TwiCommittee Members Administrative
Brian A. O’Connell, Chairman Representative
John F. Monfredo, Vice-Chairman Susan O’Neil, Ph.D.
Molly O. McCullough
OFFICE OF THE
CLERK OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
WORCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
20 IRVING STREET
WORCESTER, MA 01609
AGENDA #1
The Standing Committee on TEACHING, LEARNING AND STUDENT SUPPORTS will hold a meeting:
on: , 2019
at: p.m.
in: Room 410 in the Durkin Administration Building
ORDER OF BUSINESS
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
III. GENERAL BUSINESS
gb #2-139 – Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Monfredo/Ms. Colorio (April 11, 2012)
To consider development of a partnership with the Boston Debate League to support academic debate teams in high schools in Worcester.
gb #4-175 – Ms. Novick/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. Foley/Mr. O’Connell (May 28, 2014)
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.
gb #6-264 – Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Foley/Mr. Monfredo/Ms. Colorio/Miss McCullough/Miss Biancheria (July 6, 2016)
To consider opportunities to enhance the education of the academically gifted students of the Worcester Public Schools, at all appropriate levels.
gb #6-270 – Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell/Ms. Colorio/Miss McCullough/Miss Biancheria (July 22, 2016)
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.
gb #7-4 – Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Foley/Ms. Colorio/Mr. Monfredo/Miss McCullough (December 16, 2016)
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.
ROS #7-6 – Administration (March 20, 2017)
UPDATE ON THE AVID (ADVANCEMENT VIA INDIVIDUAL DETERMINATION) SYSTEM IN THE WORCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ROS #7-9 – Administration (May 10, 2017)
INNOVATION SCHOOL END OF CYCLE REPORT
gb #7-23 – Mr. O’Connell/Ms. Colorio/Mr. Monfredo/Miss McCullough/Miss Biancheria (January 3, 2017)
To consider making an online grading system available to all teachers for the 2017-18 academic and fiscal year.
gb #8-42 – Miss Biancheria/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Comparetto/Miss McCullough (January 23, 2018)
Request that the Administration study the feasibility of involving students in community service projects at the Senior Center.
gb #8-43 – Mayor Petty/Mr. Foley/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell/Miss Biancheria/Mr. Comparetto/Miss McCullough (January 24, 2018)
Request that the Superintendent create an updated Health and Wellness Curriculum for middle and high school students.
gb #7-59 – Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Monfredo/Miss Colorio/Miss Biancheria/Miss McCullough (February 6, 2017)
To reestablish the PEAK (“Providing Enrichment for Able Kids”) Program in the Worcester Public Schools.
gb #7-127 – Mr. O’Connell/Ms. Colorio/Mr. Monfredo/Miss Biancheria (March 21, 2017)
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.
gb #7-201 – Mr. O’Connell (May 8, 2017)
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.
gb #7-207 – Mr. O’Connell/Miss Biancheria (May 17, 2017)
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.
gb #7-275 – Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Monfredo/Miss Biancheria/Mr. Foley (July 25, 2017)
To consider participating in the Harvard University’s Teacher Fellows Program, with placement of Fellows in the Worcester high schools.
gb #7-282 – Administration (August 2, 2017)
To approve the proposed 2018-19, 2019-20 and the 2020-21 School Calendars.
gb #7-285 – Miss McCullough/Mr. Monfredo/Miss Biancheria/Ms. Colorio/Mr. O’Connell (August 7, 2017)
To explore options and policies regarding work assigned and performed at home on snow days in an effort not to extend the school year.
gb #7-322 – Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell/Miss Biancheria/Ms. Colorio (September 25, 2017)
Request that the Administration consider developing a student program to instruct secondary students about food allergies and anaphylactic risks.
gb #7-333 – Ms. Colorio/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell/Miss Biancheria (September 27, 2017)
Request that the Administration consider establishing a confidential student drug and alcohol hotline and indicate how it would be implemented in the schools.
