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News, schools, and views from a uniquely Lowell perspective
7th October 2009

School Committee meets tonight

posted in Education, Uncategorized, school committee |

Tonight, the Lowell School Committee meets in Council Chambers, beginning at 7 p.m. and televised live on LTC cable station 10. The meeting will include a Spotlight on Excellence regarding the third year of the Summer Reading Program. Participating students read every day this summer and kept a reading journal, resulting in a total of 13,138 books read by Lowell students in grades K-8. The participating students at tonight’s meeting were chosen by raffle to represent their schools and receive a $25 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble. Tonight’s agenda also includes an update from the superintendent on plans to offer early release at elementary and middle schools for professional development, subcommittee reports, as well as two motions by me, one by John Leahy, and one by Jim Leary.

My motions are: 1. Request the Superintendent work with city youth providers to develop ways to collaborate and make use of the Rogers School as a community center. 2. Request the Superintendent make recommendations regarding the use of biodegradable throwaway materials in our school food program, rather than Styrofoam, as well as the potential benefits and drawbacks of switching back to reusable items wherever possible. John Leahy’s motion: “The Superintendent send a letter of appreciation to Brenda Costello from the Committee for all the work she has done over the past few years for the Lowell High School Scholarship Foundation.” And Jim Leary’s motion: “Request the Superintendent and the Curriculum Subcommittee review the School Committee’s policy as it relates to the age students start school. The focus reflects students from outside the Lowell Public School entering our system and are forced to repeat kindergarten or any other grade that have already successfully passed due strictly to the existing age policy.”

There are currently 2 responses to “School Committee meets tonight”

Why not let us know what you think by adding your own comment! Your opinion is as valid as anyone elses, so come on... let us know what you think.

  1. 1 On October 13th, 2009, kpemscott said:

    The children that attend parochial schools (like my daughter for pre-school at age 4 with a December Birthday) should repeat the grade just like children that start day one at the public schools. After parochial school they may be able to repeat a bunch of words but that does not make them socially ready for school.

  2. 2 On October 14th, 2009, Jackie said:

    I agree with you that this issue is complicated and far-reaching should we change the policy, but it certainly bears looking at to determine if there is a series of tests that could identify a child’s mastery of curriculum and maturity. We’ll know better once we get complete numbers from the administration just how much of an impact a policy change could have.

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