Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Health, Transportation & Safety Subcommittee Meeting
February 26, 2016
A meeting of the Health, Transportation & Safety Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, February
26, 2016 at 5:30 pm at the Coddington Building. Present were Mr. Paul Bregoli, Ms. Barbara Isola,
Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mrs. Anne Mahoney, and Mr. James DeAmicis, Chair. Also attending were
Superintendent DeCristofaro, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Rita Bailey, Mrs. Caitlyn
Plaskasovitis, Mrs. Maura Papile; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Mrs. Papile and Mrs. Plaskasovitas, team leader for Health teachers at the middle schools presented
on the new Life Skills curriculum introduced this year at all five middle schools. Beginning last April,
the Health Educators team researched available curriculum to support substance abuse education. A
curriculum map was developed to utilize the curriculum across grades 6 through 8 and language and
scenarios are customized to reflect the age of students in the classes. Focus is on preparing students
to make healthy choices, also supported by lessons on Internet safety, anti-bullying awareness, and
awareness of anxiety and managing anger. Developing strong social skills, plus conflict resolution and
changing social norms are the goals of the health educators.
On March 24, Health educators, Physical Educators, and Health Interventionists are hosting a parent
and student night with different presenters. Parents will see the “Hidden in Plain Sight” presentation
to assist with parent awareness. Again, the focus is on awareness as a tool for making choices. Dr.
DeCristofaro said the team model of the Physical Education and Health Educators working together
has presented many opportunities for collaboration and consistent messaging.
Ms. Isola said that she likes the Communication and Assertiveness units in the curriculum, this is an
important topic especially for adolescent girls.
Mrs. Papile then reviewed the Quincy Public School partnership with DOVE. Mrs. Plaskasovitas said
that the teaching on healthy relationships presents these as an extension of a healthy self. Scenarios
are presented and students debate whether the situation; students have the opportunity to think
about relationships and form opinions in advance of having these relationships themselves. On April
26, middle school health educators will meet for a professional development opportunity with Jen
Bolton from DOVE. Two Grade 8 students at Central are working on their Girl Scout Silver Medal and
they will be starting a social media campaign that will include PSAs and bulletin board messaging on
healthy relationships.
Through Attorney General Maura Healy’s Office, Health Interventionists and High School nurses will
receive“Game Changer” training through Northeastern University. DOVE is not part of this project,
but QPS is looking to connect DOVE to SADD and their school-wide social media campaign Youth
Speak. DOVE has been involved at the high school level with the “Yellow Dress” presentation in previous years. Dr. DeCristofaro said that the Professional Development opportunity with DOVE is a
really unique experience for our educators. Dr. DeCristofaro said that the Girl Scouts were inspiring
and the hope is this initiative at Central will spread to peer leaders at other middle schools.
Mr. DeAmicis said this is great to hear about the evolution of the DOVE experience for students
beginning in middle school. Mrs. Lebo said that DOVE reached out to School Committee to thank
them for the opportunity following the initial meeting with Dr. DeCristofaro and Mrs. Papile.
Mr. Bregoli asked if students come forward to discuss their own experiences. Mrs. Plaskasovitis said
that she works in partnership with Guidance to be sure that students in sensitive situations feel
comfortable. Anyone who surfaced a new issue would be referred to Guidance and the school nurse.
Mrs. Papile said sexual or physical assault is a crime and would be reported. We do not see a lot of
dating violence per se, but there are instances of imbalances of social power. Mrs. Papile said often
events occur outside of school and sometime involve a party who is not a student.
Mrs. Plaskasovitas said sexting is discussed is a topic beginning in Grade 6, it is often a peer pressure
situation. Again, situational role playing is important to help give students the confidence to say no
and shut down someone who is pressuring them. It also relates to alcohol and other substance abuse
awareness. Coersion is a key topic in healthy relationship development.
Mrs. Papile said that through a recent training with Dr. Englander from MARCC, it is clear thar
students often don’t understand what it is socially unacceptable or realize the possibility of criminal
charges. Health teachers are also collaborating with the librarians on media awareness. Ms. Isola
asked to be sure Snapchat is covered as a topic, students think the pictures vanish, but they don’t.
Ms. Isola said many District Attorney’s offices provide education so parents and students understand
the potential for criminal liability.
Mrs. Mahoney said that this is such an important topic, and this is now an issue for elementary
parents. Students are exposed to content online without the maturity to process what they are
seeing. Mrs. Plaskasovitis said that parents have to constantly shift to meet the changing technology.
Mrs. Mahoney said the classroom conversations are so important, reinforces students’ instinct to do
the right thing. Mrs. Mahoney would like to see how these educational opportunities can be made
available for elementary school students.
Mrs. Lebo likes the idea of the parent/child evening event coming up, not all parents have the
resources to understand the dangers. Mrs. Lebo asked if the topics are shared in curriculum
newsletters so parents are aware and Mrs. Plaskasovitas said they are. Mrs. Plaskasovitas suggested
watching #beingthirteen, a CNN profile of 200 students and their phone usage, very interesting.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to adjourn the Health, Transportation, and Safety Subcommittee meeting
at 6:30 pm. Mrs. Mahoney seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.