1 00:04:23,250 --> 00:04:27,450 Call the September 28th, school committee meeting to order at 530 for stands for the pledge. 2 00:04:44,410 --> 00:04:45,430 This is where I should say, roll. 3 00:04:47,750 --> 00:04:47,910 Here. 4 00:04:48,870 --> 00:04:50,050 Colleen Marcus. Here. 5 00:04:58,690 --> 00:04:59,970 Superintendents report. Superintendents. 6 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:29,980 Thank you, Mayor. Just a quick report. And a couple of things. Obviously, our COVID statistics currently from September 1st to the end of that last week. We're looking at 75 cases. Not all of them were during school. It included that first week prior to school starting on the middle of the year. 7 00:05:29,980 --> 00:05:31,480 the week of the first. 8 00:05:31,740 --> 00:05:34,720 Some of that was a carryover from the summer. 9 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:40,260 Average in about 10 cases, 10 positive cases, a week. 10 00:05:40,720 --> 00:05:44,700 We had about nine faculty and staff who have 11 00:05:44,700 --> 00:05:47,060 tested positive and then that doesn't include 12 00:05:48,020 --> 00:05:50,600 quarantines and things like that. 13 00:05:51,740 --> 00:05:55,100 Second topic is the mass requirement, 14 00:05:55,100 --> 00:06:08,100 Commissioner Riley held a conference call the other day and extended the mass requirement for the state of Massachusetts through November 1st. 15 00:06:12,800 --> 00:06:15,840 Do you have the vaccination stats yet for the high school and middle school? 16 00:06:16,520 --> 00:06:25,020 We do not at this point the SNAP program that the nurses use is in correlation with the software used at the state level. 17 00:06:25,700 --> 00:06:35,660 There's been some software issues in terms of downloading, and so as soon as what they send a patch for that, we will download all that and get that to you. 18 00:06:36,220 --> 00:06:39,960 Because if we get to 80%, we could arguably take masks out on 50. 19 00:06:40,220 --> 00:06:40,760 That's correct. 20 00:06:42,440 --> 00:06:42,720 All right. 21 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:45,140 Any questions from the school committee? 22 00:06:47,800 --> 00:06:51,440 Seeing none, we'll move on to presentations, vessel services update. 23 00:06:54,330 --> 00:06:55,750 Mr. Minouchi, the floor is yours. 24 00:06:56,030 --> 00:06:57,030 Welcome to your first meeting. 25 00:06:58,070 --> 00:06:58,530 Thank you. 26 00:06:58,530 --> 00:06:59,590 in person. 27 00:07:00,610 --> 00:07:02,210 You know, just this being short. 28 00:07:03,570 --> 00:07:05,530 Well, thank you for having me. 29 00:07:05,890 --> 00:07:08,090 In the last school committee meeting, 30 00:07:09,370 --> 00:07:12,010 Dr. Parone mentioned glows and grows. 31 00:07:13,030 --> 00:07:17,970 And today we're going to show you some glows with special services you're going to, 32 00:07:17,970 --> 00:07:24,170 after, after my brief presentation, you're going to have two programs come up that are just doing phenomenal things. 33 00:07:24,170 --> 00:07:28,710 and they have a student along with them that hopefully is going to give you a little insight 34 00:07:29,410 --> 00:07:31,210 to very special programs. 35 00:07:34,530 --> 00:07:39,950 On Sunday morning, I got up pretty early, I got up around 4 o'clock and I have to say 36 00:07:39,950 --> 00:07:44,810 Superintendent Connor must not sleep at all because I got an email from him. 37 00:07:44,950 --> 00:07:51,630 I was in a couple classrooms the week before and one of the classrooms that I was in at 38 00:07:51,630 --> 00:07:59,230 knowing it sent them an email, and I just want to respond to your response, which said we're 39 00:07:59,230 --> 00:08:05,210 glad to have Mr. Manucci here and he's found a home at Westside. And I do feel that way. 40 00:08:05,310 --> 00:08:10,570 So I want to start off by saying I really do, I feel very welcome. I want to thank everyone, 41 00:08:11,850 --> 00:08:17,890 as the Director of Special Services, we're supposed to be the people reaching out to everyone 42 00:08:17,890 --> 00:08:23,710 And I've just had so many people reach out to me and be so kind, and I'd be completely 43 00:08:23,710 --> 00:08:28,650 remiss if I didn't mention Lori Bedard who has just been incredibly gracious. 44 00:08:29,710 --> 00:08:35,470 The district has an incredible person in Lori who knows special education and side out. 45 00:08:35,910 --> 00:08:40,990 But more importantly, she puts in the time and effort and goes around and listens to people 46 00:08:40,990 --> 00:08:47,630 into someone that can take action, and she's been really just a great partner since 47 00:08:47,630 --> 00:08:49,830 I came on board and I can't thank her enough. 48 00:08:50,550 --> 00:08:54,470 And that goes along with the rest of the staff at special services, 49 00:08:55,490 --> 00:09:01,550 Diane Brown, Sheila Revard, and Lori Petrono have just 50 00:09:01,550 --> 00:09:02,230 been remarkable. 51 00:09:02,790 --> 00:09:05,770 And I also have to thank Karen where I know I drive you crazy, 52 00:09:05,850 --> 00:09:07,670 but you've been great. 53 00:09:08,450 --> 00:09:09,210 Thank you. 54 00:09:11,150 --> 00:09:24,170 So one of the things, when you look at what opportunities we have, the special services survey 55 00:09:24,170 --> 00:09:29,330 was something that we wanted to do to kind of, when you come into a new district, I think 56 00:09:29,330 --> 00:09:32,370 one of the things you need to do is listen and hear what people have to say. 57 00:09:32,990 --> 00:09:37,790 So I did a survey and we sent it out to everyone in the district and I'm not going to go through 58 00:09:37,790 --> 00:09:39,930 the whole survey, we could do that at a later time. 59 00:09:40,430 --> 00:09:43,730 But two of the key questions that I asked is, 60 00:09:44,330 --> 00:09:47,450 what do you think of the strengths of special services? 61 00:09:48,230 --> 00:09:50,270 And I'd say overwhelmingly the responses, 62 00:09:50,630 --> 00:09:55,450 and we got over 80 responses, was that the staff 63 00:09:55,450 --> 00:09:59,410 is the greatest asset that special services have. 64 00:09:59,570 --> 00:09:59,970 And I heard- 65 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:09,240 Attractives, red adjectives like quality staff, hard-working, dedicated staff that collaborates and staff that's respectful. 66 00:10:10,340 --> 00:10:21,280 So I couldn't agree more in going around the district and I've been to every single program and I've been to many classrooms. I would have to agree, wholeheartedly with that. 67 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:29,100 I also ask the question of what can we improve on and clearly the overwhelming majority of 68 00:10:29,100 --> 00:10:34,640 responses on what we could have improved on is that communication piece in in particular 69 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:39,360 really having that consistency and follow through so that's something that when we look 70 00:10:39,360 --> 00:10:44,580 at guidance and planning we're paying particular attention to so that we make sure that 71 00:10:44,580 --> 00:10:46,540 we have that follow through. 72 00:10:46,540 --> 00:10:52,680 So, as far as the programs, I wish I could talk about every single program, and obviously 73 00:10:52,680 --> 00:10:53,520 I can't. 74 00:10:53,660 --> 00:10:59,500 So I'm just going to highlight one particular program, and then we're going to hear from 75 00:10:59,500 --> 00:11:03,500 two of our programs in special education right when I finish. 76 00:11:05,080 --> 00:11:09,580 The program I'd like to highlight is the Cowing Alternative School. 77 00:11:10,140 --> 00:11:15,960 I've been in this business for a while now, and I've been to a ton of programs and 78 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:23,760 alternative schools that work with students that really need those special services, that 79 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:24,980 need that added attention. 80 00:11:25,700 --> 00:11:31,480 I want to tell you that I can't be more impressed with the staff at CAS, Lisa Oven, 81 00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:39,680 Corey Sutter, Linda Canoile, Lynn Cassidy, Brenda Sorrell, Sorabelli. 82 00:11:40,900 --> 00:11:46,580 I've been in those classrooms a number of time and what they do to me is just unbelievable. 83 00:11:47,180 --> 00:11:54,140 It's exactly what we want to see when someone like me wants to see from a program and from a staff. 84 00:11:55,140 --> 00:11:56,540 They're doing remarkable things. 85 00:11:56,660 --> 00:12:01,140 And you think about it, we're coming off unprecedented pandemic. 