May 1, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Meeting

Rationale: 
1. Joan Brancato - Secretary - Board of Education - 10/20/86 - 12/21/07
2. Rita Halle - Secretary - Memorial Boulevard and Northeast Middle School - 12/13/82 - 9/15/05
3. Barbara Grasso - Grade 1-6 Art Teacher - John J. Jennings and Bingham Schools 9/2/69 - 9/7/79  and Art Department Coordinator 9/7/79 - 6/30/04
 

Rationale: 
CABE Student Leadership Awards 
The CABE Student Leadership Awards Program was developed to allow local boards of education to recognize student achievement and potential. Students nominated by their school principal should exhibit the following leadership skills: Willingness to take on challenges, Capability to make a difficult decision, Concern for others, Ability to work with others, Willingness to commit to a project, Diplomacy, Ability to understand issues clearly and Ability to honor a commitment.
 

School	Student	Grade
BCHS	Olivia Blanca	12
	Kenneth Whitford	12
BEHS	Emma Stavens	12
	Preston Guarda	12
CHMS	Jean Zendel Yema	8
	Camden Paltiel Whitlock	8
GHS	Alex Carbone	8
	Natalie Rivera	8
NEMS	Katherine Alfonso Pazos	8
	Evan Mastropiero	8
WBS	Quinn Malley	8
	Greta Hennessey	8
BAIMS	Gabriel Capitao	8
	Azyriah Davies	8
BPrep	Michael Gallant	11
	Jaydin Colletti-Migliore	12

Rationale: 

This presentation will recognize the student accomplishments in the Art, Music, and Theater programs for the Spring semester.

Rationale: 
Each year the Board of Education selects staff members who go above and beyond the expectations of their job description to be honored with a BPS Staff Achievement Award.

Staff Achievement Award 2023-2024
Cindy Ahern - Grade 3 Teacher - Hubbell School
Emily Colombie - Grade 3 Teacher - West Bristol School
Elizabeth DiLernia - Science and CTE Teacher - Bristol Eastern High School
Jennifer Gaudet - Instructional Support - Ivy Drive School
Angie Greenier - Administrative Assistant - Special Services
Brianna Larson - Paraeducator - West Bristol School
Brent Reay - IT Support Specialist - Districtwide
Azra Redzic - Elementary Humanities Supervisor -  OTL

Rationale: 
1. April 3, 2024 - Regular Meeting Minutes
 

Rationale: 

Finance and Operations	Policy	School, Family & Community Partnership	School Safety	Student Achievement and Outcomes	Labor Relations (Ad-Hoc)
Eric Carlson, Chair	Jill Fitzsimons-Bula, Chair	Maria Simmons, Chair	Lorianne Osenkowski, Chair	Jill Fitzsimons-Bula, Chair	Eric Carlson, Chair
Russell Anderson	Maria Simmons	Jill Fitzsimons-Bula	Russell Anderson	Kristen Giantonio	Dante Tagariello
Dante Tagariello	Lorianne Osenkowski	Jennifer Van Gorder	Maria Simmons	Maria Simmons	Maria Simmons
Alternates:
Jill Fitzsimons-Bula	Dante Tagariello	Kristen Giantonio	Eric Carlson	Lorianne Osenkowski

Rationale: 
Student representatives from Bristol Central and Bristol Eastern will share activities, surveys, suggestions, and topics of interest in their respective schools.
Bristol Central                                         Bristol Eastern
Isabel Paolina - Senior *                            Rita Gao - Senior *
Abigail Wasta - Junior                               Peyton Troth - Junior                                                         

Rationale: 
Chair Pons will update the Board and the public on topics related to the Board of Education.

Rationale: 

Dr. Carbone will report/update the Board on the following topics:

1. 2025-2030 Strategic Plan Release
2. District Updates

Rationale: 
Carbone, Melissa - BOE - Special Services Instructional Supervisor

Rationale: 
Redman, Scott - BEHS - Assistant Vice Principal

Rationale: 
Kennedy, Mary Beth - NEMS - Grade 7 Language Arts Teacher effective June 30, 2024
Mancuso-Cermola, Karen - CHMS - Grade 7 Mathematics Teacher effective June 30, 2024
McConnell, Robert - CHMS - Technology Education Teacher amended date effective March 28, 2024
Pliego, Debra - GH - Grade 5 Teacher effective June 30, 2024

Rationale: 
1. DeVoe, Jessica - GH/BAIMS - Special Education Teacher

Rationale: 

Teachers trained to serve as TEAM (Teacher Education and Mentoring) mentors and cooperating teachers provide assistance and support to student teachers and beginning teachers in the district. Cooperating teachers are those teachers who are trained to work with student teachers. Mentors must be assigned to first-year teachers to provide mentoring and support to newly certified teachers.  This program is required by the State Department of Education. Principals recruit teachers to apply to be TEAM mentor/cooperating teachers; the applications are reviewed by the TEAM Coordinating Committee. The following teachers were approved by the TEAM Coordinating Committee and are recommended to be TEAM Mentors/Cooperating teachers.  Approved teachers must attend a three-day training program and update their training every three years.
 

