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2008-10-20: The new school year We trust that the new school year is settling in well. Thanks to the hard work of the teachers, custodians, staff, and summer interns, the schools were ready for students and we continue to hear feedback about the positive work going on in the classrooms. At the same time, we recognize and appreciate that the move to a 2 1/2 school elementary model was difficult for many teachers and families and that the transportation issues during the first few weeks of school made this transition more difficult. The following highlights areas of recent discussion for the School Committee. Elementary School Reconfiguration Update The Administration has made changes to address transportation issues at the end of the day and will continue to monitor bus routes, capacity, and stops on an ongoing basis. As in prior years, routes continue to be refined as needed. A fifth bus has been added to the dismissal at Loker to shorten the kindergarten routes and a bus for the 3PM kindergarten BASE dismissal was made available at the beginning of October. Building principals continue to monitor safety issues at all schools and communicate relevant policies to families. Full Day Kindergarten The Administration recently presented information regarding the Department of Education Full Day Kindergarten grants. The School Committee has decided to move forward with the application for a transition grant. A committee has been formed, composed of parents, community members, teachers, staff, and administrators, to determine whether to recommend Full Day Kindergarten for Wayland. The School Committee will also debate where Full Day Kindergarten fits in with the priorities of the District. Middle School Principal As many families and other residents are aware, John Kavaleski, former Assistant Principal, has assumed the Principal position at the Middle School until his retirement at the end of the school year. A full search for this position will be conducted beginning in December. There will be opportunities for parents and community members to participate in this process. Look for additional information as it becomes available. High School Building Project Representatives from the High School Building Committee (HSBC) met with the School Committee. The School Committee approved Turner Construction to serve as the Owner’s Project Manager and HMFH as the architect, subject to the approval of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). Representatives from the HSBC and the School Committee are now working with the MSBA to agree upon an enrollment number that will drive the project's sizing. Drug and Alcohol Grant Wayland was recently awarded a $625,000, five-year grant directed at reducing drug and alcohol substance abuse. These funds will largely be directed at parent education with a portion allocated to student services. In addition, a new health and wellness curriculum will be evaluated with a particular focus at the high school level. High School Field House The floor of the Field House is currently being renovated thanks to the generous donations of Wayland residents. The project is expected to be largely completed by the end of this calendar year. The Fall Town Meeting will take place in the Middle School gym with overflow capacity in the auditorium. Ad Hoc Budget Committee An Ad Hoc Budget Committee has been established with representatives from the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, School Committee, and Municipal and School administrators. The purpose of this committee, working in parallel with the normal budget preparation process, is to evaluate potential areas of savings, particularly inter-departmental savings, for FY10 and beyond. Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 20th, at 7:00pm at Wayland High School in room S-10 (Science Building). Thank you for your attention, Wayland School Committee www.waylandschoolcommittee.org and attendance at public meetings and forums (schedule). This newsletter is archived online at www.waylandschoolcommittee.org/newsletter.htm |