001If I could have everyone just take a seat, we're going to resume please. You guys ready? Okay, thank you. If I could please have Mrs. Ndembera to the podium. She's going to give us a special presentation on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Good job with my name. I'll say that. You got it. I just said to Roberta again, I'm like, N-Dem-B-E-R-A-Y. All day, because I was a nervous wreck. A nervous wreck. I was going to say everything else tonight, but I was not messing up that name. You got it. Good evening, and thank you for the opportunity to provide an update to our diversity, equity, and inclusion work within the district. This evening, I'll provide a brief review of the NYSED culturally responsive sustaining education framework. How we strive to create a welcoming and affirming environment
002through celebrating the diversity of our community. And it was a nice way to start the meeting today with a stage group. I thought, as I'm going through this, I just kind of remember what the kids said, where they really said it, what did they say? The students of the month who told us, if you can choose to be anything, choose to be kind. And then I thought it was so amazing, and I was just followed up by the PTA president talking about teaching students to love themselves. So I think we have a good theme for today, which is just really about student empowerment, most of all. So before I begin, I'd like to take a moment to thank the working groups who have been collaborating to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the district. We
003have the steering committee and the general committee with diverse representation in terms of instructional and non-instructional staff, school and district administration, including board of ed. And then in response to feedback about the way we were running the committees last year, we decided to now form a third committee this year, which will be a parents committee. What they've requested is to actually even change the meeting time to a time of day that's a little more conducive when their children's activities have subsided and they can be home to actually really participate in the meetings. So we're still working out those logistics and we'll communicate those forthcoming. I know that I speak for all of us when I say that we thank the board of ed. and the district as a whole for supporting this work. I just
004wanted to remind us of the mission statement. All of our work is really grounded in not only the state expectations, but in our mission. And every time we come up with an idea, we ask ourselves, how are we involving students and how is this related to the mission of the district? And if we can't answer both of those questions, we have to rethink the ideas. So let's start with a recap of the NYSED culturally responsive sustaining education framework. The framework provides guidelines for education in four major pillars. Last year I showed you this in the form of a tree. They are the welcoming and affirming environment, high expectations and rigorous instruction, inclusive curriculum and assessment, and ongoing professional learning and support. While we acknowledge that all four pillars are happening, the focus of the committee
005work is specifically around a welcoming and affirming environment. So in a welcoming and affirming environment, all identities are valued and everyone feels safe. Everyone sees themselves represented and are treated with respect and dignity. We continue to follow the New York State curriculum. We're committed to collective empowerment, academic success, and believe that students experience this through integration of cultural confidence and problem solving. Through implementing classroom practice aligned with culturally responsive sustaining education, students experience academic success. From these experiences, students feel connected to the school community. Students are prepared for rigor and independent learning as they understand themselves as contributing members of the school and classroom community. They demonstrate an ability to use reasoning, take academic risks, and learn from mistakes. Students are self motivated, setting and revising academic personal goals to drive their own learning and
006growth. Students also acknowledge the limitations of their own perspectives. They appreciate and respect others differences. They build and maintain strong relationships, including those along lines of difference in their class and in school communities. All layers of the environment in which students learn affirm and value the various aspects of students identities. This means that students need literacy, numeracy, technology, and general skills to be good citizens. They should be taught to think about the world around them without fear of being ostracized. All stakeholders must work together to create the conditions under which our vision of education can flourish. NYSED recognizes that in order to thrive, the impetus cannot be placed solely on students, teachers, and school leaders. Stakeholders include students, teachers, school leaders, district leaders, families, and community members, higher education faculty and administrators, and the education
007department policy makers. So what we've found is this implementation roadmap, which I think was shared with you electronically. This really helps us to guide in our actions in terms of what we are doing and in what order and who do we engage throughout the way. The roadmap has three phases. Those are raising awareness of and support for the framework, building capacity for the framework, and then fully implementing the framework. So right now we're straddling, I think, phases one and two. The published roadmap details key implementation activities and provides a template for detailed notes and next steps. We'd like to share a few ways in which we're celebrating the diversity of our community. Our goal is to create resources that buildings can use to celebrate the calendar of heritage months tied with our district character, Edwards.
