Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts – February 7, 2018
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
February 7, 2018 at the Coddington Building at 6:30 p.m. Superintendent
DeCristofaro called the roll and present were School Committee Chair
Mayor Thomas Koch, Mr. Anthony Andronico, Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mr. James
DeAmicis, Mr. Douglas Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, and Mrs. Emily Lebo, Vice Chair.
Vice Chair Presiding
Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens,
Clerk; Ms. Christine Barrett, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Sara Dufour, Ms.
Sarah Ginn, Mr. Daniel Gilbert, Dr. Beth Hallett, Mr. James Hennessy, Mr.
James Mullaney, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms.
Erin Perkins, Ms. Jacqueline Principi, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla; and
Quincy Education Association President Allison Cox.
§
Regular Meeting Minutes Approved 1.24.2018
Mrs. Hubley made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeAmicis to approve the revised
Regular Meeting minutes for January 24, 2018 as presented. On a voice vote, ayes have it.
§
Open Forum
As no one wished to speak at Open Forum, School Committee moved onto the
next item on the agenda.
§
Superintendent's
Report
Dr. DeCristofaro opened the Superintendent’s Report with Inspire Quincy,
featuring the Unique Week at Point Webster Middle School, Middle School
Wrestling, Junior Eastern District Concert Choir Festival Medalists from Central
Middle School, Project 351 Ambassadors, Norfolk County Sheriff Michael Bellotti
and the Thompson Family support of Substance Abuse Prevention, and the Rural
Lodge of Masons support of PBIS.
Broad Meadows Middle School Principal Dan Gilbert introduced the Project 351
Ambassadors present: Jacob Lustig from Broad Meadows and Brandon Pham
from Point Webster. Amy Lien from Atlantic, Pablo Flores-Munoz from Central,
and Doan Tran from Sterling are also Ambassadors who were unable to be present
this evening. The Ambassadors recently completed their Project 351 Day of
Service on January 28, where they and student Ambassadors from cities and
towns all over Massachusetts performed community service.
Senior Director of Student Support Services Maura Papile recognized three
School~Community Partners who support important Quincy Public Schools
initiatives. The Rural Lodge of Masons has been a sponsor of the PBIS initiative
from the beginning; Peter Thompson and Norfolk County Sheriff Michael Bellotti
who have both supported the Substance Abuse Prevention.
Mayor Koch introduced Dr. Allan Yacubian, who has recently established a
scholarship to benefit students from both Quincy and North Quincy High Schools.
Mayor Koch said that Dr. Yacubian has been a generous donor over the years to
both high schools and families in need. Dr. Yacubian said that the school system is
wonderful and high performing and something to be proud of; he does not want
discussion about Yakoo to detract from focus on curriculum and buildings. Dr.
Yacubian said establishing the scholarships was the wish of his late brother
Arthur Yacubian and recognizes students who have worked hard for their
achievements. Mr. Bregoli noted that the scholarships are not related to Yakoo.
Dr. DeCristofaro announced that Kindergarten Registration will be held on
Tuesday, March 6 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at all elementary school sites. PreKindergarten Program Screenings will be held on Tuesday, March 6 and Tuesday,
March 13 at the Snug Harbor Community School and Della Chiesa Early Childhood
Center, by appointment. The Lunar New Year Festival will be held on Sunday,
February 11, 2018 at North Quincy High School sponsored by Quincy Asian
Resources.
Dr. DeCristofaro noted that the Special Education Department has recently
completed the Mid-Cycle Review with the Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education and was found to be fully compliant with Special Education
laws and regulations.
Upcoming Parent Academies include Family Nutrition Nights in collaboration with
South Shore Hospital being held at: Point Webster Middle School on February 12,
2018; Bernazzani Elementary School on February 28, 2018; and Atlantic Middle
School on March 6, 2018.
The 2017-2018 Grant Booklet was shared with School Committee, along with
Home-School Connections from Quincy High School and Program Connections
from Extended Education and the Quincy School-Community Partnership.
