WA School Council Minutes | Westford Public Schools

Meeting date:

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

School Council Minutes Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Present: Clare O’Brien, Colin Hoar, Silas Mark, Robert Ware, Karen Benway, James Antonelli, Kristin Morris (virtual)

Absent: Lauren Clark, Aaditi Padhi

Communications about open forums and discussions related to the basketball incident to share steps taken post Wayland game.

Dr. Michele Shannon will meet with the Wayland Principal. (Dr. Michele Shannon is a DEI Consultant and has been working closely with the students involved.)

Mid-March activity with World of Difference with students to do D.E.I. exercise

Silas commented on an email written by Jim Antonelli to show sincerity about the Wayland incident. Parents wanted more communication about consequences.

Jim A. - Discipline sharing is not our standard operating procedure. The administration has never shared the consequences of any handbook violations with the school community.

Jim A. - Shared the follow up steps that WA is talking with Wayland Public Schools and and hoping for a meeting with the student athlete.

Restorative process is in place- Dr. Chew and Chris Sanders (Chair of School Committee) have consulted with Pathways to Restorative Justice (outside organization) to help guide us through the process.

Implementation of the QR Code connected to Civil Rights Complaints has been well received. Civil Rights Complaints- posted in bathrooms, cafe, main office and the library.

Character Education
Consistency across WPS should be happening - Will be discussed with D.E.I.

Some schools have an approach but there needs to be a consistent K-12 structure. Need a buy-in from home as well. DEI discussions need to take place in the family.

How does Restorative Justice get shared amongst the community? Who does the leg work to organize such groups?

How is it funded?

Silas Mark is going to share some information that he found from the Norfolk Virginia School District.

Mask Mandate extended one week from vacation - March 4th
We need to support all decisions of people that choose to wear a mask

Captain Process/Leadership

Are the right kids being chosen? National Honor Society has a leadership qualification. Some students struggle attaining NHS because there needs to be a leadership component beyond the athletic venues.

Leadership Training helps character education.

End of Year Schedule

Create a final assessment that will best prepare our students for next level success.

Positive feedback from parents regarding the student stress levels. Students appear to be a little less stressed. The lack of midterms and finals has helped lower the stress levels.

Meeting Adjourned: 7:45 PM
Minutes respectfully submitted by Bob Ware, Dean of Students.