008If you think of anything that's not part of this list, please share it so that we can add to it. We're constantly adding to it. Currently in October, we're celebrating Family History Month, German Heritage Month, Italian Heritage, Polish Heritage, Down Syndrome Awareness, and bullying prevention. You'll notice that on our district calendar, we've included the heritage months in addition to the character Edwards because we really feel like more celebrating the community, more fun. Okay, we've updated the religious and cultural observances for this school year, and you can find the document along with our printable calendars. So we'll end with, quote, Dr. Mae Jemison, an astronaut and returned Peace Corps volunteer, just like me. The future never just happened. It was created. And we really encourage our students to take ownership of their futures. Thank you. And
009do you have any questions? No? No. Thank you very much. Moving on to board commentary. Mr. Halleck. Yeah, I just want to say congratulations to all the students of the month. And that this Saturday, 11 o'clock starting for the homecoming parade, it's going to be at Hawkins Path going to Newfield High School. Hope everyone comes out, turns out for that. That's going to be a great event. And it ends with the football game at 2 o'clock. So I hope to see everyone there. Thank you. Mr. D. Benedetto. Ms. Mann Rodriguez. Ms. Hagerty. Yeah, a couple of quick things. First of all, I always find the first 15, 20 minutes of these meetings to be so inspirational. They're my personal why. Like why come out at night when you could put on your pajamas and just
010settle in. It's because of the students that you present to us each and every month and all the great things we hear. Secondly, echoing Mr. Halleck, good luck to the Newfield community this weekend. I wish I could be there with you to watch that great victory. But I'm sure it will be quite a day for all. A special hello to all our friends from Eugene Hauer. It's good to see so many of you here tonight. Thank you for coming out. And last but not least, and kind of jumping a little ahead, I was so happy to see field trips back on the agenda for tonight. And in particular, I mean, while they're both great, I'm a little partial to the trip to Washington, DC, because I think it's just a great opportunity for our students
011to really get a full sense of what this nation is, what it is that we stand for, and enact those values and ideals into their life as they move forward. Thank you. Ms. Walsh? I just want to say how much I love our community. We really have an awesome community. As Ms. Hagerty said, I just said to my colleague here, Doreen, how much these meetings, although sometimes they can be contentious, and they should be. We need to be held accountable for all our actions. But having grown up here, raised my children here, and continuing to serve here, I just want to say how grateful I am to all of you here tonight. Thank you. Ms. Feldman? I'm just going to say ditto. Mr. Feeney? Yeah, ditto again. Ditto. We have our meeting minutes from 921.
012If there are no changes or comments, we'll accept the minutes. I need a motion to accept the consent agenda. Pupil, personnel, services, any questions or comments? Personnel instructional. We do have the addendum there. Personnel classified? Questions, comments? Finance? Questions, comments? Need a motion? I mean, all in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. I also, too, just want to welcome and congratulate Ms. Kathleen Kilcheski. I am two for two. Meeting's done. Welcome. The CSE coordinator, yes. I apologize. Thank you. Welcome. Moving on to superintendent's report. We have 22-10-SR-1, authorization to attend this for annual convention and education expo. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carried. Denise, this one's for you. 22-10-SR-2, field trip. Let her first it. Move it. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. And we have 22-10-SR-3, tax levy for the 2022-23 school year and a roll
013call vote is required. Need a motion? Ms. Larkin? Thank you. I will call your names in alphabetical order with the vice president and president being last. Please respond by saying yes, no, or abstain after your name is called. Mr. DiPienedetto. That's my hang up. Thank you. Tough one. Ms. Feldman? Ms. Haggerty? Mr. Halleck? Ms. Mann Rodriguez? Ms. Walsh? Mr. Feeney? Ms. Sharrock? Yes. At this time, would anyone like to change their vote? Being no trustee, change to her vote. The motion has been carried. H-0. Thank you. Thank you. Policy, there is no policy. I know that they will be meeting the 19th, so I'm sure that will be on the next agenda. Correspondence, just again, just please make sure you're checking. We're getting invites to homecoming and things like that, so just let Stephanie know,
014please. Unfinished business? New business? Any committee reports? Yes, the Educational Advancement Committee met today. Science coordinator Rachel Anderberg reported on the mission, purpose, and the work of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, as you heard tonight. Guidance coordinator Mark Palios reported on the Secondary Attendance Committee and their work in identifying the procedures and interventions for students with attendance issues. Students with chronic attendance absences are defined by the status of those having absences of 18 or more. The district is looking at the patterns of student attendance over the last four years, as well as ways to automate communication to parents throughout the power school system. A little bit more newsletter on the Capstone Project was then discussed, highlighting the history and evolution of this program. Throughout our grades in the district, leading to the new graduation
