The Tucker elementary school encourages students every day to work for their “personal best.” To the point, Principal Uretsky quipped, that the little ones ones may think it is part of the Pledge of Allegiance. The results speak for themselves. Tucker as demonstrated by the data provided in the site council’s presentation, which was applauded by those in attendance, is an excellent school. Tucker 5th graders ranked first in the state for growth in Mathematics; but that’s not all.

Tucker tied for 13th in the state for overall student growth and 5th graders were 5th in the state for growth in ELA. Tucker has a highly diverse population and the largest percentage of low income students of Milton’s elementary schools.

Principal Uretsky, who was joined by site council members Daniela Ignagni, a 2nd grade teacher, and Gillian Najarian, a parent representative, attributes the achievement to an emphasis on rigorous instruction, the personal best philosophy, high expectations for student learning (ie 85% mastery), collaborative professional development,a tiered model for intervention, and a school-wide system of assessment and accountability.  As Ms. Najarian explained, they are not satisfied with MCAS results which she characterized a a “blunt tool.” They have implemented methods for assessing all dimensions of instruction (e.g. Saturday morning program, homework club, etc.) to determine what is working.

Superintendent Gormley also called attention to small gestures that may contribute to the high dividends the school sees in achievement such as the visits paid in the late summer by Ms. Uretsky and teachers to all the new, incoming kindergarten students.

At the end school committee member Mary Kelly commented that Tucker served as an example of what every school should do. “It is an incredible learning environment.”

The committee also received presentations from two groups that hope to start up new sports opportunities: Crew and Rugby. The committee heard first from a group that wants to establish a crew (i.e. rowing) program, The Friends of Milton Crew. The group includes former director of Milton Parks and Recreation Terry Driscoll, John Rhee and Brad Moriarty and an advisor, Chris Marietta of Wayland, who started and manages a rowing program for the Wayland Weston High Schools. The group has accomplished the following: has a pending arrangement with Community Rowing of Cambridge for a couple of boats (boats can cost between $20- $40K); is in discussions with the DCR about a possible launch site on Granite Ave., and have also been in discussions with Milton Yacht Club on Wharf Street about sharing space and storing sculls. The program would cost ~$700 per season. There are two rowing seasons; fall and spring. The group acknowledged the concerns regarding costs. Their strategy is to fund raise to cover capital costs (e.g boats, etc) and have the fees cover operational costs (e.g. transportation.) In their pitch they highlighted that rowing is a sport that can benefit kids who previously sat on the sidelines. Unlike baseball, hockey, or softball (just to mention three), prior experience and success at a young age is not a prerequisite or barrier to entry.

The same is also true for rugby. Milton parent Ned Corcoran lobbied to start a Rugby team. With him was Joe Dolan, a Milton resident and rugby coach at Brookline High. Like the crew group, Mr. Corcoran has raised funds and gauged interest, and with Mr. Dolan, run a few impromptu clinics to orient students to the game. A lot of kids didn’t know what a rugby ball looks like.  Dolan and Corcoran proposed starting on a modified schedule as a club with maybe 8 games this spring which is when they would like to start. Corcoran estimates an annual budget of about $6,000 which he believes he can raise in the next 30days. The team would be open to both boys and girls.

But just as these two prospective sports share passionate parents who have done a fair amount of homework so too do they face the same hurdles. Ms. Kelly raised the issue of process and procedure. She questioned the precedent for this and how any future sports would be started. She said that as a member of the Finance subcommittee she was concerned about costs. She stated that she could not see cutting a teacher as sports were being expanded.

At the suggestion of Glenn Pavlicek a motion was made regarding the crew team to allow the group to use the school and work with the administration on continuing to explore the initiative in advance of a formal MOA being drafted. The motion passed with Ms. Kelly voting against. The crew team will be having an open information meeting for the community on Tuesday (1/25) at 7:00 in the high school auditorium.

The committee agreed to draft a proposal of how new sports might be initiated and will take up the discussion of the rugby team at their next meeting on Wednesday 1/26.

Other business included but was not limited to:

• Laura Kessler announced the annual walkathon to be held to benefit all high school sports and clubs. The event Gotta Love Sports and Clubs will take place at the Copland Field house on February 12th. The event hopes to raise $30,000 in support of the 27 sports and 32 clubs. This initiative replaces the many different individual fund raising activities that were done by the individual teams and clubs. his is the sole effort led by MHS students. This year the walkathon will include a 3 point shooting contest., the marching band, and cheerleading (of course!). Pledge forms will be going out on 1/26. You are encouraged to give what you can. Anyone interested in volunteering can email Laura Kessler at lkessler@ifb.org.
• The President of the Milton Foundation for Education, Mary McLaughlin, and other members of the board of trustees announced the grants given by the MFE to various school instructional initiatives. They received 38 grant requests. Expressing regret that they could not address all of them Ms. McLaughlin said that they did make 16 grant awards in a total amount of $12,500. Two recipients included: Pierce teachers Christine Winchester and Nicole Hoyceanyls for the purchase of supplies that will enable students to build a bioreactor (I don’t know what that is either; but I am glad they are working on it), and the elementary schools music program will receive props and puppets to be used in a comprehensive unit focusing on Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals.