Quincy Citywide Parent’s Council

Minutes from November 19, 2007

Broad Meadows Middle School

Schools represented at this meeting: Broad Meadows, Beechwood Knoll, Bernazzani, Central, Lincoln Hancock, Merrymount, NQHS, Point Webster, QPAC, Sterling, and Wollaston.

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm, with Co-President Fiona Canavan presiding.  

The minutes from the October 15, 2007 meeting were passed around.  Fiona asked for any changes and since there were none, a motion was made to accept the minutes.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.

Marybeth Dooling presented the Treasurer’s Report.  She said that dues should be sent to her at 122 Presidents Lane Quincy, MA  02169 or given to her at the next meeting.   She also noted that statements for Citywide’s bank accounts are always available for review by any representatives.

Roseanne Russell reported on the Oct 17th School Committee Meeting.  Teacher minigrant awards were presented for many wonderful projects initiated by teachers.  Mr. Rendle, Athletic Director, reported that the Athletic Handbook has been updated and that he has spoken with all coaches to review the philosophy that guides athletics in QPS.  Ms. Kisielius, Coordinator of Health Services, spoke about activities to promote health in our schools.  Ms. Powell, Director of Support Services, reported that the public safety grant which funded services to link schools and the home has been extended.  The program is seen as a model for dropout prevention.  Mr. Ryan, Director of Plant Facilities, reported on QHS construction.  Ms. Conyngham, City Solicitor, spoke about the process for applying for school building funding.

Mary Rose Bohone and Corrine Kimmell reported on the November 8th School Committee Meeting.  Just prior to the meeting, a School Building Subcommittee meeting was held at which it was reported that all fire alarm systems had been inspected and were up-to-date as of that meeting.  Much of the regular meeting focused on drug intervention and prevention services in the schools.  District Attorney Keating presented the work of his department in the schools, including a play called Consent, which is about date rape issues.  The play will be performed in high schools, middle schools, and possibly for 5th graders.  There was also discussion of the abuse of prescription drugs, including inhalers.

Fiona noted that a group of parents who have dealt with drug abuse issues in their families is forming.  They would like to meet with Citywide to share information.  Fiona has asked them to come back when they have organized themselves.  One proposal they have mentioned is that the QPS be swept by dogs trained to search for narcotics, more drug awareness classes and more health classes.

Old Business:

Debrief of School Committee Candidates Night—Although the committee that organized the event and those who attended agreed that the questions and answers were very informative, all agreed that the size of the audience was disappointing.  Suggestions for next time: try to set the date sooner so that conflicts with other political events can be avoided, schedule it earlier in the month to maximize the amount of time that the show airs on QATV, consider filming at QATV without an audience and focus on publicizing the showtimes, consider having the event at a more central location.  The participation of the candidates was greatly appreciated, as was Barbara Isola’s facilitation, the excellent questions that were submitted, and the work of the subcommittee that organized the event.

Citywide Representation at School Committee Meetings—Fiona said that there is still a need for Citywide reps to attend School Committee Meetings. 

New Business:

Gifted and Talented Program—Fiona noted that Dr. Mariano had been leading the Gifted and Talented Task Force which had been meeting for the last several years.  With Dr. Mariano’s departure, no progress has been made since last spring when a group of reps from Citywide had met with him and asked for an update.  There was much discussion of the program, its history, and some of the challenges it faces.  Some parents expressed interest in decentralizing the APC program so that services would be provided at each middle school.  Others felt that a centralized program served students best.  There was also discussion of whether students not in APC are being challenged enough and whether students who qualified for APC should be entitled to receive services in their own district school.  Several parents noted that students who need special education services do not always get to receive services in their districted school.  It was decided that Fiona would ask Dr. DeCristofaro to report on the status of the Gifted and Talented Task Force including the membership, leadership, and future workplan.

Parent Group Fundraising—Roseanne Russell said that in 2005, she had led a group of parents interested in discussing parent fundraising practices and policies.  Some of the concerns that have arisen include: how money raised by parent groups is spent, who decides how it is spent.  It was noted that some sports Booster groups require that athletes raise funds and that some of the funds are then used for gifts or scholarships for seniors.  Some parents felt that this is an inappropriate use of the funds.  There was much discussion of these issues, including whether Citywide should have any role in advocating for policies for other groups.  A few parents agreed to participate in more discussion of this subject.

Upcoming Speakers—Fiona asked for suggestions for speakers at future meetings.  The new Assistant Superintendent will be asked to speak, but not for several months at least.  Ken McPhee, Director of Security and Transportation, will be asked to speak at a future meeting about drug intervention and prevention in the schools.

It was noted that the December School Committee Meeting would be the last one for Linda Stice and Mayor Phelan, Chair of the Committee.  A motion was made that Citywide recognize both at the meeting.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.  Roseanne Russell agreed to attend.

Merrymount School is having a Holiday Trade Treasure Extravaganza next Friday, December 7th (flyer attached)

 A parent presented her concerns about the lack of a consistent substitute for a freshman science class at NQHS.  The regular teacher is on maternity leave and in the last 6 weeks there have been 9 different substitutes.  The parent feels that this is clearly negatively impacting the quality of education.  Fiona reported that she had spoken with Principal Metzler and he said that the current substitute, Judy McMann a retired teacher, is committed to staying until the regular teacher returns.  He said that if parents are concerned that their child’s grade has suffered, they should contact the Guidance Department.  He said they have already exercised the option of increasing the substitute’s pay, but that science teachers are in short supply.  The parent who brought the concern said that she has already been told 4 times that the substitute will be staying only to have that sub leave.  Some parents felt that the problem was that other teachers do not like working with the department head.  The parent who brought the issue to Citywide was encouraged to call Dr. DeCristofaro. 

There was a discussion of the recent three-part series on special education that appeared in the Patriot Ledger.  Some parents felt that it unfairly pitted special education students against other students.  One parent noted that funding for special education does not have to come from elsewhere in the education budget, that it can come from anywhere in the city or town’s budget.  Another parent noted that Quincy was not highlighted in the article.  Jennifer Mann, the reporter for the Ledger who was attending the meeting, said that the reason for this was that the Superintendent’s office did not meet with the reporters writing the article. 

Next meeting will be December 10th 7:00 at Broad Meadows Middle School. 

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.  Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm.