Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - – October 8, 2014
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
October 8, 2014 in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. Present were
Mayor Thomas Koch, Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mr. Noel DiBona, Ms. Barbara Isola,
Mrs. Anne Mahoney, and Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Vice Chair.
Vice-Chair
Presiding
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The Superintendent called the roll and Mr. McCarthy was absent. Also
present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk;
Mr. Robert Cavallo, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Mrs. Mary Fredrickson, Ms. Ellen
Garofalo, Mrs. Ellen Hunter, Mr. James Mullaney, Deputy Superintendent
Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Maura Papile, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Ms.
Judy Todd; Mr. Scott Alessandro, Citywide Parents Council Co-President; and
Ms. Allison Cox, President, Quincy Education Association.
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There was a moment of silence for Pat Crisp, a Quincy Public Schools teacher
for 28 years.
Superintendent DeCristofaro extended congratulations to Mr. and Mrs.
DiBona on the birth of their baby Aidan.
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Regular Meeting Minutes Approved
9/17/14
Mayor Koch made a motion, seconded by Mr. Bregoli, to approve the Regular
Meeting minutes for September 17, 2014. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Open Forum
Ms. Danielle Neal asked when the meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Grade 5
students at Sterling and Point Webster Middle Schools would be scheduled.
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Superintendent's
Report
Dr. DeCristofaro opened his report with Inspiring Quincy featuring the Sterling
Middle School 5K Fun Run/Walk, the Beechwood Knoll Fall Festival, Learning
About Fossils at Bernazzani, Squantum's Outdoor Classroom, Lincoln Hancock
Pride Council, the High School College Information Night, and Wollaston BOKS
program.
Dr. DeCristofaro thanked Mayor Koch for hosting the Coddington Building Open
House earlier this evening.
The first meeting of the Mentor Team was held last week; each new Quincy
Public Schools staff member has a mentor from their school to support them
during their first year. The Mentor Team is co-chaired by Madeline Roy and Jim
Hennessy and supported by several retired teachers and administrators.
The Professional Educator Status Reception was held last week; 27 educators
received recognition of their professional status.
Upcoming Quincy Public Schools events include the High School College Fair on
October 16 at Quincy High School; Open House for Grade 8 parents (October 23
at Quincy High School and October 28 at North Quincy High School); the
Rachel's Challenge Parent Presentation on Wednesday, October 15, sponsored
by the Rural Lodge of Masons and Quincy Lodge of Elks; and the Fall Parent
Academy on Thursday, October 16 at Point Webster, where the Curriculum
team will be sharing strategies for parents in assisting with Math
homework. Quincy High School is hosting French exchange students from
October 15 through October 20, thanks to the QHS staff and host families.
The Summative portion of the Superintendent's Annual Plan will be presented
at the October 22 School Committee Meeting. Superintendent DeCristofaro will
meet with individual School Committee members to review the evaluation
process and Ms. Isola will prepare a draft summative evaluation based on their
input.
196 Quincy High School and North Quincy High School students qualified for
the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, thanks to their many fine Quincy
Public Schools teachers from Kindergarten through Grade 12.
On Monday, October 20, the City Council Finance Committee will meet to
discuss the appropriation for the Sterling Middle School Feasibility Study. This
is the final delivery item for Module 1, the Eligibility Phase. In Module 2, which
will begin after the November 19 MSBA Board meeting, the Owner's Project
Manager and Designer will be selected. A new timeline and deliverables will be
shared at an upcoming Sterling Building Committee meeting.
There was a recent incident at a high school athletic event that caused a review
of the emergency response protocol and a revised protocol has been created for
the athletic directors, coaches, and trainers. Mayor Koch hosted a meeting with
Chief Keenan, Chief Barron, Dr. DeCristofaro, and representatives from Fallon
Ambulance to set the new procedures.
For Fall Athletics, over 200 students at North Quincy High School and 250
students at Quincy High Schoolare participating in Fall sports. This is an 18%
participation rate. The fall Learn to Swim program has begun, with over 100
students from Lincoln Hancock and Clifford Marshall taking part in an 8-week
program sponsored by YMCA. The band program has 60+ students at the high
school level, 150 students in the middle school concert band, and there are 180
students in the elementary All-City band.
Enrollment and Class Size information was shared; the total Quincy Public
Schools enrollment is around 9,400 students, down 75 students from last
year. Class size information shows average elementary school class sizes
between 18-20 students. At the middle school level, 88% of classes have 24
students or fewer. At the high school level, 90% of classes are at 25 or below.
