Jan. 13, 2016 School Committee Meeting

Agenda

Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Wednesday, January 13, 2016, 7:00 pm
Coddington Building

I. Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting Minutes for December 9, 2015; Organizational Meeting Minutes for January 4, 2016.

II. Open Forum: An opportunity for community input regarding the Quincy Public Schools. 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. Joint Convention and Welcome to New School Committee Members

B. School Committee New Member Orientation

C. MSBA 2016

  • Statement of Interest Deadlines

  • Sterling Middle School

D. New England Patriots Anti-Violence Partnership

E. NQHS Debate Club/High School Quiz Show

F. Program Newsletters: Elementary Curriculum, Special Education, Student Support

G. Home School Connections: Atherton Hough Elementary School Monthly Newsletter; Broad Meadows, Point Webster, and Sterling Middle School Curriculum Newletter; Point Webster Athletics Program Newsletter

IV. Old Business:

A. 2016-2017 School Year Calendar (Discussion) - Mr. Bregoli

V. New Business:

A. Initiatives Update
* Substance Awareness Week - Mrs. Papile
* Elementary Report Cards - Mrs. Perkins
* Technology Planning & Training - Mr. Keith Segalla
* Dual Enrollment - Ms. Hallett
* DSAC - Ms. Roy

B. School Committee Clerk Appointment - Mayor Koch

C. 2016-2017 School Committee Meeting Calendar - Mr. Bregoli
(for referral to Policy Subcommittee)

D. School Committee Policy Book - Mr. Bregoli
(for referral to Policy Subcommittee)

E. Gift: $6,000 from the Randy C. Wolfe Music Trust to benefit Quincy Public Schools Music Programs.

F. Overnight Travel:

1. Quincy High School Student Council to Massachusetts Association of Student Councils Conference, Hyannis, Massachusetts, March 9-11, 2016.

2. Sterling Middle School Grade 7 to Camp Wing, Duxbury, Massachusetts, May 18-19, 2016.

VI. Additional Business:

VII. Communications:

A. Upcoming School Committee Meetings: January 27, 2016; February 10, 2016, all at 7:00 p.m.

B. Upcoming Subcommittee Meetings:

1. Special Education: Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 6:00 p.m.

2. Teaching & Learning: Monday, January 25, 2016, 5:00 p.m.

3. Budget & Finance, Monday, January 25, 2016, 6:00 pm.

VIII. Reports of Subcommittees:

A. Policy: Mr. Bregoli to report on the January 6, 2015 meeting

IX. Executive Session: None

X. Adjournment:


Subcommittees of the School Committee

Budget & Finance

  1. Additional Funding Appropriation: Referred to Subcommittee at the September 30, 2015 School Committee meeting. With the reinstatement of the Full-Day Kindergarten Grant from DESE for Kindergarten Aides, there is an additional $250,000 available for one-time FY2016 expenses.

Facilities & Security

  1. President’s City Inn Referred to Subcommittee at the October 10, 2012 School Committee Meeting. Safety concerns have been expressed about this property that abuts the new Central Middle School. Current construction plans were reviewed at the March 18, 2014 Subcommittee Meeting and updates provided during the 2014-2015 school year.

  2. North Quincy High School Campus Expansion/Teele Field Project Referred at the January 22, 2014 School Committee Meeting. A presentation on the proposed enhancements will be scheduled.

  3. Faxon Field Equalization Pipe Referred at the October 14, 2015 School Committee meeting. Requesting information on the communications between the City of Quincy and Mass. DEP.

Health, Transportation & Safety

  1. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Referred to Subcommittee at the September 24, 2012 Special School Committee Meeting. Student Support Services working with elementary and middle schools to implement this initiative.

  2. Traffic Concerns at North Quincy High School Referred to Subcommittee at the March 5, 2014 School Committee Meeting. Concerns about East Squantum Street crosswalk/parking lot entrance.

  3. Solar Array Installation on School Roofs Referred from the Facilities & Security Subcommittee on September 10, 2014. Monitoring of the ongoing projects and the educational opportunities.

  4. Learn to Swim Referred at the September 10, 2014 Special School Committee Meeting. Monitoring the ongoing partnership between QPS and the South Shore YMCA.

