BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2005
Members of the Board Curriculum Committee met on Monday, November 14, 2005, at 6:15 p.m. in the SuperintendentÕs Conference Room at the Education Center. Present were: Curriculum Committee Members Anthony Villani, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and Richard Agretto, director of special education; and Board Members Rosario Amato, Joseph Craig, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, William Heske, Charlene Koch, Loretta Leeson, Diane Rowe, and Julie Venanzi. Also in attendance were: Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, superintendent of schools; Robert Gross, assistant superintendent for human resources; Stanley Majewski, assistant to the superintendent for finance and administration; Mia Fernandes, coordinator of literacy; Julie Victory, supervisor of mathematics; Eric Smith, supervisor of science; George VanDoren, coordinator of English language arts; Thomas Washington, director of student services; Robin Lutcher, director of information technologies; Frank Arbushites, coordinator of academic computing; Doris Correll, coordinator of English acquisition; Dr. Dean Donaher, principal of Liberty High School; Roger Washburn, principal of Freedom High School; and representatives of the press.
Eric Smith, supervisor of science, introduced Gayle Sydlowski, a fourth grade teacher at Asa Packer Elementary School, who brought eight of her students to speak to the board about the FOSS Science Pilot, presently being implemented in grade four across the district. Mrs. Sydlowski reviewed the various units of study in the fourth grade science modules and had the students demonstrate and report on what they had learned through the program. An activity, in which the students fingerprinted the various board members and the superintendent, was a highlight of the presentation. Also, various projects and reports from the science unit of study were shared with the board as well. Overall student reaction to the pilot program was very positive.
Maria Fernandes, coordinator of literacy, presented an update on the textbook pilot currently underway in all of the districtÕs elementary schools. There are 53 teachers from across the district at all grade levels involved in the two pilot programs with MacMillan and Houghton Mifflin. Feedback from teachers has been very positive. The new anthology is well aligned to the state standards and provides an excellent roadmap for teachers to present in the curriculum. They will switch programs at the semester in order to experience both programs. A decision on program adoption will be made in late May, with implementation to begin in the 2006-2007 school year. Representatives from MacMillan and Houghton Mifflin were present to provide handouts to the board on the particulars of the two programs.
Mr. Villani, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, introduced Joseph Santoro, principal at Broughal Middle School, and various staff members who presented a thorough overview of the preliminary plans for the creation of a Science, Technology and Mathematics Signature School for the new Broughal Middle School. The group presented the exploration of this model through an overview of the many visitations to schools, which have similar themes.
Project 2061, named for the next year HalleyÕs comet returns to earth, was founded in 1985 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), is being used as a guide to the process. Mr. Smith outlined the major tenants of the project, as they relate to the design of the Broughal signature school.
The technology integration component was reviewed by Frank Arbushites. Connections to the state technology standards were highlighted as well as new technological tools which would be incorporated in the new school.
Mr. Santoro and members of the Broughal staff then reviewed the various opportunities for professional development and the conferences attended were shared with the board. The areas of curriculum development, particularly as they relate to the Understanding by Design model were reviewed as well as the Dimensions of Learning instructional framework. An important component involved forging meaningful community connections. Mr. Santoro reviewed the many partnerships presently in place and the planned expansion of those meaningful partnerships in the new school. Finally, program evaluation was reviewed for the project.
Concerns were raised in regard to special education students, how this program would impact the students when they attend high school, a timeline for completion of the work to be done, and availability of slots for students from other middle schools. The board was asked to endorse the signature school model and plans for further development and the manpower necessary to do that will be forthcoming after the new year.
No new items were mentioned.
Kim Smith, parent from Broughal Middle School, expressed support for the model and asked that parents be included as a part of the planning for the new school.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Minutes Prepared By:
Anthony R. Villani
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction