School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Date: 2014-03-05 Time: 7:00 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA SALUTE TO FLAG: 1. SALUTE TO FLAG: ROLL CALL: 2. ROLL CALL: MINUTES: 3. 2014 / 64 Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, February 19, 2014 MEMORIALS: 4. 2014 / 69 Theodore B. Oxton, husband of Pawtucketville Memorial School Library Aide Leslie Oxton. MOTIONS: 5. 2014 / 78 [by Steve Gendron]: Request the Superintendent work with the MIS Director and the Technology Subcommittee to develop a consistent strategy for using websites and social media across the district. 6. 2014 / 79 [by David Conway]: Ask the Superintendent to send a letter of thanks and congratulations to Mr. Sean Harmon for his contributions toward the restoration of the City Hall Chambers. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 3) 7. 2014 / 80 [by David Conway]: Ask the Superintendent to give an updated report on the procedures and timeline of paying the athletic coaches their stipends on a consistent and regular basis. 8. 2014 / 81 [by James Leary]: Request the Superintendent provide to the School Committee an update status of the technology throughout the system. The report should include recommendations for additional and/or realignment of staff, and recommended additional technology purchases. 9. 2014 / 82 [by James Leary]: Request the Superintendent provide to the School Committee an updated report regarding changes made, if any, to the substitute teacher program. The report should include the current status of our substitute teacher pool and additional recommendations to improve the program. SUBCOMMITTEES: 10. 2014 / 71 Curriculum: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Tuesday, February 25, 2014 [Connie Martin/Chair] 11. 2014 / 72 Finance: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Monday, March 3, 2014 [James Leary/Chair] 12. 2014 / 73 Facilities: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Monday, March 3, 2014. [James Leary/Chair] REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT: 13. 2014 / 65 2013-2014 Parent/Teacher Conferences 14. 2014 / 66 Partnership for Readiness or College and Careers [PARCC] Exemption 15. 2014 / 68 McKinney Vento Update Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 3) 16. 2014 / 74 2014 Graduation Dates and Lowell High School Commencement Speaker 17. 2014 / 75 Personnel Report 18. 2014 / 84 Early Release Day Agenda 2013-2014 CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS: 19. 2014 / 70 Lowell High School Show Choir and Concert Band [67 students], along with LHS teachers Andre Descoteaux, Patricia Fitzpatrick and John McGovern, and 14 coried parent chaperones, to travel to New York during April vacation [Tuesday, April 22 through Thursday, April 24, 2014]. Trip costs will be covered by fundraising and students. There is no cost to the School Department budget. 20. 2014 / 83 Paul Georges, President of the United Teachers of Lowell, to attend the AFT Teachers' Program & Policy Council Conference in Washington, DC. The conference is being held on Wednesday, March 12 through Saturday, March 15, 2014. All costs will be paid by United Teachers of Lowell. COMMUNICATIONS: 21. 2014 / 76 Lowell High School Teaching Internships ADJOURNMENT: 22. ADJOURNMENT: Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, February 19, 2014 To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 64 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Steve Gendron]: Request the Superintendent work with the MIS Director and the Technology Subcommittee to develop a consistent strategy for using websites and social media across the district. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 78 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by David Conway]: Ask the Superintendent to send a letter of thanks and congratulations to Mr. Sean Harmon for his contributions toward the restoration of the City Hall Chambers. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 79 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by David Conway]: Ask the Superintendent to give an updated report on the procedures and timeline of paying the athletic coaches their stipends on a consistent and regular basis. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 80 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by James Leary]: Request the Superintendent provide to the School Committee an update status of the technology throughout the system. The report should include recommendations for additional and/or realignment of staff, and recommended additional technology purchases. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 81 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by James Leary]: Request the Superintendent provide to the School Committee an updated report regarding changes made, if any, to the substitute teacher program. The report should include the current status of our substitute teacher pool and additional recommendations to improve the program. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 82 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Curriculum: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Tuesday, February 25, 2014 [Connie Martin/Chair] To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 71 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Finance: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Monday, March 3, 2014 [James Leary/Chair] To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 72 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Facilities: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Monday, March 3, 2014. [James Leary/Chair] To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 73 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 2013-2014 Parent/Teacher Conferences To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 65 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Parent Teacher Conference Memo  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Partnership for Readiness or College and Careers [PARCC] Exemption To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 66 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: PARCC  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 McKinney Vento Update To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 68 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Office of Student Support Services Phone: (978) 674-2034 43 Highland Street Fax: (978) 674-2141 Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 E-mail: jdurkin@lowell.k12.ma.us McKinney-Vento Update To: Jean M. Franco, Superintendent of Schools From: Jeannine M. Durkin, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services Date: February 28, 2014 The following is a status report of the students identified as homeless in the district. The report contains an overview of the McKinney-Vento Act, district 2013-2014 data, program supports and action steps for moving forward. I would like to thank the District Homeless Liaison, Fred McOsker, for his assistance in preparing this report. The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” The act provides descriptors of children who fall under this definition:   Children sharing housing due to economic hardship or loss of housing. Children living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to lack of  alternative accommodations.  Children living in emergency or transitional shelters.  Children awaiting foster care placement. Children whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular  sleeping accommodation (e.g. park benches, etc.). Children living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations. The McKinney-Vento Act also ensures homeless children receive transportation to and from school free of charge, allowing children to attend their school of origin (last school enrolled or the school they attended when they first become homeless) regardless of what district the family resides in. It further requires schools to register homeless children even if they lack normally required documents, such as immunization records or proof of residence. There are also time and distance limitations that are part of the McKinney-Vento Act. School districts must educate a homeless student in his or her school of origin; placement determinations should be an individualized, student-centered decision. Factors that a district may consider include the age of the student as well as the time and distance of the commute. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) recommends that transportation not exceed one hour in one direction. Transportation costs of homeless students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) might be covered solely by Special Education or may be subject to the provisions of McKinney-Vento cost sharing as detailed below:  If the IEP provides that the student requires transportation as a result of the disability, transportation is a related service and the cost is borne by the fiscally  responsible district. If the IEP notes that the student does not require transportation as a result of the disability, and that regular transportation will be provided in the same manner as it would be provided for students without disabilities, the McKinney-Vento cost sharing provisions will apply. Number of Homeless Students Enrolled 2013-2014: As of February 26, 2014, the Lowell Public Schools Homeless Liaison, Frederick McOsker, has reported 160 students that have met the criteria for Homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act to the DESE. To date, 104 of the students have been placed outside the city limits, which require the district to arrange transportation. Outreach Programs Implemented to Support Homeless Students and Families: The Lowell Public Schools (LPS) is a recipient of the McKinney-Vento Homeless DESE Grant. Through grant funding, LPS has established a teacher staffed homework center at the Best Western Hotel in Chelmsford, MA as this has been a primary placement for many of the families from Lowell. One of the district’s Early Childhood Parent Liaisons also works with students and their families at scattered site housing apartments and shelters located in the City of Lowell to link students with resources. Resources include academic support provided by LPS licensed teachers as well as community outreach to address identified needs. Additionally, all LPS have either a school social worker on site or access to social work services through the Homeless Liaison or the Office of Student Support Services. The Director of Food Service is notified on all students identified as homeless to assure they are provided with free lunch. Future planning includes the following actions steps:  Schedule bi-annual meetings with McKinney-Vento representatives from the DESE and district administrators to review homeless data to ensure accurate  homeless counts and adherence to transportation requirements. Meet with Family Resource Center and Lowell High School Office of Student Support Services to establish procedures to identify homeless students at the point  of registration. Establish a procedure to make sure those students that become homeless during the school year are accurately recorded in the student database.  Designated one staff member in each school as the School-based Homeless Liaison to work with the District Homeless Coordinator. Schedule quarterly  meetings with liaisons. Establish procedures with school-based liaisons to conduct regularly scheduled residence verification checks for those students that are listed in the school  database as doubled-up. Develop a reporting schedule with the Coordinator of the Family Resource Center to quantify the number of students being transported each month and costs to the district.  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 2014 Graduation Dates and Lowell High School Commencement Speaker To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 74 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: 2014 Graduation Dates  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Personnel Report To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 75 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: PR 030514 LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Personnel Office Phone: (978) 674-2021 43 Highland Street Fax: (978) 674-2141 Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 E-mail: mcassidy@lowell.k12.ma.us Personnel Report TO: Jean Franco, Superintendent FROM: Michael Cassidy, Director of Human Resources DATE: February 25, 2014 RE: PERSONNEL REPORT –March 5, 2014 ===================================================== The Personnel Office is hereby officially informing you of retirements, resignations, promotions and new hires. Thank you for sharing this report with members of the Lowell School Committee and including it in the official record. MC/dj I. RETIREMENTS Patricia Abisi (14 yrs) Guidance Counselor 273 Clark Road Lowell High School Lowell, MA 01852 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Carol Allen (10 yrs) English Language Learner Teacher 4 Hawthorne Terrace Lowell High School Roslindale, Ma 02131 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Xenia Baez (21 yrs) Paraprofessional 2 Lemay Way Lowell High School N. Chelmsford, MA 01863 Effective Date: January 17, 2014 Lois Barry (25 yrs) Elementary Teacher 12 B Street Morey School Chelmsford, MA 01824 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Ornella Bascunan (24 yrs) Academic Chair, Math Department 1 Woodhill Road Lowell High School Burlington, MA 01803 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Thomas Belkakis (36 yrs) Adult Education Facilitator 52 Twiss Lane Adult Education Program Hollis, NH 03049 Effective Date: January 10, 2014 David Cook (15 yrs) Coordinator, Alternative School 118 Butman Road Cardinal O’Connell Alternative Program Lowell, MA 01852 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Elizabeth Cook (17 yrs) Social Studies Teacher 118 Butman Road Pyne/Arts School Lowell, MA 01852 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Joanne Cuipa (13 yrs) Executive Secretary 328 Turkey Street Curriculum Office N. Berwick, ME 03906 Effective Date: March 1, 2014 Elaine Damianakis (30 yrs) Elementary Teacher 98 Bowers Street Murkland School Lowell, MA 01854 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Helen Diamantopoulos (24 yrs) Elementary Teacher 11 Peabody Lane Shaughnessy School Pelham, NH 03076 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Joan Dugan (15 yrs) Reading Teacher 19 Tyler Road Lincoln School No. Andover, MA 01845 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Linda Engstler (28 yrs) Special Education Teacher 44 Pinehurst Ave Laura Lee Therapeutic Day Program Nashua, NH 03062 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 RETIREMENTS: (cont) Ronald Foley (35 yrs) Physical Education Teacher 103 Gilcrecst Road Lowell High School Londonderry, NH 03053 Effective Date: April 18, 2014 Ruth Harrington (20 yrs) Social Studies Teacher 26 Old County Road Lowell High School Hingham, MA 02043 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Diane Jean (22 yrs) Business Teacher 39 Sawyer Ave Lowell High School Dracut, MA 01826 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Mary Anne Johnston (30 yrs) Family and Consumer Science Teacher 103 Camden Street Lowell High School Dracut, MA , 01826 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Sharon Krysiak (35 yrs) Assistant Principal 29 Phalanx Street Bailey School Tyngsborough, MA 01879 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Edith Labran (12 yrs) Assistant to Human Resources Director 1235 Capn Samadras Road Personnel Office Cotuit, MA 02635 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Mary Ann McCarthy (35 yrs) Elementary Teacher 72 Ridge Road Reilly School Lowell, MA 01852 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Jean Murphy (29 yrs) Special Education Teacher 85 Alcott Street Pyne/Arts School Lowell, MA 01852 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Patricia Nichols (28 yrs) Reading Teacher 143 Clark Road Lowell High School Lowell, MA 01852 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Kevin Noa (29 yrs) Physical Education Teacher 39 Harriman Road Bailey School Merrimac, NH 01860 Effective Date: November 25, 2013 Elaine Page (9 yrs) Special Education Teacher 90 Summer Street Bartlett School Andover, MA 01810 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Phanna Robishaw (21 yrs) English Language Learner Teacher 12 Carolyn Street Morey School Lowell, MA 01850 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Osvaldo Santos (20 yrs) English Language Learner Teacher 530 Skyline Drive Apt. 22 Wang School Dracut, MA 01826 Effective Date: June 30, 2014  RETIREMENTS: (cont) Anne Weber (30 yrs) Math Resource Teacher 525 Wellman Ave Pawtucketville Memorial School N. Chelmsford, MA 01863 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 Jean Winn-Makem (21 yrs) Social Studies Teacher 51 Starbird Street Lowell