An Update from the School Committee

Welcome!

To translate this update, click on it then use the link to the right.

Para traduzir este boletim, clique nele e use o link à direita.

Para traducir este boletín, haga clic en él y luego use el enlace a la derecha.

لترجمة هذه الرسالة من المدرسة ، اضغط عليها ثم استخدم الرابط الموجود على اليمين.

Այս տեղեկագիրը թարգմանելու համար կտտացրեք այն, ապա օգտագործեք աջ կողմում գտնվող հղումը:

Чтобы перевести этот бюллетень, нажмите на него, затем воспользуйтесь ссылкой справа.

Bu bülteni çevirmek için üzerine tıklayın ve ardından sağdaki bağlantıyı kullanın.

There was a full agenda for the School Committee on November 8. The Teaching and Learning Showcase featured the elementary Spanish program. As of this year, all elementary grades include Spanish instruction. This has been a major commitment by the district and staff. Beginning next year, the Middle School program, which used to be the first year of Spanish, will be re-designed to accommodate these Spanish-speaking students from the elementary schools.

The 2021 MCAS results also were presented. Taken in the spring, this was a unique year for MCAS since students were in remote or hybrid instruction for much of the year. The test was limited in scope and is not deemed comparable to previous tests, nor is it being used by the state for accountability purposes. While acknowledging these unusual circumstances, the results indicate some areas of strength and other challenges. It was noted that students generally scored better on curriculum standards that were prioritized during the year, a practice encouraged by the state. The presentation identified student subgroup differences as well as response strategies by educators at each level.

The FY23 Budget Calendar was approved. The budget process has begun, and includes capital planning this fall, followed by budget meetings in the winter and spring before a final budget is presented to the Manager and Council in May. To help guide this process, the Committee approved FY23 Budget Priorities recommended by Superintendent Galdston. These are organized around four key objectives: equity, excellence, community, and Building for the Future projects.

Information was presented to the Committee on a new School Quality Framework and the 5 Essentials survey. The School Quality Framework is organized around inputs and outcomes that show progress in meeting major goals for the district, such as academic achievement and a supportive school culture. This is a draft document that will be further developed with input from school staff, administrators, parents, and the Committee. The 5 Essentials survey provides an opportunity for parents, students, and teachers to reflect on their experiences with the Watertown schools. Some of these responses will be used as metrics in the School Quality Framework. The survey window will be open December 1-23.

Superintendent Galdston provided an update on COVID-19 protocols. Wearing face masks and testing continue across the district. For Watertown children ages 5-11, a vaccination clinic sponsored by the state will provide free shots on Wednesday, November 17, from 2-7 pm in the Middle School cafeteria. The second dose will take place on December 8. A signup form will be emailed to families from the Superintendent shortly. This clinic is open to all children ages 5-11 regardless of where they live or where they attend school.

In the Building for the Future update, the Hosmer continues to move toward a February opening, although supply chain disruptions have slowed some aspects of the work. Schematic design continues at the High School with the next presentation planned for December 8.

The Chair noted that the Committee will meet on November 22 at 7 pm to discuss the latest draft of the School Quality Framework as well as initial priorities to help guide possible changes to elementary school attendance zones. When construction projects are completed at all three elementary schools the district will need to evaluate the best use of each building, which may require attendance boundary adjustments. Any changes would not become effective until at least the fall of 2023 when all elementary projects are completed.

At the outset of the meeting, two new staff were introduced: James Kane as the Director of Public Buildings, and Brendan Casey as the Interim Coordinator for Physical Education, Health & Wellness. Other presentations included the FY22 Budget Update, Enrollment Update, and Personnel Update.

In upcoming meetings, the School Building Committee meets next on November 17. As noted, the School Committee meets on November 22 and again on December 6 for its regular monthly meeting.

Additional information is available on the Watertown Public Schools website at https://www.watertown.k12.ma.us/cms/one.aspx?portalid=190103&pageid=556557.

John Portz

Watertown School Committee

Committee of the Whole

Link to SC Meeting via Zoom:

https://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/82720425588

Email: schoolcommittee@watertown.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.watertown.k12.ma.us/school_committee/home
Location: 30 Common Street, Watertown, MA, USA
Phone: 617-926-7700
Facebook: facebook.com/watertownpublicschools
Twitter: @watertownschool