Quincy Public Schools

Quincy, MASSACHUSETTS – May 31, 2023

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Quincy School Committee Public Hearing:  FY2024 Budget

A Public Hearing of the FY2024 Quincy Public Schools Budget was held on                       Public

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at the Coddington Building at 6:00 p.m.  Superintendent    Hearing

Mulvey called the roll and present were School Committee Chair                           

Mayor Thomas P. Koch, Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mrs. Tina Cahill, Mr. Doug Gutro,                        Chair                   

Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Mrs. Emily Lebo, and Mr. Frank Santoro, Vice Chair                          Presiding                                          

Also present were:  Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Mr. James Mullaney, and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

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The Quincy School Committee held a Public Hearing on the FY2024 Budget.  As there was no one present to speak at the Public Hearing, the meeting was adjourned.

             §

On a motion by Mrs. Hubley, seconded by Mr. Bregoli the FY2024 Quincy Public Schools Budget Public Hearing was adjourned at 6:03 pm.

Quincy School Committee

Special Education Subcommittee

Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Special Education Chair

Mr. Paul Bregoli & Mrs. Tina Cahill, Subcommittee Members

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 6:02 pm

Coddington Building, School Committee Room

AGENDA

1.    NQHS LEAP Program Update                                   Ms. Anderson

2.    QPAC Update                                              Ms. McGill & Ms. Wood

Members of the public can access the meeting in person or live on QATV Channel 22 or at qatv.org.  The meeting will also be recorded for rebroadcast and posted on Friday, June 2, 2023 on the QPS SchoolTube channel https://www.schooltube.com/channel/Quincy+Public+Schools/139795111 .

QUINCY SCHOOL COMMITTEE

SPECIAL EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING

A meeting of the Special Education Subcommittee was held on May 31, 2023 at 6:05 pm in the Coddington Building.  Present were Subcommittee members Mr. Paul Bregoli and Mrs. Tina Cahill, and Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Special Education Subcommittee Chair. Also present were School Committee Members Mr. Doug Gutro, Mrs. Emily Lebo, and Mr. Frank Santoro; Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Ms. Sarah Anderson, Ms. Simone Buckley, Ms. Catherine Carey, Ms. Kim Connolly, Ms. Donna Cunningham, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Tara Hastings-Healy, Ms. Julie Graham, Ms. Jennifer Leary, Mr. Louis Marcucci, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mr. Lawrence Taglieri; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

Mr. Marcucci reviewed that the LEAP program at North Quincy High School is for students ages 18-22 with autism or intellectual disabilities who have matriculated from high school and want to continue their post-secondary education.  Students in the program independent living (cleaning, vacuuming, laundry) and social skills, self-determination and self-advocacy, and work ethic.  Students have lessons in financial literacy/money skills, hygiene and nutrition, workplace behaviors, job exploration (deliver copy paper, collecting recycling, stocking supplies and count money at school store) and resume development, pre-employment training, including independent travel on public transportation and on foot (including time management skills). 

Students Sean Ryan, Chloe Pierre-Paul, Andrew Nickerson, and James Haley spoke about their experiences in the LEAP program, volunteering in the school and community, and training for employment. 

The LEAP students are participating in cooperative learning with NQHS nursing program.  Volunteer placements in the community include the Coddington Building Special Education office, Food Service at NQHS and South~West Middle School, custodial services at South~West and Parker, South Shore YMCA, 1000 Southern Artery Senior buildings, 16C & Kilroy’s Restaurants, Caryn’s Corner, and the Edge Salon.

Mr. Bregoli complimented the expansion of the program over the years. 

Mr. Santoro asked about the academic curriculum, Mr. Marcucci has developed the program over the years to meet the needs of the students in transitioning to the world of work.  The relationship with Work Inc has been reinvigorated and provides students with technical skills.  Mr. Santoro congratulated the students on their public speaking skills.

Mrs. Lebo thanked the presenters, it is incredible to hear firsthand about the student experiences.

Mrs. Hubley asked about the current enrollment of the LEAP program, currently 12 students and will grow to 18 for the 2023-2024 school year.

Superintendent Mulvey thanked Mr. Marcucci and the staff, we value their assistance in the Coddington Building office.  Thanks to Chamber of Commerce President Tim Cahill, Mayor Koch, and Quincy College President DeCristofaro for their embrace of the partnership.

The Quincy Parent Advisory Council to Special Education Board members (Sarah Wood, Ginger McGill, Darlene Wilson, Melissa Ricci) presented on this year’s accomplishments and goals for next school year.  This school year, QPAC’s goals were to build membership, fundraising, monthly presentations for families on important topics, expanding translation and interpretation, monthly support group, and after school and vacation week programs.  QPAC is using multiple means for parent outreach, have over 100 members.  Special Education Transportation has had issues with lateness, dependency, and communication, specifically with outside vendors.

For next school year, goals include collaborating with QPS on the opening of the Learning Center, continuing to collaborate on transportation challenges and improved communication between staff and parents, and support training resources for special education student issues.

Mr. Bregoli asked for follow up email about collaborating with the Recreation Department as he is on the Park & Recreation board. 

Mrs. Cahill thanked the presenters, asked an overview of the collaboration with QPS staff.  Ms. Wood said the board meets monthly with Ms. Graham.

