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Superintendent Mulvey introduced City of Quincy Health Commissioner Ruth Jones who reviewed the statistics for the last two weeks (November 25 through December 8), including 56 positive students (40 hybrid, 10 in-person and 6 remote) and 25 positive staff members. The two-week positivity rate is currently 3.75% and the state will update the rate on Thursday. Quincy is in the yellow status, but Commissioner Jones noted that could change on Thursday as well.
Commissioner Jones said there are two incidents of possible in-school transmission, one between a teacher and a student and another between a classroom teacher and paraprofessional. These cases are reflective of the transmission within the community, Quincy is in the middle of the post-Thanksgiving spike.
Mr. Gutro asked if these are the highest numbers that the City of Quincy has seen. Commissioner Jones said that in the spring, Quincy was averaging 30-40 cases per day. The City is currently averaging 50 or more cases per day.
Mr. Gutro asked about close contacts for positive cases, Commissioner Jones said it varies from two or three to whole classrooms for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten.
Mr. Gutro asked about staffing challenges relating to quarantine of close contacts. Superintendent Mulvey said that it is a challenge, Principals, Assistant Principals, and Coddington staff members have covered classes, staff have had their assignments shifted, and all are working collaboratively to ensure that classes are staffed appropriately. Superintendent Mulvey said there have been some parent requests to transfer to remote in response to cases.
Mrs. Lebo asked about student schedule changes based on quarantining, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins said that schools are working with families to provide remote access during quarantine.
Mr. Bregoli asked about false positive diagnoses, Commissioner Jones said that the rapid antigen tests have been unreliable and so we continue to recommend that staff and families seek PCR testing, which is the most reliable. The most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) allow for antigen tests to shorten quarantine, but turnaround times for tests are lagging. Commissioner Jones said the new quarantine guidance is a confusing array of options.
Mr. Bregoli asked for clarification on the in-school transmission. A positive staff member caused a classroom quarantine, and one student with no other source of transmission was also diagnosed as positive. In the other situation, two staff members in the same classroom are positive.
Mr. Bregoli asked about variables in testing, Commissioner Jones agreed that a reputable source is important as it can be disruptive to quarantine based on a false positive result or a false negative continuing to interact and possibly infect other people.
Mr. Bregoli noted that Dr. Fauci has recently advised that students be in schools and is looking to Governor Baker to make a determination that three-foot distancing will be acceptable and school districts can return to in-person learning. Mr. Bregoli continues to be concerned about students’ well-being and wants the public to know that this isn’t the Mayor, School Committee, or Superintendent’s decision at this point but the state guidance.
Mr. Bregoli asked about the possibility of livestream hybrid instruction for high school students, Superintendent Mulvey said he will update later in the Superintendent’s Report.
Commissioner Jones agreed that it is best for students to be in school and there are no easy answers, we are constantly looking at the numbers and the guidance and trying to make the best decision to keep everyone safe.
Mrs. Lebo asked whether there was a breakdown in protocol that led to in-school transmission. Commissioner Jones said the nature of these classrooms leads to the possibility, staff are working closely and even with masks on, exposure is possible. Commissioner Jones said with three-foot distancing, it is more likely that classrooms will have to be closed when there is a positive case.
Mr. Bregoli asked about hospitalizations and deaths. Commissioner Jones said there are rarely students hospitalized and the death rate has been very low in the last few months. Commissioner Jones that nursing home cases are starting to rise again and that is of concern and entire household being positive, some are multi-generational.
Mrs. Hubley asked about difficulty in scheduling testing as there is a high demand currently. Ms. Bailey said that the school nurses advise staff members and families on 10-12 test locations, the list is updated regularly and families are advised to contact their pediatricians as well.
Mrs. Lebo agreed that families consulting their pediatrician first is the best route to secure a testing appointment.
Mr. Andronico thanked Commissioner Jones for her help throughout the pandemic.
