MINUTES OF
KEY COMMUNICATORS MEETING
MONDAY, December 19, 2005

Present:            Joe Luongo, Edwinna Carroll, Donna Wipper, Linda Condal,   Cathy Meseck, Connie Doheny, Mary Nicolette, Cheryl Cutrizzulo, Marrie Messeri, Ana Mastropietro, Nancy Smith, and Ellen Connors, Marilyn Bowen

Joe Luongo opened the meeting at 7:35 PM.

District:

Depken Field- The committee as a whole met with the Board’s attorney present.  They agreed to go forward with talks with the Mayor and Council regarding Depken Field.  They will be discussing several different options.  No formal decision will be made at this time.
Substitute Nurses- Mr. Luongo emailed all school districts in Bergen County.  Several replied and advised us of their Pay rate for substitute nurses.  Mr. Luongo will recommend to the Board at this month’s meeting to set the rate at $115.00 per day.
Drug Free School Zone Article- There was a state panel of ten people to review the Drug Free School Zone requirements.  The Commission is recommending reducing the drug free school zones to 200 feet, eliminating three year mandatory minimums for drug selling convictions in a school zone, and letting judges keep discretion to extend sentences for repeat offenders.
Recognition & Grant Incentive- The Board will approve at this month’s meeting to allocate $5000.00 for any employee in district who wants to apply for a grant or special recognition program.  It must be a new program.  The incentive to be paid will be based on the depth of the grant.
Facility Use - Procedure- A question was raised as to the proper procedure involved in obtaining use of facility.  We were informed that you must fill out the request form and turn it in to the main office of the building principal.  The principal will forward it to Mr. Bellino and then to Charlie McCarthy for final scheduling.  You should be notified by Mr. McCarthy when procedure and approval is complete and be sent a copy of requisition.  Apparently, at Lincoln School, there was a miscommunication in the last facility use request.
Nutrition Policy - Mr. Luongo has started looking into creating a district wide nutrition policy.  He has obtained a copy of the federal recommendations and it is very involved.  Mr. Luongo will keep us advised as to the progress of this policy.

High School:

Biology Class Less Gruesome Article-   The state Legislature passed a bill that requires all school districts in New Jersey to provide alternatives to students who don’t want to dissect an animal.  This bill was passed by the Assembly and the Senate and waits the signature of the governor. Legislators believe that dissection is an outdated process and is archaic way of teaching anatomy.  Some alternatives to dissection may include viewing dissections by video.
Community Service Article-   There is five schools in North Jersey who are participating in a pilot program that require high school juniors to complete 15 hours of community service as a graduation requirement.  We require 30 hours and you can begin community service hours in your freshman year.  We do not impose it as a requirement for receiving your diploma but it is required for you to participate in the graduation recital.  It is recommended that you start early because your senior year is a very busy time with college applications.  We, as a district, monitor the community service hours.  A student must fill out a form and receive pre-approval for services from the community service advisors.  Mr. Luongo feels that some large districts may not be able to monitor the community service hours and some students may fudge their hours.

Middle School:

Social Studies Grade 6- There were several parents who contacted their Key Communicator representative and had concerns regarding a particular teacher’s tests and quizzes.  Parents met with the teacher and were not satisfied as to the results.  There were several issues regarding social studies such as:  amount of notice for tests, amount of time to complete projects, the number of projects and how much time a quiz should take to complete. The teacher answered all these issues in writing and produced copies of tests. Mr.Luongo advised that the key communicator get in touch with the parents and have them meet with Mr.Bolcar and to put their issues in writing.  It was stated that the parent’s major concern was that the students were not being taught with so many projects and little instructional time.
Literature Books Grade 7 – There were new literature books purchased this year.  The Epic of Ulysses in not in the new books but in the old literature books.  Over the summer approximately 60-70 books were thrown out because of their poor condition.  The seventh grade has 50 of the old literature books, 25 for each literature teacher.  The books are kept in the classroom.  The parents concern is that this story will be on the midterm and there are not enough books for every student to take home and study for their midterm. Mr. Luongo will make sure that if the Epic of Ulysses is on the midterm either the story is copied for each student or they will receive dittos of the notes needed for the midterm.
Midterm Study Guides – The teachers will not be required to give the students study guides.  It will be up to each individual teacher.  A parent stated that students do not actual learn from midterms or finals and that the district should consider eliminating them.  Mr. Luongo stated that the reason to take them is to get the students accustom to taking long tests for their SAT’s.
No Guidance in Middle School – The guidance counselor is on maternity leave.  If a student has a problem he/she should go to Mr. Bolcar and he will redirect if necessary.  We have the high school guidance department and the child study team if they are needed at the middle school.
Health Room – Exterminator – Yes there was a mouse and the exterminator was called in the remedy the situation.  However, at this time of year mice try to come indoors.

Elementary Schools:

Task Force Update – The task force will present their recommendation to the Board the January 27th meeting.  Two representatives of the task force will present the pros and cons of this plan.  The Board and the public will be invited to ask questions and an open discussion will be held on this subject.  If the Board elects to go forward with this plan, there will be a special question on the ballot in April.
Lunch Assistants– Lincoln School has 11 full time assistants and is need of two more.  Euclid School has 11 full time assistants and no more is needed.  Lincoln and Euclid School run their lunch time cafeteria differently.
Class Link –   There is a problem with the hardware.  Dr. Ciccone sent letters to the parents informing them if they have trouble to call a specific phone number for troubleshooting. Parents are stating that it is not used properly and many times you can not access Class Link.  It must be determine as to what we are trying to achieve with Class Link.  If we are teaching students to research on the internet, than we only need to assign projects.  The current problem is no fault of Class Link but that of Verizon.  Class Link will be revisited with the technology committee. 
English Text – Grammar Books- Some teachers went to a workshop and were given some grammar books to test for possible future purchase.  Some teachers have used a few lessons from the books.  After awhile, the books will be sent to Euclid School for the teachers there to use in their lessons.  After both schools have had a chance to utilize the books, their opinions and suggestions will be gathered and reviewed.
Euclid School – Mad Minutes - .A special education parent informed the group that special education students do not have enough time to finish problems.  If it is the student’s IEP that more time be given the student is granted more time.  However, a recommendation was made that if it is not in the student’s IEP, the student should take the test within the time frame but the amount of problems expected to be accomplished would be less.  With this thought in mind, the only person who would know the student is classified would be the teacher.
Girl’s Bathroom – Lincoln – The bathroom was analyzed and a drain would need to be dug out to the curb and tar would be needed.  Therefore, this can not be accomplished while students are in the building.  This work will be done when the students are on holiday break.
Automated Telephone System - A parent suggested that the Board purchase an automated telephone system to be used to notify parents of school closings or early dismissals.  She felt that it was a burden on PTA moms to be making 15-20 phone calls each at 5:30 AM.  Also, if you have more than one child in school you receive one for each child.  An automated system there would be one phone call per family.  Mr. Luongo stated they have looked into this in the past and it is costly.  A communicator member stated that she will get the name of a company that she believes is reasonable.

 

Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 23, 2006 at 7:30 PM. 
Meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.

Minutes submitted by Donna Wipper.