View the School Committee meetings on our dedicated page, or listen here on any device.
New Member
Amber Cameron is the Student Representative and had a good deal to say as she was welcomed by the School Committee.
Gardner MA School Committee Approves Spending Warrants, Heard Reports, Approved Policies, and declared Waterford Surplus
The School Committee was scheduled for a vote: to approve spending articles, accept donations, approve for first reading various school policies, declare Waterford Street School surplus so that it can be used as a Community Center by the City of Gardner, accept the goals of the Superintendent, hear a progress report on the new Gardner Elementary School, and review various communications.
School Committee agenda still does not contain the complete packet. Agenda pdf. We understand this is in the works for the future.
Included was a great presentation by GES Principal Earl Martin and we have photos below.
Listen to the meeting here on any device. CLICK Play.
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The Gardner School Committee welcomed student representative Amber Cameron who spoke at both the beginning and end of the meeting. We learned from various reports that the new Middle School lockers have been installed, the foundation of the Concession Stand at the High School has been poured. Approved were 7 policies which we don’t yet have available to show you. Waterford Street School was declared surplus and Superintendent Pellegrino stated that it will take until December 1st for the School District to get stuff out of the school (declared surplus at last meeting of 9-12-22) An account limit of $30,000 was set for student activity accounts. Mayor Nicholson arrived during Principal Earl Martin’s Elementary School presentation. The Mayor had been in Boston with a meeting with the Lieutenant Governor.
Gardner Elementary School Presentation by Principal Earl Martin
The Elementary School Principal stated that the motif is “School in the Woods” and he spoke of challenges at the beginning of the year stating, “staff embraced beautiful building and they did it with a smile.” The original traffic pattern for drop-off and pick-up of students didn’t work – the current pattern involves using the length of the access road by the High School to advantage with a goal of making it a 15 minute dismissal and arrival window.
Earl Martin stated outside work in certain areas is nearly complete. In the presentation, he showed the sod put in the area near the playground. He stated his wife was excited about the swing sets as they are a benefit to kids with sensory issues. Martin says his favorite sport is basketball and he was excited to see the hoops.
Principal Martin showed various photos in his presentation including the cafeteria with cool light fixtures, the media center room, the beautiful glass work filling the school with light which Martin says has “a positive effect on the kids.” He also showed pictures of classrooms in action. Various Photos below. CLICK on any image for larger view.
Gardner Elementary is a beautiful School as seen here.
Principal Earl Martin referenced the Multi-Tiered Level of Support in his presentation. It states, “All community members will experience Joy, Achievement, and CARE through… a rigorous and engaging curriculum, Positive Relationships/Compassionate Care, Social Emotional Learning curriculum and strategies for all tiers, and Frequently looking at DATA to get kids what they need, whey the need it.”
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