Week of December 8, 2008

 

 

The next meeting of the Regional School District 17 Board of Education, Education Subcommittee is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, 2008 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at HKMS.  The following is the agenda for this meeting.

 

                                        REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 17
                                                BOARD OF EDUCATION
                                       EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE AGENDA
 
                                     DATE:                      December 16, 2008
                                     TIME:                       7:30 p.m.
                                    LOCATION:              Library Media Center, HKMS
 
 
1.                  Call to order/opening of meeting
 
2.                  Presentation:  Sister Schools Initiative Update
                     Presenter:  Ernest Nagler, Special Programs Employee
 
3.                  Presentation:  District Food Services Program
                     Presenter:  Sharon Shettleworth, Director of Food Services
 
4.                  Future Meetings
 
5.                  Executive session*
                     a.         Negotiations
 
                     * The Board may vote to discuss this topic in executive session.
  
6.                  Adjournment
 
 
......Recently, the Superintendent provided this summary of the conservation efforts (implemented or being considered for implementation) to the Board of Education in compliance with the district's conservation policy.  The conservation policy is currently being reviewed for possible revision by the Board of Education. 
 
                                          
                                            Regional School District 17
                                                   Conservation Plan
                                                         2008-2009
 
Fuels
 
1.                  Waste oil burner installed and operating in transportation facility
2.                  Researching waste oil boiler to service two zones of HKHS complex
3.                  Processing bio-diesel fuel to supplement fuel used by Transportation
4.                  Implemented "no-idle" policy for all district vehicles
5.                  Reduced warm-up time for all district transportation vehicles
6.                  Implemented mileage log system for all district owned vehicles
7.                  Limiting district courier runs to two per day per location
 
Utilities
 
1.                  Maintaining updated,centralized building automation systems for all facilities
2.                  Maintaining sensory lighting systems in all schools
3.                  Maintaining energy efficient lighting installation in all schools
4.                  Converting select lighting systems at HKHS
5.                  Ensure that all technology equipment is shut down every day after use
6.                  Reduced daytime operating temperatures in all facilities by two degrees
7.                  Shut down use of portable buildings at each elementary school
8.                  Maintaining timer system for all exterior lights at each school
9.                  Replacing old kitchen equipment as necessary with energy efficient items
10.                Developing plan to limit the number of district facilities used during summer
 
Recycling Efforts
 
1.                  Implementing recycling of all paper,cardboard, paper products,ink cartridges
2.                  Recycling cans and plastic containers used in Food Services Department
3.                  Eliminated use of Styrofoam cafeteria trays at HKMS and HKHS
4.                  Eliminated use of plastic utensils in cafeterias at HKMS and HKHS
5.                  Recycle waste oil generated at transportation facility
6.                  Changed pick-up schedule for dumpsters at identified schools
 
Other
 
1.                  Eliminated use large dumpster located behind barn on HKHS complex
2.                  Maintaining system for reduced block heater time on transportation vehicles
3.                  Continue to participate in no cost e-waste program offered through LEARN
4.                  Finalizing plan to limit late bus runs at HKMS and HKHS to 5:00 p.m. only
5.                  Introducing plan to eliminate use of classroom televisions as clocks
6.                  Using postage meter to ensure accurate postage amounts placed on all mail
7.                  Exploring use of electronic notification of direct deposits for staff payroll
                                     

Haddam-Killingworth High School will be hosting its twentieth annual Holiday Show telethon December 23.  The live student-produced program hosts a "Shoreline Idol" competition which raises money for a different charity each year.  The charity to which this years' Holiday Show is benefiting is the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a group dedicated to finding a cure to one of childhood's most debilitating diseases.  HKTV was inspired to choose to JDRF as its charity, because of a letter written by local Haddam resident Kim Alonzo.  Kim's son Ben copes with type I diabetes on a daily basis.  Her son's school recently held a "Caps for a Cure" JDRF fundraising event with much success. The 2008 Holiday Show which will air from 8:00 to noon on December 23rd, will raise money for the Connecticut Chapter of JDRF. Shoreline residents can turn to Comcast channel air 18, and view the "Shoreline Idol" finalists performing live. The ten Idol finalists have been selected from auditions held by shoreline-area high schools.  Students and members of the community can vote for their favorite Idol singer by donating a dollar or more to the Holiday Show.  An Idol winner will be chosen on January 23, 2009, where the student with the most votes will be named the 2008 Shoreline Idol winner.  Television students at Haddam-Killingworth are proud to benefit such a worthy cause as JDRF.  This will bring children like Ben hope that Juvenile Diabetes is just one step closer to a cure.
 
Holiday Show Telephone #:  (860) 345-0690
 

The Central Administration of the school district is in the process of assembling a proposed 2009-2010 budget for the Board of Education to consider.  This process will take until late February 2009.  If you have ideas regarding cost containment measures, ways you think the district can be more economically efficient and other similar thoughts, please forward them to Gary S. Mala, Superintendent of Schools at gmala@rsd17.org.
 
 

Please visit the District Calendar located on the district's homepage (www.rsd17.org) to see when the Open House programs are scheduled to be held.  We look forward to seeing you at them.
 
 
 
A reminder that the district utilizes the Honeywell Instant Alert system to communicate with parents during times of emergency or to deliver messages of high importance.  Please be sure that you are registered with Honeywell (link available at www.rsd17.org) and have indicated how you wish to have messages received.  If you have questions regarding this, please do not hesitate to contact the Principal of any one of our schools for assistance.  
 
 
 
If you wish to have an announcement included in any Weekly Message or if you have any suggestions regarding the Weekly Message, please contact Gary S. Mala, Superintendent of Schools at gmala@rsd17.org.
 
 
 
Enjoy your week and thank you for your continued support.
 
 
 
Gary
Gary S. Mala
Superintendent of Schools
Regional School District 17
(860) 345-4534
http://www.rsd17.org
"Believing is Achieving"