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The Special School Committee Meeting resumed at 7:30 pm with Interim Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Special Education Director Erin Perkins, and Senior Curriculum Director Madeline Roy presenting on the QPS Fall 2020 Comprehensive Re-Entry Plan. The components of the plan include an Executive Summary, a Letter to the Community, State Guidance on the Re-Opening of School, Fall 2020 Re-Entry Communication Plan, Data Sources and Analysis Informing the Plan, the three Learning Models (in-person, remote, and hybrid), the Out of School Time plan, Student Supports and Professional Learning, Certification of Health & Safety Requirements.
Interim Superintendent Mulvey reiterated the Quincy Public Schools Commitment to following the Massachusetts and CDC guidelines for schools, adhering to all protocols by state and local health officials for addressing COVID-19 positive cases within the school system, and meets the following benchmarks: incorporate equity as a component in the re-entry plan so that all schools provide students with the opportunity to make comprehensive educational progress; fully support the social, emotional, and nutritional well-being of all students; identify learning gaps; follow and maintain the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and Career Ready Standards; adhere to components of IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitaion Act, and ADA; adopt and follow health procedures outlined by the MDPH and CDC, including cleaning and sanitization; ensure safe transportation for students; ensure an accurate system for tracking attendance; and follow the DESE guidance for interscholastic athletics and extracurricular activities. In the past six weeks, Quincy Public Schools has hosted over thirty focus groups with parents, students, and staff; conducted surveys on the spring Remote Learning with staff and parents; and surveyed staff and families about learning models for Fall 2020. Data from these surveys and focus groups informed the planning process as did the topics raised most often during the focus groups, such as: procedures for students or staff who test positive for COVID-19 or display symptoms; technology (remote learning platforms, Chromebooks, bandwidth, student emails); cohorting students (including keeping siblings on the same schedule); use of masks; selecting the remote learning model; lunch and breakfast procedures; after-school activties, including fall sports; and services for students on IEPs and English Language Learners.
The three learning models were reviewed: (1) in-person learning model, which would require 3-foot distancing within classrooms and the use of alternative spaces such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, and libraries to accommodate all students in the school buildings simultaneously. Students would remain in cohorts as much as possible, with academic programs pushing in or being held outdoor weather permitting. Service delivery for English Learner or Special Education services would be push-in whenever possible. (2) Hybrid Learning would involve dividing students into two cohorts who would attend school either Monday/Tuesday or Thursday/Friday. Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students will attend school half-days four days a week. Wednesday will be remote learning for all students and students will learn remotely on the days they are not scheduled to be in school. At the high school level, some curriculum areas will be fully remote. Special Education students in substantially separate programs will attend in-person classes every day. (3) Remote Learning model for all levels will be scheduled, synchronous and organized in cohort models where students will remain in the Google Meet homeroom and teachers will rotate in and out. Special education students in substantially separate classrooms may attend in-person.
Beyond the bell programming such as BOKS, homework support, intramural and extramural sports, clubs, and activities that meet the health and safety requirements provided by DESE will be offered at school. Student supports include reaching students through the tiered model of support and providing strategies to address stress, anxiety, depression, physical health and wellness, and cross-cultural communication. Staff professional development will prepare students to intervene and support using evidence-based curriculum and interventions.
Mr. Gutro suggested that in addition to parent and staff technology training, students may need support and training as well. Mr. Gutro asked about uniform submission of assignments, Ms. Roy said the initiative to provide each student with a Quincy Public Schools email is important to assisting with this. Mr. Gutro asked about the Aspen grading and attendance, Mr. Mulvey said those expectations are part of the negotiations with the Quincy Education Association.
Mr. Gutro asked about high school schedules, how many times per week do classes meet. Quincy High School classes meet four times in a four day rotation schedule (longer blocks); North Quincy High School classes meet six times in a seven-day rotation. The total amount of instructional time is consistent. Under the hybrid model, the live instructional time is reduced for all classes but there are assignments to be completed in time frames that count as instructional time.
