Minutes
Quincy School Committee Teaching & Learning Subcommittee Meeting ~ June 1, 2022
A meeting of the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 6:15 pm in the Coddington Building. Present were Subcommittee Members Mrs. Tina Cahill, Mr. Frank Santoro, and Mrs. Emily Lebo, Chair. Also attending were Mayor Thomas P. Koch, School Committee Chair; School Committee members Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mr. Doug Gutro, and Mrs. Kathryn Hubley; Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Ms. Bridget Vaughan, and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Sue Chandler, DOVE Executive Director; Jen Bolton, DOVE Director of Prevention & Education; and Kelly Truong, DOVE YouthSpeak Specialist presented a review of existing programs and services, emergency shelter, individual advocacy and counseling, support groups, domestic violence advocacy programs at local police stations, community education and prevention. Current programming at Quincy High School and North Quincy High School includes training for peer leaders, training for school staff, classroom presentations. In this school year, 39 peer leaders were trained and over 300 students were reached. In addition, DOVE has partnership with middle school health teachers, presenting lessons to Grades 6-8 students throughout the school year and fostering open conversations.
Mr. Santoro asked how the DOVE partnership with Quincy Public Schools was funded, Superintendent Mulvey said that Mayor Koch has sponsored through City resources and intends to continue for the 2022-2023 school year. Mr. Santoro asked about other funding sources for DOVE, Ms. Chandler said fundraising is ongoing.
Mrs. Cahill said that this is an important foundation for students to have for support in the middle and high school year. Mrs. Cahill asked about how the number of presentations at each school is determined. Ms. Bolton said that scheduling is done with the health teachers and guidance counselors. Mrs. Cahill would like to see more equitable presentation schedule. Ms. Bolton said this was the first year offering this array of presentation topics, hopes that scheduling will begin at the start of the school year.
Mrs. Lebo is concerned about the discrepancy in the number of interactions with DOVE programming between NQHS and QHS. Ms. Bolton said she will be meeting with school staffs to plan the schedule for the next school year to ensure more balance.
Mrs. Lebo asked if there are LGTBQ+ community-focused presentations. Ms. Bolton said DOVE has an LGBTQ+ coordinator and there are relationships with the high school student groups.
Mrs. Hubley asked if students suggest topics for discussion. Ms. Truong said that many students ask about how to identify potential issues/red flags. Students also ask about supporting friends and family members in domestic violence situations. Ms. Bolton said that navigating potential situations online is also a more recent topic.
Mr. Bregoli asked if strategies for ending relationships are shared with students, Ms. Bolton said that there are guidelines on ending a healthy relationship, recognizing the cycle of abuse, manipulation and coercion. Mr. Bregoli is concerned that parents may not be aware of the prevalence of this in teen relationships. Ms. Chandler said that part of skill-building is educating the community, observing peer behaviors, and calling out unacceptable behaviors and suggested a parent academy event similar to the one done in Spring 2021.
Mrs. Lebo said that DOVE has been an important part of expanding the social-emotional learning opportunities at the high schools.
Ms. Vaughan and Ms. Perkins presented an update on the Reach program, over 300 Grade 4 and 5 students participated this past school year. 187 Grade 5 students were screened using the CTOP program in March and April, 76 students were invited to attend the APC program at Central and the other students were recommended for advanced classes at their neighborhood middle schools. Planning for the 2022-2023 school year is underway, with current Grade 4 students scheduled to roll up to Grade 5. Data from the spring MAP testing will be used to identify incoming Grade 4 students. The Reach team is looking for opportunities to interact with Grades 1-3 students as well.
Mr. Santoro asked about the criteria to qualify for Reach program, the top 20% at each school based on the spring MAP data was invited to participate. Mr. Santoro asked if the number of students invited to APC has increased, the number is usually 70-80 year over year.
Mrs. Lebo asked for details on the students screened for APC, 157 students participated in Grade 5 Reach, plus another 30 students qualified for screening through the Winter MAP assessment. 76 students were invited to attend the APC program. Ms. Vaughan said all but three invited students are opting to attend the APC program.
Mrs. Lebo asked if all of the program participants are able to fully participate in the rigorous curriculum. Ms. Vaughan said that because there are opportunities for personalizing focus that the students have successfully participated.
Mrs. Lebo is concerned about the REACH program capacity and Ms. Perkins agreed that there will be opportunity for expansion in coming years.
Mr. Santoro made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 pm. Mrs. Cahill seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.