001Good evening. This is the Ashlin School Committee meeting for Wednesday, October 8th, 2025. Start by reading our vision statement, our mission statement, which is the Ashlin Public Schools strives to be a model district that creates a culture of inclusivity for our diverse students and staff, feel safe and supported, are empowered with the academic and social emotional skills to pursue their chosen path, and embrace their roles as positive contributors to local and global communities. This meeting is being recorded by WACA Cable TV. The uh agenda for this evening is we are called to order now. We have opportunity for public comment. Uh we have reports and presentations from the high school student advisory council and Miss Kerr, warrant approvals, superintendent report, assistant superintendent report, their action items and discussion updates and votes. We have travel travel
002proposal two of them. One um for Germany and Austria April 2027. We have another one for the boys um basketball program. Expect to hear from coach Mike Norman on discussion about the 2627 school calendar. Three policies that we'll do a first read on policy IKF graduation requirements IFE competency determination and JEC middle school pathway exploration. We're uh under consent agenda our approval of gifts and donations. Great. Okay. Um we have reports of school committee and then we will adjourn. Everybody good with the agenda. So going back to first topic is public comment. Is there anybody here would like to speak? Claudia if you want to come up just introduce yourself. You know the drill. >> Yeah thank you very much Claudia Bennett at nine sandstone way. Uh really I'm here on my own behalf but
003also on the behalf of the Ashland day committee. we just had a really a terrific um event on Saturday and I really needed to come and thank because so many of you and uh our students made it a huge success. So I specifically want to thank Mr. Adams um who you know gave us permission to ask the principles to put up signs um and then when we were down to kind of zero hour and we kept on failing on getting a gator was within a half an hour I said okay well Mr. Adams just got me back to me in half an hour we can have a gator. So, um, which was huge. The kids were really disappointed they couldn't drive it. But, uh, nonetheless, you know, Mr. Matthew who, um, you know, really bailed
004us out on on trying to get our finances all squared away. We kind of jumped into this and, uh, sometimes, as I've learned in life, but it hasn't stopped me. Um, sometimes you jump into things and you get yourself in, you know, a complicated mess. So, thank you to you, Mr. Matthew. um the principles who, you know, Kelly and and the rest of the gang who all let us put up signs um you know gave us publicity uh uh Kate and Pete actually sent out special emails because we hadn't managed to somehow get our flyer in. Um so thank you to all of you as well. And Mr. Murray, I don't want to forget about Mr. Murray who coordinated getting the Gator back and forth. It was like, okay, well, wow. This is kind of
005like when you have somebody working for you because they just did it. we didn't have to do a thing. So, um that was very much appreciated as well. And um and then finally, uh Mr. Josh was unbelievable. Um so he, you know, really this would not have happened without him. Uh he had his his template when we first met. Uh Brandy and I kind of laughed because when we first met, uh Josh came with all these all his template basically for his event from uh 22 maybe. um the pumpkin fest and it was like okay so this is really gonna happen and it's really gonna be huge. If it wasn't for him we might had something a little bit uh smaller but not only did he was he so organized and put so much time
006and effort into this um but he and you know I knew what a great math teacher he was but wow and uh and then you know last but certainly not least we could not have done this without the students. So there were about 140 student volunteers. Uh they worked all day long. Even at the end of the day it was like could you carry that box over there? Um they they were just tremendous. And you know I I know that about our students but to then see it in action was really uh great and uh so I really appreciate the student council efforts and just really all the student volunteers. So, I thought you should hear that because I think it's important that we celebrate our community and realize um what a big part of
007our community our students and our families are. So, so thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. And and thank you and everybody else that put it on. I I unfortunately missed it, but I heard it was a great success. >> Anybody else for public comment? Okay, we'll move on to reports and presentations. National High School Student Advisory Council. Want to come on up? >> Yeah. Yeah, please. >> Uh good evening everybody. Um as we talked a couple weeks ago, uh the council is here for their first meeting to share some updates of the high school. They did elect Abashek to continue as a representative to join you for the year. Obviously sitting here at the table. Um we are missing um one member um tonight, Yash Bid, but he will be joining us
008next time. Um but we have three other reps with us today in Abashek who are going to share they'll introduce themselves and um share some updates. So come on up ladies and just lean into the mic and hello. Okay, there we go. U my name is Zoha Lee. I'm a member of the junior class and uh over the past first month of school, we've had some really exciting events. Um I know she's already touched upon it, but Ashland Day was a great success for so many clubs. Um Bio Club, NHS, Make a Wish, um so many different clubs came out, had events, and connected with the community, which was really big. Um coming up on October 24th, we have the homecoming game and homecoming rally. We have multiple games planned for that. I know StuCo
009has planned a lot of things for that and it's really exciting and the homecoming dance will be on the 25th. Uh students are getting very excited about that. There's also been some very successful class fundraising. The class of 2026 sold popcorn and cotton candy at the Ashland day. 2027 sold crochet pumpkins made by students and they were able to raise nearly $300. TW uh class of 2028 are working on their class t-shirts and selling those. And class of 2029 is also selling class t-shirts. >> Thank you so much. >> Hello everyone. My name is Oil and I'm also a member of the junior class. Um the I'm sure you guys know of Makea-Wish which raises money and fundraises to help students uh to help children with critical illnesses. They recently had a car wash and
010it was their biggest car wash yet. They had s they nearly 100 cars um came through. They it became their most successful car wash yet. Um also they are recent in a few weeks they are going on their give kids a world trip. I have the opportunity to also go on that trip. Um and it's a trip to Disney World. Um and it's trip to the the Give Kids a World Village specifically. they get to volunteer and help families who um get to visit. Um academically, we have the PATS coming up next week. Um for students who didn't sign up for the PATS um such as sophomores, they have they um are doing a community service day. So they are able to um find volunteer opportunities. Um freshmen uh don't take the PAS, so they
011also do a community service day. seniors um do a college exploration day and uh most juniors do take the pets and a lot of sophomores this year have signed up also. Um, so speaking academically, I know me and Zohar are taking AP bio this year and I just wanted to share a little fun anecdote to um from bio just to you know give you guys insight on how our academic life is going. Today we did a bio lab where we used AAAR cubes to represent the volume to surface ratio of cells and it's just really nice that we get to have the opportunity to to explore to explore that and to figure out and to figure out these like complex scientific things that didn't even seem possible like right in front of our eyes. So
