Social Studies Teachers Present Curriculum Updates To School Committee

This week's school committee meeting was highlighted by presentations from social studies department leaders and by further discussion about the FY12 budget.  The committee also revised the calendar for the 2011-2012 school year, which ends June 21, 2012.      

Michael Boulay, Maureen Fennessy, and Kate Robertson appeared before the committee presenting social studies curriculum updates in the Lynnfield public schools.

Robertson, department head of Language Arts & Social Studies at Lynnfield Middle School, addressed the rigorous curriculum at the middle school level.  Students in grades 5 – 8 have had opportunities to use interactive technology in the classroom and attend field trips.  Later in the school year, 5th graders will visit sites on the freedom trail in Boston.

"In all grades history instruction is enhanced by the use of smart board and computer technology.  Students get opportunities throughout the grade levels to create PowerPoint presentations," said Robertson.  

Boulay, Department Head of Social Studies at Lynnfield High School, explained that LHS students are required to take three years of social studies classes.  Eighty-seven percent of this year’s senior class is taking a social studies elective.  Boulay noted that the social studies department has expanded its elective course offerings, with the addition of American government and American pop culture.

The department head added that all LHS students complete common projects in English, math, science, and social studies in order to measure their progress in 21st century skills.  

Boulay concluded his presentation with detailing professional development of LHS social studies teachers.  Currently there are four teachers participating in a U.S. History teaching grant program.

“This grant is a three year program that provides seminars with prominent historians and opportunities to collaborate with teachers throughout the North Shore,” Boulay said.  

Savings Still Sought In School Budget

After the K-12 Social Studies presentations, Superintendent Dr. Robert Hassett and school committee members discussed proposals to trim the fiscal year 2012 budget.  School busing was a topic raised by Committee Chair Dorothy Presser.

Each school bus is leased from the Vocell Bus Company at $43,000 per year.

Presser said that the school committee should begin to look at the policy of reverting back to the state busing guidelines.  “Currently, our busing guidelines are more generous than the state,” Presser added.

Busing scenarios still need to be hashed out.  The current bus schedule includes 20 stops per run.  The committee is not ruling out reducing the number of bus stops or the number of buses used.

Hassett conveyed the dilemma of altering the school busing system.  Consolidating the busing routes could affect the safety of students.  “I really have a serious concern about the kids across from Route 1,” Hassett said.

Presser also addressed the salary of incoming Superintendent Dr. Thomas Jefferson, who will earn $175,000 per year. “We pay our teachers competitively,” said Presser, “Because it allows us to hire qualified teachers that stay in the district, and we feel like we need to do the same for the Superintendent.”