Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Teaching & Learning Subcommittee Meeting
A meeting of the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee was held on Monday, November 5, 2018 at 6:00 pm in the Coddington Building. Present were Mr. Anthony Andronico, Mr. Doug Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, and Mrs. Emily Lebo, Chair. Also attending were Superintendent DeCristofaro, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mr. Nicholas Ahearn, Ms. Diane Babcock, Mr. Peter Dionne, Ms. Julie Graham, Dr. Elizabeth Hallett, Ms. Janet Loftus, Mr. Michael Marani, Ms. Margaret MacNeil, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Erin Perkins, Ms. Kimberly Quinn, Ms. Heather Patch, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Edward Smith, Mr. Steve Sylvia, and Ms. Bridget Vaughn. (School Committee Clerk Laura Owens was absent and minutes were created from a video of the meeting.)
Principal Steve Sylvia presented the Squantum Elementary School Improvement Plan, thanking the Mayor, School Committee and the Superintendent’s Leadership Team for the resources that provide for favorable class size, curriculum and technology, and extracurricular opportunities. In reviewing last year’s MCAS, all grades and curriculum areas showed growth in the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations. The MAP goal of increasing the RIT scores were reached for all grade levels. Through Principal’s Path, expanding extracurricular opportunities, currently offering academic and enrichment programs for 175 students. The Squantum community are strong supporters of the school, an active PTO and
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to refer all School Improvement Plan Facilities Areas of Need to the Facilities & Security Subcommittee. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Lebo and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Hubley complimented Squantum’s welcoming community. Mr. Sylvia thanked the School Committee and Mayor Koch for supporting the MSBA Statement of Interest for a new building.
Mrs. Lebo complimented the school’s achievement and noted the Action Step supporting the staff and community social emotional health.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the Squantum Elementary School Improvement Plan. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Principal Michael Marani presented the Snug Harbor Community School Improvement Plan, noting that Principal’s Path initiative provides the framework for the staff to provide individualized support to students. Strong family engagement through expanded monthly Parent-Child Day for Kindergarten, Grades 1 and 2; communication through newsletters, the website, and Instant Alert. The highest quality instruction is provided to students and expanded beyond the bell with extracurricular programming. Vertical and grade level teams work together to identify areas of need and implement the action steps needed to remediate. The new Science frameworks highlight areas of integration within other curriculum areas. Mr. Marani praised the commitment of the Snug Harbor staff, ensuring that each student has a variety of educational opportunities.
Mrs. Lebo noted that the absenteeism is a factor, Mr. Marani said that collaborating with Attendance Officers on identifying families in need of support and incentives. Mrs. Lebo noted that the Snug Harbor growth was very good on the MAP Assessment and this may be a better way to look at growth as opposed to MCAS year to year for a particular grade. Mrs. Lebo asked about the Parent Child day, the percentage of parents who participate. Mr. Marani said well over half of the students have a family member present.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the Snug Harbor Community School Improvement Plan. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Principal Janet Loftus presented the Beechwood Knoll Elementary School Improvement Plan, noting all of the enhancements that were completed for the building this summer: new windows and doors, new paving, new playground and basketball court. As a veteran of Lincoln Hancock’s Principal Path design team, is bringing a new perspective to the development of this year’s Beechwood Knoll plan. Extracurricular opportunities for this fall are engaging 150 students before and after school hours. Ms. Loftus noted that the student growth is consistently strong across all students and subgroups as well as the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations. There are areas for growth in Mathematics achievement The Digital Literacy Staff are integrating with the Grades 3-5 teachers. Family engagement opportunities will be expanded, with Math Night and curriculum Parent Academy events prior to PTO meetings. For Science, open response writing will be an area of focus.
Mrs. Hubley complimented Ms. Loftus’s energy and enthusiasm.
Mr. Gutro thanked Ms. Loftus for continuing the strong traditions of Beechwood Knoll.