012it just it was just a really cool opportunity. >> Thank you. Um, hi everybody. My name is Sophia Renitki and I'm also a junior. Uh, so in school so far, a lot of classes have definitely hit the ground running. Uh, for example, since the VHS grant for STEM classes ran out, a lot more people have been able to sign up to take AP physics now that it's being offered in person. And as someone who's taking that class, I would say that it's been going pretty well so far. Um, additionally, juniors and seniors have been notified if they're eligible for National Honor Society, meaning that they have a 3.5 GPA or higher. Um, and applications are due tomorrow, and I would say that the majority of people that are eligible are certainly applying for that. Um,
013there have also been Xbox college visits going on weekly in the counseling office, and a lot of juniors and seniors have been finding them very useful and informative. And finally, fall sports have been in full full swing. Um, also a lot of student athletes have met the new athlet athletic director and have started to get to know him a little better. Um, and that's all. Thank you. >> Why don't we just since we'll see you multiple times during the year, we hope we can take a moment just to introduce ourselves to you as well. I'm Mark Terry. I'm vice chair of the school committee. >> Paul Kendall, >> Tina Fatanities. I'm Marcy >> Culverwwell. questions. >> You know, Abashek, right? >> We're also missing Miss Lorie Tosti who's usually here. And uh >> yeah, thank
014you. I was I was going to skip over her. >> Who you'll meet on the trip, >> right? That's right. >> So, thank you for coming in. You certainly don't need to stay any longer. We know you all have homework and other things to do. Thanks for Thanks for coming in. Nice to meet you all. Um Paul, do you have more approvals? >> Just going to wait till you actually drop. >> Yeah. [Laughter] >> Between September 11th, 2025 and October 8th, 2025, Paul Kendall authorized by my signature payable in the amount of $898,645.3. This includes general fund expenses of $497,3834 revolving expenses of $400,16912 rand expenses of $1,8462 and meals tax expenses of $7.35. >> Great. Uh, moving on. I think we're at um superintendent report. Jim, >> yeah, I'll I'll keep this brief. I
015I shared a memo with you that I I wrote um with regard to some of the department of education um elementary and secondary education regulator regulatory changes that are coming down the pipeline that that have occurred over the past two years. One obviously was the ballot two question last year with the MCCAST um being removed as compensated determination. Uh however, in tonight's um agenda, we have three policies um that relate specifically to these regulatory requirements. Uh and they're all first reads, but just overlay of of where we are. The compy determination we did speak about last year. Uh that was part of a graduation requirement through uh DESIE was had MCCAST was that requirement years ago. We do not have that. Last year, the school committee did pass uh with work through the the high
016school what we deem to be competent determination uh in terms of passing our classes and assessments at the end. Uh ensuring that that the frameworks have been met. Um so what you'll see tonight is is really just a boiler template that MASC put together. Uh it does meet all of the requirements that that we set forth last year. um which is um we we Kelly and I went back and forth with it and Mike to make sure that everything we talked about last year here is accounted for within that document. Uh that and so the department of ed has sort of put the onus on districts to now submit our policies to the department for approval which has never happened before. Um so we have to submit by December 31st not only the compsy determination
017policy but a graduation policy. Uh so we have a graduation policy uh obviously and it's more um you know stringent than the um state requirements if you will of graduation. So that is also something before you tonight was the first read. It's really nothing has changed with it just some language. Um, and then the last piece that we'll get to tonight is it's called the middle school um, pathway exploration. And, uh, you know, I know Mark has been intricately involved at least with with Keith uh, Tech in terms of the the department again has now decided that policies need to be written uh, for districts of of sending districts to um, tech vocational technical schools. But then vocational technical schools have their own policies in terms of how they're admitting students. Um, our our policy
018specifically relates to the eighth grade and just documenting all of the things we do already uh in terms of uh notifying students um sending students to KEF on a tour uh by September 15th, having the um addresses of all of our eighth grade students, seventh grade students submitted to KE so they can send out a letter to those families. So, we're doing all these things already. It's just now memorializing it in a policy. Um but that is due November 1st. Um I was at the Tri County Superintendent um meeting yesterday and 40 superintendents and of that probably 25 to almost 30 of them, more than half uh are filing waiverss um to to submit their policies. I look at it this way. I'd rather submit the policy and have them come back and say, "Hey,
019Jim, you're missing this." um as opposed to just putting one more thing on the back burner due January 1st when the competing determination and the graduation policies are all due. I want to get these off our plate partly because we have last year we did our coordinated program review uh and Mike and I are in the process of cleaning up and Britney did a great job as it related to special education but Kelly and the principles in the past week have spent a lot of time looking at our handbook based on Desi's uh recommendations uh and ensuring that that all of the legal um references are in our handbooks. Uh we're pretty sure that's comfortable and cleared up. Jen King has been uh involved the entire way. Uh I think the department is asking for
020more even more than what we're Jen thinks we're required, but Jen's like, "Okay, if that's what they want, just just give it to them so you can have them off your back." Uh and starting in November, so we have a meeting on Friday, Gretchen and I, we're going through a district review with the department. Uh it's separate than a coordinated program review. So, a district review means they're coming into the the the community. They'll want to interview you as school committee members. They'll look at our finance component. They'll look at the relationships with our community and our town. Uh they'll be and we got a couple teachers here, but uh they'll be in our our schools actually visiting classrooms and and looking at u what it's like to be in a classroom, a student in
021a classroom in the national public schools. And they have their own rubrics. They're not evaluative in the sense of for our teachers. They're evaluative as a district in a whole. So that's all coming up in the next like month. It's desi desi desi desi. And it's part of the conversation we had yesterday with Mary Burke uh who's the executive director of the superintendent association is this is just too much. It's too much that the department is putting on uh districts. We also have NAPE. So we have the or no uh is it we have NAPE this year? Yeah. So, middle school testing. Um, in addition to the MCCAST testing, so it's I don't know, Ashlin just being at the top of the, you know, the alphabetical order. It seems like we're just getting chosen for
022everything, but we don't have choices either. I mean, we could always push back and say we're doing this and this, but again, I'm of the mindset, let's just get it done with and be done with. I think there's um any any kind of substantive value of feedback that comes out of these things that just looking at it charitably might give us an opportunity to improve or really just checking boxes. >> I I think there's potential. Do I I think always revealing say your your bullying prevention intervention plan is a great thing, right? I mean it's it's something we should be doing on a regular basis. Um it if we're looking at our handbook to ensure that all regulatory requirements are in there, yeah, those are good things, but we do that on a yearly basis
