Agenda # 8 May 2, 2019

7:00 p.m. – Regular Session

(April 17, 2019)

To consider approval of the Minutes of the School Committee Meeting of Thursday, April 4, 2019.

(April 9, 2019)

To congratulate Thomas Barrett, Coordinator of Buildings and Grounds, on his selection as recipient of the Thomas S. Green Public Service Award of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau.

(April 9, 2019)

To recognize Ron Charette, Executive Director of the South Worcester Neighborhood Center, located at 47 Camp Street, for his 45 years of devoted service by helping and changing people’s lives.

(April 9, 2019)

To recognize Kwaku Nyarko on being selected as a South Central Scholars (SCS) Noonan Scholar, an award for which 900 students applied.

(April 17, 2019)

To consider input from the School Committee’s student representatives.

ROS #9-7  – Administration

(April 24, 2019)

A.  CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM

EMERGING PROFESSIONAL CULINARY SYSTEMS

Carmen Melendez-Quintero    Director, Bilingual Education

Maura Mahoney     Manager, Social and Emotional Learning

Marie Morse     Manager, Instruction and School Leadership

A Budget Hearing was held at the meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance of Operations on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 410 at the Durkin Administration Building.

Dellogono, Erica, Teacher, Special Education, Systemwide, effective April 3, 2019.

9-21   The Superintendent has ACCEPTED the RESIGNATION for Purposes of RETIREMENT of the person named below:

Mischenko, Celeste, Teacher, English as a Second Language, Systemwide, effective April 19, 2019.

9-22   The Superintendent has APPOINTED the persons named below to the position of Cafeteria Substitute Helper, permanent/intermittent at a salary of $13.73 per hour, from Civil Service List #319-009, effective as shown:

Belculfine, Cynthia                    4/1/19

Pacheco, Edwin                         4/1/19

Zukowski, Jessica                     4/1/19

(April 9, 2019)

Response of the Administration to the request to provide an update on the ways in which education is provided to staff and students, in light of the opioid crisis, as a result of the passage of the recently enacted Marijuana Law.

Mr. Monfredo

(March 28, 2019)

Response of the Administration to the request to verify the compliance, by the Worcester Public Schools, with Section 54C (a) of Chapter 71 of the Massachusetts General Laws (Chapter 443 of the Acts of 2016).

(April 9, 2019)

Response of the Administration to the request to provide an update on graduation rates by ethnic categories.

(March 27, 2019)

Response of the Administration to the request to alert schools and the community that the week of March 24th is Public School Week, sponsored by the National Education Association.

(March 27, 2019)

Request that the City consider updating the City Charter by creating district School Committee seats.

(March 27, 2019)

Request that the Administration consider partnering with I-Mentor and/or Classroom Champions to create mentorship opportunities for Worcester public school students.

(March 27, 2019)

Request that the Administration create a grow your own teacher program.

(March 27, 2019)

Request that the Administration provide a report regarding the status of the One City, One Library Initiative.

(March 27, 2019)

Request that the Administration provide a report regarding the status of farm-to-school programs in the district.

(March 27, 2019)

Request that the Administration consider developing an internship management system to help connect students with specific opportunities and mentors based on their passions.

(March 27, 2019)

Request that the Administration consider a moratorium on high stakes standardized testing.

(March 27, 2019)

Request that the Administration provide an update regarding progress on implementation of the Worcester Public Schools Strategic Plan.

(March 27, 2019)

Request that the Administration schedule additional public hearings regarding the Worcester Public Schools’ budget.

(March 27, 2019)

Request that the Administration provide a report regarding the Wraparound Coordinator Program.

(March 27, 2019)

Request that the Administration make certain that students have received necessary immunizations.

(March 27, 2019)

Request that the Administration provide a report on after school and out of school programming to include, but not be limited to, attendance and results.

(March 28, 2019)

Request that the Administration consider implementation of a “see-something, say-something anonymous app” such as that which the Boston Public Schools will pilot later this year, to assist students to submit tips about safety incidents to staff and police.

(April 8, 2019)

Request that the Administration provide a Report of the Superintendent regarding an action plan to help children read on grade level by the end of grade three and include class sizes, reading programs, teacher training and the need for additional funding.

(April 8, 2019)

To set a date to recognize Burncoat High School’s Quadrivium for winning the WEC’Apella contest.

(April 8, 2019)

Request that the Administration consider offering a quality primary summer school reading program for those students in need of additional services.

(April 8, 2019)

Request that the Administration invite Tina Grosowsky, Project Coordinator for the Central Massachusetts Tobacco Free Community Partnership to give a short presentation on the issue of vaping.

(April 8, 2019)

Request that the Administration forward a letter of congratulations to Mymoon Bhuiyan, a student at Burncoat High School for placing third in the Worcester Science and Engineering Fair which was held at WPI on March 8, 2019.

(April 8, 2019)

Request that the Administration forward letters to the following students on being selected for the John Philip Sousa National Honor Band – New England Region.

Burncoat Middle School

Brigid Keaney, Flute

Nick York, Clarinet

Maria Carmen Johnston-Medina, Trumpet

Lauren Popinchalk, French Horn

Burncoat High School

Aislyn Novick, Trumpet

Micah Haynes, Euphonium

South High Community School

Clarise Liu, Clarinet

Alexandra Economou, Tuba

(April 8, 2019)

To consider approval of the following donations:

– $22,008.00 to the Worcester Public Schools Athletics Department from the Office of District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr. to assist with Freshman Basketball Teams to involve youth in programs that help to prevent crime, gang activity and substance abuse.

