Cashman School Council Meeting
Updates on the Playful Learning and Investigating History grant, a student-led presentation of the Vision of the Graduate, and plans for fifth grade celebrations.
The school council reviewed instructional grants, student engagement initiatives, upcoming fifth-grade transition plans, and operational updates. Members reported on a K–3 Playful Learning Grant—professional development attended with other districts, coaching visits planned, and strategies (centers/UDL) that can extend to older grades. The council also discussed a DESE competitive Investigating History Grant in collaboration with the middle school (AMS); one PD was held April 14 with two additional PD days scheduled for June 9 and 10 and plans for students to enact historical events. A community and student survey for the Vision of the Graduate work is open through April 29; draft writing will begin once results are compiled.
Logistics and school events were covered: plans for fifth-grade celebrations (AMS visit June 5, field days June 2–4, camp/beach/moving-up events and Town Park Day on June 16), Celebration of Learning on May 29 (5:30–7:00), and a second-grade move-up day on May 16. Operational notes included completion of ELA MCAS on a new platform, a question raised about when puberty instruction will be taught at the elementary level (previously in grade 6 at middle school), lunch program details (students may purchase a second portion; questions about menu alignment and lunch counts), and the ongoing work to migrate the district website to a new platform. The minutes from the February 27 meeting were approved unanimously; next council meetings are scheduled for May 22 and June 12.