§
Old Business
2018-2019 School
Committee Meeting
Calendar & School
Year Calendar (Vote)
Mr. DeAmicis made a motion to approve the School Committee Meeting Calendar
for 2018-2019 as presented. Mr. Andronico seconded the motion and on a roll call
vote, the ayes have it, 6-0. Mayor Koch was not present for the vote.
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to approve the School Year Calendar for 2018-2019 as
presented. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have
it, 6-0. Mayor Koch was not present for the vote.
New Business
Food Services Program
Update
Director of Food Services Sara Dufour and Assistant Director of Food Services
Sarah Ginn presented a program update. Ms. Dufour reviewed her background in
nutrition, wellness, and restaurants and responsibilities under the Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education Food and Nutrition guidelines. Ms. Ginn
was previously an executive chef and volunteered with after school cooking
programs. One of the Food Services initiatives underway centers around creating
a recipe database to meet the complex nutritional requirements and the audit
demands.
Ms. Dufour reviewed the five food group requirements: fruit, vegetables, grains,
meat, and milk. There are weekly serving requirements to be met and there are
subgroups within the food groups. There are financial reviews every three years,
plus procurement and administrative audits every three years as well.
The Nutrislice app allows families to review breakfast and lunch menus online. In
addition, information is shared with families through the Quincy Public Schools
website Food Services pages.
Staff professional development involves trying new recipes and food samples.
New equipment includes an automatic slicer and a new walk-in freezer at North
Quincy High School. Two traveling salad bars have been purchased through the
Farm to School grant and will be shared among the elementary schools.
The Food Services department is holding a logo design contest with the high
school Graphic Design classes. The new logo will be used on menus, cafeteria
signage, and staff aprons.
Looking forward, the staff are investigating new packing room equipment and
working with the cafeteria managers on food tastings. The goal is to get students
interested in different fruits and vegetables and grains. Studies show that
engaging students through educational hands-on events is a means of reducing
plate waste.
Mr. Gutro asked about the portable salad bars, these will be shared among the
elementary schools in a six-week rotation. The middle and high schools have the
ability to adapt their serving lines and training will be getting underway shortly to
implement these.
Mrs. Hubley asked about availability of alternative meals when students don’t like
the hot lunch offered. Ms. Dufour said the alternative lunches are cold-pack
lunches which are popular so they are piloting a program at Merrymount where
families can pre-order these lunches.
Mrs. Hubley said that at the high school level, students sometimes complain about
the ketchup since it is low-sodium. Ms. Dufour said that is definitely much lower
than most commercially available ketchup. The idea is that the students who are
growing up with the new nutritional regulations will not have experienced these
higher salt and sugar foods and become used to the tastes over time.Mrs. Hubley
asked about chocolate milk and this is still available.
Mr. Bregoli asked if the elementary lunch containers are recyclable. Ms. Dufour
said these are paper with a plastic lining and are recyclable, although we are not
currently doing this. Ms. Dufour said that the plastic lining has to withstand being
heated to 400 degrees and that new containers and equipment are being
researched to accommodate the density of the foods now being served.
Mr. DeAmicis thanked Ms. Dufour and Ms. Ginn for their presentation and the food
samples. He asked whether the detailed nutritional information was readily
available for parents. Ms. Ginn said that the information is contained in the
database for Food Services managers and is also available on the Nutrislice app.
Mr. DeAmicis asked about looking at food waste as a school system and the
possibility of composting the food containers and utensils. Ms. Dufour said that
Quincy Public Schools tries to avoid food waste by allowing choices and we have
done some studies to prevent food waste. The school nurses have implemented
share tables where students can “donate” unopened items such as fruit or
vegetable packs or juice boxes. Mr. DeAmicis said it would be interesting to see
this information by school and Ms. Dufour said this could be a project for an intern
to look into.
§
New Business
Mentor Program Update
Senior Director of Curriculum Madeline Roy and Wollaston Elementary School
Principal James Hennessy presented on the Mentor Program, over 40 mentors are
working to welcome and support the newest members of the Quincy Public
Schools staff. New staff members attend a two-day orientation in August where
they meet key members of the Superintendent’s Leadership and Principal Teams
and are introduced to the Mentor Program. Under the DESE standards for
licensure, participation in an induction and mentoring program are a requirement
for attaining Professional Licensure.
