Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts – December 10, 2014
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, Regular
December 10, 2014 at Central Middle School. Present were Mr. Paul Bregoli, Meeting
Mr. Noel DiBona, Ms. Barbara Isola, Mayor Thomas Koch, Mrs. Anne Mahoney,
Mr. David McCarthy, and Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Vice Chair.
Vice-Chair
Presiding
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The Superintendent called the roll and all were present. Also present were:
Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk; Ms. Christine
Barrett, Mr. Robert Cavallo, Ms. Susan Shea Connor, Mr. Richard DeCristofaro,
Jr., Mrs. Mary Fredrickson, Ms. Beth Hallett, Mr. James Hennessy, Ms.
Margaret MacNeil, Ms. Maureen MacNeil, Mr. Michael Marani, Ms. Courtney
Mitchell, Mrs. Robin Moreira, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mrs.
Diane O’Keeffe, Dr. Maryanne Palmer, Mrs. Maura Papile, Mrs. Ann Pegg, Mrs.
Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mr. Robert Shaw, Mr.
Lawrence Taglieri, Ms. Judy Todd, Mrs. Ruth Witmer; Ms. Allison Cox,
President, Quincy Education Association; and Student Representative to
School Committee Ms. Isabella Cobble (Quincy High School).
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There was a moment of silence for Sgt. Edward Holland, who was an ROTC
instructor at both Quincy and North Quincy High School and Dorothy Lynch,
an administrator in the Quincy Public Schools for many years.
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Regular Meeting Minutes Approved
11/12/14
Ms. Isola made a motion, seconded by Mr. Bregoli, to approve the Regular
Meeting minutes for November 12, 2014. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Executive Session Minutes Approved
11/12/14
Ms. Isola made a motion, seconded by Mr. Bregoli, to approve the Executive
Session minutes for November 12, 2014. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Open Forum
As no one wished to speak at Open Forum, School Committee moved to the next
item on the agenda.
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Superintendent's
Report
Central Middle School Principal Rick DeCristofaro welcomed the Mayor, School
Committee, and Superintendent to Central Middle School and introduced Assistant
Principal Susan Shea Connor. The over 600 hard-working students at Central are
supported by Central’s caring and committed staff. Central has many
opportunities for students beyond the school day, with the building open early
and late for activities. Mr. DeCristofaro thanked the School Committee for their
focus on small class sizes, the additional middle school programs for Technology,
French, Library, and for the new Central building which provides many
opportunities to the students, staff, and greater community.
Mrs. Hubley requested her colleagues’ indulgence in taking the agenda out of
order and moved to New Business, Item A.
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New Business
American Education
Week Poster & Essay
Contest
Senior Curriculum Coordinator Madeline Roy introduced the American Education
Week Essay and Poster Contest, the theme of which was Teamwork. Entries were
judged by a panel of retired teachers from submissions from every school. The first
place winners will present their posters or read their essays.
Curriculum Coordinator Erin Perkins introduced the elementary winners:
For Kindergarten through Grade 2: 1st Place: Ms. Kate Kidder’s Grade 1 Class from
Lincoln Hancock Community School; 2nd place: Ms. Maureen Lynch, Ms. Erina Carr,
and Ms. Megan Therrien’s Grade 1 classes from Snug Harbor Community School;
and 3rd place: Ms. Kimberly Hogan’s Kindergarten class from Atherton Hough
Elementary School. For Grades 2 and 3: 1st place: Victoria Berry from Merrymount
Elementary School, teacher Ms. Kate Baldwin; 2nd place: Casey O’Connell from
Wollaston Elementary School, teacher Ms. Nicole O’Brien; 3rd place: Chloe Wu from
Parker Elementary School, teacher Ms. Marissa Forrester. For Grades 4 and 5: 1st
place: Alexander Stankov from Beechwood Knoll Elementary School, teacher Ms.
Brenda Shore; 2nd place: Ruari Gorham from Merrymount Elementary School,
teacher Ms. Karin Lanham; 3rd place (tie): Benjamin Dawe from Merrymount
Elementary School, teacher Ms. Dawn Ciardi and Lianna Zowawi from Point
Webster Middle School, teacher Ms. Julianne Gilbert.
Senior Curriculum Coordinator Madeline Roy introduced the middle school winners
for Grades 6-8: 1st place: Jessica Au from Atlantic Middle School, teacher Ms. Patricia
Dunne; 2nd place: Elisa Dylja from Atlantic Middle School, teacher Ms. Patricia
Dunne; 3rd place: Supriti Karki from Sterling Middle School, teacher Ms. Kaitlin
Barry.
Curriculum Coordinator Beth Hallett introduced the high school winners for Grades
9-10: 1st place: Angela Wu from North Quincy High School, teacher Ms. Jennifer
Hanson; 2nd place: Amanda Ngo from North Quincy High School, teacher Ms. Sarah
Poulin; 3rd place: Kaylen Kozlowski from Quincy High School, teacher Mr. Michael
Ellis.
Mayor Koch complimented all the winners; something all School Committee
members can agree on is how wonderful it is to see the successful students here and
celebrate their accomplishments through to graduation.
Mrs. Mahoney agreed with Mayor Koch and thanked the students, parents, and
teachers.
Dr. DeCristofaro thanked Ms. Roy and Mrs. Perkins for organizing the American
Education Week Essay Contest and all the principals, assistant principals, and
teachers present and who worked with students on the contest.
Mrs. Hubley said this is her favorite meeting of the year, it is great to see the
students and hear their essays.
Ms. Roy then recognized Atlantic Middle School’s Literary Magazine for being
awarded the Columbia Scholastic Press Gold Medal. Over the 25 years of the
magazine, 6,000 students have become published writers and 2,500 students have
had original artwork or photography published, under the guidance of 350 different
teachers. Mrs. Patricia Dunne, the teacher mentor for the Literary Magazine now in
her 29th year as a teacher was recognized for her guidance and dedication. Mrs.
Dunne thanked all the students over the years and the classroom teachers at
Atlantic who instruct and inspire this work.
Ms. Isola thanked Mrs. Dunne for her work, the quality of writing in the magazine
and the beautiful published format is amazing. Mrs. Dunne’s mentoring is so
important to the students’ development.
Mr. McCarthy echoed Ms. Isola’s comments, has enjoyed the magazine through his
years on School Committee. The magazine’s quality is that of a professional, college-level publication.
Mr. Bregoli said the magazine is extraordinary and seems to get better every year.
The depth of the student writing and the creative artwork are wonderful.
Mrs. Mahoney said that this has been an extraordinary week for the Quincy Public
Schools, would love to see Mrs. Dunne and her work recognized on the Ellen Show.
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Superintendent’s
Report (resumed)
After a short recess, Dr. DeCristofaro resumed the Superintendent’s Report by
introducing the Inspire Quincy video, featuring the Lincoln Hancock Turkey Trot,
Operation Days’ Work at Broad Meadows Middle School, Toys for Tots at Squantum
Elementary School, Technology Engineering program at Atlantic Middle School,
Middle School Lego Robotics Competition at North Quincy High School, Precious
Llaga, Grade 4 student at Clifford Marshall, and ‘Tis the Season.
Dr. DeCristofaro congratulated the Parker Elementary School and teacher Julie
White-Patel on being awarded $25,000 from Wells Fargo and the Ellen Show.
The History Bowl team at Quincy High School has been invited to attend the
championship in April in Washington D.C. North Quincy High School’s team once
again qualified to compete on WGBH’s High School Quiz Show, beginning in January.
Dr. DeCristofaro thanked the high school principals, Athletic Directors, coaches,
student athletes, cheerleaders, the band, and fans for the great Thanksgiving Day
Football game. Thanks also to QATV and announcer (and City Solicitor) Jim
Timmins.
‘Tis the Season was held on December 9, the 14th annual concert. Dr. DeCristofaro
expressed pride in all of the performers, including the choral students, Clifford
Marshall student Precious Llaga, and the John Adams Orchestra, along with the QPS
instrumental music staff and the Quincy Symphony Orchestra. Thanks to Keith
Segalla and John Fagerlund for their work with the many partners
Quincy Public Schools will once again be part of the state-wide day of Community
Service, Project 351, sending three representatives to the January 17 kickoff event.
The three Grade 8 students (Garrell Willis from Sterling; Chase Reardon from Broad
Meadows; and Brian O’Connell from Point Webster) will be recognized at the
January 28 School Committee meeting.
The Middle School Lego Robotics event on December 6 was sponsored by Bluefin
Robotics and 48 middle school teams from around New England attended, including
teams representing all five Quincy middle schools. This year’s theme was robotic
designs to assist members of the communities. NQHS and QHS alums are among the
100 volunteers coordinated by QHS Science Department Chair Ed Smith to make
this event possible.
The billboard on Newport Avenue at Beale Street was donated by Sam Rounseville
to recognize the over one hundred members of the Quincy School~Community
Partnership.
Eastern Bank is sponsoring a technology integration initiative where 16 Surface
tablets and accessories have been provided to staff members at Montclair, Atherton
Hough, and Wollaston Elementary schools.
The Quincy Parent Advisory Council to Special Education Gingerbread event is being
held on Friday, December 12 at 6:00 pm at Quincy High School. QPAC also is
sponsoring 35 students to attend the Enchanted Village.
At this evening’s Massachusetts Lions Youth Speech Contest at the Church of the
Presidents, nine students from Grades 11 and 12 represented both of Quincy’s high
schools: Matthew Alexander, Grade 11, NQHS; Debbie Chan, Grade 11, NQHS;
Parawat Changthong, Grade 11, QHS; Lydia Culp, Grade 12, QHS; Kassandra Deen,
Grade 12, QHS; Valerie Lioudinouskov, Grade 12, QHS; Michael Mullaney, Grade 12,
NQHS; Noreen Plabutong, Grade 12, QHS; and Nassim Tousil, Grade 11, NQHS.
Students were given the opportunity to speak publicly on a designated topic and
were accompanied by Quincy High School English department chair Michael Ellis.
At the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Board of Directors Meeting
on November 19, the schematic designs and project budgets for the Accelerated
Repair Program (ARP) door and window replacement projects at Lincoln Hancock
and Parker Elementary Schools were approved. The already approved Wollaston,
Merrymount, and NQHS projects have had contractor contracts awarded.
At the same meeting, Sterling Middle School was invited into the Feasibility Study
phase. The Feasibility Study Agreement wa executed last Friday. A request for
services (RFS) for the project’s Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) is being drafted by
City Solicitor Jim Timmins to accompany the Central Register bid advertisement
scheduled for December 31.
The new Elementary Report Card development was updated at the December 4
Teaching and Learning subcommittee. This report card aligns to the new Common
Core standards and will be created and delivered electronically. The initiative
timeline will continue throughout this school year and focus on implementation for
next school year. Communication with QPAC and Citywide Parents Council is
scheduled for January. Dr. DeCristofaro thanked School Committee for their input
during the Teaching and Learning Subcommittee Meeting.
Dr. DeCristofaro announced that on December 19 at 6:00 pm, the NQHS Basketball
Court will be dedicated to Robert “Nobby” Nolan.
Home-School Connections for the Della Chiesa Early Childhood Center, Atherton
Hough, Montclair, and Wollaston Elementary Schools (including an ELL Curriculum
Newsletter), and Quincy High School were shared with the School Committee.
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Old Business
Superintendent’s
Annual Plan
Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the Superintendent’s Annual Plan for 2014-
2016. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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New Business
(resumed)
Middle School
Grading System
Review
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to move a review of the Middle School Grading System to
the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee. Ms. Isola seconded the motion and on a
voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Emergency Procedures
Policy
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to move the review of the Emergency Procedures to the
Policy Subcommittee. Mr. DiBona seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes
have it.
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2015-2016 School
Year Calendar
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to move the 2015-2016 School Year Calendar to the
Policy Subcommittee. Mr. McCarthy seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the
ayes have it.
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2015-2016 School
Committee Meeting
Calendar
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to move the 2015-2016 School Committee Meeting
Calendar to the Policy Subcommittee. Mr. DiBona seconded the motion and on a
voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Out of the Country
Travel
Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the Out of the Country Travel of Quincy High
School to Germany, Switzerland, and Austria from April 17 to April 25, 2015. Mr.
McCarthy seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Overnight Travel
Mr. McCarthy made a motion to approve the Overnight Travel of Point Webster
Middle School Grade 8 to New York, New York from June 4 and 5, 2015. Mr. Bregoli
seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Additional Business
Mr. McCarthy requested an update on school roof issues from Mr. Kevin Murphy
and Mr. Kevin Segalla at an upcoming meeting, either the next agenda or the one
following or at a Facilities & Security Subcommittee meeting.
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Communications
Upcoming meetings were announced: School Committee on January 14, 2015; and
January 28, 2015 and Subcommittee Meetings (Quarterly Budget & Finance on
Monday, January 12, 2015; Facilities & Security on January 12, 2015; Special
Education on Wednesday, January 21, 2015; and Teaching & Learning on January
26, 2015.
Ms. Cobble announced that the Quincy High School seniors are hosting a holiday
breakfast for families on Saturday, December 13 at 9:00 am.
Mrs. Mahoney announced that North Quincy High School’s Drama department is
presenting Witness for the Prosecution in the Black Box Theater on Friday,
December 12 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, December 14 at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm.
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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.
Teaching & Learning
Subcommittee
Ms. Isola reviewed the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee meetings held on
November 5 and November 6, 2014. At these two meetings, the elementary school
Principals presented their School Improvement Plans. Ms. Isola urged the public to
read the School Improvement Plans.
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to approve the Atherton Hough, Beechwood Knoll,
Bernazzani, Lincoln Hancock, Clifford Marshall, Merrymount, Montclair, Parker,
Snug Harbor, Squantum, and Wollaston School Improvement Plans. Mr. McCarthy
seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Ms. Isola then reviewed the December 3, 2014 Teaching & Learning Subcommittee
Meeting, where the development of the new Elementary Report Card was
presented.
As there were no corrections, the minutes to the November 5, 2014, November 6,
2014, and December 3, 2014 Teaching & Learning Subcommittee meetings were
approved.
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Policy Subcommittee
Mr. Bregoli reported on the December 4, 2014 Policy Subcommittee meeting on
attendance and residency.
The Supervisors of Attendance have many different roles and responsibilities, but
the main roles are residency and attendance. Each supervisor works with assigned
school sites and provides interventions on attendance issues. Residency
verification also happens throughout the year, both for new registrations and
established Quincy Public Schools students.
Quincy Public Schools students, by law, must reside in Quincy for the majority of the
time. The exceptions to the state’s residency law include homeless students and
Chapter 74 programs. A student already enrolled in a Chapter 74 program who
moves to a town not offering that program may stay enrolled at QHS with their new
town paying tuition to Quincy. Under the McKinney-Vento Act, students who are
homeless have the right to stay in the school they were attending if their
parent/guardian so chooses.
Residency verification requests come through Central Registration and school sites;
new registrations are flagged for insufficient sources of verification. Home visits are
performed as needed for both new registrations or current students where mail has
been returned or information becomes available. Sometimes students have moved
within the city and need to register as an out of district student.
This year, the team is working on additional documentation for home visits. Leases,
bank statements, driver’s licenses, and cell phone bills are no longer accepted.
Utility, excise tax, or water bills, mortgage statements, pay stubs, or W2 forms are
acceptable. Revised forms and documentation have been shared with Central
Registration and all school sites.
Residency Protocols were then shared: For active students with residency issues,
the first step is a proof of residency request letter sent home requesting additional
documentation. If the documentation is not provided, a home visit by the
Supervisor of Attendance is scheduled. Students who are identified as nonresidents are then discharged from the Quincy Public Schools. The student’s
cumulative files are prepared for transfer. The Supervisors of Attendance work
with the students and families to make the transition and follow up to ensure the
students are registered in the new school system in a timely fashion.
Since late August, 283 residency checks were completed for new registrations and
active students. 384 home visits, including 42 night visits, have been completed to
date. Night checks are the most effective way to verify active student residency and
are conducted in collaboration with community police officers. Each night visit
takes 2-3 hours and may include talking to neighbors.
In the 2013-2014 school year, 30 students were discharged as non-residents (17
high school, 7 middle school, 6 elementary school). Between August and November
2014, 19 students were denied enrollment based on residency and 12 students
were discharged.
As there were no corrections, the minutes of the Policy Subcommittee meeting on
December 4, 2014 were approved.
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Adjournment
Mayor Koch made a motion to adjourn for the evening at 7:40 p.m. The motion was
seconded by Mr. McCarthy and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.