Quincy Public Schools

A meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room at the Coddington Building. Superintendent Kevin Mulvey called the roll and present were Mayor Thomas P. Koch, School Committee Chair and School Committee Members Mr. Paul Bregoli Mrs. Tina Cahill, Mr. Douglas Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Mrs. Emily Lebo, and Mr. Frank Santoro, Vice Chair.

Also present were: Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Ms. Kim Connolly, Ms. Allison Cox, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Peggy Farren, Ms. Andrea Huwar, Ms. Karen McPartlin, Mr. James Mullaney, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, and Mr. Lawrence Taglieri.

A moment of silence for those who protect the safety of our community at home and overseas.

Mr. Santoro read the following statement into the record: Pursuant to the Open Meeting Law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit the meeting through any medium. Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unperceived by those present and are deemed acknowledged and permissible.

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Regular Meeting

Vice-Chair Presiding

Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting for September 14, 2022. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Approval of Minutes

Parent Maureen Kirby spoke about concerns with security and response to incidents at school events, specifically high school football games due to an incident with her student at a recent game.

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Open Forum

Mayor Koch made a motion to take the Agenda out of order and move to Item IX. Executive Session for the purpose of hearing a Level 3 Grievance at 6:40 pm. Mrs. Cahill seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0. School Committee will return to the Regular Meeting following the conclusion of Executive Session.

School Committee returned to the Regular Meeting from Executive Session at 7:30 pm and resumed the order of the agenda.

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Executive Session

Mr. Santoro noted that the first three items in the Superintendent’s would be included in the School Committee Meeting minutes, but not reviewed during the School Committee Meeting.

The Department of Elementary & Secondary Education will publicly release the Spring 2022 MCAS Data and Accountability information on Thursday, September 29. School districts have had access to this data but have been embargoed from releasing to families. Individual score reports will be mailed out to families by mid-October.

The Quincy Public Schools Assessment Calendarwas shared with School Committee in their packets. This is the schedule of MAP and Amplify MClass Early Literacy Universal & Dyslexia screenings given three times per year, followed by Integrated Learning Team meetings for Grades K-8. Preliminary dates for ACCESS (for English Learner students) and MCAS assessments were also provided and will be updated as they are finalized.

In support of enhancing positive school culture and building school spirit, both high schools have hosted events recently. The NQHS Homecoming Dance was held on Saturday, September 24 in the school gymnasium, attended by 630 students and guests. Thanks to the parent volunteers who supported the school staff in hosting this event. The Quincy High School Roll Hats weekend featured a Girls Volleyball game on Friday, September 23 which was attended by students, parents, and team alumnae who cheered on the 3-0 win vs. Plymouth South. On Saturday, September 24, the Boys & Girls Soccer had hard-fought losses to Pembroke and Football capped off the weekend with a thrilling last-minute score to win 48-46 over Westwood. Thanks to all the volunteers who supported our students and the athletics staff.

The Quincy Public Schools Constructing Your Future Event will be held on October 4at Quincy High School. This Career Day event with will provide students from Quincy High School and North Quincy High School with an overview of careers in all phases of construction from preconstruction, virtual design, project management, field work, and safety.

Point Webster Middle School is the recipient of a multi-year donation from Good Sports, Inc., which pairs local schools with anonymous donors of athletics equipment and clothing for students. Principal Christine Barrett had the opportunity to complete a wishlist of items for use in the school gymnasium and outside on the new turf field and these items, along with a selection of athletics shoes and tee-shirts in multiple sizes, will be shipped to the school in October. The initial donation is valued at close to $5,000 and is renewable for three additional donations over the next two years. Thanks also to the Quincy School~Community Partnership for covering the shipping costs for the equipment.

Superintendent Mulvey concluded his report by sharing an update on the Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts (GLEAM) Grant: Quincy Public Schools has been awarded continuation funding in the amount of $594,942 for year 2. This grant will support the purchase and implementation of high-quality core literacy materials for our K-5 students. Last year, over 40 teachers participated in a pilot, created an ELA Instructional Vision Statement and voted on Amplify CKLA or Core Knowledge Language Arts as our new core ELA program. In addition, the GLEAM grant provides funding for professional development for all teachers and administrators and literacy consultancy to create a full implementation plan and data analysis and impact.

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Superintendent’s

Report

Mr. Bregoli reviewed that a revision of School Committee Policy 9.11.5 Promotion & Graduation Requirements was approved at the Policy Subcommittee meeting on September 22, 2022. Superintendent Mulvey noted that the revision documents the reinstatement of the Community Service Requirement for high school students. The revised Policy will be posted on the Quincy Public Schools website for public comment and is eligible for vote at the October 12, 2022.

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Old Business

Revision of School

Committee Policy 9.11.5

(Discussion)

Senior Director Maura Papile presented the 2022-2023 Student Support Services Program Improvement Plan, beginning with a reflection of last year’s goals. Initiatives were supported through grant funding, including the creation of adjustment counselor positions at the high schools. Outside resources supporting Social-Emotional Learning and related Professional Development include Walker Therapeutic, Quincy Asian Resources Inc., the Collaborative for Academic Social & Emotional Learning (CASEL), the Restorative Institute at Suffolk University, and Open Parachute. Restorative practices were introduced at all school levels to provide a framework for community building and addressing issues of communication. There was an increase in high-risk incidents at schools, in part due to the effects of the pandemic and extended social isolation and multiple interventions were put in place for building skills and helping students learn coping mechanisms. North Quincy High School Psychologist Peggy Farren and Quincy High School Adjustment Counselor Karin McPartlin shared specifics of how the high schools worked with the students on rebuilding students’ feelings of security, empathy, and inclusion.

Student Support Services Goals for 2022-2023 are: (1) the Student Support Restorative Practices & Equity Work Group will analyze high-risk data that identifies students at-risk system-wide throughout the school year, ending in June 2023. The data analysis will provide guidance for a range of multi-tiered interventions system-wide. (2) The Student Support Restorative Practices & Equity Work Group will provide guidance and support for Tier 2 Restorative Practices Implementation & Social-Emotional Learning Opportunities through Open Parachute by June 2023. (3) Student Support staff will participate in 10 hours of Professional Development to support the implementation of restorative practices that address harm and conflict at their respective sites by September 2022 through June 2023. (4) The Student Support staff will review the overview, scope and sequence of the Open Parachute SEL Progam and plan for implementation with the district and site teams by October 2022. (5) The Supervisors of Attendance will assist sites in early interventions with students that are at high-risk of attendance issues during the 2022-2023 academic year. (6) The Supervisors of Attendance will assist sites in verifying residency during the 2022-2023 academic year. (7) The Homeless Liaison will provide education and training for parents of homeless students regarding the rights of their children under the McKinney-Vento Act and provide parents with educational resources and other resources available to their children. (8) The Homeless Liaison will meet with community agencies and Student Support staff in order to collaborate regarding resources available to homeless students and families by November 2022.

Mayor Koch thanked Ms. Papile and her team for their work with addressing the long-term effects of the pandemic, so proud and grateful to all of our staff for the remarkable work and caring for our students.

Mr. Gutro asked for clarification on high-risk behaviors. Ms. Papile said these are reports of self-harm (threat or action). Students may notify a staff member, a concerned friend, family member, or staff member may also notify staff.

Mrs. Lebo thanked Ms. Papile for the integration of social-emotional learning with the curriculum and providing professional development to all staff to be aware of their student issues transitioning back to in-person learning.

Mr. Bregoli asked about having the Living Out Loud groups at all middle schools. Ms. Papile said that it is a matter of building capacity, the goal is to have all middle schools involved by next school year.

Mrs. Cahill thanked the presenters, the Open Parachute program will provide tools for curriculum-area staff to recognize students in crisis, provide supports, and reach out for referrals.

Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the 2022-2023 Student Support Services Program Improvement Plan. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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New Business

Student Support

Services PIP

Coordinator Andrea Huwar presented the 2022-2023 Health Services Program Improvement Plan, reflecting on the 2021-2022 goals and the continuing collaboration with the Alliance for Healthier Generation. For last school year, the main focus was awareness of COVID-19 protocols, prevention strategies, and monitoring for symptoms. School nurses played a crucial role in administering the in-school COVID-19 testing programs (symptomatic testing, pooled testing, and Test & Stay) and made contacts with 10,000 students and staff members for positive COVID-19 cases, symptoms, or close contacts and quarantine. School nurses documented 75,870 student encounters, with a 90.2% return to class rate. 2,574 students have specialized health needs, 137 diagnosed concussions were monitored, and 10,019 doses of prescription medications were administered. Nursing staff also communicated with school staff, parents and guardians, and outside medical providers; monitor students’ immunizations records for compliance with state guidelines; and performed required screenings for vision and hearing.

Health Services Goals for 2022-2023 are: (1) to help identify and implement in collaboration with individual school wellness teams, new wellness initiatives by November 2022. The nurses will continue to work with wellness team members to help create and sustain a healthy environment where students can learn and flourish. (2) to participate in five Professional Development programs that concentrate on enhancing nursing skills, assessments, knowledge about mandated screening, and utilizing SNAP with best practices to reduce paper usage in the Health Office. (3) The Health, Nutrition & Wellness Advisory Team will review and update the Quincy Public Schools Wellness Policy as needed by June 2023. This will include submitting a draft revised Policy to the Quincy School Committee by March 2023. (4) The Health, Nutrition & Wellness Advisory Team will provide guidance and support to individual school wellness teams throughout the 2022-2023 school year.

Mrs. Cahill asked about the Big Smiles program, this is a mobile dental program that travels to each school with portable dental equipment for cleanings and x-rays for students. Parents can elect for their students to participate.

Mrs. Lebo thanked all of the school nurses, last year was such a stress for our staff, especially managing the testing programs.

Mr. Bregoli asked about CPR training for middle school students, Ms. Huwar said we are looking to re-start the program in March after a 3-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

Mrs. Cahill made a motion to approve the 2022-2023 Health Services Program Improvement Plan. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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New Business

Health Services PIP

Mr. Bregoli made a motion to refer a School Committee Policy 9.7.12 Service Animals to the Policy Subcommittee for review and revision. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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New Business

Referral to

Subcommittee

There was no Additional Business.

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Additional Business

Mr. Santoro noted that Regular School Committee meetings are scheduled for October 12 and 26, 2022; November 16, 2022; and December 7, 2022 at 6:30 pm at the Coddington Building. Upcoming Subcommittee meetings include Budget & Finance on October 19, 2022 at 6:00 pm, followed by a Policy Subcommittee meeting at 6:30 pm.

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Communications

Mr. Santoro noted that School Committee and Subcommittee meeting minutes are posted on the School Committee page of the Quincy Public Schools website.

Mr. Bregoli reviewed the Policy Subcommittee meeting held on September 22, 2022, where a revision of School Committee Policy 9.11.5 Promotion & Graduation Requirements was approved. Discussion was also held around the creation of a personal electronic device use Policy and it was agreed that the Quincy Public Schools staff should be surveyed as a starting point.

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Reports of

Subcommittees

Mayor Koch wished a Happy New Year to all members of the community who celebrated Rosh Hashannah this week.

Mayor Koch made a motion to adjourn at 8:45 pm, seconded by Mr. Bregoli. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Adjournment