86 00:12:03,800 --> 00:12:05,700 And Superintendent Connor and I would talk about it earlier. 87 00:12:05,700 --> 00:12:19,480 I network with other districts, both around here and then on the other part of the state, and it's amazing what we're seeing in light of the challenges that we have. 88 00:12:19,960 --> 00:12:28,100 I don't think anyone would expect us to not have challenges coming off of the last year and a half, almost two year period that we're having. 89 00:12:28,760 --> 00:12:33,980 But you should be proud of that alternative school with Cass, it's a great program. 90 00:12:35,060 --> 00:12:41,240 I also had the chance to get into a lot of general-led classrooms, and again, I wish I could 91 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:46,900 highlight a whole bunch of them, but I'm just going to highlight Ellen P. She's classroom 92 00:12:46,900 --> 00:12:53,620 that she co-teaches with Amanda Sidel. I went in there, and one of the things you want 93 00:12:53,620 --> 00:12:58,680 to see is that coordination with the rubber hits the road of services, and I'm going to tell 94 00:12:58,680 --> 00:13:04,220 I was in there. She was doing a lesson. There were anchor charts up on the wall. The 95 00:13:04,220 --> 00:13:09,140 peril was working in the room like no one I've ever seen. And more importantly, like you 96 00:13:09,140 --> 00:13:15,480 talk about that cross-court nation, she had a lesson, a writing lesson going on, and she 97 00:13:15,480 --> 00:13:21,960 was incorporating the zones of regulation, which is an SEL strategy into what the kids were 98 00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:26,620 doing. It was really remarkable, and it was really good to see that here we are just starting 99 00:13:26,620 --> 00:13:32,760 the year and that type of coordination is going on. It was fantastic to see that. 100 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:41,980 Lastly, I just want to talk briefly about our COT team and the coordination that's going 101 00:13:41,980 --> 00:13:50,580 on there. Dr. Gile and Dr. Perone and myself, we went to a math coaches meeting just 102 00:13:50,580 --> 00:13:58,220 Friday. I'm highlighting that, but this is a team that really does look to coordinate and get 103 00:13:58,220 --> 00:14:04,860 on the same page across the board. We went to that meeting and we were able to hear what 104 00:14:04,860 --> 00:14:09,740 the challenges are, but more importantly, when we debriefed, we were coming up with a plan 105 00:14:09,740 --> 00:14:16,340 on how we're going to tackle those challenges. Jen Brennan, I already mentioned, I've been 106 00:14:16,340 --> 00:14:21,700 around with her, in her coordination and working with me on PBIS. 107 00:14:22,180 --> 00:14:29,000 Initiatives, BHN, who were bringing in to help with services for students who are having 108 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:34,600 emotional and behavioral difficulties, and her work with the zones of regulation in other 109 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:35,880 areas has been phenomenal. 110 00:14:36,780 --> 00:14:42,840 I can't thank Kim Hunter enough for the work that she's done her in Julia with budget issues, 111 00:14:42,840 --> 00:14:51,860 and strongly to stuff has been nothing less than spectacular in coordinating those dual services 112 00:14:51,860 --> 00:14:59,040 of students that have English language and special services. 113 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:26,440 So the last thing, I just want to let you know that on October 13th, we have our first CPAC meeting. It's the basic rights meeting. It's going to be held at the high school at 630, so if you can spread the word, we are going to get the word out, but I would like to see as many parents there as possible. The other thing that I want to point out is that I talked about unified sports a couple of towns during the interview. 114 00:15:26,440 --> 00:15:30,560 And unified basketball has come to West Springfield. 115 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:34,500 And the first game is on October 8th. 116 00:15:34,580 --> 00:15:37,160 It's an away game and chickpeapea. 117 00:15:37,340 --> 00:15:41,440 But the first home game is on October 14th against Munson. 118 00:15:42,200 --> 00:15:43,800 And that's at 4 p.m. 119 00:15:44,420 --> 00:15:48,060 So again, if you want to come out and support those athletes, 120 00:15:48,940 --> 00:15:50,120 that would be fantastic. 121 00:15:52,480 --> 00:15:56,380 So I get the pleasure of introducing both the food lab 122 00:15:56,380 --> 00:16:01,980 Amy Pizarreck, and our transition program run by Rebecca Hawley. 123 00:16:03,420 --> 00:16:10,440 It's always been my vision to offer vocational services to students who would benefit for them. 124 00:16:10,500 --> 00:16:18,520 If you think about it, to get jobs, what better way than to actually have some type of vocational 125 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:22,800 service where they can practice in art and potentially get a job. 126 00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:28,240 And I've got to tell you, I'm just floored with the job that Amy does and more importantly 127 00:16:28,240 --> 00:16:29,740 how our students do. 128 00:16:30,260 --> 00:16:35,840 I would invite all of you to go there for lunch because it's a fantastic lunch and it's 129 00:16:35,840 --> 00:16:37,160 just a great experience. 130 00:16:38,340 --> 00:16:42,900 When I go into Rebecca Holly's transition program, these are students that are with us to 131 00:16:42,900 --> 00:16:50,460 age 22 and students that, again, we're looking to set up for their life and I think I 132 00:16:50,460 --> 00:16:54,580 with you that I have a son who's on the autism spectrum. 133 00:16:55,520 --> 00:17:00,920 It's very daunting to be a parent and be in that situation where your kids have been 134 00:17:00,920 --> 00:17:03,500 going to school and you kind of have that safety net. 135 00:17:03,800 --> 00:17:08,680 When they start to get into that 18 to 22 range, it really does bring the heart beat up quite 136 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:09,260 a bit. 137 00:17:09,560 --> 00:17:16,480 And I think Rebecca and her team are doing a fantastic job at transitioning, no pun intended, 138 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:19,000 those students for their next phase. 139 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:21,440 So I'm going to have them come up. 140 00:17:21,520 --> 00:17:22,760 They're going to talk about their program. 141 00:17:22,980 --> 00:17:24,340 I think it's going to be really enjoyable. 142 00:17:24,640 --> 00:17:26,160 They're doing a student along as well. 143 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:30,380 And that, I'll turn it over to them. 144 00:17:47,330 --> 00:17:48,210 They're going to find us a 145 00:17:50,580 --> 00:17:50,920 little bit. 146 00:17:50,920 --> 00:17:51,240 I'll beat them. 147 00:17:51,280 --> 00:17:52,040 I might need your help. 148 00:17:52,540 --> 00:17:53,080 I got it. 149 00:18:04,250 --> 00:18:04,470 All right. 150 00:18:04,610 --> 00:18:05,230 Thank you. 151 00:18:08,580 --> 00:18:09,220 Hello, everyone. 152 00:18:09,380 --> 00:18:10,440 I'm Amy Fisterzik. 153 00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:13,580 And I teach the culinary program at high school. 154 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:14,660 We call it the food lab. 155 00:18:16,100 --> 00:18:20,520 About eight years ago, I was approached and asked to redesign the program. 156 00:18:20,520 --> 00:18:28,900 And I worked for a year rewriting the curriculum and working on redesigning it and I started teaching the program seven years ago. 157 00:18:31,380 --> 00:18:43,480 So the main mission of the program is we provide culinary training and skills necessary for safe and successful functioning and residential institutional or commercial food service operation. 158 00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:48,980 I go by all of the Surf States standards because we do answer to the health department, which 159 00:18:48,980 --> 00:18:56,540 the students know, and we train them so that they can get jobs in a restaurant or kitchen 160 00:18:56,540 --> 00:18:57,040 environment. 161 00:18:57,440 --> 00:19:04,740 Some of our students have actually gotten jobs in retirement homes as well as kitchen environments 162 00:19:04,740 --> 00:19:06,680 and volunteer work. 163 00:19:09,180 --> 00:19:15,240 The students really thrive in this program as there's expectations. 164 00:19:15,940 --> 00:19:20,040 The way I teach them is I go by a universal design for learning model. 