School Committee Gets Feedback from ASFMS Students at Meeting

The School Committee began Monday night's meeting by recognizing two students who scored top honors in the national Letters About Literature program.

The reading and writing program asked students in grades 4-12 to write an author (living or dead) about how his or her book affected their lives. Approximately 70,000 young readers from across the country participated in this year's initiative, a reading promotion program of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. The program was presented in partnership with Target.

Jessica Bellows was a winner in the competition with her letter to Scott Westerfield regarding his book, Uglies, that taught Bellows a lesson about taking pride in being an individual and not trying to be like everyone else.

Jessica Liner earned the semi-finalist title with her letter to author David Pelzer about how his book A Child Called "It" made her feel deep compassion for the story's main character.

Feinstein Middle School Presentation

Principal Michael Almeida, Curriculum Coordinator Gina Gateman and Guidance Counselor Lori LeBrun presented a video featuring several students who have struggled academically in the past. The students have all improved their grades and made progress thanks to the Response to Intervention (RTI) program that has been put into place this year.

The program was implemented after administrators rebuilt the master schedule to include RTI and homework blocks for students who need tutoring, extra help with organizational skills and to make up work. The faculty takes inventory of what the children are interested in and uses the findings as incentive. For example, one student is allowed to play basketball in the gym during a period if he scores well on his weekly score card. Another is able to spend time at a dog grooming business as a reward.

"We have embedded supports for students within the school day," said Almeida. "Our failure rate from the end of last year to the beginning of this year's second trimester has dropped at least 20 percent or more.

"We believe we have the infancy of a model program here," he continued. "We now have other schools replicating what we're doing."

Nine students were at the meeting to answer questions about what they liked about their school and what they would change given the opportunity. Several students enjoyed the "Showcase," a talent show production, and many said they like how their teachers care how they do in school and keep them motivated.

Some of the dislikes included the assigned seating arrangements in the cafeteria due to time constraints, the lack of a late bus for students who participate in after-school activities and the need for a drama club.

The committee members also asked the students about their experiences at the middle school and how the transition went for them while moving up from the elementary level.

"There was a theme that you all feel supported by your teachers," said committee Chairwoman Kathy Patenaude. "And that is what we want to hear."

Contract Continuation Resolution 

The committee voted to oppose the Contract Continuation Resolution, stating it is  "supporting the state organization." The decision was four-to-one with District Five representative Judith Linder voting against the resolution.

FY12 Budget Update

Superintendent Michael Convery explained that not much more can be said about the budget until the Town Council meeting on May 16 to amend and adopt the Capital and Operating budgets. However, Finance Director Robin Reasor explained that the language of the letter to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) requesting a waiver allowing the $1.2 million given to the School Department to not be included in the town's Maintence of Effort provision for the year had been amended and sent to RIDE on Monday.

The next School Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 24 at 7 p.m.