Blessing offered by President Mike Kelly, with our friends beside us, and no person beneath us, with the bonds of Rotary between us, and our worries behind us, and no task beyond us, with a thirst for knowledge, and a dream of a STRONG AND UNITED PROVIDENCE ROTARY CLUB, we are thankful for our Rotary friends and the meal we are about to share.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Mike announced election ballots for Providence Rotary Board of Trustees have been mailed and should be returned in the envelop provided by noon, January 29th and thanks to all who participated in the round table discussions last week on Club matters. Art Norwalk is compiling results and they will be shared with the Club
Phyllis Fern reported that Marion Avarista is doing well, she enjoys the outreach from club members
Lisa Hill asked member to clean out their closets and bring in any warm coats that aren’t being used. Lisa is collecting children’s, men and women’s coats for the Salvation Army for the next two weeks
Pete Brock gave an insider’s view of the Patriots recent win and upcoming NFL championship game
Art Norwalk introduced Dr. Ken Wagner, Commissioner, RI Department of Education.
Dr. Wagner spoke about educational changes necessary to better prepare students to join the RI workforce. These changes are not just about more dollars for education, but about creating a shared vision, the leadership to make it happen and creating the relationships among teachers, students, parents, government and business. We can look to Massachusetts as a successful model. They developed their vision 20 years ago and are now benefiting from positive economic outcomes.
To make real change in RI schools Dr. Wagner said everyone needs to give up a bit of power:
The Department of Education can give regulatory relief to schools.
School committee and superintendents can give more autonomy to principals.
Teachers unions can give up work rules that have been built up over the years and concentrate on salary and benefits.
All parties can reconsider geographical restrictions. For instance, if there is room in a school after locals have been served; why not offer openings to others? There is a huge impact of the 35% relocation rate in urban schools that creates “trauma and drama” distracting children from learning.
Happy Bucks
Holly Applegate for the great work Pat Germani did on the Residential Properties offices
Maxine Cohen for a great birthday celebration with her family; Avram for the appreciation he got for making it great!
Paul Segal happy to be back from Florida
Richard Leone for his recovery from surgery
Barbara Harris for a great trip to Vail and for Cap Willey – “ a famed economist”
Jane Kratsch for a great membership meeting chaired by Pat Germani
Cy Wyche is happy
Rotary Club of Providence, 27 Dryden Lane, Providence, RI 02904
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Pete Brock gave an insider’s view of the Patriots recent win and upcoming NFL championship game.jpg)
Art Norwalk introduced Dr. Ken Wagner, Commissioner, RI Department of Education.
