The replacement of the emergency operation plan and a presentation by students with the Fuel Up to Play 60 program were two of the highlights of Monday’s Bradford School Board meeting.
In his presentation on the emergency operation plan, John Petruzzi, technology director, said the replacement of the plan stems from changes in responses implemented in 2013 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
“Those changes were then sent down to the state level,” which were forwarded to local agencies, Petruzzi explained. “We, as a district, also realized we needed to change, review and keep things evolving to get better and better.”
He said the changes were not implemented because the district had done anything wrong in the past, but rather to simplify the language used in emergencies so they can be easily understood by the general population. He said common-sense language and procedures used will include the use of terms such as “shelter in place” which will instruct staff and students to stay in the school in the event of severe weather, medical emergencies or an emergency occurring on the outside of the building.
Petruzzi said another term, “reverse evacuation,” will instruct individuals on the outside of the building, such as classes in the park or playground, to return to the school when there is a perceived threat in the neighborhood or community.
Another familiar term, “lockdown,” will be used to let staff know when to lock the doors of rooms when there is an active threat inside the building.
The board also heard from nine Floyd C. Fretz Middle School students and their instructor, Judy Abbey, regarding the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. Fretz students recently won $500 during a competition in Buffalo, N.Y., comprising 30 area schools. The national initiative, sponsored by the National Football League and the National Dairy Council, promotes the school nutrition and exercise program, as well as healthy after-school snacks.
Fretz regularly outpaces other schools throughout the state and region, and has won numerous competitions over the years.
In her report, Superintendent Katharine Pude said Kelly Compton, director of curriculum and instruction, who was not present at the meeting, shared information on the Imagine Math technology that was free to the district this year with a state grant.
“As of today, we learned that Fretz students have spent approximately 2,945 hours using the system and 835 hours of that time has been in the evenings and on the weekends,” Pude said. “School Street students have spent approximately 1,910 hours on the system with 343 hours during the evening and weekend hours.
“The interest of the students is very impressive and we are very proud (of them) for all the time they are working on their academics,” Pude said.
Later in the evening, Pude presented certificates of appreciation to board members Shane Oschman for his eight years of service and Joe Troutman for his 16 years of service. A certificate will also be given to outgoing board member Pat Vigliotta, who was absent, for his 12 years of service.
In her address to the board, student council representative Reagan Dolan said the council’s next upcoming activity will be the presentation of fleece tie blankets and Polar Express books to pre-kindergarten students at George G. Blaisdell Elementary. She said the program will be held before the holiday break for school.
In personnel matters, the board approved the hirings of Agnes Hardy, Tammy Booker, Betty Hanson and Scott Disney as part-time bus drivers. The board also approved the resignations of Kathleen Thumpston, music teacher and band director at the high school, effective June 7, 2018, after 18 years of service, for the purpose of retirement; and Natalie Marasco, full-time general aide at George G. Blaisdell Elementary, effective Dec. 21, after two years of service.
