School Committee Meeting Agenda: November 15, 2016

From the Office of the Executive Secretary to the School Committee 

School Committee - Regular Meeting November 15, 2016 

A G E N D A 

1. Public Hearing on the FY18 School Department Budget Priorities: 

1a. Public Comment (3 Minutes): 

2. Student School Committee Report: 

3. Presentation of the Records for Approval: 

• Special Meeting – November 1, 2016 
• Regular Meeting – November 1, 2016 
• Roundtable Meeting – November 1, 2016 

4. Reconsiderations: None 

5. Unfinished Business/Calendar: 

#16-226, Motion by Mayor Simmons, whereas it is incumbent that the School Committee Members adopt a uniform method to be identified by the general public, addressed via roll call, and recorded for public record; and 

Whereas, the School Committee formally adopted a process by which members are to be addressed by colleagues and identified by and for the general public during both School Committee and Sub-Committee Meetings via nameplate, CPSD letterhead, and signature; and 

Whereas, it has long been recognized that the creation of a more inclusive method will aid the committee with reinforcing norms, establishing continuity, and executing the business of the people; and 

Further, that the School Committee convene a preliminary discussion on how members are to be identified, addressed, and recorded for public record. (Dexter, 9-6-16) 

6. Awaiting Reports: None 

7. Superintendent’s Agenda: 

7a. Presentations: Entry Plan Update: Preliminary Themes & Findings… Dr. Kenneth N. Salim  Superintendent of Schools 

7b. Innovation Agenda: 

7c. Consent Agenda: 

#16-271 Recommendation: Day & Residential Program Services not Available from the Cambridge School Department 

#16-272 Recommendation: Contract Award: FMC Ice Sports: Facility Rental 

#16-273 Recommendation: Contract Award: Kids Ballroom Dance: Ballroom Dance Program for all Elementary Schools Regular Meeting November 15, 2016 Page 2 of 3 

#16-274 Recommendation: Contract Award: Doc Wayne Youth Services:  Professional Development/Site Design for Therapeutic Sports Program in K-8 Structured Academics 

#16-275 Recommendation: Gifts/Miscellaneous Receipts 

#16-276 Recommendation: Grant Award: FY17 Big Yellow School Bus (SC17856) 

8. Non-Consent Agenda: 

9. School Committee Agenda (Policy Matters/Notifications/Requests for Information): 

#16-277, Joint Motion by Mr. Fantini, Mr. Harding and Ms. Kelly, that the Cambridge School Committee Study the Possibility of Turning the Powder Magazine at Magazine Beach into a Nature Center: 

Whereas: The 1818 Powder Magazine at the Magazine Beach Park is being renovated and will be leased by the Massachusetts Division of Conservation and Recreation in 2018. 

Whereas: Magazine Beach is a vital natural habitat along the Charles which features a long river shoreline where Osprey hunt for fish, swales are filled with wildflowers, a wetland populated by rabbits and over 92 species of birds, as well as old growth trees offering perches for red tailed hawks. Mass Audubon has led programs at Magazine Beach and regards it as one of the most vital natural areas in the region. 

Whereas: The Cambridge Fresh Pond Reservation and Mass Audubon’s Habitat in Belmont are both at capacity and have encouraged the Magazine Beach Committee to provide nature education studies at the park. As the Maynard Ecological Nature Center serves the western part of the city, we believe that a Magazine Beach Nature Center could serve the central and eastern part of the City. The Morse School, a Title One school, is just across Memorial Drive from the park and is connected to it by a pedestrian footbridge. It already uses Magazine Beach in the Bikes for Kids program. 

Whereas: With climate change, environmental education is more important than ever. Children and adults, both, need to better understand their connection to the natural world. In his latest book, eminent biologist E. O. Wilson writes about our task of preserving the living environment. Magazine Beach can become a living nature laboratory enabling students to explore and learn about the web of life in and around the river, how it sustains human life and how they may become its stewards. 

Whereas: Magazine Beach Park is being renovated, too, tentatively in 2018, with sustainability in mind. The new plan will include rain gardens, wetlands, and natural play features. Interpretative signage will explore how humans have altered the landscape over time: from island surrounded by salt marshes to one contiguous piece of land on a fresh-water “lake.” 

Be it Resolved: That the Cambridge School Committee study the feasibility of developing a Nature Education Center at Magazine Beach. 

#16-278, Joint Motion by Mr. Fantini, Mayor Simmons and Mr. Harding, that the School Committee explore ways to allow the Cambridge Community Center to use the underground parking garage at the Putnam Ave. Upper School for their Cambridge Winter Farmer’s Market. 

#16-279, Motion by Mr. Harding, that the School Committee requests the Superintendent to provide an update on the progress made on the feasibility of creating a Parent University Program for the Cambridge Public Schools to educate and empower parents as partners, advocates, and life-long teachers in their children’s education. (SC Order C15-386, December 15, 2015) 

#16-280, Report of the October 25, 2016 Meeting of the School Climate Sub-Committee 

10. Resolutions (letters of congratulations, letters of condolence): None 

11. Announcements: 

12. Late Orders: