April 6, 2022
Present: Kristina Gilton, Monica Logan, Donna Nolan, David Peling, Whitney Sanzo, Sarah Thrall, Student Representatives Rosemarie Weber and Jacob Scotto.
Chairman’s Corner
Thrall congratulated Jacob Scotto on being the recipient of the Connecticut Association of Schools Performing Arts Award. She also congratulated the Wells Road Drama Club on its performance of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Thrall welcomed the Best Buddies Program and Angela Ehrenwerth who were in attendance to present this evening.
Superintendent’s Announcements
Congratulations to Connecticut Association of Schools Annual Arts Awards Winners: In Visual Arts—Mara Wutka and in Performing Arts—Jacob Scotto.
Online Kindergarten registration began Feb. 1 and 83 students have registered, including current PK students.
Department Spotlight
Elizabeth David, resource teacher, with a group of high school students, highlighted the Best Buddies Program at Granby Memorial High School. Chelsea Newton, a senior, spoke of the Best Buddies Mission and shared its history. The high school had a Best Buddies Club, but this year created a Best Buddies Chapter with the international organization.
Natalie Kalva shared that she made new friends at the Best Buddies Ball on Sunday, and that is what she likes best about the program. Chelsea described the groups they work with including Leo Club, Cheerleading and Unified Basketball. Amelia Davis shared that one of the first activities this year was apple picking. A Halloween Party, Friendsgiving celebration; Chapter Holiday Party; Leo Club Holiday Party; and a St. Patrick’s Day Party were also held. Best Buddies also went bowling and had a Best Buddies Friendship Ball at the Aqua Turf in Southington.
This past Tuesday, an Easter Egg Hunt was held at the high school. Future events include: Annual Friendship Walk Fundraiser at Dunkin’ Donuts Park on May 1; End of Year Celebration at Antonio’s on May 15; and a Best Buddies Meet and Greet with incoming buddies on May 17. Maeve Dingley shared future goals and next steps to recruit more underclassmen as peer buddies and spread the message about the chapter in the school community.
Thrall inquired what the BOE can do to support the Best Buddies Program. David said she cannot do anything without the help of the students and the major goal for Best Buddies in the next year is to grow the chapter and inform families and students about who they are, what they do. She also shared students do not need to have a disability to be involved and can be a peer mentor. David stated she has been involved with Best Buddies for about eight years and it is the best part of her teaching career, and she cannot wait to do more events in the future and board members are welcome to stop by anytime.
Thrall also inquired how many students are in the program and David stated there are 13 peer mentors and 4-5 buddies. Logan inquired how frequently the club meets. Chelsea Newton answered that the club meets the first Thursday of the month. Weber suggested having a joint event with another organization in the high school —e.g., NHS. Thrall thanked David for her passion and her leadership and thanked everyone for participating.
Assistant Superintendent’s Report
Jennifer Parsons stated end-of-year summative testing is well underway. The district is awaiting SAT results; 4th and 8th graders took the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress); and, Science and Smarter Balanced assessments are in process. Summer curriculum work and planning for professional development next year is also well underway. Parsons shared there were 50 nominations this year for Teacher of the Year. Next steps are nominated teachers can apply and then the committee decides on the 2023 Teacher of the Year.
Thrall inquired about the Granby Equity Team meeting last week. Parsons said the team met last week and continued discussion around ways individuals are recognizing women in history as well as power —who holds power, how do you gain power, shifts in power. The survey administrated last year talking about experiences in school was discussed, and what additional information needs to be gathered and put together at the last meeting for an action plan. Weber inquired about participation in the survey; there was over 80 percent participation from students. Survey results will provide the implications for the team’s work going forward.
Student Representative Reports
Jacob said the NHS Volleyball Tournament was a great success as well as the NHS Empty Bowls fundraiser, raising over $4,000 for the Granby and Hartland Food Banks.
Pupil Services Department Continuous Improvement Plan Update
Angela Ehrenwerth, director of Pupil Personnel Services, provided an update of the Continuous Improvement Plan, and its goals. Goal 1: Student Learning and Achievement that students with special needs show measurable gains in academic achievement. Grade 2 is on track to meet the literacy goal, Grades 3-5 are on track to meet numeracy goals, Grades 9-11 and 11th graders are on track to meet evidenced-based reading and writing goal, current 10th graders are showing stronger literacy skills and current 9th graders are showing stronger numeracy skills. Goal 2: Community Engagement to partner with families to support engagement, ongoing communication and collaboration between staff and families. Goal 3: Social and Emotional Well-Being to support social/emotional/ behavioral learning. Goal 4: Budget Development and Fiscal Management to be fiscally responsible through careful identification of needs and appropriate spending. Goal 5: Embracing Diversity to support the implementation of the Granby Public Schools’ Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism Plan. Goal 6: Professional Development to provide meaningful learning opportunities to enhance practice and increase learning outcomes for students.
Weber inquired if PSAT data is individual or by group. Ehrenwerth said there were students identified with an IEP. As of Oct. 1, there were 291 special education students throughout the district. Weber inquired if they are broken down by grade and further by literacy, etc. Ehrenwerth said data can be looked at in a variety of ways including grade level and individual scores.
Sanzo asked if instructional coaches advise resource teachers. Ehrenwerth said a new position, or a PK-5 Special Education Instructional Coach will meet with the special education case manager to look at data, etc. and will interface with other coaches (math/ literacy coaches). Teachers co-plan and are equal partners in the classroom, which allows for flexibility and opportunities for some groups to work more intensely. The administrative team will train to best understand the models of co-teaching.
Thrall asked about the work of the Alternative Education Program Committee. Ehrenwerth said there has been one meeting, and the committee is moving ahead with planning. Weber asked if there is an identified population for this program. Ehrenwerth responded that the population may be students struggling with learning or attendance and can be general and regular education. Grossman added that it will be very important to have stakeholder feedback and support for a solid foundation.
Town of Granby Strategic Plan
The board discussed BOE goals to be included in the Town of Granby Strategic Plan. Goal #4 — Budget Development and Fiscal Management—continue to work with the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance on large capital projects. Gilton said communication between the boards and the community should be one consistent message. Grossman said he will go back to ensure the goal is measurable and write a sentence specifically regarding communication. Thrall stated the board will review and approve the goals at the May 4 meeting.
Curriculum/Policy/Technology/Communication
Peling reported this subcommittee is bringing forward two policies regarding attendance to include a definition of mental health days and updating the definition of remote learning and how it relates to attendance.
A third policy regarding student health will also be brought forward removing the religious exemption for vaccinations. Medical exemptions will be grandfathered if prior to April 21 prior to entering Kindergarten. This is state-mandated legislation.
April 20, 2022
Present: Kristina Gilton, Monica Logan, Donna Nolan, David Peling, Whitney Sanzo, Sarah Thrall and Rosemarie Weber. Absent: Student Representatives Tess Bajek and Jacob Scotto
Superintendent’s Announcements
Dr. Jordan Grossman shared that GMHS is one of 77 Connecticut schools in the Voice4 change initiative, which allowed students to apply for grants and possibly be selected for funding. Steven Roes headed the project and two students, Maeve Dingle and Kylie Coxon, received awards.
GMHS construction and demolition is underway for the building project that will enhance the commons with a kitchen, enhance the technology area, and add a new band/ chorus room. The news studio sponsored by the GEF is also underway.
Governor Ned Lamont visited Granby on April 19 and some Central Services staff, Thrall, and student representatives spoke with him about things that are going well and what the state can do to help us going forward.
Schools in the Spotlight
Kelly Lane Primary School teachers Emily Buder, Ingrid Budlong, Beka Goldberg, Tara Peterson and Media Specialist Amber Wyzik, and their students presented on student-led conferences piloted this year. This format varies from traditional parent-teacher conferences because it is facilitated by students, allowing them to share their learning with their families on their terms, facilitated by their classroom teachers. This process helps students develop ownership of their learning and accomplishments.
Peterson and her student Alex Halsted shared a video from the fall and a drawing of his favorite thing in pre-school, which are centers. Buder and Henry Busbey told the board that Kindergarteners develop an academic goal and Henry’s academic goal was writing. A video and some of Henry’s work was shown. Goldberg and Izzy Hughes shared Izzy’s work strategies as well as her work, self-reflection and examples of her writing. Brooklyn Rinaldi, a second grader, was proud of the work she did as well as some of the books she read. Budlong said that student-led conferences were meaningful for both students and parents and create a culture of evidence. Grossman stated this was not easy to do coming out of a pandemic, especially for younger students and commended the school community for pulling this off.
