The Marion School Committee voted during its April 13 public meeting to accept a $500 grant from the Marion Cultural Council.
As explained by Jess Barrett, who wrote a request for funding to bring acclaimed international storyteller Len Cabral to Sippican Elementary School, part of Sippican Elementary School’s first-grade ELA curriculum focuses on folk tales.
The grant is being used to procure famous storyteller Len Cabral for two sessions on Thursday, May 5. Cabral’s two performances will address Grades 2-3 and then Grades K-1.
Cabral, a Rhode Island resident, is the author of “How the Rabbit Lost its Tail.”
“What better way to make this real for our kids than to have an actual storyteller,” said School Committee Chairperson April Nye, who thanked the Marion Cultural Council for partially funding the grant and VASE for providing money along with the performing arts budget.
Nye publicly thanked Barrett for her efforts in securing the grant. “This is a great thing for those kids, and they’re going to love it,” she said.
The Marion School Committee added its vote to that of the Mattapoisett and Rochester school committees approving a name change for the Anti-Racism Sub-Committee to the Equity Sub-Committee.
Since the committee began 18 months ago, Old Rochester Regional Director of Student Services Craig Davidson and consultant Christina Brown have functioned as cochairs. During that time, Davidson explained, the focus of the group has evolved to what he called a “punch line,” celebrating and supporting inclusion, diversity and belonging.
“It still really has that anti-racism lens in it,” said Davidson.
In his Financial Report, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber reported that the Marion School District has approximately $380,000 remaining in the FY22 operating budget.
Nye acknowledged member Christine Marcolini’s final meeting.
“I just wanted to dedicate this to you … as a small token of thanking you,” said Nye. “You stepped up when there was a need and we needed you.” Nye said Marcolini has set the bar for everyone with the “dignity and grace, style and leadership in everything you do.”
ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson added that Marcolini always makes her decision around what’s best for kids.
In the Central Office Report, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Jannell Pearson-Campbell told the committee that on April 11, a professional development event was held for the leadership team and educators with an emphasis on discovering the native languages of students’ families in order to improve support. On May 10, Campbell announced there will be an instructional event benefitting the professional-development plan.
Davidson reported on the transition process for Grade 6 students scheduled to attend ORR Junior High School in the fall. He said that ORR has started the process earlier and added layers to “make sure we’re transitioning properly.”
Jesse Jackson III met with parents for training on how to speak to their children on cultural sensitivity and racial incidents in or out of school.
Assistant Principal Peter Crisafulli discussed equity data, preparation for Earth Day and an increase in recycling efforts that includes plastic lunchboxes now finding their way into bins stations in the Sippican cafeteria and in the multipurpose room. He also noted that the recent Boosterthon Fun Run exceeded its goal, raising a little over $29,000.
The committee entered executive session to discuss negotiations with personnel and to comply with state regulations.
The next meeting of the Marion School Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, May 25, and the next meeting of the Joint School Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, May 10. Both meetings begin at 6:30 pm.
Marion School Committee
By Mick Colageo