Superintendent Mulvey introduced City of Quincy Mechanical Engineer David Scott, he and his team have recently completed the second round of CO2 testing in Quincy Public Schools buildings and the report was shared with School Committee. Mr. Scott said that all schools were re-tested now that the hybrid option available at all grade levels, 351 rooms were sampled. One room was above 1100 ppm, 8 rooms were between 800 and 1100 ppm, and 18 rooms were between 700 and 800 ppm. The levels of CO2 are affected by the number of people within a space breathing/exhaling, so the ventilation rate must be adjusted accordingly. All rooms above 800 ppm were specifically addressed and will be monitored and the rooms between 700 and 800 will also be monitored to insure optimal ventilation.
The exhaust system has been upgraded at the Wollaston Elementary School, windows installed in the basement level at Atherton Hough and Montclair Elementary School, and the air handlers upgraded at Lincoln Hancock Community School, specifically to address rooms without windows.
Mrs. Hubley asked for clarification on the window installation, these are the total number of basement level windows in these two schools. Commissioner Hines said that at Montclair, a stationary window unit is on order to be replaced.
Mrs. Lebo is grateful that Quincy Public Schools has this level of expertise to draw on within the City.
Superintendent Mulvey updated that Quincy Public Schools enrollment is 9,707 in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, with 52% of students learning remotely and 48% of students learning in person or under the hybrid model. Approximately 15 registrations are in process at Central Registration. Mrs. Lebo requested data on in-person learners accessing classrooms remotely or taking courses fully online through Acellus and Superintendent Mulvey said this analysis is underway.
For technology issues, over 4,000 Chromebooks have been distributed, along with 100 Internet Hotspots. Quincy Public Schools is expecting delivery of 625 additional hotspots from DESE by the end of December. All 500 Internet Wireless Access Points have been installed to date. The student email addresses will be launched December 14 for Grades 3-12, communication is going out to parents tomorrow and will improve communication between teachers, students, and parents. Email usage will be limited to within the district to ensure student security.
Mr. Gutro asked about the issue with communication with certain email domains, Superintendent Mulvey said that the Mayor’s Office has been assisting on determining a permanent solution for the repeated blocking of Quincy Public Schools emails. Mr. Gutro asked for information on the number of undeliverable emails through the Quincy Public Schools server, Superintendent Mulvey will follow up on this issue.
Mr. Scott rejoined the meeting to make a clarification about opening windows to increase ventilation. During the winter months, opening windows at either end of the classroom slightly is sufficient to assist air circulation. All Quincy Public Schools buildings are mechanically ventilated and opening the windows slightly helps with keeping the school buildings comfortable.
Superintendent Mulvey thanked Mr. Scott, he had previously shared this information with principals. Superintendent Mulvey said a recent DESE webinar provided the same information for school districts statewide.
The School Nutrition department, under the direction of Sara Dufour and Jane Minton, will be distributing holiday meal kits to families on Monday, December 21. Families can call the School Nutrition department before December 11 to reserve a meal for their families.
Computer Science Week is December 7-11 and will be observed with special activities at all grade levels, including the Hour of Code at code.org. The QPS Fall 2020 Re-Opening Student Survey is active through December 18 for students in Grades 5-8. Recent Virtual Parent Academies included The Importance of Picture Books on November 30; NWEA MAP Growth on December 1; and the QPS Fall 2020 Re-Entry Parent Survey data presentation on December 2. Members of the Superintendents Leadership Team also presented the survey data to the Citywide Parent Council.
Thanks to Public Buildings Commissioner Paul Hines and Director of Energy & Sustainability Shelly Dein, the Point Webster Middle School is the recipient of a $200,000 grant to upgrade all lighting fixtures and controls in the school building. The work will be completed in December and January outside of school hours.
Superintendent Mulvey concluded his report by recognizing the undefeated Quincy High School Girls Volleyball team, winners of the Patriot Cup. Congratulations to Coach Jacqui Niosi, the entire team, and coaching staff on a great season.
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