. In fact, one specific one we were talking about, the new vision program in health uh awards students up to 18 college credits just by completing that course through. So um I guess
112that misinformation is out there. U we were doing our best to clarify that that is definitely not the case in terms of um Boseies and we certainly encourage high achieving students to take advantage of those opportunities if they think that is best serves them. Just some quick updates on recent events. Had the opportunity to attend the New York State uh superintendence conference for leadership summit. Uh from September 28th to the 30th, we had our first high school middle school lockdown drill. As we have said in in the past, those are now done in concert with each other. So done in collaboration. If one goes in lockdown, the other one does, the police officers. And we thank all those who um came. We had members of the sheriff's department as well as the New York State
113Troopers come in and help release the students. And we practice it just as if it would go if it were the the real thing. Uh we had our second meeting of the culture and discipline committee last evening. It was very well attended and we're looking forward to continuing that work. Our middle school held their eighth grade Washington DC trip. My I think I say this every time it comes up as an eighth grader who attended school here in Putham Valley. I had the opportunity to visit Washington DC and many years later is still one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Um I remember all the tourist sites. I remember the opportunity to be able to travel with my friends and the um being there with teachers. It was just really an amazing experience
114and I encourage all students to take advantage of it thanks to the generosity of our Putnham Valley Education Foundation. We do have some scholarship opportunities to help offset the cost of that trip available. So I don't want the price of the trip to be what prevents anyone from going. So I would encourage everyone to get information. And if you're interested, reach out to the middle school administration or trip adviser to get more information on how to do that. Last evening, our high school held their back to school night, which I heard was very well attended. I saw very positive feedback from our community members back to our high school. Um this morning, we had a meeting with the Putin Valley uh Federation of Teachers Executive Board and I spoke a little bit about our listening
115hours. Looking uh some more information to chair. I'm actually going to quickly just introduce this and I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Chan to speak a little bit more. Um, our district was awarded a national fitness grant. So, this will allow us to um it'll help offset the cost of something that we think is going to be really exciting for our community, for our athletics program, and for our physical education programs. And Grace was really instrumental working with Dave Spittle to make this all possible. So, I'm going to turn it over to her to speak a little bit more about this grant and what opportunity it presents. Go ahead. Thank you. >> Good evening. Um, I read something about a grant and I looked into it further and turns out that there was
116one K to 12 district upstate Mannison who already took this grant and brought this outdoor fitness into their school district. I thought it was very exciting. So, I wanted to bring it into our school district. I did a lot of research. I uh reached out to the business official to make sure that this would be allowed to have state aid. And then I did a number of uh Zoom meetings with the National Fitness Campaign to see if we would be qualified. And then at that point, I brought it to Dr. L's attention. And I'm so lucky that he likes the ideas that we bring into the district. And uh in the back of my mind, I felt that if we're the first ones to bring it on here, then maybe the Garrison High School U
117kids would like to come here instead of other choices. And we were very lucky to receive $60,000 grant, which to date is the highest grant that they um awarded a school. They give 10 grants a to each uh state and only four to educational uh institutions which include higher ed. So we are one of the first ones to receive the grant for 2026. >> Thank you. >> Great job. >> Where where would the U outdoor fitness uh be located? What >> So it's going to be located part of the application included a site survey and we had to be able to show where it's going to go. Um, one of the big uh emphasis of the application of the program is for community access. So, it's actually going to go outside of the wellness center
118over near where the gardens are. Oh, yeah. >> Uh, which is immediately adjacent to the wellness trail. So, the thought process is it's in close proximity to the high school. So, athletic teams practice out there, physical education classes could go out there, but at the same time, uh, has immediate access to the community. those who are using the wellness trail could easily stop and take advantage of the sort of exercise opportunities that will take place there. >> I I just want to compliment you, Dr. Chen, uh the Garrison Food Program that, you know, you initiated and now this grant and uh you know, last year's budget and and the capital projects um you you've been a such a great asset to this district and it's so appreciated. I I mean that um great things and
119uh it it just blows my mind what you've accomplished in you know the little bit of time you've been here. >> Thank you. And I have to say it really is because we have such a great leadership here Dr. Loft. Thank you. >> I didn't pay her to say any of that. I promise. Um no it certainly takes a team. I know uh Dave Spiddle and and Robert Webb were um very instrumental in helping Dr. Jan complete the application. Really all I did was give my blessing and wish them the best on their way. So they they deserve all of the credit for making it possible. So we're actually hopeful that will take place uh over this upcoming summer and hopefully we'll be ready to go for the beginning of next school year if it
120all works out. >> Great. >> That's great. >> Um just some other quick announcements. Uh, as the communication went out this evening during my listening hour. So rude. Um, everybody's phone started ringing simultaneously in the middle of it. Uh, schools will be closed. A statemandated early dismissal drill for all buildings that all students will be leaving 15 minutes early. Um, much less of an issue for middle school high school, a much larger issue for elementary school. So, if you meet your children at the bus stop on Friday or if you pick up your children on Friday, please make sure that you arrive 15 minutes earlier than your typical time because that's when buildings will dismiss. As uh we had mentioned before, the high school color wars event is upcoming on October 17th. I have a
121lower Hudson Council school superintendent meeting tomorrow where we'll be meeting with um there'll be two two topics. One will be a meeting with the executive director of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association focused on schools without boundaries. Um sort of the collision of private schools and public schools competing for state championships as well as some advocacy work for the upcoming year and other quick announcements. Tomorrow evening will be our first responder appreciation football game. So that's tomorrow at 6 pm. Anyone, please, if you are a first responder, whether it be in law enforcement, in fire, in health and safety, in um the military, anybody who's considered a first responder, we encourage you to show up. We have removed the embarrassing march down the hill and stand on the field portion. You're welcome
122to if you want. um for anyone who wants to be in the limelight, but I often times we had more first responders in the bleachers than we had on the field. So, we're removing that aspect of it. We do want to thank the Putnham Putnham Valley Volunteer Fire Department who will send their color guard. So, they will march onto the field um display the colors and we'll do the national anthem. We have a student uh signed up ready to sing the national anthem. We're going to read a nice message to our first responders. They don't have to go anywhere. just simply ask them to stand to be recognized from the bleachers or standing along the fence line where they may be. Uh know we are a community full of them. It doesn't matter whether you
123live here or you serve here or both. Um if you are a first responder, please come out and let us thank you for the service you provide to whatever community you provide that service. And we're hopeful maybe another special guest will show up. Our high school has their IB information evening on Tuesday, October 21st. That's immediately before the board meeting. So, for all those out in the board meeting crowd, [Laughter] please make sure to show up an hour early so you can do your IB information evening first and then come to the board meeting following. And I know some of the board members, unfortunately, I'm unable to, but some of the board members will be attending the New York State School Board Association convention in New York City, October 23rd to the 25th. That's it.
124Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. We're going to start on new business. Um, I have to say before we do the first eight that it makes me sad to see eight retirements, but I also think that that's part of the growth process of a district. So, we'll go through them and but know that everybody that leaves the district through retirement will be missed. >> Yeah, without a doubt. I I'm looking at the amount of retirements that we have >> project four or five years into the future >> because most of the staff in this building will be ready to leave at that time. And that's why the the CSEA uh memorandum that we approved at our last meeting, Dr. Lu, I I I think that is so well directed. >> Yeah, >>
125we need more instructors. We really do. And young people, if you're listening, I don't know if you are, spread the word, young person, >> teaching is a noble uh prof uh profession. It really is and uh it's rewarding and we need individuals in that. Okay. >> Okay. >> Number one, number one, >> resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to accept the resignation of Marilina Carill from the district for the purpose of retirement effectively to close business on June 30th, 2026. is per document 68/26 attached to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting. >> Second questions or comments. >> Sorry, Sam jumped in before I could, I wanted to echo his thoughts and rather than doing it after each of these members, I just simply wanted to say the same. This is
126a tremendous um loss to the district, these individuals are leaving. Uh I I couldn't do the math fast enough to figure out the hundreds of years of service they've collectively provided the students of Putnham Valley um and the tremendous impact they've had during their time here. So while we'll have an entire year to celebrate them and certainly we'll invite them back for our retiree and tenure reception uh I do want to recognize that this will be a huge loss to the district and many many years of dedicated service uh has been provided by each Any other questions or comments? All in favor? I >> opposed. Abstensions. The resolution passes. Number two, please. >> Resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to accept the resignation of Mayor Francis Demain from the district for the
127purposes of retirement effective the close of business on June 30th, 2026 as per document number 69-26 attached to the agenda and the official minutes of this meeting. >> Second. Questions or comments? All in favor? >> I oppose. Extensions. The resolution passes. Number three, please. >> Resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to accept the resignation of Barbara Demay from the district for the purpose of retirement effective the close of business on June 30th, 2026 as per document number 70-206 attached to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? All in favor? >> Opposed? extensions. The resolution passes. Number four, please. >> Resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to accept the resignation of Wanda Diaz from the district for the purpose of retirement effective to