Mrs. Lebo asked about the in-person model. Ms. Perkins said there is no limit to the number of students, but must be able to adhere to the 3-foot distance limit. Ms. Perkin said that DESE provided a tool to assist in calculating the capacity of classrooms.
Mrs. Lebo asked if assessments can be done remotely, Ms. Perkins said the MAP can be along with some Special Education assessments.
Mrs. Lebo suggested that principals have remote focus groupmeetings with parents.
Mr. Bregoli asked for clarification on the 3-foot and 6-foot models. Mr. Mulvey said the state asked school districts to determine which is feasible for their schools. Mr. Mulvey said that Quincy Public Schools buildings will not accommodate all students at 6-feet distance and Health Commissioner Ruth Jones will not certify the safety of the 3-foot model based on guidance from the state Department of Public Health. Quincy Public Schools is required to submit an in-person model, but does not find it is feasible.
Mr. Bregoli asked about technology concerns for families with multiple students, each would need their own device. Mr. Mulvey said there are conversations with Quincy After School Childcare, the South Shore YMCA, and South Shore STARS about providing supports for remote learning in the school buildings or at their sites.Mr. Bregoli is concerned about the impact on working families.
Mrs. Hubley asked for specifics about mask breaks, Ms. Roy said that Commissioner Jones has outlined the parameters and teachers will be cognizant of the students needs.
Mrs. Hubley asked about high school students not being able to use lockers. Ms. Perkins said high school students will be able to use lockers, elementary and middle school would not as they will not be changing classes.
Mr. Andronico asked about the isolation rooms for symptomatic students or staff in each school building. Mr. Mulvey said a space is being identified in each building, apart from the nurse’s office and with enough space for multiple students with social distancing. A student brought to the isolation room will be picked up or transported home as soon as possible.
Mr. Andronico asked about hybrid schedule for Kindergarten, families with students in older grades would have to make multiple trips to the school to drop off and pick up. Ms. Perkins said that remote learning for Kindergarten is very challenging, this will get the youngest learners in school as much as possible. Kindergarten is not a required grade level and the learning time requirement can be met through the half-day model.
Mr. Andronico asked about Professional Development. Ms. Perkins said the schedule is based on the current school year calendar, important for staff to be as prepared as possible should there have to be a shift to full remote learning.
Mr. Andronico asked about outdoor classroom spaces, Mr. Mulvey said that weather would impact the use of these spaces. There are some classes such as Physical Education and other opportunities to be outside, weather permitting. Ms. Perkins said that school security would be difficult to maintain outside and the safety guidelines are still considerations.
Mr. Andronico noted that other school districts are looking at phased openings, Mr. Mulvey said that most communities seem to be in the same place that Quincy Public Schools are with a few publicly committing to fully remote while others are exploring hybrid plans that are phased in with starting out remotely. No district is planning for full in-person return to school that we are aware of.
Mr. Gutro asked about the answers to the Frequently Asked Questions, Mr. Mulvey said this is a work in process, and that these are being posted on the website as they are available.
Mrs. Lebo asked about the status of the Chromebooks, Mr. Mulvey said that DESE Associate Commissioner Russell Johnston is bringing the issue to the attention of DESE Commissioner Jeffrey Riley and Governor Baker who will be advocating with Dell on our behalf. Mr. Mulvey said that we are looking at other options, including iPad carts owned by schools.
Mrs. Lebo asked about staffing for isolation rooms, Mr. Mulvey said staffing plans still to come.
Mrs. Hubley asked if the staff laptops have arrived and Mr. Mulvey said we received 1,000 to date and these are being distributed to staff.
Mayor Koch made a motion to delay the vote on the Quincy Public Schools Comprehensive Re-Opening Plan and for Mr. Mulvey to request the extension to the filing deadline to August 17. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Lebo and on roll call vote, the ayes have it 7-0.
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