165 00:19:20,900 --> 00:19:26,980 So I try to emulate what the vocational programs in the high schools, 166 00:19:27,220 --> 00:19:30,180 such as Comfort or the Collab Pioneer Valley Collaborative do. 167 00:19:30,180 --> 00:19:36,820 When the students come to me, I have them try every station within the first quarter. 168 00:19:38,380 --> 00:19:45,020 On a weekly basis, we do self-reflections so that we can target skills that they're interested in 169 00:19:45,020 --> 00:19:47,640 and skills that they want to improve on. 170 00:19:48,240 --> 00:19:59,620 So that way they can set realistic goals for themselves so that they can be productive workers in an employment environment. 171 00:20:00,270 --> 00:20:06,410 And I just kind of listed all the different skills that we work on within that environment. 172 00:20:08,800 --> 00:20:16,020 And the thing that's really great, I also teach social thinking, Mr. Manucci was talking about the zones of regulation. 173 00:20:16,800 --> 00:20:27,440 I teach the social thinking class as well. And we work on the zones of regulation as well as expected, unexpected behaviors, positive, age-appropriate social interactions. 174 00:20:27,440 --> 00:20:32,780 and they're able to practice these skills in a real life work situation. 175 00:20:34,700 --> 00:20:41,160 They have interactions with other students as I often get interns, which is fantastic, 176 00:20:42,280 --> 00:20:47,480 because a lot of my interns are interested in either special education, education, 177 00:20:48,040 --> 00:20:52,240 nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, social work. 178 00:20:52,240 --> 00:20:59,640 So they are exposed because what I do rather than in turn pushing paper, I have them work as peer models. 179 00:21:00,640 --> 00:21:08,680 So they really, really get to know the students and it also gives the students an opportunity to self advocate 180 00:21:09,240 --> 00:21:16,040 and disclose what they would like about their disabilities to the other students where they need help 181 00:21:16,040 --> 00:21:20,300 and its real life practice for an employment environment. 182 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:28,780 And then also many of the city workers come in to get meals on a regular basis. 183 00:21:28,860 --> 00:21:34,240 I know Mayor Rick Alt has come in many times, as well as Dr. Froden was a regular customer 184 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:35,280 in our program. 185 00:21:36,600 --> 00:21:42,400 And the police officers, the plumber, electrician, they come in on a regular basis. 186 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:45,100 So any of you are more than welcome to come in. 187 00:21:45,380 --> 00:21:47,480 We gladly welcome you. 188 00:21:47,480 --> 00:21:58,240 the students get excited when new people come in and you know it's a lot of students and I'm going to use my friend Sean here as a prime example 189 00:21:58,240 --> 00:22:11,540 when he first came to me he was very shy, very like tentative about talking to people and by the time he went to the transition program he was a chatterbox 190 00:22:11,540 --> 00:22:17,460 And if regular customers came in and they didn't say hi to him, he would get highly insulted. 191 00:22:18,640 --> 00:22:25,960 And my friend Sean, when he turned 18, he actually gained enough skills to self-abocate for himself. 192 00:22:26,600 --> 00:22:31,360 And Dr. Perron probably remembers this. He came to me when the day before his 18 birth day. 193 00:22:31,440 --> 00:22:35,260 And he said, I'm going to be in the club full-time. And I was like, what? 194 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:39,720 And he goes, well, it's my birth day tomorrow and I turn 18. And I go, that's great. 195 00:22:39,720 --> 00:22:41,120 So, this is for your birthday? 196 00:22:41,600 --> 00:22:44,280 He goes, no, I'm 18, I want to be here. 197 00:22:44,480 --> 00:22:47,320 For good, okay, that's great. 198 00:22:48,700 --> 00:22:52,040 So, whereas before, he never would have said that. 199 00:22:52,380 --> 00:22:54,980 So, it's really great for their social interaction. 200 00:22:58,620 --> 00:23:05,590 Then, four years ago, I received an award for teaching, 201 00:23:06,010 --> 00:23:08,610 and part of it, I was got a grant, 202 00:23:08,610 --> 00:23:14,750 And I had been driving the oil throughput and turning crazy asking for a garden. 203 00:23:15,850 --> 00:23:23,430 And as part of the grant I was able to pair up with a sentria and we had been able to build 204 00:23:23,430 --> 00:23:26,970 a school garden and we involved the community. 205 00:23:27,450 --> 00:23:32,050 If act Mr. Garvey came and helped us build as well as mayor, helped us came and built garden. 206 00:23:32,910 --> 00:23:34,430 And that continues to grow. 207 00:23:34,430 --> 00:23:42,050 Now, I work closely with Asantria, and Erica Letzon and myself have written several grants 208 00:23:42,050 --> 00:23:47,170 and we've gotten several grants, and I've driven the mayor crazy, and now we're getting 209 00:23:47,170 --> 00:23:47,730 a greenhouse. 210 00:23:48,450 --> 00:23:49,410 Thank you very much. 211 00:23:51,670 --> 00:23:57,090 And which just improved the scope base, and recently we got another grant, and we're doing 212 00:23:57,090 --> 00:24:02,790 the Vermont Farm to School Institute, and actually I'm going to conference on this Saturday, 213 00:24:02,790 --> 00:24:11,210 And we're getting the students more involved and now we're actually getting into an agriculture component, 214 00:24:11,490 --> 00:24:20,090 which is another skill-based that the students can access, and it also promotes healthy eating, healthy choices, 215 00:24:20,370 --> 00:24:28,870 so it's not only school-based and employment-based, it's also healthy living, which it's something that they can take for life. 216 00:24:30,400 --> 00:24:34,960 So, and then to help Rebecca out, I do several assessments. 217 00:24:35,140 --> 00:24:40,900 I do the forgans assessment, which is a transition assessment, as well as assessments 218 00:24:40,900 --> 00:24:47,040 of functional living skills, and from there, it helps me drive my instruction. 219 00:24:47,840 --> 00:24:55,640 It helps the students build realistic goals that they can actually attain, and it gives Rebecca 220 00:24:55,640 --> 00:24:59,960 some of these as far as we are for students want to go. 221 00:25:01,900 --> 00:25:19,800 And then these are just some pictures of the students doing all the different things. There's a couple pictures of shot up there, and Riley up there, burdened, seed to table, hash hearing. There's just so many things that the students do that they can take away. 222 00:25:21,060 --> 00:25:27,860 And we decided we're going to have kids talk at the end, so I'm going to hand over to Rebecca now. Thank you so much. 223 00:25:34,040 --> 00:25:39,140 Hi, my name is Rebecca and I am the Transition Coordinator. 224 00:25:39,680 --> 00:25:44,200 This is my second year in this role, but I have been with this program since day one. 225 00:25:44,880 --> 00:25:50,200 Before bringing the program in-house, all transition services were contracted through community enterprises. 226 00:25:51,280 --> 00:25:58,700 We have expanded from a small table in the back of the high school library to the learning annex on campus, which has been amazing. 227 00:26:00,440 --> 00:26:06,460 We have been able to really work with Amy this year which has been absolutely amazing with our students. 228 00:26:07,100 --> 00:26:12,440 We work with students with realistic vocational goals and in our spot that we are in now in the annex. 229 00:26:12,600 --> 00:26:20,520 We have access to the community garden, the upcoming greenhouse as well as the culinary program, which helps maximize our student skill sets. 230 00:26:20,820 --> 00:26:25,580 This in turn really helps with placements within the community and eventual competitive employment. 231 00:26:25,580 --> 00:26:40,440 The mission statement of the West Springfield transition program is that we support and prepare young adults ages 18 to 21 to navigate vocational recreational and living skills necessary for fulfilling and independent adulthood. 232 00:26:41,320 --> 00:26:49,600 Through community-based education we focus on providing services based on the whole person prioritizing individuality choice in respect. 233 00:26:51,890 --> 00:26:53,950 We have many community partners. 234 00:26:54,330 --> 00:26:59,950 We also partner with Asentria, which they come into the annex to provide nutritional services 235 00:26:59,950 --> 00:27:01,850 through a program called SNAPEAD. 236 00:27:02,850 --> 00:27:05,330 Katie will be the one coming in at UCB, Erica. 237 00:27:06,870 --> 00:27:13,150 We go over healthy choices, nutritional facts, and also cooking recipes within the annex. 