128close of business on June 30th, 2026 as for document number 71-26 attached to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? All in favor? >> Opposed? Abstensions? The resolution passes. Number five, please. >> Resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to accept the resignation of Denise Helskowski uh from the district for the purpose of retirement effective the close of business on June 30th, 2026 as per document 726 attached to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting. >> Second >> questions or comments? >> I have a question. What school and position was she? It just wasn't listed in the >> Middle school reading. Thank you. >> Um, all in favor? >> I oppose. Abstensions. Resolution passes. Number six, please. >> Resolve on the recommendation of the superintendent
129of schools to accept the resignation of Elizabeth McCormack from the district for the purpose of retirement effective the close of business on June 30th, 2026 as per document number 73-26 attached to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting. Second >> questions or comments? All in favor? I >> opposed. Abstensions. Resolution passes. >> Number what are we on? Seven. >> Resolve on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to accept the resignation of Susan Maloney from the district for the purpose of retirement effective the close of business on June 30th, 2026 as per document number 7426 attached to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? All in favor? I >> oppose abstensions. The resolution passes. Number eight, please. >> Resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools
130to accept the resignation of Barbara Wayland from the district for the purpose of retirement effective the close of business on June 30th, 2026 as per document number 75-26 attached to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? >> All in favor? I >> I opposed abstensions. The resolution passes. Before we go on to nine, I have to say looking at the names, um some of them taught my children >> who are now 40 and 43. Um but all a lot of those names are what I would consider district leaders. I see them on serving on committees and in other places. And so like Dr. are left and Sam you said also it will be a loss for the district but it will also allow new people to step into
131those leadership roles. So um sad but that growth can be painful. Number nine please. resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to amend the appointments of ENL teacher Liliana Castanzo approved at the board of education meetings of September 11, 2025 and May 6th, 2025 as follows. appoint Liliana Castanzo to a four-year probationary term as an EML teacher commencing on September 26, 2025 and terminating on September 25th, 2029 in a 10-year area of ESOL at the at the middle school on step one masters of the PVFT salary schedule. Miss Castanzo holds uh English to speakers of other languages initial certification. Second >> questions or comments? >> Liliana has been with us since the beginning of the school year. She was awaiting New York State issuance of her certification, having come from another state. So,
132this uh resolution just um marks the beginning of her probationary period when her certification was officially awarded by the state. But she's not a new teacher. She's been here since the beginning of the year. In fact, she retired last school year. So, she was able to participate in all our new employer orientation and superintendent conference days. So, uh, not new to us, just an updated resolution. >> Thank you. >> All in favor? >> I opposed abstensions. The resolution passes. Number 10, please. >> Resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to rescend the appointment approved at the board of education meeting of September 11, 2025 of Alexandra Arenas as a Spanish leave replacement teacher in the district. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? If you speak Spanish and never thought about a career in
133education, please reach out. >> Yes. >> All in favor? >> I opposed abstensions. The resolution passes. Number 11, please. Resolved in the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to approve the first reading of updates on and a new policy policy 011- sexual harassment guidelines under title 9 including exhibit and regulation to policy series 000 philosophy goals and objectives as per document number 82/26 attached to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting. >> Second >> questions or comments? >> All in favor? >> Opposed abstensions? The resolution passes. Number 12, please. >> Resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to approve a letter of intent with the National Fitness Campaign for receipt of a 2026 NFC- MVP healthy schools grant for $60,000 as per document number 80-26 attached to the agenda and official minutes
134of this meeting. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? >> All in favor? >> Opposed? The resolution passes. Number 13. >> Resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to adopt the 202526 school year goal of resiliency. >> Second, >> uh, questions or comments? >> Do we want to read the goal? >> Yeah. Can we >> I can read it. >> Yeah. Would you read it? Thanks. >> Resiliency. The district will cultivate resilience in both students and staff by creating supportive environments that value perseverance, adaptability, and continuous growth. By fostering a culture of resilience, our district will ensure that all members of our learning community are prepared to navigate adversity, embrace new opportunities, and thrive academically, professionally, and personally. >> I love that. >> Thank you. I think that's really very well written. >> Very
135well written. >> AI help GPT I wish it was that easy. No, there was uh there was some significant words smithing from my draft version that I had to get through our administrative team uh to what was the final version. So, it was certainly a team effort amongst many individuals. >> Well done. >> Yep. Well, and to understand that you cannot grow without failure and you have to be able it's what you do with that to move forward is is what makes you who you are and also which allows you to be successful. So you know perseverance, adaptability, continuous grow like those are such key things. Um, and if if our staff and our students can learn that, we've been successful. So, never mind the test. See? >> Yeah, I agree. >> Uh, all in
