Mayor Koch’s deferred
the Chairman’s Review as there is a lengthy agenda this evening.
Superintendent
Mulvey opened his report by addressing the events that took place over the
last week, the rap song containing racist and sexist language, the videos
containing racist language, and the subsequent altercation and student
walkout. Superintendent Mulvey
reviewed the investigation and disciplinary process around the offensive
audio and video recordings and the outside resources, including Walker
Therapeutic and DESE’s Associate Commissioner Russell Johnston, who have
assisted with the immediate response.
Mr. Santoro
thanked the Superintendent and Leadership Team, as well as the administrative
team at Quincy High School, for the quick response. Mr. Santoro emphasized that the community
needs to clearly understand how the process works, suggested including
parents from the Citywide PTO EDI Subcommittee, Quincy High School and Point
Webster parents in a future Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Subcommittee
meeting.
Mrs. Lebo agreed
with Mr. Santoro, and asked for any notes taken at the student assembly to be
shared with School Committee. Mrs.
Lebo asked if the grade level assemblies were required attendance, Ms.
Perkins clarified that there were mandatory assemblies for all grades. There was also an early morning meeting that
was voluntary, open to all students.
Mrs. Lebo asked about the VISIONS report, the report has been delayed
by Dr. Pinderhughes’ health issues.
Mr. Gutro asked
for clarification, School Committee meetings cannot be broadcast live from
any other location due to Quincy Access Television equipment issues.
Mr. Gutro asked
for the Superintendent to share the audio and video files with School
Committee during Executive Session.
Mrs. Perdios
agrees with increasing parent participation opportunities at meetings, the
acknowledgment of the crisis is important.
School Committee needs to make a commitment to work on this, the
outside resources need a deliverable plan of action.
Mrs. Lebo
reminded Superintendent Mulvey of her request for a Curriculum Map for
Social-Emotional Learning. Mrs. Lebo
said that the student who created the racist video has had his life severely
impacted, the online presence of this will affect his life for years.
Mayor Koch
thanked Superintendent Mulvey and the team for moving quickly and
professionally, these incidents are based in ignorance and a lack of
long-term thinking about consequences.
Quincy High School is an excellent school, he does not want the
reputation to be tarnished by the actions of a few students, has faith in the
students and staff at the school.
Mayor Koch said that School Committee can meet at Quincy High School,
but the meeting cannot be broadcast live.
Mrs. Lebo
mentioned that the acoustics at Quincy High School, Central Middle School,
and South~West are problematic, School Committee cannot hear each other
across the stage.
Superintendent
Mulvey moved to the next section of the Superintendent’s Report, noting that Quincy
Public Schools enrollment is 9,711 for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, an
increase of 100 students since October 1. For COVID-19 positive cases, there were 31
student and 5 staff cases in the two weeks October 27-November 9. There were 106 close contacts: 66 Test & Stay, 26 quarantined; 14
vaccinated/exempt from quarantine with no symptoms. Over 1,900 staff and students are
participating in weekly pooled testing
On October 26,
DESE extended the mask requirement to January 15, 2022. As previously discussed, schools that reach
an 80% vaccination rate can request to DESE to waive the mask
requirement. Currently, no school
meets this threshold with student vaccination rates of: Atlantic 47.6%; Broad Meadows 26.6%;
Central 49.7%, Point Webster 25.4%, South~West 24.6%, North Quincy High School
74.8%, and Quincy High School 63.8%.
Vaccination rates will continue to be monitored and updated at
subsequent School Committee meetings, including elementary school data now
that students ages 5-11 are eligible to be vaccinated.
Mrs. Perdios
asked for clarification, the staff have not yet been polled because even if
100% of staff are vaccinated, it would not allow any school to reach 80%.
Superintendent
Mulvey said that staff can be polled and submit an affidavit of vaccination,
this would be voluntary.
Mr. Gutro asked for
the positive case data to break out the number of families affected.
Mr. Bregoli
asked about the process of requesting a waiver, the School Committee would
send an affidavit to DESE for approval, requests have been approved to date.
Mrs. Lebo
clarified that only vaccinated staff and students would be allowed to remove
their masks, which sets up a complication for the administrators.
Superintendent
Mulvey thanked Manet Health Community as an important partner for COVID-19
vaccinations, operating in the 180 Old Colony building for testing as well
several days a week.
Mrs. Perdios
asked about the long-term use of the building impeding the construction of
the DeCristofaro Learning Center.
Mayor Koch clarified that the Manet Health use of the building is not
impeding the construction, the project is currently out for bid. Mrs. Perdios requested a presentation of
updated plans for the building. Mayor
Koch agreed that Mr. Hines will appear before School Committee in the new
year, he was unfortunately not able to appear at the recent Facilities
Subcommittee meeting due to illness.
Mr. Gutro asked
for an update on the Chromebook shipment, Superintendent Mulvey said they are
being configured and will provide an update on arrival projections at the
next meeting.
The Quincy
Public Schools Mentor program is underway for the new school year with 65
newly-hired educators, nurses, and support staff being mentored by 60 veteran
staff members. Mentor Team meetings
are held five times over the course of the year for presentations and there
are also monthly meeting opportunities at the school level. Thanks to the National Association of
Government Employees (NAGE) for their continued support of the Mentor Program
through providing funding for mentor stipends.
Superintendent
Mulvey updated that the Educator Mini-Grants were awarded to 114 educators
through the generosity of the Quincy School~Community Partnership. Quincy Public Schools will support local
food pantries through food drives held at all school locations and the
Coddington Building.
Superintendent
Mulvey recognized Commended National Merit Scholars Caroline
Cavicci, Alexander Gu, Jaden Liang, Amy Truong, and Jilin Zheng
from North Quincy High School and Maurice Ampane, Amyah Davis, Natalya
Desmond, Maya Dijkstra, Zach Donohue, and Cassandra Gordon from
Quincy High School. Of the 1.6 million students who took the PSAT in
October 2020, these students are among the top 50,000 nationwide. Superintendent
Mulvey also recognized the 110 graduating seniors in the class of 2022 who
have been awarded the John & Abigail Adams Scholarships for scoring in
the top 25% district-wide on the MCAS Assessments. The scholarship
covers eight semesters of tuition at any University of Massachusetts, state
university, or community college campus.
Mrs. Lebo
congratulated the students and their educators for these achievements.
Superintendent
reviewed recent Quincy Public Schools and Community Events, including the Homecoming
Dances were held for North Quincy High School students on October 2 and
Quincy High School students on October 23. Thanks to the support of
Mayor Koch, the events were safely held outdoors in tents with refreshments
provided by parent organizations at each school. Special thanks to
Principals Keith Ford and Larry Taglieri and their staff members who
volunteered to make these events special for over 1,000 students.
High School Open
House events were held for middle school students and their families on November
3 for Quincy High School and November 9 for North Quincy High School.
Attendees toured the schools and learned about the academic and
extracurricular activities at each school. Thanks to Principals Larry
Taglieri, Keith Ford; Assistant Principals Ellen Murrary, Helena Skinner, and
Noreen Holland; and the Department Chairs, guidance staff, deans, Athletic
Directors, and staff members at both high schools for planning and hosting
these important events.
On Sunday,
October 24, Quincy hosted the Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral
Conductors Association State Marching Band Championships. 25 marching
bands from high schools all over the state participated.
Congratulations to the Quincy/North Quincy Band & Colorguard under the
direction of Michael DeMarco and Matt Cavanaugh for their 2nd place
finish! The combined Marching Band & Color Guard now have over
150 members and thanks to the support of Mayor Koch and School Committee
members over the years as well as the Quincy Band Boosters in providing funding
for new uniforms and equipment and additional staffing, and rebuilding the
program over the last 8 years.
Mrs. Perdios
noted that the students who assisted with the Open Houses were very
impressive.
Mr. Santoro commended
the students who were recognized, many are also involved in Athletics and
Extracurriculars, examples of how our two good high schools are producing
academic scholars supported by teachers in many ways.
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