Kensington School Board Minutes

November 9, 2005

 

The Kensington School Board met on November 9, 2005. In attendance were: Mrs. Dana Donovan, School Board Chairperson; Mrs. Alice Mower, Mrs. Cheryl Camacho, School Board members; Mrs. Barbara Switzer, KES Principal; Mr. Paul Flynn, Associate Superintendent of Schools.

 

Mrs. Donovan opened the meeting at 4:05 PM.

 

The minutes of the October 13, 2005 School Board Meetings were unanimously approved by the board.

 

Mrs. Switzer gave her report as follows:

• KES Times and the November calendar were reviewed by the board.
• Enrichment classes have begun. Some of the offerings are Karate, Criminal Forensics, Hip, Hop and Horse Studies.
• Mrs. Switzer reported that the fourth graders traveled to Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth and found the trip to be a most worthwhile experience.
• The in-service day for teachers on October 21st focused on putting up class websites.
• The PTO Scholastic Book Fair was well received by staff, students and parents.
• The In-service for November 10^th will have approximately 65 teachers from EK, NES and KES attending and will focus on Best Practices in Reading and Readers Workshop. Kin Boothroyd from Tufts University will be the presenter.
• Friends and Family Day is scheduled for Tuesday, November 22, 2005 from 1:30 – 2:30 PM. Mrs. Switzer noted she was in hopes that the Board will attend.
• Dismissal procedures are running more smoothly as of late.
• Mrs. Switzer reported that Janet Osmond Culver recently donated $500.00 for books. The board will write a thank you letter.
• Mrs. Switzer reported that two grants have been submitted for funding. One is for Science to purchase microscopes and science materials and the other is Wellness-Health awareness with the monies being used to create a walking track, fitness stations and to purchase student pedometers.                 
• The Visioning Committee is in the process of finalizing its Vision, Mission and Belief statements and will present it to parents on December 1, 2005.

 

The board unanimously approved the third grade class attending the production of The Nutcracker at the Music Hall in Portsmouth on December 10^th if tickets are available.

 

Mr. Flynn, Associate Superintendent of Schools gave his report as follows:

• The Joint chairs will meet on November 15^th.
• The SAU# 16 joint board meeting is scheduled for December 19^th. Discussion will focus on the 2006-2007.
• Mr. Flynn reported that Music teachers through SAU have formed a committee and is recommending that instrumental Music Lessons be offered in all schools during class time. The pros and cons of this recommendation are being investigated by all administrators.

• Mr. Flynn reported that work on the new high school is progressing nicely. Artificial turf has been installed as well as the lighting for the athletic fields.
• A committee is in the process of determining the uses for the current high school.
• The NESDEC report was submitted to the board for their perusal
• A number of SAU#16/Kensington School District polices were unanimously approved as a First Reading by the board.

 

Current enrollment figures were given to the board.

 

Mrs. Mower reported that the Adolescent Health/Wellness Committee, on which she is a representative, is in the process of finalizing SAU policies/recommendations to be implemented next school year. Mrs. Mower stated there would be significant changes relative to the school scene if implemented.

 

The meeting adjourned at 5:40 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Margaret Ruggeri

School Board Secretary