136favor? >> I opposed abstensions. The resolution passes. >> I'm going to open it up to public comment on any topic. >> Oh, okay. >> No. Um, upcoming meetings, topics, and presentations. I know we're anxiously awaiting the high school presentation. >> So, our next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21st. Um, it'll be our opening of schools update for the high school. I know our student board reps are very excited for it. And November 13th will be our next board meeting and that'll be our buildings and grounds update. >> And I know you said that, but just to stress next is Tuesday. >> Tuesday, October 21st. >> Yes. Yes. Did we do that because of the convention? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I do want to recognize from the yes at the end
137of the table. I do want to welcome back >> my my right and left hand um Moren who was kind enough to come back and continue her dedicated service to the Ponta Valley School District. So >> stay as well. >> Thank you, Morin. Very well. >> Welcome home. >> I almost forgot to thank you back because I felt like you never left. >> It just felt natural. >> All right. Uh board member comments. First of all, the town hall meeting. I don't have my calendar, but I think it's it's a it's the third Wednesday, right? >> Sasha, I think it's next. Do it. >> The 15th. >> Yeah. I'll look. I'll get you a list of topics. >> Okay. Yeah. What would be the grant? >> Yes. >> Looks good right now. Yeah. >> Okay.
138>> Well, if you can't let one of us know and we'll fill in for you. >> All right. >> Um my son is going into playoffs next week for baseball, >> which would be my only concern, but >> I will let it open. >> One of us can do it. Let us know. I will >> We'll cover for >> If he does not have a baseball game, I have absolutely nothing else I forhead would be from being there. It's like 6, right Sam? >> Yeah, at 6 at 6. You need to That's when they start doing the presentations. Yep. >> Okay. I also know you saw Morin's note about Veterans Day. I did get a wreath and um she responded that the the school district would be presenting a wreath. I know Sam and I
139will be there, but anybody else that's free on Veterans Day, you're welcome to join us. >> I will probably be there. Um the only other thing is uh we had a um Westp scheduled a meeting um with uh or NISBA scheduled a meeting with uh our state representative um Matt Lawler last week that I attended. Um he unfortunately was not there. >> I knew it. >> Um but the his assistant >> Sam >> what's that? >> Inner voice. >> Yeah. But the his assistant who deals with educational issues was there and she was very knowledgeable. It's not I it's not the same but she was very knowledgeable. Um we talked a lot about supporting um support for public schools um student well-being, the individuals with disabilities education act and where it stands, you know, nowadays
140career and technical education. We talked about the educator workforce and title one funding. So we covered a lot of issues. She took really good notes. Um, so I just want you to know that we're, you know, like they know we're they know we're here. Uh, and I'll be voting >> this next Friday or Thursday, whatever. Anyway, for the NISBA meeting. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Any other board comments? Crystal, I know you said you've been to one building steering middle school, but you have the but you're on the other two, right? >> I am on the other two. Uh the high school had their first one very early um and I just didn't have the date so I wasn't able to attend that one but I will be at the next high school one and I
141will be at the elementary one in November. Um the middle school one was great as we discussed lots of people which was wonderful to see. Um and we predominantly talked about uh transition to middle school and the structure of back to school night. Um, so that'll probably be the next conversation continued. And then what's really nice about it is that Miss Seka um really uh stressed the parents um and the community members that are on that committee leading it um and really steering what happens at the steering committee. >> So that was great. >> Excellent. Um while uh we're here, I just wanted to um mention that the high school back to school night last night was absolutely phenomenal. >> it was extremely well structured. Um I know that these people worked all day and
142they were exhausted, but they kept their energy up until that last period. Um it was just really wonderful um to see everybody so engaged. the kids were here doing their club stuff, which was always, you know, was always great to see and we got the information that we needed in a very timely fashion. So, I appreciated that very much. Um, and just lastly, it looks like uh our retire our retirements this year are pretty spread out throughout the district. Um, we have two speech pathologists retiring. So, I'm just wondering about what the plan might be to figure that out for going forward because they're really hard to find, especially good ones. Um, and then like Sam mentioned, just thinking forward about the amount of retirees we're going to have from the high school in the
143future and what the plan is for that so that we don't have an entirely new high school in 5 years because that would be really hard to retrain everybody in Ivy. >> We'll bring back Greg Cooper to do the training. >> I don't think he'll come to be perfectly honest. >> So, all very valid points. certainly something um in fact we're we're already having meetings projecting and looking ahead towards what's really five six years away um for the most part uh when we start to see large numbers of high school teachers uh reaching that retirement age and again it doesn't mean that they'll all go at once >> but we're certainly planning ahead for that possibility. Uh regarding the speech language pathologist as we always do we'll certainly post early. Um, we're lucky to be
144a very attractive district to many. Um, so I'm sure we'll get some highly qualified candidates that are that would love to come here and take on those positions. And uh, as for the other positions, as we always do, we'll explore uh, the necessity of filling or whether we can eliminate it through attrition. And if the decision is made that we must fill the position, then we'll start that search process early and make sure we get qualified candidates while they're still available. Excellent. Uh just a couple of things looking at the retirements. Uh quite a few of the individuals I I was on a committee that hired them. Mary Mary Fran for a librarian at the time, Liz McCormack, Wanda Diaz, my god. And I I can never get my head around the passage of time.
