Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts – March 6, 2019
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
March 6, 2019 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. Paul Bregoli, Mr. James DeAmicis,
Mr. Douglas Gutro, and Mrs. Kathryn Hubley.
Chair Presiding
Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk; Ms. Lori Cahill, Ms. Kerri Connolly, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Julie Graham, Dr. Beth Hallett, Ms. Jennifer Leary, Ms. Paula McGeady, Mr. James Mullaney, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Ms. Jennifer Murphy, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Ms. Jessica Sikora, Ms. Helena Skinner, Mr. Lawrence Taglieri; Quincy Education Association President Allison Cox; and Citywide Parent Council Co-President Courtney Perdios.
Vice Chair Mrs. Emily Lebo was absent.
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There was a moment of silence for retired Quincy Public Schools employees who passed away recently: Executive Assistant Janice Francis and Paraprofessional Frances “Toni” Kabilian, both with over 20 years of service.
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Regular Meeting Minutes Approved 2.6.2019
Mrs. Hubley made a motion, seconded by Mr. Andronico to approve the
Regular Meeting minutes for February 6, 2019 as presented. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Open Forum
As there was no one to speak at Open Forum, School Committee moved on to the next item on the agenda.
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Superintendent's Report
Dr. DeCristofaro opened the Superintendent’s Report with Inspire Quincy, featuring the Lunar New Year celebration, Read Across America, the Grade 5 Student Leadership Summit, Quincy & North Quincy High School robotics, and the All-City elementary school winter Chorus & Band concert.
Recent Quincy Public Schools events included the recent opportunity for Grade 8 students to meet with high school band and choral students; the Grade 5 Student Council Leadership Summit where over 80 students participated in team-building activities with the high school class officers. Read Across America was observed at all elementary schools, with guest readers including Mayor Koch, Mr. Bregoli, and Mrs. Hubley.
The Spring Health Symposium will be held April 3, Wellness teams from each school will meet to review their initiatives for this school year and share best practices. The Credit for Life Fair will be held on March 21, 200 high school seniors from each high school will attend this Financial-Literacy focused event. A College Planning night will be held at Quincy High School on March 7 for juniors and families.
Emergency Call Buttons have been installed in all Quincy Public Schools buildings, for use in an extreme situation when staff members cannot safely call 911. Thanks to Mayor Koch, Quincy Police Department Chief Keenan, and Mike Draicchio for supporting this grant-funded initiative.
STEM program events are underway at the elementary and middle schools with Grade 5 Science showcases and Middle School STEM Fairs scheduled throughout March. Grade 5 students will also have an end of the year Science showcase. The Saturday STEM Academy will begin on March 9 and continue for the next three Saturdays for over students in Grades 3-8 over 300 students at all elementary and middle school sites.
The Grade 5 Advanced Placement Program at Point Webster Middle School also hosted a series of mid-year project showcases for students, families, and staff.
Grades 5-8 Robotics will begin with a 10-week after school program to prepare for May event at each elementary and middle school. Over forty high school robotics team members will mentor students. Dr. DeCristofaro announced that Quincy Public Schools recently received an $8,000 grant from Verizon for the middle school Robotics and technology engineering programs.
Mr. DeAmicis arrived at 6:45 pm.
Assessment Day #2 was held at Elementary and Middle School sites on February 26 and March 5, this is an opportunity to review and adapt action steps and progress towards goals.
The transition to the new South~West Middle School is on track for a Monday, June 3 opening day. On Sunday, June 2, a parent and community Open House will be held. Students and staff will have the opportunity to be oriented in the new building prior to the date. There will be a Building Committee meeting on Thursday, March 14.
Mr. Gutro asked for the Emergency Call Button to be placed into Facilities, Security & Transportation Subcommittee; the item was previously referred there at the fall Organizational Meeting.
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Old Business
2019-20 School
Committee Meeting &
School Year
Calendars (Vote)
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the 2019-2020 School Year Calendar. Mr. Andronico seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 6-0. Mrs. Lebo was absent.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the 2019-2020 School Committee Meeting Calendar. Mr. Andronico seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 6-0. Mrs. Lebo was absent.
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New Business
High School Pathways
for College & Career
Readiness
Senior Director of Student Support Services Maura Papile and High School Student Support Department Chairs Paula McGeady (QHS) and Helena Skinner (NQHS) presented on the high school Guidance curriculum. Beginning in Grade 9, students begin developing a profile on Naviance, creating a Career Interest Inventory; learn about promotion and graduation requirements; classroom lessons support transitioning to high school, bullying prevention, stress reduction, and time management. Students also begin working on their Personal Learning Plan. In Grade 10, students participate in Career Day and Career Cluster Assessments with Grade 11 working on post-graduate planning. Grade 12 students work on college application skills, college visits, scholarship applications, and career planning support for students entering the world of work.
The Student Support Services staff provide individual interventions including course selection assistance, health and wellness, academic progress, personal counseling, and parent meetings. Through the development of Personal Learning Plans, students complete self-assessment, develop goals for after high school, and change course plans as appropriate. Responsive services include review of student attendance, social-emotional supports, placement meetings, referrals for mental and physical health issues.
Mr. Gutro asked about parent access in Naviance. Ms. Skinner said there are parent access codes for Naviance. Mr. Gutro asked about the College Information Night, Financial Aid Night, and College Fairs, each event happens once per year. Financial Aid Night and College Fair are citywide events, the high schools alternate hosting. Mr. Gutro asked about parental notification for students who are struggling, Ms. McGeady encouraged students to seek assistance from their Guidance Counselor. Ms. Skinner said that teachers are expected to reach out to parents if something drastically changes so that there is warning that a student is in danger of failing.
