Minutes
School Policy Subcommittee Meeting
Tuesday, November 2, 2011
A meeting of the School Policy Subcommittee was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2011 at 3:30
pm in the Principal’s Conference Room at Quincy High School. Present were Mrs. Elaine Dwyer,
Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Emily Lebo, and Mrs. Jo-Ann Bragg, Chair. Also attending were
Superintendent DeCristofaro, Mrs. Colleen Roberts, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mrs. Ruth Witmer, Mr.
Nick Ahearn, Mr. Dan Gilbert, Mrs. Renee Malvesti, Mrs. Maryanne Palmer, Mr. Jim Hennessy,
and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
The meeting was called to order at 3:35 pm by Mrs. Bragg.
Mrs. Ruth Witmer, presented the Lincoln Hancock Community School Improvement Plan. She
reflected on last year’s goals, which were not fully achieved. There were many areas of
progress, as the CPI for Grade 3 ELA and Math were both close to the state averages; Grade 4
Mathematics is still an area of concern. The school’s goals for 2011-2012 are a continuation of
last year’s goals, with some new action steps.
The goals for 2011-2012 are: (1) By the Spring of 2012, Lincoln Hancock fourth grade students
will increase the number of students rated as proficient or advanced to fifty percent of the
student population as measured on the Spring 2012 English Language Arts MCAS. In addition,
the third grade scores will increase the level of proficiency reached in 2011 by 2 points. (2) By
the Spring of 2012, Lincoln Hancock fourth grade students will increase the number of students
rated as proficient or advanced to thirty percent of the student population as measured on the
Spring 2012 Math MCAS. In addition, the third grade scores will increase the level of
proficiency reached in 2011 by 2 points. (3) By the Spring of 2012, consistent school-wide
routines will reduce the number of students requiring guidance, disciplinary interventions,
suspensions, and truancy issues. Additionally, parental involvement in the school will be
promoted through increased communication.
The school’s professional development and other learning initiatives include Walk to Read and
Walk to Math, Literacy and Math nights, Study Island, Foundations of Mathematics, Literacy
Circles. The school’s third goal is cultural, focused on attendance and discipline issues. The
School Council is working on increasing parent involvement, including creating a parent
handbook that will be sent out via email. The subcommittee asked questions about the roof
repair status, media center volunteers, Orton Gillingham teachers (both SPED teachers are
certified), and subgroup populations (total enrollment: 478 students in grades K-4, 338 students
with free or reduced lunch, 139 ELL students). At the conclusion of the discussion, Mrs. Dwyer moved to approve the Lincoln Hancock School Improvement Plan. Mrs. Lebo seconded the
motion, and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mr. Nick Ahearn then presented the Clifford Marshall Elementary School Improvement Plan.
He opened the presentation by reflecting on last year’s goals. Anti-bullying and conflict
resolution culture goal met, and open response goal for both Math and ELA met, but nonfiction comprehension goal not fully met. Grade 3 made incredible gains, but aggregate scoring
was flat. This year’s goals are more focused on the individual needs of all children. The Walk to
Read and Walk to Math programs allow for the use of the school’s Title 1 Interventionists to
reduce class sizes. Twenty-seven home languages are present at the school.
This year’s goals are: (1) Marshall School students in grades three and four will increase the
number scoring Proficient and Advanced on the 2012 ELA MCAS and decrease the percentage
of students who score in the Warning and Needs Improvement categories by 5%. (2) Marshall
students in grades three and four will increase the number scoring Proficient and Advanced on
the 2012 Math MCAS and decrease the percentage of student who score in the Warning and
Needs Improvement categories by 5%. (3) During the 2011-2012 school year, 100% of Clifford
Marshall teachers and students will actively participate in training specifically aimed at
developing strategies to teach and develop social skills and will focus on developing respect and
empathy for others, understanding and identifying bullying situations and learning the tools to
effectively respond and manage conflict situations while at the same time promoting a positive
school atmosphere.
The subcommittee asked questions about the traffic issues, professional development time,
21st century grant programs, and subgroup populations (total enrollment: 556 students in
grades K-4, 303 students with free or reduced lunch, 122 ELL students). At the conclusion of
the discussion, Mrs. Lebo moved to approve the Lincoln Hancock School Improvement Plan.
Mrs. Dwyer seconded the motion, and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
The Snug Harbor School Improvement Plan was presented by Mr. Dan Gilbert, who reflected on
the last year’s incredible highs and challenging lows. Very proud of the school’s 80 staff
members and all the students; the school moved from Level 3 to Level 1 on MCAS scores. He
cited the surround care provided in the school in helping to overcome the emotional difficulty
of last spring’s tragic event. Snug Harbor was commended by the state for narrowing the
proficiency gap over the course of the last two years.
For 2011-2012, the goals are: (1) To increase the percentage of tested students who score in
the Advanced and Proficient categories on the 2012 ELA MCAS and decrease the percentage of
students who score in the Warning and Needs Improvement categories by 5% to exceed the
state average as measured by the Student Growth Percentile in Grades 4 and 5 and to have
ninety percent of students participating in the MCAS Alternative Assessment score in the
Progressing category. (2) To increase the percentage of tested students who score in the
Advanced and Proficient categories on the 2012 Math MCAS and decrease the percentage of
students who score in the Warning and Needs Improvement categories by 5% to exceed the
state average as measured by the Student Growth Percentile in Grades 4 and 5 and to have
ninety percent of students participating in the MCAS Alternative Assessment score in the
Progressing category. (3) Within the 2011-2012 school year, there will be an increase in
parent/guardian involvement and participation at school-sponsored events and programs
(Open House, PTO, School Council, Report Card Conferences, etc.) as measured in part by a 20%
increase in attendance at PTO monthly meetings, report card conferences, open houses, etc. In
addition, we hope to increase the number of participation opportunities.
The idea behind the third goal is to help parents create a true relationship with their children’s
education. The staff created a contract, signed by staff, parents and students, that commits to
attendance by well-rested students, parental participation at open houses and report card
conferences, checking agendas, and reading to students. After discussion of the insightful goal
reflection page in the SIP, review of the window maintenance needed, and subgroup
populations (total enrollment: 289 students in grades K-5, 264 students with free or reduced
lunch, 91 ELL students), Ms. Isola motioned to accept the Snug Harbor Community School
Improvement Plan. Mrs. Dwyer seconded the motion, and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Renee Malvesti presented the Montclair Elementary School Improvement Plan by
reflecting on last year’s goals. While all subgroups made AYP on last spring’s MCAS, the
aggregate did not. She noted that the aggregate score improved but not enough to meet AYP.
The SGP was high overall as well. This year’s goals and action steps are similar to last year’s,
but are focused not just on overall growth, but in all strands. For example, poetry will be an
ELA focus.
This year’s goals: (1) To increase the percent passing in each curriculum math strand by 3% on
the Spring 2012 Math MCAS in grades 3, 4, and 5 as compared to the 2011 Math MCAS. (2) To
increase the percent passing in each curriculum ELA strand by 3% on the Spring 2012 ELA MCAS
in grades 3, 4, and 5 as compared to the 2011 ELA MCAS. (3) Students will participate in a
minimum of two classroom and whole school Mix It Up activities during 2011-2012 to foster a
welcoming school environment at Montclair.
After discussion of the facilities work needed (roof repair and interior repair related to previous
leaks), response to Summer Math and Reading assignments, and subgroup populations (total enrollment: 385 students in grades K-5, 202 students with free or reduced lunch, 164 ELL
students), Ms. Isola motioned to accept the Montclair Elementary School Improvement Plan.
Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion, and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Maryanne Palmer presented the Parker Elementary School Improvement Plan, and
reflected on last year’s goals. 85% of ELL students moved up at least one level on the Spring
MEPA testing; MCAS goals were also met, but data analysis surfaced some areas of focus for
this year. This year’s goals are similar to last year’s, with refocused action steps. The school’s
third goal is a social competency goal and was initiated by the staff. Building on the school’s
monthly Project Wisdom themes, specific behaviors were added to each month’s theme.
2011-2012 goals: (1) We will reduce the percentage of Parker School students who score in the
non-proficient range on the 2012 ELA MCAS by 5% from the 2011 ELA MCAS. (2) We will
reduce the percentage of Parker School students who score in the non-proficient range on the
2012 Math MCAS by 5% from the 2011 Math MCAS. (3) To foster a safe and respectful learning
environment, each student will contribute to the “Parker School Bucket” by showing exemplary
behaviors that match our monthly character development themes at least one time each
month during the 2011-2012 school year.
After commending Mrs. Palmer for keeping grade level team collaboration time at Parker, the
subcommittee members discussed facility needs (painting, whiteboards, intercoms not working
in three rooms), and subgroup populations (total enrollment: 311 students in grades K-5, 222
students with free or reduced lunch, 130 ELL students), Ms. Isola motioned to accept the Parker
Elementary School Improvement Plan. Mrs. Dwyer seconded the motion, and on a voice vote,
the ayes have it.
The last presentation of the afternoon was Mr. Jim Hennessy, who presented the Wollaston
Elementary School Improvement Plan. He reflected on the accomplishments of 2010-2011,
reviewing that both MCAS goals were met and exceeded and the school’s third goal of
implementing the city’s anti-bullying policy was also accomplished. The school had a very high
level of proficiency in Math for both Grades 3 and 5; Grade 4 results mirror state averages.
Grade 5 SGP in Math was very high as well.
Looking forward to 2011-2012, the goals are more focused on differentiated instruction and
individual student needs. Many initiatives support the goals, including technology (many items
supported by school’s PTO), professional development such as Keys to Literacy and Category
training, and new curriculum for Writing, Math, and ELL.
2011-2012 goals: (1) Seventy-two percent of all students will achieve proficiency on the 2012
MCAS in English Language Arts. (2) Seventy-seven percent of all students will achieve
proficiency on the 2012 MCAS in Mathematics. (3) During 2011-2012, the Wollaston
Elementary School will continue to implement the Massachusetts Bullying Prevention Law and
institutionalize Quincy’s Anti-Bullying Policy.
After discussion about the positive school culture at Wollaston, a review of the facilities issue
(heating, roof leaks, electrical), and subgroup populations (total enrollment: 315 students in
grades K-5, 157 students with free or reduced lunch, 94 ELL students), Mrs. Lebo motioned to
accept the Wollaston Elementary School Improvement Plan. Mrs. Dwyer seconded the motion,
and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
The Middle School Improvement Plan review meeting is tentatively scheduled for November
16, 2011. (Please note that this has now been changed to Monday, November 28, 2011 at
3:30 pm at Quincy High School.)
The High School Improvement Plan review meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 30,
2011 at 3:30 pm at Quincy High School. There will be other agenda items for this meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 pm.