Eliot PTC Meeting Minutes
3/31/21
Dr. Daniel Gutekanst, Needham Public Schools Superintendent:
-Thanked everyone, staff & families, for working together over the past year to make it as successful as possible. Appreciated parents taking on the extra job of helping their kids with remote learning.
-Appreciative of everyone filling out the attestation form with an extremely high rate of return.
-Told people that the schools are still following the old MA travel guidelines even though the state has downgraded it to an advisory.
-They’re working hard to make sure high school senior activities will run in some capacity this year.
Q- When is next year’s school calendar coming out?
A- There is a version on the public school’s website that is published but not yet approved by the school committee. The big thing is that school will start before Labor Day next year.
Q- When things eventually go back to “normal” will anything be changed? Have the schools learned anything they may want to continue?
A- Zoom has been an important asset in bringing people together, and will probably continue to be used in different capacities. Masks will continue for a while. They are thinking differently about hygiene now. Besty Maxwell, Eliot 2nd grade teacher, said she might keep all students having their own supplies vs. sharing.
Q- Will next year be early release on all Wednesdays? What will snow days look like?
There are 12-13 early releases scheduled for next year. It is not every Wednesday. Snow days will be situational. They may make it a remote learning day sometimes, but also keep some traditional snow days.
Q-What will the cafeteria look like with the return of grades 3-5?
A- 2 kids per table with assigned seats.
Dr. Gutekanst- So many wonderful things are still happening during this time. Racial literacy program was launched and summer programming is being planned.
Mrs. Karen Bourn, Eliot Principal:
-Is extremely excited for all kids to be back next week, it’s been sad without a full school. Please come to her presentation about it tomorrow night.
Q- What happens when someone has to quarantine because of being a close contact but remote school is no longer an option?
A- There are assignments by grade level on the Public School’s website and Eliot is fortunate enough to have extra staff to be able to provide one synchronous lesson per age group per day. One for k-2 and one for 3-5. It will not be the same as being in the classroom, however.
Q- Are Wednesdays going to be true early releases or will there be more work assigned in the afternoon for them to do at home?
A- No extra work. The school day ends at 12:15.
Q- What are the blueprints of the classrooms with more students in them now?
A- Eliot is big enough that we can safely fit all students in the room 3 feet apart, and a teacher’s desk, and anything else that’s necessary. There are 17 new students that have come to Eliot from the Remote Academy. The biggest class is 21.
Q- What will pick up and drop off look like?
A-For the first week they have asked for police detail at pick-up. They have plans to move batches of cars by 7s to keep things flowing.
Q- How will snack work on bad weather days?
A- Betsy Maxwell said in her classroom there are shields for each desk, the windows are open, and the kids know they can’t talk. She reads a book so they are not tempted to talk.
Betsy Maxwell, Eliot 2nd Grade Teacher:
-Extreme appreciation and thanks to the PTC for all the curriculum enrichment programs their students have gotten to experience this year. The kids love it.
-Gave a message from Craig Brenhiser, Eliot PE Teacher, that jump rope for heart is coming up soon. Over 12 years Eliot has raised $35,000 for the American Heart Association.
Jenn Scheck-Kahn listed SEPAC upcoming events.
PTC messages by Jamie Menn & Lauren Schuller:
- Eliot’s Got Talent will be virtual this year and needs volunteer help.
- We’re looking for volunteers for next year, specifically fundraising and community service.
- Next and last PTC meeting is 5/26 at 7pm.
3/31/21
Dr. Daniel Gutekanst, Needham Public Schools Superintendent:
-Thanked everyone, staff & families, for working together over the past year to make it as successful as possible. Appreciated parents taking on the extra job of helping their kids with remote learning.
-Appreciative of everyone filling out the attestation form with an extremely high rate of return.
-Told people that the schools are still following the old MA travel guidelines even though the state has downgraded it to an advisory.
-They’re working hard to make sure high school senior activities will run in some capacity this year.
Q- When is next year’s school calendar coming out?
A- There is a version on the public school’s website that is published but not yet approved by the school committee. The big thing is that school will start before Labor Day next year.
Q- When things eventually go back to “normal” will anything be changed? Have the schools learned anything they may want to continue?
A- Zoom has been an important asset in bringing people together, and will probably continue to be used in different capacities. Masks will continue for a while. They are thinking differently about hygiene now. Besty Maxwell, Eliot 2nd grade teacher, said she might keep all students having their own supplies vs. sharing.
Q- Will next year be early release on all Wednesdays? What will snow days look like?
There are 12-13 early releases scheduled for next year. It is not every Wednesday. Snow days will be situational. They may make it a remote learning day sometimes, but also keep some traditional snow days.
Q-What will the cafeteria look like with the return of grades 3-5?
A- 2 kids per table with assigned seats.
Dr. Gutekanst- So many wonderful things are still happening during this time. Racial literacy program was launched and summer programming is being planned.
Mrs. Karen Bourn, Eliot Principal:
-Is extremely excited for all kids to be back next week, it’s been sad without a full school. Please come to her presentation about it tomorrow night.
Q- What happens when someone has to quarantine because of being a close contact but remote school is no longer an option?
A- There are assignments by grade level on the Public School’s website and Eliot is fortunate enough to have extra staff to be able to provide one synchronous lesson per age group per day. One for k-2 and one for 3-5. It will not be the same as being in the classroom, however.
Q- Are Wednesdays going to be true early releases or will there be more work assigned in the afternoon for them to do at home?
A- No extra work. The school day ends at 12:15.
Q- What are the blueprints of the classrooms with more students in them now?
A- Eliot is big enough that we can safely fit all students in the room 3 feet apart, and a teacher’s desk, and anything else that’s necessary. There are 17 new students that have come to Eliot from the Remote Academy. The biggest class is 21.
Q- What will pick up and drop off look like?
A-For the first week they have asked for police detail at pick-up. They have plans to move batches of cars by 7s to keep things flowing.
Q- How will snack work on bad weather days?
A- Betsy Maxwell said in her classroom there are shields for each desk, the windows are open, and the kids know they can’t talk. She reads a book so they are not tempted to talk.
Betsy Maxwell, Eliot 2nd Grade Teacher:
-Extreme appreciation and thanks to the PTC for all the curriculum enrichment programs their students have gotten to experience this year. The kids love it.
-Gave a message from Craig Brenhiser, Eliot PE Teacher, that jump rope for heart is coming up soon. Over 12 years Eliot has raised $35,000 for the American Heart Association.
Jenn Scheck-Kahn listed SEPAC upcoming events.
PTC messages by Jamie Menn & Lauren Schuller:
- Eliot’s Got Talent will be virtual this year and needs volunteer help.
- We’re looking for volunteers for next year, specifically fundraising and community service.
- Next and last PTC meeting is 5/26 at 7pm.