238 00:27:13,790 --> 00:27:18,150 Some of our community partners also involve the food bank of Western Maths, which is a huge 239 00:27:18,150 --> 00:27:20,810 hit in terms of a volunteer placement with our students. 240 00:27:21,970 --> 00:27:29,770 We have also have partners with Western mass news, Westfield Bank, Westfield Record, and many 241 00:27:29,770 --> 00:27:30,410 more. 242 00:27:33,840 --> 00:27:39,180 Our students also have an opportunity to participate in the Macy Program, which that is a 243 00:27:39,180 --> 00:27:45,500 lovely acronym for the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Arrolment Initiative, which we have 244 00:27:45,500 --> 00:27:48,460 done both at HCC and Westfield State. 245 00:27:48,460 --> 00:27:55,340 This allows for our students to participate in a fully inclusive college experience and have the opportunity to take college courses. 246 00:27:55,860 --> 00:28:03,560 Not only for audit but also for credit and most credits follow them lifelong even after they graduate out of transition services at 22. 247 00:28:04,280 --> 00:28:10,900 Students have opportunities to navigate a campus, to meet up with friends for lunch, to join clubs and many more. 248 00:28:12,410 --> 00:28:18,590 We also really focus on independent living skills, not only the skills that come over from 249 00:28:18,590 --> 00:28:23,470 Amy and her amazing program in the food lab, but also for students to organize a 250 00:28:23,470 --> 00:28:29,130 tenorary for community outings, as well as travel training through the ADA PVTA 251 00:28:29,130 --> 00:28:35,870 pair of transit services. We continuously work on self-advocacy skills, including disclosure and 252 00:28:35,870 --> 00:28:40,630 also speaking up for ourselves at the workplace, shopping lists and recipe planning, budgeting 253 00:28:40,630 --> 00:28:42,830 and purchasing and much more. 254 00:28:44,370 --> 00:28:47,050 We also really focus on vocational opportunities. 255 00:28:47,470 --> 00:28:51,230 We are a work-based program, but we fully believe it's not all about work. 256 00:28:51,430 --> 00:28:55,110 It's definitely about enjoying yourselves as well as an adult person. 257 00:28:55,570 --> 00:29:00,990 But our vocational opportunities include landmark, senior living, the MOB. 258 00:29:01,210 --> 00:29:06,710 We have a student in this picture highlighted at Big Why, as well as another student at 259 00:29:06,710 --> 00:29:07,550 Once Upon a Child. 260 00:29:08,470 --> 00:29:15,650 Students also utilize the work-based learning program, whether able to self-evaluate and see 261 00:29:15,650 --> 00:29:20,510 how they're doing on the job site, and we also fill these out with the placement itself, 262 00:29:20,790 --> 00:29:23,350 and we compare and contrast results. 263 00:29:25,370 --> 00:29:27,790 And these are some pictures that we have. 264 00:29:28,430 --> 00:29:32,970 And my two students have prepared some statements that they would like to read to you today. 265 00:29:32,970 --> 00:29:34,110 my 266 00:29:46,460 --> 00:29:53,020 name is Sean and this is my second year in transition. I'm currently enrolled in a 267 00:29:53,020 --> 00:29:59,860 public speaking class at HCC where I am learning to speak in front of others over. 268 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:25,720 The summer, I completed a pre-employment training and self-evocacy workshop. I opened up my first checking account at Westfield Bank with the help of my job coach. I also enjoy volunteering at the food bank where I weigh the boxes and sort meat. I enjoy going bowling with my peers and eating lunch at Closet Burger. 269 00:30:26,900 --> 00:30:33,000 Transition. Transition. Makes me feel satisfied when I can make my own choices for my future. 270 00:30:48,390 --> 00:30:54,350 Hello everyone. My name is Riley and this is my second year in transition. 271 00:30:55,430 --> 00:31:04,690 I have enjoy daily tasks like sanitizing door handles and tables and checking the dates in the fridge and dusting. 272 00:31:05,290 --> 00:31:10,630 I also like volunteering at the Food Bank where I sort meet cans and produce. 273 00:31:11,490 --> 00:31:16,610 I have completed my pre-employment training and self-advocacy workshops. 274 00:31:16,610 --> 00:31:25,710 I continue to practice these skills in the community and I am looking forward to taking classes at ACC in the spring. 275 00:31:26,230 --> 00:31:30,970 Transition makes me feel good about myself and helps me feel more independent. 276 00:31:41,340 --> 00:31:45,320 And these pictures as well are just highlighting some of the things that we have done in transition. 277 00:31:46,000 --> 00:31:50,200 As you can see, Sean and Riley practicing their Superman pose for confidence. 278 00:31:51,760 --> 00:31:57,640 This is us doing daily tasks in the annex as well as opening up our very first checking accounts at Westfield Bank. 279 00:31:58,240 --> 00:32:01,920 This program is amazing and we continue to expand every single day. 280 00:32:02,160 --> 00:32:07,200 My hope is that in the future we're able to expand with a mock apartment inside of the annex. 281 00:32:08,500 --> 00:32:10,160 But thank you for your time. 282 00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:11,680 We look forward to working with you. 283 00:32:12,520 --> 00:32:12,880 Thanks. 284 00:32:24,540 --> 00:32:26,660 Any questions from the committee? 285 00:32:28,960 --> 00:32:34,620 Just thank you to everyone that was involved, the program sounds like an amazing program. 286 00:32:35,080 --> 00:32:39,420 Sean and Riley, you did an excellent job in your presentations to the School Committee. 287 00:32:39,640 --> 00:32:45,960 It certainly showed that that public speaking course that you're working on at HCC is doing a great job. 288 00:32:46,240 --> 00:32:49,320 So, thank you all for coming. It was wonderful to see. 289 00:32:52,820 --> 00:32:58,340 I also want to thank Sean and Riley, you were certainly the stars of the show today. 290 00:32:59,540 --> 00:33:06,120 I've had the privilege of being into Amy's classroom in the past, and she alluded to 291 00:33:06,120 --> 00:33:09,860 the fact that she wasn't a ward where for teachers. 292 00:33:10,280 --> 00:33:14,840 She did receive the Excellence in Teaching Award, a very well deserved award. 293 00:33:14,840 --> 00:33:19,800 She's been in our district a long time and we are very fortunate to have her. 294 00:33:19,960 --> 00:33:25,240 The transition program, although new to the district, is a perfect marriage between the 295 00:33:25,240 --> 00:33:26,040 food lab. 296 00:33:26,720 --> 00:33:35,520 For these students, students see opportunity to stay here in a program that is tremendously 297 00:33:35,520 --> 00:33:37,700 beneficial to all. 298 00:33:38,900 --> 00:33:42,740 Mr. Manucci, I'm glad you're impressed with the programs throughout West Springfield. 299 00:33:42,740 --> 00:33:45,660 I'm pleased that you highlighted a couple of programs. 300 00:33:46,440 --> 00:33:50,300 My only issue is we could highlight every program. 301 00:33:51,880 --> 00:33:54,720 The classrooms that you spoke of are amazing classrooms, 302 00:33:55,500 --> 00:33:58,740 but as to the strengths that the staff mentioned, 303 00:34:00,240 --> 00:34:03,780 the staff is truly the strength of our special education programs 304 00:34:03,780 --> 00:34:04,880 throughout the district. 305 00:34:05,300 --> 00:34:08,100 And we are very grateful to have the staff that we have. 306 00:34:08,300 --> 00:34:09,440 Thank you. 307 00:34:10,020 --> 00:34:11,680 Thank you, Mr. Garvey. 308 00:34:12,540 --> 00:34:13,080 Thanks, Mr. Mayor. 309 00:34:13,800 --> 00:34:15,620 Just again, to reiterate, thank you. 310 00:34:15,740 --> 00:34:17,020 That was like a great presentation. 311 00:34:17,540 --> 00:34:18,540 John, great job, and Riley. 312 00:34:19,680 --> 00:34:23,040 There's something about the food lab to me that's just a very special place. 313 00:34:23,160 --> 00:34:24,920 And those of you who have been there know that. 314 00:34:25,520 --> 00:34:27,860 There is just something about the atmosphere in there. 315 00:34:28,400 --> 00:34:29,940 And it's just a great, great program. 316 00:34:30,060 --> 00:34:31,800 So I'd love to see it growing. 317 00:34:32,800 --> 00:34:34,400 And specifically in a selfish way, 318 00:34:34,580 --> 00:34:36,200 I'd love to see it growing out of doors. 319 00:34:36,720 --> 00:34:38,560 To see where the garden is coming right now. 320 00:34:38,560 --> 00:34:42,000 And I saw some stakes up around there, is that 321 00:34:42,000 --> 00:34:43,200 citing for the greenhouse? 322 00:34:43,580 --> 00:34:43,980 Yes, sir. 323 00:34:44,960 --> 00:34:45,900 So it's, it should be, it is. 324 00:34:46,160 --> 00:34:48,400 So winter, it should be up before the weather. 