145That's the most baffling thing for me because you wake up one day and like 30 years have passed and you go, "What?" But anyway, uh I want to I want to give kudos to the ninth show. That's a a TV program that's put on by the seniors. >> I love that thing. >> Good job. >> And it's amazing. >> I loved it. The first episode and the second. >> It's It's incredible. It's so creative. You You were going to say something. Go ahead. Yeah. >> So, we Moren said that it's the first time I've seen it. There's several. There's 15 seasons. I mean, it's um So, right now it's 15. It's season 15, episode 2. So, I have only seen the first one. I'm shocked that I haven't heard of it before. I wish we
146would show our community. It's so good. It's these students from uh I guess 10th grade, 11th grade, and 12th grade. They stand and they're interviewing each other. Um this particular one was talking about people standing and being in the way in the hallway and then talking about the blood drive and why it's important. I mean, it was just like so like we always say, "Oh, I want to hear the students. Like, we should play that." >> It's so it was so good. I was watching today and I was like, "I think that we should post it to the community." Um, they were looking for more viewers. Um, and I really think it's just such a great thing. It's for our film students. It shows like what they do in class and how they're making like
147real life productions. I mean, I I thought it was fantastic. >> You run this stand. >> Guess it's like television production. >> It is. It is yours. Yeah, I thought so. Yeah, it it's outstanding. I I love the one with the parking lot doing the the spaces and getting comments on those. I mean, everything. It really is neat. >> I can't wait to watch it. >> And Dan, I love your response regarding the computers, why the juniors and seniors didn't get the new computers and you answered it correctly. So, >> can we find out if we're allowed to share those videos on social media? >> We can. Yeah, we also have our own night show. >> Oh, that's true. You do? Yeah, >> you have your own. Oh, it's on YouTube. Yeah, right. It's on
148the website. Yeah. >> Telling you that website is a bit >> I get so lost there. It's amazing. There's so much information. Yes, I know. I need to like spend like days looking through it. >> It's there's so much great information on it. >> Yeah. >> Um I just wanted to say to Dr. Left, I've spoken to him about it tons and tons of times. I really appreciate you looking at the necessity of hiring teachers back. So, I know that I brought it up before. We're losing to um middle school like uh uh what do you call them? Reading like reading teachers and um I had asked if what what the need was and you had said that you're going to look it over and make sure that the necessity is there to hire too
149and I just really appreciate that. um >> agreed >> and you know you looking out for our district and where we could spend our money best um in terms of teachers. So I just appreciate that >> and the ninth show. >> Can I ask you have you seen the ninth show or are you part of it? >> I'm not a part of it but I've seen it. Um Mr. Mahoney posts it on the class page. Is that the Google classroom? So he posts it whenever they I don't know if it's weekly. Yeah. every two weeks and then it's posted and I've watch it sometimes. Yeah. >> Good. >> It's It's entertaining. >> Totally entertaining. >> It's They make it very funny and like they include everyone. It's great. >> It reminds me Monty Python or
150or for those who are as old as I am. The old uh laughing. Remember that? All the >> the skits and stuff one right after the other. It's great. It really is. >> I'll let them know. >> Yeah. You should show them our video and then they'll appreciate theirs much more. >> They've seen some of your videos. >> They follow the what not to do. >> That's right. >> Of course. >> All right. >> Anything else? Janette, >> I'm good. >> Okay. I'd like a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Good night. >> Be safe. >> Good night, everybody. Everybody.