Rochester Memorial School Principal Derek Medeiros introduced a presentation on the recently concluded, two-year School Improvement Plan to the June 6 meeting of the Rochester School Committee.
The plan covered the latest focal points of the ORR District’s three primary areas of education: 21st Century Learning, Social/Emotional Learning and Global Citizenship.
Under 21st Century Learning, the past two years focused on project-based learning. After prescribing at least one project (or problem)-based learning experience in 2021-22, students engaged on two such projects this school year.
Under Social/Emotional Learning, students were asked to identify at least two trusted staff members to promote a sense of belonging, and data was processed to bear out results. Collaboration with administration in elementary schools across the Tri-Towns was included.
Under Global Citizenship, the Atlas program brought curriculum addressing global and multicultural learning used by all RMS teachers, professional development for RMS teachers and training in cultures, including LBGT to ensure the ORR District provides a safe learning environment and sense of belonging to all students and staff.
Grade 1, under teacher Tara Nelson’s guidance, engaged in an animal project and a Little Free Library project. The second project was facilitated by Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School House and Mill Carpentry instructor Doug Sims, whose son Austin, a student in the class, suggested his assistance with the project.
With the Rochester School Committee’s approval, Old Colony donated the equipment and students’ labor, resulting in the Little Free Library. Books geared for ages 3-9 can now be accessed outside of school hours.
Presentations shared included: a Grade 2 Ancestry project in which students learned about their own families’ immigration, old country customs and traditions, a Grade 3 Black History project in which students created an alphabet book explaining Black History Month and important events and dates including the meaning of words.
Grade 3 also presented on Arctic animals. Grade 4 presented a journey to Ellis Island and created a class chart on immigration. Grade 5 did a Compost project, explaining the concepts and engineering contributions to composting.
Later in the meeting, Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson announced that Medeiros is leaving RMS after a full decade on the job to become an assistant principal at Greater New Bedford Vocational-Technical High School. Nelson referred to Medeiros as a pillar of education in the Tri-Towns.
Medeiros called it “a tough decision with a heavy heart” but one he made with the interests of his career and family in mind. He thanked the committee and stakeholders for all he learned that he said made taking the next step possible.
Earlier in the meeting, the committee presented books for six retirees from the RMS faculty and staff.
Crediting school librarian Sandy Sollauer for the selection of books and comments, School Committee Chairperson Sharon Hartley recognized Diane Alexander (first grade), Dana Stupalski (second grade), Jim Della Cioppa (sixth grade), Debbie Bacchiocchi (Kindergarten), Deb Lucas (first grade) and Lorraine Taylor (sixth grade special education.)
Nelson called it “a Hall of Fame retirement class,” noting that the ORR administration had been preparing for the challenge of finding replacements.
“I think their contributions over the years have gone beyond the classroom, and they’ve brought their personalities and their talents and their passions in terms of making sure that Rochester Memorial School has the culture that it does, and it’s felt by so many students and their families,” said Nelson. “I feel like we’re losing a piece of our foundation …”
The committee also recognized outgoing Director of Student Services Craig Davidson, who did his work-study program at RMS. “Rochester’s always been a special place,” he said, drawing laughter by reflecting on his realization at RMS that he would teach high schoolers because “I couldn’t handle Kindergarten.”
With separate votes, the committee approved the acceptance of two literacy-based, competitive grants: a $5,076 Early Literacy Universal Screening Grant to buy the DESE-approved Early Literacy Screening Assessment DIBELS 8th Edition for grades K-3 and a $162,000 Accelerating Literacy Learning through High Quality Instructional Materials Grant to support Rochester Public Schools with 50% of the purchase price of new core instructional materials for literacy and up to the entire cost of the initial professional development related to the materials.
The School Committee voted to approve renewal of the leases with SMEC (to rent space at RMS) and with Countryside Day Care for the 2023-24 school year.
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Shari Fedorowicz reviewed the Core Literacy program that was enacted over the course of the 2022-23 academic year. The committee voted to accept Fedorowicz’s report.
The School Committee approved the Duggan family’s donation of two books purchased at the Scholastic Book Fair for the RMS Library: “Sal & Gabi Break the Universe” by Carlos Alberto Hernandez and “Squished by Lloyd” by Megan Wagner.
The committee also approved the RMS PTO’s donation of the following books: “The Beatryce Prophecy” by Kate DiCamillo; “Coral Reefs: Cities of the Ocean” (Science Comics) by Maris Wicks; “Volcanoes: Fire and Life” (Science Comics) by Jon Chad; “Hawk Rising” by Maria Gianferrari, “Beep! Beep! Go to Sleep!” by Todd Tarpley; “Motor Goose: Rhymes That Go! Poems” by Rebecca Colby; “We Don’t Lose Our Class Goldfish” (Penelope Rex) by Ryan Higgins; “Inky’s Amazing Escape: How a Very Smart Octopus Found His Way Home” by Sy Montgomery; “Superlative Birds” by Leslie Bulion; “Sergeant Reckless: The True Story of the Little Horse Who Became a Hero” by Patricia McCormick; “Are We There Yet?” By Dan Santat; “Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California’s Farallon Islands” by Katherine Roy and “The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle” by Leslie Connor.
Nelson provided a timeline update on the solar canopy to be constructed over the rear parking lot at RMS.
That committee discussed an upcoming training with the state Association of School Committees (MASC.) Potential realignment was noted.
The committee broke into executive session to discuss negotiations and only returned to adjourn.
The next meeting of the Rochester School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, August 31, at RMS library, and the next meeting of the Joint School Committee will tentatively be held on Thursday, September 28, at ORR Junior High School media room. Both meetings begin at 6:30 pm and are accessible in person or remotely via Zoom.
Rochester School Committee
By Mick Colageo