023through site councils, but we do it with our attorneys uh to make sure that we have everything we need. Uh I think I'll be interested to see what the district review insiles because I have not I have not participated in a specific one like this. Um so Friday I'll know better. But yeah, I think evaluating our systems is always a good thing, right? It's sort of it's a deeper dive into our strategic plan if you will too, right? It it's we have to take do a survey. Our faculty and staff will do surveys. They'll they'll survey administrative team. They're going to look at your culture of your school uh in terms of of your working relationships with the community. So, yeah, there's there's some things that couldn't can come out of this. Um but it's
024just a lot of checking the boxes for sure. >> Any questions for Tim? Uh do you expect any like real substantive changes to the graduation policy or is it more like a like a checkbox kind of >> Yeah. No. Uh so for us um we'll get into the policy in a little bit, but there are no substantive changes to our graduation policy at all. Uh the state is absolutely looking at creating a standard uh graduation requirement. Um do I think they will legislate that in the future? I do. But I also think our standards are higher than theirs uh that they will settle on and therefore I don't foresee anything changing for us. Most of the most of what they're looking for is wanting certain things in the policy. It's not changes to anything we're
025doing, but they just want certain things in certain policies and they want us to submit it for there's a >> Yeah. It's more about uh how things are structured, where they are. Mike and superintendent's report. >> Sure. Uh, all of our curriculum nights have completed at this point. They were a success. I think folks were able to learn all about what's happening in our public schools on on a regular basis. And I think that for many of our first timers, it's a it's a it's a great opportunity to understand u what we do here in at Warren uh in particular. I think the kindergarten folks always appreciate that opportunity. But for all of our um schools, we thank our principles and teachers for taking the time to uh make sure that everybody has a true
026understanding of what happens day in and day out. Uh for our students, our vertical curriculum leadership team meetings have begun. Our math team met yesterday. Um we hold one meeting a week essentially. So um next next week we'll be in two weeks we'll have ELA and then science will be uh happening as well. So we meet once a month uh to just talk about uh a curriculum alignment really and we look at data. So those are really quality meetings uh to ensure that everything is is happening the way we want it to happen. Um one of the things we talked about in math yesterday was again uh looking at how our students are are doing with accelerated math. Right? We t we did a lot of work with that and we're we're really following a
027particular cohort of kids to see are they succeeding now that we've you know changed the way we do things a little bit and so far so far so good. So we're happy with the progress we're making there. Uh all of our assessment windows for the elementary students are complete at this time as well as the middle school. So I Ready is done um across the board. Our dibbles our initial dibbles work is done as well. So now uh data team meetings are taking place at Mendes and Warren especially and they are using that data to really inform instructional practices. Um, I had a great meeting today with Pete and Kate, uh, regarding the data work that's happening at Warren and Mendes, and I'm I'm really excited about some of the things that Kate is implementing,
028especially with the development of formative and summitive assessments that will become common assessments for our students that are going to be specifically based on the standards that we're seeing as potential weaknesses based on our I Ready data. So, it's already a already a really good change going on that is datab based um working with what we're learning from uh the IRA assessment. Uh MCCAST results will be mailed to families on Tuesday, October 14th. The embargo has been officially lifted now. So, you will find um those in your mailboxes within I imagine a few days after the 14th. Um, in terms of educator evaluation, our our principles and our deans and assistant principles and our special education coordinators and directors are off and running. Unannounced observations have begun and our first educator evaluation committee as we
029look to to make some changes to our rubric. Um, that first meeting is scheduled uh for Monday, October 27th. Uh we know we still have a lot of work to do, but we're excited to take on uh this task, continuing the work that we started last year. uh professional learning update. Friday is an early release day for all all students K to 12. Um and we have professional learning that's going to be happening in elementary school and our ever evolving attempt to communicate with families the best way we possibly can. We're going to be taking a good hard look at our report cards and Mr. Regan has touched upon this through his site council report and his school improvement plan report. Um there going to be some significant work that's done at the elementary level
030in terms of ensuring that we are reporting accurately to families about the successes of our students. So some great work is going to be done tomorrow to really start that process to ensure that we're looking at standards but also how are we reporting these standards to our our our parents. Uh, so tomorrow I know they're going to be doing some some protocols around the current report card and how we can make sure that we can make some improvements to provide folks with a a better view of of their child's development. Uh, at the high school and the middle school, we're going to be doing a variety of activities, curriculum development, uh, data analysis, uh, going to be exploring a few new potential curricular specifically in science. Um, and there's also going to be some universal
031design for learning work, um, UDL as it's called. So for alphabet soup folks, universal design for learning is is essentially ensuring all students are getting what they need all the time and then we're using that scope to plan our lessons. Uh year two teachers will have our first visit of of of the year with our partners in Menon Upton and Milford uh the week of the 20th. So we're taking a group to Mendon Upton on the 21st, taking a group to Milford on the 22nd, and we will be hosting a group of year two teachers from Mend Upton and Milford on the 23rd. And finally, our our first safety committee meeting of the year is scheduled for tomorrow. Uh we had our first district level MTSS meeting, as you know, that's a a major um
032major goal for us this year is to is to improve our MTSS work. Uh we had a great conversation yesterday with our district leadership team regarding our current practices and what we're doing and where we need to go. And uh lastly, based on the CPR that Jim had just discussed, um I'm developing a survey that will need to be sent out to students and families um hopefully by the end of October uh to look at equity and access for a variety of different educational opportunities, including AP classes, honors classes, extracurricular activities, as well as athletics. So, it's going to encompass everything to make sure folks are truly understanding all that we have to offer. Any questions for Mike? Great. All right. Um, action items, discussion, updates, votes. First one is travel proposals for Germany and
033Austria. >> Introduce yourselves for us. >> You bet. Hi. Uh, my name is Mary Nameoth. I am a music teacher at Ashen High School. and I'm Mike Bastion High School. >> We are very excited to propose a what we think is a pretty fabulous trip for spring break 2027. Um we worked closely with EF to create this custom itinerary that is really going to hit history and music really hard. We're going to start um in Berlin. Um and Mr. Worster, would you mind maybe um highlighting the history um heavy hitters here and I'll hit music. So, one of the things that Mary just said is that this was customized. And one of the reasons why we did that because the initial blueprint for this trip was going through some other countries and I had suggested
