QUINCY SCHOOL COMMITTEE
TEACHING & LEARNING SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
A meeting of
the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee was held on November 14, 2022 at 6:00
pm in the Coddington Building. Present
were Subcommittee members Mrs. Tina Cahill, Mr. Frank Santoro and Mrs. Emily
Lebo, Subcommittee Chair. Also present
were Mayor Thomas P. Koch, School Committee Chair and School Committee Members
Mr. Paul Bregoli and Mr. Doug Gutro; Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Ms. Kim
Connolly, Mr. Rick DeCristofaro, Ms. Susan Foley, Ms. Julie Graham, Ms. Kathy
Mahoney, Mr. Michael Marani, Ms. Courtney Mitchell, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms.
Kimberley Quinn, Ms. Elizabeth Roy, Ms. Madeline Roy, Ms. Aliza Schneller, Mr.
Keith Segalla, Mr. Christopher Tierney, Ms. Bridget Vaughan; and Ms. Laura
Owens, Clerk.
Principal Aliza
Schneller and Assistant Principal Elizabeth Roy presented the Atlantic Middle
School Improvement Plan, outlining how the school engages with students through
academics and effective teaching practices and systems and processes. Consistent collaboration on grade level and
vertical teams leads to positive student achievement and experiences. In reflecting on last year’s goals, student
achievement met or exceeded state averages on MCAS assessments and made
significant progress towards MAP RIT score goals. Family engagement is strong with an active
Parent Advisory Council, the Fall Open House, and events such as the recent
Astronomy night. PBIS incentives
reinforce the high expectations for student behavior. The VOCAL data was very positive, staff
worked on building relationships and this was reflected in the results.
For
2022-2023, Atlantic Middle School goals for students in Grades 6-8 are: (1) To
show evidence of growth in Reading as measured by an increase of 4 RIT points
as indicated by the Spring 2023 MAP District Student Growth Summary Report; (2)
To show evidence of growth in Mathematics as measured by an increase of 6 RIT
points as indicated by the Spring 2023 MAP District Growth Summary Report; (3) To
show evidence of growth in Science as measured by an increase of 5 RIT points
as indicated by the Spring 2023 MAP District Student Growth Summary
Report. The final goal is for Atlantic staff
and students to participate in a variety of community-building activities that
will enhance their understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues and
will improve their cultural competency and understanding of mental health
challenges that they or their peers could face.
This will be evident through each grade level completing 4 lessons
through the Open Parachute program.
Mrs. Cahill
asked about the VOCAL survey, grade 8 students take the survey on the last day
of MCAS testing. The survey is created
by the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, school districts do
not have input on the questions. Mrs.
Cahill complemented the range of activities for students and family engagement
events.
Mr. Santoro
said that the open response questions have long been a challenge on the MCAS
assessments, would like to see all departments collaborate to ensure students
feel confident when faced with these types of questions.
Mr. Gutro
asked about the VOCAL survey data around bullying and feeling supported at
school. Ms. Schneller said that the
Health and Student Support staff are focused on working with the students to
understand that words and actions can be harmful to others and promoting
kindness. Mr. Gutro asked if the school
has all of the resources they need. Ms.
Schneller said that the Open Parachute rollout is underway and layered with the
2nd year of community building activities, looking forward to seeing
positive results.
Mrs. Lebo
agreed with Mr. Gutro’s concerns about the VOCAL survey data, looking forward
to the positive results from these efforts.
Mrs.
Cahill made a motion to approve the Atlantic Middle School Improvement
Plan. Mr. Santoro seconded the motion
and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Principal
Michael Marani presented the Broad Meadows Middle School Improvement Plan,
thanked the Mayor and School Committee for their support, as well as
Superintendent Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Senior Director
of Student Support Maura Papile, and Special Education Coordinator Sarah
Anderson. The Broad Meadows Middle
School staff has been very welcoming, are dedicated to the students and to
engaging with families. There are a
variety of strategies to integrate families into the school, Grade 6 student
tours in the late summer, the Fall Open House, weekly community newsletter,
curriculum newsletter each term, upcoming Parent-Teacher conferences, active
Parent Teacher Organization. Students
have opportunities to participate in extracurriculars such as athletics,
Operation Days Work, Student Council, Lego Robotics, chorus, and band.
In
reflecting on last year’s data, there was growth in the number of students meeting
or exceeding expectations in five of seven grades/content area exams. For the MAP data, seven of nine
grades/subject assessments met or exceeded the SIP goals. VOCAL data was very positive for the most
part, but there are areas for growth making sure students feel they have a
trusted adult they can reach out to and supporting them in healthy conflict
resolution.
Broad
Meadows 2022-2023 Goals are for students to show evidence of growth: (1) in Reading as measured by an increase of
5 RIT points for Grades 6 & 7 and 3 RIT points for Grade 8 as indicated by
the Spring 2023 MAP District Student Growth Summary Report. (2) in Mathematics as measured by an increase
of 6 RIT points for Grades 6 & 7 and 5 RIT points for Grade 8 as indicated
by the Spring 2023 MAP District Student Growth Summary Report. (3) in Science as measured by an increase of
5 RIT points in Grades 6 & 7 and 4 points in Grade 8 as indicated by the
Spring 2023 MAP District Growth Summary Report.
The final goal is to support the Social and Emotional needs and to
further build community and inclusive practices by implementing the Open
Parachute curriculum in each classroom on a weekly basis and a minimum of ten
lessons for all students.
Mr. Santoro
noted that there are fewer Extended Day offerings than at other middle schools.
Mr. Marani said this is part of the transition process, he is evaluating the
programs and making sure they are of the highest quality and impact and looking
to determine areas to expand.
Mrs. Cahill noted
that the middle school athletics are not included on the list. Mrs. Cahill asked if the Open Parachute
program assists with students learning to communicate within their
families. Mr. Marani said between Open
Parachute and the community circles, students are expanding their communication
skills and developing the ability to self-advocate. Mrs. Cahill asked how the effectiveness of
Open Parachute will be evaluated, Mr. Marani said there are post-lesson exit
tickets but more importantly, we will see more positive interactions between
students, students and staff, and students and families.
Mrs. Lebo is
concerned about Broad Meadows not having MCAS goals, there was a high
percentage of students partially meeting or not meeting expectations on last
year’s MCAS. Mr. Marani feels MAP data
is a more effective measure, the RIT score performance can be beyond the
student grade level. Mr. Marani said
there has been item analysis to surface the areas of concern. Mrs. Lebo encouraged Mr. Marani to expand
family engagement opportunities.
Mr. Gutro
asked about the VOCAL data, Mr. Marani said that students are learning to
overcome the years of “social distancing”.
During critical years, students were not in close contact with peers and
missed learning about self-regulation.
Mr. Bregoli
thanked Mr. Marani and noted that in his time on School Committee, the middle
school Mathematics MCAS assessments have consistently been a challenge. Mr. Bregoli feels that the effects of the
pandemic are reflected in some of the student behaviors.
Mr. Santoro
made a motion to approve the Broad Meadows Middle School Improvement Plan. Mrs. Cahill seconded the motion and on a
voice vote, the ayes have it.
Principal
Rick DeCristofaro and Assistant Principal Kathy Mahoney presented the Central
Middle School Improvement Plan, reflecting on the positive VOCAL data and
Central’s MCAS achievement on the 2022 Spring assessments where there was
growth over previous years in the meeting or exceeding expectations categories
and achievement above the state for all grades and all subject tests. MAP data was similarly positive, where goals
were exceeded.
For 2022-23,
Central Middle Schools’s goals are for students in Grades 6-8: (1) to show
evidence of growth in Reading as measured by an increase of 3 RIT points as
indicated by the Spring 2023 MAP District Summary Report; (2) to show evidence
of growth in Mathematics as measured by an increase of 3 RIT points as
indicated by the Spring 2023 MAP District Summary Report; (3) to show evidence
of growth in Science as measured by an increase of 4 RIT points as indicated by
the Spring 2023 MAP District Summary Report.
The final goal is for students at Central Middle School will be exposed
to new initiatives and will participate in at least three activities and/or
lessons promoting Social-Emotional Learning; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion;
and Restorative Practices.
