Jan. 8, 2014 School Committee Meeting

Agenda

Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Wednesday, January 8, 2014, 7:00 pm
City Council Chambers, City Hall

I. Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting Minutes for December 11, 2013 and Organizational Meeting Minutes for January 6, 2014.

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. Inspiring Quincy

B. Educator Evaluation Newsletter

C. YMCA Grant

D. New School Committee Member Orientation

E. Substance Abuse Awareness Week, January 6-10

F. Parent Academies, January 7 and 28

G. Aspen Publication #9

H. Home-School Connections: Wollaston Elementary School Monthly Newsletter; Montclair Elementary and Broad Meadows Middle School Curriculum Newsletters

IV. Old Business:

A. Facilities Dedications (Vote): 1. Quincy High School Custodians’ Office: Thomas Orseno 2. Quincy High School Green Space: Bruce McDonald

V. New Business:

A. Professional Development Plan Presentation - Madeline Roy

B. School Committee Clerk Appointment

C. 2014-2015 School Committee Calendar

D. 2014-2015 School Year Calendar

E. Gift: Baby Grand Piano ($5,000 value) to Point Webster Middle School from Dr. Steven A. Brustin.

F. Gift: Multi-Lane Timer/Scoreboard ($3,000 value) to Lincoln Hancock Community School from the YMCA.

G. Overnight Travel: Quincy High School Student Council to the Massachusetts Association of Student Councils Conference in Hyannis, MA March 5 through 7, 2014.

H. Out of State Travel:

1. Point Webster Middle School Grade 8 to New York City, New York June 5 through June 6, 2014.

2. Sterling Middle School Grade 8 to New York City, New York June 4 through June 5, 2014.

3. North Quincy High School and Quincy High School HYPER Robotics Team to FRC Regional Competition in Portsmouth, NH March 5 through March 8, 2014.

VI. Additional Business:

VII. Communications:

VIII. Reports of Subcommittees: 

IX. Executive Session: None

X. Adjournment:


Subcommittees of the School Committee

Budget & Finance

School Facilities & Security

  1. Sterling Building Plans Referred to Subcommittee by the School Building Task Force in 1998.

  2. Coddington Hall Referred to Subcommittee at the May 18, 2011 School Committee Meeting. The City of Quincy has appropriated funds to refurbish Coddington Hall to serve as the Quincy Public Schools administrative offices. Wessling Architects has completed the design phase of the project and construction is underway as of June 2013.

  3. Houses on Saville Avenue Referred to Subcommittee at the May 18, 2011 School Committee Meeting. Currently home to the City’s Public Building department, the School Committee and Superintendent see no future educational uses for these properties.

  4. 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.

  5. School Lobby Security Controls Referred to Subcommittee at the January 23, 2013 School Committee Meeting. Review of existing visitor protocols, with special consideration of current high school policies and discussion of enhancements moving forward for all schools.

  6. Solar Array Installation on School Roofs Referred to Subcommittee at the June 12, 2013 School Committee Meeting for further review and discussion.

  7. Heating Audit Referred at the November 13, 2013 Subcommittee meeting. Heating issues at all schools to be reviewed and prioritized with Public Buildings/Maintenance departments.

Health, Transportation & Safety

  1. School Meal Charges Referred to Subcommittee at the March 21, 2012 School Committee Meeting. New state and federal regulations require formalization of the school meal charges policy.

  2. Science Lab Safety: Referred from the Teaching and Learning Subcommittee at the April 2, 2012 meeting. High School and High School Science labs have been reviewed and needed updates for compliance completed as of September 24, 2012 Special School Committee Meeting. Monitoring of supplies will be handled by High School Safety Team; need similar plan for Middle Schools.

  3. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Referred to Subcommittee at the September 24, 2012 Special School Committee Meeting. Student Support Services working with Lincoln Hancock, Clifford Marshall, and Parker Elementary Schools on piloting this initiative.

School 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. New Educator Evaluations Referred at the September 7, 2011 School Committee Meeting and shared with the Teaching and Learning Subcommittee. Further discussion will be held in joint Subcommittee Meetings and Executive Session as it pertains to collective bargaining.

  3. High School Community Service Referred to Subcommittee at the December 14, 2011 School Committee Meeting. A resolution was introduced proposing a Community Service requirement; pilot program for Grades 10 and 11 is underway for 2012-2013 school year. The pilot program was extended to the 2013-2014 school year for grades 11 and 12.

  4. Adding CPR as a Graduation Requirement Referred to Subcommittee at the March 21, 2012 School Committee Meeting. Review and discussion of existing policy requested.

  5. 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.

  6. Extracurricular Eligibility Referred at the March 25, 2013 Ad Hoc Athletics Rules Subcommittee. Review and discussion of the existing policy and consideration of increasing the requirements.

