Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts – March 1, 2017
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
March 1, 2017 at the Coddington Building. The Superintendent called the
roll and present were Mayor Thomas Koch, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley,
Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mrs. Anne Mahoney, and Mr. Paul Bregoli,
Vice Chair.
Vice-Chair Presiding
Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens,
Clerk; Ms. Roberta DiTullio, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Beth Hallett, Mr.
James Mullaney, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Maura Papile,
Mrs. Erin Perkins, Ms. Kimberly Quinn, Ms. Madeline Roy, Ms. Bridget
Vaughn; and Citywide Parent Council Co-President Scott Alessandro.
Mr. DeAmicis was absent.
§
There was a moment of silence in memory of John Sweeney, custodian at
North Quincy High School for seventeen years.
§
Regular Meeting Minutes Approved
2.8.2017
Ms. Isola made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hubley to approve the Regular
Meeting minutes for February 8, 2017. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Executive Session Minutes Approved
2.8.2017
Ms. Isola made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hubley, to approve the Executive
Session minutes for February 8, 2017. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§
Open Forum
Mrs. Stacey Barker, representing the Quincy Choral Boosters, spoke about the
group’s goal support choral program across the school system. After a few
months of research and discussion with parents and students, is requesting
consideration during budget season for K-12 sequential and standards-based
music education, led by a citywide department chair.
Scott Alessandro spoke on behalf of the Citywide Parent Council and announced
that on Monday, March 6 at Broad Meadows Middle School, Senior Director of
Student Support Services Maura Papile will present on how parents can help
students manage stress.
§
Superintendent's
Report
Dr. DeCristofaro opened the Superintendent’s Report reviewing upcoming
School~Community Partnership events, including Read Across America the
week of February 27-March 3; the Student Council Leadership Summit March 9,
and the Partnership Breakfast on March 31.
In the MIAA Winter Athletics Tournament, the Quincy/North Quincy Girls
Hockey team qualified for the playoffs after a 10-7-3 season, but was eliminated
in first round against Masconomet. Later tonight, the Quincy High School Boys
Basketball team is hosting Brookline and the Quincy High School Boys Hockey
team is playing Medway in Franklin.
Dr. DeCristofaro reminded School Committee that Kindergarten Registration
will be held on Tuesday, March 7 at all elementary school locations.
A Tribute to Bob McGillicuddy was held on February 16 and the timing board in
the pool area at the Lincoln Hancock Community School was dedicated in Bob’s
memory, thanks to the student athletes and coaches for a special evening for
the McGillicuddy family.
Dr. DeCristofaro noted that there will be an upcoming three-part Parent
Academy event on March 9, 23, and April 7 on Learning to Read for Grades K-2
parents at Central Middle School. March 9 will focus on the developmental
process of reading.
The Sterling Middle School Work Group met last Friday, continuing to plan for
construction beginning in Summer 2017. Building rentals will conclude by
April 2, some preliminary remediation work will begin during the April recess.
Aspen 22 was shared with School Committee, along with the Annual System
Profile. Dr. DeCristofaro announced that this component will be rolled into the
Student Support Services Program Improvement Plan beginning in the fall. The
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recognized Quincy Public
Schools for the second year in a row for having a graduation rate above state
level and dropout rate below state level. Quincy Public Schools is continuing to
work towards improving the graduation rate; because of School Committee’s
support through the budget process, alternative paths to graduation are
available. Favorable class sizes put the school system in position to deliver
personalized instruction, academic classroom and program teachers are
supported by deans, security, guidance, providing a strong structure. Shared
vision with students and families of a future in higher education, the world of
work, and service to our country is the foundation of this success.
Middle school and high school scheduling is underway for 2017-2018. High
School Course Selection information nights for Grade 8 students and families
will be held on March 13 at North Quincy High School and March 14 at Quincy
High School.
The spring session of BOKS will begin March 13. Well over 1500 students have
participated in the last two years, thanks to the Reebok Corporation for their
generous donation in memory of Emily Zarnoch. We are continuing to work
with the Zarnoch family, a memorial bench is planned for the Central campus.
§
Old Business
There was no Old Business on the agenda.
§
New Business
Curriculum Director Beth Hallett, Special Education Director Erin Perkins, and
Senior Curriculum Director Madeline Roy presented the Professional
Development Plan mid-year reflection. Throughout the Quincy Public Schools,
site-based and program teams met in early February to carefully re-examine goals
and action steps, review student data, reflect on professional development
completed, review and adjust action steps and timelines as needed along with realigning professional development for the remainder of the school year.
Ms. Roy reviewed the District Improvement Plan Curriculum goals for ELA and
Mathematics, all of which have the underlying emphasis on increasing the
achievement of High Needs students. For ELA, all grades are focusing on
vocabulary acquisition and usage; craft and structure; integration of knowledge &
ideas. All levels are working on writing in response to reading, depth of
knowledge questions, and analyzing and synthesizing multiple texts. For
Mathematics, all grades are focused on problem-solving, persistence/
perseverance, formulating and constructing arguments; and the use of precise and
accurate math language.
Literacy Coordinator Roberta DiTullio and Elementary Curriculum Team
Administrator Kimberly Quinn reviewed that at the elementary level, professional
development has been focused on implementation of close reading for ELA and
guided Math for both regular and special education students. Literacy is
continued to strengthen Orton-Gillingham technique and Lively Letters. All teams
are preparing students for Next Generation Assessments and computer-based
testing for Grade 4 students. For the remainder of the school year, student writing
will be an area of concentration for ELA, Literacy, Special Education, and English
Learners. Math will move into problem-solving with an emphasis on
comprehension. All curriculum areas will implement differentiated instruction
At the middle school level, Middle School Curriculum Team Administrator Bridget
Vaughn reviewed that ELA instruction is utilizing complex texts and text pairings
and working on adapting to new test items. In Mathematics, differentiated
instruction is being emphasized, promoting student participation, and
understanding through number talks. Ms. Perkins stressed the alignment
between Special Education and general education, common topics and
professional development. Tools provided will become habits of the mind. Going
forward, strategies for rigorous problem solving, writing about multiple texts
from different genres for both general and special education students. For special
education, executive function strategies and study skills. EL students will work on
strengthening comprehension and oral language and academic vocabulary for
lower fluency English Learners.
