QUINCY SCHOOL COMMITTEE
TEACHING & LEARNING SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
A meeting of
the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee was held on November 28, 2022 at 6:00
pm in the Coddington Building. Present
were Subcommittee members Mrs. Tina Cahill, Mr. Frank Santoro and Mrs. Emily
Lebo, Subcommittee Chair. Also present
were School Committee Members Mr. Paul Bregoli and Mr. Doug Gutro; Superintendent
Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Mr. Nicholas Ahearn, Ms.
Christine Barrett, Ms. Kim Connolly, Ms. Julie Graham, Ms. Mary Hurley, Ms.
Renee Malvesti, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Heather Patch, Ms. Kimberley Quinn, Ms. Madeline
Roy, Mr. Steve Sylvia, Mr. Lawrence Taglieri, Ms. Bridget Vaughan; and Ms.
Laura Owens, Clerk.
Principal
Christine Barrett presented the Point Webster Middle School Improvement Plan,
noting that that in the last few years, the focus of goals has shifted from
MCAS to MAP. The MAP assessment is more
readily accessible data and provides real-time information for targeted student
interventions. Emphasis on
Social-Emotional Learning will continue into this school year, with restorative
practices, the attendance incentive program with the Boston Celtics, and family
communication and community activities.
The exterior ground improvements have made a difference to the school
and community, many grants support the innovative classroom efforts of the
teachers.
Mrs. Cahill asked
about the Pre-Kindergarten play area, the improvements are still to be
done. Superintendent Mulvey will follow
up with Commissioner Hines.
Mrs. Cahill
asked about opportunities for principals to share strategies for curriculum and
instruction with each other. Ms. Barrett
said that there are system-wide professional development days and Ms. Perkins
noted the regular Principal meetings.
Mr. Santoro
asked about curriculum for Grade 5, all students in this grade use the same
materials.
Mr. Santoro
asked about the rate of new student registration and students moving away; Ms.
Owens will compile the data for all schools.
Mrs. Lebo suggested
that Point Webster should have Math Interventionist services for Grade 5
students.
Mrs. Lebo
asked about the REACH program for Grade 5, the percentage of students at each
school often is not 20%. Ms. Perkins
said that was the goal, a few students declined to participate and a few others
moved away.
Mrs. Lebo asked
to be updated about the caseloads for Speech & Language, Occupational
Therapists, and Physical Therapists.
Mr. Bregoli
asked about the Pre-Kindergarten program, there are 70 students in four
classrooms (2 Integrated, 2 CARES).
Mr. Gutro noted
that the Point Webster SIP was reviewed by the PTO prior to submission to
School Committee.
Mr.
Santoro made a motion to approve the Point Webster Middle School Improvement
Plan. Mrs. Cahill seconded the motion
and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Principal
Nicholas Ahearn and Assistant Principal Heather Patch presented the Clifford
Marshall Elementary School Improvement Plan, noting that the elementary schools
are implementing new Reading and Mathematics curricula. Mr. Ahearn shared highlights of growth in
achievement for the school community and the data-driven strategies and action
steps to achieve the goals for this school year, including a continued focus on
social-emotional learning, a robust extended day program, and family
communication. Ms. Patch explored the
content-area focus of the new Reading program, which will work in partnership with
the inquiry-based Science program.
Mrs. Cahill asked
that issues that impact security are addressed in Facilities subcommittee. Mrs. Lebo noted that the Security assessment
is underway by the outside company commissioned by Mayor Koch.
Mrs. Cahill
asked about staffing, Mr. Ahearn said that he is grateful for the staff
provided by the QPS budget.
Mr. Santoro
asked about the traffic issues for morning dropoff and afternoon pickup, Mr.
Ahearn said the staff work with the School Resource officers and the crossing
guards to ensure student safety. Mrs.
Lebo complimented that VOCAL data.
Mrs.
Cahill made a motion to approve the Clifford Marshall Elementary School
Improvement Plan. Mr. Santoro seconded
the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Principal
Steve Sylvia presented the Squantum Elementary School Improvement Plan, thanks
to the support of Mayor Koch, the School Committee, the Superintendent and
Leadership Team this past year was another step in the recovery from the
pandemic. This plan was developed by the
staff working together to focus on student growth and social-emotional
learning, during the school day and beyond the bell. The school community is energized by the
prospect of building a new Squantum Elementary School building; an Owner’s
Project Manager has been selected as of this afternoon at the Building
Committee Meeting.
Mr. Santoro
noted that MCAS results were well-above the state average for Squantum
students. As the School Committee
representative on the School Building Committee, Mr. Santoro is looking forward
to working with Mr. Sylvia on the new school project.
Mrs. Cahill
said that Squantum staff are clearly doing all the right things, the data
supports the staff efforts and the social-emotional initiatives are reflected
in the VOCAL data.
Mrs. Lebo
agreed that both the MCAS data and VOCAL data are impressive. Mrs. Lebo asked about Class Dojo, Mr. Sylvia
said this is a direct communication tool with parents.
Mr. Gutro
asked if the SIP was reviewed by parents, Mr. Sylvia said that there are parent
representatives who are part of the process of developing the School
Improvement Plan.
Mrs.
Cahill made a motion to approve the Squantum Elementary School Improvement
Plan. Mr. Santoro seconded the motion
and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Principal
Renee Malvesti and Assistant Principal Mary Hurley presented the Montclair
Elementary School Improvement Plan, Ms. Malvesti noted that this is the first
year with Ms. Hurley as a full-time Assistant Principal, a change that has made
a huge difference to the administration of the school. With the return to a more normal school year,
the focus has been on strengthening connections between students, staff, and
families and addressing the lingering effects of the pandemic. Social-emotional learning is through
student-centered activities, including the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Ropes
Course, a fun run, and other school-spirit building events. The students and parents value the
interpersonal connections with the staff, the VOCAL data reflects the efforts
of the EDI team. An upcoming opportunity
for parent involvement and EDI is Read Across America in March, where parents
can share with their student’s classes in person or virtually. The gardening club has continued to be
popular, three staff members work with the students in planting and maintaining
gardens on school grounds. Communication
has greatly been enhanced by the availability of the on-call interpretation
service and the PTO support for a Smores subscription for parent newsletters
(including translation option).
Mrs. Cahill asked
about the flag displayed in the cafeteria.
Mrs. Malvesti said the flags represent the countries the students where
students were born.
Mr. Santoro said
that he attended Montclair, the school has the same nurturing and welcoming
environment. Mr. Santoro noted the MCAS scores
were well-above the state average.
Mrs. Lebo
agreed that both the MAP and MCAS data is good, as well as positive VOCAL
survey data. Mrs. Lebo has participated
with the garden club, many enthusiastic students and a very supportive parent
group.
Mr. Bregoli
asked about the window issues, these are fairly new windows, only about 10
years old. Work orders have been filed with
Public Buildings.
Mrs.
Cahill made a motion to approve the Montclair Elementary School Improvement
Plan. Mr. Santoro seconded the motion
and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Lebo noted
that the class sizes are phenomenal across all the elementary schools.
Mrs. Cahill made a motion to adjourn at 7:15 pm, seconded by
Mr. Santoro. On a voice vote, the ayes
have it.