  5. Farm to School Referred at the September 10, 2014 Special School Committee Meeting. Monitoring the Planning Grant rollout, a collaboration of QPS and the Planning Department.

  6. CPR Certification Referred from the Policy Subcommittee at the September 10, 2014 Special School Committee meeting.

  7. Before School Exercise Programs Referred at the September 10, 2014 Special School Committee meeting. Monitoring the implementation of these programs across QPS.

  8. Peer Mentoring for Grade 9 Students Referred at the September 29, 2015 Special School Committee meeting. Monitoring the implementation of this program at both high schools.

Policy

  1. Graduation Requirements Referred to Subcommittee at the September 7, 2011 School Committee Meeting and discussed at the October 11, 2011 School Policy Subcommittee. The discussion centered around adding a fourth year of Math as a graduation requirement; the issue is tabled until more is known about the impact of the new Common Core Standards on the Massachusetts frameworks.

  2. Advertising/Sponsorship Opportunities Referred at the June 13, 2012 School Committee Meeting. Review and discussion of amending the existing policy requested to explore the possibility of raising revenue by accepting advertising sponsorships.

  3. Review of High School Academic and Extracurricular Programs Referred at the November 13, 2013 School Committee Meeting. A comparison of the offerings at both schools to be analyzed to ensure equitable and parallel opportunities for all students at both facilities.

  4. Open Enrollment Referred at the October 8, 2014 School Committee meeting for review and discussion to focus on the timeline for placement decisions and communication to parents. School Committee Meeting Agenda -5- January 13, 2016

  5. Middle School Grading System Referred at the December 10, 2014 School Committee meeting for review and discussion.

  6. 2016-2017 School Year Calendar Referred at the April 8, 2015 School Committee meeting.

  7. Weather Cancellation Schoolwork Referred at the April 8, 2015 School Committee meeting and shared with the Teaching and Learning Subcommittee. Exploring options for creating Policy for schoolwork during extended periods of weather-related school cancellations.

  8. Concussion Policy Referred at the May 6, 2015 School Committee meeting; as required by law, the policy must be reviewed and amended or reaffirmed every two years.

  9. Voter Registration at the High Schools Referred at the September 16, 2015 School Committee meeting for discussion of implementation with the City Clerk’s Office.

Special Education

  1. Student Information for Substitute Teachers Originally referred at the January 17, 2007 School Committee Meeting. Aspen Student Information System Special Education module reports will be utilized to share information with substitute teachers beginning in 2015-2016 school year.

Rules, Post Audit & Oversight

Teaching and Learning

  1. Advanced Program Pathways Referred at the May 20, 2015 School Committee Meeting to review opportunities to challenge above-level students at all grades.

  2. Enrollment Data/Class Size: Referred at the October 14, 2015 School Committee meeting for further review and discussion.

  3. Resolution on Student Assessment: Referred at the October 28, 2015 School Committee meeting for review and discussion.

AD HOC COMMITTEES:

Sterling Building Committee

Sterling/Point Webster Grade 5

Created at the September 10, 2014 Special School Committee meeting to review issues related to Grade 5 being located in middle school buildings.

School District Maps

Created at the September 10, 2014 Special School Committee meeting to review issues related to school district maps.

Minutes

Quincy, Massachusetts – January 13, 2016
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

Regular Meeting

A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at the Coddington Building. Present were Mr. James DeAmicis, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mrs. Anne Mahoney, and Mr. Paul Bregoli, Vice Chair.

Vice-Chair Presiding

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The Superintendent called the roll and Mayor Koch was absent. Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk; Mrs. Rita Bailey, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Mrs. Mary Fredrickson, Ms. Beth Hallett, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Maura Papile, Mrs. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Ms. Judy Todd; Quincy Education Association President Allison Cox; Citywide Parent Council Co-Presidents Scott Alessandro and Paula Reynolds.

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There was a moment of silence for former Superintendent Eugene Creedon; City Councilor Brian McNamee; James Mullaney, father of Business Director Jim Mullaney; and Betty Faiella, Food Services staff member at North Quincy High School for almost forty years.

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Regular Meeting Minutes Approved 12/9/15

Mrs. Mahoney made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hubley, to approve the Regular Meeting minutes for December 9, 2015. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Organizational Meeting Minutes Approved 1/4/16

Mrs. Hubley made a motion, seconded by Ms. Isola, to approve the Organizational Meeting minutes for January 4, 2016. 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 went on to the next item on the agenda.

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Superintendent's Report

Dr. DeCristofaro opened the Superintendent’s Report by reading the following remembrance of Superintendent Eugene Creedon, who passed away on December 24, 2015.

Superintendent Eugene Creedon served in so many roles in his over forty years in Quincy Public Schools. He began as an English teacher at Point Junior High School, became the first lay Principal of St. Ann’s, then on to Principal at the Parker Elementary School, where he made sure that there was always “humane treatment of little folk,” as the Mayor mentioned in his inaugural speech, quote from Colonel Francis Parker.

Gene then became the Principal of Broad Meadows Middle School, Director of Elementary and Secondary Schools, Assistant Superintendent of Schools and Programs, and then was appointed Superintendent of Quincy Public Schools for Kindergarten through Grade 14 at the time, including Quincy College, where he served and administered so successfully until his retirement.

As I perused his personnel file, I was not surprised by the many accolades written about who he was and his leadership from former Superintendents Larry Creedon, John Osterman, and Bob Ricci, as well as so many parents, administrators, colleagues, teachers, and students. Gene was always proud of his Kendall Street/North Quincy roots and full of his passion for teaching and always sharing his gift and love of drama and the arts, personally directing so many musical productions and plays.

Staff and colleagues described Gene as a true friend, excellent leader, and a Principal who made a lasting impression on all students. They praised him for always being collaborative, thoughtful, and concerned about all in his care – sensitive, trusted, loved, admired, and an advocate for the self-confidence and self-esteem of students.

A student once wrote about him “He instilled in all a will for us to do better” and “A day never passed that he did not make a student feel ten feet tall.” I was one of his Point Junior students and an eventual colleague and feel so very fortunate to have had such a wonderful teacher and mentor.

Superintendent Creedon epitomized everything good in our Quincy Public Schools – creating his own legacy of “humane treatment of little folk (and all folk)” that will live in the hearts of so many for so many years to come…

Dr. DeCristofaro welcomed new School Committee members James DeAmicis and Emily Lebo, who are replacing David McCarthy and Noel DiBona as School Committee members.

Dr. DeCristofaro said that we have received the Massachusetts School Building Authority timeline for submitting 2016 Statements of Interest. At theJanuary 27 meeting, votes will be taken to support refreshing the Squantum Elementary School Statement of Interest and to support submitting Accelerated Repair Program Statements of Interest for boiler replacement projects for Atherton Hough, Beechwood Knoll, Merrymount, and Wollaston Elementary Schools. City Council will vote on supporting these Statements of Interest at their February 1 meeting.

Accelerated Repair Program projects in process at Beechwood Knoll (roof, windows, and doors) and Merrymount (roof) are in the schematic design phase. The total project budget will be presented to City Council on January 19, 2016 for consideration of the appropriation.

For the new Sterling Middle School, a neighborhood meeting will be Thursday, February 4 at 6:00 pm at Lincoln Hancock. The procurement process for Construction Manager is underway; six firms have submitted RFPs for review. The schematic design process is ongoing with meetings taking place this week with Sterling staff and administrators.

On Monday, January 11, Attorney General Maura Healy and representatives from the New England Patriots Foundation met with Mayor Koch, Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey, Vice Chair Paul Bregoli, Superintendent DeCristofaro, Senior Director of Student Support Services Maura Papile, and student representatives from North Quincy and Quincy High Schools to introduce the “Game Change” program, which focuses on healthy relationship choices and was developed in collaboration with Northeastern University.

Dr. DeCristofaro congratulated Central Middle School drama students for the recent Into the Woods show, directed by Jim Phelan and Christopher Boel, and performed for two sold-out performances on January 7-8. The North Quincy High School Quiz Show team will compete in the first round at WGBH studios on Sunday, January 24 at 3:00 pm.

Dr. DeCristofaro announced that Special Education Director Judy Todd will retire at the end of June and Director of Data & Assessment Mary Fredrickson will be retiring January 29. Both will be missed for their significant contributions and experience.

Dr. DeCristofaro concluded his report by noting that several newsletters were shared with School Committee from the Atherton Hough Elementary School; Broad Meadows, Point Webster, and Sterling Middle School for Curriculum; Point Webster Middle School for Athletics; and program Newsletters for Elementary Curriculum, Special Education, and Student Support Services program.

Mr. Bregoli noted that the gavel used for tonight’s meeting was a gift from Senator Paul Harold to former City Council President Ted DeCristofaro, Superintendent DeCristofaro’s father.

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Old Business

2016-2017 School Year Calendar

Mr. Bregoli introduced the draft calendar for the 2016-2017 School Year, which was approved in Policy Subcommittee. As there were no further suggested changes, the calendar will be posted for public comment and voted on at the January 27, 2016 School Committee meeting.

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New Business

QPS 2015-2016 Initiatives Update

Dr. DeCristofaro introduced members of the Superintendent’s Leadership Team to update on some of the initiatives currently underway across Quincy Public Schools. Senior Director of Student Support Maura Papile, spoke about the recently completed Substance Abuse Awareness Week, a meaningful way for students to participate in activities focused on positive decisions, discuss difficult subjects, and provide peer support. With the support of the Mayor’s Office, the Thompson Family, presentations were done for all grade levels. The Mayor’s Office sponsored an essay contest at both high schools, which over 200 students voluntarily participated in. Mrs. Papile announced a Parent Academy event on Healthy Choices on March 24, 2016.

Dr. DeCristofaro thanked Mrs. Papile, Health Services Coordinator Rita Bailey, and all the Student Support Services staff for the work they do with students.

Director of Elementary Curriculum & Programs Erin Perkins updated on the implementation of the Elementary Standards-Based Report Cards. In August, 100 teachers volunteered to attend an Aspen Gradebook training, training continued throughout the fall. Also in the fall, teachers worked in grade-level teams to finalize the grading rubrics, while administrators worked to prepare parents for the transition. Several Parent Academies were held to assist parents in learning how to access Aspen, and schools hosted coffee hours and PTO meeting presentations. On December 18, the elementary report cards were published and parent-teacher conferences were held on January 5 and 12 at all elementary schools. Parent feedback was positive and the first conferences went very smoothly. Mrs. Lebo asked for clarification on the grade levels, Grades 1 through 5 was implemented this year and Kindergarten is under development for implementation in 2016-2017.

Executive Director of Career & Technical Education and Instructional Technology Keith Segalla thanked Mayor Koch and School Committee for the special appropriation for technology, 84 classrooms will receive Eno interactive whiteboards and short throw projectors. Installations will begin on January 18 at North Quincy High School and continue through the next several weeks outside school hours, on weekends, and during February vacation. In collaboration with the Public Buildings Maintenance department, any existing equipment will be removed and installation disruptions kept to a minimum.

Director of English Language Learners & Academic Programs Beth Hallett updated the Dual Enrollment Initiative that began in September. College on My Campus has four courses offerings (Psychology, Accounting I, Marketing & Management, Public Speaking) for college credit at both high schools by QPS teachers with credit awarded by Quincy College, 3 credits each, transferrable to other colleges and universities. The offerings were sent to Grade 12 students, cost is $161 plus $98 registration fee, regularly over $650. 60 students are currently enrolled from both high schools. Teachers will meet with the Quincy College Dean of Institutional Affairs in the spring to evaluate this year and plan for next year. In year 2 of pilot, courses will be offered to Grades 11 and 12 students and the offerings expanded.

Ms. Isola asked if students can take more than one course. Ms. Hallett said students may take as many courses as their schedules allow and will follow up with details of how many students are taking more than one class. Mrs. Lebo asked if there is a provision for students on free/reduced lunch who cannot afford the fees at all. Ms. Hallett said that this year, the tuition fees had to be paid up front, but exploration is being done on how to further assist students with financial hardship. Mrs. Lebo suggested that a college English 101 would be a valuable course to offer since all students are required to take this. Ms. Hallett said the challenge would be to ensure alignment of standards between the Common Core and college requirements. Mrs. Mahoney agreed that this is an amazing opportunity for students and asked for more information about schools that accept Quincy College credits. Mrs. Mahoney asked if other colleges are offering this opportunity. Ms. Hallett said this is a unique program, with Quincy Public Schools teachers instructing these courses on our campuses. Other colleges offer high school students enrollment opportunities but these are not during school hours and for school credit. Mrs. Mahoney agreed that English and Math classes would be a good area for expansion. Mr. Bregoli asked if there were more students interested than seats available; Ms. Hallett said we did not reach any enrollment limits. Mrs. Lebo asked if all four classes were at both high schools: North Quincy High School has all four classes, while Quincy High School has three (Quincy College’s Marketing & Management class does not align with the Career & Technical Education major curriculum in place).

Senior Director of Middle School Curriculum & Programs Madeline Roy presented an update on Quincy Public Schools collaboration with the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education’s District and School Assistance Center (DSAC) team. DSAC’s role is to facilitate high-quality Professional Development, individualized assistance as requested, and strategic partnership assisatnace and networking for Level 3 and 4 districts. Advancing professional growth of educators teaching students with disabilities or English Language Learners is just one example of where district and DESE goals align. Quincy Public Schools is currently utilizing the DSAC team’s regional Math specialist to assist teachers with instructional strategies and providing resources for students struggling with Mathematics. DSAC also provides opportunities for participation in the Principal Leadership Network and assists with grant development.

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School Committee Clerk Appointment 2016-2017

Ms. Isola made a motion to re-appoint Laura Owens as School Committee Clerk for 2016-2017. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it 6-0. Mayor Koch was absent.

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School Committee Meeting Calendar for 2016-2017 to Policy Subcommittee

Mrs. Hubley made a motion to move the 2016-2017 School Committee Meeting Calendar into the Policy Subcommittee. On the motion, Mrs. Hubley requested consideration of moving the School Committee meeting start time to 6:30 pm. Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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School Committee Policy Book to Policy Subcommittee

Mrs. Hubley made a motion to move the School Committee Policy Book into the Policy Subcommittee for review. Mrs. Mahoney seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Gift: $6,000 for QPS Music Programs

Mrs. Lebo made a motion to accept the Gift of $6,000.00 from the Randy C. Wolfe Music Trust to benefit the Quincy Public Schools Music Programs. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Overnight Travel

Ms. Isola made a motion to approve the Overnight travel of Quincy High School Student Council to the Massachusetts Association of Student Councils Conference, Hyannis, Massachusetts, March 9-11, 2016. Mrs. Mahoney seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Ms. Isola made a motion to approve the Overnight travel of Sterling Middle School Grade 7 to Camp Wing, Duxbury, Massachusetts, May 18-19, 2016. Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Communications

Upcoming meetings were announced: Regular Meetings on January 27, 2016 and February 10, 2016, both at 7:00 pm at the Coddington Building; Subcommittee Meetings for Special Education on Wednesday, January 20, 2016; Teaching & Learning and Budget & Finance on Monday, January 25, 2016.

Mrs. Lebo asked if the January 25, 2016 meetings can be rescheduled due to a scheduling conflict, so rescheduled dates will be posted.

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Reports of Subcommittees

Mr. Bregoli noted that all Subcommittee meeting minutes are posted online at www.quincypublicschools.com.

Policy

Mr. Bregoli reviewed the Policy Subcommittee Meeting held on January 6, 2016. The first item on the agenda was consideration of training school nurses and athletic trainers to administer Narcan and this was approved and will be scheduled for an upcoming Professional Development meeting.

The 2016-2017 School Year Calendar draft was reviewed and approved with the change of eliminating the high school graduation rain date. The draft calendar was moved back to the full School Committee with this change.

Subcommittee Meeting Minutes Approved

As there were no corrections to the meeting minutes the January 6, 2016 Policy Subcommittee Meeting minutes, the minutes were approved as presented.

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Adjournment

Ms. Isola made a motion to adjourn for the evening at 7:55 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.