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Date: 8/16/2023
MONSON — The School Committee focused on updates to the district’s health and physical education curriculum, which included an age-by-age review, during its Aug. 9 meeting.
The initial draft also studies the negative impacts of social media, bullying and mental health.
Member Allison Morgan said the Pre-K-2 materials looked at the use of appropriate terms for genital in the event a student comments on their body and the teacher’s response. Several topics were not age-appropriate for grades 3-5, such as sex education.
However, sex education is taught for sixth through eighth grade students and at the high school. Member Karen Nothe-Valley said while the health curriculum would reflect community standards, Massachusetts requires universal educational standards.
“We don’t want to disadvantage our students here by not helping them be better prepared. They are going to move from Monson and go about their lives,” Nothe-Valley said. She added that little has been devoted to physical education.
Member Emily Graves-Harrison said the committee must address local control, unfunded state mandates, age appropriateness and future guidelines. “Each district, including our own, can pick and choose what is appropriate when it is taught when it is introduced,” she said.
The committee plans to submit a letter to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regarding concerns about the curriculum, unfunded programming and local control. The draft letter should be available for the School Committee’s Aug. 23 meeting.
Residents are encouraged to take an available survey on the curriculum. One resident spoke out of turn and declared the School Committee was “not doing its job.”
Food Services
Tracy Blanchard, the director of food services, said the commonwealth will fund free, universal lunches for all students. The legislature earmarked $171.2 million for the lunch program in the fiscal year 2024 budget.
Blanchard said families should complete the annual household application, identifying community needs and eligibility for various food programs. The district plans to inform families about the household survey and income guidelines.
Before COVID-19, the district processed hundreds of families seeking meal assistance applications. However, Blanchard has received only a few applications despite heavy promotions.
The Food Services Department was awarded a $6,600 grant from the Massachusetts Farms to Schools to purchase locally-grown produce. In addition, the department will hold a taste test with students on products offered by suppliers.
Budget Update
Leah Zippin, the director of business and operations, said Gov. Maura Healey signed a $56 billion operating budget that increased local aid by 3.2% and boosted Chapter 70 or educational funding by $603 million.
The district receives a $30-80 increase per student annually. The state doubled the amount for the current fiscal year. Net school spending is Chapter 70 funding plus the local contribution. Zipping confirmed the town’s budget would not increase.