WARE SCHOOL COMMITTEE NOTEBOOK

By Melissa Fales
Reporter

Lindsay receives Superintendent’s Certificate of Academic Excellence Award

Superintendent Mary-Elizabeth Beach presented Ware High School senior Melissa Lindsay with the Superintendent’s Certificate of Academic Excellence Award at the March 3 School Committee meeting. This award is given each year to a senior who has distinguished themselves during their high school career. Criteria for the award include academic average, rank and personal selection by the local superintendent.
Beach called Lindsay “very, very committed,” and well-rounded. Among her achievements and activities are a 3.83 GPA, membership in the National Honor Society, appearing as a returning contestant on “As Schools Match Wits” and serving as Class Historian, Student Council Secretary, yearbook editor, and a member of the Prom and Winter Carnival Committees. Beach noted that Lindsay has also received the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, the Bay Path Presidential Award and the Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship. In her spare time, Lindsay has donated 294 volunteer hours to Wing Memorial Hospital in Palmer. Lindsay said she plans to pursue a career as a diagnostic radiologist after graduation. She is the daughter of Charles and Sermona Lindsay.

Update on International Club’s planned trip to Italy

International Club advisor Maeve O’Brien offered an updated of travel plans for the club’s upcoming trip to Italy. The group of 13 students and 4 chaperones will leave out of JFK Airport on the morning of March 16 for 9 days of an educational history and culture tour. O’Brien said the group’s itinerary is jam packed. “Everything you’ve read about Italy, we’ll be seeing it all,” she said. The trip will include time in Milan, Florence, Venice, and Rome and possible excursions to Pompeii and Sienna.
This is the first trip for the International Club. O’Brien explained that Italy was chosen as the preferred destination by members’ votes. She added that they are already looking into a possible trip to France or Spain for April 2011 or 2012.

Beach announced successful fundraisers for Haiti relief efforts

Beach noted that students and staff have raised significant amounts of money for relief efforts in Haiti. Over $700 was raised at Stanley M. Koziol Elementary School, $125 at Ware Middle School and $250 and counting at Ware Junior High School. “This global consciousness is a good thing we’re instilling in our learners,” said Beach.

Computer control for HVAC system needs updating

Andrew Paquette of the Management Solution presented a fy2010 budget update, naming the computer control system for the district’s HVAC system as a concern. Paquette said maintenance staff is exploring options for replacing it, including a two-pronged approach of replacing some components this year and some components next year. He said there may be some incentives from National Grid for utilizing more-energy efficient measures.
Paquette said the computer itself is antiquated, compounded by the fact that the software is a proprietary system and can’t be modified or changed. Currently there are problems where it is too hot in one area and too cold in another, with no way of adjusting them.
Beach said the district needs to address the system before it shuts down. “It’s limping now,” she said. “We can’t afford to have it die on us.”