Sept. 11, 2019 School Committee Meeting

Agenda

Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

Wednesday, September 11, 2019, 6:30 pm
Coddington Building

I. Approval of Minutes:

A. Regular Meeting Minutes for June 13, 2019
B. Special Organizational Meeting Minutes for September 4, 2019

II. Open Forum:

An opportunity for community input regarding the Quincy Public Schools.
Community in this context is defined as a resident of the City of Quincy, a parent of a student who attends the Quincy Public Schools, or an employee of the Quincy Public Schools. Non-community persons not permitted to speak at Open Forum may submit written statements to the School Committee. After giving his or her name and address, each speaker may make a presentation of no more than four minutes to the School Committee. An individual may not exchange their time or yield to others.

III. Superintendent’s Report:

A. Inspire Quincy
B. New Professional Staff Orientation
C. Public Buildings Summer Projects
D. Vaping Detection Pilot Program
E. Preliminary QPS Enrollment
F. School Committee Organizational Meeting
G. Squantum Elementary School MSBA Senior Study
H. South~West Middle School Dedication and Open House, October 27
I. Homework & Website Initiative Updates
J. Aspen Update #26
K. Upcoming Events: Robotics, Tech/Engineering, Vaping/Nicotine Prevention
L. Parent Academy Schedule
M. Fall Open House Dates
School Committee Meeting Agenda -2- September 11, 2019
N. ArtsFest, September 27-29
O. City of Presidents 5K Run/Walk, Sunday, September 29

IV. Old Business:

A. Update of School Committee Policy 10.18 Anti-Bullying (VOTE) - Mr. Bregoli
B. Update of School Committee Policy 10.5.7 Homeless Students Enrollment Rights and Services (VOTE) - Mr. Bregoli
C. Creation of School Committee Policy 10.5.8 Foster Care Students Enrollment Rights and Services (VOTE) - Mr. Bregoli

V. New Business:

A. QPS Initiative Planning 2019-2020 - Dr. DeCristofaro, Ms. Forrester
B. School Nurse Appointments
C. Revision of School Committee Policy 10.8.5 QPS Smoking - Mr. Gutro
by Students for referral to Policy Subcommittee - Mrs. Lebo
D, Overnight Travel (In State): North Quincy High School AFJROTC to Camp
Edwards, Bourne, Massachusetts September 25-29, 2019.

VI. Additional Business:

VII. Communications:

A. Upcoming School Committee Meetings: September 25, 2019 (Coddington
Building); October 16, 2019 (South~West Middle School Auditorium); and
October 30, 2019 (Coddington Building) all at 6:30 pm.
B. Upcoming Subcommittee Meetings (at the Coddington Building): Wednesday,
October 9: Quarterly Budget & Finance at 6:00 pm; Facilities & Security at 6:15
pm; and Policy at 6:45 pm.

VIII. Reports of Subcommittees:

Mrs. Lebo to report on the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee held on June 17, 2019.

IX. Executive Session:

None

X. Adjournment:

Minutes

Quincy, Massachusetts – September 11, 2019

Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, September 11, 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. Douglas Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, and Mrs. Emily Lebo, Vice Chair.

Vice-Chair Presiding

Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk; Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Marisa Forrester, Mr. James Mullaney, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla; and Quincy Education Association President Allison Cox.

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There was a moment of silence for the victims of the September 11 and their families. Dr. DeCristofaro also recognized three retired Quincy Public Schools Paraprofessionals who passed away over the summer: Olga Franceschini, Debra McDowell, and Ena Disalvio.

Mrs. Lebo 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 Minutes Approved 6.12.2019

Mrs. Hubley made a motion, seconded by Mr. Bregoli to approve the Regular Meeting minutes for June 12, 2019 as presented. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Special Organizational Meeting Minutes Approved 9.4.2019

Mrs. Hubley made a motion, seconded by Mr. Andronico to approve the Special Organizational Meeting minutes for September 4, 2019 as presented. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Open Forum

As no one wished to speak at Open Forum, School Committee moved onto the next item on the agenda.

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Superintendent's Report

Dr. DeCristofaro opened the Superintendent’s Report with the Inspire Quincy video featuring the New Professional Educator Orientation event, interviews with students at the new South~West Middle School, and the Quincy School~Community Partnership backpack and school supply donations.

Dr. DeCristofaro reviewed the Administrative appointments from Summer 2019: Courtney Mitchell, Principal, Merrymount Elementary School; Aliza Schneller, Principal, Atlantic Middle School; Kristen Dwyer, Assistant Principal, Lincoln Hancock Community School; Mary Hurley, Assistant Principal, Montclair Elementary School; Paul Griffith, Assistant Principal, Central Middle School; Susan DeCoste, Assistant Principal, Point Webster Middle School; Susan Foley, Assistant Principal, South~West Middle School; Helena Skinner, Assistant Principal for Student Support & Operations and Noreen Holland, Assistant Principal for Teaching & Learning, both at North Quincy High School; Heather Wojcik, Coordinator of English Learner Education; and Marisa Forrester, Coordinator of Data & Assessment.

