Schools
Dover School Committee Close FY '11, Voted On New Bullying Policy
Special Education discussed, $5,000 donation accepted.
The Dover School Committee met for the last time before the end of the school year on Tuesday.
With little fanfare the committee closed out the 2011 fiscal year and accepted an anonymous donation of $5,000 to the district.
Chickering Elementary School Administer of Special Education Dr. Denise O’Connell gave a presentation on a language based program she piloted at the school for the past year. It’s about, “students understanding and utilizing written and spoken language.” She said the space in the program in is limited to eight because the program is individually intensive.
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O’Connell said technology is a big part of the program, so much so, that other students seek out the students in this program for advice on software like Dragon Naturally Speaking. The most important thing she said, is that students are being educated with their peers.
“It is a very unique program,” said Committee Member Carolyn Ringel.
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The school committee noted that it was a very cost effective special education program because there is only one teacher and one teacher’s assistant.
Chickering Elementary School Principal Theresa Nugent spoke briefly on her first year at the school and what she plans for the next two years.
She thanked a wonderful administrative staff and noted a new art gallery made by first and fifth grade students.
It was the first year for that particular art program and she described what they have created as “real art.” The school committee members stated their children at the Chickering School were excited to participate in the art program and that word of mouth has spread about it throughout the school.
Nugent also spoke briefly about an amendment to the student handbook on bullying.
She said in the new version there will be a differentiation between bullying and harassment.
Superintendent of Dover-Sherborn schools Valerie Spriggs said she had a conversation with the new on the matter. She said he was very educationally minded and look forward to more of his input throughout the year.
The committee voted in approval of the change dependent on the adding of the definition of the word harassment.