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I apologize to viewers for the 15 minutes of bulletin board while we waited for subcommittee members to arrive, and I want to thank the students and staff from Lowell Educational Television who broadcast the meeting on channel 22.  I won’t go into everything we covered, but I feel compelled to relate some of the discussion regarding the impact of attendance initiatives (see LHS report) and the subsequent action, which I found particularly disturbing: that is, the motion by Regina Faticanti, seconded by Dave Conway, to suspend ONE Lowell activities at the high school. The motion passed on a 2-1 vote and will be brought before the entire committee at next Wednesday’s meeting (UPDATE: meeting postponed until March 19). ONE Lowell is an organization that serves the city’s immigrant families in a number of areas. For the last few years, the nonprofit agency has worked with the school district regarding student attendance (they are currently involved with truant students and their families from all but one of our middle schools as well as the high school). Funded completely by grants, the group improves student attendance at no cost to the district on a referral basis—schools refer severely truant students, parents sign waivers to allow the agency’s involvement, and ONE Lowell’s bilingual staff visit with families and refer them to other programs and services as needed to get their children to attend school. In many cases, attendance does improve for these individuals as this report demonstrates. My colleagues and some administrators at the high school are not happy with the group’s lack of providing narrative reports on individual students, which apparently prompted the motion to suspend their activities—an extreme reaction to a communication issue that does not appear to be in the best interest of these students. Despite all our budget problems and our struggles with student attendance, dropout, and retention rates, apparently some folks feel we don’t need ONE Lowell’s help. I respectfully disagree.

The Superintendent Search Committee selected six semi-finalists, including two local candidates, to be interviewed next week in public meetings at the Lowell High School Little Theater. The committee, chaired by Eileen Donoghue, invited eight candidates to be interviewed out of an initial pool of 21 applicants, but two have dropped out and do not wish their names released to the public. For the names of the six semi-finalists, along with the dates and times of their interviews, check: more »

Tonight at 7 p.m., the LHS subcommittee meeting will be broadcast live on channel 22 from the Colleen Creegan TV Studio (rescheduled due to weather). The meeting will include high school updates on science labs, alternative programs, security, and the Latin Lyceum, as well as look at the impact of initiatives to improve student attendance. For the complete agenda, check here.  As always, the public is welcome to attend in person or simply turn on the television.

During February vacation last Wednesday, the school committee voted to change the start and stop times at the McAuliffe School, beginning in September, from 8:30 in the morning to 9:10. Letters were sent home informing parents, and a follow-up poll will be conducted this week to determine interest in childcare options, such as having CTI provide morning care on a sliding-fee basis. The time change was a result of many factors that primarily had to do with cost: saving $44K-$88K in buses, closing the Varnum School in June to save $1 million, and changing bus routes due to the condition of some bridges. With many of the Varnum students (a late-start school) being displaced to the McAuliffe, along with the need to maintain transportation efficiency (three runs for each bus) given a potential budget shortfall of $4 million next year, the time change is a necessary cost-saving measure.

Last night, the Lowell High School wrestling team topped off a great season by winning the Division I State Championship. Congratulations wrestlers!  A winning team reflects the commitment of students, coaches, and families, who all worked tirelessly to make this season successful. As the Winter Sports Award Ceremony on Monday demonstrated, LHS is filled with gifted athletes, caring coaches, and involved families. Congratulations to all those who participated—your commitment to your sport makes you a tribute to LHS.