High School Lowell, MA 01854 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 II. RESIGNATIONS Kerry Akashian English Teacher 41 Winward Road Lowell High School Lowell, MA 01852 Effective Date: February 24, 2014 Jonathan Brown Paraprofessional 55 Grant Street Sullivan School Dracut, MA 01826 Effective Date: February 24, 2014 Pamela Comer Behavior Specialist 11 Cathedral Lane Cardinal O ‘Connell Alternative Program Hudson, NH 03051 Effective Date: January 6, 2014 Donald Gartner Physical Education Teacher 41 Marty Drive Rogers School Merrimack, NH 03054 Effective Date: January 17, 2014 Alexandra Wax English Language Arts Teacher 141 John Street #10 Robinson School Lowell, MA 01850 Effective Date: June 30, 2014 III. NEW HIRES AND PROMOTIONS (P = Promotion) Nancy Cote (P) Executive Secretary 239 Butman Road Curriculum Office Lowell, MA 01852 Effective Date: February 24, 2014 IV. TEACHERS HIRED FROM THE LIST OF ELIGIBLE TEACHERS None to report  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Early Release Day Agenda 2013-2014 To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 84 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Early Release Day Agenda 2013-2014  • Student Learning Goal • Professional Practice Goal • Focused Elements from Rubrics noting Skills/Knowledge and Examples of Possible Evidence Paraprofessionals Early Release October Early Dismissal Schools ‐ Use of Technology to Improve Class  Active Engagement with the Curriculum Support  Reinforcement of Skills  Providing Alternative Methods to Demonstrate Knowledge of the Curriculum Late Dismissal Schools ‐ Strategies to Work with Students  General Education/Substantially Separate Classroom‐ with Special Needs Based Instructional Support/1:1 Paraprofessional Support  Supporting Students in all Areas Related to Academic Curriculum  Supporting Progress Related to IEP Goals and Objectives  Fostering Independence  Supporting Literacy Instruction  Supporting Math Instruction December 11, 2013 Setting the Purpose: Building on work accomplished with Principals at Leadership • A guide: "Instructions for uploading evidence" which can be provided to staff to help with the formatting and uploading in Teach Point • A guide: "Guidance for educator submitted evidence" • Sharing the slides from Thursday, December 5th's Leadership Cohort B meeting on formative assessments with educators • A resource for evaluators: "Evaluation Planner" ‐ an Excel doc that was distributed on Dec 3rd & th 5 to be shared with educators • A resource: "Focused elements with knowledge & look fors" redistributed at the last Leadership meetings. January 8, 2014 Setting the purpose: Building on December session continues the Formative Assessment conversation; review data and discuss status of District‐Determined Measures • Mid‐ year data review (Fountas and Pinnell, Galileo Benchmarks, GRADE) • Check in on DDM at grades 1,2 5, 6, and 12. How are we progressing? • Literacy/Instructional Specialists review WAR rubric with teachers • Educator Evaluation 2 Early Release Day Agenda 2013‐2014 [March 5, 2014] Paraprofessional Early Release January Varied Choice Menu ‐ Strategies to Work with  Positive Behavior Techniques Students with Special Needs  Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques  Technology in the Special Education setting  Special Education Protocols  Behavior Techniques for students with Autism February 12, 2014 Setting the Purpose: Progress monitoring, Data reviews, Educator Evaluation moving forward. • Focusing on progress monitoring to ensure that we are making progress on our student learning goals, and that we know which students are not making progress and, thus may need other supports or differentiated instruction. Our January 14th & 16th leadership sessions focused on this. For February early release day, if assistance is needed assembling the data please contact the appropriate Curriculum Coordinator based on your school level and the kind of student learning goal on which you’d like to focus. • Working to raise awareness of about our AMOS results and the kinds of instructional strategies that will most benefit our ELL students (A portion of the February Leadership session will focused on this topic). If you need assistance with data or planning please contact anyone in the Office of English Language Learners, or an appropriate Curriculum Coordinator. Early Release Day Agenda 2013‐2014 [March 5, 2014] 3  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Lowell High School Show Choir and Concert Band [67 students], along with LHS teachers Andre Descoteaux, Patricia Fitzpatrick and John McGovern, and 14 coried parent chaperones, to travel to New York during April vacation [Tuesday, April 22 through Thursday, April 24, 2014]. Trip costs will be covered by fundraising and students. There is no cost to the School Department budget. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 70 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: LHS Show Choir and Band NY April 2014  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Paul Georges, President of the United Teachers of Lowell, to attend the AFT Teachers' Program & Policy Council Conference in Washington, DC. The conference is being held on Wednesday, March 12 through Saturday, March 15, 2014. All costs will be paid by United Teachers of Lowell. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 83 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Georges to Washington  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Lowell High School Teaching Internships To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 76 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: LHS Teaching Internships