Quincy Public Schools

Minutes

Quincy School Committee Athletics & Wellness Subcommittee Meeting

A meeting of the Athletics & Wellness Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 6:00 pm in the Coddington Building. Present were Subcommittee Members Mr. Doug Gutro, Mrs. Emily Lebo, and Mrs. Tina Cahill, Chair. Also present were School Committee Members Mr. Paul Bregoli and Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Ms. Kim Connolly, Ms. Julie Graham, Mr. Kevin Mahoney, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Larry Taglieri, and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

Quincy Public Schools Athletic Director Kevin Mahoney presented a review of Fall 2022 Athletics (Cross Country, Football, Boys Golf, Soccer, Girls Volleyball). At Quincy High School, over 250 student-athletes competed, 13 Patriot League All-Stars. The Girls Volleyball team competed in the first round of the MIAA playoffs; 1 student qualified for the Cross-Country State Championship Meet. At North Quincy High School, there were over 260 student-athletes, 13 Patriot League All-Stars, 1 Fisher Division MVP/Boston Globe All-Scholastic. The Girls Volleyball team won the Patriot League Fisher Division title and competed in the first two rounds of the MIAA playoffs. 1 student qualified for the Cross-Country State Championship Meet.

For Winter 2023 (Basketball, Hockey, Indoor Track, Swimming, Skiing, and Wrestling), Quincy High School had 187 student-athletes, 11 Patriot League All-Stars, 2 Fisher Division MVPs, and qualifiers for the State Swimming, Indoor Track, and Wrestling meets. The Girls Basketball team competed in the first two rounds of the MIAA tournament. Quincy High School had a slight decrease in participation, with lower numbers for Boys Hockey. Going forward, we may be looking at combined team with North Quincy High School as the numbers in youth hockey are low. North Quincy High School saw an increase in participation with 206 student-athletes, especially for indoor track and skiing (1st year as a Varsity sport). 15 Patriot League All-Stars, 1 Fisher Division MVP 1 Patriot League MVP, and qualifiers for the State Swimming, Indoor Track, and Alpine Ski meets. Boys Basketball and Hockey both qualified for the MIAA Tournament, with 1st round games Thursday and Friday (Basketball)

Mr. Gutro asked about the timeline for moving to a Co-op Boys Hockey team. Mr. Mahoney said that the middle school youth hockey numbers are very low. The first step would be to request a waiver from the other schools in the Patriot League.

Mr. Bregoli asked about the Co-Op teams that currently exist: Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Girls Hockey, Sailing (Co-Ed), Swimming, Wrestling, Boys Lacrosse. Mr. Mahoney said that Outdoor Track may split to have individual school teams due to numbers.

Mr. Bregoli asked about budget issues, Mr. Mahoney said it was more on the supply chain side. Product was not available to fill orders, football helmets were a nationwide shortage. Mr. Bregoli asked the process for approving apparel purchases be added to a future School Committee agenda.

Mrs. Lebo asked how many coaches are QPS employees, Mr. Mahoney said the majority are either at high school or middle school educators. Mrs. Lebo asked about supervision of coaches, and would like a review of the orientation for coaches at an upcoming meeting.

Mrs. Cahill asked if the participation rates are consistent across the league. Mr. Mahoney said the teams that are currently co-op are consistent within Patriot League and the state.

Mrs. Cahill asked how Grade 8 students learn about Athletics opportunity, the Grade 8 Open House in the fall and the June fly up days are opportunities for students and parents to receive information.

Mrs. Cahill asked about monitoring the high school locker rooms; Mr. Mahoney said that the coaches are responsible before and after practice and home games. Mr. Mahoney said that security guards will be more of a presence in the area for the time after school until the coaches arrive.

Mr. Gutro asked if the Girls Hockey team has Grade 8 students playing on waivers and Mr. Mahoney confirmed. Mr. Mahoney said this could be considered for Boys Hockey.

Mr. Mahoney continued with a preview of Spring 2023 Athletics (Baseball, Softball, Outdoor Track, Girls Golf, Boys & Girls Lacrosse, Sailing). The season begins March 20, registration is underway.

For Middle Schools, Mr. Mahoney reviewed that in the fall, Tennis and Cross Country are offered. For the winter, Volleyball and Wrestling are completed; Swimming is underway and will finish in early April. In the spring, Outdoor Track is involved. Nominal fees are charged for each of these. Mrs. Hubley asked to review the fees in Budget & Finance Subcommittee.

Mr. Bregoli asked about the stipends for the middle school coaches, Mr. Mahoney said the stipends range from $500 to $2300 depending on the level of student participation. These stipends are contractual.

Mr. Mahoney addressed the issue of helmets for Girls Lacrosse, the MIAA does not recommend this as equipment for girls. (Boys wear helmets as part of required equipment.) Mr. Mahoney said the rules are different from Boys and Girls Lacrosse, there are penalties for contact in the Girls game.

Mrs. Hubley asked if a parent wanted the student to wear a helmet, would it be allowed. Mr. Mahoney said that he would research further with the MIAA.

