RANGELEY — Eight high school exchange students from Spain came to the School board’s Aug. 28 meeting and were introduced by Spanish teacher Katie Philbrick.
The five girls and three boys, accompanied by their chaperone, arrived from Madrid last Sunday evening, and were treated to a potluck dinner of regional specialties.
On Monday they took part in a Rangeley scavenger hunt to familiarize themselves with the town, and then went bowling. While attending classes at the Rangeley school, the students will also enjoy a pizza and movie night, soccer games, kayaking, and dinner at Bald Mountain Camp.
In other business, a representative from the PTA reported that the group’s donation of basketball goal height adjusters is under way, and should be installed by the end of October. Most of the $3,200 price, which includes warranty and installation, has been collected in donations from local organizations and businesses. The remaining $413 should come from one further appeal and a movie fundraiser.
Superintendent Brian Foster reported that this year’s enrollment stands at 191 and that four new students are expected on opening day, for a total of 195. He says the school is gaining students.
Monday was a workshop day in collaboration with two other school districts, discussing the E-curriculum with Dr. Heather Driscoll.
Principal Sherry Connally said Monday’s workshop on the E-curriculum, though designed for math, English language arts, and science, also had opportunities for sports and foreign languages to participate. She said many teachers were surprised and gratified at the exchange of ideas.
Connally has been asked by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium to participate as a reviewer, preparing assessments for English language arts. The Washington-state-based Consortium is a nation-wide organization that has selected 68 participants out of a field of 1,700 applicants.
Responding to a recent request from the board, Steve Dudley of the Finance Committee handed out an initial draft of a plan to incorporate budget concerns into the Finance Committee’s deliberations. Dudley said that he hoped the move would help the board get ahead of the budget process and head off surprises, by implementing a more analytical look at the procedure. Sherry Connally suggested there was no need to add another element to the committee’s name, as “finance” would subsume the term “budget.”
Also on directions from the board, Chris Farmer of the Facilities Committee put together a document concerning the proposal to replace the portable classroom, including a projected timeline. Farmer utilized the state Department of Education’s format for school construction projects.
A review of board goals has been reworked since last year, and includes moves to improve student learning growth based on state and national standards, and to review the current administration and staff structure system. A goal that sparked much discussion was to bridge the gap in communications between staff, faculty, board, parents and community, and to put a process in place for fostering accountability. Board Chair Pam Ellis noted that improved communication at every level will certainly improve the climate at the school.
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