Recent Quincy Public Schools events included the New Professional Staff Orientation, thanks to the Superintendent’s Leadership Team and Principals for the planning and execution of this two-day event.

Dr. DeCristofaro thanked Mayor Koch and the School Committee for the FY2020 Budget, the funding providing for consistency of staffing and services, increasing Academic Classroom Teachers, Academic Program Teachers (Special Education, English Learners, Art, Music), continued the funding for Quincy Evening High School, Academic Support (Guidance, School Nurses, Central Registration, Translation, Tutoring, Extracurricular Activities), Academic Expenses (Quincy Historical Society, Books & Periodicals, Transportation, Custodial).

Dr. DeCristofaro shared information on the Summer Professional Development opportunities for the staff at elementary, middle, and high school. Thanks to Public Buildings and the Park & Forestry Department for their work on maintenance and improvements at all Quincy Public Schools over the summer.

Preliminary enrollment is estimated at around 9,800 students, an increase of 50-60 students over last year. October 1 enrollment data will be shared at the October 16 School Committee meeting. As of today, Elementary class size average is 19 students; 75% are in classes of 20 or fewer. 87% of middle school sections are at 24 or below and 80% of high school sections are at 25 students or below.

Staff from the Massachusetts School Building Authority visited the Squantum Elementary School today for a Senior Study visit, a preliminary step to potentially being invited into the Eligibility Phase of the MSBA process.

The South~West Middle School Dedication and Open House is scheduled for Sunday, October 27, time to be announced.

For the Homework Initiative, the next meeting is Friday, September 20 at 9:00 am. This meeting will be posted as a public meeting so any interested School Committee member may attend. Survey data will be reviewed and potential Policy revision to be discussed. The new Quincy Public Schools website planning is underway, thanks to the funding provided by Mayor Koch. Mr. Andronico reviewed that Mr. Cavallo has begun working with the High School Principals on cleaning up the current website content and will meet with Elementary and Middle School Principals in September. With a January 2020 projected release date, training will take place in December and there will be posted meetings for input from the community in October.

Dr. DeCristofaro reviewed recent grants received by Quincy Public Schools: $148,000 for QHS for Broadcasting equipment; $10,000 for Technology Engineering classroom at Point Webster Middle School; $7,000 in memory of Luc Theberge to create a Robotics program for Grades 9 & 10 at both high schools. Beth Israel Deaconess Milton is providing $15,000 over three years for Vaping prevention, resources, and education for high school students and parents, thanks to Maura Papile for leadership in this area. Norfolk County District Attorney Morrissey’s office has provided a grant for $3,000 for Vaping detection equipment which will be installed at both high schools as a pilot, with the goal of expanding to middle schools in the near future. The DARE officers will also be incorporating Vaping information into their curriculum to complement the work of our Health Educators. Both high schools will be hosting Parent Information events following their first PTO meetings of the year.

Dr. DeCristofaro noted that Aspen Publication #26 was shared with School Committee, along with the Fall Open House Schedule. The ArtsFest will be held on the weekend of September 27-29 and the City of Presidents 5K Road Race/Walk will be September 29 at 9:30 am.

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Old Business

Revision of School Committee Policy 10.18 QPS Anti-Bullying Policy (Vote)

Mr. Gutro made a motion to approve the proposed revision to School Committee Policy 10.18 Quincy Public Schools Anti-Bullying Policy. Mr. DeAmicis seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.

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Revision of School Committee Policy Section 10.5.7 Homeless Students (Vote)

Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the proposed revision to School Committee Policy 10.5.7 Homeless Students Enrollment Rights and Services. Mr. DeAmicis seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.

Creation of School Committee Policy Section 10.5.8 Foster Care Students (Vote)

Mr. Andronico made a motion to approve the creation of School Committee Policy 10.5.8 Foster Care Students Enrollment Rights and Services. Mr. DeAmicis seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.

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Mayor Koch left the meeting at 7:10 pm.

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New Business

QPS Initiative Planning 2019-2020

Dr. DeCristofaro shared that among the many new and retained QPS Initiatives, analysis of the VOCAL Survey data and programmatic changes based on its findings will be a priority for the Superintendent’s Leadership Team. Dr. DeCristofaro then introduced the new Coordinator of Data & Assessment Marisa Forrester who reviewed the Preliminary District results for the VOCAL Survey. The VOCAL Survey was completed by students in Grades 4, 5, 8, and 10 as part of the online MCAS test administration in Spring 2019.

