School Committee Highlights - January 29, 2024
On January 29, 2024 the School Committee met for its regular meeting and voted to adopt policy BDFA School Improvement Plan; approved the high school program of studies and a high school out of state field trip; accepted a donation from Servicemaster South Shore; discussed the first draft of the FY25 school calendar; and welcomed students Louisa Kinsley and David Murphy who shared many SHS updates. Additionally, Social Studies Department Chair Samantha Lesniak with representatives from the American Legion recognized Jane Ryan (3rd place), Mason Alvarez (2nd place), and Max Allen (1st place) as winners of the American Legion Oratorical Competition. Moreover, David Murphy was recognized for being selected as the Massachusetts representative for the VFW Voice of Democracy National Competition in Washington D.C. this year.
Leadership Reports
Superintendent Burkhead provided the Committee updates on school safety referencing the Joint Safety Statement from Scituate Public Schools, Scituate Police Department, and Scituate Fire Department on January 18, 2024. Superintendent Burkhead reiterated:
- Our highest priority is a proactive approach to safety
- The SPS Emergency Operations Planning Team oversees the emergency preparedness in our schools incorporating feedback following any/all incidents to improve, train, and repeat.
To read the Joint Safety Statement, please see the link below.
Superintendent Burkhead also updated the School Committee regarding a Cushing/Hatherly project abutters meeting last week that was a successful collaboration between the community and SPS. He encourages all members of the SPS community to attend the next Public Meeting on Wednesday, February 7th at Hatherly Elementary at 6pm.
For more information about the Cushing/Hatherly Building project, please see the link below.
Director of Business and Finance, Dr. Raab, shared and the school committee approved FY24 budget transfers. For more information, please click the link below.
Celebrate Student Learning - Counseling
Counseling Department Chair Tammy Rundle shared an overview of work in the counseling department that impacts student learning and achievement including but not limited to:
- Enhanced social emotional development programming
- Commitment to exit interviews and analyzing enrollment patterns
- Engaging with up-to-date resources for college and career planning including the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) Pathways platform
- Continued focus on improving communications & feedback cycles with students and families.
To read the slides from the presentation, please see the link below.
Resource Links
To view the full School Committee meeting please visit the Scituate Community Television (SCTV) YouTube Channel.
SPS School Committee: Members, policies and procedures and future meeting dates with agendas are posted as they become available.
Get notified when news, events and important alerts are published. Download Scituate Public Schools mobile app for parents and caregivers. From your mobile device, download it here:
