Quincy Public Schools

QUINCY SCHOOL COMMITTEE

TEACHING & LEARNING SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING ~ February 7, 2022

A meeting of the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee was held on Monday, February 7, 2022 at 6:00 pm in the Coddington Building.  Present were Mayor Thomas P. Koch, Mrs. Tina Cahill, Mr. Doug Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Mr. Frank Santoro, and Mrs. Emily Lebo, Chair.  Also attending were Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Mr. Nicholas Ahearn, Mr. James Hennessy, Ms. Robin Moreira, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Heather Patch, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

Principal James Hennessy presented the Wollaston Elementary School Improvement Plan, thanking Mayor Koch and School Committee, Superintendent Mulvey, the Superintendent’s Leadership Team, all of the Wollaston teachers and school staff.  Since March 2020, everything about the school has been reinvented, and the staff came together around a common goal of educating students.  In September 2020, only 35% of students were attending school in person under the hybrid model, by the end of the year, 51% were in person.  Staff rose to the challenge of keeping students and families involved in the school community, supported by the technology tools provided by the Mayor and School Committee.  The school provided expanded opportunities to socialize in person and remotely, with parent and family events online. The EDI team met every other week to focus on school climate and making connections. 

This year’s goals build on the achievements of last year, using MAP data to inform instruction, culturally responsive instruction, common language and strategies for instruction, online tools and enrichment programs to address learning loss.  Initiatives include a Science showcase for Grades 3-5, restorative and community circles, adding EDI members on PTO board, and check-ins and check outs with students in need of additional support. Each day is the opportunity to move closer to normal, working together to support achievement of our students.

Mr. Santoro asked about the aggressive goals for Grade 2, Mr. Hennessy said those are teacher-led.  Mr. Santoro asked whether the 5^th Grade student councils have the opportunity to meet with other schools, the annual Grade 5 Student Leadership Summit usually held in June.

Mr. Santoro asked about traffic, Mr. Hennessy said he is open to assistance and suggestion.

Mrs. Cahill said the MAP data is impressive, asked about the use of software platforms at home, Mr. Hennessy confirmed there is after school access.  Mr. Hennessy said there are online options connected to the Science curriculum as well.

Mrs. Lebo asked about the low floor-high ceiling concept for mathematics, Mr. Hennessy said the teachers did this independently.

Mrs. Lebo asked about the mentors, Mr. Hennessy confirmed that this is new for this school year, another opportunity to make connections.

Mrs. Lebo asked about First Language Not English vs. Former English Learners.  These are two different types of data, the first is information that comes from the Home Language Survey during registration, the latter have tested out of English Learner Education through ACCESS testing.

Mr. Gutro asked about the transition for attending school for the large group who did not attend school last year.  Mr. Hennessy said that there was a Welcome Back to School event and tours offered for students. 

Mr. Santoro made a motion to accept the Wollaston Elementary School Improvement Plan and move the facilities issues into the Facilities Subcommittee.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Cahill, and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Principal Robin Moreira presented the Atherton Hough Elementary School Improvement Plan, reflecting on the 2020-2021 school year.  26% of the school population are substantially separate Special Education students.  With a high response to in-person learning, every corner of the building was used for education purposes.  Building positive culture through staff supporting students and families when they were apart, students are greeted by name and have check-ins before, during, or after school.  School-wide book (This Is How We Do It) supports learning about cultures in the context of their place in the world.  MAP data is showing growth and evidence of students feeling comfortable in their classrooms and the mid-year assessments identify areas of need and potential growth.  Intentional time to meet and plan is provided for staff through scheduling of interventions.  Areas of focus include increasing fact fluency, and Science instruction, Atherton Hough has a smaller staff with only two general education teachers per grade.  (Larger schools can typically have one teacher for ELA/Reading, one for Math, and one for Science/Social Studies.) So many things that were established for the pandemic response remain, especially building those community connections.

Mr. Santoro complimented the school-wide book and the follow up assemblies, asked for a presentation on new Illustrative Math curriculum.

Mrs. Cahill said that a large number of students in Grades 4 & 5 for the Reach program, 50% of Grade 4.  Ms. Perkins said the MAP scores are used to determine the placement, the top 20% of scores are typically used so if a number of students score at the same level, they are all invited to participate.

Mrs. Lebo complimented the family communication.  Mrs. Lebo asked about the MAP data, last year’s Grade 5 students had large gains, but the goal is 5 points, which is in the average range for that grade level.

Mr. Gutro complimented the social-emotional goals around the WIN block, Mr. Gutro asked about classrooms without installed projectors.  Atherton Hough still has nine classrooms to be completed.  These classrooms have projectors, but are on carts.  Superintendent Mulvey said that as part of the Technology Plan, a number of classrooms are upgraded each year. 

Mr. Gutro noted the Atherton Hough PTO hosted a Polar Plunge this past weekend, a very strong community turnout.

Mrs. Cahill made a motion to accept the Atherton Hough Elementary School Improvement Plan and move the facilities issues into the Facilities Subcommittee.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Cahill, and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Principal Nick Ahearn presented the Clifford Marshall Elementary School Improvement Plan, shared the progress of last year, the focus on relationship building and sustaining academic gains and addressing gaps, 68% of students making progress on ACCESS.  Individual acts of caring and compassion, student resilience, connections between remote and in-person learners were evident.  At the start of the school year, the 50% of students who had not attended school in person were offered tours.  80 new students have enrolled since the first day of school, 20 students who were home schooled initially this school year returned to school over the course of the fall.  Meeting student needs is the primary focus, data-driven strategies, new Mathematics curriculum, and emphasis on informational texts and writing.  Constant communication is key to safe community, utilizes School Messenger and on-demand translation. 

Mr. Santoro complimented the administrative team and the SIPs challenging goals.

Mrs. Cahill asked about the home languages and the challenges of communication.  Mr. Ahearn said that through School Committee support, translation is provided through the EL department, staff members, the Family Liaisons, Central Registration, and the on-call translation services. Mrs. Cahill complimented the extended day opportunities and digital learning initiatives.

Mrs. Lebo asked about restorative circles, Ms. Patch said students will do better when they know better.

Mr. Gutro complemented the Clifford Marshall school culture and pride.

Mrs. Hubley complimented the Literacy week celebration.  Mr. Ahearn said the school’s Literacy team is working on the details around a winter Olympics theme. 

Mr. Santoro made a motion to accept the Clifford Marshall Elementary School Improvement Plan and move the facilities issues into the Facilities Subcommittee.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Cahill, and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Mr. Santoro made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 pm.  Mrs. Cahill seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.