2010-QUASHNET RIVER SCHOOL COUNCIL

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specials: PE, Science/Health, Art, Music, Library, and Writing. We feel that we will be able to incorporate strings, band, and chorus during the specials time for 4th 5m and 6m graders, and, in so doing, will eliminate interruption of instruction in the core curriculum areas. 4. Student Discipline Frequent misbehaviors requiring disciplinary action: Inappropriate use of technology Use of inappropriate language and hurtful words Disrespect towards staff members Noncompliance/insubordination We continue to work proactively on a daily basis to improve the decision-making skills of our students. Every misstep taken presents a teaching opportunity. We talked briefly about the possibility of implementing Saturday school for next year as another discipline option—for chronic misbehavers. We will further explore this idea. We are going to make changes to the required summer 2010 reading for students entering grades 3-6—choosing a reading selection for each grade that has a bullying theme. We have a wide selection of titles that are being reviewed by staff members. The discussion of each reading selection at the beginning of the school year will serve as a jumping off point for further instruction on this topic. Professional Development at the beginning of the 2010-2011 for all staff members will focus on strategies to reduce school bullying through the use of proactive strategies. We will also work to bring some parent/family workshops to ourschool/district during the next school year with incentives to encourage attendance. The workshops will focus on ways to proactively deal with bullying and strategies to empower our parents. Schools and parents need to be on the same team with this topic. S. FYI Budget Update We are hopeful that the final budget picture for FY'11 will result in minimal staffing cuts/changes at the Quashnet School. More information will be available over the next few weeks. 6. Technology Update From our FY'10 operating budget we have purchased an additional student laptop for each homeroom. All homerooms now have two laptops for student use. We have also purchased three Smart Boards which have been installed in Rooms 109, 148, and 144. These are in addition to the Smart Board located in Room 143 (Mr. O'Connor's classroom). ENO Interactive white boards have been purchased for installation in Rooms 108, 111, and 101. Our teachers and students are very engaged and excited about instruction and learning using these tools. Site licenses for web-based learning (with progress monitoring) have also been purchased/renewed. 7. Other Music teachers Danielle Ripa and Kris Hill will survey our families about before-school music lessons for the 2010-2011 school year. Thank you all for attending this meeting and for your valued input. Our next Quashnet School Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 10, 2010.