Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Policy Subcommittee Meeting - March 27, 2019
A meeting of the Policy Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at 7:30 pm in the Coddington Building. Present were Mr. Anthony Andronico, Mr. Doug Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Mrs. Emily Lebo, and Mr. Paul Bregoli, Chair. Also attending were Superintendent Richard DeCristofaro, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Robert Shaw, Mr. Lawrence Taglieri; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Mr. Andronico introduced the review of School Committee Policy Manual Section 9.11.6 Graduation Exercises. He would like to formalize guidelines for students to decorate their graduation caps and proposed language to add to this Policy (italics below).
Students participating in a graduation ceremony will be permitted to decorate their graduation caps. Students who choose to decorate their graduation caps must adhere to the rules stipulated below; failure to follow these rules will result in the removal of the improperly decorated cap, at which point, the student will be given a replacement cap.
Graduation caps may not contain any advertisement, abbreviations, initials, patches, pictures, slogans, symbols, or words that refer to drugs or controlled substances, tobacco, alcohol, weapons, or be of a sexual nature. Graduation caps may not denote an affiliation with gangs or advocate drug use, violence, illegal activity, or disruptive behavior which is detrimental to the safety and welfare of other students. Graduation caps may not be obscene, profane, volgar, lewd, or threaten the safety and welfare of any person.
Only the flat, top area of the mortar board may be decorated. There may be nothing hanging down from any sides of the cap. Decorations must be flat on the surface of the cap; 3-D creations are prohibited.
Graduation caps will be reviewed and approved by the principal in advance of the ceremony.
After discussion about the desire for graduating students to have a uniform look and maintain the dignity of the proceedings, without placing a burden on the principals to review several hundred graduation caps, Mrs. Hubley made a motion to amend the proposed Policy as follows. (changes in bold type)
Students participating in a graduation ceremony will be permitted to decorate their graduation caps. Students who choose to decorate their graduation caps must adhere to the rules stipulated below; failure to follow these rules will result in the removal of the improperly decorated cap, at which point, the student will be given a replacement cap.
Graduation caps may not contain any advertisement, abbreviations, initials, patches, pictures, slogans, symbols, or words that refer to drugs or controlled substances, tobacco, alcohol, weapons, or be of a sexual nature. Graduation caps may not denote an affiliation with gangs or advocate drug use, violence, illegal activity, or disruptive behavior which is detrimental to the safety and welfare of other students. Graduation caps may not be obscene, profane, vulgar, lewd, or threaten the safety and welfare of any person.
Only the flat, top area of the mortar board may be decorated. There may be nothing hanging down from any sides of the cap, with the exception of Quincy Public Schools-issued tassels. Decorations must be flat on the surface of the cap; 3-D creations are prohibited.
Graduating student gowns may not be decorated with any item not supplied by the school, or in the case of a student entering the military, by that branch of the service. All North Quincy High School graduating students will wear red gowns. All Quincy High School graduating students will wear blue gowns.
Graduation caps will be reviewed and approved by the principal in advance of the ceremony. The principals or designees will reserve the discretion to determine conformance with the above Policy.
Mr. Andronico seconded the motion to amend the proposed Policy language and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Dr. DeCristofaro said that Communication with the students, parents and guardians will be key to the success of this Policy.
Mr. Taglieri is confident that by giving the students and parents the parameters, they will be respected and there will not be an issue.
Mr. Bregoli asked if there are any legal concerns with this Policy, Mr. Mulvey said this is within the scope of School Committee authority.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to bring the proposed revised School Committee Policy Manual 9.11.6 Graduation Exercises to the full School Committee for consideration. Mr. Andronico seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn the Policy Subcommittee at 8:00 pm.