gb #7-367 – Miss Biancheria/Miss McCullough/Ms. Colorio/Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Monfredo (October 24, 2017)
Request that the Administration provide a report on the UNITEY Program at North High School that involves civic engagement and internships for students.
gb #8-29 – Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell/Miss Biancheria/Mr. Comparetto/Miss McCullough (January 16, 2018)
To engage in a comprehensive plan in an effort to have children read on grade level by the end of grade three.
gb #8-42 – Miss Biancheria/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Comparetto/Miss McCullough (January 23, 2018)
Request that the Administration study the feasibility of involving students in community service projects at the Senior Center.
gb #8-43 – Mayor Petty/Mr. Foley/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell/Miss Biancheria/Mr. Comparetto/Miss McCullough (January 24, 2018)
Request that the Superintendent create an updated Health and Wellness Curriculum for middle and high school students.
gb #8-55 – Miss McCullough/Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. Comparetto/Miss Biancheria (February 3, 2018)
Request that the Administration provide a progress report on the Hanover Academy at Burncoat Middle School.
gb #8-59 – Mr. Comparetto/Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Monfredo (February 7, 2018)
To consider a review of a publication entitled Teaching Hard History: American Slavery from the Southern Poverty Law Center.
gb #8-94 – Mr. Monfredo/Miss McCullough/Mr. O’Connell (March 2, 2018)
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.
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.
gb #8-107 – Mr. O’Connell/Miss Biancheria/Mr. Comparetto/Miss McCullough/Mr. Monfredo (March 16, 2018)
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.
gb #8-139 – Mr. Comparetto/Mr. Foley/Miss McCullough/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell (April 18, 2018)
Request that the Administration provide a report regarding all Early Childhood Programs in the Worcester Public Schools.
gb #8-161 – Mr. Comparetto/Mr. Foley/Miss McCullough/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell (May 9, 2018)
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.
gb #8-163 – Mr. Comparetto/Mr. Foley/Miss McCullough/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell (May 9, 2018)
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?
gb #8-164 – Miss Biancheria/Miss McCullough/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell (May 9, 2018)
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.
gb #8-200 – Mr. O’Connell/Miss Biancheria/Mr. Comparetto/Mr. Foley/Miss McCullough/Mr. Monfredo/Mayor Petty (June 11, 2018)
To review the new Science Curriculum.
gb #8-243 – Mr. O’Connell/Miss Biancheria/Miss McCullough/Mr. Monfredo
(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.
gb #8-248 – Mr. Comparetto/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell (August 14, 2018)
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.
gb #8-258 – Mr. Monfredo/Miss Biancheria/Mr. Comparetto/Miss McCullough/
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.”
gb #8-298 – Mr. Monfredo/Miss Biancheria/ Mr. Comparetto/Mr. O’Connell (September 26, 2018)
Request that the Administration provide a report on the teaching of cursive writing in the schools.
gb #8-348 – Mr. Monfredo/Miss Biancheria/ Mr. O’Connell/Mr. Comparetto/Miss McCullough/Mr. Foley (November 15, 2018)
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.
gb #8-357 – Mr. Comparetto/Miss Biancheria/Mr. Monfredo/Mr. O’Connell(November 28, 2018)
Request that the Administration consider replicating the Positive Directions Program at each of the middle and high schools.
gb #8-366 – Mr. Monfredo/Miss Biancheria/Mr. Comparetto(December 10, 2018)
Request that the Administration consider having parent conferences for K-3 parents during a Professional Development Day in October.
motion (gb #7-148.2) Mr. O’Connell (June 15, 2017)
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.
motion (ros #7-14) Miss Biancheria, Ms. Colorio
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
motion (gb #8-123.2) Mr. O’Connell (June 21, 2018)
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.
- ADJOURNMENT
Helen A. Friel, Ed.D.
Clerk of the School Committee