HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm. 04/13/2021 (2)Mansfield School Committee
Return to Learning Subcommittee
Minutes for April 13, 2021
approved 05-11-21
RECEIVED
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A meeting of the Mansfield School Committee Return to Learning subcommittee was ope�d to order
at 8:09 am. �, Etc, �t ,I.ISF—
Attendees: Lauren Scher, Linda Fernando, Teresa Murphy, Michael Connelly
Approval of Minutes: 3/30/21 approved 2-0
New Business
• Transition to in -person learning
In -person Learning Progress update. Everything is going extremely well. Mike met with
the teacher leaders as a standing meeting and there were small items unrelated to
return to learning. Lunches are running on time. Schools are making use of outdoor
spaces for physical ed and outdoor learning. The schools have spent time establishing
routines.
• Custodians have been able to keep up. They have a new tool — a sponge mop on a long
poll that works really well.
Teacher leaders have requested that more communication be sent out that discusses
what happens when a student is in a quarantine protocol versus student not attending
due to vacation, etc. If a student is not in quarantine and does not attend school in
person, they will be considered absent.
o MHS
In -Person Learning Status update. Everything on the checklist that had been presented
to school committee is pretty much checked off in preparation for an April 28 transition
to full in -person. One remaining issue — because of the SAT testing, they are using the
bigger the sturdier test/chair combo. The first couple of days of school, the bigger
desk/chair combos will be in the testing spaces. They will swap those chairs back out at
the end of the first week. The lunch schedule works. Reordering of parking starts later
this week. Teachers have changed classrooms.
• Mary sent a video to students last week and will send another on April 26. They are
working with McLean on good messaging — SEL message. Message to staff has been "go
slow to go fast." Everything is on track.
• About 70 students per day aren't showing up in person but are logging on instead. There
may be a lot of incompletes at the end of the semester. The IAVP code is no longer
applicable except if close contact or travel quarantine. Takes a lot of effort to deal with
these students. The hope is to get back to normalcy this spring so that students are
better prepared to attend in person in the fall.
approved 05-11-21
o Student learning and special education referrals.
• Would like an overall student achievement / learning loss update.
• Jim can come in and discuss and discuss status of IEP/504s. We have budgeted for the
FY21 budget for special education to address the additional clinical psychological evals,
regular evals, and more time for speech and language. Mike will soon have the
principals' assessments.
• RTI / SST teams have been running as usual. Staff have been utilizing STAR reading and
math assessments as diagnostic tools. The students who need support but do not
require an IEP has increased and have been receiving supports.
• Referrals to outside collaboratives has not increased.
• In some ways, the pandemic has increased classroom time given fewer assemblies and
pull-outs for activities.
• The goal for this year has been to meet students where they are and adjust pacing
guides accordingly. They are looking at the curriculum and focusing on what is vital.
• Consider rephrasing to "learning progress" or something along those lines.
• The counseling department has had a big strain. Do we need to hire more counselors?
• Summer programs
o A couple of grants came up with 10-days' notice. Teresa wrote an ASOS grant— and we were
awarded $32K. Qualters will be the focus. Has to be used on an existing out of school time
program. Dave has historically run a summer school. We have two people plus a mentoring
program during the school week during the pandemic. This will be enhanced. More students will
be served and will be selected based on the trimester 2 data. This will include those in danger of
failing a course, those in the ALC, and those in the Qualters Academy mentoring program that
has been active during this school year. English learners and students with disabilities will
receive summer services. This will be an enhanced program. Ordinarily there are 2 teachers.
There will be 9 teachers this summer, including a counselor, sped, core subject staff. Fifth grade
will be included. No tuition will be charged. Bus transportation will be offered. In -person
instruction will be provided. Social studies and science are new to summer programming.
Mental health and academic counseling will be provided. Special education will support
students with disabilities as well as others.
o We are still waiting to hear about a grant for 1J which would focus on math and ELL. We will still
run programming without the grant.
o Robinson will focus on K-1 students.
o High school summer programming planning has not yet been full planned yet.
o The goal will be to try to find ways to reengage students before they come back in September.
o They are considering a wellness boot camp option.
Meeting closed at 9:03am
Next meeting May 11, 2021