For high school students, in Mathematics, students are developing skills in
problem-solving through open-response questions; Special Education is focused
on transition planning; EL is working with SLIFE students, and strengthening
comprehension. ELA has subject-area focus on analyzing the structure of primary
sources; analyzing and decoding visual and graphic information. Upcoming
professional development will focus on integrated focus on writing, continuing
progress on writing constructive arguments, and preparation of all students for
the MCAS administration in March and May; traditional MCAS for these students
and next year’s Grade 10.
Mrs. Perkins concluded with preparation for MCAS 2.0 at the school site level, PTO
meeting presentations and special information meetings for parents at the
elementary and middle school levels. Ms. Roy reviewed recent MCAS 2.0
preparations, participating in DESE informational conference calls, scheduling for
computer-based testing, installation of new equipment and TestNav software. All
schools are offering academic support and MCAS prep sessions.
Ms. Roy thanked the teachers who were featured in the video clips as part of
tonight’s presentations: Natalie Coady (Library/Media), Chris McBride (Physical
Education), Peggy McDonough (Art), Eileen Wilson (Music), and Hallie Yohe
(Technology/Engineering) .
Mrs. Lebo asked about Orton-Gillingham for regular education teachers. Mrs.
Perkins said as it is a small-group intervention, Literacy, Special Education, and
English Learner Education teachers have been trained. Mrs. Lebo asked about Dr.
Boyles and ELE teachers, Ms. Hallett said at the middle school level, teachers have
had an introduction. Close reading doesn’t have pre-teaching of vocabulary, so is
less useful for low fluency students.
Mrs. Lebo said the collaboration between general and special education teachers
is phenomenal. Mrs. Lebo asked how students needing extra support for
mathematics are identified at the high school level. Ms. Roy said through DDMs
and formative assessments. Mathematics strategies classes are available for
reinforcing skills and concepts; MCAS prep is also available.
Mrs. Lebo was complimentary about the transition planning for high school
students. Mrs. Lebo asked about the MCAS 2.0 preparation classes and how are
students identified, were all students needing support being services. Ms. Roy will
follow up with more information on this.
Mrs. Mahoney asked about Orton-Gillingham certification, all Special Education
and majority of Literacy teachers are certified, and about 20 ELE teachers are
certified. Mrs. Perkins said this is an intensive, seven-days training program and
this is a small group program for no more than two students, not realistic for
classroom teachers. Mrs. Perkins said she is looking at adapting the instruction
for a summer program focused on the foundations of teaching reading.
Mrs. Mahoney enjoyed the videos, showed the range of professional development
and how the academic programs integrate with the classroom curriculum. Thanks
so much for this very detailed presentation. Mrs. Mahoney asked about whether
there are areas that should be addressed through the budget process, particular
needs at the school level or expanded professional development. Mrs. Perkins
said that the site-based professional development has been very well received and
teachers would like the opportunity for more of this.
Ms. Isola said the strengths of the school system are evident through the
presentation. Ms. Isola asked about the teacher evaluations of professional
development and the information learned from them. Ms. Roy said teachers are
encouraged to comment on the evaluation forms they complete at each
professional development session. Ms. Roy said the vertical team meetings are
also a place where discussions about professional development take place, help to
refine how time is used, establish the balance between more time with presenters
or more time to practice learned strategies.
Dr. DeCristofaro said that teachers consistently ask for more time for professional
development, we are using the maximum amount available under the contract.
The evaluations are so important, allow us to adjust the focus and address their
defined areas of need.
Mrs. Lebo asked about an update on Reset & Collaborative Connections. At
Monday’s Teaching & Learning, elementary principals will present their mid-year
review. At a later meeting, the middle school principals will present. Mrs. Lebo
asked for this to be presented at a regular School Committee meeting.
Mrs. Mahoney asked if the Reset/Connection presentation can align to
Professional Development, showing the solutions to the issues surfaced during
School Improvement Plan presentations.
Dr. DeCristofaro thanked the presenters for their work, their presence in the
classrooms ensures the curriculum-centered focus for our students. With 875
teachers, multiple content areas, this is a tremendous job coordinating
professional development, the model has really evolved in the last few years.
Teachers want to work with each other, respect the professional support provided
through the collaborative model.
§
New Business
Overnight Travel
(One Day)
Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the Out of State Travel of Quincy High
School History Bowl to Convall High School in Peterborough, New Hampshire on
March 25, 2017. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote,
the ayes have it.
§
Additional Business
Ms. Isola requested that Music Curriculum appear on an upcoming agenda for
referral to Teaching & Learning.
§
Communications
Upcoming meetings were announced: School Committee on March 15 and April
12, 2017 at the Coddington Building at 6:30 pm.
Upcoming Subcommittee meetings were announced: Teaching & Learning will
meet on March 6, 2017 at 5:00 pm. Special Education will meet on March 22,
2017 at 6:00 pm. Budget & Finance will meet on April 10, 2017.
§
Reports of
Subcommittees
There were no Subcommittee meetings on the agenda for reporting.
§
Executive Session
There was no Executive Session.
§
Adjournment
Mayor Koch made a motion to adjourn for the evening at 8:05 p.m. The motion
was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.