Mr. Bregoli asked about the capacity at Central Middle School. The school was
built for 620 students and the building is currently over capacity. Open
Enrollment for Grade 6 at Central was restricted to 14 siblings because of the
large neighborhood population. Mr. DiBona asked about the new process for
Open Enrollment and whether parents would know whether their child’s
position changed as more siblings request Open Enrollment. Mrs. Mahoney
said that it is important that the process be transparent and the decision
timeline be publicly communicated. Dr. DeCristofaro agreed and that with
Aspen in place, we will be able to make projections earlier and share the
timeline for decisions.
Mr. Bregoli asked about the number of Grade 8 students attending private
schools and Dr. DeCristofaro said we would follow up with that
information. Mr. Bregoli suggested a survey to those families asking what
factored in their decision to move to private schools. Mrs. Mahoney asked when
families inform schools of their plans, could an exit survey be generated to
accompany transcript requests.
Mrs. Mahoney noted that Quincy High School Student Representative Isabelle
Cobble had joined the meeting.
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Old Business
Kevin Mulvey created a draft Policy on the National Background Check for
Employees and Volunteers for School Committee to consider adding to the School
Committee Policy book. There was no discussion on this item, which will be
posted for public comment and appear on the October 22, 2014 meeting agenda
for a vote.
The item refers to revising the Policy: Regular Meeting Agenda: Reports of
Subcommittees to adopt Roberts Rules of Order for no discussion of notes beyond
corrections. There was no discussion on this item, which will appear on the
October 22, 2014 meeting agenda for a vote.
This item refers to Policy: Regular Meeting Agenda: Additional Business, in
compliance with the Open Meeting Law. Mrs. Hubley said that the provision is for
emergency items to be brought up for discussion. Mrs. Mahoney noted that it had
been discussed that items can be brought up here as requests for a subsequent
School Committee Meeting Agenda.
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New Business
Open Enrollment
Ms. Isola made a motion to move Open Enrollment to the Policy Subcommittee,
seconded by Mr. Bregoli. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Aspen Student
Information System
Implementation
Update.
Mr. Keith Segalla reviewed the second year of Aspen Student Information System
implementation now underway. While there were a few hiccups during the first
year of implementation, feedback and support from staff and families have been
valuable. For Attendance, schools have been utilizing student attendance at the
classroom level at the elementary, middle, and high school. Elementary teachers
can also enter lunch counts for Food Services planning. High School teachers utilize
class attendance, allowing for dean and guidance monitoring of attendance patterns.
A Staff attendance pilot is underway at Bernazzani, Parker, Wollaston, Atlantic, and
Sterling and will roll out to all schools by the end of the school year.
For scheduling, the Aspen system utilization began in Fall 2013 for individual
student schedules; for the 2014-15 school year, the high school master schedule
was created in Aspen and online course selection was piloted. Parents and students
were able to review recommendations and request changes. Schedules were
published online in late August. Teacher Grade Book implementation began in Fall
2013 for middle and high school staff. This optional tool allows for details of
assignments, quizzes, and tests to be shared with parents and students. All teachers
are required to use Aspen for the posting of mid-term and final grades.
For Special Education, the IT department will begin developing an implementation
plan with the Special Education team and configuring the module with the goal of
IEP development being in Aspen by September 2015. Significant training will be
required and the goal is to have a Special Education champion in each building.
For State Reporting, Ms. Garofalo reviewed that 500,000 elements of student data
were reported to DESE in November 2013, the first reporting cycle generated
through Aspen. By the end of the 2013-2014 school year, 3,250,000 elements had
been reported. This information is maintained by school secretaries and Student
Support staff, plus supplemented by uploads from Nutrikids, MUNIS, Easy IEP, and
Baseline Edge.
Mrs. Hunter reviewed that Aspen training began in August 2013 with Master
Facilitator training -- Aspen Champions representing each middle and high school
building. Optional training was provided for middle and high school staff in August
2013; 225 staff voluntarily attended and another 190 staff members were trained in
Fall 2013 on fundamentals and specific topics. Aspen support was offered
throughout the school year to staff and a Parent Academy was held in March to
orient middle school parents to the portal. Visits were made to individual PTO
meetings. IT staff attended high school course selection nights at each school
assisting parents with the login process and navigating the course
recommendations for their student.
