No public comment. 

Chris Doyon gave an overview of how the school uses and interprets academic data to measure success and progress of the school is tracking against its goals.  A key aspect of the presentation is to advance board understanding of data analytics at MCCPS, a key finding in the recent DESE Charter report.  Key highlights included:

Primary data sources and processes were reviewed and discussed:

• Observations
• Trimester Grades
• Internal Testing (i-Ready, IXL)
• State Testing (MCAS)

The presentation also explored how MCAS data can be evaluated / broken down to explore key disaggregated metrics (e.g race, gender,  MLL, SWD etc).

The board shared insights and explored with the presenter and HoS how the school has adjusted strategies to better mimic conditions of MCAS and other required testing and strengthen the generation of predictive internal testing metrics.  

Slides presented are attached to the minutes of this meeting.

Board members briefly shared perspectives on why they were on the board, their passions and their primary focus areas of the school, and its success. 

Lindsay Smith provided a summary of two key documents prepared by the board governance committee which the board will be asked to review and sign. Both the Welcome and BOT Commitment Letters outlined key expectations for new board members to help support effective new board member onboarding and ensure clarity on roles and responsibilities. 

The board also explored an upcoming vacancy for a clerk. Chris Re expressed interest pending approval of his appointment to the board by DESE.

MCCPS HoS provided an update on recruitment from sending districts. Current school enrollment number is 229. The board asked for a breakdown of numbers from key districts. While numbers are strong, numbers from local communities (e.g Marblehead, Swampcott etc).

Recruitment 

• 5th grade fellow has recently accepted the current 4th grade position.
• New kitchen position is being actively recruited to support a large increase in students requesting school meals. 

Teaching and Student Updates

• HoS provided updates on PALS and Math coaching / mentoring program that has been rolled out in the school to strengthen the math curriculum. Additional coaching and teacher development strategies have also been rolled to support staff development.

Community Engagement

• Parent dinners are in progress with good attendance from parents. Good feedback received. Additional community engagement events are also planned in the coming months. A 30-yr anniversary event is also being planned to celebrate the school, but also build engagement in the broader community and raise critical funds.  
• This topic extended into a broader discussion with the board about fundraising and how / where we can raise more funds to support the development of the school (e.g. capital expenses, travel assistance etc.). Strategies to ramp up application and realization of grants to support were also discussed. The board /HoS agreed to reflect on the potential to form a task force to explore options to support development of the school.

DESE Updates

• HoS attended a "School of Recognition" ceremony in Arlington. The ceremony  recognized ~60 schools who exceed MCAS results. 
• MCAS scores were briefly discussed. The board congratulated HoS and her leadership on progress to date. Key highlights summarized by the HoS  can be summarized here: Database: See the MCAS testing scores for Massachusetts school districts

Lindsay reminded board members to complete the annual Board Self Assessment. Full compliance is extremely appreciated. 

Chair of the committee was not in attendance. No information shared. 

Update on new committee members were discussed.

Did not meet this month. 

Updates on fundraising and 30-yr anniversary planning were shared, including exploration of event locations for 30-yr celebration. 

No update provided. Will share at next meeting. 

Did not meet.