Agenda 1 – March 20, 2019 TLSS

To consider development of a partnership with the Boston Debate League to support academic debate teams in high schools in Worcester.

Request that the Administration provide a report on the summer school programs to include:

-academic progress

-attendance

-community involvement

-engagement of colleges in summer activities

-number of ELL students

-number of grade 1 and 2 students

and suggest improvements for next year.

To urge the individual Worcester public schools, and departments, to review and expand their websites, as a means of (1) increasing the information available through them, (2) showcasing student work and achievements, (3) sharing detailed curricular and programmatic information, and (4) assisting prospective students and parents in making informed decisions as to selection of an appropriate school.

To consider making an online grading system available to all teachers for the 2017-18 academic and fiscal year.

To consider establishing a literary magazine for the Worcester Public Schools, to publish the writings, paintings, drawings, and other creative work of WPS students, teachers and other staff members.

To explore options and policies regarding work assigned and performed at home on snow days in an effort not to extend the school year.

Request that the Administration consider developing a student program to instruct secondary students about food allergies and anaphylactic risks.

Request that the Administration provide a progress report on the Hanover Academy at Burncoat Middle School.

To consider a review of a publication entitled Teaching Hard History: American Slavery from the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Request that the Administration consider expanding the Worcester: Future Teachers Program in conjunction with Worcester State University in an effort to recruit the best and brightest students

Request that the Administration study the feasibility of developing partnerships with Recreation Worcester and other municipal or non-municipal organizations in order to create more team sports in Worcester’s middle schools.

gb #8-162  –      Mr. Comparetto/Mr. Foley/Miss McCullough/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell   (May 9, 2018)

To consider a review of a report entitled Extracurricular Participation and Course Performance in the Middle Grades: A Study of Low‐Income, Urban Youth by Kate Schwartz.

Request that the Administration provide a report regarding the process of bringing together various private and public groups to develop middle school athletic programing as highlighted in the Worcester Magazine’s article entitled The Case For Middle School Sports:Can City Hoops Spark a Rebound?

Request that the Administration provide a report on the JROTC programs and include ways to actively promote interest at the middle school level for high school participation in this program.

Request that the Administration consider having parent conferences for K-3 parents during a Professional Development Day in October.

To consider the possible benefits and drawbacks of later secondary school start times on teaching and learning.

gb #4-259  –  Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Foley/Mr. Monfredo/Miss Biancheria  (September 17, 2014)

To initiate a course in Mandarin Chinese at the Advanced Placement level, offered either in a customary classroom setting or through Virtual High School.

To consider opportunities to enhance the education of the academically gifted students of the Worcester Public Schools, at all appropriate levels.

UPDATE ON THE AVID (ADVANCEMENT VIA INDIVIDUAL DETERMINATION) SYSTEM IN THE WORCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

INNOVATION SCHOOL END OF CYCLE REPORT

To reestablish the PEAK (“Providing Enrichment for Able Kids”) Program in the Worcester Public Schools.

To implement the new Chinese Language and Culture Advanced Placement course in the Worcester public secondary schools as soon as a sufficient number of students have completed all prerequisites required to enable them to take the course.

To discuss with appropriate members of the staff of Elm Park Community School the possible conversion of the school into an autonomous Horace Mann Charter School.

To consider participating in the Harvard University’s Teacher Fellows Program, with placement of Fellows in the Worcester high schools.

Request that the Administration consider establishing a confidential student drug and alcohol hotline and indicate how it would be implemented in the schools.

Request that the Administration provide a report on the UNITEY Program at North High School that involves civic engagement and internships for students.

To engage in a comprehensive plan in an effort to have children read on grade level by the end of grade three.

Request that the Administration study the feasibility of involving students in community service projects at the Senior Center.

Request that the Superintendent create an updated Health and Wellness Curriculum for middle and high school students.

gb #8-97  –  Mr. Comparetto/Miss McCullough/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell  (March 7, 2018)

Request that the Administration provide a report on school libraries.

To request that the administration review the January 2018 Policy Statement of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education “Alternative Structured Learning Day Programs” and that it recommend to the School Committee whether any such programs should be implemented in the Worcester Public Schools for 2019-20.

Request that the Administration provide a report regarding all Early Childhood Programs in the Worcester Public Schools.

To review the new Science Curriculum.

(August 7, 2018)

To consider use in the Worcester Public Schools, as appropriate, of the Fidelity Financial Services’ “Boundless” program, which is designed to partner with youth organizations to educate girls and young women about careers in financial services.

Request that the Administration provide a report regarding Site Council meeting times and dates and consider holding these meetings at convenient times for parents and community members.

Mr. O’Connell   (August 28, 2018)

Request that the Administration provide an update on the “Hands on CPR” program in the secondary schools and consider incorporating this program into a community service project that will highlight Worcester as a “Heart Safe City.”

Request that the Administration provide a report on the teaching of cursive writing in the schools.

Request that the Administration provide information on whether all schools send out monthly newsletters and indicate whether they can be placed online as suggested by the CPPAC.

Request that the Administration consider replicating the Positive Directions Program at each of the middle and high schools.

Response of the Administration to the requests to:

–  explore the feasibility of implementing the Orton-Gillingham model for dyslexic students for those students in need of specific services.

–  provide a summary of the Orton-Gillingham model program.

–  study the feasibility of implementing the cost of this program in the FY20 Budget

–  study the feasibility of including students from outside the district, on a tuition basis, if a proposed program is established in the Worcester Public Schools.

To review, and, as appropriate, to comment upon, standards and evidence proposed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education related to health education and sex education.

Request that the Administration provide a progress report from the committee tasked with coming up with a plan to reduce school suspensions.

Request that the report of the actual grants be referred to the Standing Committee on Teaching, Learning and Student Supports for a review of the grants and the programs operated under the grants.

motion  (gb #7-220)  Miss Biancheria (June 1, 2017)

Request that the approved Admission Policy for Worcester Technical High School be referred to the Standing Committee on Teaching, Learning and Student Supports.

Request that the Administration provide a breakdown of the backup by sections as follows:

-Elementary Education

-Secondary Education

-Curriculum and Professional Learning

-Instructional and Digital Learning

Request that pages 237-265 from the Budget Book regarding the Various Grant Programs be referred to the Standing Committee on Teaching, Learning and Student Supports for further discussion.

Helen A. Friel, Ed.D.
Clerk of the School Committee