Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts – April 11, 2018
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
April 11, 2018 at the Coddington Building at 6:30 p.m. Superintendent
DeCristofaro called the roll and present were School Committee Chair
Mayor Thomas Koch, Mr. Anthony Andronico, Mr. JamesDeAmicis,
Mr. Douglas Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, and Mrs. Emily Lebo, Chair.
Vice Chair Presiding
Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens,
Clerk; Mr. Kevin Bell, Ms. Rebecca Brooks, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Danielle
Fernandez, Dr. John Franceschini, Dr. Beth Hallett, Mr. Edward Holmes, Mr.
Walter MacDonald, Ms. Rebecca McInnis, Mr. Joe McRitchie, Ms. Courtney
Mitchell, Mr. James Mullaney, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Ms.
Maura Papile, Ms. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mr.
Lawrence Taglieri, City Solicitor James Timmins; Quincy Education
Association President Allison Cox; North Quincy High School Student
Representative Luke Molloy.
Mr. Paul Bregoli was absent.
§
Regular Meeting Minutes Approved 3.7.2018
Mr. DeAmicis made a motion, seconded by Mr. Andronico to approve the
Regular Meeting minutes for March 7, 2018 as presented. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§
Open Forum
Mrs. Diane MacDonald, President of the Quincy Choral Boosters, spoke about
hoping to expand Choral awareness and strengthen the music program for
Grades K through 12.
§
Superintendent's
Report
Dr. DeCristofaro opened the Superintendent’s Report by introducing Executive
Director of Career & Technical Education Keith Segalla, Quincy High School
Principal Lawrence Taglieri, Career & Technical Education Department Chair
Rebecca McInnis, and Information Technology Coordinator Edward Holmes.
Mr. Holmes presented the Skills USA District Medalists: Ben Parrish & Norapat
Rerngkasetkig, gold medal for 3D Visualization & Animation; Donald Hurld, silver
medal for Information Technology Service; Kevin Mortimer, silver medal for
Internetworking; Ethan Graney, silver medal for Computer Programming; Elise
Ducharme, gold medal for Technical Computer Applications; Kenton Kwok, silver
medal for Technical Computer Applications; and Chase Reardon, bronze medal for
Technical Computer Applications.
Quincy High School senior Victoria Shen was recognized as the CVTE Student of
the Year. Ms. Shen is #6 in the graduating class, with a 4.62 GPA, and is a member
of National, Business, and Science Honor Societies; a member of Student Council,
Interact Club, and the Crew team. Ms. Shen will attend Babson to study
Accounting and has been awarded a full tuition scholarship.
Retiring Quincy Police DARE Officer John Grazioso was recognized for his 32 years
of service to the families of Quincy. DARE Officer Don Sautter thanked his partner
for being such an asset to the Quincy Public Schools. Officer Grazioso was a DARE
officer for 22 years and met so many helpful staff members, hoped that his work
made a difference.
Mr. Gutro thanked Officer Grazioso, his teaching helped many students to make
good choices.
Dr. DeCristofaro thanked Officer Grazioso; our principals, assistant principals, and
teachers, along with the students who you gave guidance and were a trusted
figure for will all mist you.
Dr. DeCristofaro congratulated Quincy High School senior John Kelley who served
as Governor for Student Government Day at the State House. Thanks to Quincy
High School AP US Government teacher Meg McMillen for her leadership.
Dr. DeCristofaro shared the Revised 2017-2018 School Year Calendar, June 25 last
day for students and June 26 is the last day for staff.
Representatives from the Massachusetts School Building Authority recently
toured Central Middle School for a Post-Occupancy Site Visit, a new pilot program.
At recent competitions, the High School Robotics team was recognized for their
teamwork, organizational plan, and finished 19th of 41, earning the creativity
award. The high school students are mentoring elementary and middle school
teams for May 19 Robotics Challenge event for Grades 5 through 8, sponsored by
the QEA. Thanks to facilitators Michael Gendron, Donald Long, Kim Pierce, Paul
Tully, and Lynn Byron.
The FY2019 Budget process is beginning and a draft meeting schedule was shared.
Dr. DeCristofaro will meet with each School Committee member to discuss their
priorities for the new fiscal year.
Upcoming Quincy School~Community Partnership Events: Credit for Life Fair,
April 26; Student Athletic Summit, June 1; the Community Service Learning
Celebration, May 30; Grade 5 Student Council Leadership, June 4; and Flag Day at
Lincoln Hancock sponsored by NAGE.
Quincy Public Schools School Safety & Security Presentation was given this past
Monday at the Citywide Parent Council Meeting and will be presented on April 23
at the City Council Public Safety Subcommittee meeting and on April 25 for the
QEA Representative Council
Quincy Public Schools will host its sixth Nobel Laureate on May 1 with a visit from
Dr. Richard Roberts, recipient of the 1993 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Upcoming Parent Academies include: Healthy Choices Family Night on April 26,
elementary and middle school parents and students; May 22 Welcome to
Kindergarten; and the May 30 Girl Rising year-end celebration.
This past Saturday, Lincoln Hancock Community School hosted a Touch a Truck
event and then hosted the Middle School Swim meet, where over 150 students
participated.
On Saturday, April 28, the 3rd Annual Picnic in the Park will be held on the grounds
of the Adams National Historic Site. This event is a collaboration of the National
Park Service, the USDA/Farm to School, the City of Quincy Department of Planning
and Community Development and Quincy Public Schools and is free to elementary
school students and their families.
F.W. Parker Elementary will celebrate the school’s 100th Anniversary on Saturday,
May 12 at 10:00 am. Colonel Francis Parker was the 1st Superintendent of Quincy
Public Schools, thanks to Principal Margaret MacNeil for her work in planning the
celebration.
Dr. DeCristofaro concluded his report by noting that the QHS and NQHS Winter
Athletics Newsletters and Safety First newsletters had been shared with School
Committee.
Mr. Gutro asked about the goals of the MSBA Post-Occupancy Site visit and
potential impact on future collaborations. Dr. DeCristofaro said the MSBA’s focus
was about maintenance and building materials, this is a pilot program and seemed
more mechanically focused. Commissioner Paul Hines represented the City’s
Public Buildings department.
§
Old Business
Policy Book Section 2.4.11
Mrs. Lebo reviewed that there is a proposed change to the Policy Book Section
2.4.11 Public Participation in School Committee Meetings. The current language
reads:
Open Forum: An opportunity for community input regarding the Quincy Public
Schools. After giving his or her name and address, each speaker may make a
presentation of no more than four minutes to the School Committee. An individual
may not exchange their time or yield to others.
and the proposed new language reads:
Open Forum: An opportunity for community input regarding the Quincy Public
Schools. Community in this context is defined as a resident of the City of Quincy, a
parent of a student who attends the Quincy Public Schools, or an employee of the
Quincy Public Schools. Non-community persons not permitted to speak at Open
Forum may submit written statements to the School Committee. After giving his or
her name and address, each speaker may make a presentation of no more than four
minutes to the School Committee. An individual may not exchange their time or
yield to others.
This proposed language is on this agenda for discussion and will be eligible for
vote at the May 2, 2018 School Committee.
§
New Business
New Middle School
Junior Building
Committee
Dr. DeCristofaro introduced Sterling Middle School Principal John Franceschini
and Assistant Principal Courtney Mitchell. Ms. Mitchell has been working with
Grade 8 students who comprise the Junior Building Committee. Over the last five
years, students have created a website, researched the existing school history, and
presented at PTO and the Topping Off Ceremony. The students shared video
presentations of the new school schematics and current construction status.
Mrs. Lebo and Mr. Gutro thanked the presenters.
