Quincy Citywide Parent’s Council

Minutes from April 9, 2007

Broad Meadows Middle School

 Schools represented at this meeting: Atherton Hough, Atlantic, Bernazzani, Central, Central Lab, North Quincy High, Quincy High, Squantum, and Wollaston.

 Meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm, with Sandy Arabian presiding. 

Sandy introduced the two guest speakers for the meeting— John Franceschini, Director of Physical Education and Health, and Colleen Roberts, Director of Curriculum.

Mr. Franceschini began by describing his position.  In addition to being the Director of Physical Education and Health, he is chair of the system-wide Wellness Team and Coordinator of the Safe and Drug-Free School initiative.  He also has a modified teaching schedule at QHS and oversees 32 physical education teachers and health instructors. 

Mr. Franceschini described how health education has evolved over the years.  At various points there has been health education at the elementary, middle and high school levels, but budget cuts have resulted in eliminations and reductions, followed by restorations, only to be cut back again. The current situation is as follows:

  • There is full-time health ed for all middle schoolers.  There is even a budget for textbooks (Glencoe Teen Health Series).  He presented the syllabus for 6, 7, & 8th grades and said that the topics covered were indicated as areas of need in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which they administer every 4 years according to state mandate.  If a teacher wants to use some supplementary materials, they must be approved by the Health Curriculum Review Team, which includes Colleen Roberts, Janet Powell, and Jane Kisielius.
  • Health at the high school level is “trying to make a comeback”.  At QHS, it is incorporated into the Career Connections for 9th graders.  At NQHS, the 9th graders have some type of class monthly.  For 10, 11 and 12th grades, they have “one hit wonders” or one-time, quick presentations on specific subjects when they can.  He acknowledged that this is not ideal and it is not known what the kids retain.
  • At the elementary level, there is the “Growth and Development” curriculum for 5th graders which covers puberty.

He believes that the city is beginning to make a commitment to health ed.  He admitted that Quincy’s health program is “not the best in the world” but that “Quincy is the most proficient in offering health ed on the south shore”.  The curriculum is tied to the Mass Health Curriculum Frameworks and he works with the other administrators to incorporate health ed as much as possible.  They also work with the DARE Program, which he thinks is terrific.  He believes the key in health ed is the consistency and repetition.

 Questions:

  • Why are there not more drug prevention programs at the high schools?  Mr. Franceschini said that the schedules are so full that there is very limited ability to pull kids out for special programs.
  • Is the health instruction at the high schools equal?  NQ ends up with more time, but the issues covered are the same.
  • Are the physical education classes too large?  Yes, the class size is not ideal, but he feels they do a good job given the time and facility constraints. Federal law requires an allowance of time for students to change into and out of gym clothes, so after that and warm-up, there is only 16 minutes of instruction time left to work with. The goal is to get kids moving and interested in physical activity for the long term.  He says that they have different stations set up as well as one organized game during each session.  Obesity is a problem—more so for girls than boys.  The new QHS will have a state-of-the-art fitness facility.

 Colleen Roberts started her presentation by noting her appreciation for Mr. Franceschini and his work.  She mentioned that that National Physical Education Week is May 1-7 and that there will be special activities in the schools.

 As Director of Curriculum, Ms. Roberts said she handles many responsibilities:

  • She is the Grant Administrator for all academic-related grants (mostly from Dept of Ed).  She oversees grant spending, requirements, professional development, and acts as liaison to various DOE teams.
  • She administers the Testing Budget, which includes all the assessments (except MCAS which is free) such as DIBELS, GRADE Test, Stanford, Otis-Lennon, etc.  The most costly part of these tests is the scanning and scoring.  They evaluate the information they get from each test to see that the money is well spent.
  • She oversees the Art, Music, and Science Supplies budgets.
  • She oversees the Historical Society budget, which includes field trips for grade 3 to the city’s historical sites.
  • She also oversees the Elementary Lab budget, the Goals Program budget and the Quincy Teen Mothers Program budget.

 She also chairs the following teams:

  • Curriculum Team
  • Professional Development Team
  • Cabinet Council—Department heads citywide from the high schools
  • All vertical academic teams—such as the 5-6 Vertical Teams for English-Language Arts and Math, the 8-9 Vertical Teams for Foreign Language, Science, Social Studies, and English-Language Arts.  These teams discuss curriculum design, textbooks, student placement, etc.

She participates on many other teams including Literacy, Gifted & Talented, and English Language Learners.

The Curriculum Department pilots new programs and evaluates them.  Currently they are piloting curriculums for 4 & 5th grade social studies and science, high school biology, and 5-6th grade Trophies.  Then they will have the publishers of the curriculum make a presentation, gather teacher feedback and make decisions.  Textbooks are reviewed every 5 years.

Professional development and teams are included in the District Improvement Plan.  Professional development happens by level.  At the elementary level it takes place by grade.  At the middle school and high school levels it is by content area.  They have been working on consistency throughout the district. 

Ms. Roberts co-chairs the Principal meetings.  She approves the Principal’s expenditures.  She also assists in interviewing new staff when necessary, then meets with all new hires, and visits each one during the year to provide feedback.

After Ms. Roberts’ presentation, Fiona asked for questions from those present:

  • For Mr. Franceschini: What is the Drug Free School program?  Mr. Franceschini explained that the Safe & Drug Free School initiative involves a grant for peer education and mediation, to assist the DARE Program, to provide after-school clubs for kids not involved in other activities, and some health ed, and violence/substance abuse prevention.  He also explained that each school has a Wellness Team and there is a system Wellness Committee.  They have approved a policy of no carbonated beverages, candy, or bubble gum sold in school during the school day.  Some School Wellness Teams have instituted additional guidelines.  All the middle school health teachers are certified health educators.
  • Several parents advocated for more health education throughout the school system, citing the need for these issues to be addressed before academic issues can be adequately addressed.  Mr. Franceschini said that they do as much integrating of health ed into other subject and vice-versa as possible.  He recommended a website as a resource: www.pecentral.org
  • For Ms. Roberts:  Are you aware that the foreign language teachers from the Middle Schools and the 9th grade have met and have requested that students who have scored well on the MCAS be allowed to take a full course of foreign language in 7th and 8th grade?  Ms. Roberts said she had read this in the minutes of the last meeting and found that the teachers did discuss the issue, but that no formal recommendation had been made.  She said that there would be changes in the middle school foreign language program next year—specifically at Central.  Teachers will be asked to evaluate the changes that were made this year and she said “there will be a better balance” next year.
  • For Ms. Roberts: Some parents have raised the issue of movies being shown in the classroom.  There is recognition that sometimes a movie is warranted, but that perhaps there could be a policy developed?  Ms. Roberts said that movies unrelated to the curriculum shouldn’t been shown.  Teachers must justify the reason for using a movie and the Principal must approve it.  She usually gives Principals the power to make these decisions.  But she said she would speak to the Principals and ask them to come up with some guidelines.  She usually suggests that no PG-13 movies be shown and that a letter go home to parents about any PG movies.
  • Will the new after school Instrumental Program replace the in-school instruction?  Ms. Roberts said that they are looking into offering fee-based after school instrumental lessons that should enhance the student's playing of their instrument, not replace the in-school instruction.  This was a recommendation of the QPS Friends of Music.  QPS music staff will be asked to teach these after school lessons first, but if there is not enough interest by QPS staff, they will look outside of the school system to local colleges and orchestras.

Sandy thanked both Mr. Franceschini and Ms. Roberts for coming to talk to the Council.

The minutes from the March 12th meeting were accepted without changes. 

There was no Treasurer’s report as there was no activity in the account in the last month.

There was no report from School Committee as Hank Brawley was not able to attend tonight.

 There was a motion to have Hank indicate at the next School Committee meeting that the Council supports an expansion of health education.  There was some discussion as to the exact request with the following motion: To indicate to the School Committee that the Citywide Parents’ Council supports a full health curriculum throughout grades K-12.  Given the budget constraints, the Council requests that a health curriculum be re-instituted at the high school level.  The motion was seconded and approved. 

Old Business:

  • Teacher Contracts—Fiona reported that a bargaining session is being held tonight.  The previous bargaining session, held on the night of the standout in front of City Hall, did not result in any progress.  She noted that the state health insurance bill to allow municipal employees to join the state health plan is likely to be approved within the month and that that may change the situation.  She also noted that the Quincy Education Association has nominated the Quincy Citywide Parents Council for an award from the Norfolk County Teachers Association for our contributions to education in Quincy.

 New Business:

  • New Track—Fiona reported that the City Council would be asked tonight to approve funding from the hotel tax for a new track to be built at Pageant Field.  There will be a meeting tomorrow, Tuesday April 10th, at the Recreation Department at 6:30 to discuss the project.  The City Council is expected to vote on the issue on April 17th.
  • Gifted & Talented Program—Fiona and a group of other reps met with Dr. Mariano to hear about the work of the task force reviewing the program for G&T students.  There was not much new to be reported.  Some recommendations are expected in fall 2008.  Several parents expressed frustration at the lack of any apparent progress.  Several also noted the complexity and emotions involved with any discussion of the issue.
  • Sandy will send an email to everyone about the Individual Student Success plans that were mentioned at last month’s meeting.
  • Senior Stayouts—A motion was made to donate $100 to each of the Senior Stayouts.  The motion was seconded and approved.
  • Nominations for Officers for 2007-2008—The following nominations were made: Fiona Canavan and Kathy Brink as Co-Presidents, Marybeth Dooling as Treasurer.  Karen Chretien as Co-Secretary in the absence of a nomination for Secretary.  Another Co-Secretary position may need to be filled.  Elections will be held at the next meeting, which is May 5th.

Announcements:

  • There is a book drive being organized by teacher Holly Rendle to benefit an elementary school in Africa.  Books can be dropped off at Cleaner/Greener Quincy on May 5th.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:05pm.