For 2014-15, the new professional staff members were trained, all Elementary
Schools were visited to give support as needed to teachers on the attendance
segment. As the Staff Attendance pilot moves into implementation, training and
support will be provided to all schools. Training will continue to be offered on
Optional Gradebook functions tiered for Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced
users. The IT department is looking forward to continue the collaboration with
principals, staff, parents, and students.
Mr. Bregoli asked about attendance for Substitute teachers; if they have been
trained in Aspen, they can do the online attendance or on paper if they choose.
Mr. Bregoli asked about how tardy students are handled; the main office enters
those students in. Mr. Bregoli asked about attendance letters, the new law requires
contact after five unexcused absences; the attendance offices run those letters at the
high school.
Mr. Bregoli asked if an Incomplete grade can still be entered when student work is
scheduled to be turned in after a grade closes. Ms. Garofalo said there is a window to
enter corrected grades. Mr. Bregoli asked specifically how this could affect a
student's athletic eligibility. Ms. Garofalo said that the IT department works with
the high schools to make grade corrections as needed.
Mr. Bregoli asked about course recommendations and Ms. Garofalo said the process
begins in March. When teachers fill out third term progress reports, they also make
initial recommendations for each of their students. Guidance works with teachers
to adjust levels as needed throughout the rest of the school year. Mr. Bregoli asked
if parents have the opportunity to question the recommended level and they do, and
this often begins a conversation between parents, teachers, and guidance.
Ms. Isola asked how many teachers are using the optional Gradebook features. Mr.
Segalla said we could survey teachers to find out. Ms. Isola asked and received
confirmation that parents still call in attendance and the school secretary adjusts
the attendance to reflect an excused absence.
Mrs. Mahoney asked if attendance is integrated with Instant Alert so that attendance
phone calls are automated. At the elementary level, most schools are still using
manual phone calls to check on unexcused absences, while the calls are automated
at other levels. Mrs. Mahoney asked for clarification about the high school
scheduling issue last summer. Ms. Garofalo said that there are a number of tasks to
be completed before the new school year can be opened. IT was cautious about the
new rollover process, and it took a week longer than expected. The goal is to
publish next year’s schedules by mid-August. Mrs. Mahoney stressed that this was
the first year of implementation and that documentation will hopefully allow for a
smoother transition this year.
Mrs. Mahoney asked for clarification about progress reports and report
cards. Families can request paper versions through guidance counselors at the high
school level. At the middle school level, paper versions will continue to be sent
home. Mrs. Mahoney complimented the IT department for the progress in the
Aspen implementation. She reiterated that all teachers are required to post interim
and final grades, but that the use of the online gradebook and sharing the details of
assignments are optional. Mrs. Mahoney reiterated Ms. Isola's request for data as
this will allow School Committee to consider what might be possible to encourage
teachers to get to 100% participation. Mrs. Mahoney also would like to know how
many teachers are utilizing the Student Locker.
Mr. DiBona asked whether discipline issues are tracked in Aspen. Ms. Garofalo said
that state reporting requires documentation. Aspen does have the ability to post
information to the portal, but schools are following the pattern of meeting with
families. Telephone calls and letters home are still the preferred method.
Mr. Bregoli asked if Incident Reports are entered into Aspen. Ms. Garofalo said that
the details are not entered into Aspen, but there are certain categories that must be
reported. Confidential information is sent to Superintendent's Office. Mr. Bregoli
asked about tracking families’ access to computers; this was a field on the contact
cards and we should have that information in the next couple of weeks.
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Ms. Isola made a motion to approve the Out of State Travel of Sterling Middle School
Chorus to the Providence Bruins, Providence, Rhode Island on November 23, 2014.
Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion, and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Communications
Mrs. Hubley announced that the Wollaston School Harvest Festival would be held on
Saturday, October 11 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Mrs. Mahoney announced that the anti-bullying show Wanda's World will be
presented at Central Middle School on Saturday, October 11 at 2:00 p.m.
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Reports of
Subcommittees
Mrs. Hubley noted that full Subcommittee meeting minutes are posted online on the
School Committee page at www.quincypublicschools.com.
Subcommittee
Ms. Isola reviewed the Teaching and Learning Subcommittee meeting held on
October 6, 2014, where Mrs. Erin Perkins, Coordinator for Elementary Curriculum &
Programs presented the Early Childhood, Literacy, and Title I Program
Improvement Plans.
