Plans being finalized for CHS graduation

Plans are currently being finalized for Canton High School’s 2013 graduation exercises, scheduled for Friday, June 7, at 6 p.m. at Memorial Field.

CHS Principal Derek Folan provided an update for the School Committee on Thursday, May 23, noting that he is quite excited about the plan and is hoping for good weather.

Last year’s commencement was supposed to be the first to be held on the turf field after committee members voted to move the ceremony from its traditional location in front of the Rodman administration building. However, the graduation was later moved to the school gymnasium due to inclement weather, marking the third consecutive year that the event had to be held indoors.

The move to the gymnasium was also a first for the school, although Folan said this year’s ceremony would be moved back to the auditorium if necessary — citing the venue’s better sound system and air conditioning — with a limit of three tickets per graduate.

Folan said he and Athletic Director Danny Erickson have already tested the outdoor sound system and they are pleased with its overall quality. He added that seats will be created on the field for handicapped guests, and the only parking allowed in front of the field will be for emergency vehicles and handicapped parking.

Folan said he would like to have more faculty members be part of the graduation procession and the ceremony. In related news, Folan announced that more parent volunteers are needed for this year’s all-night graduation party to be held in the school cafeteria.

Also appearing before the School Committee last week were Galvin Middle School English Language Arts coordinator Jim Spillane and CHS English department chair Marilyn Roache.

Spillane provided an overview of the middle school’s summer reading plan and reported that the reading list and free choice options are now on the School Department website. GMS students are required to read two books, with writing exercises conducted within the first few weeks when students return in the fall.

Spillane said Galvin students read 1,850 books last summer and 98 percent of students participated. Students who move into the district over the summer are given extensions or alternative assignments, and students who do not read over the summer can make up the work in the fall.

Some of the required books deal with anti-bullying themes and there are choices in the categories of fiction, non-fiction, history, memoirs, science fiction, and fantasy. Students who read four or more books over the summer will be invited to a recognition celebration at the end of September. The books that are on the summer reading list are available at the Canton Public Library, GMS library, and Barnes & Noble at the Walpole Mall.

Asked by committee member Reuki Schutt what could be done to improve the reading program, Spillane suggested purchasing iPads for struggling readers. Both Schutt and Chairman Cindy Thomas felt that this could be accomplished either from within the budget or through a technology donation drive.

Roache, who is retiring in June after 14 years at CHS, highlighted some of the recent initiatives within the high school ELA department while also praising the teamwork displayed among her ELA colleagues and the coordination between the departments at the middle and high schools.

Roache said the high school now offers a reading skills class for ninth graders in need of additional support. She added that ELA teachers have emphasized argumentative writing this year and have incorporated more non-fiction books into the curriculum. She asked the committee to consider restoring a .6 position that was cut two years ago, noting that the restoration would lower class sizes and give teachers more time to work with students on writing skills. The committee thanked her for her years of service and wished her well in her retirement.

The committee also heard an update from K-12 wellness coordinator Katey Swanson, who noted a change in the puberty curriculum. She said that some students are now undergoing puberty changes at 10 years old and believes that there should be some classroom instruction in the latter stages of the fourth grade. As a result, next year’s grade 4 students will receive instruction on personal hygiene in the spring, but there will be no talk of reproductive systems. Students in grade 5 will then receive six lessons in the spring on personal hygiene, social changes, and two lessons on reproduction in classes separated by gender. Parents of fifth graders will be informed of the curriculum in the fall.

Swanson also said there will be new courses at CHS in wellness, personal fitness, and self defense.

In other news, the committee heard a proposal from Danny Erickson to work with the CHS Booster Club on a donor recognition program. Those who donate $1,000 or more would have their name printed on a placard that would be posted around the turf field, the bleachers, and the tennis courts. The committee gave Superintendent Jeff Granatino the authority to approve the signs until it adopts a formal policy. Granatino said he would inform the zoning board of the signs.

In other news:

* The committee held a moment of silence in honor of the late Marilyn Rodman, a longtime School Committee member, philanthropist and supporter of the performing arts.

* The committee began reviewing the possibility of charging a one-time extracurricular fee for students at the middle and high schools. Currently there is a $50 fee per activity for programs that require staff and supplies, with a $200 cap per family. Granatino said the average one-time fee in 32 neighboring communities is $71 and the average fee for the performing arts is $111. He said he would recommend a one-time performing arts fee of between $70 and $75. The committee is expected to discuss the fees at its next meeting.

* Granatino reported that the school start time committee, although still active, will delay any recommendations until the fall of the next school year and any changes would be implemented at the start of the 2014-15 year.

* Granatino said the annual CPS art show (May 20-23) and inaugural STEAM Expo (May 20) were a rousing success, attracting more than 1,000 attendees, including students, teachers and parents, as well as representatives from Canton companies such as Organogenesis and Reebok.

* The Norfolk County Teachers Association will present three awards this year to members of the Canton Public Schools. Maintenance worker Gene Zupkofska will receive a service award; Hansen teacher Patty Willis will receive a community service award; and CHS student Sidney Ham will receive a student award.

* The School Committee will next meet on Thursday, June 13. The committee will then shift to a summer schedule, which includes single meetings in July and August.

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Posted by Mike Berger on May 30 2013. Filed under Uncategorized. Both comments and pings are currently closed.