034that we go through the mic. >> I'm not loud enough. That's okay. >> Sorry. >> Um, so, uh, we wanted to make sure that we were going through Berlin. Berlin is a fantastic city. There's a lot to do indoors in terms of museums, but there's a lot that's outdoors. Uh it's very much an archaeological city. You can see, you know, remnants of the Berlin Wall, for example, from the 1960s that was brought down in November 1989. And you can also see rubble piles that remain from the the Second World War. So there's a lot to see outside just by walking around. And then there's things to do inside as well. From Berlin, we're going to shift and go down to Munich, Germany. And there's a lot to do there. That you know, Munich is the
035heart of Bavaria. If you've ever been there, if you've ever been to Munich, you've probably been to the Hoff Brow House, Marian Plants, and whatnot. We're going to do walking tours there. We're going to move around uh you know, from one location to another before moving over to Saltsburg. Saltsburg and Austria is really where, you know, the music kind of takes over both in Saltsburg and then in Vienna. There's a number of music selections and I'll let you speak to that. But along with that, we're going to stop at Matausen, which is, you know, between Saltsburg and Vienna. Uh, and we're going to go to a concentration camp there, which is a difficult day. It's a travel day. And the last time that I brought kids to Germany, which would have been in 2009, I
036believe, uh, we went to a concentration camp. And that that that buffer of time on the bus w was really good time because it was time where people were just checked out from the group and into their own emotions where they could kind of process what was going on. So they plan this well at least in my opinion as to when they're doing it and you know what's around that moment in time. You want to speak about >> Thank you so much Mr. Worster. You bet. You bet. Um and one other history piece um in Berlin we're also going to visit the topography of terror museum which also is going to provide really great background for students. Um the music piece. Oh my goodness. Uh when we go to Saltsburg, we are going on a
037Sound of Music tour um which is going to be utterly magical. We're also going to visit um Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mozart's birthplace. And during the travels um I will be giving information like during Xlocks and while we journey together about Beethoven and Mozart, we actually get to go to a classical concert um in Vienna which is going to be wonderful. And I'm going um some of the students are reticent about going to a classical concert, but I am going to walk them through how to enjoy a classical concert and the things to think about and teach them the music ahead of time so it is familiar. Um and talking about like absolute music first program music. Absolute music
038being like music for music's sake like Beethoven Symphony 5um doesn't tell a story. It's just music for music's sake. Um but something like Peter um uh Peter and the Wolf um does tell a story and so is talking about about those things and how to like have like a little um movie in their brain as they're listening to incredibly beautiful music. Um so yeah, I think that kind of highlights >> it's the our itinerary. Um what questions do you have for us? handle it. >> So, if you've been watching for preparation for this, you know what this question should be, but we'll see what happens. >> So, one of our things is always about equity. Um, and you know, most of these trips are kind of pricey. Uh, so what are you doing uh to
039ensure that we get any student that is has interest regardless of the cost to raise their hand and show that interest uh upfront so we can we can make sure that we can accommodate them. >> Yeah, it's a fantastic question and as the adviser to the CARES team, which is our equity group and the high school, I really appreciate that question. Um, so yes, these trips are certainly very expensive. Um, EF offers um it's essentially um like a student GoFundMe page. So, they will give each student a link and they can share it with family and friends for donations. They also have a global citizen scholarship fund which uh they offer $100,000 in scholarships every year and any student can apply and it is both um merit and needsbased and then um obviously here in
040Ashlin we have the helping our own fund and the time between when we are pitching this um trip to when it actually takes place it's 18 months a lot of schools um introduce a trip in September and they go in spring. That's a really tight window for families and for students. And so the thinking is with 18 months, it gives our high school students um an opportunity if they, you know, can, you know, uh want to pick up some extra money maybe during summer, part-time job, etc. Gives families and students a bit more time. >> Yeah. So, I think the the key one of the keys is just how you're going to message it initially to ensure that uh they don't look at a price. I mean, we have plenty of students that if it
041was $400, >> they're going to say we can't do that, right? But, uh make sure that they're going to show up to that initial thing and and and show and show that interest to make sure that they understand um that that shouldn't be a reason not showing up and and expressing that. >> Understood. else. >> No, I'm jealous. It sounds fabulous. >> I know. I was thinking, can we ask you to do this for adults? Right. >> I know. >> Um I was gonna to kind of pick up on Paul's question more to you, Kelly. Do you have a sense of a practical matter, how successful we're being in ensuring that students do come and pursue an interest? To to Paul's point, a lot of it's how we message these opportunities to all kids. Um
042find that there's enough people asking for help support financially that to know whether we're doing a good job in that. I know we can always better, but I'm just looking for anything anecdotal that that kind of speaks to that. >> I I don't know if I can speak to that. We we get everybody that wants to walk in the door. I do say when, you know, we talk about the helping our own fund, we have worked with families to say, um, let's work out a plan for how like the the fund can help make the deposit or the fund can help on the back end once we see that you've made a commitment to or you have the ability to get to a certain point. Um, we I this is the first time hearing about
043their scholarship fund that EF has. Um, so that's really exciting and and I know that these guys will do an amazing job. Um, I think just talking about them as adviserss and some of the things that I see them do, they do an excellent job using our Xlock to get kids in to advertise things. Um, and so I have full confidence in them really getting out there and talking about those opportunities for kids and and how we can support them. I would imagine a lot of the success is how we do how are we doing with the connecting disc we talk about because having a trusted adult for those students that might need that help. Uh so how are we doing there? I think that would that's probably one of the you know good mechanisms
044that if we ensure that all those kids have somebody that they're trusted they're comfortable talking to we're going to you know be able to ensure that somebody's hearing that and and then helping them through a process because with EF the other thing about EF that it's a bit intimidating there's there's no they don't make the sign up uh the signup's daunting you have to put in your credit card you have to put the deposit down. It doesn't sound like a lot, but hey, 95 bucks or whatever it is that might be. And then you have to say, I'm going to pay eczema. So, I don't know if they've changed, but that's way it's been for other EF trips. And so I just know that even from somebody like I look at it from a lens
045of what if I was I had a child go uh last year on uh on one of the trips and you know I look at it from that lens and I I still talk to Miss Mcan about it like how can we help help EF with that because it seems intimidating like I'm signing my life away. I'm I'm saying, hey, >> it's a commitment, >> right? You're you're when you when you sign up for and just reserve your spot, you are doing that and for a family that's in a position that I don't have I don't I can't commit to $4,400 or whatever it is and paying, you know, $400 a month for the next however long. Right. That's uh that's intimidating. >> Anything else on the trip? Is there a motion? Got a green
046light though. >> I know. But you went first. >> You were jumping in. So I I >> Well, I have to look up the title of the trip, right? >> Okay. I make a motion. My only my second motion. So that's how strongly I feel about it. I make a motion to approve uh the Neth Worst Worester Euro trip 2027 uh to Austria. Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Have fun. >> Sounds like a great trip. >> All right. Uh, next item on the agenda is another travel proposal from boys basketball coach Mike Norman, who appears to be on Zoom. >> I'm sorry that I can't be there in person. >> No worries. Happy to have you. >> Great. Thanks for thanks for giving
047me a few minutes. Uh this has now become uh an annual tradition for me to come and request uh your permission to bring the varsity boys basketball team on an overnight uh this year we would be going to Craigville Beach um and the Centerville area on Cape Cod. Um, and the reason that I think this is a valuable experience for the 12 to 15, uh, young men that would come with me, uh, is that I use this as an opportunity really to, uh, teach leadership, um, and and I see my role as an athletic coach much more about, um, helping to develop the character and leadership traits that we value in the community. Um, and getting a chance to do that away from the gym, away from school for one night, uh, is a really
048important and and I think uh, great experience. Um, I use, uh, the Jeff Jansen leadership training manual for anyone that might be familiar with with his work. Um, and we spend really just a day we we go down on a Saturday morning. We do play a basketball scrimmage and then um continue on to um to Centerville and spend the day on a whole bunch of different uh leadership training activities that force the players to speak to each other to do a little journaling and reflecting on their own. Um and really just spending time together as a group prior to our season. And so the the cost per player um is as minimal as we can. We try to get it into the $50 to $75 per player range. And for any players that uh that
049cost is prohibitive, we have fundraising. We cover most of the trip through our fundraising. And for anyone for whom that cost is prohibitive, we uh we will cover that for them. >> Great. And any any anything you'd like to highlight that you've you're doing differently this year than than the previous years? So, I mean, each year we we try to pick one particular um area of focus. Um I try not to spoil that, but I'm sure I I can imagine many of my players are not sitting here glued to their TVs watching the school committee meeting. Um our focus this year really is just on the concept of team and what does it mean to be a part of a team both from a sporting standpoint and also um team in a community um team
050in a family. Um, and I I really value what that word means. And so this year, the focus is just going to be on what are all the components that make a successful team. And I think for um for young men, that's a really valuable lesson, both what it means in a classroom, in a school, on a team, and all that. So that's the focus this year. So we have a couple of different activities from um from Jeff Jansen that we'll use to focus on that. Any >> other questions? Is there a motion? >> I'll make my third whole motion. I make a motion uh for the boys basketball team to travel out of state on December 13th to 14th to the Craigsville Retreat Center in Centerville. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? I didn't
051ask that before. Any further discussion? >> All in favor? >> I. >> No opposition. >> Thanks, Mike. Good trip. >> Thank you, Mike. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate it. >> Okay. Uh, next order of business is the 26 27 school calendar. Adam, I assume this is >> this will be me. Yeah. So, as I try to do uh every year, I try to get our school calendar um organized and approved uh as early as possible uh so families can start their planning process uh in the summer of 206 and then throughout the year of 27. this year's uh calendar or next year's calendar uh is a little complex uh in in a couple ways. One is um the September 7th is Labor Day. It's the latest it can be. Uh the last time this
052occurred was on in 2015 uh for us and uh the the union contract is specific with regard to when we can start school. Um, so the option one that you're looking at is a contractually obligated contract uh calendar as as uh written into um the AA contract. So meaning this teachers would come back the Monday before Labor Day, which is the 31st. So the 31st and the first are the typical professional development days. Students come Wednesday and Thursday. And again, contractually, uh the the Friday before Labor Day is a is a day off. So, and that's traditionally how we do things, right? Next year, uh a couple of our religious observances happen to be on weekends. Uh so, they do not they're not impacting the length of the calendar. Uh the 180 days is 180
053days, right? So, that's why I try to remind staff, we're still doing 180 days. uh we build the calendar for 180 plus five for potential uh snow days or other days because we know I don't do snow days but um so the way this calendar works option one that that I'm presenting to you is as follows it ends I think that's really it begins on the 31st for teachers it ends on um the 21st of um of June, that would be the 180th day. If we had five snow days, it it pushes everything out to the June 28th. Okay. Um so that this is a calendar that abides by the contract. Second option. Any any questions on this option? We can come back to it. >> Jim, yeah, just >> it's a question I've never
054thought about. Um >> Junth Yeah. when it's on a weekend >> that doesn't matter. So, we actually look that up. >> Yeah. Because I'm like >> it's it they they it is if it's a Saturday, it's a Saturday. If it's a Friday, it's a Friday. But no, they do not some federal and state holidays. They'll do they'll do a a Friday if it's a Saturday or a Monday if it's a Sunday. >> This is not one of them. We check That's a great question because Mike and I and Chris actually sat with the entire >> um Aea board. So the pair of professionals uh the teachers uh as well as nurses and um administrative assistants we sat with them and presented this these options as well and I'll get into that in a moment. >>
055So good question. They had that same question as did I. So Gretchen and I made sure um that we were uh clear on that. So then option two, right? This option is a calendar that would require a couple of things to happen. One, it would require um the AEA, National Educators Association to uh amend their contract for a year uh have a memorandum of understanding with with the school committee and it' require the school committee to to agree to that memorandum. So what this would do uh would would bring educators back and I the term I use the week before the week before right so as required in the contract so on Wednesday and Thursday the 26th and 27th of August and students would then come in starting that Monday the 31st. So they would
056be in school for four days versus two days, right? So they would still have that Friday off because contractually uh that's part of the you know the contract and then Labor Day is the 7th. What this does is again you think two days don't matter. Well, it does in terms of the end date is now June 17th, >> right? It's two school days earlier. So the 18th and the and the the 21st. Uh, I can tell you with this calendar, these two options that were presented, um, Kristen Scully, who was the the president of the union, sent out, um, I sent out a survey first and foremost giving the two options to to the staff saying, "If you had one or two, which would you choose?" 80% said two. That's not good enough. They actually
057have to have a ratification vote of that change. So Kristen had a vote uh with the entire organization uh in the union membership and 85% of the respondents chose option two. They would prefer option two next year for a one-year change to the calendar. >> Right? This is not in perpetuity. >> It's a one-year adjustment. Um and it wouldn't part of it is the contract ends in June of 27 anyway. Um but um they are in total agreement that this is the contra the uh calendar they would like and that they would um adjust the modify the calendar in the contract for one year. >> So that's where we are with the calendar questions. >> I'm assuming that 85% would get them enough to that's the enough of percentage for them to ratify. >> Yeah.