015requirement, we hope you enjoyed that issue. It actually stands on its own, because middle country is the only district that requires that project to graduate, and it's going to give our students an advantage as they move forward. Rachel then informed the committee about seldom middle school Capstone Project that science teacher Ed Miller was doing with his students, called Growing Beyond Earth, in which students will simulate growing plants on the International Space Station. They will present their findings to a panel of NASA astronauts and researchers in April. We are one of seven school districts in New York State participating in this project. That's amazing. She then explained the exciting partnership with Stony Brook University regarding the offshore wind project. Seventh grade science students will be participating as they present their research findings to the scientists at
016Stony Brook. Social Studies Coordinator Amy Pacifico then explained the National History Day project, whose theme this year is Frontiers in History. Student symposiums on these projects will be presented and will qualify for the seal of civic readiness, which New York State has recently approved for our district. We also are starting a pilot in our leadership course and contemporary issues to receive the diploma endorsement and graduation pathways. And our next meeting is November 16. Thank you. Anyone else? Mr. Dave Benedetto. The Health and Wellness Committee met on Wednesday, September 28. The committee was chaired by athletic director Mr. Joseph Mercado. The committee began to review the topics discussed during the inaugural meeting, which was held last spring. The committee began to discuss these possible ideas of workshops for the staff, students, and the middle country community,
017and possibly creating resources for the school community on the topic of social, mental, and emotional well-being. The committee continued to discuss the possibility of surveying the community for a parent university and partnering with agencies who can assist with the challenges of parenting at any age level. The meeting continued as additional topics discussed were addressing the food availability, providing counseling services outside the normal school day, and offering general health maintenance to students through the Stony Brook University. The committee was asked to research contact information regarding programs and services for the school community. Mr. Mercado created a share of a document for the committee to upload this material. The committee will review the gathered material and determine the next course of action. The committee will reconvene before Thanksgiving. Thank you. Anyone else? Any liaison reports? Follow-up board
018discussion. Moving on to public input. There was no response from public input last week. Do we have public input this evening, Stephanie? We do, we have one speaker. Before the first speaker is called, please know that public input shall limit, well, actually, past that. 40 minutes, we don't need to worry. I will keep the clock and let you know when your time is up. Please be mindful of the time. As other, just be mindful of the time. Since the board meeting is a meeting of public and not a public hearing, the board does not respond to public input. If your comment requires a response, you'll be either contacted directly or the response will be made to you at the next board meeting. The board does not permit public input involving individual district personnel or students,
019so please refrain from using any names. And persons wishing to discuss matters involving particular individuals, personnel, students should contact the superintendent during regular business hours. The first speaker this evening, or the only speaker this evening is Jeff, is it Keister, Keister? Keister, thank you. Opportunity. So back in March, I shared with you that my child is recovering from addiction and it's very difficult to avoid THC vapes in the bathrooms, in the classrooms, and other spaces on campus at school. And specifically, I'm thinking of Newfield, but I'm sure this problem is other places as well. My family and I have asked this board as well as our principal to do more to reduce the level of drugs on campus. The police have told us that they can increase their presence, but the school must request it.
020We have also asked that vape sensors be added to bathrooms, and so we have even volunteered to pay for a pilot to try out a new system. So we've learned that West Islip and Rockville Center have implemented a sensor system called Halo, and we've asked that our school inquire with those schools as to how those programs are working out for them. But in short, we are unhappy with this status quo and we've asked for some degree of action, some changes to be made in an effort to reduce the availability of drugs on campus. But we have not seen any changes. I'm tempted to ask, does that mean the district is okay with drugs on campus? Obviously you would say no. I don't wanna hear you say no. I want you to show me. Thank you.
021Thank you. I need a motion to adjourn. All in favor? Opposed? All opposed? I mean, opposed? Motion carries. Thank you, good evening. Thank you all for being here tonight.