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Approved Minutes as of 2/9/2009
Quincy Citywide Parents Council January 12, 2009 Broadmeadows Middle School
Meeting called to order at7:08 pm
October‘s minutes were distributed and approved conditionally with three corrections to be made.
There was no Treasurer’s report.
Michael Draicchio, QPS Director of Security gave a presentation and answered questions. Mr. Draicchio presented his history of service to QPS as a teacher at Sterling and as a coach. He gave an update about the emergency procedure drills including lockdowns which are scheduled at every school twice/year in the fall and spring. He noted that everyone using the instant alert notification system should receive advance notice and that any interested parent is welcome to make arrangements to attend and observe a practice. Evacuations and reverse evacuations are scheduled four times/year. Mr. Draicchio pointed out that procedures exist for special needs students to be integrated in these procedures and that staff members are assigned to handle each student requiring special services. He aimed to reassure parents that the parents of any child who requires assistance with security procedures should contact their Principal to receive a staff assignment. Lastly, Mr. Draicchio mentioned that Quincy Public School’s emergency procedures were reviewed and approved by the Chief of Police in September.
In response to a question about NQH’s security cameras, Mr. Draicchio stated that the security cameras are in the lobby and in other areas of the school as well. Security personnel are supposed to be at the front door from the afternoon on. If the security guards need to be in another location, they can lock the front doors to prevent entry until they return. It was pointed out that people leaving the building can permit others to enter.
Mr. Draicchio then discussed security staffing at QPS. There are currently 5 security staff at QHS ( 3 have a 6:45 - 2:45 shift, 1 from 1:30 - 9:30 and 1 from 7:00 - 2:00) and 4 security staff at NQH, noting there is one more security officer at QHS due to occupying 3 buildings at present. The security officers rarely experience the need to go to the Middle or Elementary schools.
Mr. Draicchio has begun professional development for QPS security officers with volunteer police officers (e.g., Officer Patrick Glynn is conduction a training on de-escalating student conflict, and Richard Kelly will be offering a Crisis Prevention Institute). CPR and First Aid classes will be offered at a minimal cost to security officers and is anticipated to be required in their new contract.
Mr. Draicchio conducts a monthly meeting on student safety issues the 2nd Thursday of every month, attracting a wide range of participants with representatives from the District Attorney’s office, the Sheriff’s office, Middle School and High School Principals, etc., etc. in addition to the security guards. A newsletter will be coming out to all QPS staff hopefully by the end of the month. In response to a question, Mr. Draicchio indicated he will check to see if he can put the newsletter online. Mr. Draicchio described his main goals for this and next school year to have the most up-to-date emergency procedures with everyone trained for consistency.
The Q & A session began with a question about the adequacy of staffing -- if QPS ever ran short of security guards at special events. Mr. Draicchio indicated that security offers are paid overtime from a special overtime budget. Three hundred hours of overtime are allocated to each high school. Fees at extracurricular events (e.g., hockey) can cover Police and EMTs. He indicated that QPS security guards are identifiable due to their gray badge, and “Security” on the back of their uniforms. They do not carry weapons. Approved Minutes as of 2/9/2009 Page 2
Quincy Citywide Parents Council January 12, 2009 Broadmeadows Middle School
A comment was made about detention vs. safety -- that scheduled rides home (busses or car rides) can be missed because of detention. A recommendation was made to discuss the issue with each school Principal. Mr. Draicchio concluded his presentation.
The Citywide Parents Council suggested we brainstorm for a list of guest speakers for the remainder of our meetings. Tracey suggested Ron Mariano, head of the budget sub-committee, which meets at 6:00 prior to every School Committee meeting. Tracey pointed out that it is persuasive to have turn out at sub-committee meetings to discuss what parents feel is important to schools. Tracey also suggested that we look into sponsoring debates for the School Committee member elections.
Another suggestion was made to have APPLE give a presentation, and a third suggested that a least one meeting should be reserved for parents to bring their issues to Citywide, pointing out that we need to be more communicative.
A question was asked if there is a QPS policy about getting homework over Christmas vacation. The response from the Principal was that homework was at the teacher’s discretion. There is a policy but, perhaps, not in every handbook.
During February vacation, if schools are interested in claiming items from the Vo-tech, contact Keith Segela, and arrange your own transportation to remove claimed items.
We agreed that in the future the minutes would mention the name of the individual and school represented in attendance.
Meeting adjourned at 8:27 PM.
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