  7. Residency Referred at the September 18, 2013 Special School Committee Meeting. Review of existing policy and expansion to include additional information on verification process.

  8. Dedication of the Quincy High School Custodian's Office Referred at the November 13, 2013 School Committee Meeting. The motion is to dedicate the office to Thomas (T.O.) Orseno, member of the Quincy High School Custodial staff for 20 years.

  9. 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.

  10. Dedication of the Quincy High School Green Space Referred at the November 13, 2013 School Committee Meeting. The motion is to dedicate the green space on the site of the former Quincy High School building to Mr. Bruce McDonald, former English teacher and department chair.

Special Education

  1. Student Information for Substitute Teachers Originally referred to Subcommittee at the January 17, 2007 School Committee Meeting. At the Special Education Subcommittee meeting on October 16, 2013, it was agreed that the new Aspen Student Information System Special Education module reports will be utilized to share information with substitute teachers about IEPs, 504 plans, and accommodations. Projected implementation is by February 2014.

  2. Special Education Program Assessment Referred to Subcommittee at the January 28, 2012 Special School Committee Meeting. This will be an ongoing discussion of the curriculum initiatives for Special Education.

Rules, Post Audit & Oversight  

Teaching and Learning  

  1. New Educator Evaluations Referred at the September 7, 2011 School Committee Meeting and shared with the School Policy Subcommittee. Two meetings have already been held to begin exploring the requirements of the new regulations (9/21/11 Ad Hoc Subcommittee meeting and February 13, 2012 Teaching and Learning Subcommittee meeting) and further discussion will be held in joint Subcommittee meetings and Executive Session as it pertains to collective bargaining.

  2. Media Specialists in Elementary and Middle Schools Referred at the January 23, 2012 School Committee Meeting. The Citywide Parents’ Council presented a signed petition representing the request to restore these positions. Three Middle School Library Teacher positions were added in the FY2014 budget, as well as thirteen Library Support Teachers for the Elementary Schools.

Ad Hoc Committees:

Channel 22
Mahoney/McCarthy

Created at the October 27, 2007 School Committee meeting to encourage the greater use of Channel 22 across Quincy Public Schools.

Central Building Committee
Mahoney

Athletic Rules 

Created at the October 24, 2012 School Committee meeting to continue discussion on Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association rules.

Minutes

Quincy, Massachusetts - January 8, 2014
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

Regular Meeting

A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, Regular January 8, 2014 in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. Present were Meeting Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mr. Noel DiBona, Ms. Barbara Isola, Mayor Thomas Koch, Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. David McCarthy, and Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Vice Chair.

Vice-Chair Presiding

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The Superintendent called the roll and all were present. Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk; Mr. Michael Draicchio, Mrs. Mary Fredrickson, Ms. Beth Hallett, Mr. James Mullaney, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Maura Papile, Mrs. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Ms. Judy Todd; Ms. Hayley Forbes, North Quincy High School Representative to the School Committee; Ms. Lindsay Schrier, Quincy High School Representative to the School Committee; Ms. Paula Reynolds, Co-President, Citywide Parents' Council; and Ms. Allison Cox, President, Quincy Education Association.

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There was a moment of silence in honor of those in service overseas.

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Regular Meeting Minutes Approved 12/11/2013

Mr. Bregoli made a motion, seconded by Ms. Isola to approve the Regular Meeting minutes for December 11, 2013. On a voice vote, the ayes have it. Organizational Meeting Minutes Approved 1/6/2014 Ms. Isola made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCarthy to approve the Organizational Meeting minutes for January 6, 2014. On a voice vote, the have it.

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Open Forum

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

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Superintendent's Report

Mayor Koch thanked those involved in the Inauguration held Monday, January 6 at Central Middle School. He thanked the event organizers, including Keith Segalla, Kevin Segalla, and Kevin Murphy and especially the many students who were an important part of the event, including the string musician ensemble, tour guides, the Culinary Arts students who prepared and served, and the combined high school chorus. Mayor Koch welcomed Mr. DiBona as a new member to the School Committee, thanked Ms. Isola for two great years as Vice Chair, and congratulated Mrs. Hubley on her election as Vice Chair

Dr. DeCristofaro then introduced the Inspire Quincy video featuring selections from the recent holiday concerts, Drug Awareness Week presentations, and the elementary school Parent Academy.

Mr. DiBona met with Dr. DeCristofaro and members of the Superintendent’s Leadership Team on Monday, January 6. This orientation meeting was focused on the Quincy Public Schools Budget, Special Education, Student Support Service, and School Committee Policy.

January 6 through 10 is Substance Abuse Awareness Week, sponsored by the Mayor's Office and Student Support Services. Presentations were held at each high school featuring John Morello and Chris Herren.

The South Shore YMCA has received a grant from the USA Swimming Foundation that will fund a Winter Learn to Swim program for Grades 3-4 students from Lincoln Hancock and Clifford Marshall at the Lincoln Hancock pool. The Middle School Competitive Swimming Skills program will again be held on the February and April vacation weeks.

In the December 2013 issue of the DESE Educator Evaluation e-newsletter, Quincy Public Schools was featured for the efforts to engage educators at all levels to identify and develop District-Determined Measures. The Superintendent is proud that the collaboration between teaching and administrative staff is being recognized for this valuable work.

A Parent Academy was held January 7 at the Central Middle School. Parents from Grades K through 5 were introduced to the Journeys Reading program and then participated in education technology breakout sessions hosted by elementary school principals. Parent evaluations were appreciative of the information shared, particularly about the web-based technology that can be used at home. On January 28, middle school parents will have the opportunity to learn about the Aspen Student Portal. On March 18, an overview of Assessment will be presented and transitions for Grades 8-9 students will be covered in a subsequent workshop still to be scheduled. Dr. DeCristofaro thanked the elementary principals and curriculum team members for their leadership.

Holiday Concerts were held at each school during the month of December. Dr. DeCristofaro thanked the choral and instrumental teachers, participation levels continue to increase at the middle and high school levels and the quality of the performances is incredible.

In its 25th year of publication, Atlantic Middle School’s 2013 edition of the Young Writers magazine was awarded First Place with Special Merit by the American Scholastic Press Association. Dr. DeCristofaro thanked Principal Maureen MacNeil, Assistant Principal Adam Wolf, Advisor/Teacher Patricia Dunne, and the three student editors: Brigham McKee, Tianette McKee, and Dalia Sadaka.

Dr. DeCristofaro noted that School Committee had received a copy of the upcoming Partnership Events Calendar, a flyer for the Family Literacy event at Lincoln Hancock on January 16, and Aspen Publication #9 which focused on the Curriculum and Learning module. Examples of Home-School Connections include the Atherton Hough and Wollaston Monthly Newsletters and the Broad Meadows and Montclair Curriculum Newsletters. Dr. DeCristofaro concluded his report by thanking the principals for their tremendous efforts to share information with parents about their schools and citywide programs.

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Old Business

Facilities Dedications (Vote)

Mr. McCarthy made a motion to dedicate the Quincy High School Custodians' Office in honor of Thomas Orseno, 20-year veteran of the custodial staff. Mayor Koch seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it 7-0.

Mr. McCarthy made a motion to dedicate a portion of green space on the site of the former Quincy High School building to former teacher and English Department Chair Bruce McDonald. Mayor Koch seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it 7-0.

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New Business

Professional Development Plan Presentation

The Professional Development Plan for 2013-2014 was presented by the Curriculum & Assessment Management Team. Senior Curriculum Coordinator Madeline Roy opened the presentation, noting that each School Committee member received a copy of the Professional Development Plan, which is organized by program, school, and master schedule (organized sequentially by date). This plan is posted on the website, informs staff and community members of the priorities of collaborative goals and team planning; the plan overview summarizes the goals and priorities for the year. The emphasis is on sustaining and improving best practices, connecting to district and state initiatives around academics, school culture, and school safety.

Curriculum Coordinator Erin Perkins then spoke about the Professional Development Team, Pre-K through 12 staff and administrative members. Goals are: collaboration and representation; building capacity with high-quality professional development; and evaluation of effective professional development. Internal and ongoing Professional Development for Quincy Public School initiatives includes Curriculum Pacing and Alignment, new Core Resources, Common Benchmark Assessments, Data Analysis, the ASPEN Student Information system, and the inclusion model for Middle School Mathematics.

Curriculum Coordinator Beth Hallett noted that the majority of professional development is focused on connecting to state initiatives: to support the Common Core, WIDA, RETELL, Educator Evaluation, and District-Determined Measures. Career and Technical Education standards are in transition (a year behind Common Core). In addition, we are investigating grant funding to reinvigorate school-based data teams, increasing capacity for analysis and use of data.

Mrs. Mahoney complimented the huge undertaking that creating the Professional Development Plan entails and asked whether professional development is videotaped. Ms. Roy agreed that it could be in the future and that the Curriculum & Assessment module for Aspen will be useful for sharing these videos.

Mrs. Mahoney asked about utilization of Aspen and whether all teachers are using the online gradebook. Mr. Keith Segalla clarified that while attendance, interim report, and report card posting in Aspen are required, using the online gradebook is optional. Mrs. Mahoney suggested surveying staff and also asking if additional training would assist with the transition. Mrs. Mahoney complimented how much has been accomplished in a very short time in terms of implementing Aspen.