For 2014-15 the goals for Early Childhood are: (1) By June 2015, the Kindergarten
teachers will continue to prepare for and complete the NAEYC accreditation
process. Snug Harbor was completed last year and all remaining schools will be
completed during this school year. (2) By June 2015, the Kindergarten programs
will comply with the Massachusetts Kindergarten Entry Assessment (MKEA), a
directive from the Office of Early Education and Care and the Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education. Kindergarten teachers are being trained on
this formative assessment and standards. (3) During the 2014-2015 school year,
the Pre-Kindergarten Team will work collaboratively to plan, develop, and
implement an interdisciplinary model curriculum unit with either a Science or
Social Studies focus. (4) During the 2014-2015 school year, the Pre-Kindergarten
Team will analyze and assess their use of strategies that support and develop socialemotional and self-regulations skills. The team will work to develop a collection of
assessments and materials that support the development of this important domain.
For 2014-2015, the Literacy Team goals are: (1) to support the district goal of
developing proficient students through the building of foundational skills in Grades
K-3 so that students read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support
comprehension. This will be evident by a decrease in the number of Tier 3 students
by 5%. (2) The Literacy Team will investigate possible ways to incorporate the use
of technology during literacy intervention sessions by piloting and researching
various technology options.
For 2014-2015, the Title I goals are (1) to participate in the development of a
consistent, coherent, and systematic writing process implemented in Grades K-5
with a focus on writing across the curriculum to support their progress in
opinion/argument, information, and narrative writing. (2) The Title I team will
work together to increase and sustain family engagement by increasing
opportunities for parents to engage with the Title I program. Initiatives include the
Parent-Child Day at Snug Harbor, Lincoln Hancock's Math night, visibility at parentteacher conferences, and the upcoming Parent Academy at Point Webster focusing
on homework assistance.
Ms. Isola made a motion to approve the Early Childhood, Literacy, and Title I
Program Improvement Plans and the minutes of the October 6, 2014 Teaching and
Learning Subcommittee meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bregoli and on a
voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Policy
Subcommittee
Mr. Bregoli reviewed the Policy Subcommittee meeting held on October 6, 2014,
where Mr. Keith Segalla presented the Instructional Technology Program
Improvement Plan. Mr. Segalla noted that most of the Information Technology
Team Goals for 2014-15 are continuation goals from 2013-2014: The Elementary
POS team will (1) review and improve upon the process of Aspen electronic
schedules for elementary schools to comply with DESE EPIMS/SCS reporting in
conjunction with the Elementary Principal Team and (2) train elementary staff on
Aspen Attendance, Scheduling, and Introductions to Standards-Based Grade
postings by June 2015. The Middle School POS team will (1) complete middle school
schedules by June 2015 and (2) review and update the Grade 8 high school course
selection process as needed by January 2015. The High School POS team will (1)
consistently communicate scheduling issues, timelines, appropriate tasks, and data
dissemination so that high school student schedules can be produced by August
2015 that reflect class sizes with School Committee guidelines. (2) To produce a
common High School Program of Studies document to be used by students for
course request selection and to populate in Aspen for display during the 2015-2016
course selection process by December 2014. (3) To produce a new Curriculum
Flowchart reflecting graduation requirements prior to the course selection process,
which commences in March 2014, (4) produce Pathways Booklet and set up in
Aspen for online course selection, including teacher recommendations by March
2015, and (5) produce High School schedules by June 2015. The Information
Technology Team’s goals are to (1) meet all required MA DESE and District-Level
requirements, (2) continue to assist and support education technology resources
that will work to enhance the teaching and learning experiences for both staff and
students in the Quincy Public Schools, and (3) collaborate with the City of Quincy
Information Technology Team to implement/and or maintain Quincy Public Schools
infrastructure. The Secretaries Team will (1) continue to participate in the
implementation of Aspen and (2) will become familiar with relevant Quincy Public
Schools policies and procedures as they are updated.
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to approve the Informational Technology Program
Improvement Plan and the minutes of the October 6, 2014 Policy Subcommittee
meeting. Ms. Isola seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mr. DiBona announced that the Health, Transportation, and Safety Subcommittee
meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 15 at 5:00 pm at the Coddington
Building.
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Adjournment
Ms. Isola made a motion to adjourn for the evening at 9:10 p.m. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Bregoli and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.