Board of Education

1. “Whatever you do, make sure you do it well.” ~ Residents at BOE meetings Board of Education Curriculum and Instruction | FYE 2015 budget → PLANS April 9 | 7:30PM BOE meeting

2. Agenda A. CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (2 minute limit) D. POINTS OF INFORMATION E. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORT - Aiyla Zahid F. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT (8pm) • F1. Youth Services Coordinator, Nancy Dunn • F2. Curriculum Development and CCSS • F3. Board of Education 2014/2015 Budget (no enclosure) • F4. CABE - Partial Year Membership • F5. Transportation Services 2014-2019-Bid Award • F6. Board of Education Policy - On-Line Coursework G. COMMITTEE & LIAISON REPORTS H. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT • Process for initiatives I. BOARD ACTION • I1. Adopt the school calendar J. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (2 minute limit), Comments limited to items on this agenda. K. POINTS OF INFORMATION L. CORRESPONDENCE M. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS N. ADJOURNMENT

3. “Whatever you do, make sure you do it well.” ~ Residents at BOE meetings School Resource Officer Implementation Collaborative between schools, town and law enforcement. Goal ___________

4. National Association of School Resource OfficersProgram Goal... “to educate, counsel and protect our school communities”

5. Triad Concept of School-Based Policing: SRO Responsibilities cover 3 areas... Teacher Informal Counselor Law Enforcement Officer

6. Program Goal“to educate … • reinforce principles of good citizenship and community responsibility • integrates law-enforcement education into current curriculum (e.g. health, social studies, criminal justice classes) • provides law-enforcement perspective in discussions with individual students, parents or school staff as relates to specific issues

7. Program Goal “to counsel (mentor)… • fosters a positive relationship with youth • establishes a positive connection between law enforcement and youth in what youth view as a safe environment, often resulting in preventing incidents • assists in developing strategies to resolve problems affecting our youth (drug & alcohol use, bullying, sexting, adolescent relationships, family issues)

8. Program Goal “and protect” … • behavior threat/risk assessment • establishes greater visibility and another positive adult presence in the building • helps coordinate municipal resources • assists in analyzing situations/events and coordinating school-law enforcement response • assists in on-site assessment of cases that are ‘right on the edge’ (enforcement vs school disciplinary action) • communicates with law-enforcement to ‘head things off’ external to school environment (e.g. parties, fights)

9. SRO programs provide safe learning environments in our nation’s schools, benefitting our youth and our communities.

10. CCSSCommon Core State Standards Vision Plans Purchasing Communications

11. Vision The Tolland Public Schools will represent education at its best, preparing each student for an ever changing society, and becoming a full community of learning where excellence is achieved through each individual’s success

12. 21st Century Skills and Pedagogy

13. Shifts/Practices FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS – Deeper understanding of fewer concepts (Less focus on data, statistics, probability in elementary math, more focus on number, operations and algebraic thinking) COHERENCE – One year builds to the next FLUENCY – These standards expect speed and accuracy DEEP UNDERSTANDING – fewer standards for deeper study APPLICATION – use of knowledge in a variety of situations. Problem solving Balance of literature and literary non-fiction (K-5) Literacy as part of science and social studies/history; Informational text as part of ELA (6-12) Close reading Appropriately complex text with scaffolding when necessary Text-dependent Writing to inform and express opinions using evidence Academic Vocabulary 9/19/2011

14. Curriculum Documents Moving from Binders to Digital Moving from Binders to Digital Parent Information http://www.tolland.k12.ct.us/

15. CURRICULUM Implementation

16. Materials and Resources Language Arts

17. Materials and Resources Mathematics

18. Funding Language Arts Mathematics

19. Funding Science Social Studies

20. Professional Development

21. Coaching and Consultants Benefits • coach and model effective instructional strategies in classrooms and supports teachers in improving their delivery of curriculum. • conduct staff development activities • Provide and support the use of current information regarding state and district curriculum initiatives • consult in the use of instructional materials. • supply resources for teachers to implement the program.

22. Learning Data Mastery Manager

23. Communicating Learning Standards Based Reporting K-5 = Fall 2014 Input: keidson@tolland.k12.ct.us

24. Communication Newsletters Website Tolland Public Schools Digital Backpack Report Card PTO Meetings Principal Meetings BOE Meetings

25. Proposed Calendar

26. Process for Initiatives Board Chair Report

27. DRAFT → TBD Initiatives List

28. Committees: Initiatives Campion

29. CORRESPONDENCE SINCE MARCH 19, 2014 MEETING We have received 11 letters since the last meeting.

30. Support of the Budget • One letter was written in order to express support of the Board of Education’s budget.

31. ALL DAY KINDERGARTEN • We have received five letters which expressed interest in keeping a half-day option for next year’s kindergarteners. They were all from parents who have children entering kindergarten next year. • We received one letter thanking the Board for including all-day kindergarten in next year’s budget.

32. Curriculum and Instruction • We have received three letters regarding curriculum and instruction. All three expressed the view that the district needs a stronger vision/plan in order to meet the Common Core State Standards. • The letters also showed concern that the hiring of more substitutes is viewed as a priority. They would like to see teachers remain in the classroom rather than leave to write curriculum.

33. Internships • One letter informed the Board of an opportunity for internships in the Tolland School District through Sacred Heart University. • Current substitutes/paras could continue to work in Tolland schools while pursuing a Master’s degree. • The program is free to the district and would essentially take those employees off the payroll while they are earning their degree.