– $2,303.00 to South High Community School from Andy’s Attic to assist with the purchase of Chromebooks

– $28.50 to Tatnuck Magnet School from Yankee Candle

– $225.00 to Tatnuck Magnet School from Sports Alive

– $500.00 to Tatnuck Magnet School from I.U.O.E. Local No.4

$2,354.00 to Tatnuck Magnet School from various donors through fundraising efforts

–  $10.00 to Lake View School from Ruben Ardon

–  $1,000 to New Citizens Center Secondary from Herlihy Insurance

–  $9.070.19 to South High Community School from the “Class of 1963 Scholarship in Memory of Robert Aucoin”

–  $450.00 to the Worcester Public Schools Transition Program for assistance with research from Boston University

–  $75.00 to Lisa Wolfe and family from the South High Community School Black Student Union

(April 8, 2019)

To approve a prior fiscal year payment in the amount of $7,103.53 to the City of Springfield.

(April 8, 2019)

Request that the Administration consider approval to add the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy to the Policy Handbook.

(April 9, 2019)

Request that the Mayor provide an update regarding the Sex Education Taskforce.

(April 9, 2019)

Request that the Superintendent produce the last 10 number of years of suspension and discipline data for review by the public and School Committee and a full review of data collection, storage and dissemination procedures to develop best practices for transparency.

(April 9, 2019)

Request that the Superintendent provide estimated budgeting needed for a Chief Diversity /Equal Opportunity Officer and her organizational plan for implementation.

Mr. O’Connell

(April 9, 2019)

Request that the Superintendent report on district processes and compliance with MGL c222 and make any necessary proposals for changes in policy and procedure.

(April 9, 2019)

Request that the Superintendent reengage with Worcester State University in order to refresh and update the 2014 report, “Suspensions in Worcester: A Continuing Conversation.”

(April 9, 2019)

Request that the Superintendent inform the School Committee on her plan and timeline for professional development and training on cultural differences, unconscious bias and diversity.

Mr. O’Connell

(April 9, 2019)

Request that the Superintendent report to the School Committee on her plans to introduce trauma informed care into our schools as well as budgeting requirements for Fiscal Year 2020.

Mr. O’Connell

(April 9, 2019)

Request that the Superintendent report on school funding of community nonprofits such as African Community Education, the Latino Education Institute and the South East Asian Coalition.

(April 10, 2019)

To set a date to recognize the winners of the “Shout Out Awards” at the Goddard School of Science and Technology as part of their turnaround process.

(April 24, 2019)

To accept the Improving Student Access to Behavioral and Mental Health Services Grant in the Amount of $110,000.

(April 24, 2019)

To accept the Teacher Diversification Pilot Program Grant in the Amount of $178,560.

Mayor Petty

(April 22, 2019

Request that the Administration forward an e-mail to all teachers, staff and nurses for their dedication to the children of the Worcester Public Schools’ in celebration of Teachers/Staff and Nurses Appreciation Week.

(April 22, 2019)

To select a voting delegate and an alternative voting delegate for the Annual Business Meeting of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, scheduled for November 8, 2019.

(April 22, 2019)

To approve a prior fiscal year payment in the amount of $1,069.10 for a building custodian.

(April 22, 2019)

To approve prior fiscal year payments in the total amount of $3,038.00 for a member of Unit D-Computer Technician Group.

(April 22, 2019)

To approve a prior fiscal year payment in the amount of $1,444.43 for a school nurse.

(April 22, 2019)

Request that the Administration forward letters to the Worcester Technical High Schools’ Drama Club and its director Michael Gemme for its performance of Radium Girls.

(April 23, 2019)

To explore the feasibility of hiring, in this year’s Budget, a Director of Corporate and Community Relations.

(April 23, 2019)

Request that the Administration forward letters of congratulations to the following students of the Model UN Debate Clubs for receiving awards at Worcester State University and to students from South High Community School who chaired various Model UN Committees:

Sullivan Middle School: Advisor – David Crompton

Benedict Morrow                           Best Public Speaker – General Assembly/United States

Erynne McGuiness                        Best Public Speaker – UNEP/China

Shannon Dennehy and Lucy Reidy Best Negotiator- UNDP/China

Olivia and Emma Robeau               Best Negotiator-UNESCO/Japan

Worcester East Middle School: Advisor – Daniel Makela

South High Community School:  Conference Chairs

Dea Cenolli and Bryce Maloney – General Assembly

Jessica Cohen – UNDP

Katherine Noroian – WFP

Miles Appleton and Ava Derr – UNEP

Emily Synan – UNODC

(April 23, 2019)

Request that the Administration forward, on behalf of the School Committee, a letter of appreciation to Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., President of Assumption College for inviting the Worcester Public Schools’ children to the 15^th Annual Duck Day to welcome back the ducks to the pond.

(April 23, 2019)

Request that the Facility Division clean areas of growth at school sites to make student pathways clear and safe.

gb #9-180— (Administration)

(April 24, 2019)

To conduct strategy in preparation for contract negotiations with nonunion personnel and to conduct negotiations with nonunion personnel – Superintendent, if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the collective bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining for Aides to the Physically Handicapped and Monitors, if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the collective bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and litigation- Petition for Certification by Written Majority Authorization/EAW- Bus Drivers, if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the collective bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

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