We will approve meetings from last meeting in July. Just to recap we shared about how we are tracking student engagement, shared the most recent update from DESE guidance which included an announcement that we would not be administering any MCAS assessment this Spring.

We are measuring engagement in two ways: 1. percentage of kids attending their live classroom via zoom and 2. percentage of kids submitting their classwork via google classroom. During the week of May 18th it was 74% ELA and 64% Math. This past week it is declining  with 63% ELA and 57% in Math. Typical to decline during the last weeks of school. Most districts have a different remote plan so it is hard to know how we compare. Data is belong tracked different across the state with schools determining how they are tracking engagement . We have been beefing up our attendance protocol and communication home to parents to boost engagement. 

Ashley Shared about some of the trainings and events that teachers and leaders have been participating in which otherwise would have been a challenge to get so many people to these trainings. The Management Center did a two-day workshop with all new teacher leaders, all content leads and grade level leads. Other leaders are engaging now in a three-day workshop on equity in coaching and teachers are engaging in standards institutes.  

Rachel shared about 8th grade graduation at the Eastfield Mall. A group of teachers has been planning it. I twill be drive-in style and people will hear audio over the radio. Parking may be limited so we will invite trustees over the radio. 

Rebecca asked how we are getting input from families. Ashley shared that we are doing paper surveys and making phone calls for more targeted feedback.

Rachel shared the latest guidance on reopening plans and how the Veritas team is responding. Ashley and Lynne are leading a process for both schools to create reopening plans with committees working on various aspects of the plan. Last week the commissioner was much stronger with the fact that the state will be providing the hybrid model to schools and schools will be expected to follow the proposed model. We now have guidelines around distancing and PPE and the state is supporting around procuring those items. Commissioner is getting excellent medical guidance and we will track the trajectory of the virus next year and must be flexible and nimble.

Ashley led a discussion about anti-racism and the work we are doing in our network and schools. She talked about the change team and the work they have done this year to develop anti-racism standards to the leaders and team at both Veritas schools. Ashley shared that each school has been gathering in affinity groups to have a space to talk and process. The change team made some recommendations to the leadership and the leaders rolled those things out, including organizational stance, holding space for teachers and students to talk about systemic racism.  All of this is important to our reopening planning.