By Avice Meehan

Topics covered at the April 26 Board of Education (BOE) meeting ranged from the June 16 moving up ceremony for departing sixth graders to a briefing about how students exercised their computational muscles by solving math problems through observing the maturation of salmon eggs, which were eventually released (as fry) into the Farmington River. Principal Lauren Valentino also provided updates on student power goals—learning targets set by teachers and students working together—and the ongoing professional development focused on the teaching of reading. But no topic may have had more immediate relevance than the review of emergency procedures shared with BOE members who serve on the School Safety and Security Committee. That group met April 21 to discuss lockdown and evacuation drills, as well as staff training in first aid.

On May 20 at about 1 p.m., the Botelle leadership put the “stay-put” protocol in place when a medical emergency occurred. During this protocol, all teachers and students remain in their classrooms, and door shades are drawn to protect the privacy of the individuals involved and to ensure that school work can continue. The “stay put” lasted about 25 minutes and Valentino later met with each classroom to provide reassurance. She shared Information about the incident with parents via email.

Superintendent Kevin Case said emergency personnel from Norfolk and Winsted responded and that the individual involved is doing “fine.” He noted that the protocol has been used in response to other medical emergencies. Also at the April 26 meeting, Case reviewed the calendar for review and voting on the town budget and the decision to ask voters to approve the addition of $58,366 to the current school budget to satisfy the state’s minimum budget requirement. (See related stories in this issue.) Case presented Botelle sixth-grader Abigail Bennett with the Leadership Award from the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents. She was honored for, among a long list of attributes, her work ethic, ability to tackle academic challenges and spreading kindness