001I'd like to call this meeting to order. Would this front row on that front row right there like to lead us in the flag salute? Stand up and you guys can lead us. Any other students here? >> Guys, go up to the mark of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Sunshine law statement. All requirements of the open public meetings act have been met for this meeting of the board of education of the bureau of ordal. A notice of this meeting was filed with a record and all persons requesting such notice. Mr. Darien, would you read the mission statement? >> The Ordell public school district is dedicated to the ongoing pursuit of educational excellence through comprehensive innovative curriculum and
002instruction. The district is committed to providing opportunities for social, emotional, and academic discovery to foster curiosity, courage, and character. Our goal is to prepare our students become lifelong learners who are self-directed, resilient, productive, responsible citizens. >> Thank you. Roll call. >> On the role, Mr. Delg Greco will be absent this evening. Mrs. Downey >> here. >> Mrs. Ganchi >> here. >> Mrs. Moran >> here. >> Mrs. Norian >> here. >> Mr. Nutland >> here. >> Mrs. Walker >> here. >> Mr. Dariion >> here. >> Mrs. Nichols >> here. At this time, we will open the floor for agenda items only. Not seeing any. We have We'll move forward. We have some special presentations this evening. So, Miss Bozios, who are we going to start with? >> Well, it seems that Mr. Peararo has decided for
003us because he is wearing his toilet titan shirt. So, Mrs. Cataldo, could you please introduce or have your students introduce their steam tank project? Um, this team is one of 20 teams across the state of New Jersey who has qualified for the steam tank finals by the New Jersey School Boards Association. And I once again will point out that this is a pretty extraordinary feat because while we are in an elementary school, they have to compete in the middle school division. So they are competing against sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. And for those of you who have had children in the middle school, there's a difference between sixth graders, sixth graders and eighth graders. So we are incredibly um proud of their accomplishment. So take it away, guys. There we go. This is team Toilet
004Titans and they are one of 600 teams that originally over 600 teams. They made it to the top 20 for their division and they will have you looking at your toilet like you never have before. The one-way antibacterial toilet flap by the toilet titans with >> Owen, >> Jack, >> Mikey, Maxwell, >> and Vince. >> Wait there. The problem. The regurgitated bacteria is coming up after the flush. This bacteria will spread around the room and into the toilet bowl. This bacteria is totally invisible and most people don't know about it. Bacteria can make you sick even if you don't feel or see it. Bathrooms are sometimes extremely dirty and carry bacteria, especially in school bathrooms or public bathrooms. So, here we have our data collection video. This is us. Um, we put um we put
005germs around the toilet and they're um you can't really see them at first. That's um and we put them around the toilet and in the toilet and then we have a special UV light that illuminates them. And you can see that there are germs in the toilet, but something happens to some of them. Some of that bacteria actually came back up. So, not all of it was flushed down. Why it is needed? This product solves a problem. This product solves a problem that is unknown to most. This is the problem of regurgitated bacteria coming up after the flush. These germs that linger in the toilet and in the air can be cause can cause a sick of sicknesses to humans and animals. from toilets especially. Germs go everywhere when flushing, even when you can't see
006them. Our idea is to fix this worldwide problem. When these germs get on a very common household device, your phone, you scroll with your hands, and that spreads the germs into them onto them. Also, if your toothbrush or one of your personal items is even near the toilet, all those germs that were in the video go on to that item. Disgusting. Our prototype. We have a replica design shown to the right on how the actual thing would work. This protoite this prototype depicts the pipes and flowing water that is identical to what is found in a toilet. Once the water goes through the mechanism, it flows through and the bottom flap stops it from coming back in as shown as the model. So the water comes in and then we have a one-way flap so
007that the water and the germ infected water can't come back up. How it works. When you flush the toilet, all the water with bacteria and germs goes down the toilet. Once it passes the flap, the flap closes and the bacteria can't come back through the flap because it is one way. Once it goes down, it hits a lip that allows the flap to stay in place even if the bacteria tries to come up. Now, the disgusting bacteria won't be sitting at the top of your toilet. The importance of this invention. Our invention keeps you from getting sick and keeps your toilet clean. This mechanism won't hurt you, your pets, or any other people or things in your house. It will make you and your family live cleaner. When you flush a toilet, it is most
008likely that a big part of the bacteria that comes out of the toilet is very small, and that means they can be airborne and reach inside your lungs. Public restrooms harbor an invisible risk that a new study has brought to light. Stomach churning results show that each toilet flush releases a cloud releases clouds of bacterial laden water droplets into the air with some toilet designs creating more health concerns than others. Germs that are inside of a toilet bowl can likely increase your chances of getting infections. Some of the things that you can get these from some of the things that you can get from these germs are the regular cold, the flu, streptocous, staffus, ecoli, and chigela bacteria. Important facts. The water inside the toilet bowl can likely stay infected for seven flushes of the
009toilet or more. This is a long time, which is bad for your toilet. As shown in the diagram, you can see um the germs coming back up out of the toilet even after uh you close the lid. Closing a toilet lid does not make a difference and does not stop the fa the fact that the bacteria can spread all over the bathroom. They're all they're all like there are small like cracks where the hinges are and that is a part where bacteria can escape. So even closing your lid can do nothing against this. >> Thank you for listening. [applause] >> That was an amazing presentation. Any questions from the board? Because I know I have many. So, anybody want to ask any questions? >> This is >> where can I buy one? >> Yes. Where
010are you in this? Where are you in the process? >> Uh, so right now we are um still working on our prototype. We haven't finished it yet. Uh, but our prototype is going to be a design of the actual product and it's going to like uh show like everything that's in it and show how it works. >> We also um have a quiz that we're still um waiting for like c for feedback to see how people will react to this sort of product and we are working on an animation to show exactly how this works because our prototype will not be able to function the same way. just to look at. Um but our prototype is also in the making so that we can see how stuff um actually works. >> So how did you
011come up with this idea? What made you think of it? Is it our bathrooms here that are >> What was it? >> We were just we were really interested. We all had the common interest of like safety and sickness safety, right? there's a lot of like germs and we thought that the main cause of a lot of sickness and a lot of health issues can come from public bathrooms even like and then we dove deeper and we found out that even bathrooms at home can help cause health sickness. So we went down a rabbit hole on this one and just >> we definitely did. >> I think this is excellent. I actually blew bought a blue light in my house for this exact reason, believe it or not, years ago. So I am all into
012this. I am like Mrs. Downey right here. I'm going to buy one. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions for the board? >> I've got one. When you guys get your prototypes, can we test them out? [laughter] >> So, the prototype that we are working on right now cannot actually be fit into a toilet. the prototype, the actual model. Um, we're thinking that a plumber might have to install it, but if this can continue to get far enough and we can see really how well this works, it might be possible to actually sell a toilet with this implanted so that a plumber doesn't actually have to go in and install it. Um, but no, the prototype right now can um cannot be inserted into a toilet. I have another qu You have a question? I
013have another question. I just forgot it. Oh my goodness. It was a good one, too. What was it? Losing it. >> Um, Mrs. Walker. >> Um, great job, guys. Have you um I guess it's a little too soon for you to come up with a cost of how much this prototype might be. >> Uh, yeah. We haven't um quite looked at that yet, but uh yeah, as you Yeah. But yeah, we're still researching uh materials and what we're going to use for the actual product. >> Okay. Hopefully maybe the board of ed will get a discount when you [laughter] >> Totally. Guys, >> great job. >> You just reminded me when you mentioned research. I wanted to know where did you get some of your facts? Like where did you find out it takes seven
014flushes to get all the bacteria down? Like >> it's an that's an interesting fact. So, there was this website that we found. I can't quite remember what it was, but we have it. And there was like a whole um it had like a bunch of facts and we just uh used some of those for uh our presentation. >> Yes. So, we we did research on the internet and stuff and um >> um I wasn't the I I I worked on the prototype a little more than I did the research for the slides. So, I don't quite know the name, but I know we did research on the web and we found certain websites that helped give us more facts about this. >> Oh, it was obvious from your presentation you did a lot of research.
015So, yeah, we appreciate that. >> Oh, to the to the backup. Very nice. >> Can you can you 3D print that? Are you 3D printing your prototype? >> How are you making your model? >> Like how are you? Yeah, >> our so 3D printing is actually a great idea. Thank you for um introducing that to us. But um our prototype is a larger scale and it's being made out of cardboard. >> Excellent. Who said they had a question? Oh, Mrs. Murray. >> Are you guys taking your toothbrushes out of your bathrooms every night now? [laughter] >> I do that personally. That's [laughter] and I know a good plumber if you have questions. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Anything else you would all like to add before we give you your certificates? So, we want to
016just get this clear. There were 600 teams in grade six in the grades six through 800 competition. >> We're not sure. She said 600. We don't know >> everybody. >> So, and is there a next step that we're going to now? >> Next step is May 28th. That's when they will have their class. They have to have May 26, the Wednesday before the weekend. Um they'll do it'll be over Zoom again in the classroom with the judges from school board and then they find out like a week later. >> Okay. So, we definitely want to hear. But that's very impressive. You guys are you guys are going against seventh and eighth graders, which is extremely impressive. >> And that state, just to take that one step further, um that state final. So, for those of
017you who have been to um workshop, it's the top three teams that actually get to present at workshop. So, they don't actually pick first, second, and third when they do their Zoom. It's it's whether or not you make the top three. If you make the top three, you're invited to go to Atlantic City and present in front of schoolboard members across the state. >> Do you have a name for your product? Because we love your team name, Toilet Titans. That is fantastic. So, do you have a an official name? Is it going to be the toilet titan or we don't know yet? >> We're working on it. >> Oh, yeah. We're still working. >> We are working on it. >> All right. Well, we love the t-shirts. So, um we have some certificates for you.
018We're going to take your picture. So, I'll call your name and you can come up here, >> shake Miss Boozio's hand, shake mine, get your certificate, go to the steps, and we're going to take a picture with you and Miss Katalo. And >> and we're going to have one quick lesson first because you are all sixth graders. And so you are now going to be the leaders of sixth grade commencement. When you get a certificate, you take it with your left hand, you shake with your right hand. Okay? Take, shake. We'll teach you the smile part for commencement. >> And uh thank you for listening to us. >> We are so happy you came. All right, we'll start off with Owen Collins. >> Come right this way. Come this way. >> Watch the cords. [applause]
019Take his hand. Take that left. There you go. Shake your hand with the right hand. There you go. Good job, >> John Hartnett. [applause] >> Vincent Pecarara. [applause] Nice job. >> Michael Picnic. [applause] Maxwell Spangman. [applause] >> Okay. So, Miss Gataldo, you want to get with everyone? And Miss Holly, you want to be >> parents, you want to come take the picture? Come on. >> Me. We don't have a name. >> [applause] >> Superman. He's switching over. Oh, a quick change. [laughter] >> Okay, so who's next? Miss Boosezios, >> we are going to have our problem two, division two team that competed at the state finals of Odyssey of the Mine. Explain a little bit about their problem. Go ahead. Go. Go talk. It's up to you, but you may want to wait till the
020end. So that makes sense. Oh my god. >> Hello. Um, we are the prom two. >> You look familiar to me. Have I seen you before? [laughter] >> I was I was here. >> All right. Get in front of the mic. >> Hello. We are the prom division 2 team for Odyssey of the Mind. Um so we this we really enjoyed Odyssey here as a a whole. It taught us for me personally it was a wonderful experience. It taught me a lot of life skills and taught me how to really navigate the real world a little bit more to see ho how to do things and how to how to problem solve, how to think creatively and outside the box. So, um I appreciate Odyssey. Oh. Um, so this year um I've been in Odyssey
021for um three years and this year was a bit different from my previous years because um of our of our problem. Like for one we had a bit of restrictions this year whereas past years we could have um really huge props with like all these really intricate parts where this year um we had to fit it into a suitcase. So that gave us restrictions where all of our props had to fit into this small area. So that was one of our restrictions that we had this year. Um >> yeah. >> So our device had to be wearable. >> Yeah. Um our device that we made this year because we chose problem two which meant we had to um have a technical um device is the main um part. It had to be wearable which meant
022it couldn't be like bulky or uncomfortable while also being functional and able to do all the tasks. So that was another um challenging part. Um >> it also had to fit in our suitcase. >> Yeah. Had to fit in the suitcase too. >> The suitcase. This was >> so I I feel personally that Odyssey has taught me lots of things. Um, it taught me how to think creatively and I feel like I'm really going to miss it. Even if I had to travel far away, even if I had to stay up late, I still will miss it. >> So, this year we also the only thing that didn't have to fit in our suitcase was our costumes. So, we were very intricate and in designing those. >> We made them large >> and we made
023them big and Yeah. >> Yeah. So they we since we had such size limitations, we couldn't make our props and our scenery pop the way they normally do with size and really like splendid the way it's so huge and breathtaking. We couldn't do that this year. So, we had to focus on the little things, the colors, the textures to really make it pop in the same way that larger other props did, but while still fitting with our restrictions. And we also found that since the costumes didn't have to fit in the suitcase, that was a way to really let out that creativity. So, like Tommy Tommy here made the snake costume, right? It's >> so um another thing, um so like Vince was saying, we had restrictions. So what we really focused on this year
024was like origami because that can like that's collapsible and could get flat. So we really incorporated that into our um props that had to fit in the suitcase so that it would so that it was able to like expand outward and it would look nice and so that it would be able to fit in the suitcase in the first place. So, here we have um actually one of the props used in our real performance that folded it down into the suitcase. And um >> so um these um there was there's two of these panels. This is one of them. They were in um the background of our performance. And which which one? This is logic land. >> Yeah, >> land. >> This is the land part of the original world name called logic land. >>
025And um to make it fold down, we had to cut them in half so it could twist that way. And then we also made honeycomb balls that could fold up and down to fit in our suitcase. >> Yeah. So that that was made directly from scratch with tissue paper. really cool method. But um this is only the first part of this one. Also in the second part of our performance, we went to a tropical island called Bay. [snorts] at the tropical resort where Tommy our pig was oink oink and he was the the pig. He was actually one of the three little [snorts] pigs in disguise from the wool. She was a wolf and I was a salesman. >> I was the snake oil salesman who sold her microphone. Yeah. >> Um, so we originated,
026the start of the scene was in Logic Land and then we met Tommy, our pig, who took us to his home, the Bay of Pigs Resort. All the while he was still trying to hide from Evelyn the wolf because she was the wolf who blowed down their houses and he was the pig who made his house out of straw out the three little >> situation of like the three little pigs in our interpretation. Can I ask you a question? >> Yes. >> What was the problem that you were given? >> So, we had the device problem and so we had to make a device that in the performance malfunctioned in a humorous way. So, we had a hat that uh spun to translate oh something. We had something that grew in size to represent an
027answer to a question. and we had something that popped up to take them to an unexpected location. >> Um, so in our story, our first trick was the action. >> Our first action, our first action was to have something pop up and bring us to an unexpected location. So, in on the hat, a calculator popped up to relate to our logic land theme and it and it had hogs in it because we learned that when you turn calculators upside down, you can spell words. So, and took us to the Bay of Pits Resort >> where she was originally looking for an upbeat like really energetic restaurant to go, but ended up going to this tropical little resort that was so calm and laidback. >> Yeah. Right. to explain sorry to explain um the entire plot
028more basically um the wolf is in logic land because it's the most logical place to go um to find the three little pigs and um and then like we get transported to Bay of Pigs after um Wolf meets the pig and the pig um kind of is like oh I'm not one of the pigs you're looking for you know so um they go to Bay of Pigs the Bay of Pigs resort um >> and then I become vegetarian >> yeah wait >> wait um He wants to eat the pigs, but Tommy convinces her to become a vegetarian because he's a pig. >> So, um, >> yeah. >> And we also incorporated a little bit of song into that, too. So, >> all right. Well, are we going to hear it? >> Yeah. >> I mean,
029[laughter] you brought it up, so that's it. >> Okay. Should I sing one? Should I sing mine? Okay. >> Um, >> so in the contents of the story to convince me not to eat pigs, I said I'll eat them when pigs fly. So a flying pig comes past >> causing Vince to say >> he's learning to fly, but he just got wings. [laughter] >> That that was >> that was uh to show that pig's flying did come true. So now she is a vegetarian. Um what happens after that? >> After that once I become vegetarian he says terrific but in pig Latin and that has and then >> so he says and um this is where one of the things um in the hat comes in where it has to give a um wrong translation.
030So they ask the hat what does that mean? And the hat gives the wrong translation of um terrible. Um, so Tommy explains, "Oh, that's wrong. In pig Latin, you have to take the what? The >> first letter >> the first letter of the word the firstent of the word letter of the word." >> Yeah. >> Yes, that's his line. >> Wow. >> That's [laughter] um and then >> um >> Oh, yeah. And then um Tommy um show or the pig shows us around um the Bay of Pigs Resort and um he show he explains how there's three roofs that you can get from least expensive to most expensive. The straw roof, the stick roof, and the brick roof. >> Um >> to help tie in more of our three little pig inspiration, >> right? Because
031one of them built a house out of >> Yeah. >> And um and we know that straw roof is perfect for providing extra warmth to our pigs. Yeah, we're talking. >> The straw roof is great for providing extra warmth to our pigs. The twig feels like you're roasting on a stick on top of a campfire. [laughter] Our most expensive [snorts] feels like you're roasting in a brick oven. Isn't that wonderful? >> Um, should finish this up. Last >> last size um answering question. Okay. >> So, so Evelyn um after all of these malfunctions happen um Evelyn the wolf says, "Let's give him one last chance. So, let's ask him a question." And so, she asked the hat um um what body part in Pinocchio grew and it pops up with another calculator that says legs.
032And then, um the brim like grows in size. It expands um which is um the wrong answer obviously. And >> what happens after it? >> And then >> we have to show a map. >> No map. >> We show a map because I'm still hungry and was never actually fed. >> Yeah. >> So the map is supposed to show us a restaurant. >> Yeah, but actually it shows three hidden pigs >> that you would never see by the bare eyes. >> I mean, unless naked eye, same thing. Yeah. So, there's like three pigs hidden in the image. One in um a mountain, one in a cloud, and then one on a beach chair. Um and Tommy says like before he leaves, um what was your one? It was like uh there's always >> there's always
033hidden treasure. >> Yeah, like any good kids magazine. There's always treasure. >> Just check any good kids magazine. I'm just check good magazine. Um, I just would like to quickly say we are missing a team member today. Um, Julian. >> So, um, this is not this was not the full team. >> Are you going to show us the costumes? >> So, yes, Julian was the one who constructed our device, which was the hat. So, he worked on the mechanisms and how it worked. >> That the hat is downstairs. >> Should we not have >> That's okay. I'll bring the plate for you. >> That's impressive. >> What's that made out of? >> Um, it's made out of cardboard. Like this um the base is made out of um the entire thing is cardboard except for
034like eyes obviously. So um you can take it off. So um the base is made out of cardboard. Um and the fur like effect is made with like um pieces of uh like uh what's it called? the it's like paper um that we rolled up into cones and we put on like um we put it on in the same pattern as like if it were a real wolf like a fur pattern. Um >> yeah, I was the one who made He's also wearing sunglasses to help disguise himself cuz >> that's a clever disguise. >> There's also a little bit of straw hang. So, >> and the straw relates to my last line, which is when the wolf finally realizes that the pigs may have been there >> the entire time. Yeah, the entire time. Finally,
035we have >> defin >> So, the snake costume was made using um like a It's like a bubble wrap type material. I don't remember exactly what it's called. It was like insulated >> insulated um insulated freezer mail I think. >> Yeah, >> insulated silver freezer mailer. >> Yeah. So um it's with that material that we um drew on it with Sharpie to make it give it that look. Brush tip Sharpie. Um we attached it to a backpack so that Vince could wear it and to make it look like he's a snake more. It's wrapped around him using Velcro that he can attach to like his costume which has like the pieces of Velcro. Um >> yeah. And we put it in for um style as like an element for like being engineered that would be
036scored on. >> But this is what it looks like. to make sure that if you curl around me shape. [laughter] >> Okay, good. >> Um >> yeah, >> any final thoughts? What happened? So finally, as a team, we'd like to thank Michelle. [applause] >> Over the past three years, she's been a dedicated coach and given her time after school on weekends to support and help guide us. She introduced us to Odyssey and encouraged our creativity. Our experience in audited would have never been the same without her. >> So, we'd like to thank Miss Sham for her creativity, dedication, and enthusiasm in helping our team. [applause] [applause] >> Hug. [laughter] >> There you go. Now, I taught you that, too. Thank you very much. Um, is there anything else you want to say or can I
037>> Um, I just wanted to thank you all for all of the years of um, supporting us and making these three last years possible for them. Um, it's been an absolute pleasure and a joy. And on a side note, um, I wanted to let you know that Mr. Walsh was able to judge both the regional and the state tournament. we got to see him and he shared quite a bit of knowledge with them about spontaneous. Um, so that was a really cool experience. So, we've been keeping in touch, letting him know how things are going. So, but thank you. I really do. You indulge us each year and it really means a lot to me. Thank you very much. And thank you guys for an awesome year. >> Thank you, Michelle. [applause] All right. >>
038Thank you for taking the time to listen to us. >> So, could you just tell us what grade you're in? >> I'm in sixth grade. What? >> I'm in seventh grade. >> I'm in fourth grade. >> I'm in sixth grade. >> And go ahead. >> And I'm in 39th grade. >> And Julian's in sixth grade, too. >> I have one thing to say to the team. >> Hate Oswe. [laughter] >> Can you understand it? >> Come on. >> That was >> Oswe. Um, was >> That was great today. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you so much. >> I have a certificate. I'm going to read yours. I apologize to the toilet titans. I did not read read it. I'll read it after this. Uh, Mr. Vincent, you can bring me yours. But certificate
039of achievement presented to these individuals in recognition of their participation in the 202526 Odyssey of the mind state finals. Congratulations from the Ordell Board of Education. Evelyn Ang, come on up. >> [applause] >> Julian Greco is not here. We'll give his certificate to Miss Shom. Tommy Lou. [applause] Excellent job. Vincent Peekaro [applause] again. Bring me your certificate. Fiona Venista. [applause] Let's take a picture. Did you get your 45? >> [applause] >> So, right before um we'll take a two-minute break. So, if you guys want to leave, you can say, but I just wanted to read the certificate, which I forgot to do for the steam uh the steam one. certificate of achievement presented to the steam individuals in recognition of their participation in the state level of the 2026 steam tank champion steam tank challenge.