Mr. Gutro thanked the presenters, this is a time commitment for busy parents to develop such a thoughtful plan. 

Mrs. Lebo said the transportation issues affect both general and special education, would like to see records of missed and dropped routes and lateness.  Mrs. Lebo suggested a work group to look at communication tools that could be rolled out district-wide.  Mrs. Lebo mentioned the South Shore Snap Program, based in Hingham. 

Mr. Santoro asked if there are contractual consequences when transportation routes are missed. Superintendent Mulvey said similar to QPS, the outside vendors are struggling with drivers and substitutes.  Superintendent Mulvey said that QPS is contracting with additional vendors to spread out the transportation routes.  

Ms. McGill said that PepsiCo may be interested in partnering with the LEAP program for employment opportunities in their local plant, for deliveries, and store display setups.

Mrs. Cahill made a motion to adjourn at 7:30 pm, seconded by Mr. Bregoli.  On a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Quincy School Committee

Teaching & Learning Subcommittee

Mrs. Emily Lebo, Teaching & Learning Chair

Mrs. Tina Cahill & Mr. Frank Santoro, Subcommittee Members

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 6:30 pm

Coddington Building, School Committee Room

AGENDA

1.    DOVE Program Review                       Ms. Bolton, Ms. Chandler                                                        

2. Digital Literacy Update                         Ms. Ceriani, Ms. Kelley, Ms. Walsh                

Members of the public can access the meeting in person or live on QATV Channel 22 or at qatv.org.  The meeting will also be recorded for rebroadcast and posted on Friday, June 2, 2023 on the QPS SchoolTube channel https://www.schooltube.com/channel/Quincy+Public+Schools/139795111 .

QUINCY SCHOOL COMMITTEE

TEACHING & LEARNING SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING

A meeting of the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee was held on May 31, 2023 at 7:35 pm in the Coddington Building.  Present were Subcommittee member Mrs. Tina Cahill, Mr. Frank Santoro, and Mrs. Emily Lebo, Subcommittee Chair.  Also present were School Committee Members Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mr. Doug Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley; Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Ms. Kim Connolly, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Julie Graham, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mr. Larry Taglieri; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

Ms. Bolton, Ms. Chandler, Ms. Truong from DOVE presented an overview of their programming, DOVE provides shelter, 24-hour hotline, counseling, support groups, legal assistance, prevention and education program.  Through programming in the middle and high school, DOVE is impacting teen awareness of issues around healthy relationships and recognizing abuse and seeking support.  At the high schools, DOVE is part of the Grade 10 Health classes and does Peer Leader training and cafeteria events where there is a table at lunches.  At the middle schools, there are two workshops per grade for Grades 6-8 on topics such as healthy friendships, boundaries, dating & technology, consent, navigating breakups, warning signs, and helping a friend. 

Mr. Gutro asked about healthy use of social media is addressed for students, information is included in both the DOVE and Health curriculums.

Mrs. Cahill thanked the presenters, the consistent implementation at all middle and high schools is important.  Mrs. Cahill asked about parent outreach, last year there was a virtual Parent Academy and another can be scheduled for the fall.  

Mr. Santoro thanked the presenters, agreed the continuity through school years is important.  Mrs. Hubley and Mr. Bregoli both thanked the presenters.  Mr. Bregoli asked if the training can be extended to coaches.

Mrs. Lebo said the participation numbers at the high schools are lower than what she would like to see.  Ms. Chandler said that DOVE is integrated into the Grade 10 Health classes and anticipates more opportunities in future years.

Digital Literacy Specialists Nancy Ceriani, Elizabeth Kelley, and Kimberly Walsh presented an update on the program.  The Massachusetts Digital Literacy & Computer Science Standards have four strands:  Computing & Society (Digital Citizenship: online privacy and safety, evaluating websites, email, clickbait, and cyberbullying); Digital Tools & Collaboration (keyboarding with Typing Agent and Google apps); Computing Systems (how do computers work); and Computational Thinking (coding with Scratch Jr).  The program is for Grades 3-5, teachers are at one school per day, and the teachers see each class once every three weeks, a total of nine times per year.

Mr. Santoro said the popularity of the program is evident through the Grade 5 robotics competition.

Mr. Gutro would like to see the Digital Literacy program be extended to Grades K-2.  Ms. Kelley said that younger students are using the Chromebooks more readily due to the adoption of Clever which assists in logging on with a QR code.  In order to extend the program to the lower grades, there would need to be additional staff. 

Mrs. Cahill said these are such important skills, especially coding and keyboarding as a preparation for the workforce and many parts of life.  Mrs. Cahill asked for confirmation that the standards are implemented statewide.

Mrs. Lebo asked about Grade 5 at Point Webster and South~West, these students have Technology/Engineering classes rather than Digital Literacy.

Mrs. Lebo asked about AI, requested a future presentation.

Mr. Bregoli said that our students really benefit from so many great programs, thanks to the Mayor, Superintendent and Leadership Team, QPS is so lucky to be able to have these programs.

Mr. Santoro made a motion to adjourn at 8:35 pm, seconded by Mrs. Cahill.  On a voice vote, the ayes have it.