Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Policy Subcommittee Meeting
Monday, February 3, 2014
A meeting of the Policy Subcommittee was held on Monday, February 3, 2014 at 5:00 pm in the 2nd
Floor Conference Room at the NAGE Building. Present were Mr. Noel DiBona, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley,
Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Anne Mahoney, and Mr. Paul Bregoli, Chair. Also attending were
Superintendent DeCristofaro, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Mary Fredrickson, Ms.
Kerry Ginty, Mrs. Meg McMillen, Mrs. Maura Papile, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mr. Robert
Shaw, Mr. Lawrence Taglieri, and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Mr. Bregoli called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.
North Quincy High School Principal Robert Shaw opened the Community Service pilot update by
noting how far the pilot has come this year. The emphasis on communication with students and
families from both schools has included reminders at every possible opportunity, with reinforcement
from homeroom teachers, class advisors, and deans. Dr. DeCristofaro visited with juniors and seniors
at the recent class meetings at each school. Interim reports and report cards are now carrying a
status for Community Service. Mr. Bregoli asked the Community Service Coordinators if they were
getting more support this year in their school communities and they both agreed this is a positive
step in the right direction. Mr. Shaw and Mr. Taglieri agreed that another key is communication to
parents, ensuring their awareness of the May 1 deadline for submitting paperwork.
Mrs. Mahoney asked if Guidance is following up with students about why they have not completed
the requirement; there are sometimes extraordinary circumstances. Ms. Ginty said there is a process
in place, Guidance and Deans are assessing and assisting those students. Mr. Shaw said this is also a
place where the Deans will be critical, often it will be more than one issue -- attendance or
grades. Dr. DeCristofaro said there would be certain educational settings where students might be
exempt as well.
Ms. Ginty reviewed that some students have impressive achievements: 154 ROTC students from
Grades 9-12 have completed 5,876 hours. Several individual students have completed over 400
hours. Mr. Bregoli suggested that these efforts should be recognized on student transcripts. National
Honor Society students are required to complete 30 hours before applying for recognition.
Opportunities in the next couple of weeks include preparing for the QARI Lunar New Year festival; the
MDA Walk on March 29 at Gillette Stadium; assisting with Elementary and Middle school requests as
they come in; students recently assisted with the Snug Harbor movie night and the Montclair holiday
festival; middle school swimming, theatrical productions, and robotics will all be starting soon.
Looking at this year's seniors, 45% of NQHS seniors and 33% of QHS seniors have completed their
Community Service. Across the two schools, 53% of students have not begun, as compared to 86% at
this time last year. Mr. Bregoli suggested having the summer to get started made a difference and
the Community Service Coordinators agreed; Ms. McMillen said that other students may have
completed their requirement, but their paperwork is not yet submitted.
Ms. Isola asked whether Community Service is starting to become part of the school culture. Mr.
Taglieri said he feels it always has been part of the Quincy Public Schools culture and is now being
formally recognized. It is very impressive for the numbers to be so high compared to last year.
Mrs. Hubley asked if some of these larger Community Service efforts require a pre-registration. Mr.
Taglieri said that they try to get students to commit so they can reserve transportation. Mrs.
McMillen said that for most events, students can decide that day to go. Mrs. Mahoney asked about
whether there is any possibility of electronic delivery of paperwork, especially with bigger
events. Both Coordinators agreed that it is helpful when an organization can send attendance lists.
Mr. Bregoli asked about upcoming class meetings and Dr. DeCristofaro suggested a meeting with
students who haven't completed the requirement by April 1. Mr. Bregoli wondered if in hindsight,
perhaps the pilot should have focused on Grade 9 students and they would have had Community
Service as a requirement their whole high school career. Mrs. Mahoney asked if the completion
status was visible in the Aspen Student Portal and received confirmation that it is.
Mr. Bregoli thanked the Community Service Coordinators for their hard work and today’s update; he
suggested postponing their appearance at a regular School Committee meeting until later in the year.
Mr. Bregoli then introduced naming the North Quincy High School basketball court after Robert
Nolan, Boys Basketball head coach from 1965-1976. A member of the Massachusetts Basketball Hall
of Fame, Mr. Nolan’s teams had 143 wins in 10 years, 7 tournament appearances, and the 1971-72
team was undefeated during the regular season. Dr. DeCristofaro clarified that this would be adding
Mr. Nolan’s name to the gymnasium floor; the gymnasium is already named for Cap Bryant.
Ms. Isola made a motion to add consideration of naming the North Quincy High School basketball
court for Mr. Nolan to the February 5 School Committee agenda. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion
and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:45 pm. Ms. Isola seconded the motion and
on a voice vote, the ayes have it.