325 00:34:48,580 --> 00:34:50,000 So that, I agree, it should be poor before the weather. 326 00:34:50,320 --> 00:34:53,660 And as you guys, well, no, it's difficult with a school calendar and a harvest calendar. 327 00:34:53,860 --> 00:34:57,480 So I think the greenhouse is really going to allow this program to really flourish. 328 00:34:58,080 --> 00:34:59,500 So, thanks so much for all your efforts. 329 00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:08,980 Mayor is well in townside for getting the greenhouse together and whatnot. It's great to see that kind of collaboration. So thank you both. Anyone else? 330 00:35:11,580 --> 00:35:18,460 Seeing none, echo everyone's comments, trying to allow you to get an awesome job in Amy, you are right. Your food is delicious and I'm thrilled to go back and visit Michigan. 331 00:35:18,700 --> 00:35:24,700 I look forward to it. I look forward to it with fresh vegetables and everything too from the greenhouse. Thank you very much. 332 00:35:25,400 --> 00:35:26,560 Oh, sorry, Ms. Krabbasik. 333 00:35:26,720 --> 00:35:29,540 I do have one question. What time is lunch? 334 00:35:30,800 --> 00:35:32,560 It's like two hours, so. 335 00:35:32,720 --> 00:35:33,380 Two hours of. 336 00:35:33,380 --> 00:35:34,360 A wide block. 337 00:35:34,420 --> 00:35:34,880 Oh, 338 00:35:38,070 --> 00:35:39,310 thank you. 339 00:35:39,430 --> 00:35:40,710 Just shy two hours. 340 00:35:42,730 --> 00:35:44,030 All right, seeing no other questions. 341 00:35:44,210 --> 00:35:45,110 Thank you all very much. 342 00:35:45,230 --> 00:35:46,910 Mark, everyone, we appreciate it. 343 00:35:47,110 --> 00:35:48,890 Great to see you all before us. 344 00:35:49,270 --> 00:35:51,410 Move on to President, or sorry. 345 00:35:51,590 --> 00:35:53,070 Oh, prove a little bit of obsession minutes. 346 00:35:53,470 --> 00:35:54,070 We'll take him individually. 347 00:35:54,410 --> 00:35:56,110 Start with August 24th, 2021. 348 00:35:56,390 --> 00:35:56,990 Do I have a motion? 349 00:35:57,810 --> 00:36:02,330 Motion to approve open session minutes from August 24th, 2020. 350 00:36:02,330 --> 00:36:05,270 21. Second. Motion the second and a discussion. 351 00:36:07,430 --> 00:36:08,170 Seeing none by a shall 352 00:36:08,170 --> 00:36:13,830 hands all those in favor. Pose, unanimous. I guess 31st 2021. 353 00:36:17,480 --> 00:36:18,580 Make a motion to approve 354 00:36:18,580 --> 00:36:22,740 the minutes from the August 31st 2021 school committee meeting. Second. 355 00:36:23,840 --> 00:36:29,180 But motion the second, any discussion? Seeing none by a shall hands all those in favor. 356 00:36:30,340 --> 00:36:30,820 Opposed? 357 00:36:31,800 --> 00:36:32,280 Animus. 358 00:36:32,500 --> 00:36:33,380 This is managed to report. 359 00:36:33,640 --> 00:36:36,700 We're taking item A off of the agenda for now. 360 00:36:36,840 --> 00:36:37,500 Return later. 361 00:36:37,700 --> 00:36:41,300 We'll just do item B. Request for the care coalition advertising for Clark Field. 362 00:36:42,480 --> 00:36:43,240 Dr. Farrowen. 363 00:36:43,360 --> 00:36:46,080 I understand you're doing it and you're not in the room. 364 00:36:47,920 --> 00:36:49,540 I'll take it for Dr. Farrowen. 365 00:36:49,780 --> 00:36:52,200 Well, he does what he needs to do there. 366 00:36:53,940 --> 00:36:57,440 So, yeah, the Section A will bring back to you. 367 00:36:57,440 --> 00:37:02,800 that is the CSS contract, and we want to make sure that we have that all in order, we'll 368 00:37:02,800 --> 00:37:03,540 bring that back. 369 00:37:04,360 --> 00:37:10,560 The next one is a banner request at Clark Field, and this comes from our care coalition, 370 00:37:10,980 --> 00:37:17,360 that we've been part of, so we're excited to have them participate in the advertisement 371 00:37:17,360 --> 00:37:20,080 of the program on Clark Field. 372 00:37:22,900 --> 00:37:24,200 Do you have a motion, Ms. Farrell? 373 00:37:24,620 --> 00:37:30,060 Motion to approve the advertising contract for the Westbrunk Field Care Coalition. 374 00:37:32,360 --> 00:37:32,820 Any discussion? 375 00:37:34,920 --> 00:37:36,980 Seeing none by a show of hands, all those of the favor. 376 00:37:38,320 --> 00:37:39,120 Pose, unanimous. 377 00:37:39,240 --> 00:37:39,600 Thank you. 378 00:37:39,720 --> 00:37:41,580 Speaking of while we're on that, there's a couple up there. 379 00:37:41,660 --> 00:37:42,440 I need to be refreshed. 380 00:37:45,020 --> 00:37:45,620 A little tired. 381 00:37:46,540 --> 00:37:47,540 I'm a little into public comment. 382 00:37:47,700 --> 00:37:49,100 Anyone from the public that would like to speak. 383 00:37:49,340 --> 00:37:49,880 You have three minutes. 384 00:37:50,060 --> 00:37:51,100 Come up to the podium here. 385 00:37:51,200 --> 00:37:52,120 Say your name and address. 386 00:37:52,780 --> 00:37:53,760 And I'll start the clock. 387 00:38:02,830 --> 00:38:03,310 Good afternoon. 388 00:38:03,310 --> 00:38:06,190 My name is David Slot from Gooseberry Road. 389 00:38:07,150 --> 00:38:12,730 I am strongly opposed to continuing the face mask mandate in our public school system. 390 00:38:13,090 --> 00:38:20,130 Restrictive health and well-being decisions should not be contingent on should be contingent on mortality statistics, 391 00:38:20,790 --> 00:38:22,790 not inaccurate infection rates. 392 00:38:23,530 --> 00:38:28,070 The developer of the COVID-19 PCR test warned it could give misleading results 393 00:38:28,070 --> 00:38:31,110 if analyzed at high cycle thresholds. 394 00:38:31,190 --> 00:38:35,830 Dr. Anthony Fauci also recommends labs use fewer than 35 cycles. 395 00:38:36,270 --> 00:38:41,290 Yet throughout this pandemic, COVID tests have been analyzed at 40 to 45 cycles. 396 00:38:41,850 --> 00:38:47,190 This junk science results in many false positives and skews the numbers upward. 397 00:38:47,890 --> 00:38:54,090 Furthermore, the FDA admitted that the PCR test was developed without COVID-19 virus samples. 398 00:38:54,090 --> 00:39:01,630 it will be discontinued at the end of 2021. According to CDC statistics, the COVID-19 399 00:39:01,630 --> 00:39:10,630 survival rate for children up to 19 years old is 99.997%. This virus does not kill healthy 400 00:39:10,630 --> 00:39:18,110 young people. Masks are merely symbols of our compliance and they give people a false sense 401 00:39:18,110 --> 00:39:26,290 of security. Virus particles are 0.1 microns in diameter. The best N95 masks can only filter 402 00:39:26,290 --> 00:39:36,130 95% of virus particles no smaller than 0.3 microns. Trust in the effectiveness of these masks 403 00:39:36,130 --> 00:39:45,010 is absurd as hoping a chain length fence will stop a tossed handful of sand. Dr. Fauci has 404 00:39:45,010 --> 00:39:50,950 that face masks are not helpful in viral outbreaks other than to make people feel a little bit better. 405 00:39:51,690 --> 00:39:55,670 He is also admitted often there are unintended consequences to long-term masking. 406 00:39:56,590 --> 00:39:59,390 Jama Pediatrics published a face mask study. 407 00:40:00,000 --> 00:40:12,900 In June 2021, it revealed that carbon dioxide inhaled by mass children between the ages of six and 17 years old was at least six times higher than recommended. 408 00:40:13,700 --> 00:40:22,400 While the paper was redacted, the researchers stands by his findings and has called the decision politically motivated. 409 00:40:22,400 --> 00:40:28,620 I joined the West Springfield High School as a special education para-professional in 2013. 410 00:40:29,640 --> 00:40:32,400 My program returned to in-person learning last October. 411 00:40:33,520 --> 00:40:39,660 Students on the autism spectrum have a hard enough time reading social cues without face masks. 412 00:40:40,480 --> 00:40:41,740 Imagine their frustration. 413 00:40:43,300 --> 00:40:47,520 Personally, I experienced lightheadedness, shortness of breath, and headaches. 414 00:40:48,220 --> 00:40:55,280 This school year, I refuse to comply with the district's baseless and illegal mass-planned 415 00:40:55,280 --> 00:40:56,180 aid. 416 00:40:56,180 --> 00:41:02,120 I would place on unpaid suspension for 12 days before my eventual termination, forcing children 417 00:41:02,120 --> 00:41:07,540 to wear bacteria and carbon dioxide, trapping masks, is tantamount to child abuse. 418 00:41:08,540 --> 00:41:11,600 In closing, I appeal to our school committee to take heed. 419 00:41:12,440 --> 00:41:17,500 You will either choose to preserve your constituents God-given freedoms, or to 420 00:41:17,500 --> 00:41:25,120 support superficial and harmful policies. I remind my fellow West Springfield parents that we, 421 00:41:25,320 --> 00:41:32,180 the people, ultimately hold the most power. It is past time for us to speak up loudly 422 00:41:32,180 --> 00:41:38,920 for our muted kids. I would like to submit this into the record if I may. That's where you can 423 00:41:38,920 --> 00:41:43,480 put it in. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Slob. Anyone else? 424 00:41:52,320 --> 00:41:53,500 Hi, my name is Tony Source and 425 00:41:53,500 --> 00:41:56,560 29 psychs Avenue on the candidate for school committee. 426 00:41:59,840 --> 00:42:02,720 I just wanted to come up and talk about a 427 00:42:02,720 --> 00:42:09,580 agenda item C masks. I feel like I have to say that ahead of time so that I don't get cut off like I was at the 428 00:42:09,580 --> 00:42:19,020 Board of Health meeting. I just want to point out some of the hypocrisy of double standards in 429 00:42:19,480 --> 00:42:26,880 Springfield. This committee, including the mayor, voted masks to be mandated in the schools. 430 00:42:27,740 --> 00:42:33,440 But Mayor Raquel, when the Board of Health mandate was in front of you, originally you had 431 00:42:33,440 --> 00:42:38,460 a big signature line for you to sign. Making an executive order, and you took your name off 432 00:42:38,460 --> 00:42:43,100 of that, which I'm happy about. I'm glad you did. It makes me feel like you're starting to come 433 00:42:43,100 --> 00:42:46,480 around to the mask issue that it's not necessary in West 434 00:42:46,480 --> 00:42:47,420 Springfield. 435 00:42:49,740 --> 00:42:54,400 But schools should be the last place that we need masks. 436 00:42:55,040 --> 00:42:59,080 I mean, everyone here knows it affects the children less 437 00:42:59,080 --> 00:43:00,380 than anywhere else. 438 00:43:00,840 --> 00:43:04,200 So if you were to take your vote off of one of those two, 439 00:43:04,300 --> 00:43:09,740 sure and have been when you guys unanimously voted to have masks 440 00:43:09,740 --> 00:43:13,480 in school rather than in town, where, you know, 441 00:43:15,500 --> 00:43:16,780 where I don't want to say it's more dangerous, 442 00:43:17,200 --> 00:43:22,600 but it's, you know, kids are, it's a fact that kids are affected the less from COVID, 443 00:43:22,940 --> 00:43:24,000 the least from COVID. 444 00:43:24,920 --> 00:43:28,580 And I just want to tell everybody at home, I hope this video is going to be replayed as you 445 00:43:28,580 --> 00:43:31,080 can see, the mask mandate is not being enforced. 446 00:43:32,320 --> 00:43:36,740 I came in here with the idea that I'm going to walk in without a mask on. 447 00:43:37,720 --> 00:43:39,860 And if someone asks me to put it on, I'll put it on. 448 00:43:39,860 --> 00:43:49,920 nobody even asked me. So don't do it to yourself, um, you know, like the previous speaker said, 449 00:43:50,020 --> 00:43:59,720 you know, we the people were in charge here, um, if, let's not do it to ourselves. If you're not in favor of masks, 450 00:43:59,880 --> 00:44:03,700 don't wear one until you're asked. Thank you. 451 00:44:07,010 --> 00:44:11,730 Next, say one else I'd like to speak, and feel free to put a mask on to me. 452 00:44:16,470 --> 00:44:22,590 Hi, I'm Michelle Karona, a city of U.S., I'm here to speak about the mask mandates. 453 00:44:23,990 --> 00:44:30,690 COVID-19 is not a droplet problem, it's an aerosol problem. 454 00:44:31,470 --> 00:44:40,870 The corona particle is 0.1 micron, and the poor size of a surgical mask is 0.3 to 10 microns at best. 455 00:44:40,870 --> 00:44:58,810 Here's the picture to share, to show the size of a human here, the size of beach sand, the size of a grain of pound, and then way over here is the size of coronavirus. 456 00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:29,980 So, my new, we can't see it. The university of Florida labs tested masks and a found 11 dangerous pathogens. Yes, 11 including bacteria that causes diphtheria, pneumonia, meningitis. The masks were worn by five children and one adult. Three of these masks were surgical masks. Two were caught and one was a polyester gator. Are you the school committee going to be responsible for children getting these types of 457 00:45:29,980 --> 00:45:37,040 illnesses to mask the kids, is Mr. Riley from Dessie going to be responsible for parents, 458 00:45:37,200 --> 00:45:42,600 medical bills, and his statement when the mandate came out, he clearly said that the 459 00:45:42,600 --> 00:45:49,780 masking was to force more people to get vaccinated. Moving on to masks. This slide on 460 00:45:49,780 --> 00:45:56,620 understanding the difference poster put out by the CDC stating that surgical masks offer no 461 00:45:56,620 --> 00:46:03,660 respiratory protection. For the record, fabric masks do not meet any level of standards and have no 462 00:46:03,660 --> 00:46:09,860 standing in the realm of personal protection equipment. You can see your breath in the winter 463 00:46:09,860 --> 00:46:15,680 passing through the front of your mask, surgical masks are not considered respiratory protection, 464 00:46:15,680 --> 00:46:31,480 And 95 and 99, unless fitted and tested by NIOSH as per requirements in 42 CFR, part 84 from the CDC are also ineffective, so why are we masking these kids? 465 00:46:32,000 --> 00:46:37,400 Are we checking air quality at the schools? Are we upgrading air filtration systems? 466 00:46:37,940 --> 00:46:44,940 Why aren't we leaving Windows cracked for fresh air? Why aren't we investing in our children instead of punishing them? 467 00:46:44,940 --> 00:46:49,260 There have been no ducks in the state of Massachusetts under the age of 18. 468 00:46:49,600 --> 00:46:53,560 Why do you continue with this slide that a mass will protect you if coronavirus 469 00:46:53,560 --> 00:46:55,240 can pass through it? 470 00:46:55,760 --> 00:46:58,060 Again, COVID-19 is not a droplet problem. 471 00:46:58,120 --> 00:46:59,840 It is an aerosol problem. 472 00:47:04,170 --> 00:47:04,450 Thank you. 473 00:47:05,450 --> 00:47:06,070 Anyone else? 474 00:47:13,930 --> 00:47:14,690 Natalie Boulin? 475 00:47:15,670 --> 00:47:16,790 335 Lancaster. 476 00:47:17,650 --> 00:47:20,950 I want to ask you, in your opinion, do people make mistakes? 477 00:47:22,970 --> 00:47:23,250 Yes? 478 00:47:23,750 --> 00:47:24,030 Yes. 479 00:47:25,330 --> 00:47:25,350 Yes. 480 00:47:25,350 --> 00:47:30,710 Everyone makes mistakes, where people, some mistakes are small, and some are big. 481 00:47:31,290 --> 00:47:32,990 I want to go back to last May. 482 00:47:33,350 --> 00:47:40,150 It was very hot, very humid, 82-85 degrees, kids were playing soccer outside with masks 483 00:47:40,150 --> 00:47:47,910 on, it was awful, for parents on side lines, it was unbearable, for kids who were running 484 00:47:47,910 --> 00:47:52,030 around, it was 10 times harder for kids with asthma. 485 00:47:53,030 --> 00:47:57,150 That night, he cried, he complained that he would not breathe. 486 00:48:02,610 --> 00:48:09,150 Why don't you have to struggle to breathe that day because adults made a mistake, a huge 487 00:48:09,150 --> 00:48:09,630 mistake. 488 00:48:11,830 --> 00:48:19,210 The next day, the governor took mercy, and our door, man's mandate, was lifted, miracle, 489 00:48:20,290 --> 00:48:27,630 but kids suffered as a result, although those mistakes, some people didn't get them 490 00:48:27,630 --> 00:48:32,350 such though, still continue exercising with masks on, but that's a different story. 491 00:48:33,150 --> 00:48:34,910 So what's the reason for making mistakes? 492 00:48:35,830 --> 00:48:36,650 Luck of knowledge. 493 00:48:37,890 --> 00:48:38,110 Okay. 494 00:48:38,810 --> 00:48:41,350 We screwed up that time. We didn't know. 495 00:48:42,450 --> 00:48:44,530 At this time, there is no excuse. 496 00:48:46,290 --> 00:48:51,950 I'm aware we are not voting tonight on this issue, but I would like to challenge you even more. 497 00:48:52,710 --> 00:48:54,230 And that's to push back. 498 00:48:54,230 --> 00:49:00,930 to push back because it's enough. It's enough. You can't say we did 499 00:49:00,930 --> 00:49:05,970 know you're sitting here. Serving community and your job is to educate 500 00:49:05,970 --> 00:49:11,950 yourself and learn the information is there. I forwarded you a couple of 501 00:49:11,950 --> 00:49:19,530 articles that you read it. I hope you did. Their doctors are some doctors 502 00:49:19,530 --> 00:49:20,810 better than others. 503 00:49:23,310 --> 00:49:27,570 The research was done. I'm not going to repeat, but, you know, 504 00:49:29,030 --> 00:49:34,030 there's no correlation between lockdowns and masks. In Singapore, for example, 505 00:49:35,330 --> 00:49:42,710 strictest restrictions, masks forever and ever, and then just spike last Thursday. 