058Yeah. They they they ratified it at 85%. I will say they ratified they actually they did a ratification vote. They they actually voted 85% >> were in favor of Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Sorry I wasn't clear with that T. Thank you. Yeah. >> No, it I mean the second option makes sense to me. >> Okay. >> Last thing we need is two, right? So what are you looking for for the >> So what I'm looking for the committee to do is to um approve option two for the calendar for 2627 but what that requires is um for the school committee to agree to um suspend or term I don't know what term I use when I wrote it this morning but suspend the the contractual obligation in a very specific section which happens
059to be >> yeah section six. Um, >> we emailed those. >> Yeah. Article 6, section G. So, um, and I think Paul, you probably have a better language. I wrote it to you this morning, but >> yeah. Well, so let's just >> But that's what we need. >> Is there consensus around supporting the calendar too? >> Yes. >> There's no Okay. So, no concern on that. Um, and what I the conversation email exchange I had with him this morning was because you're talking about doing something different than what you have committed to in writing, right, by the CBA, there should be something in writing. Most collective bargain says if you're going to amend or execute a waiver, it ought to be in writing. >> If you don't do that, then theory somebody could change. >>
060We didn't agree to that, >> right? Vote or no vote. I'm I'm sure that would not happen as a practical matter, but attorneys attorneys, right? So, um, so I suggested, you know, some simple language and put together an MOA. Um, I don't know that you haven't circulated the MOA. >> I did not. No, here it is. I I can share it with you. >> I was going to say, so I think there there two options, right? So, if the group um is in support of the calendar, we can just vote the calendar to authorize Jim carries out that vote >> and then that gives you the flexibility to play with you. You do care of it. Um or we can vote to enter into the MO which kind of takes care of both typically both
061calendar itself any circumstance. So >> um so have you have you had a chance to work with Chris and she is she's 100% okay. >> Y >> so why don't I suggest this first why don't we take a motion to approve one of the calendars um and then deal with the MOA. >> Perfect. >> Is there a motion? I make a motion to approve option two uh the Ashlin public school calendar for 2627. >> Second. >> Further discussion. >> All in favor? >> I position >> for nothing. Um, and then in terms of entering to an agreement with the AEA to execute on what we just voted on for our calendar for7 school year, Jim's got something projected here. >> Yeah, I'd looked at this this morning. made any changes to it after >> but
062trust that this executes on talking about so we can either vote to enter into that and then Lori sign off on it or we can authorize >> yeah maybe just a we could do a motion that would authorize him to enter into the agreement that wouldffectate the >> motion change or was that it >> there you go there was a motion there second a false motion Second. >> Second. I mean, sorry. >> Third. See this? She got a roll and we went out of cycle. All right. So, we have a motion in a second to um authorize the superintendent to enter into an MOA regarding the 267 school year. >> All in favor? >> I no passes. >> I one question to follow up with this. I noticed in the language of it, it it
063mentioned for for teachers. Do you do we need separate ones for staff and other unions or is will this encompass what we need into a >> there's no specific language in any of the other contracts? >> Okay, perfect. >> Good question. Yeah. >> Okay, good. You got a calendar. >> Thank you. >> As early as we ever get that done, >> right? >> Um, next item on the agenda is policies first read. Take each one of them. You've already talked a little bit about them or Paul the policy subcommittee. >> Anybody want to speak to what we're doing here? I certainly can. Pauling, chime in, please. Um, and Kelly's here um, as well. But again, these are first reads as I mentioned earlier in the in the statement. Uh, in the superintendent's report is what
064we need to do is submit these to the department of ed. Uh, this this is due December 31st. The graduation requirements of Ashlin High School are not changing. The language we're we're just striking in here the language about freshman wellness and sophomore wellness as 0.25 and 0 75. What's required by law is that they have uh health and wellness uh all four years that they're offered. It doesn't specify how much time. It could be one day >> in a cycle for a quarter. They don't specify what that is. That's where Mass General, I'm just quoting the law or putting the the link into the law. We have a policy at the high school that you have one credit. You need a credit in PE and wellness. Uh so a minimum of what point two a
065quarter a year. What this will do by cleaning up the language of must include freshman 0.5 wellness and sophomore 0.25 25 uh is allows Kelly some flexibility with her scheduling as well. Um you don't necessarily have to have wellness in your sophomore year or even your freshman year. We just choose to have it there. >> Um so >> well it does it still says at least a quarter credit per year in the correct line. >> Right. You have to have a quarter credit >> but it doesn't have to be the freshman wellness. Correct. I got you. Okay. And again, we changed years ago athletics. If you participate in athletics, you can seek a waiver um for that years. >> You want to add this? >> There's nothing. I mean, again, there's no other changes in
066the policy. It's just cleaning that language up. >> Is that correct, Kelly? >> Any questions on this? This is just first read, so initial reactions. people have digest something else and have some of the concerns, you can either refer back to Jim or there will be another time this should be put on the agenda for approval. >> The only thing Jim that I see is um that since it says students who participate in high school athletic teams may have this requirement by local districts. >> Y >> I don't know if you need the local districts piece there. Okay. >> Because it's right ours but I thought is it true that that can only be done like once time. Y >> maybe it needs to be specific on particular piece too. Yep. still on to the
067next one. >> Okay. Okay. Let's see. The next one would be graduation copy of what is this graduation? Sorry. Yeah, I just want to pull it up though. I had I thought I had all the others. >> I wanted to use the high-tech and all the others on the Okay, so for the compy determination um again this is just about taking um the language from MASC and in our language and putting it into a policy everything here. So, the one thing that we're missing right now, and I'll be clear, so we've gone through all of this, um, this comes directly out of the law >> that you have to have. So, the one thing that's missing is here is what's here in red. We're going through the process of ident identifying the course numbers. So,
068that DESIE has a list of courses that has a very specific number, if you will, that has to correlate to what we have in >> IP pass. and and so our course name instead of algebra one we might call it something different but it it is meeting the frameworks of algebra one right so so however the name may not match up we have to make sure the codes match up so we will list those codes in here so when the department is looking at it and they see a different name there we're just saying this is an alignment >> uh and we know we have some work to do to clean that up to make sure that that it meets um the the you know requirements >> and You've been with us long enough to
069know our normal conversation of yes, we typically would want to put that in policy, right? >> But the state is making us put it in the policy, not just link to correct a publication of it. So unfortunately >> that's what we need to do here because typically what we try to do is say the superintendent or design will publish this and potentially link to where that's published but um because it's not policy but >> in this case we have to put it >> and and the other piece that that you'll notice too is the appeals process. That's what they're going to look for right so students who come into your district andor students who have been in your district they can appeal uh whether or not they've met the comy determination. So remember, this is
070not the graduation requirement. If if if students met our graduation requirements, they will always meet the competency determination. That's just the way it's going to be. Um that's not necessarily the case in the past. They could have met our graduation requirements but not passed the MCCAST, right? So this is, you know, just their way of saying, okay, how are you ensuring that students are meeting the curriculum framework standards through their sophomore year? basically of math, ELA, and history. US history is going to be on here that you have to have. So, it was a graduation >> requirement. >> I'm assuming before the second read, you'll kind of have these. >> I will have it done there. Yeah. I just was I I highlighted it in red because we're still working on the >> Right. Right.
071Right. The numbers. That's fair. Yep. >> That's all. >> Will it just for the for the list that you And it's fine. I would assume it's fine if you share us a link. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> With just the numbers in here, but will this will you include like the names of the courses? Just because I'm I'm curious. >> It will be all in there. Right. Exactly. Okay. Fair. >> Before our next meeting, they will all be in that doc. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Um will this one be reviewed annually? Like how often do the course just because >> the state >> I don't want it to get lost in the shuffle if um >> the state is requiring us to review it and to submit each year an attestation that we've reviewed it.