Mrs. Lebo made a motion to adjourn the Athletics & Wellness Subcommittee meeting at 6:45 pm. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Agenda

Quincy School Committee Teaching & Learning Subcommittee

Mrs. Emily Lebo, Teaching & Learning Chair
Mrs. Tina Cahill & Mr. Frank Santoro, Subcommittee Members

Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 6:30 pm
Coddington Building, School Committee Room

1. Social-Emotional Learning Update - Ms. Papile

Members of the public can access the meeting in person or live on QATV Channel 22 or at qatv.org. The meeting will also be recorded for rebroadcast and posted on Friday, March 3, 2023 on the QPS SchoolTube channel.

Minutes

Quincy School Committee Teaching & Learning Subcommittee Meeting

A meeting of the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee was held on March 1, 2023 at 6:45 pm in the Coddington Building. Present were Subcommittee member Mrs. Tina Cahill and Mrs. Emily Lebo, Subcommittee Chair. Also present were School Committee Members Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mr. Doug Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley; Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Ms. Kim Connolly, Ms. Mairead Convey, Ms. Amy Finlay, Ms. Julie Graham, Ms. Maura Papile, Mr. Conor Pound, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Larry Taglieri; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

Senior Director of Student Support Services Maura Papile, Elementary Guidance Counselor Mairead Convey, Middle School Health Educator Conor Pound, and High School Psychologist Amy Finlay presented an overview of the Quincy Public Schools Approach to Social-Emotional Learning. Social-Emotional Learning has been shown to have a wide range of positive outcomes: improved attendance, sense of belonging, and graduation rates, decreased suspension rates. There are five areas of social-emotional competence: self-awareness; self-management; social awareness; relationship skills; and responsible decision-making. The Quincy Public Schools framework for Social-Emotional Learning includes Leadership & Professional Development; school-wide social-emotional learning; accessible curriculum; relevant content; and student voice and belonging.

For elementary schools, the Open Parachute curriculum has been implemented with classroom lessons conducted by Guidance Counselors. School-wide initiatives include the PBIS Character Traits monthly focus, restorative practices to build relationships and empathy, set norms, and address low-level conflicts. Diversity, equity, and inclusion is supported through monthly themes, with supporting activities and lessons.

The Open Parachute program lessons can be used for whole class or small groups, led by a teacher, school psychologist, guidance, or administrator. Each lesson contains remarks and explanations, providing the language to help frame discussion in a particular topic and parent resources. Topics include friendship and family challenges, boundary-setting, self-esteem, effective communication, and resilience.

At the middle school level, topics include understanding feelings; conflict resolution; diversity, inclusion, and belonging; bullying and boundary setting; overcoming stereotypes. School-wide initiatives include Mix-It Up Lunch days, themes for each month; peer-led initiatives such as random acts of kindness. Partners include the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center and DOVE.

At the high school level, topics include post-graduate planning; healthy relationships; identity-based respect and belonging; giving and receiving support; and life after high school. Ms. Finlay shared a community-building video created for Quincy High School that highlights the positive components of the school and encouraged students to participate in clubs and activities to cultivate a sense of belonging. The QHS Cultural Fair is Wednesday, March 8; DEI Initiatives include professional development on culturally-responsive teaching and restorative practices. Post-Graduate planning includes the annual College Fair & Information Night, the new Trade and Military Fair, Common Application Bootcamp (summer), scholarship opportunities. This work begins in earnest at the end of junior year. The DOVE YouthSpeak program is an important partnership in supporting development of healthy relationships; there are a number of small-group interventions, including grief/loss, anxiety management, organizational skills, social skills, LGBTQ+ and allies. Strategies for coping, suicide awareness, mindfulness are shared through classroom lessons. The Open Parachute platform provides immediate feedback through the exit tickets, so there are opportunities for follow up about student concerns. The Open Parachute program also has extensive parent resources on mental health, addictive patterns, boundary and consent, anxiety and depression, and trauma. Ms. Findlay is creating monthly videos to share with families.

Ms. Papile said the staff are working very hard to ensure that social-emotional learning is integrated into the classrooms at all levels.

Mrs. Cahill said this is amazing and important work, asked about the scheduling. Ms. Papile said Open Parachute is new and being implemented this year in addition to existing programs such as Second Step. The experience of this year will inform future planning, the exit tickets are important to evaluate the success of the program. Ms. Papile said it will be difficult to assess if students feel better, but culture and climate surveys, attendance, and suspension rates are all indicators.

Mrs. Hubley said that at the recent presentation on the Bullying regulations, there was an emphasis on bullying vs. conflict and reiterated that it is important to educate parents and students on the difference.

Mrs. Lebo complimented the lesson tracker being used at Merrymount, hopes that other schools can implement as well. Mrs. Lebo said the partnerships with DOVE and MARC are important, glad to see that all middle schools have this program. Mrs. Lebo suggested a Parent Academy for the Open Parachute curriculum. Mrs. Lebo asked about how the lessons are implemented at North Quincy High School, Ms. Papile said the Health Interventionist is pushing in to curriculum area classes.

Mrs. Cahill made a motion to adjourn at 8:15 pm, seconded by Mrs. Lebo. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Agenda

Quincy School Committee Special Meeting

Mayor Thomas P. Koch, Chair
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 7:00 pm
Coddington Building, School Committee Room

Executive Session: Contract Negotiations - Mayor Koch