School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Date: 2015-02-18 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA SALUTE TO FLAG: 1. SALUTE TO FLAG: ROLL CALL: 2. ROLL CALL: SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: 3. 2015 / 83 Special Meeting: Update on Progress of Negotiations Immediately following the regularly scheduled School Committee Meeting. MINUTES: 4. 2015 / 72 Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, February 4, 2015 PERMISSION TO ENTER: 5. 2015 / 74 Permission to Enter: February 18, 2015 MOTIONS: 6. 2015 / 63 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent report on the feasibility and legality of the Lowell Public Schools implementing a blizzard bag or virtual school program during snow emergencies. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • F: 978.937. 7609 http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 3) 7. 2015 / 64 [by Kristin Ross-Sitcawich]: Request the Superintendent to work with proper city departments to facilitate a needs assessment of the adequacy of safety signals surrounding all Lowell Public Schools. 8. 2015 / 65 [by Kristin Ross-Sitcawich]: Request the Superintendent work with staff to establish feasibility of utilizing April vacation to make up days missed from school due to weather emergencies, that otherwise would have extended the school year and establish protocols for future years, if feasibility is established. 9. 2015 / 66 [by Kristin Ross-Sitcawich]: Request the Superintendent furnish the committee with a budget schedule by March 1, 2015 for the FY16 school year. 10. 2015 / 67 [by Kristin Ross-Sitcawich]: Request the Superintendent work with the curriculum and IT personnel to establish an online partnership utilizing the District's social media capacity for the purposes of creating continued learning opportunities for our students in the event of snow days a nd vacations. 11. 2015 / 68 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent develop a plan to implement a delayed start in lieu of a school cancellation when appropriate. 12. 2015 / 69 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent work with the City Manager to explore the possibility of the Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) providing additional stops at Lowell High School during set morning hours. 13. 2015 / 70 [by Mayor Rodney Elliott]: Request that the Superintendent provide an update and timetable for classroom space needs to handle students in grades 5-8 in future. 14. 2015 / 71 [by Kimberly Scott]: To cancel the Good Friday holiday observation day. 15. 2015 / 77 [by Steve Gendron]: The School Committee will keep all interviews for the position of Superintendent open to the public and that the Blue Ribbon Panel be used in an advisory capacity. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • F: 978.937.7609 http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 3) SUBCOMMITTEES: 16. 2015 / 73 Personnel: Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Thursday, January 29, 2015 [Connie Martin, Chair] REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT: 17. 2015 / 75 2015-2016 School Year Calendar 18. 2015 / 80 Report of an Extension of School Calendar 2014-2015 19. 2015 / 78 STEM Academy at Rogers Enrollment 20. 2015 / 82 Shooter Protection System CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS: 21. 2015 / 76 Permission for Athletic Director James DeProfio to attend the Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association Conference held on March 24, 2015 through March 27, 2015 in Hyannis, Massachusetts. There is no charge for the conference and Mr. DeProfio will cover all other associated expenses. 22. 2015 / 79 Permission for eight (8) Student Council Representatives as well as Student Council Advisor, Tom Thornton to attend the 2015 Massachusetts Association of Student Council Workshop on Wednesday, March 11 through Friday, March 13, 2015 held at the Resort & Conference Center at Hyannis, in Hyannis, MA. Students will miss three (3) days of school. No substitutes will be needed and all expenses will be paid through the Office of Student Activities at LHS funds not to exceed $3,000.00. COMMUNICATIONS: 23. 2015 / 81 Family Resource Fair ADJOURNMENT: 24. ADJOURNMENT: Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • F: 978.937.7609 http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Date: 2015-02-18 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA SALUTE TO FLAG: 1. SALUTE TO FLAG: ROLL CALL: 2. ROLL CALL: SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: 3. 2015 / 83 Special Meeting: Update on Progress of Negotiations Immediately following the regularly scheduled School Committee Meeting. MINUTES: 4. 2015 / 72 Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, February 4, 2015 PERMISSION TO ENTER: 5. 2015 / 74 Permission to Enter: February 18, 2015 Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 4) MOTIONS: 6. 2015 / 63 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent report on the feasibility and legality of the Lowell Public Schools implementing a blizzard bag or virtual school program during snow emergencies. 7. 2015 / 64 [by Kristin Ross-Sitcawich]: Request the Superintendent to work with proper city departments to facilitate a needs assessment of the adequacy of safety signals surrounding all Lowell Public Schools. 8. 2015 / 65 [by Kristin Ross-Sitcawich]: Request the Superintendent work with staff to establish feasibility of utilizing April vacation to make up days missed from school due to weather emergencies, that otherwise would have extended the school year and establish protocols for future years, if feasibility is established. 9. 2015 / 66 [by Kristin Ross-Sitcawich]: Request the Superintendent furnish the committee with a budget schedule by March 1, 2015 for the FY16 school year. 10. 2015 / 67 [by Kristin Ross-Sitcawich]: Request the Superintendent work with the curriculum and IT personnel to establish an online partnership utilizing the District's social media capacity for the purposes of creating continued learning opportunities for our students in the event of snow days and vacations. 11. 2015 / 68 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent develop a plan to implement a delayed start in lieu of a school cancellation when appropriate. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 4) 12. 2015 / 69 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent work with the C ity Manager to explore the possibility of the Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) providing additional stops at Lowell High School during set morning hours. 13. 2015 / 70 [by Mayor Rodney Elliott]: Request that the Superintendent provide an update and timetable for classroom space needs to handle students in grades 5-8 in future. 14. 2015 / 71 [by Kimberly Scott]: To cancel the Good Friday holiday observation day. 15. 2015 / 77 [by Steve Gendron]: The School Committee will keep all interviews for the position of Superintendent open to the public and that the Blue Ribbon Panel be used in an advisory capacity. SUBCOMMITTEES: 16. 2015 / 73 Personnel: Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Thursday, January 29, 2015 [Connie Martin, Chair] REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT: 17. 2015 / 75 2015-2016 School Year Calendar 18. 2015 / 80 Report of an Extension of School Calendar 2014-2015 19. 2015 / 78 STEM Academy at Rogers Enrollment 20. 2015 / 82 Shooter Protection System Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 4) CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS: 21. 2015 / 76 Permission for Athletic Director James DeProfio to attend the Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association Conference held on March 24, 2015 through March 27, 2015 in Hyannis, Massachusetts. There is no charge for the conference and Mr. DeProfio will cover all other associated expenses. 22. 2015 / 79 Permission for eight (8) Student Council Representatives as well as Student Council Advisor, Tom Thornton to attend the 2015 Massachusetts Association of Student Council Workshop on Wednesday, March 11 through Friday, March 13, 2015 held at the Resort & Conference Center at Hyannis, in Hyannis, MA. Students will miss three (3) days of school. No substitutes will be needed and all expenses will be paid through the Office of Student Activities at LHS funds not to exceed $3,000.00. COMMUNICATIONS: 23. 2015 / 81 Family Resource Fair ADJOURNMENT: 24. ADJOURNMENT: Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Special Meeting: Update on Progress of Negotiations Immediately following the regularly scheduled School Committee Meeting. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 83 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, February 4, 2015 To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 72 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Permission to Enter: February 18, 2015 To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 74 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Office of Finance & Operations Phone: (978) 674-2019 LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 155 Merrimack Street Fax: (978) 937-7620 Lowell, Massachusetts 08152 E-mail: jlang@lowell.k12.ma.us PERMISSION TO ENTER To: Jean M. Franco, Superintendent of Schools From: Jay Lang, Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Operations Date: February13, 2015 Subject: Permission to Enter – February 18, 2015 School Committee Meeting UNITED TEEN EQUALITY CENTER, INC. $ 54,688 37 Hurd Street Lowell, MA 01852 To amend the existing contract to continue to supply services to the Alternative Diploma Program (ADP) that is serving thirty two (32) students in grades 10-12 who require a long term alternative education setting including the integration of special education students with non-emotional IEPs. Funding provided by the Mass Grad Grant THE HOME FOR LITTLE WANDERERS, INC. $ 43,711 271 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02115 To provide for the out-of-district tuition costs for two (2) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP. Funding provided by the School Department Budget – Special Education Tuition Account HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT $ 15,000 3800 Golf Road Suite 200 Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 To provide training to all special education teachers on how to utilize the newly revised Woodcock Johnson IV. Funding provided by the Special Education 274 Program Improvement Grant CAMBIUM - VOYAGER SOPRIS LEARNING $ 12,800 17855 Dallas Parkway Suite 400 Dallas, Texas 75287 To provide instructive training to eight (8) special education teachers in implementing the Language Live Pilot Program at the Robinson and Daley Schools. Funding provided by the Special Education 274 Program Improvement Grant MILL CITY GROWS, INC. $ 95,000 97 Central Street Lowell, MA 01852 To provide support and implementation of the Learning Gardens at numerous schools throughout the Lowell Public Schools. Funding provided by Various Grants including the Farm to School Grant 2  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent report on the feasibility and legality of the Lowell Public Schools implementing a blizzard bag or virtual school program during snow emergencies. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 63 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Kristin Ross-Sitcawich]: Request the Superintendent to work with proper city departments to facilitate a needs assessment of the adequacy of safety signals surrounding all Lowell Public Schools. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 64 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Kristin Ross-Sitcawich]: Request the Superintendent work with staff to establish feasibility of utilizing April vacation to make up days missed from school due to weather emergencies, that otherwise would have extended the school year and establish protocols for future years, if feasibility is established. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 65 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Kristin Ross-Sitcawich]: Request the Superintendent furnish the committee with a budget schedule by March 1, 2015 for the FY16 school year. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 66 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Kristin Ross-Sitcawich]: Request the Superintendent work with the curriculum and IT personnel to establish an online partnership utilizing the District's social media capacity for the purposes of creating continued learning opportunities for our students in the event of snow days and vacations. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 67 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent develop a plan to implement a delayed start in lieu of a school cancellation when appropriate. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 68 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent work with the City Manager to explore the possibility of the Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) providing additional stops at Lowell High School during set morning hours. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 69 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Mayor Rodney Elliott]: Request that the Superintendent provide an update and timetable for classroom space needs to handle students in grades 5-8 in future. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 70 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Kimberly Scott]: To cancel the Good Friday holiday observation day. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 71 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Steve Gendron]: The School Committee will keep all interviews for the position of Superintendent open to the public and that the Blue Ribbon Panel be used in an advisory capacity. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 77 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Personnel: Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Thursday, January 29, 2015 [Connie Martin, Chair] To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 73 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE Henry J. Mroz Administration Office 155 Merrimack Street Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 Rodney M. Elliott Tel: (978) 937-7647 Mayor and Chairperson Tel: (978) 937-7614 Fax: (978) 446-7436 Connie A. Martin Personnel Subcommittee Vice-Chairperson Meeting David J. Conway Stephen J. Gendron Thursday, January 29, 2015 James D. Leary Central Administration – Room 116 Kristin Ross-Sitcawich 6:30 p.m. Kimberly A. Scott Subcommittee Members Present: Chairperson Connie Martin, David Conway, and Kim Scott Other Committee Members Present: Mayor Elliott, James Leary, Kristin Ross- Sitcawich School Department Personnel Present: Superintendent Jean Franco and Director of Human Resources, Michael Cassidy The meeting was called to order at 6:34 p.m. The following agenda item was discussed: 1. Superintendent’s Search Process Chairperson Martin, asked Michael Gilbert, Field Director, of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, to present the next steps in the hiring process. Mr. Gilbert proposed a model for the public participation portion of the screening committee: Three (3) Lowell Public School Teachers He recommended one (1) elementary school teacher, one (1) middle school teacher and one (1) high school teacher to be chosen by United Teachers of Lowell. Three (3) Lowell Public School Parents He recommended one (1) elementary school parent, one (1) middle school parent and one (1) high school parent to be recommended through parent organizations, through site councils at each level, or through a designated system of the Lowell School Committee.  One (1) Lowell Public School Administrator Mr. Gilbert recommended that a building level administrator be chosen by their colleagues. One (1) Central Office Representative Mr. Gilbert recommended that a representative be chosen by the central office. One (1) Lowell High School Student Mr. Gilbert indicated that a student could be chosen by the LHS student government organizations; this has been done in other communities, and provides an end user participation that has a different level of understanding. Two (2) Lowell Public School Community Partner These representatives are active community partner organizations that work with the Lowell Public Schools. Two (2) Lowell Public School Community representatives at large These participants are possible interested residents, or agencies of the City of Lowell, to be chosen through a designated system of the Lowell School Committee, such as sending a letter of interest to the Committee. Mr. Gilbert suggested contacting the local media, and posting on the district’s social media to recruit participants. Mr. Gilbert indicated that this group of thirteen committee members is a manageable number, and is similar in other community searches and the 2008 Blue Ribbon Committee. He said every member would have a vote; and he confirmed to Ms. Ross- Sitcawich that the student would have an active vote. Chairperson Martin asked whether a chairperson was needed and Mr. Gilbert stated this group would pick a chairperson from within the committee. Mr. Conway stated that Lowell is a unique city and that the committee should reflect the student body, and he wants to ensure that there is diverse representation. Ms. Scott stated that the process must work hard to reach out to parents to ask them to participate so that everyone has an “equal shot”. Mr. Leary stated that the screening committee should include a wide range of different groups that reflect the community. Chairperson Martin asked Mr. Gilbert to provide a formal recommendation on the screening committee for the Lowell School Committee to approve. Mr. Gilbert stated the School Committee must discuss and approve a salary range to be listed in the advertisement. He said that in School Year 2012/2013, the five largest school districts paid their Superintendent $200,000 per year or more, the sixth to fourteenth largest sized districts paid their Superintendent up to $175,000. He said it is important to set a range to market and recruit other Assistant Superintendents from other districts. Mr. Gilbert recommended that the School Committee consider posting and funding the position for $180,000 to $200,000 per year with a standard three year contract. Mayor Elliott requested that the consultant provide a state-wide list of past and current Superintendent salaries. In addition, Mayor Elliott requested that the Personnel Office provide the annual salaries of Lowell’s past three Superintendents. Mr. Conway questioned the percentage of districts who do not offer a contract, and Mr. Gilbert stated that he is not aware of any Superintendent of Schools who did not start with at least a three year contract. Ms. Scott indicated that the recommended range is competitive with other districts and would be good to recruit applicants. Chairperson Martin asked Mr. Gilbert to provide a formal recommendation on the salary range for the Lowell School Committee to approve. Mr. Gilbert stated he would be providing a mock ad to Chairperson Martin to review and approve. The ad must be submitted on or before Thursday, February 12th to meet the deadline for the February 25th Education Week publication. Mayor Elliott requested that the approved advertisement be distributed to the full School Committee. Motion by David Conway, seconded by Kim Scott, to accept the report of progress (Approved 3-0) at 7:22 p.m. Motion to adjourn meeting at 7:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michael Cassidy Director of Human Resources For Jean M. Franco Superintendent of Schools Secretary, Lowell School Committee  Management Information Systems LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Department Phone: (978) 674-4320 43 Highland Stree t Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 2015-2016 School Year Calendar To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Management Information Systems Department Agenda Item: 2015 / 75 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Office of the Superintendent of Schools - LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS - Lowell, Massachusetts 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR Monday, August 31, 2015 Orientation Day – Staff Only Tuesday, September 1, 2015 First Day of School – Grades 1-12 Friday, September 4, 2015 No School – Labor Day Recess Monday, September 7, 2015 * No School – Labor Day Tuesday, September 8, 2015 Schools Re-Open along with Prekindergarten & Kindergarten Classes Beginning Wednesday, September 16, 2015 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Wednesday, October 7, 2015 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Monday, October 12, 2015 * No School – Columbus Day Tuesday, November 3, 2015 No School -Election Day Wednesday, November 11, 2015 * No School - Veterans’ Day Observed Wednesday, November 25, 2015 Early Dismissal – Thanksgiving Recess Thursday, November 26, 2015 * No School - Thanksgiving Day Friday, November 27, 2015 * No School – Thanksgiving Recess Monday, November 30, 2015 Schools Re-Open Wednesday, December 9, 2015 Wednesday -½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Thursday, December 24, 2015 * Christmas Eve – No School - Holiday Break Friday, December 25, 2015 * Christmas Day -[Holiday Break: Wednesday, December 24th – Friday, January 2, 2015] Friday, January 1, 2016 * New Years Day Monday, January 4, 2016 Schools Re-Open Wednesday, January 13, 2016 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Monday, January 18, 2016 * No School – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Wednesday, February 3, 2016 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Friday, February 12, 2016 Mid-Winter Vacation Begins at the Close of School Monday, February 15, 2016 * President’s Day -[Mid-Winter Vacation: Monday, February 15 – Friday, February 19, 2016] Monday, February 22, 2016 Monday - Schools Re-Open Wednesday, March 9, 2016 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Friday, March 25, 2016 * No School - Good Friday Wednesday, April 6, 2016 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Friday, April 15, 2016 Spring Vacation Begins at the Close of School Monday, April 20, 2016 * Patriot’s Day - [Spring Break: Monday, April 18th – Friday, April 22, 2016] Monday, April 25, 2016 Schools Re-Open Wednesday, May 4, 2016 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Monday, May 30, 2016 * No School – Memorial Day June 2016 (TBD) Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Will be on the last day of the School Wednesday, June 15, 2016 180th School Day Wednesday, June 22, 2016 185th School Day [Includes five (5) Snow Days] Approved by the Lowell School Committee at their meeting of Number of School Days Per Month Wednesday, February 18, 2015 August 0 January 19 September 20 February 16 * Central Administration, Family Resource Center and Early October 21 March 22 Childhood Center --- CLOSED November 17 April 16 December 17 May 21 June 16 Total 185  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Report of an Extension of School Calendar 2014-2015 To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 80 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 STEM Academy at Rogers Enrollment To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 78 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: STEM Academy  STEM Academy @the Rogers 43 Highland Street Lowell, MA 01852 Phone: (978) 674-4331 {HYPERLINK "mailto:jmccrevan@lowell.k12.ma.us"} Administration School Hours Principal: Jason McCrevan Early Bell Tardy Bell Dismissal Bell Social Worker: Amy Ventre 9:10 AM 9:25 AM 3:30 PM Pre-Kindergarten Morning Session Afternoon Session Pre-K Half Day (Monday-Friday) 9:10-11:40 AM 1:00 PM-3:30 PM General Information Facilities Grades: Prek-2 – Will Add grades 3+4 Cafeteria Gymnasium Science Lab Number of Students: 360 Special Programs Standards-Based Curriculum Inquiry-Based Learning FOSS Science Kits Engineering is Elementary Full-Time STEM Teacher Focus on Technology LEGO Robotics Classrooms With Students With Autism Newcomer Programs Partnerships UMass Lowell M/A Com Gelfand Family Charitable Trust LEGO UTeach MCC Verizon Why the STEM Academy? The STEM Academy is dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. We believe that we need to change how we prepare students for the global economy at a young age. We believe in fostering a love of science, technology and engineering for all students. We believe that inquiry learning develops better thinkers. We also believe that a nurturing yet strict environment promotes success. School’s Greatest Assets This will be one of the first STEM Academies in Massachusetts dedicated to elementary school students. We design the day around larger blocks of time dedicated to literacy, math, and STEM. We are dedicated to having at least 60 minutes of STEM time each day focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We spend more time on these skills and curriculum than most schools. The larger blocks of time give us more flexibility with teaching. Our teachers come from all experiences in education. We will be dedicating more teacher training time to STEM subjects. We will try new and exciting things and ask students to think, not just memorize. We are dedicated to promoting positive interactions between students. Our behavior plans run on weekly rewards, rather than monthly, giving students more timely feedback on how to work in a group and as an individual. CORE Values Caring Safety Effort Respect We are a public educational start-up school dedicated to challenging students to think. Please consider joining this exciting new experience.  Messenge rs Department LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Shooter Protection System To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Messengers Department Agenda Item: 2015 / 82 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Permission for Athletic Director James DeProfio to attend the Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association Conference held on March 24, 2015 through March 27, 2015 in Hyannis, Massachusetts. There is no charge for the conference and Mr. DeProfio will cover all other associated expenses. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 76 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Permission for eight (8) Student Council Representatives as well as Student Council Advisor, Tom Thornton to attend the 2015 Massachusetts Association of Student Council Workshop on Wednesday, March 11 through Friday, March 13, 2015 held at the Resort & Conference Center at Hyannis, in Hyannis, MA. Students will miss three (3) days of school. No substitutes will be needed and all expenses will be paid through the Office of Student Activities at LHS funds not to exceed $3,000.00. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 79 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Family Resource Fair To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2015 / 81 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 155 Merrimack St. 4th floor Lowell, MA 01852 978-674-2107 FREE CITYWIDE FAMILY RESOURCE FAIR Hosted by the LPS Parent Liaisons Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2015 Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Location: Rogers School Gymnasium 43 Highland Street CHALLENGE YOUR CHILD AND TEEN THIS SPRING/SUMMER! Learn about… Recreational Programs Reading Programs Health and Educational Resources for Parents and Children Brain Building Activities Summer Camps Experience… Dance Martial Arts Demonstrations Games/Arts and Crafts Win… Gift Certificate Raffles/Free Door Prizes Enjoy… Free Food and More