Director of Data Analysis Mary Fredrickson outlined the Assessment Calendar, which has been updated; additional items in red relate to District-Determined Measures and PARCC field tests. Pilot PARCC field test will be administered at all middle and high schools, plus half of elementary schools. These will not be for record of individual student assessment, so the randomly selected students will take both the PARCC and MCAS testing.

Ms. Isola asked about the PARCC field tests and whether the same classes will take both the March and May assessments. Mrs. Fredrickson said we are still waiting for clarification on this issue. The length of time for each test varies for each grade. This is a technical and administrative field test, along with item norming. Ms. Roy said while there are prescribed start and end times for the tests, this may be part of what is being field tested.

Superintendent DeCristofaro thanked all of the members of the Superintendent’s Leadership and Principal Teams and the Quincy Education Association and Allison Cox. An unprecedented level of Professional Development is needed to support these many initiatives.

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School Committee Clerk Appointment

Mr. McCarthy nominated Ms. Laura Owens for a second two-year term as School Committee Clerk, thanking her for professionalism and organization of School Committee matters. Mrs. Mahoney seconded the motion, recounting Ms. Owens’ experience that led to her position in the Quincy Public Schools. On a roll call vote, the ayes have it 7-0.

On the motion, both Mayor Koch and Dr. DeCristofaro complimented Ms. Owens for her work with the Superintendent and School Committee over the last two years.

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2014-2015 School Committee Meeting and 2014-2015 School Year Draft Calendars

Mrs. Hubley introduced the draft 2014-2015 School Year Calendar and School Committee meeting calendar and moved these to the Policy Subcommittee meeting for further discussion. These drafts will be shared with all Quincy Public Schools staff, the Quincy Education Association, Citywide Parents Council, Quincy Parent Advisory Council to Special Education, and posted on the Quincy Public Schools website and Facebook and Twitter for public comment.

Mr. Bregoli announced that these two calendars would be on the agenda for the Policy Subcommittee Meeting scheduled for Monday, January 13 at 5:15 pm following the Budget & Finance Subcommittee Meeting.

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Gift: Piano

Mayor Koch made a motion to accept the gift of a baby grand piano from Dr. Steven A. Brustin for the Point Webster Middle School. Ms. Isola seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Gift: Multi-Lane Timer/Scoreboard

Mayor Koch made a motion to accept the gift of a Multi-Lane Timer/Scoreboard from the South Shore YMCA to the Lincoln Hancock Community School. Ms. Isola seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Overnight Travel

Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the Overnight Travel of the Quincy High School Student Council to the Massachusetts Association of Student Councils Conference in Hyannis, MA March 5 through March 7, 2014. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Out of State Travel

Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the Out of State Travel of the Point Webster Middle School Grade 8 students to New York City, NY June 5 through June 6, 2014. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Ms. Isola made a motion to approve the Out of State Travel of the Sterling Middle School Grade 8 students to New York City, NY June 4 through June 5, 2014. Mayor Koch seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the Out of State Travel of the North Quincy and Quincy High Schools HYPER Robotics team to the FRC Regional Competition March 5 through March 8, 2014. Ms. Isola seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Mrs. Hubley requested a copy of the itinerary accompany any future Out of State travel requests.

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Additional Business

Mrs. Mahoney announced that there will be a Special Education Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday, January 15 at 6:00 pm at Quincy High School.

Mrs. Mahoney requested an update on the status of items on the Central Middle School punchlist.

Mrs. Mahoney suggesting creating a Facebook event for the next Parent Academy. She also suggested posting a video tutorial for the Aspen Student Portal.

Mrs. Mahoney asked whether Streetworks had fulfilled their financial committment to the School~Community Business Partnership.

Mrs. Hubley announced updated Subcommittee assignments; the Quincy Public Schools website has also been updated to reflect this information:
Budget & Finance: Mrs. Hubley (chair); all School Committee members
Facilities & Security: Mr. McCarthy (chair); Mr. Bregoli, Mrs. Hubley
Health, Transportation, & Safety: Mr. DiBona (chair); Mr. Bregoli; Mr. McCarthy
Policy: Mr. Bregoli (chair); Mrs. Hubley, Ms. Isola
Rules, Post Audit, & Oversight: Mrs. Hubley (chair); Ms. Isola, Mrs. Mahoney
Special Education: Mrs. Mahoney (chair); Mr. DiBona, Mr. McCarthy
Teaching & Learning: Ms. Isola (chair), Mrs. Hubley, Mrs. Mahoney

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Communications

Mrs. Hubley welcomed new Quincy Sun reporter Kris Kalabokas and wished former reporter Emily Taft Armstrong the best in her new endeavors.

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Adjournment

Mrs. Mahoney made a motion to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bregoli and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.