Quincy Public Schools

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 2^nd 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.