At the October 15th School Committee Meeting there was a NHS Student Advisory Committee Update, an update on Student Chronic Absenteeism, and a discussion of 2024 MCAS results.
Public Comments
Sam Green, Needham High School Sophomore, Jeremy Sacco, Needham High Alumni/ Parent of Pollard students, Heather Salerno, Parent and Friends of Music(F.O.M) Chair all spoke about their hope for Theater Improvements in the upcoming Pollard renovation.
- The Needham community deserves a fully functioning auditorium and theater space, and incorporating this into the Pollard renovation would be the easiest way to achieve this.
- Pollard & the High School both need theater updates
- Non accessible dressing rooms/bathrooms, safety & crowding concerns
- Using Newman School Auditorium for High School productions is challenging for scheduling and transportation for students
- Light & Sound upgrade was necessary but insufficient to solve all the performance space issues
- Presenters hope that the School Committee and the Needham community will be committed to incorporating a modern Auditorium space into the Pollard renovation even though it may not be included in MSBA funding.
School Committee/Sub Committee Chair Updates
Connie Barr presented about the first meeting of the School Wellness Advisory Committee (SWAC). Committee is made up of the Guidance Director, Wellness Director, School Administration, School Committee members, middle & high school teachers, students, and counselors.
- Discussion of cell phone usage in school
- Reviewed some research from Metro West survey, related to cellphones & mental health
- New Cell Phone Hotel policy at high school (phones are placed in holders in each classroom) has been successful.
- High School teachers have reported great improvements in student attention with the new Hotel policy in place
- Middle School levels, cell phone must be put away for the school day. Pollard principal reported she has only had to ask a student to hand in their phone once this year.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Needham High School Committee Advisory Student Advisory Report
NHS has many student activities planned:
- Ways to increase bonding in the school/ school spirit
- School Dances being reinstated in Spring (Prom /Homecoming/ Semi Formal)
- PEP rally on October 25, moved from October 4th due to having no access to the gym for the indoor portion
- Flash Sale for Merchandise Nov 6
- March madness March 19
- Held elections for 9th Grade student council
- Pink out fundraiser before the October 25th Pink out Game
- Bussing Plans for Senior Harbor Cruise
- Senior Sunset
- Senior Breakfast
- Senior Field Day
School Committee asked questions of the NHS Students, including about the new cell phone hotel policy.
- Students report productivity has increased with the cell phone policy. While it is still hard to give up the phone, the policy has generally been accepted by students.
- Students are on their phones at the end of class and in the hallways between classes. Phones are built into student interaction, showing each other funny videos, etc. Events are now often planned and advertised online.
Student Chronic Absenteeism Update
Susannah Hann, Director of Health Services, Alison Coubrough-Argentieri, Acting Assistant Superintendent gave an update on Student Chronic Absenteeism.
- Chronic Absenteeism is defined the percentage of students missing 10% of days or more (18+ days) and includes excused and unexcused absences.
- Some previously certified data was incomplete, this presentation has current & accurate data.
- District wide, chronic absenteeism is now about 6%. Overall chronic absenteeism has improved for most subgroups, but not for Black/African American and ELL students.
- At Needham High School, chronic absenteeism has improved in all subgroups except Asian students
- Compared to State percentages and surrounding districts, Needham is doing well, but the district still wants to intervene for the students who are having chronic absenteeism so these students are available for learning and social development.
- Interventions include:
- clear & consistent messaging that students should stay home when they are sick but otherwise should be in school.
- each school has a system for tracking and reviewing attendance data
- parents/guardians are notified when students start to accumulate a significant number of absences
- school staff involved in problem solving to identify concerns and support improved attendance
- Transitions Program available to students after long-term absences to help transition back to school.
- Professional development for nurses and support staff addressing reasons for school avoidance and creating a comfortable environment for students
- COVID policy no longer mandates the prolonged 5-10 day absences that significantly added to absenteeism in previous years
School Committee engaged in a robust discussion with presenters.
2024 MCAS Testing
Dr. Carmen Williams, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Innovation, Kathleen Hubbard, K-5 Math Curriculum Coordinator, and Karen Bourn, Eliot School Principal presented about Needham’s 2024 MCAS test results. Detailed presentation can be found in the packet.
- Now back to pre-pandemic 2019 MCAS levels of 86% of students meeting or exceeding targets. This exceeds state accountability goals.
- ELA Achievement: district is well above state levels (20-35%).
- Dip in 4th grade ELA likely due to those students being in 1st grade in Spring 2020 who had schools closed and then hybrid learning the following year during their critical skill development years. They are working with these students and seeing gains.
- Math Achievement: significant gains as students progress through High School, shows rigor of Needham’s program
- Science Achievement: students do very well in Science. Very proud of their hands on curriculum.
- Doing very well compared to similar districts, 2nd ranked in Math
- student growth percentiles have also been very good
- Equity: work is still needed in certain subgroups
- Math update, now in year 3 of implementation of the Illustrative Math K-5 curriculum
- High Quality Instructional Materials Implementation Grant funded Math Implementation Team, Observations of practice, and Coaching for math coaches. This grant has been extended for 2024-2025.
- In elementary schools they have implemented “What I Need” (WIN) Intervention block 30 mins, 3 times per week (called “Eagle block” at Eliot)
- allows students to receive targeted skill building interventions without getting pulled away from general instruction
- increase in MCAS scores seen after the use of these blocks
- Eliot School is a 2024 School of Recognition as all subgroups have met or exceeded targets.
ACTION ITEMS
- FY 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Requests – Approved 6-0-0
- 2024-2025 Superintendent’s Performance goals – Approved 6-0-0
- FY 2024-2025 PTC Budgets – Approved 6-0-0
- FY 2024-2025 Booster Club Budget – Approved 6-0-0
The next School Committee meeting will be November 12, 2024 at 6:30pm.