Dr. DeCristofaro thanked the students, and noted their next presentation is for the
current Lincoln Hancock Grade 4 students who will attend the new school as
middle school students.
§
New Business
Construction Update:
New Southwest Quincy
Middle School
City Solicitor and Building Committee Chair James Timmins thanked the Junior
Building Committee, although the students will not attend school in the new
building, they are doing valuable work in documenting the building for the
Massachusetts Historic Society. Owners Project Manager Tom Kerwin from PCA
360 introduced Scott Dunlap, Ai3 Architects; Vice President Ken Johnson and
Project Executive Dave Capaldo from Bond Brothers, and thanked all for the
collaborative process. Project Manager Brian Laroche from PCA 360 reviewed the
project status, working towards the completion of the exterior building envelope.
Since last November, the foundation and steel frame have been completed. In
February, some interior work began for the HVAC system.
Mayor Koch said that of all the construction projects in his experience, this project
has gone the most seamlessly, the communication is significant. Mayor Koch is
looking forward to the opening of the building.
Dr. DeCristofaro thanked the team, including Walter MacDonald from Public
Buildings. He is very appreciative of everyone’s efforts in keeping this project
moving.
§
New Business
Kincaide Park
Improvements Update
Mayor Koch updated that he has submitted an appropriation for a new design for
Kincaide Park. There will be a walking path, running track, soccer fields, a
splashpad, basketball courts, and lights. New entrance enhancements are planned
for the entrances on Water Street and Roberts Street.
Mr. Andronico asked about the project timeline, Mayor Koch said it will coincide
with the opening of the new middle school in 2019.
§
New Business
2018 History & Social
Studies Framework
Senior Curriculum Director Madeline Roy reviewed that the Department of
Elementary & Secondary Education process of revising History & Social Science
Frameworks began in 2016 with a review panel which collected input from Pre-K
through 12 and higher education stakeholders. Over the course of 2017, there
were six meetings of the panel which considered preliminary recommendations
and analyzed possible models for the revision of history & social science
curriculum framework. The revised standards were presented to the DESE Board
in November 2017 and then were available for public comment in the first quarter
of 2018. The revised standards are expected to be adopted in June for
implementation over the next two school years.
The priorities for the revised frameworks included an emphasis on civics
education and deepening understanding by improving the standards to address
rigor, clarity, and coherence. Ms. Roy shared the integration of three types of
standards: content standards, practice standards (inquire, evaluate, and
conclude), and literacy standards (research, writing, collaboration).
North Quincy High School Social Studies Department Chair Danielle Fernandez
reviewed the potential impact on course development and sequence. DESE is
recommending two full years each of United States History and World History,
where currently these are a year and a half each. This would impact students’
ability to pursue History & Social Science electives, of which we currently have a
large number of options. In terms of integrating the standards, there are
considerations for the Massachusetts standards, the Common Core standards, and
the AP Practices & Reasoning Skills.
At the middle school levels, the proposal would be for Quincy Public Schools to
revise the scope and sequence to integrate Grades 6 and 7 into a two-year
sequence of world history and geography by region; ancient and classical
civilizations and selected topics in modern history. For Grade 8, the sequence
would cover United States and Massachusetts Government and Civic Life.
For the elementary grades, the Grade 3 framework of the history of Massachusetts
beginning with the Pilgrims would be expanded to be the history of Massachusetts
and New England through the study of Native Peoples, European explorers/
settlers, and the creation of self-government. For Grade 4, the history of the
United States, Mexico, and Canada and its peoples from a geographic perspective.
Grade 5 focus will be the history of early North American colonies, the expansion
and conflict of the United States into the 19th century, and the Civil Rights
movement. For all grades, there is opportunities for cross-curricular standards
(especially Science) and the incorporation of small group, close reading materials.
For Grades Pre-K through 1, there is an introduction to civics, geography, history,
and economics, a focus on students’ immediate social and community experiences.