Mr. Santoro
asked if there is common planning time for grade level teams, Mr. DeCristofaro
confirmed that there are both grade level and vertical teams. Mr. Santoro noted the QARI partnership, very
positive for students and families.
Mrs. Lebo
asked about the Bridgewater State MARC program, Mrs. Mahoney said that this is
an anti-bullying presentation for students that has curriculum follow up by
Mrs. Lebo is
impressed by the enrollment for the schools in-district student Advanced
classes and Central’s very robust family engagement.
Mrs. Lebo is
concerned about the facilities needs list, the building is only ten years
old. Mr. Bregoli agreed that these need
to be addressed.
Mr. Gutro
said that Mr. DeCristofaro is proactive in analyzing and adjusting strategies
from year to year. As with all the
middle schools, Mr. Gutro is concerned about bullying and cyberbullying.
Mayor Koch
reiterated that there are no structural issues at Central Middle School, but
the list of issues needs to be addressed.
Mr. Santoro
made a motion to approve the Central Middle School Improvement Plan. Mrs. Cahill seconded the motion and on a
voice vote, the ayes have it.
Principal
Courtney Mitchell and Assistant Principal Susan Foley presented the South~West
Middle School Improvement Plan, outlining plan to build rigor in the
curriculum, increase opportunities for staff collaboration, and plans to
improve the school culture and climate.
In reflecting on last year’s goals, the MAP goals for ELA and Science
were not met, but was met for two grades for Mathematics. For MCAS data, growth was seen at all grade
levels and content areas increasing the percentage of students meeting or
exceeding expectations.
A Student
Support center has been created, with consistent staffing to address student
discipline in line with the expectations outlined for students at the beginning
of the year and reinforced by schoolwide initiatives. PBIS is being reinvigorated, positive
achievements are celebrated, and all teachers are supporting students and
reinforcing expected behaviors.
For 2022-23,
South~West Middle Schools’s goals are for students in Grades 5-8: (1) to show
evidence of growth in Reading as measured by an increase of 5 RIT points as
indicated by the Spring 2023 MAP District Summary Report; (2) to show evidence
of growth in Mathematics as measured by an increase of 5.5 RIT points as
indicated by the Spring 2023 MAP District Summary Report; (3) to show evidence
of growth in Science as measured by an increase of 4 RIT points as indicated by
the Spring 2023 MAP District Summary Report.
The final goal is for South~West Middle School to implement
Social-Emotional Learning supports that focus on the understanding of
self-awareness and self-management skills in order to achieve both academic and
social success through school-based initiatives. In particular, South~West staff will
implement at least three lessons per grade level based on our community needs
utilizing the Open Parachute program.
Mrs. Cahill
asked if there has been progress in addressing the attendance issues, Ms.
Mitchell said there are proactive steps being taken, contacting families
directly after weekly review of attendance data.
Mrs. Cahill
asked about the VOCAL data, one of the questions is about if students have ever
seen a weapon at school. This is an
issue for all middle schools, making sure that students know that they should
tell an adult in case they see anything concerning.
Mr. Santoro
asked about the One Book, One School initiative and how parents can become
involved. Ms. Foley said that in the
past, discussion questions and activities were shared with families through the
weekly newsletter. Mr. Santoro said the
author event held in 2021 was powerful, would like to see that happen again.
Mrs. Lebo
asked to be included in the initiative, so School Committee can also read the
book. Ms. Foley said the kickoff event will be in January.
Mrs. Lebo
asked about the request for Math Interventionist position, Ms. Mitchell said
they could be used both to push in to classrooms and to pull students out for
individual or small group interventions.
Mrs. Lebo
noted that this School Improvement Plan contained Grade 5 VOCAL data, will be
curious to see how the other schools compare.
Ms. Foley
said last year, South~West surveyed all grades about school culture and climate
three times over the course of the year and plans are underway to do this
again.
Mrs.
Cahill made a motion to approve the South~West Middle School Improvement
Plan. Mr. Santoro seconded the motion
and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Cahill made a motion to adjourn at 8:00 pm, seconded by
Mr. Santoro. On a voice vote, the ayes
have it.