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Trottier seeking new members to School Council; election Thursday

by Beth Melo on

Trottier Middle School is in need of new Council members.

An election is planned for this coming Thursday, September 13th at the school’s Curriculum Night. But, first, they’ll need some names to put on the ballot.

A message from Principal Kieth LaVoie explained that turnover is prompting them to recruit a few new parents. Looking at the state’s website, it seems that the council covers a range of responsibilities including educational goals, facilities budget, and plans for improvement.

Members are asked to assist the Principal with:

  1. Adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards
  2. Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school
  3. Reviewing the annual school building budget
  4. Formulating a school improvement plan

Currently, the school has a 2017-2019 improvement plan. Under state laws, it is intended to cover:

  1. An assessment of: The impact of class size on student performance; Student-to-teacher ratios; Ratios of students to other supportive adult resources; and A scheduled plan for reducing class size, if deemed necessary
  2. Professional development for the school’s staff and the allocation of any professional development funds in the school budget
  3. Enhancement of parental involvement in the life of the school
  4. School safety and discipline
  5. Establishment of a school environment characterized by tolerance and respect for all groups
  6. Extra-curricular activities
  7. Means for meeting, within the regular education programs at the school, the diverse learning needs of as many children as possible, including children with special needs currently assigned to separate programs
  8. Any further subjects the principal, in consultation with the school council, shall consider appropriate

The initial 3-year plan presentation was made to the School Committee in May 2017. (You can read the document here and view the discussion via SAM’s video here.)

Trottier’s annual update on their efforts to implement the plan was given in December. (You can read that here and watch the discussion here.)

You can find more details on School Council responsibilities here.

Below is the message from Principal Lavoie, including the schedule for this year’s meetings: 

Dear Parents,

I am looking for a few parents to serve on Trottier’s School Council. The council has been instrumental in steering many school initiatives over the years.
Recently, we have had some membership turnover and we are looking for a few parents to commit to the council.
The meetings are held at Trottier from 2:30-3:30 on the following afternoons:
Tuesday, October 23rd

Tuesday, December 11th

Tuesday, February 12th

Tuesday, April 23rd

Please let me know if you are interested. State regulations require me to hold an election for the membership of the council. A ballot will be available at next Thursday’s Curriculum Night.

More information about School Councils can be found on the Massachusetts Department of Education Website:

http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/advisory/schoolcouncils/part3a.html

Let me know if you have any questions —

Mr. Lavoie

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