Rochester Memorial School Principal Derek Medeiros introduced a presentation on the recently concluded, two-year School Improvement Plan to the June 6 meeting of the Rochester School Committee.

            The plan covered the latest focal points of the ORR District’s three primary areas of education: 21st Century Learning, Social/Emotional Learning and Global Citizenship.

            Under 21st Century Learning, the past two years focused on project-based learning. After prescribing at least one project (or problem)-based learning experience in 2021-22, students engaged on two such projects this school year.

            Under Social/Emotional Learning, students were asked to identify at least two trusted staff members to promote a sense of belonging, and data was processed to bear out results. Collaboration with administration in elementary schools across the Tri-Towns was included.

            Under Global Citizenship, the Atlas program brought curriculum addressing global and multicultural learning used by all RMS teachers, professional development for RMS teachers and training in cultures, including LBGT to ensure the ORR District provides a safe learning environment and sense of belonging to all students and staff.

            Grade 1, under teacher Tara Nelson’s guidance, engaged in an animal project and a Little Free Library project. The second project was facilitated by Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School House and Mill Carpentry instructor Doug Sims, whose son Austin, a student in the class, suggested his assistance with the project.

            With the Rochester School Committee’s approval, Old Colony donated the equipment and students’ labor, resulting in the Little Free Library. Books geared for ages 3-9 can now be accessed outside of school hours.

            Presentations shared included: a Grade 2 Ancestry project in which students learned about their own families’ immigration, old country customs and traditions, a Grade 3 Black History project in which students created an alphabet book explaining Black History Month and important events and dates including the meaning of words.

            Grade 3 also presented on Arctic animals. Grade 4 presented a journey to Ellis Island and created a class chart on immigration. Grade 5 did a Compost project, explaining the concepts and engineering contributions to composting.

            Later in the meeting, Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson announced that Medeiros is leaving RMS after a full decade on the job to become an assistant principal at Greater New Bedford Vocational-Technical High School. Nelson referred to Medeiros as a pillar of education in the Tri-Towns.

            Medeiros called it “a tough decision with a heavy heart” but one he made with the interests of his career and family in mind. He thanked the committee and stakeholders for all he learned that he said made taking the next step possible.

            Earlier in the meeting, the committee presented books for six retirees from the RMS faculty and staff.

            Crediting school librarian Sandy Sollauer for the selection of books and comments, School Committee Chairperson Sharon Hartley recognized Diane Alexander (first grade), Dana Stupalski (second grade), Jim Della Cioppa (sixth grade), Debbie Bacchiocchi (Kindergarten), Deb Lucas (first grade) and Lorraine Taylor (sixth grade special education.)

            Nelson called it “a Hall of Fame retirement class,” noting that the ORR administration had been preparing for the challenge of finding replacements.

            “I think their contributions over the years have gone beyond the classroom, and they’ve brought their personalities and their talents and their passions in terms of making sure that Rochester Memorial School has the culture that it does, and it’s felt by so many students and their families,” said Nelson. “I feel like we’re losing a piece of our foundation …”

            The committee also recognized outgoing Director of Student Services Craig Davidson, who did his work-study program at RMS. “Rochester’s always been a special place,” he said, drawing laughter by reflecting on his realization at RMS that he would teach high schoolers because “I couldn’t handle Kindergarten.”

            With separate votes, the committee approved the acceptance of two literacy-based, competitive grants: a $5,076 Early Literacy Universal Screening Grant to buy the DESE-approved Early Literacy Screening Assessment DIBELS 8th Edition for grades K-3 and a $162,000 Accelerating Literacy Learning through High Quality Instructional Materials Grant to support Rochester Public Schools with 50% of the purchase price of new core instructional materials for literacy and up to the entire cost of the initial professional development related to the materials.

            The School Committee voted to approve renewal of the leases with SMEC (to rent space at RMS) and with Countryside Day Care for the 2023-24 school year.

            Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Shari Fedorowicz reviewed the Core Literacy program that was enacted over the course of the 2022-23 academic year. The committee voted to accept Fedorowicz’s report.

            The School Committee approved the Duggan family’s donation of two books purchased at the Scholastic Book Fair for the RMS Library: “Sal & Gabi Break the Universe” by Carlos Alberto Hernandez and “Squished by Lloyd” by Megan Wagner.

            The committee also approved the RMS PTO’s donation of the following books: “The Beatryce Prophecy” by Kate DiCamillo; “Coral Reefs: Cities of the Ocean” (Science Comics) by Maris Wicks; “Volcanoes: Fire and Life” (Science Comics) by Jon Chad; “Hawk Rising” by Maria Gianferrari, “Beep! Beep! Go to Sleep!” by Todd Tarpley; “Motor Goose: Rhymes That Go! Poems” by Rebecca Colby; “We Don’t Lose Our Class Goldfish” (Penelope Rex) by Ryan Higgins; “Inky’s Amazing Escape: How a Very Smart Octopus Found His Way Home” by Sy Montgomery; “Superlative Birds” by Leslie Bulion; “Sergeant Reckless: The True Story of the Little Horse Who Became a Hero” by Patricia McCormick; “Are We There Yet?” By Dan Santat; “Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California’s Farallon Islands” by Katherine Roy and “The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle” by Leslie Connor.

            Nelson provided a timeline update on the solar canopy to be constructed over the rear parking lot at RMS.

            That committee discussed an upcoming training with the state Association of School Committees (MASC.) Potential realignment was noted.

            The committee broke into executive session to discuss negotiations and only returned to adjourn.

            The next meeting of the Rochester School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, August 31, at RMS library, and the next meeting of the Joint School Committee will tentatively be held on Thursday, September 28, at ORR Junior High School media room. Both meetings begin at 6:30 pm and are accessible in person or remotely via Zoom.

Rochester School Committee

By Mick Colageo

            According to Marion Energy Management Committee member Alanna Nelson, Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative (CVEC) spoke to the developer of the Benson Brook capped landfill solar project, and “things are beginning to unlock.”

            After procurement issues extended renegotiation of the agreement, it appears they are moving ahead with the project, said Nelson during Monday’s public meeting of the EMC at the Police Station.

            Committee member Bill Saltonstall referenced prior discussions about harnessing some of that power for the town’s use, but Nelson believes it is too late for that project. The one caveat, should the agreement not work out with the developer, is the matter could then be opened back up. CVEC, said Nelson, would like to explore other arrangements besides a lease.

            The nonprofit Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) provides towns with expertise, including analysis of solar options, and CVEC would presumably pay for this service as an investment in the Benson Brook solar project.

            Saltonstall said, as the town continues to pursue power options, he is receiving suggestions from Green Communities and in response is sending the state agency four years of electric bills and will soon send Eversource natural gas bills.

            The question of how Future Generation Wind factors in what Marion can and cannot do vis-à-vis solar projects depends on information that has been hard to nail down. In recent years, the annual amount of power coming from Future Generation Wind has fluctuated from 99% to 91%, 76% and in 2021 back up to 80%. Saltonstall said Marion is waiting on the latest information. Up-to-date data is a prerequisite to building the solar project at Benson Brook.

            Over at Sippican Elementary School, electric power is not coming from the town’s aggregator but from a company named Direct Energy Business LLC. Saltonstall said its prices are “good,” but the EMC doesn’t know when that contract expires.

            There is a question as to whether the Police Station may get a solar canopy or solar panels atop its roof, which is 10 years old. EMC Chairman Christian Ingerslev said a roof project depends on whether the shingles are built for 10, 20 or 30 years of service. According to Saltonstall, the Police Department has the town’s fourth highest electric bill.

            Ingerslev noted that the planned location of the new Department of Public Works operations center has been adjusted to catch the maximum sunlight without interference from surrounding trees.

            Ingerslev sent proposed bylaw changes to Codification Committee Chairman Norm Hills and told members he has heard that the town plans to make the Codification Committee independent (it was conceived as a subcommittee of the Planning Board.)

            Electric vehicles were discussed, including Chief of Police Richard Nighelli’s concern over the lack of a charging facility at the station where it concerns the immediate future of cruisers. Nelson said that the EMC is looking at the Police Department, Washburn Park and Silvershell Beach as potential locations for public charging stations and is waiting on quotes.

            Ingerslev said any future buildings in Marion should be wired up for conversion from natural gas to electric. EMC member Eileen Marum said that by 2035, all automobiles produced in the United States will be electric. She recalled the Planning Board’s vetting of the new Travis Roy Student Center at Tabor Academy and her unsuccessful attempt to get Tabor to install wiring for several charging stations.

            EMC member Tom Friedman said he has received feedback that residents would consider electric cars more seriously if charging stations were readily available. Nelson attended a webinar that Eversource held on public charging stations and recommended that Marion puts itself on the list as soon as possible.

            “Despite all that we have tried to say and do,” it was with disappointment that Ingerslev told the committee that the design phase of the new Maritime Center is complete and that no further changes can be made.

            Since the project’s conception, the committee has pounded its fist for opportunities to explain the long-term savings of net-zero energy consumption to no avail. The EMC has been advised that the Harbormaster Department has applied for the remaining funding necessary to begin construction and expects to receive it.

            Saltonstall said that the new DPW, being designed by his son Will Saltonstall, is “a simple, inexpensive building” with a metal roof capable of bearing the weight of solar panels.

            Nelson’s question as to whether the EMC can be appropriately represented at the DPW Construction Committee meetings brought about a wider conversation regarding representation.

            Ingerslev said he has been told that the EMC should establish regular representatives to attend relevant board meetings. Marum noted that her bid for membership of the appointed DPW design committee was rejected. She says the gap between the EMC and those on the DPW committee is a matter of education.

            “They’ve got some dinosaurs on those committees,” said Marum, adding that the DPW committee needs members who are up to date on climate change and related concerns.

            The next meeting of the Marion Energy Management Committee is scheduled for Monday, July 24, at 6:00 pm at the Police Station.

Marion Energy Management Committee

By Mick Colageo