001Yes, >> madam chair. >> Yes. >> So move 100. >> So move 10. Superintendent. >> So tonight um as we welcome the Webster school uh third graders and their teaching staff along with uh Miss Apprise to talk a little bit about the student projects. As you remember, uh, each month of the year of school year, we will highlight a specific school and grade to come before the school committee and to our, uh, audience at home to talk about a project or an activity or an event that they were involved with that had an impact and share it with the community. And so tonight, I welcome a group of teachers and of course, Miss Apris, who is at the end. And so, I'm going to turn that over to you uh, Miss Apris to, uh, in
002introduce and invite. >> Thank you. Good evening, everybody. Thank you so much for having us and giving us the opportunity to share some of the wonderful things that we're doing at the Webster School. As many of you know, we are in year two of implementation of CKLA, which is our literacy curriculum. CKLA explores various topics and units of study. Um, it also includes two pausing point days per unit which gives teachers the opportunity to differentiate instruction and gives students the opportunity to share their understanding of the content in various unique ways. Um, our third grade team gets very creative on pausing points days including in unit two for the classification of animals. Students became zoologologists which is what you're going to see today. Um, I'm going to turn it over to third grade teacher Mrs.
003Pelleter, who's going to give you a little bit more information about the projects specifically. Throughout the CKLA unit of study on animal classification, students learned how to categorize animals into different groups according to their unique characteristics. To complete this project, students referenced a variety of highquality instructional materials to research each animals habitat, life cycle, diet, and adaptations. At home, students created diaramas of their vertebrates living in their habitats with the help of their families. In school, the students followed the steps of the writing process to write anformational paragraph about the vertebraes and their unique characteristics. This project intricately weaves together science, reading, and writing curriculum standards. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and creativity. We are so appreciative to our brilliant third graders and their families for all their support and encouragement. Now,
004we're going to turn it over to our zoologologists. Jonathan, you want to come up? >> If we could speak nice and loud into the mic so they could be heard, that'd be great. Thank you. Poison dar frog is colorful, poisonous and classified as an amphibian. To begin, poison dar frogs are amphibians because they live on land and water. So the poison frog is poisonous because they secrete poison from their skin next to cindar frog breed oxygen with gills in the lungs which makes the amphibians. Lastly, poison dar frogs are blue and brightly colored. In summary, cindar frogs are colorful, poisonous, and color blind coldblooded amphibians. >> Very good, Jonathan. Thank you. Next, we have Laura. Um, my name is um, king cobras are dangerous predators. There are classified as reptiles. To begin, snakes are dangerous
005reptiles because every time a snake see its prey, the snake will inject them inject venom to its prey. Next, snakes are predators because they hunt mice, fish, birds, frogs, toads, lizards, bugs, and spiders. Finally, snakes like king cobras are reptiles because they have dry skelly skin that sheds or molds when they grow bigger. In summary, king cobras are interesting reptiles and dangerous predators. >> Very good, Laura. Thank you. Next we have Laura's sister, Isidora. >> Hi, my name is Sedora. I choose a axelotus because axelotus are rare amphibians, colors, and they are prey. to begin exalotus are rare amphibians because they are in danger so it's very hard to find them you can only find them in me in Mexico also they are carnivores because they eat earthworms mosquitoes crickets and small crins and all
006of them have meat lastly axelotas are prey because large birds like her and egrets hunt them in summary that's how axelotas are amphibians connivores and prey the door there. >> Shaky. The Siberian tiger is classified as a warm-blooded mammal that lives in cold climates. To begin, the Siberian tiger are tigers are classified as mammals because they give milk to their babies. Furthermore, Siberian tigers are warm-blooded because their body temperature does not change. Lastly, they live in cold climates. Be in the eastern Russian forest. the the temperature goes to -30° to -50°. All in all, the Siberian tiger is classified as a warm-blooded mammal that lives in cold climates. Brian I chose I chose by drinking our A classmate dance for more also done after eat of Last two, two, three. One day on and on
007these. Very good, buddy. Very good. >> Science. >> I picked the clown fish because clown fishes have many unique characteristics. To begin, clown fishes have mucus on their skin. They rub it on the seen enemy's tentacles. This keeps the anemy from stinging them. In addition, they come in many different colors such as black and white, yellow and orange. However, the most famous one being the orange with three white stripes. Lastly, clown fishes are omnivores because their diet includes algae and sea creatures that are found on the sea enemies. These are many unique characteristics of a clownfish. >> Awesome job. Empress. Koalers are classified as warm-blooded mammals that are nocturnal. To begin, koalas are mammals because they're covered in fur. Also, koalas are herbivores because they eat lots of eucalyptics trees. In addition, koalas live in
008Australia. Lastly, koalas are nocturnal because they are active at night. All in all, koalas are warmblooded mammals that are nocturnal. >> And last, but certainly not least, Mia Axelottals are classified as current infidians and live in aquatic areas like small lakes. To begin, oxalados are amphidians that live in small lakes near near Mexico City. Also, they can eat whatever they get their jaws on, including most sticks, latte, and crust, and taples, and some fish. Lastly, oxalados are amphidians because they can live underwater and on land. They have gills when they are offspring and deliver as they get older. All in all, oxalars are classified as amphidians and live in aquatic areas. >> Very nice. So, as you can see, they did a lot of exploring and learning as scientists. Do you have any questions that
009you would like to ask our zoologologists or teachers? >> Sure. Uh, Miss Garin. >> Uh, thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I just first of all, I want to thank you all for coming up and doing presentations. I know it's, you know, being on that side of the table, it's intimidating to do a presentation. Um, so, uh, you all did a great job, you guys, first of all. So, thank you for that. Um, yeah, for the teachers, I really love the the combination of the art and the reading and the science coming into one project. Um, what can you talk a little bit about the reading materials you used? Um, I know I I hear, you know, I'm I'm sort of new to this phrase, the the high quality reading materials. Uh, are they books? Are
010they online? Or >> what what was like the main sources for this project? >> So, I can speak to that from the school level. Um, each grade is different. So, grades three, four, and five have student readers where the text is in front of them. It's all based on rigorous text that has to do with that content area. So, for example, when they are doing the classification of animals, all of the text that is being read to students or that students are reading in readalouds has to do with that topic. And then, um, there are various units that include social studies topics as well and kind of goes back and forth. I'm not sure if there's anything else you would like to add specifically about third grade text. >> Um, thank you for that question.
011The students mainly used the high-quality instructional materials provided by the CKLA curriculum um to research many of their animals. Um some students went a step further and even logged into their Chromebooks and accessed websites such as Nat Geo Kids to find additional information about their specific vertebrates that they wanted to learn more about. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Miss Garen. Miss Babcock. >> Um yes. Um, I wanted to say the same thing. I thought that that the students did a wonderful job presenting their diaramas and talking about the animals and what they learned. We learned a lot. I learned a lot. I enjoyed it very much. Um, I want I'd like to know that uh how are the diaramas used in the classroom once they're created? Do they do a presentation? Do
012they do a showand tell, a question answer? Um, thank you. We do a vertebrae around the world fair. So, we push all their desks together and they all display their diaramas and we invite the other classrooms to come in and walk around and the students can read their paragraphs or present some information or some of the other kids ask questions and they're able to answer questions and give facts about their animals. We also had the we also had the projects on display um during our parent teacher conferences at the Webster school. So all the parents were able to see the hard work that the students put into the projects as well. >> We we just thought it was a great way to bring the Webster school community together as well and to be able to
013share their projects really means a lot to them and it means a lot to the kids as well who are seeing them. >> Thank you so much. I think it's uh like uh um Miss Garin also said, it's it's just, you know, that multi-dimensional learning factors that you're getting for that student, you know, to to be able to stand up and do something crafty with their hands and then talk about it and read about it and just, you know, that that multiple dimensions of learning. I think it's great. It's awesome. And I know that when my daughter was that age that projects were a lot of fun. Those were the things that you remember. I I still have our diarama at home on the silverback gorilla. So, it was nice to see them. >> I
014think that that's why the pausing points are really important in CKA because it allows students the opportunity to show their understanding without having to just take a paper and pencil test. So, >> I love the way they all incorporated the vests >> and the uh binoculars. Quite creative. And you touched every item. It was It was amazing. Do does Do they follow through as they go to each grade with things like this? >> Yes. >> That's great. I think you're going to be the future leaders of tomorrow. Keep it up. Amazing. >> Thank you, Miss Cornelio. Are there any other questions for our guests? I would just like to add that um we have some fantastic teachers in front of us uh that put their time, effort and talent to work with these great students.
015And I want to also thank the parents who are here with us this evening uh supporting our students. We have great children and great parents and wonderful teaching staff that make all this possible. And this is truly an enriching experience and we all get to see this. And I think, excuse me, I think that's why I wanted to showcase a a there's so many things going on, but every school an opportunity to come forward and and do this little snippet of of a of a work day or a work week in a school building and the energy that's put forth and look at the outcome and every student gets to participate. And I agree with you, Miss Babcock, the uh the work that they do and they also present without a flaw. This is terrific.
016Very good job. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Superintendent. >> Uh, Mayor Vanc, >> thank you. Uh, and just I really just want to echo Superintendent Hart. I, um, as Miss Apert knows, I toured the, um, Webster with Chair Hurley and Superintendent Hart several weeks ago and really was impressed with the learning going on inside the Webster school. So, I want to commend you folks for this great presentation tonight. But, I have one question for the children. How do I get one of those vests? >> Whoever can make a vest for me gets to visit me in the mayor's office. So, I'd love to get one of those. >> Great job. >> Nice job. >> It might not fit me, but >> thank you everyone for attending tonight. Could we entertain a motion to
017excuse our guests and return to the regular >> business? Thanks. >> Second. Motion has been made by Vice Chair Barrow, seconded by Miss Babcock to excuse our guests and return to the regular order of business. Roll call. >> Mr. Alita Baros, >> yes. >> Miss Babcock, >> yes. >> Miss Cardell, >> yes. >> Miss Cornelio, >> yes. >> Miss Cristiano, >> yes. >> Mr. Denafhrio? >> Yes. >> Miss Garren? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lmon Monica? >> Yes. >> Mayor Vancamp? >> Yes. >> Madame Chair? >> Yes. >> So move 10. Motion pass. Superintendent. The next order of business, >> returning to the regular order of business, we would be under uh item number one, superintendent's update. And with your permission, I um would also like to continue the accolades for the Webster School and in
018ask you to invite um the former principal there and the assistant superintendent um Mr. Barrett to come forward because earlier today the Webster school was recognized at the state house for being among 63 schools in the United States receiving a distinguished award for all the good things that I think many of you already know and today they were recognized. Um and if you invite Mr. Barrett he can tell you of all the all the pomp and circumstance that occurred earlier today and this new designation for one school in Massachusetts and that is the Webster school on Dartman Street. So, if you would invite Mr. Barrett, >> I'd like to make a motion to invite Mr. Barrett up. >> Second. >> Motion has been made and seconded to invite uh Mr. Barrett up before us. Roll
019call. >> Mr. Almeida Barrows. >> Yes. >> Miss Babcock. >> Yes. >> Miss Cardelloo. >> Yes. >> Miss Cornelio? >> Yes. >> Miss Cristiano? >> Yes. >> Mr. Denafhrio? >> Yes. >> Miss Garren? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lmonica? >> Yes. >> Mayor Vancamp? >> Yes. >> Madam Chair? Yes. >> So move 100. Motion pass. Welcome Mr. Barrett. >> And before Mr. Barrett begins, I think for some of you who may have been watching our um screens earlier and parents, I know we're here. Um we had a short video that we had done recognizing the efforts of the school and we have shared it on social media as well. But um Mr. Barrett will tell you a little bit more about this distinguished award. >> Superintendent Hart, thank you school committee. Um, distinguished guest, appreciate uh
020you're inviting me up here to speak to the Webster School. This is a tough act to follow. Um, you're going to hear from me on why we are chosen uh to be honored at the state house today, but I think our students did a wonderful job uh showing you firsthand the extraordinary children we have in every public schools with wonderful families who are truly responsible for any success uh myself and Miss Abra and anyone else can claim. As the former principal of the Webster School, I often said many times that we are one of the greatest, uh, elementary schools in the nation. And today, um, that belief was affirmed. Um, I was honored to attend the state house to receive, uh, the certificate of national recognition on behalf of the Webster School. The Webster School
021was named one of only two Massachusetts schools recognized through the National Elementary and Secondary Education Distinguished Schools Program. I look today, I think in since 2015, I think there's been only several um schools from the greater Boston area that have been recognized in that category. Schools may be recognized in one of three categories. The Webster School was honored for category three, excellence in serving special populations, including English learner students, students with disabilities, and our students with the highest needs. nominated by Desing. This recognition reflects the intentional data-informed decisions made over several years under the leadership of Superintendent William Hart, resulted in meaningful gains across student subgroups and accelerated MCCAST progress. Over the last three years, the Webster School and uh the district have continued to make progress on reaching those goals on the MCAST test.
022We should be commend all of our educators for that. I also want to congratulate um my counterpart Devon Abra for her outstanding leadership and partnership in helping make this recognition possible. This achievement represents the collected efforts of our students, our educators, our families, our district leadership, the school committee, and our city leaders. Now, one of my favorite quotes is from President John F. Kennedy. He said, "A rising tide lifts all boats." The success of the Webster School is a reflection of the rise in achievement across Ever Public Schools where a shared vision, strong leadership, and unwavering focus on student achievement have created momentum that continues to lift every school and every learner. These students behind me and the students in every public school is why I am so proud to be a part of this
023wonderful school community. So, thank you for having me up here tonight. Thank you, Mr. Barrett.