The Melrose Master Plan
Committee met on the morning of Thursday, 12/3 to begin review of the plan’s draft outline and
discuss the next community engagement step. As noted by our City Planning
Office, the
“Master Plan is a document that reflects residents’ long-term vision for the
community in the next 10 to 15 years. The Plan first takes a snapshot of the
community today, covering the following topics: population, housing, economic
development, transportation, energy, land use and zoning, open space and
recreation, public facilities and services, and historic and cultural
resources. This information on current conditions and trends is combined with
input from the public to develop action steps on how to achieve that long-term
vision. Once finalized, Melrose Forward: A Community Vision and Master Plan
will be consulted in all future decisions on growth and preservation in the
city until the next master plan update. Why are we updating the Master Plan? Think
of it as drawing a roadmap to our future quality of life. A lot has changed in
Melrose since the City’s last master plan in 2004, and things will continue to
change. Clearly stating our values and aspirations as a community in an official
policy document will give us more control over what happens here over the next
decade…We need broad community input to make sure the plan is well-informed and
reasonably represents the many voices of Melrose. If you have something to say
about the city’s future, we want to hear it! During this process, we will be
asking for community input online and at community events and public forums. There
is a Facebook page you can “like” (http://www.facebook.com/melroseforward/) as
well as a Twitter account you can follow
(http://www.twitter.com/melroseforward/) to stay informed about project
meetings and other ways to provide input. We will occasionally provide updates
via the Mayor’s Blog as well. We kicked off this project at the Melrose
Victorian Fair in September and will attend additional community events when
possible to gather ideas. Please save the date for a public forum during the
evening of Wednesday, February 10, 2016
to help identify goals and strategies for Melrose Forward. To sign up for the
Melrose Forward mailing list or for any questions about the Master Plan, email
Erin Zwirko, Assistant Planning Director in the Office of Planning and
Community Development, at ezwirko@cityofmelrose.org or call her at (781)
979-4193."
Thursday afternoon, the Curriculum Materials
Working Group held its monthly meeting, focusing on how STEM areas are
employing elements of cultural awareness in their content. Science, Business,
and Technology Department Chair Jon Morris spoke to the fact that staff is very
cognizant of the fact that women are vastly underrepresented in the science
fields, and are encouraging young women’s interest in this area. He also talked
about linking engineering and social studies as one example of cross-curricular
work they are doing, for example, incorporating a project on the impact of
tool-making during WWII and afterwards. (Most factory workers were women during
WWII, but when the men returned from war, the tools used were generally too
small for mens’ hands, making re-tooling an important component of post-war
activity.) Mathematics Department Chair Christina Cardella revealed that staff
was looking thoughtfully at pairing math and social justice, e.g. in the
content area of percentages, determine growth in rates of homeless people,
people living in poverty, incarcerated people, etc. We also talked about
curriculum guides and how they could be used in the district.
Thursday evening, Supt. Taymore held a public forum on Competency Based Learning, providing a slide presentation (http://tinyurl.com/j2hm7x2), and addressing questions from the audience. Most principals were in attendance. She noted that the School Committee would make a decision on 12/8 to recommend (or not) a task force to explore this educational model for Melrose.
Friday, 12/4 included a meeting of the Inauguration
Committee, headed by Memorial Hall Director Kathy Piggott-Brodeur. The
celebration will be similar in format to prior years, with thoughtful
non-denominational reflections, music, brief speeches, the swearing-in of newly
elected (and re-elected) officials, and the Mayor’s State of the City Address.
The date is January 11th at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall, and all are
welcome.
Saturday’s (12/5) Home for the Holidays afforded me
the great privilege of partnering with Ward 5 Alderman Gail Infurna for our
annual hosting of a Home for the Holidays trolley. We spent two hours with
families, school-aged children, and general revelers as the trolley stopped at
various locations offering activities and special events, and Gail’s
trumpeting of holiday carols engendered lots of singing and merriment. A school surprise: Lincoln Principal Allison Donovan duct taped to a wall as a fundraiser for environmental camp - now that's dedication to students!
Saturday night was such a proud moment for our city, when
the Red Raider football team put up a valiant effort against the Dartmouth
Indians as the sun set over Gillette stadium. The band, color guard, and cheerleaders were just as impressive, and
the community spirit in the stands was second to none. Melrose High School was
the district’s shining star for the night, showcasing student effort,
enthusiasm, and sportsmanship.