040Congratulations to the oil board of education. So we appreciate all of you coming. I have to say like every time we have students here we have like the most creative innovative students. I am amazed. If the world depended on me we wouldn't have the wheel. We wouldn't have fire. But every time I see things here it's amazing. So, keep it up. I think you guys are going to do great things. And Mr. Lou, we have you here another two years, I believe. Right. So, we'll be seeing you again. So, we'll take a two-minute break. If you guys want to stay for our meeting, you're welcome. But otherwise, it's a good time to take off. >> Yeah, you guys are here for the fun part. I can carry >> so blown away by blown away. It's
041so impressive. >> It's all right, Tommy. Don't worry. We have Move the wire. Move the wire. Thank you for coming. Come back. >> Good. >> Okay. Okay, we'll keep going. Um, so the calendar that we had discussed earlier, uh, Mr. Darian will add it as a walk-on to admin. So, we're going to be voting on that this evening and I'll turn it over to the superintendent. Um, good evening. There are certain things that I always have to say during my report because it is required by state law. So, back in October, Mrs. Holly, as the district's anti-bullying coordinator, presented our self- assessment scores. Uh, we did receive word that the state has certified our district HIV grade. As presented during that October board meeting, the self- assessment resulted in a 72 out of a maximum
042of 78 points. Both the presentation from that board meeting and the state certification of the scores have been posted on the district's website prior to the April 29th deadline. I did check on enrollment today. As you know, I've been watching enrollment very carefully for next year. Um, current enrollment in the building as of today is 790 students. We will graduate 126th graders and our kindergarten enrollment for next year is currently 96 students. So it is much more on track with what we anticipate it to be each year. Um you know that for a very long time we were sticking at 70 and I was getting very nervous. So to see us at 96 we always consider that our enrollment when we are predicting is about 100 students. So be a little bit above that next
043year but we will very likely show a slight decline in overall enrollment because of the size of the sixth grade class we are um graduating. NJSLA adaptive testing will begin next week. The transition to a new test has required additional training for staff. There is still a lot of unknowns and that is incredibly anxiety producing for teachers, for administrators, I don't think for students. They just see it as one more assessment. They are not worried about anything. Uh but the state continues to release information. And so we're about to start a test and we're now getting like what the predicted reading level will be on this the passages students will read to be assessed and also the passages students will read when they have to write on it. So we're starting a test in a
044week and we just got that data this past week. Um, and so that is it. This concept of students being able to stop testing when they're done is hard because we know that we want kids to take as much time as they need and we don't like when kids rush and there is a concern that this test is really encouraging kids to rush and be done a little bit. So, we're going to see how everything goes. I always say that we are not alone. Just like when Park was first introduced, we're not the only ones doing it. Our students are going to have the same experience as everyone else and we'll see what happens afterwards. With regards to school events, our sixth graders enjoyed a new district field trip to the Museum of Natural History.
045As this board knows, I have been encouraging our staff to try new field trips for a really long time. And I'm sure my sixth grade teachers really enjoyed when I said, "When did I first ask you to try this trip?" Because it was quite successful. Um, the Museum of Natural History over time has evolved itself and become much more interactive and it's hard to find a a field trip that is engaging for upper elementary, dare I say, middle school students. And I do think this field trip um had that. [clears throat] Um, it was a place that not everyone has been to. And students came back, they were happy. As I shared with you as a board, the one complaint they had was it was a lot of walking. We don't have a lot of
046stamina at Word Public. We might need to bring back some more walks because um they were tired at the end of the day. Uh that was last week, two weeks ago. And then last week they celebrated at a cla as a class at the spring fling. You may see the sixth graders in their class shirts which they were provided this week. They had um their class pictures and as you know, as many of you former parents, that shirt is an annual gift from the PTA. Finally, there were some additions to the agenda made since you received the drafts on Friday. These were primarily um in personnel. You will notice the retirement of one of our ESL teachers slated for the fall. While Mrs. Clearary has not with been with us for a significant number of
047years, she has been a dedicated and diligent employee since the moment she stepped into the district. She does not like downtime. And from the moment she got here, she said, "We can do this faster. We can do this better. We can do this more efficiently." and I will personally truly miss her calm presence each day. You also will notice that we are extending one of our title programs. It is a title program that we have been running after school as an executive functioning title program um through title four funds. We do we wanted to continue the program and we kind of have exhausted our title four funds. So we are adding a little bit of an academic focus because that allows us to use title one funds for it. So, it will be a very
048similar program. It will include students that are already in the program, but we're going to also do a little bit of tutoring within it. And with that, that we are also one more item that I did add to that personnel agenda is we are bringing on two additional substitute teachers. We have made it very clear in the community that if you went to Ordell public school or um you have a a parent that is is in Oral Public School or knows Ordinal Public School, we are a district that will readily take on substitute teachers who are college students. We know that we have these students as subs for the last eight weeks of the school year. Seven weeks, they're going to be done and coming home the first week of May. and this is a