506 00:49:43,670 --> 00:49:50,390 So there is no correlation. Why do kids wear masks? You keep the box. It says, 507 00:49:50,390 --> 00:49:59,170 It does not, okay, not for personal protective equipment, I'm sorry. 508 00:50:00,000 --> 00:50:10,420 Masks are not personal protective equipment and are not intended as a replacement of substitute for personal protective equipment. 509 00:50:10,880 --> 00:50:11,800 That's right. 510 00:50:12,980 --> 00:50:14,420 Thank you. 511 00:50:14,860 --> 00:50:15,680 All right. 512 00:50:16,960 --> 00:50:25,020 I just want to say, the mandate is not moral compass. It's not the mandate is not a moral compass. 513 00:50:25,840 --> 00:50:33,860 people who hid and frank, they were breaking the law. The people who killed her 514 00:50:34,820 --> 00:50:43,740 were following the law. I need you to find your moral compass, because if you 515 00:50:43,740 --> 00:50:48,560 don't, you're gonna get lost in those guidelines, a lot of sleep flopping, and we're 516 00:50:48,560 --> 00:50:52,300 in that. Thank you. Thank you. 517 00:50:52,880 --> 00:50:53,500 Anyone else? 518 00:51:02,140 --> 00:51:06,660 Ryan McLean, 30-Jewid Lane. First off, I see one student, Sean, you did an excellent 519 00:51:06,660 --> 00:51:12,800 job tonight. So I appreciate it, and I want to give Kudos to the transition program. I do 520 00:51:12,800 --> 00:51:17,860 also want to talk about the mass on the agenda item. I spoke at the Board of Health meeting, 521 00:51:18,860 --> 00:51:23,640 but I really wanted to focus some of my attention to on the children wearing masks. I was 522 00:51:23,640 --> 00:51:37,720 of health mandate, I'm very, very much opposed to the masking of children, primarily because of the, you know, you've heard a number of people talk about the detrimental physical effects of these masks. 523 00:51:37,760 --> 00:51:43,960 You've got dizziness, you have headache, you have lack of concentration, you have dermatitis, you have a number of things that have been proven. 524 00:51:44,080 --> 00:51:48,720 These are the studies that have shown the negative side effects of masks in children specifically. 525 00:51:48,720 --> 00:51:51,500 They've also documented a number of psychological effects. 526 00:51:52,000 --> 00:51:55,620 You do this long enough, the students, their emotional intelligence is stunted. 527 00:51:56,220 --> 00:52:01,540 They can't form the view of their teacher's spatial expressions and their communication. 528 00:52:01,900 --> 00:52:05,520 It's specifically dangerous to students with learning disabilities. 529 00:52:06,640 --> 00:52:09,320 The studies as to the efficacy of mass are universal. 530 00:52:09,720 --> 00:52:10,680 They do not work. 531 00:52:11,100 --> 00:52:15,020 Even the Bangladesh study that everybody wanted to tell, saying that one town in Bangladesh 532 00:52:15,020 --> 00:52:20,020 at 11 percent, less of a COVID transmission rate was found to be not medically relevant. 533 00:52:21,320 --> 00:52:24,140 Because they found that it was a statistical anomaly. 534 00:52:24,820 --> 00:52:26,420 The Bangladesh study showed the mass network. 535 00:52:26,900 --> 00:52:29,500 They did a Danish study and then mark a 5,000 people. 536 00:52:29,920 --> 00:52:30,420 Mass didn't work. 537 00:52:30,680 --> 00:52:31,960 In fact, it was within the margin mirror. 538 00:52:32,300 --> 00:52:33,480 They might have even harmed. 539 00:52:34,200 --> 00:52:36,660 They might have even contributed to the cause of COVID-19. 540 00:52:36,900 --> 00:52:39,340 They did a study in Wisconsin with 15,000 athletes. 541 00:52:40,360 --> 00:52:43,040 Mass had no effect on the transmission of the coronavirus. 542 00:52:43,040 --> 00:52:48,360 They did a study in North Carolina on the transmission of the COVID virus of 90,000 students, 543 00:52:49,200 --> 00:52:52,100 and they showed that they don't even get coronavirus in school overall. 544 00:52:52,600 --> 00:52:56,000 It's got in the house, the community, it just doesn't transmit in school. 545 00:52:57,220 --> 00:53:00,660 If a mass adult work and their harmful to students, why are we doing them? 546 00:53:00,800 --> 00:53:03,000 We seem to be left with three arguments, right? 547 00:53:03,520 --> 00:53:07,960 One, well if it saves just one life, that's not a scientific argument, that's an emotional 548 00:53:07,960 --> 00:53:08,280 argument. 549 00:53:08,360 --> 00:53:11,160 And you have no data to show that it will save one life. 550 00:53:11,160 --> 00:53:12,500 Why don't we cancel prom? 551 00:53:13,240 --> 00:53:14,580 Might say a drunk driving accident. 552 00:53:15,780 --> 00:53:17,440 I mean, why weren't we doing this with the flu? 553 00:53:18,800 --> 00:53:20,020 It doesn't make any sense. 554 00:53:20,140 --> 00:53:21,620 It's an emotional anecdotal argument. 555 00:53:22,000 --> 00:53:23,100 It's not based in science. 556 00:53:23,580 --> 00:53:25,200 We have the close cousin argument, 557 00:53:25,560 --> 00:53:27,080 which is, well, if we can all do this, 558 00:53:27,140 --> 00:53:28,400 we'll just get through this together. 559 00:53:29,040 --> 00:53:30,580 There won't be any getting through this. 560 00:53:30,680 --> 00:53:31,420 This will never end. 561 00:53:31,700 --> 00:53:32,420 What are we doing? 562 00:53:32,480 --> 00:53:34,120 If there's no science and no data 563 00:53:34,120 --> 00:53:36,120 to back up that these work, 564 00:53:36,880 --> 00:53:38,040 this will never end. 565 00:53:38,680 --> 00:53:39,980 Because it won't stop the spread. 566 00:53:39,980 --> 00:53:43,300 And if people aren't wearing masks, some are, some aren't, 567 00:53:43,420 --> 00:53:45,120 and we're going to blame these people who aren't vaccinated, 568 00:53:45,400 --> 00:53:47,540 who aren't wearing masks, they're not going to listen to you. 569 00:53:47,580 --> 00:53:49,360 They're not going to start all of a sudden following the rules. 570 00:53:49,940 --> 00:53:50,940 So this will never end. 571 00:53:51,180 --> 00:53:53,640 And if these don't work, and the people who aren't going to follow the rules, 572 00:53:53,800 --> 00:53:55,600 they're going to continue to do it, this is futile. 573 00:53:56,300 --> 00:53:58,880 And the last one is, well, I'm not a doctor. 574 00:53:59,320 --> 00:54:01,740 Let's just trust, let's trust the experts. 575 00:54:02,180 --> 00:54:06,260 People saying that can probably not name a single CDC scientist, right? 576 00:54:06,260 --> 00:54:09,540 Dr. Fauci, the National Institute of 577 00:54:09,540 --> 00:54:10,620 Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 578 00:54:10,780 --> 00:54:12,220 said they might stop a droplet, 579 00:54:12,580 --> 00:54:15,720 but we shouldn't be walking around wearing masks. 580 00:54:15,720 --> 00:54:17,400 I mean, 90 seconds? 581 00:54:18,520 --> 00:54:18,760 10. 582 00:54:19,980 --> 00:54:22,340 Even the NIH director said with you who it, 583 00:54:22,620 --> 00:54:23,920 there is no, we don't have data. 584 00:54:24,100 --> 00:54:25,820 There is no data against these things to work. 585 00:54:26,200 --> 00:54:28,140 There is a lawsuit, there are six lawsuits against 586 00:54:28,140 --> 00:54:28,960 Dessie right now. 587 00:54:29,120 --> 00:54:30,360 This will come back to your decision, 588 00:54:30,360 --> 00:54:31,880 I think, very, very soon. 589 00:54:32,060 --> 00:54:33,980 I do not think Dessie has the authority to do this, 590 00:54:34,140 --> 00:54:35,460 and I think it's going to come back to you guys, 591 00:54:35,460 --> 00:54:37,420 And I think we'll be addressing this issue soon. 592 00:54:37,820 --> 00:54:40,200 And for the children, I really think you guys should make this decision 593 00:54:40,200 --> 00:54:41,780 to make masks optional. 594 00:54:42,080 --> 00:54:44,380 Let the parents who want to do it send their kids to school with masks. 595 00:54:44,600 --> 00:54:45,340 Thank you. 596 00:54:50,900 --> 00:54:51,440 Anyone else? 597 00:55:00,000 --> 00:55:29,920 My name is Maria Santana. My husband spoke of the Board of Health beading in regards to the mask mandate. He begged and he pleaded and asked for the mask mandate not to go in place. I do not have any children in the school system. I home school, but I do have a business and it has affected us greatly. By having this mask mandate, we are in a position at our school, we deal with children. 598 00:55:30,000 --> 00:55:36,560 I've had the school for 23 years, and in 23 years I can tell you with this mask mandate 599 00:55:36,560 --> 00:55:42,300 I have had over five kids pass and out. 600 00:55:42,480 --> 00:55:52,020 It's physical, they can't breathe, they're getting light headed, and it is not only scary 601 00:55:52,020 --> 00:55:56,420 for them, it's scary for us as owners with the school. 602 00:55:56,420 --> 00:55:59,340 It is very difficult. 603 00:55:59,680 --> 00:56:00,360 They come in. 604 00:56:00,560 --> 00:56:01,620 They have the mask on. 605 00:56:02,320 --> 00:56:03,620 The mask is dirty. 606 00:56:05,020 --> 00:56:05,760 It's slimy. 607 00:56:06,960 --> 00:56:07,680 It's wet. 608 00:56:08,300 --> 00:56:10,480 They take the mask off. 609 00:56:11,000 --> 00:56:12,200 And they put it on the floor. 610 00:56:13,080 --> 00:56:14,660 They take the mask off. 611 00:56:15,320 --> 00:56:16,480 And they put it on a weapon. 612 00:56:17,580 --> 00:56:18,340 It's a more dangerous. 613 00:56:18,760 --> 00:56:21,080 So when the mask mandate goes into place, 614 00:56:21,980 --> 00:56:24,280 it not only affects all of the children in the school. 615 00:56:24,280 --> 00:56:34,160 It affects me as a business owner, dealing with children, and ideal with children from the ages of five, all the ways up through adulthood. 616 00:56:35,200 --> 00:56:36,880 And it's very unhealthy. 617 00:56:37,420 --> 00:56:38,280 So I'm just open. 618 00:56:39,500 --> 00:56:41,900 He spoke at the Board of Health meeting. 619 00:56:41,940 --> 00:56:45,960 I'm hoping that you guys reconsider this for everyone. 620 00:56:46,560 --> 00:56:48,940 Children and us as owners. 621 00:56:50,420 --> 00:56:50,880 Thank you. 622 00:56:51,240 --> 00:56:52,300 Thank you. 623 00:56:52,680 --> 00:56:53,320 Anyone else? 624 00:56:53,320 --> 00:56:53,900 My 625 00:57:08,590 --> 00:57:12,530 name is Leah Jackson. He's speaking front of people, so I'm super nervous 626 00:57:13,770 --> 00:57:15,430 Forty-one go ask a street 627 00:57:17,320 --> 00:57:21,920 I was not planning on saying anything, but 628 00:57:21,920 --> 00:57:27,720 Through and I don't mean to be emotionally getting sympathy. I'm good now. I 629 00:57:27,720 --> 00:57:29,740 am here as a parent 630 00:57:30,300 --> 00:57:37,220 I have a son in the school system who I see struggling with with us and 631 00:57:37,220 --> 00:57:42,040 And I'm here because this is the only thing I can do for him in many ways is to be a voice. 632 00:57:44,500 --> 00:57:48,960 And even there's a lot of facts, there's a lot of different opinions and I think opinions are okay. 633 00:57:50,200 --> 00:57:56,240 Like, if anything, can we, I'm looking at each of you in the eyes with the intent of saying, 634 00:57:56,400 --> 00:58:01,380 let's recognize that this can be a choice for the parents who want to, totally fine. 635 00:58:01,980 --> 00:58:05,620 We're not trying to take mass off of people who don't feel safe without them. 636 00:58:05,620 --> 00:58:11,520 Regardless of the facts, I can stand on one side or the other, but this is a really 637 00:58:11,520 --> 00:58:16,020 and parents employing further children to have the choice. 638 00:58:16,700 --> 00:58:20,420 There's kids who are struggling so bad, whose parents don't want them to have to have 639 00:58:20,420 --> 00:58:22,700 where the mask, but there's parents who do if you're more comfortable. 640 00:58:23,880 --> 00:58:27,920 This is a question about the mandate and saying you have to. 641 00:58:28,380 --> 00:58:31,600 And that's all we're asking is for just the consideration to listen to the people. 642 00:58:31,600 --> 00:58:37,780 And it just happens to be where the ones that really want the children to have a choice 643 00:58:37,780 --> 00:58:43,060 are speaking up because we feel like we are trying to give the children a voice for the parents 644 00:58:43,060 --> 00:58:46,020 who and children who do not want to have to wear a mask. 645 00:58:46,680 --> 00:58:51,020 And it's completely fine that everybody, every single person sitting here in front of me 646 00:58:51,020 --> 00:58:51,560 today wants to. 647 00:58:51,580 --> 00:58:58,460 That's okay too, but can we beg you to please just consider this mandate and the damage 648 00:58:58,460 --> 00:59:00,660 is doing by making it a mandate. 649 00:59:01,700 --> 00:59:02,500 It's all I want to say. 650 00:59:03,280 --> 00:59:03,520 Thank you. 651 00:59:06,850 --> 00:59:07,370 Thank you. 652 00:59:07,970 --> 00:59:09,070 Anyone else? 653 00:59:13,930 --> 00:59:14,710 Go on one. 654 00:59:21,510 --> 00:59:22,550 Hello, I'm Rachel Mills. 655 00:59:22,810 --> 00:59:24,070 I live on Cassav. 656 00:59:24,170 --> 00:59:27,550 And I would just like to thank you all for your support of the mass mandate. 657 00:59:27,750 --> 00:59:32,210 I have a 14 year old son who started his freshman year this year. 658 00:59:32,350 --> 00:59:34,130 And so we're really excited about that. 659 00:59:34,670 --> 00:59:38,730 And when I ask him about the mask, he says, I hate it. 660 00:59:38,890 --> 00:59:41,830 But I know mom that you would be upset if I didn't wear it. 661 00:59:41,830 --> 00:59:46,690 and I say, you're right. And why am I upset? And he says, well, even though I'm double 662 00:59:46,690 --> 00:59:52,350 vaccinated, I have two younger brothers that I can help spread this to. And when I have 663 00:59:52,350 --> 00:59:57,330 my four-year-old son in the middle of the hot summer at the playground and he's playing 664 00:59:57,330 --> 00:59:59,970 and he's hot and he's sweaty. And I say, you can take your- 665 01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:10,360 Members, you can take your mask off, he says no, mom, because he knows the importance of protecting himself and protecting the other people that he might meet, and that he might know. 666 01:00:10,840 --> 01:00:18,880 And I also would like to thank Dessie for creating the mask mandate, because all you have to do is look around at the other states in this country. 667 01:00:18,880 --> 01:00:28,140 And realize why our numbers so low, why is Massachusetts looked at as one of the safest states for COVID? 668 01:00:28,440 --> 01:00:37,600 It's because we've had mass mandates, we've had lockdowns, we've had in our schools saying, yes, we're a mask. 669 01:00:38,080 --> 01:00:45,700 So even though yes, masks are annoying and I know I'm in one all day long, I talk all day long. 670 01:00:45,700 --> 01:00:54,960 I get annoyed by it, but I know that it's protecting the people around me and the people around me are protecting myself and the people I love, so thank you very much. 671 01:00:55,540 --> 01:00:56,320 Thank you. 672 01:00:57,620 --> 01:00:58,340 Anyone else? 673 01:01:04,290 --> 01:01:05,190 Let's go and auction it off. 674 01:01:06,390 --> 01:01:09,350 Diana Coin, 92, Ohio Avenue. 675 01:01:12,170 --> 01:01:22,280 I will just say that, I think there's a lot of... 676 01:01:22,280 --> 01:01:33,080 A lot of folks that are not trained, peer-reviewed studies, doctors, infectious disease, specialists, epidemiologists. 677 01:01:33,600 --> 01:01:49,160 I'm not, I would prefer that my family and friends who are in the health field do not have to have more folks coming in and being treated for COVID. 678 01:01:49,160 --> 01:01:56,600 It's not a disease, somebody really wants to get, I guess, some people believe kids won't get it. 679 01:01:57,140 --> 01:02:05,520 I think we have seen the prudence of small steps that are taking care of other people 680 01:02:05,520 --> 01:02:07,000 and wearing a mask. 681 01:02:08,080 --> 01:02:12,960 They rather wear a mask than the God forbid potential of being put on event. 682 01:02:13,680 --> 01:02:15,080 Then you don't even have a choice. 683 01:02:17,750 --> 01:02:27,530 I also am a bit confused by some of the comments because I thought the mouse mandate for schools came down from Dusty and not quite for the school committee at this point. 684 01:02:29,550 --> 01:02:32,470 But at any rate, you know, I'll say it once again. 685 01:02:32,530 --> 01:02:34,810 I've said it before at number of forums. 686 01:02:35,730 --> 01:02:39,370 The virus doesn't care what you believe or what you don't believe. 687 01:02:39,370 --> 01:02:45,910 The things mutating and doing what it does, it's a virus, it just wants to find its next host. 688 01:02:47,530 --> 01:02:55,990 And all we can do, or try to do, or some of us who want to try and make sure that we can get back to our lives, 689 01:02:56,830 --> 01:03:05,670 help our kids, help our fellow citizens, and just try and do small steps to be prescriptive and prudent. 690 01:03:06,630 --> 01:03:06,890 Thank you. 691 01:03:08,550 --> 01:03:10,730 Thank you, anyone else? 692 01:03:15,240 --> 01:03:20,860 Seeing none, our next school community meeting is October 12, 2021, obviously, at 7 p.m. 693 01:03:21,040 --> 01:03:22,400 in person here. 694 01:03:22,640 --> 01:03:24,080 Have a motion to adjourn. 695 01:03:24,280 --> 01:03:25,060 So moved. 696 01:03:25,420 --> 01:03:25,760 A second. 697 01:03:26,180 --> 01:03:27,540 A lot of objection we have adjourned. 698 01:03:27,620 --> 01:03:28,100 Thank you.