Assistant Superintendent’s Report
Jennifer Parsons shared that Kelly Lane and Wells Road utilized some of the ESSER grant fund to run an Alexia learning lab after school. Students were selected for personalized practice with teacher support three days a week and had a good turnout. Additional ESSER funds were spent on tutors for each of the schools to be on the literacy and numeracy teams to support students with specific skills.
Additionally, each elementary classroom will have a What I Need (WIN) block where teachers can reteach, instruct on additional skills and personalize and practice what is needed. A summer intervention program called RAMP will be held for students in Grades 1-5 and invitations have been sent out. Parsons said that two tutors were hired this year and will continue next year to provide direct instruction for students needing additional support.
At the middle school/high school, a co-teaching model will be an effective use of staffing and time as well as academic support centers and open classrooms to provide support. Nolan inquired if any students declined these intervention services. Parsons replied that some parents cannot commit to three days a week, but the program is available for those students to work at home.
Business Manager’s Report
Anna Robbins presented the March statement of accounts and stated at the end of March there was a positive forecast of $255K, which is $136 higher than last month. Special education expenditures are over-budget $14K, which is $92K better than last month. Regular education expenditures are favorable $268K, which is better than last month by $45K. The town received the first payment of $322K for the Excess Cost Grant and the billing for the second half of special education charges to other towns will be sent to participating towns.
Continuous Improvement Plan Update for Kelly Lane
Principal Colleen Bava reviewed her goals as follows: Goal #1 Student Achievement to increase reading and math achievement scores by establishing data meetings throughout the school year; establishing WIN time for small group focus; and the continuation of progress monitoring. All areas/grade levels showed a significant increase from the winter.
Goal #2 Community Engagement to work collaboratively to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect to ensure effective communication. Establishing a social media platform for school-based activities, weekly communication to families, monthly newsletters, and spring family events.
Goal #3 Social Emotional Well Being to create an equitable learning environment by sharing strategies and approaches on SEL through a book study on conscious discipline, training through the Farmington Valley Health District, and positive office referrals from teachers and recognized by the principal.
Goal #4 Budget Development and Fiscal Management to create a long-term financial plan that aligns with the vision of the Board of Finance by continuing to revisit opportunities for innovative and educational investments for the elementary school.
Goal #5 Embracing Diversity to ensure system-wide practices and structures to support the implementation of the Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism Plan by focusing on monthly book studies, working with high school art students to celebrate diversity through art for our hallways, and increasing diverse books in school and classroom libraries.
Goal #6 Professional Learning to improve staff capacity to clarify outcomes and use data protocols to inform instruction by reviewing student data and plan small groups with targeted intervention for tiered students; continue the collaboration to plan and implement Teachers College Phonics; and provide training to Teaching Assistants three times this year to focus on small group instruction and data collection.
First Reading of Revised Policy 5113–Attendance-Excuses-Dismissal
The Curriculum Subcommittee recommended revised Policy 5113 for a first reading. Parsons stated this policy required legislative language changes incorporating the definition for remote learning as well as legislative action that students are allowed two mental health days per year. This policy will go to the board for a second reading and approval at the next meeting.
First Reading of Revised Policy 5113.2–Truancy
The Curriculum Subcommittee recommended revised Policy 5113.2 for a first reading. There were language changes to this policy to incorporate the two mental health days as well. This policy will go to the board for a second reading and approval at the next meeting.
First Reading of Revised Policy 5141–Student Health Services
The Curriculum Subcommittee recommended revised Policy 5141 for a first reading. This policy includes language around religious exemptions for immunizations. Pre-school students were not allowed in this year with the religious exemption. Students with exemptions on file can carry these on; however, exemptions do not carry with the student district to district. This policy will go to the board for a second reading and approval at the next meeting.
First Reading of Revised Policy 6146–Graduation Requirements
The Curriculum Subcommittee recommended revised Policy 6146 for a first reading. Parsons stated graduation requirements kept changing and this policy needed to be revised comprehensively. The three criteria for graduation: 1) students satisfactorily complete the prescribed courses of study; 2) satisfactorily pass any examinations and/or performance standards; and, 3) attend school in order to achieve the credits. Moving forward with incoming freshmen and beyond, there are slight shifts in the credit assignment in the categories with alignment to the Humanities, STEM and Vision of the Graduate. This policy will go to the Board for a second reading and approval at the next meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Nolan, Board Secretary