Teacher	Assignment
Christine Sokolowski	MTV, Grade 5
Marisa Ferraro	GHS, Grade 3
Carly Boldaz	MTV, Kindergarten
Joseph Grabowski	CHMS, Grade 7, SS
Megan McPartlin	WB, Grade 4
Misty Palaia	MTV, Kindergarten
John Costa,	BAIMS, Grade 8, Social Studies
Rebecca Parsons	NEMS, Grade 7, Science

Rationale:   

Members of the public are invited to comment to the Board on any topic related to school business. Items requiring consideration by the Board must be approved as an agenda item by a 2/3ds vote of the Board members present.  Such items may be referred for further study and not necessarily acted upon at this meeting.

Anyone wishing to address the Board should adhere to the following procedures:

Before a Remote Meeting - Submitted Public Comment must be received by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

1. Send your comments to: susaneverett@bristolk12.org
2. Be sure to put PUBLIC COMMENT - BOE in the subject line.
3. Include your name and address.
4. Direct your comments to the Board Chair.
5. Your comments will be shared with Commissioners and placed on file. 
6. All comments should be written in an appropriate manner, comments regarding personnel or confidential student information shall not be discussed under public comment.
7. Any comments not adhering to the guidelines will not be read at the meeting.

During a Meeting

1. Everyone is requested to address the Chair for recognition.
2. Each speaker must state his/her name and address.
3. All speakers must observe rules of common etiquette.  Personalities are not to be injected. Anyone violating this rule will be denied the floor. Unless waived by the Chairperson or a majority of the Board,
4. Each speaker shall limit his/her remarks to three (3) minutes.
5. A speaker will not be recognized for a second time on the same topic.
6. The public may speak as agenda topics come up for discussion or information.  Anyone digressing from the topic will be ruled out of order.
7. Written statements and materials may be made available, in advance of comments, for distribution to Board members.
8. Speakers shall state their positions on the subject being discussed.
9. Board members will not respond directly to comments during the Board meeting. The Superintendent will direct the question to the appropriate staff member for follow-up

Rationale: 
As part of the state requirement for the Plan Completion Review on May 2, 2024, the school building committee, the BOE and other local officials must review and approve the final plans and project manuals. These were shared with the BOE Commissioners on April 5, 2024.

Rationale: 
Central office staff will review April 1 enrollment figures for the Board.

Rationale: 
A request was made to report on current vacancies by location and the number of interviews conducted for each.

Rationale: 
Amy Martino Director of Special Services will update the Board regarding Special Services programs and topics.

Rationale: 

Academic statistics is a high school (non-AP) statistics course, designed for a fourth credit in mathematics for any student who has earned a passing grade in Algebra 2.  It is also a course for strong math students who are interested in learning statistics in a real-world context in addition to the traditional mathematics curriculum.  The purpose of this course is to provide students with a class that introduces them to statistical reasoning in a context that is rich with examples that spark their interest and better engage students in their learning.  This course teaches students how to use four-steps of the statistical process in the context of real-world applications:  ask questions, collect data, analyze data, and make conclusions.  The course also includes some topics in probability.  Each unit will begin with a real-world statistical question and then students will learn how to collect appropriate data, how to analyze the data, and how to make reasonable conclusions.  Although the context of the examples and exercises will be real-world related, the primary focus of the class will be to teach students the basic principles of statistical reasoning.  The hope is to encourage more students to explore the interesting and relevant world of statistics with a focused emphasis on statistical thinking.  These 21st century skills are a reflection of the increasingly data driven world we live in and will further help students meet mathematics standards towards College and Career Readiness. BPS Credits: 1.0 

Rationale: 

This course is designed to challenge students to develop critical skills for success in college and careers.  Students will be asked to investigate, research, collaborate with other classmates, write about their findings, and present solutions to problems in applied situations.  They will work through mathematical topics, including statistics in the media, using functions to make decisions, managing data, network graphs, and understanding credit, debt and investments.  Emphasis will be placed on modeling real world scenarios with mathematics so that students can become critical consumers of everyday data, knowledgeable decision makers, and mathematical thinkers who can solve problems related to a wide range of situations.  This course is an alternative to pre-calculus intended for college bound students. BPS Credit: 1.0

Rationale: 