072>> Okay. >> There there are more layers to this. I'm not even mentioning right >> that I have to go through. only because it's so like you said out of the norm to put like such detail into a policy that then has to come before the committee. So I just don't want the committee to lose like this is one we got to look at every September, October, whatever the cadence is. >> Well, Jesse's also building the ship as they're floating it right with when it comes to this. Is that >> except we're not sure if it's floating. That's all >> that that's fair. That's fair. Yeah, they're building it as they move along. a couple years ago. >> Well, I was just going to say so I expect it, >> but we are but we
073have to attest every single year and and submit that we've reviewed it. Yes. >> To answer your question, we're required to do that. >> So, the last um >> everybody good on that policy? >> Yep. >> Now, you can jump in. >> Um the last one policy that that we're looking at tonight um is again another Thanks, Kell. >> Hi, Kelly. She's excited to have all these policies, right? Um it is again out of department regulations that that we need to have a policy written and approved by the committee and then submitted to the department uh saying hey we are in fact telling the students who go to the Ash public schools that there are different pathways to success after middle school. Right. So that includes oh meeting at the high school to talk about
074the program of studies eighth grade stepup night the high school this is what we have to offer you or b Keefe tech right going to kef hearing from ke having information does surveys does uh has opportunities for kee to come in and talk about uh you know what offers they have over there opportunities they have so again this is about the state going forward and saying we have to meet our regulations. How are you going to do this? We took this um pathway again, M um MASC and then we included all of the language and the things that we specifically do like informing students of of these pathways. These are things we currently do and have been doing for years. We meet the requirements of what the department is asking us to do. It's just
075memorializing it. And again, once we have to do this and, you know, send it in, attest to it every single year and review it. >> Um, and you'll notice it's just really procedural stuff, um, that we do. >> So, just, um, I can jump in for a little bit on this one. My understanding is that Desi has been non-committal whether or not this should be school committee policy like being presented or whether it's sufficient to put it in handbook middle school. Um, and to the extent they don't seem to be requiring school, I will say I've been asked this question by clients and I've said to them, if this is all procedural and it's all things that the middle school is going to take care of in terms of the house, which is not typically
076our role, >> I've encouraged people as a middle school handbook issue or think belongs in. Um, I'm not saying we have to do it that way and Desessie is saying you guys figure it out, you know. Um, >> we'll let you know if we object at some point, >> right? Something like that. Right. And so I always say that because we're obviously considering it as a school committee policy. I don't know whether you of view has a strong opinion or whether Erin does, but I put that out there because I'm I'd be perfectly fine leaving this to the middle school to adopt to administration because it is as Jim said it's very procedural >> and it if it were truly a policy of the school committee this would be in my view exercise management. We're
077telling you go do it this way and that's not that's not the way you've ever I would imagine that what they will absolutely require is that we have a policy >> stating that this will be in >> we be published in a certain certain shall do it right so so I think we need something >> well this needs to be posted online I mean they've been very clear >> as to what we need to do with this >> yeah I mean as well >> so because I had this same convers as you can imagine what we talked about last polic this polic policy goes >> to the end degree of what is this doing in policy right because we typically handle this by the superintendent or designate would do something right so >> um >>
078you know so I I think where we left it Jim is is you believe that this is the right way at least for now we can always change it um >> you know and and and I I mentioned this during our policy subcommittee meeting I like that they're doing this because if you if you go back, you know, how long we've ever been on the spook committee. I remember the first couple years we went down to the conference and I was in just utter disbelief at the narrative that was being pushed at the time of trades are dead, you know, and they were just completely off the reservation and I'm sure there's lots of districts that don't really see p all these pathways as great opportunities and and equal, right? So, having forcing everybody to
079ensure that they are communicating those things I think is a good thing. Um but whether it belongs here I I agree with you. I I think it's it doesn't necessarily belong dictated like this in our policy. But I I I believe Jim and I put words in your mouth. This is the path you would recommend at this time. >> Yeah. Again, I think it's just easier for us just to do this and and to submit it. Again, I go back to all their and I'm highlighting >> the word policy policy policy >> in in Desie's documentation that they send us >> in guidance every week. >> They refer to it as a policy. I just don't have it as a policy for now >> and be done with it and then see what if they
080then revert to saying, "Well, these are really procedural things and you don't need to have it in your policy handbook," then then we can remove it. >> The other thing is instead of us being the one to to put our toe in the water and test their their patients or what they want to do, >> let somebody else do it. And then then if there's >> and then if there's a president, >> Jeff pissed you off today. >> Jim, I have a question in terms of um uh you know kind of the the not referrals but the sharing of information on Keith Tech. I know that we have a very small number of students that sometimes go to Norfork Aggie. Yeah. Are we responsible for sharing information on that programming as well or not? No.
081It's if we're if you were in a regional agreement which we are >> that's the one that we have to focus on. Okay. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Any any other initial comments? So I mean maybe just quick thoughts from both of you chimed in opinion of sort of policy statement like Paul articulate and I agree with you on that part should have a if we need to have something would be something that says the middle school shall maintain or administration responsible for developing right procedures >> comply with >> yeah I think I think that's right um as one pathway but do either of you have an opinion you want to voice at this point about Hamburg handbook versus policy just because then we decide how we come forward depending on what this
082sort of consensus is at this point. >> Yeah. No, I mean I hear exactly what you're saying in terms of you know is this actually the school committee's role to have in our policies this level of detail in terms of what needs to happen um and on a procedural level and I agree no it doesn't. Uh that being said, because of the way that Desi is rolling this out, and I'm assuming this is all from their guidance on the career technical education, which is they just threw so much information out there and it's such a big push. I would imagine um this is another thing that's going to kind of work its way out, right, as they as they have to stay on top of districts for it. But, you know, I would heir on
083the side of having it included rather than not um at this point since they if they do reference policy that often. this is this is where we have policy, right? Um so I don't see a harm in doing it that way, but I agree with you and I hear your point. I think it would be fine to do it either way, but to kind of heir on the side of uh not having to come back and redo it. >> I guess I uh fall in the minority and I'm the non-awyer, but um like my inclination is you keep as high level as possible in a policy and the rest goes to point somewhere else for the procedure. So my inclination is to not put every you know date and metric milestone in a policy and
084to refer to the handbook but that's you know coming from a whole different business that's valid. Yeah >> I think we're all absolutely in agreement with that. >> It's sort of more a question of of what will be the requirement from Desi at this point. Yeah, >> I mean my my inclination like on the first read is the t the beginning, you know, makes sense and then you'd say, you know, we're going to and you take the subheaders like our procedure will have informing students of pathways and, you know, pick a couple other things in here, regional school tours and the process, you know, in the handbook. Mhm. >> Um >> yeah, >> I just I I am always a fan of as little as possible in the policy and as much as possible in
085the procedure because it just gives more flexibility to the people have to manage it and um >> yeah, >> but I'll do you know I'll defer to the lawyers at the end of the day. >> I think the lawyers agree with you. >> Yeah. No, absolutely. >> Yeah. I mean and and I would you know I'm I'm a very stubborn person in general. I would take a stand wholeheartedly against again against against doing it in policy and I would probably say hey let's stick our necks out if we had more capacity and we weren't burdened with everything else Jim Jim had mentioned um and it's like you know >> well I guess it's the qu because I don't you know I don't live this Jim so if you turn it in as a policy that
086just has you know we do this and >> right to simplify it a little >> simpify it but you still have all this as a second document. Is it just that you have to go back again? Is that the problem? Because >> I don't know. I mean, >> that's my guess. I we have no clue. So our again yesterday meeting with fellow 40 fellow superintendent, nobody's got a clue here, right? So it's like this what we've drafted here, this is what a lot of people are submitting >> and and we do believe it's procedural. >> Does Jesse's guidance ask for dates as well too? >> Yeah, they're very specific. you know the things that you have to include. >> Yeah. >> It's not just that we will do these things but you have to have
087the time frames. >> Yeah. >> So I guess that's my >> that we don't make a decision and then we're beholden to that forever either, right? So >> if if somebody else, >> you know, tests that theory and gets accepted, >> great. Let's let's make >> I think this is a similar it's a similar scenario as to the competency determinations, right? method. There's a lot more detail in there than we would ever normally put in a policy, but it's because DESI is requiring that level of detail. It's the same with this. And so I, you know, I think we're all in agreement that typically we don't want a policy that's this detailed. The higher level overview is better. >> So Jim, I think as we as we review these and we maybe one of the
088things we can do is in your spreadsheet that you're tracking, >> put something like, hey, revisit. Yeah. Like these things so so they don't linger. you know, it's like kind of put a pin in it. It's like we don't necessarily want to argue with them right now because we just don't have the cycles to argue, >> but let's let's let's revisit it. >> Yeah, fair enough. And again, this is another one if you if you read through their guidance. I have to sign off every single year, right, >> on this policy. >> Yeah. So, it seems like I mean, I think seemed to be landing is like none of us like it. I don't want to speak for Marcy in particular on this one, but >> but it seems like the path of least resistance
089in the moment >> will be to proceed with the policy similar to what >> presented idea >> and then I agree with Paul's idea which is so there's a November 1 deadline. Let's meet the deadline. Let's play nice in the sandbox and then let's think about it in the critical way that we're talking about it and see if we want to modify the approach for next school year. So that probably means this towards the end of the school year where we can have that conversation and what we want >> and I think I I really believe this will be a conversation of top or topic of conversation down at the MAS MASS conference, right? >> I think it'll be interesting to see what other folks are doing but but that's after the November one deadline
090>> and many people will put in a waiver to extend it beyond that deadline. But I feel like we have the the CD and the graduation and we have our district review and the CPR is all due by January 15th. I just want >> path of least resistance. I like that. >> If it was only going to be my hassle, I'd probably, you know, I know, but you're the one you're the one going to, you know, take the hassle more than more than mine. So, >> so when we do this for um obviously again first read on this policy and we've had a good first conversation on it. people, if you haven't had a chance to read the specifics and you have questions about, let's do that between now and our next meeting. I'm going
091to assume that all three of these be on our next meeting's agenda for adoption. Um, but if you have any other questions after you digest it and think about this conversation, reach out to Jim. >> Um, and then we can flush it out. There are any proposed changes, say identify them sooner rather than later so they can refer back to policy subcommittee. Um, all right. Why don't we move on to the consent agenda? Gifts and donations. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> I move to approve the consent agenda. Second. All right. Any discussion? No discussion on consent agenda. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? No. Passes unanimously. Reports of the school committee members. Let's let's just do reports. Let's start with Abashek. What do you got for us? >> Uh
092so it's been an eventful two weeks. Um it I'm grateful to have uh Zoha Oil and Sophie here at this meeting. Uh we were missing Yash today, but they really touched on most of the things we were looking forward to uh the things that happened and uh it was great to have them. But that's it for me. >> Chris, you want to chime in? >> Thank you. Thank you for putting your microphone on that Marcy. >> Uh just would echo the students were awesome at Ashlin Day. Could not believe how many clubs were head booths. Um and then the back to school night. I just have to highlight like I went to one room and the teacher gave handouts and then said, "Would anyone like one in Russian, Portuguese or Spanish?" So impressed. Like because
093that just didn't happen in other rooms where I got handouts. So anyway, but all overall very impressive back to school nights. >> Um, you know, I will add to the kudos for all of the students who were at Ashlin Day. I was um volunteering over near the bounce houses, so I happened to see a lot of the young families and there was a lot of young kids that were really excited to have connected with the older kids who were there, which was really fun to see. Like it was just a really fun community connection. So kudos to all of the students who were at Ashland Day and really made it what it was. Um and to the, you know, staff and everybody else who was involved. It was a really great day. Um I also
094had the opportunity to go to the Ashpack meeting last week. Um it was uh Britney who came with the baby. She came and and made an appearance, but it was um and she's has decided that this is going to be a new tradition where she had all of the building coordinators there for the first this was the first meeting of the year for Ashpac. Um which was really nice because there was a handful of new parents. um who got to kind of connect with um you know the building coordinators and it was a nice it was a very nice showing um from all of them and uh you know the the um parents highlighted there were some high school parents who highlighted how wonderful the um the home basketball game was for unified basketball. I
095believe it was last week. I think it was just the day before the meeting. Um and they all commented uh several of them commented on how wonderful it was. Um how many students and teams were there to cheer them on and it was a really incredible showing uh for the team. Um I think the football team was there, the soccer team was there, volleyball team, there was a number of staff and other students um and you know and they had big kudos to the the new AD uh for helping make that happen as well too. So um you know that was one of the big things that came out of the conversation. A lot of it was just beginning of the year. um you know uh things and uh you know Britney sharing updates on
096um summer services and programming and whatnot. >> Uh I don't I don't think I have a lot. Uh we did meet over at Mendes the other day to finally start discussing uh some outdoor furniture for the the roof and also discussion about when we're going to turn over fields like that. much else but sorry I missed Ashlin day sound like it was was really great so kudos to everybody involved in that and >> actually don't have anything today was um high school site council but I had to deal with don't have report on that lens so I think they were just getting getting going on what they wanted to accomplish >> can I chime in before you adjourn um the next meeting on the 22 Second is at 5:00 pm. Uh just so we're clear,
097it's at 5:00 pm and then we'll move into a tri board meeting at 6. >> The tri board meeting been confirmed at >> I believe it has been, but um that's that's the initial um the intent is 5:00 p.m. and then triboard because we're already going to be here. So, right, nobody has anything further. I'll take a motion to adjurnn. a second. >> Second favor. >> I We are adjourned. Good night everybody.