VOCAL results are broken down by Dimensions and Topics: Engagement (Cultural Competence, Participation, Relationships); Environment (Discipline, Instruction, Mental Health); Safety (Bullying/Cyber-Bullying, Emotional Safety, Physical Safety). On the survey, students chose from the following answer options: Always True, Mostly True, Mostly Untrue, Never True.

In terms of item analysis, the results were very positive, with several areas of concern that were common across the grades. School sites can see their individual data for dimensions and topics. Ms. Forrester presented areas of strength and concern for each grade level and an analysis of common or similar questions across grade level. The Index Score Analysis indicates that Quincy Public Schools falls in the Typical School Climate range, although the 2019 Index Score Analysis is not yet available from DESE.

Dr. DeCristofaro said that the grade level results will be analyzed across the school system and used with the grade levels in their current grades (Grade 4 VOCAL students now in Grade 5, Grade 5 VOCAL students now in Grade 6, Grade 8 VOCAL students now in Grade 9, Grade 10 VOCAL students now in Grade 11).

Mr. Gutro welcomed Ms. Forrester to her new position, is looking forward many opportunities to incorporate data analysis. Refer the survey results to Subcommittee? Mr. Gutro asked about the complete range of questions across the grades, and Ms. Forrester noted that the complete survey is available on the DESE website. Mr. Gutro asked about the Index Categorization and Dr. DeCristofaro said that DESE has not released the actual range, these are projected results, the students responses are very positive. Dr. DeCristofaro said looking at this from a school district perspective, there is a lot to be proud of. There are obvious areas to work on, such as the common response that students do not always see themselves in the classroom materials. Mr. Gutro requested to see the school level results before the School Improvement Plans review.

Mrs. Hubley suggested that the Library Media Specialists can be part of the review of the curriculum materials. Mrs. Hubley noted the high percentage of students who indicated they feel safe in their schools.

Mr. Andronico welcomed Ms. Forrester, this type of information will assist with goal-setting as it provides specific data on student perceptions about bullying and stress/anxiety.

Mr. Bregoli thanked Ms. Forrester for the thorough and succinct presentation. Mr. Bregoli agreed that the results about students feeling pressure about grades is an area of concern.

Mrs. Lebo thanked Ms. Forrester, agreed with Mr. Gutro’s request that reports like this will be part of the packet that School Committee receive ahead of the meeting so that there is time for review. Mrs. Lebo reiterated that there is some inconsistencies with the questions and no information about why a question was included at a particular grade level and not at others.

Mr. Gutro made a motion to move the VOCAL Survey Results to Teaching & Learning Subcommittee. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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New Business

School Nurse Appointments

Mr. Bregoli made a motion to appoint Heidi Richardson as School Nurse. Mr. Andronico seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 6-0. Mayor Koch was absent.

Mr. Andronico made a motion to appoint Paula Melchin as School Nurse. Mr. DeAmicis seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 6-0. Mayor Koch was absent.

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New Business

School Committee Policy 10.8.5 QPS Smoking by Student

Mr. Gutro made a motion to refer School Committee Policy 10.8.5 QPS Smoking by Students to Policy Subcommittee. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

On the motion, Mr. Gutro stated that this is an opportunity to expand the existing Policy to include language about Vaping as this was not an issue in 2008, the last time the Policy was reviewed. Mr. Gutro asked about a Public Hearing on the topic. Mr. Mulvey clarified that the proposed revision of the Policy is the adoption of the updated law.

Ms. Owens noted that the revised Policy would be posted for public comment once the revised Policy appears on the School Committee meeting agenda for discussion and before the vote.

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New Business

Overnight Travel (In State)

Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the Overnight Travel (One Day) of North Quincy High School AFJROTC to Camp Edwards, Bourne, Massachusetts from September 25-29, 2019. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Additional Business

There was no Additional Business.

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Communications

Upcoming School Committee meetings will be held on September 25, 2019 (Coddington Building); October 16, 2019 (South~West Middle School); and October 30, 2019 (Coddington Building). All meetings will begin 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.

Teaching & Learning Subcommittee 6.17.2019

Mrs. Lebo reported on the June 17, 2019 Teaching & Learning Subcommittee meeting where presentations were made on the Social Studies and Health Curriculum Alignment process which continued over the summer and Graduate Follow-Up planning.

As there were no amendments suggested, the minutes for the June 17, 2019 Teaching & Learning Subcommittee were approved as presented.

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Executive Session

There was no Executive Session.

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Adjournment

Mr. Bregoli made a motion to adjourn for the evening at 8:00 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.