This introductory course offers an exploration of fundamental principles and practical applications in food safety, hygiene, kitchen operations, culinary techniques, and baking. Students will develop a thorough understanding of the factors contributing to foodborne illnesses, including contamination sources and high-risk populations. They will examine the critical importance of proper hygiene practices, temperature control, and allergen awareness in preventing foodborne illness outbreaks. Through hands-on training and theoretical instruction, students will learn essential culinary skills such as knife handling, stock preparation, sauce making, and salad crafting. Additionally, the course covers key concepts in kitchen management, equipment operation, and recipe scaling, preparing students for success in professional culinary settings. Emphasis is placed on industry best practices, regulatory compliance, and food safety protocols to ensure safe and sanitary food handling practices. By the end of the course, students will emerge equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for pursuing careers in the culinary arts and foodservice industry. BPS Credit: 0.5 

Rationale: 

Introduction to Allied Health Professions is a half year course designed as an introduction to the field of Allied Health. Students are introduced to the various pathways (Diagnostic, Therapeutic, Health Informatics, Support Services, Biotechnology Research and Development) in the field of Allied Health, certifications and post-secondary choices for careers in allied health. Students will explore careers in therapeutics, health information, diagnostics, support services, and research and development. Guest speakers from diverse backgrounds will be invited from each of the pathways to share their experience in terms of education, training, and on the job experience. Students will also have the opportunity to experience each field by completing activities, projects, presentation and research. Students who successfully complete this course will receive 1.0 credits from the University of Connecticut. BPS Credits 0.5

Rationale: 

Through quantitative and qualitative analysis, students will gain a deeper understanding of matter, forces, and the interaction between them.  Major units of study include: Kinematics, Newton's Laws, Conservation Laws, Rotation, SHM/Waves, and Gravitation for Physics 1201Q; electrostatics, electric circuits, magnetostatics, electrodynamics, geometric and physical optics, atomic and nuclear physics, and the particle nature of light for Physics 1202Q. Through cooperative learning and lab experiences, students will improve communication and critical thinking skills. BPS Credit: 1.0
1201Q: 4.0 UConn
1202Q: 4.0 UConn

Rationale: 

This introductory course in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills essential for creating, designing, and manipulating digital models in a professional engineering and design environment. The course is structured into three units of instruction: Parts, Technical Drawing, and Assemblies. Each unit focuses on key aspects of CAD, offering hands-on experience and practical applications to reinforce learning objectives. Throughout the course, students will engage in a combination of lectures, demonstrations, practical exercises, and project-based learning activities to reinforce theoretical concepts and develop practical CAD skills. By the end of the course, students will have acquired a solid foundation in CAD fundamentals, enabling them to create accurate parts, technical drawings, and assemblies essential for engineering and design applications. BPS Credits 0.5

Rationale: 
This is the second reading of the revised Modern American History Curriculum, first presented to the Student Achievement Committee on April 17th. Connecticut adopted new Social Studies Standards in 2024, and Bristol Public Schools has revised the Modern American History curriculum to align to those standards.

Rationale: 

As we seek to continue to improve both our on-track toward graduation and graduation rate, Dr. Carbone held several meetings with high school administrators, counselors, and teachers to better understand why some students might not be meeting with success.  This group identified a target population that consisted of:  1) Students who had been expelled for some time, returning mid-school year, and 2) Students who did not find success with our current alternative programming.  Influenced by the success of our afterschool high school credit recovery in the past and by a credit-recovery program design  in another Alliance district, a committee of teachers and administrators have developed an in-district alternative called "Recharge."  

Our Recharge program will be an intensive, compacted credit recovery program designed for students whose educational path has been nontraditional, resulting in credit loss, impacting their ability to graduate on time.  Priority standards for all core and required elective courses have been identified and performance-based assessments have been created to monitor and assess the mastery of those credits.  As a result of meeting the standards, students will be able to recover credit that will allow them to get back on track toward graduation.  The design of the program will be to re-engage students with their love for learning by making unique connections between content areas, offering hands-on learning experiences, and using authentic contexts when designing learning opportunities. Teachers will be piloting four new courses that are interdisciplinary and culminate in a demonstration of mastery of standards.

Class size will be small and co-taught so students will receive more individualized attention.

Rationale: 

Current Modern American History textbooks were published in 2006. Connecticut adopted new Social Studies Standards in 2024, and Bristol Public Schools has revised the Modern American History curriculum to align to those standards. The age of the existing textbooks, new standards, and updated curriculum necessitate the purchase of updated textbooks. The textbook selection committee recommends US History Interactive: Reconstruction to the Present (2022).

Rationale: 
The Board will discuss any new business proper to come before the Board.

Rationale: 

Any communications/information regarding building projects:

1. Chippens Underground Storage Tank
2. BAIMS Building Update
3. NEMS Building Committee Report
4. ESSER/ARP Building Committee Update
5. Edgewood Project Update
6. Culinary Arts Project Updates
7. Athletic Fields and Site Improvements

Rationale: 

Commissioners will report to the Board on any groups/organizations in which they serve as Board of Education Liaisons and information pertinent to the Board.

Rationale: 
There being no other business to come before the Board, the meeting should be adjourned.