By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — The Eastern Aroostook RSU 39 School Board heard from several teachers regarding the vision proposed for adoption by the school district to move toward a student-centered, proficiency-based educational system at their meeting held at the Superintendent’s Office on June 26.
Superintendent Frank McElwain introduced the vision, whose components consist of:
• Rigorous Standards: All learners demonstrate readiness for future success by meeting rigorous and relevant standards and expectations. The learning environment supports student achievement of academic expectations through a well-organized and comprehensive curriculum that is research-based and where the learning goals are clear to everyone.
April Belyea, a kindergarten teacher at Hilltop School, and Emily Rosser, a first-grade teacher at Limestone Community School, explained how they have begun implementing the rigorous principles into their classrooms by identifying power standards and adapting their curriculum to address those expectations.
• Individualized Learning: All learners are involved in planning their personal learning pathways for success and have ownership of their learning. Individual learning pathways are developed for each student through collaborative relationships with school staff and other supportive adults.
Fourth-grade teacher Karen Howe and Resource Room teacher Cathryn Kelly, both of Teague Park, advised that they have begun implementing individualized learning by providing the fourth-graders with classes they can elect to take in any order they wish and then helping students evaluate their own performances in each subject in order to move on.
• Assessment Guides Learning: All learners demonstrate proficiency of the standards through a collection of assessments and other forms of evidence that monitor and document their process over time. Staff utilize this evidence to support student learning, advise next steps and adjust learning pathways accordingly.
Stephanie Bresett, technology teacher at Caribou Middle School, showed the board electronic portfolios that the students created to outline their work, aptitude test scores, achievements and comments from teachers that will move along with the students and be added to throughout the students’ school career.
• Staff Committed to Supporting All Students: All learners are supported by knowledgeable, committed and caring staff. The staff of RSU 39 engages in reflective practice and seeks opportunities for continuous professional growth in order to support student learning.
Lois Brewer, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, explained that the RSU will continue to research and update staff on the changes and progress of proficiency-based learning as it is implemented into the school system.
After the presentations, the board voted unanimously to adopt the vision as it was explained.
Caribou Mayor Gary Aiken spoke during the public comments portion of the meeting, offering the board members insight into his thought that the School Board should use the Caribou City Council Chambers for their meetings so that they can be broadcast on cable access television as the City Council meetings are. Aiken explained that he believed it would be the perfect way for the public to be more aware of the function of the board and its work.
“I think it would mean so much for the public to see the quality of people that we have teaching the children here,” Aiken commented after the proficiency-based learning vision presentation.
The board unanimously approved second readings for policies Referral and General Education Interventions, Referral Procedures and General Education Interventions, Child Find Interventions, Use of Physical Restraint and Seclusion, and Procedures on Physical Restraint and Seclusion. They also approved job descriptions for a show choir adviser, high school mixed ensemble director, piano accompanist, high school jazz choir director and high school jazz band director.
An updated emergency management plan, which provides guidelines on how to handle a crises event and is kept at each school in the district, was approved. The plan has no significant changes from what it has been in the past except for assigning different personnel for certain tasks.
A half-time English language arts teaching position at LCS was unanimously approved for elimination. Jen Rand, who previously held the post, along with teaching pre-K half-time, transferred to Caribou Middle School full-time. In an attempt to save money, the ELA position will be cut and the half-time pre-K position will be filled.
McElwain gave his superintendent’s report, advising the board of the resignation of Jessica Umel, an English as a second language teacher at Caribou High School; Frances Cote, a special ed teacher at LCS; Steve Bailey,. a part-time cook at Hilltop; and Glenn Michaud, the LCS varsity baseball coach.
New hires were Mark Shea, girls soccer coach at CMS; Rebecca West, girls varsity soccer coach at LCS; Amanda Dionne, ed tech II, Life Skills at the Caribou Leaning Center, and Angela Martin, a part-time physical therapist primarily at the Learning Center.
Sue Keaton, a special ed teacher at CMS is transferring to LCS.
McElwain presented nominations for consideration of Jill Plante as an ELA social studies teacher at mid-level for LCS and Marie Beckum, Title I grade 6 social studies and science teacher at CMS. Both nominations were accepted.
McElwain explained to the board that Hilltop’s playground equipment is ready to be replaced due to its age and condition. The Caribou Kiwanis Club has approached the school about raising funds for new equipment and fund-raising efforts will begin.
McElwain then updated the board on the bus rodeo that was just held in Fort Kent. Bus drivers attend workshops and compete in drills that reinforce safety measures. According to McElwain, RSU 39 has won the team trophy for multiple years, including this year. In the transit category, RSU 39 took all three top places with drivers Fred Patterson, Rodney Bourgoine and Brian Pelletier. In the conventional category, first place went to driver Roy Turcotte.
The meeting concluded with administrative updates from CHS, the Caribou Technology Center and the Caribou Learning Center.