Mrs. Lebo complimented Ms. Loftus’s understanding of the data and the strong Science performance. Mrs. Lebo asked about punchlist items from the MSBA window replacement project. Ms. Loftus said the shades are being installed this week and there are remaining HVAC components on order.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the Beechwood Knoll Elementary School Improvement Plan. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Principal Peter Dionne presented the Bernazzani Elementary School Improvement Plan, reviewing the integration of Principal’s Path through curriculum area vertical and grade level team meetings. In reflecting on last year’s goals, met or exceeded targets in most MCAS categories and the MAP assessment as well. For Science, there was a decline in achievement from the previous year but performance is above target. In looking ahead to this year’s goals, close reading and guided math allow for whole and small group instruction options and the new Science curriculum is being implemented as well. Family engagement events include concerts, Literacy and STEM night events, and a strong parent teacher organization. The new playground recently opened and is another strength for the community.
Mr. Gutro asked if there is an opportunity for schools that have high achievement in Science to share their best practices and instructional strategies.
Mrs. Lebo said that the new Science standards and implementing the new curriculum will have an impact on MCAS performance for the next few years. Mrs. Lebo complimented the MAP scores, not necessarily correlation with MCAS. Mrs. Lebo asked about the Furnace Brook Parkway verge, crushed stone was installed in front of the school and this will hopefully be installed further down the road.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the Bernazzani Elementary School Improvement Plan. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Principal Nicholas Ahearn presented the Clifford Marshall Elementary School Improvement Plan, noting that the 544 students are from homes where 31 languages are spoken, in addition to English. In reviewing last year’s data, strong ELA growth and significant growth on Mathematics for MCAS. Students who met or exceeded expectations were above the state level for Grades 3 and 4, ELA and Mathematics. Mr. Ahearn noted that a continuing challenge for Clifford Marshall is the number of new students each year, 64 to date since the beginning of the school year. The MAP and MCAS data analysis allows for targeted interventions to be developed for identified areas of need, including fractions and informational text and writing, which feeds into the collaborative Science goal shared with Point Webster Middle School. As always, Clifford Marshall has a strong emphasis on social-emotional wellness through the Wellness goal, including PBIS. Family Engagement is a strength of the school, annual Pasta Dinner, Literacy Night, International Night, and a very supportive Parent-Teacher Organization. A new playground is being installed on the Southern Artery side of the school property and an outdoor classroom is planned through the support of Community Preservation funding.
Mr. Gutro complimented Mr. Ahearn, noting that the enrollment of Clifford Marshall is larger than four of the five middle schools. Mr. Gutro asked if the number of new students is consistent with previous years and this has been the case. Mr. Gutro noted the HVAC system concerns.
Mrs. Hubley said that Clifford Marshall is a welcoming and supportive environment, great turnout at PTO meetings. Mrs. Hubley asked about the Math Mania event, Mr. Ahearn said the goal is to promote and celebrate Math in everyday contexts.
Mr. Andronico asked if newer families participate in PTO or other family events, Mr. Ahearn said this evolves over time, as families get settled in. Mr. Andronico complimented the International Night.
Mrs. Lebo complimented the MAP assessment growth and favorable attendance rate, the family engagement efforts at Clifford Marshall are very well done.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the Clifford Marshall Elementary School Improvement Plan. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Principal Margaret MacNeil presented the Parker Elementary School Improvement Plan, noting that for over 100 years, the Parker Elementary School students have excelled academically. Student success is the result of the collaboration towards clearly defined goals, including parent engagement through cultural and academic events. Effective data-driven instruction is supported by individualized interventions and the staff have options for district and site-based professional development. The Principal’s Path provides the framework for enhancing opportunities for student achievement, supporting the high growth demonstrated by MCAS and MAP assessment results. A school-wide emphasis on writing showed strong results in reading, writing, and thinking critically. This also involved writing across curriculum areas. Family engagement will include a Math Night and support for parents around mathematics instruction. The implementation of the new Science standards will be supported through a STEAM night. The Wellness goal will integrate nutrition, mindfulness, and activity including the upcoming Turkey Trot.
Mrs. Hubley complimented the descriptions on the Family Engagement page.
Mrs. Lebo noted the strong MAP growth and the Grade 4 Math and ELA MCAS growth from Grade 3.
Mr. Andronico noted the significant drop in absenteeism, was below 2% last year.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the Parker Elementary School Improvement Plan. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Lebo asked about the data charts contained in the School Improvement Plan, Ms. Roy said the charts came from DESE. Ms. Roy said there are inconsistencies and sometimes errors which we report when noticed.
Dr. DeCristofaro thanked the Leadership Team members for their support of all the schools and principals.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 pm. Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.