For Grade 2, World Geography: Places, Peoples, Cultures, and Resources will have
students learn about global geography and look at reasons why people settle in
particular places, why they migrate and how they bring culture with them.
Professional Development will include “unpacking” the standards during the
2018-2019 school year, creation of interdisciplinary pilot units for elementary and
middle school levels, curriculum mapping, and pacing guides. As this work
continues over the school year, the budget impact for professional development
and curriculum needs will be defined in the spring for the FY2020 budget process.
For the 2018-2019 school year, there will be no change to the grade-level and
course instruction while this work is going on.
Mr. Gutro complimented the presentation, asked a follow up question about
assessment of the implementation of the frameworks. Ms. Roy said DESE provides
districts with the framework, but it is on the school district and the teachers’
expertise to implement the standards, unless DESE decides to create a Social
Sciences MCAS assessment in the future.
Mr. Andronico thanked the presenters and noted that there are benchmarks for
Civics-related projects at Grades 5, 8, and 11 and two will be required to graduate
from high school. Mr. Andronico asked if Quincy Public Schools currently requires
capstone projects. Ms. Fernandez said that certain electives require projects.
Mayor Koch thanked the presenters, would like to see an emphasis on the
importance of Quincy in American history, as well as respectful debate and
unbiased exploration of the many facets of history. Ms. Perkins said that the
community focus begins in Pre-Kindergarten and continues throughout the
elementary grades. Mr. McRitchie said that in Grade 8, the Quincy Historic Society
has assisted in developing lessons on Quincy’s importance during the Civil War
era, a less-known impact.
Mr. Luke Molloy noted that the Student Advisory Committee has been involved
with some of the discussion. It seems that democracy is the central theme of these
new standards, how will this impact the current curriculum. Ms. Roy said this is a
major shift and through the vertical teams, this will be explored. In terms of the
civics, there are seven principles and there will be a pacing guide so that there is
continuity between schools. Mr. MacRitchie said that there will be some
individuation among the schools and teachers. Mr. Molloy asked if Personal
Financial Literacy would shift from Career & Technical Education to Social Studies
and if Economics will be added at North Quincy High School. Both of these will
have to be considerations as the standards are reviewed this year.
Ms. Roy said this is an opportunity to be creative and innovative, while keeping a
cohesive pacing and awareness of the possibility of student
Mr. Molloy asked if there is any indication of whether a Social Sciences MCAS
would be developed. Mrs. Hubley asked if a Social Sciences MCAS was introduced,
how much lead time would there be before implementation, but there is currently
no timeline.
Mrs. Lebo asked if the Post-World II History class is required for Grade 12
students. Mr. Bell said this is a half-year course and is often paired with another
elective. Mrs. Lebo asked about whether US History can still be taught in one and
a half years; Mr. Bell said it becomes more challenging as the content
requirements grow. Mrs. Lebo said that she noticed that “Native People” concepts
appear 42 times in the new framework, there is huge opportunity for bringing in
local history of Native Peoples and formation of governments.
Dr. DeCristofaro said that Quincy Public Schools is so lucky to have the talented
professional staff and their thirst for knowledge and continuing growth.
Mrs. Lebo said that the coordination of all of these revised Frameworks over the
last few years is incredible, so many plates spinning for the Curriculum staff.
§
New Business
Withdraw from
School Choice (Vote)
Mr. Gutro made a motion to accept the recommendation of Superintendent
DeCristofaro to withdraw from School Choice for the 2018-2019 school year.
Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 6-0. Mr.
Bregoli was absent.
§
New Business
South Shore Educational
Collaborative
Representative (Vote)
Mr. Gutro made a motion to designate Superintendent DeCristofaro as the Quincy
Public Schools representative to the South Shore Educational Collaborative for the
2018-2019 school year. Mayor Koch seconded the motion and on a roll call vote,
the ayes have it, 6-0. Mr. Bregoli was absent.
§
New Business
Out of State Travel
(Overnight)
Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the June 26-29, 2018 Out of State
(Overnight) Travel of North Quincy High School AFJROTC to Senior Outdoor
Leadership Program at Highland Center, Crawford Notch, New Hampshire. The
motion was seconded by Mr. DeAmicis and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§
New Business
In-State Travel
(Overnight)
Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the April 26-28, 2018 In-State Travel
(Overnight) of Quincy High School Skills USA to the SkillsUSA State Conference in
Marlboro, Massachusetts. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a
voice vote, the ayes have it.
§
New Business
Out of State Travel
(One Day)
Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the June 20, 2018 Out of State Travel (One
Day) of Bernazzani Elementary School Grade 5 to Canobie Lake Park, Salem, New
Hampshire. The motion was seconded by Mr. Andronico and on a voice vote, the
ayes have it.
§
Additional Business
Mr. Gutro requested an update for Bishop Field issues at an upcoming Athletics &
Wellness Subcommittee. Mayor Koch suggested that Mr. Gutro reach out to the
Mr. Bregoli who is the School Committee representative on the Park Board.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to move the Yakoo into the Teaching & Learning
Subcommittee. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have
it.
Both of these items will appear on the May 2, 2018 School Committee meeting
agenda for referral to the requested subcommittees.
§
Communications
Upcoming meetings were announced: Regular Meetings on May 2, 2018 and June
13, 2018 at the Coddington Building at 6:30 pm; May 16, 2018 at Central Middle
School at 6:30 pm.
Subcommittee Meetings: On April 25, the Quarterly Budget & Finance
Subcommittee will be held at 6:00 pm, followed by Teaching & Learning
Subcommittee at 6:15 pm.
Mayor Koch left the meeting at 8:45 pm.
§
Reports of
Subcommittees
Mrs. Lebo noted that all School Committee and Subcommittee meeting minutes
are posted online at www.quincypublicschools.com.
Facilities,
Transportation &
Security Subcommittee
Mr. DeAmicis reviewed the Facilities, Transportation & Security Subcommittee
meeting that was held on March 14, 2018. Commissioner of Public Buildings Paul
Hines presented an update on the repair/replacement of water fixtures in
response to the water testing program from Fall 2016; Dr. DeCristofaro presented
the statistics on incidents in Quincy Public Schools which resulted in disciplinary
issues, reported to DESE annually; and Dr. DeCristofaro presented research on
metal detector usage on school sites.
As there were no corrections, the minutes of the March 14, 2018 Facilities,
Transportation & Security Subcommittee were approved as presented.
Athletics & Wellness
Subcommittee
Mr. Gutro reviewed the March 14, 2018 Athletics & Wellness Subcommittee,
where a review of Winter Athletics, including Middle School Athletics was
presented. Discussion of league placement and coaching evaluation followed.
As there were no corrections, the minutes of the March 14, 2018 Athletics &
Wellness Subcommittee were approved as presented.
Teaching & Learning
Subcommittee
Mrs. Lebo reviewed the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee meeting held on
March 28, 2018. Ms. Roy presented an update on the Girl Rising initiative, the
Advanced Pathway initiative, and the Curriculum Team presented an overview of
the Digital Literacy & Computer Science Frameworks.
As there were no corrections, the minutes of the March 28, 2018 Teaching &
Learning Subcommittee were approved as presented.
Policy Subcommittee
Mrs. Hubley reviewed the Policy Subcommittee meeting held on April 5, 2018.
Sections 2 and 5 were reviewed, with suggested revised language for 2.4.11 for
Public Participation at School Committee meetings brought forward to the full
School Committee for consideration.
As there were no corrections, the minutes of the April 5, 2018 Policy
Subcommittee were approved as presented.
§
Executive Session
There was no Executive Session.
§
Adjournment
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn for the evening at 9:00 p.m. The motion
was seconded by Mr. DeAmicis and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.