The Mentoring Team goals are to help new teachers improve their practice, learn
professional responsibilities, and ultimately positively affect student learning.
The mentoring process allows veteran teachers to reflect upon their own
practices. The mentoring program helps unite the learning community as each
individual works towards the goal of improving the quality of education. It also
elevates the teaching profession and fosters a collaborative learning community
for all educators.
The Mentor Planning Team is a cross-section of administrators and teachers from
the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The Mentor Team meets four
times over the course of the school year and features guest speakers and
opportunities for small group discussions with principals and program directors
and time for mentor-protégé collaboration.
The Mentor program is the beneficiary of generous support from the National
Association of Government Employees (NAGE) which provides stipends for
mentors and planning team members for their work above and beyond the school
day. At the conclusion of the school year, there is a reflection based on exit
surveys and the program evolves based on the requests of the teachers. Based on
feedback, more technology training and supports have been added. DESE also
requires a report be filed and it gives Quincy Public Schools feedback on other
school systems responses.
Mrs. Lebo said this is a long-standing program and it is great to see how reflective
and responsive the program has become.
Mr. Gutro asked whether the program extends beyond the first year and whether
other staff members have mentoring programs. Ms. Roy said this program is for
professional staff and that support staff have their own staff mentoring
opportunities. Mr. Hennessy said this professional staff mentoring continues for
three years, new teachers continue to meet with their mentors over this time but
less formally.
Dr. DeCristofaro thanked Mr. Hennessy and Ms. Roy for their leadership, the
mentoring is so beneficial for the Academic Classroom and Academic Program
staff members.
§
New Business
Budget Transfer
Request
Mr. Gutro made a motion to transfer $38,000.00 from the FY2018 Transportation
budget line to the FY2018 Repairs & Maintenance budget line. Mayor Koch
seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
§
New Business
Overnight Travel
(In-State)
Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the June 6-8, 2018 Overnight Travel (InState) of Broad Meadows Middle School Grade 8 to Camp Wing, Duxbury,
Massachusetts. The motion was seconded by Mr. DeAmicis and on a voice vote,
the ayes have it.
§
Additional Business
There was no Additional Business.
§
Communications
Upcoming meetings were announced: Regular Meetings on March 7 and 21, 2018
at the Coddington Building at 6:30 pm.
Subcommittee Meetings: Teaching & Learning meetings on February 28 and
March 28 at 6:00 pm. On March 14, 2018, the Athletics & Wellness Subcommittee
will meet at 6:00 pm and the Facilities & Security Subcommittee will meet at 6:30
pm.
§
Reports of
Subcommittees
Mrs. Lebo noted that all School Committee and Subcommittee meeting minutes
are posted online at www.quincypublicschools.com.
Budget & Finance
Subcommittee
Mrs. Hubley reviewed the Budget & Finance Subcommittee meeting held on
January 31, 2018. Director of Business Affairs James Mullaney presented the
FY2018 2nd Quarter Budget Report.
As there were no corrections, the meeting minutes for the January 31, 2018
Budget & Finance Subcommittee were approved as presented.
§
Teaching & Learning
Subcommittee
Mrs. Lebo reviewed the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee meeting held on
January 31, 2018. The meeting featured an update on the Elementary and
Middle/High School Digital Learning Teams, preparations for the expansion of
Computer-Based Testing to Grades 5 and 8 for this spring’s MCAS Administration
of ELA, Mathematics, and Science/Technology; and an update on elementary
Science Curriculum, middle school Advanced Science programs, and Dual
Enrollment for High School.
Mrs. Lebo asked to have a presentation on the alignment of Technical standards
with grade levels and curriculum areas as a follow up item.
As there were no corrections, the meeting minutes for the January 31, 2018
Teaching & Learning Subcommittee were approved as presented.
§
Executive Session
There was no Executive Session.
§
Adjournment
Mayor Koch made a motion to adjourn for the evening at 8:30 p.m. The motion
was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.