049great way for them to make some additional money and that allows us to know as a district that we are going to have subs in at the end of May and June. So, it's a great time for us to plan if we want to do some curriculum writing and pull teachers out of the classroom, if we want to do professional development prior to the beginning of the school year. This is one of the times of the years that we know we will be fully staffed. And the one piece that I did forget to put in here, but I did share with you in email is our explorations brochure has been shared with our parent community and registration has begun. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you. Speaking about going to New York City, um,
050one of our former board members uh, reached out to me because she'd been reading our agendas, Mrs. Shapiro, and she said, "Going back to New York City?" I said, "Yes, finally." And she was so happy because, you know, such a great thing to do for our kids. and she said she believes she was on the last trip to New York City, right? Remember the night of co? It was a Broadway show. What was the group that was going? >> Uh the show was wicked because that year our musical was The Wizard of Oz and we were the next to last show before Broadway went dark >> and it was a huge issue about whether letting them go or not. They decided to go, right? Cuz when did they go and when were we? >> Um
051we we shut down on Friday. I feel like that was Thursday afternoon. >> Like the day before we shut down for co they went into New York City and she said and she showed me her tickets. She sent me her tickets up. like this is it. But she was so happy to see us go. So I agree. Mr. Aya Pelli. >> Yes. I just received uh word today that our budget was finally approved. Uh there was just one minor change that needed to be made, but the county approved the budget. Uh so now we will be able to advertise it prior to our May 6th public hearing. Uh, and I just want to thank Rammy with for his help of uh leading the medicine upgrade uh because we were able to get that done this
052week and we had training uh but without Ramy's help wouldn't have been done uh because he needed his expertise there. Um so that's really uh concludes my report. Okay, moving on to minutes. Um, no approval, just review of March 18th and 25th. Any questions or comments, please email Mr. Ayapelli. Uh, I don't think we need a roll call in there, right? It's just a review, right? >> Okay. So, we can remove that for the minutes. Um, committee reports. Mr. Darien, would you take administrative? >> Uh, yes. We have uh one new item today. It wasn't on the agenda because we just reviewed our uh public school calendar and this is dated uh 4226 and I would like to introduce the um revised calendar as a result of uh having one extra snow day and um
053and we're incorporating that day into the remaining school year this year. So um I'll introduce this as item A1. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Second by Mrs. Genshi. Any questions? Call the question >> on the roll. Mrs. Downey. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Genie. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Moran. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Norian. >> Yes. >> Mr. Nutland. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Walker? >> Yes. >> Mr. Derian? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Nichols? >> Yes. Um, buildings and grounds. Mr. Delgero is on here. Mr. Nutland, would you like to take just move the item, I guess? >> Let me see. I do not have those minutes here. >> Oh, you already gave you gave the update last time. You just have to move the item. >> Okay. Yes. I'd like to introduce B1.
054>> I'll second it. >> Second, Mrs. Norian. Any questions? >> Call the question >> on the role. Mrs. Downey. >> Mrs. Ganchi. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Moran. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Norian. >> Yes. >> Mr. Nutland. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Walker. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dariion. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Nichols. >> Yes. Curriculum. Mrs. Norian. >> Sorry, I turned turning it on and off. Um. Uh we are scheduling a meeting coming up. So we're going to look at our calendars later. Um and [clears throat] with that, I'd like to present item C1, which [clears throat] approves the trip that the uh sixth graders took that we were just talking about. >> Second by Mrs. Genshi. Any questions? >> What's what's the revision? We had uh two staff members who drove because we realized that we
055might need to have a vehicle there other than just the school bus. So that is just the cost of their um transportation. >> Okay. Mr. Darian. >> Yeah. I was just going to say I thought we approved this field trip. >> Okay. >> Any other questions? >> Call the question. >> On the roll. Mrs. Downey. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Genie. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Moran. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Norian. >> Yes. >> Mr. Nutland. >> Yes. Mrs. Walker. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dariion. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Nichols. >> Yes. Uh, finance. Mr. Darien. >> Uh, the finance committee did not meet since our last board meeting, so I have no minutes or um notes to review. Uh, all I have tonight is just items D1 through D7 or D6 on the agenda. I'll second. >>
056Second by Mrs. Genshi. Any questions? >> Call the question on the roll. Mrs. Downey, >> yes. >> Mrs. Geni, >> yes. >> Mrs. Moran, >> yes. >> Mrs. Norian, >> yes. >> Mr. Nutler, >> yes. >> Mrs. Walker. >> Yes. >> Mr. Darian. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Nichols. >> Yes. Delegate report. Mrs. Norian. >> Um, the next delegate meeting will be on May 23rd. Um, >> in person. Do you need to be on the next agenda for Yeah. >> expenses. So, Mr. Ielli, can you add Mrs. Snorian? >> Yes. >> Are there any resolutions coming up? >> Um, we haven't received them yet. So, >> okay. Um, personnel, Mrs. Walker. >> Uh, thank you. Yes, it no meeting this month and I'd like to present F1. >> A second. >> Second by Mr. Nutland. Any
057questions? [snorts] >> I have a question. Um, our sub, is this a relation to one of our teachers? >> Both of them are. >> Oh, that's Oh, that's true. Okay. Any other questions? Call a question. >> Mrs. Downey? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Genie? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Moran? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Norian? >> Yes. >> Mr. Nutland? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Walker? >> Yes. >> Mr. Darien? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Nichols? >> Yes. >> Policy? Mr. Nutland. >> Looking to looking to have a meeting uh hopefully May 6. I'll check everyone's calendars, but that's what uh if we can do that, that'd be great. public relations. Miss Moran, >> um we met last week and we reviewed a draft of the communication structures plan. Um we talked about a new culture and climate survey, maybe
058doing a couple smaller ones and coming up with ideas and questions for a bigger one. Um and we talked about timing of the next newsletter and teacher appreciation week which is coming up the week of May 4th. special education, Mrs. Downey. >> Um, we had a meeting last week where we reviewed all the data um like looked at classification rates, use of staff, breakdown of related services, we talked about like what other data we wanted based on what had come through. Um, we discussed like IEP goal tracking, evaluating growth, and that's it. Um, open to the public. Moving forward, any old or new business? >> I have some old business. Uh, can we get an update on the uh, spring fling? Uh, what had happened um, offsite? >> Sure. The spring fling occurred from 6:00
059to 9:00 at the Powerhouse Studios on Friday evening. Um, Mrs. Holly and I were there for the beginning of the event. Um, we also we did limit based on the feedback that was provided about making sure this was really a student focused event and not a parental event. We did limit the number of parental chaperones this year. We had an administrator there at um all times and there was also four staff members there from 6:00 to 7:30 and a different four staff members there from 7:30 to 9. Uh there was a DJ, there was a photo booth as I shared with Mrs. Nichols. Um, one of the pieces that we did decide to allow them to have a little extra money for was that the photo booth now that people give goes to your phone
060and I did not want any photos going directly to student phones. So, we mandated that the photo booth have printouts only. There was pennet vodka chicken fingers. Um, overall it seemed like a really great event. Um, I did I was really happy with the number of kids dancing. Sixth grade's weird and you don't know if everyone's going to get up on the dance floor and who's going to be but that's all about having a good dance motivator and we had a DJ, a dance motivator and an MC and that really had kids engaged. We found one piece that we would need to improve if that was to occur again and that had to do with pickup. Uh when we're here we can just dismiss right outside but we can't just allow kids to go out
061into a parking lot. So, if it was to be offsite again, one of the changes we would make is we would have parents begin to arrive at 8:55, 5 minutes before. As soon as the DJ is done, everybody sits down at the table. We call you when your parents arrive. I will um give kudos to the sixth grade parents in charge. Every kid was signed in. Every kid was signed out. Um they did have chaperone permission slips of who could be released to who and they did a wonderful job making sure that this was a safe event. >> I'd like Uh, I like to piggyback that having a sixth grader. Um, you know, the feedback that I've gotten from, you know, my own son and from the scores of kids that I'm driving to fields.
062Um, they had an absolute blast. Um, I mean, it on Sunday, my son was like, "I'm sad the weekend is over because it was so much fun." Um so you know uh you know thank you to the board for for you know opening the possibility of that. Um I I think uh I think it was a great opportunity for the kids. Um I'd like to thank uh Ny Picnic and um Andrea Ficaris uh and the other parents and the administrators who were there who who put it together. um it sounded like it really was a touchdown and the kids the kids had fun and that's uh that's what this is about. So um you know kudos to to all those that made this possible. So thank you. >> Any other older new business? >> Yeah,
063under new business. Um May 6th we have a budget presentation. Seems like that's going to be our final budget. So I think we should meet before it. Um, Miss Bosios had indicated she would want to uh review a couple of items. So, there is a possibility of making some final tweaks, although the total numbers are probably going to remain the same. And um I guess uh we'll be available between the the 27th and the 1st and I'll be reaching out to the subcommittee members uh to schedule, but we really need to meet before the 6th um uh just to make sure that we you know we we nail down any changes. >> Any other older new business? I touched on this in close session, but um the district safety committee met uh last Friday and
064from the board it was James and myself and from admin it was Miss Bosios and Miss Holly and then we had Miss Catalo, Mr. Butcher and three members of the Ordell Police Department. And I have to say I think it was well worth having the meeting to lay a lot of things out. uh suggestions were made. Anything you want to add to that? I mean >> it was we met about evacuation and reunification. That's was that was the topic of >> and that was a really important topic because we have had some concerns with um the whatifs or my job as an administrator is not to just live in the day-to-day but also to be able to envision worst case scenarios as long as much as good case scenarios and it was really great to
065not just have OPD there but to have the office of emergency management there because in a true crisis they are going to take over. Um, so even allowing them to see, you know, our space in the basement so they could see what that might be able to be used for to um, evaluate spaces locally. And I'm really excited because this has been something that has been on um, school and district administration's minds. So to know that we are going to close this year not just with a new plan in place but with a new plan tested and tried allows us to enter next year more confident and also um one less thing to worry about in a way. So I'm I'm really excited. >> I think a lot of kings got >> uh worked out
066in that meeting. I thought I think if we had had it drill before then could have been a little >> we've actually we had practiced before. The the biggest issue >> I think you made improvements though and >> well the the biggest issue with any kind of off-site evacuation event is always going to be reunification and the new plan that we are putting forward is going to make we've practiced off-site evacuation. If we had to offsite evacuate tomorrow we would be absolutely fine and we could use our existing plan. Um what this new plan will do is improve the reunification if that ever occurs which is um one of the dictates that's or mandates that's come from the state recently is to begin to look at practicing reunification I think it was worth meeting any
067other any other older new business you need to go into close session any reason to go into close session for anybody okay >> I move to adjourn >> second all in favor I >> I >> All right.