Mr. Andronico asked about Career Day, whether high school alums and parents participate and are student career interests able to be addressed. Ms. Skinner said that NQHS has hosted a Career Day for the last five years, each student can attend two presentations from each of nine career clusters, based on their interest inventory. Alumni enthusiastically participate in the event and in addition to the Career Day event, some are scheduled for later classroom visits.
Mr. Gutro asked if there is a Policy on teacher communication. Dr. DeCristofaro said that Principals, teachers and Student Support Staff work on this every day. Of course, there are exceptions where a situation may not be optimal. Mr. Gutro said that is is School Committee’s responsibility to discuss and consider what is discretionary or policy.
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New Business
Pre-Kindergarten
Program Update
Special Education Director Erin Perkins, Team Administrator Julie Graham, and classroom teachers Lori Cahill, Jennifer Murphy, Jessica Sikora, and Jennifer Leary introduced the Pre-Kindergarten programs currently serving 400 3- and 4-year old students at the Della Chiesa Early Childhood Center, Point Webster, and Snug Harbor. There are two types of classes: the CARES program, a full-day program for students with Autism Spectrum disorders and the Integrated Pre-Kindergarten classes with students with developmental delays learning with their typically-developing peers.
Pre-Kindergarten classrooms follow the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and have standard curriculum materials including Handwriting Without Tears, Literacy Express, Tools of the Mind, Math Foundations, Tools of the Mind, Second Step, and the Calm Classroom program. Students learn and refine self-regulation skills in a cooperative environment, which positively impacts all areas of learning.
Preschool Speech and Language is focused on Receptive Language (the ability to understand and comprehend spoken language); Expressive Language (use of vocabulary and grammar to express thoughts and ideas); Pragmatic Language (use of language to interact with others); Articulation & Phonology (speech sound production); and Fluency. Services are delivered in pull-out small groups, push-in the classroom, consultation with classroom teachers, articulation or language groups, and drop-in services. Augmentative communication is used to supplement existing speech and alternative communication is used in place of speech. Tools include picture choices, sentence strips, communication books, and technology (text to speech). Thanks to the Quincy Police Department, who held a bowling fundraiser last spring, the CARES programs were able to purchase iPads and Go Talk devices plus supplies to assist students with communication.
For social and emotional development, the DESE SEL standards of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making are addressed. Within the classroom environment, teachers provide routines and structure, modeling, and consistency.
Mr. Gutro asked how long the Pre-Kindergarten program has existed. Mrs Perkins said the program has existed for a very long time, more than 30 years.
Mr. Gutro asked about how families learn about the programs. Ms. Perkins said there is information on the Quincy Public Schools website, and there is a Welcome to Pre-Kindergarten event in the fall, as well as Open House events at all three sites. Ms. Perkins said that the population of the program has continued to grow as the needs of the students expand.
Mr. Bregoli said that these are tremendous teachers, working with many students with challenges. Mr. Bregoli asked about English Learners, Ms. Perkins said that EL students are screened and identified, but the goals of the program are language-based for all students, so there are not separate services for English Learners.
Dr. DeCristofaro said that the program is transformative, the passion and dedication of the teachers is apparent as are their connection to the students and their families.
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New Business
Chapter 70 Funding
Mayor Koch thanked Mr. Hennessy and the staff of Wollaston Elementary School for hosting him for Read Across America this week.
Mayor Koch is a member of the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition of mayors and managers of 15 cities and towns. There has been discussion about the Chapter 70 Educational Funding formula and a letter was signed by all members to urge the Legislature to enact meaningful improvements to the K-12 education funding formula. Mayor Koch is looking to discuss crafting a position statement with the Quincy School Committee to share with local legislators.
Mr. Gutro made a motion to refer Chapter 70 Funding to the Budget & Finance Subcommittee, Mr. DeAmicis seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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New Business
Policy Section
9.11.16
Mr. Andronico made a motion to refer School Committee Policy Section 9.11.16 Graduation Exercises to the Policy Subcommittee. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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New Business
Overnight Travel
(In-State)
Mrs, Hubley made a motion to approve the Overnight Travel (In-State) of Quincy High School SkillsUSA to the SkillsUSA State Conference in Marlboro, Massachusetts on April 25-27, 2019. Mr. Andronico seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the Overnight Travel (In-State) of Sterling Middle School Grade 7 to Camp Wing, Duxbury, Massachusetts on May 21-23, 2019. Mr. Andronico seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Additional Business
Mayor Koch requested a report on the feasibility of converting to environmentally friendly serving materials for the School Lunch program.
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Communications
Upcoming meetings include School Committee Meetings on March 20, 2019 and April 10, 2019, both at 6:30 pm at the Coddington Building. Upcoming Subcommittee meetings include a joint Teaching & Learning/Special Education Subcommittee meeting on March 27, 2019; Athletics & Wellness on March 13, 2019 at 6:00 pm, followed by Facilities, Security & Transportation at 6:30 pm.
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Reports of
Subcommittees
All School Committee and Subcommittee meeting minutes are posted online at www.quincypublicschools.com/schoolcomm/2018-2019.
As Mrs. Lebo was absent, the review of the February 27, 2019 Teaching & Learning Subcommittee Meeting minutes was tabled until the March 20, 2019 meeting.
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Executive Session
There was no Executive Session.
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Adjournment
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn for the evening at 8:25 p.m.