School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Date: 2016-02-03 Time: 6:30 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. 2016 / 39 Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, January 20, 2016 PERMISSION TO ENTER: 4. 2016 / 54 Permission to Enter: February 3, 2016 MEMORIALS: 5. 2016 / 41 Teresa "Tessa" Doyle-Creamer, sister of Robert Doyle, Assistant Principal at the Daley School. 6. 2016 / 42 Judy Sweet, sister of June Sweet, former School Department Clerk, Lowell School Committee Recorder and Substitute Teacher. 7. 2016 / 48 Heidi Feliz, Lowell Public School Student at New England Pediatrics. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • F: 978.937.7609 http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 4) SUBCOMMITTEES: 8. 2016 / 40 Policy: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Wednesday, January 27, 2016 [Robert Hoey, Chairperson] REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT: 9. 2016 / 43 2016-2017 School Year Calendar 10. 2016 / 44 Rescheduling School Committee Meetings 11. 2016 / 50 Revised 2015-2016 School Calendar 12. 2016 / 58 Life Skills Program Recommendation 13. 2016 / 59 Response to Steve Gendron's Motion of 12/16/15 regarding LHS Athletic Programs Participation 14. 2016 / 62 Advocacy for Newcomer Program 15. 2016 / 63 Community Service Day 16. 2016 / 65 Response to the LHS Investigation Report from the Task Force 17. 2016 / 53 Home Education NEW BUSINESS: 18. 2016 / 66 Vote to accept Grant Award of $ 42,000 to Henry J. Robinson School from Summer Star Foundation for Nature, Art and Humanity, Inc. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • F: 978.937.7609 http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 4) CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS: 19. 2016 / 45 Headmaster Brian Martin, request permission for students of the Wrestling Program to attend one overnight stay on February 19-20, 2016 at the MIAA Division I Championships to be held in Brockton, MA. Headmaster Martin is also seeking approval for the same students to travel out of state and stay overnight at the New England Wrestling Championships to be held at the Providence Career and Technical Academy in Providence, R.I. on March 4-5, 2016. The Students will be under the supervision coaches, George Bossi, James Dillon, Michael Dillon, and George Gilbride. Transportation will be via private vehicle provided by the Lowell High School Wrestling Coaches. The cost of the trip will not exceed $2000.00 paid by the Lowell High Athletic Department. 20. 2016 / 46 Lowell High School Outdoor Adventures Club Advisor Kendra Bauer, Donna Newcomb and Megan Vilcans to participate in an overnight winter adventure excursion along with 14-16 club members. They will be traveling to Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell, MA from Sunday, February 14 through Tuesday, February 16, 2016. Transportation will be paid by the students and subsidized by the club's funds. The Appalachian Mountain Club will provide them with accommodations, meals and all needed outdoor equipment. Each student will pay $35.00 toward these expenses. No substitute teachers are needed. 21. 2016 / 47 Headmaster Brian Martin, requests permission for eighteen [18] to twenty four [24] students and four [4] chaperones, Thomas Thornton, Kathleen Keefe, Michael McLeod and Delaney Carr, all Lowell High staff to travel to Ireland during the February school vacation 2017. Students will miss one day of school, Friday, February 17, 2017 and three [3] substitutes will be needed for one day. The cost of two substitutes in the amount of $200 will be paid by LHS individual school budget and the third substitute will be paid by EF Tours. Each student traveling will incur the total cost of between of $2,530.00 22. 2016 / 55 LHS Housemaster Deidre Haley, teachers Margaret Kennedy, Thomas Thornton, Kirk Czlewicz, Robert Fillmore and Michael Crowe to travel to Jay Peak Resort in Vermont with a group of thirty [30] to forty [40] LHS students. This trip will take place after school on Friday, January 13, 2017 through Monday, January 16, 2017. There is no cost to the School Department budget. No substitute teachers are needed. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • F: 978.937.7609 http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 4) 23. 2016 / 56 Headmaster Brian Martin, requests permission for Lowell High School Business Professional Advisor, Jill McNamara along with fifteen [15] members of the Lowell Chapter of the Business Professionals of America to attend the National Leadership Conference in Framingham, MA from Saturday, March 5, 2016 through Monday, March 7, 2016 at the Sheraton Tara Hotel & Conference Center. Students will be absent from school on Monday, March 7, 2016. The only cost will be $100 for a substitute teacher for 1 day and will be paid by Lowell High School Individual School account. The cost of the conference will be paid for through The 1826 School Store for students and staff. Students have been raising funds to defray the cost of the trip and each student will pay $50 of the $250 per student. This will include all meals and 2 nights at the Sheraton Tara. There will be no additional cost to the Lowell School Department budget. COMMUNICATIONS: 24. 2016 / 52 Letter of appreciation to Peter D'Amico, Lowell High School Senior Aerospace Science Instructor, Participants of the Lowell High School Winter Concert and Dr. Sharon Clark, Fine Arts Department Head, and Culinary Arts Instructors Mary Jacques and Dianne Lewin- Allen. PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL: 25. 2016 / 60 The Members of the Lowell School Administrators Association hereby donate fifteen [15] sick leave days to Ms. Sherrie Vlahakis, Lowell High School Guidance Counselor. ADJOURNMENT: 26. ADJOURNMENT: Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • F: 978.937.7609 http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Date: 2016-02-03 Time: 6:30 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. 2016 / 39 Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, January 20, 2016 PERMISSION TO ENTER: 4. 2016 / 54 Permission to Enter: February 3, 2016 MEMORIALS: 5. 2016 / 41 Teresa "Tessa" Doyle-Creamer, sister of Robert Doyle, Assistant Principal at the Daley School. 6. 2016 / 42 Judy Sweet, sister of June Sweet, former School Department Clerk, Lowell School Committee Recorder and Substitute Teacher. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 5) 7. 2016 / 48 Heidi Feliz, Lowell Public School Student at New England Pediatrics. SUBCOMMITTEES: 8. 2016 / 40 Policy: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Wednesday, January 27, 2016 [Robert Hoey, Chairperson] REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT: 9. 2016 / 43 2016-2017 School Year Calendar 10. 2016 / 44 Rescheduling School Committee Meetings 11. 2016 / 50 Revised 2015-2016 School Calendar 12. 2016 / 58 Life Skills Program Recommendation 13. 2016 / 59 Response to Steve Gendron's Motion of 12/16/15 regarding LHS Athletic Programs Participation 14. 2016 / 62 Advocacy for Newcomer Program 15. 2016 / 63 Community Service Day 16. 2016 / 65 Response to the LHS Investigation Report from the Task Force Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 5) 17. 2016 / 53 Home Education NEW BUSINESS: 18. 2016 / 66 Vote to accept Grant Award of $ 42,000 to Henry J. Robinson School from Summer Star Foundation for Nature, Art and Humanity, Inc. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS: 19. 2016 / 45 Headmaster Brian Martin, request permission for students of the Wrestling Program to attend one overnight stay on February 19-20, 2016 at the MIAA Division I Championships to be held in Brockton, MA. Headmaster Martin is also seeking approval for the same students to travel out of state and stay overnight at the New England Wrestling Championships to be held at the Providence Career and Technical Academy in Providence, R.I. on March 4-5, 2016. The Students will be under the supervision coaches, George Bossi, James Dillon, Michael Dillon, and George Gilbride. Transportation will be via private vehicle provided by the Lowell High School Wrestling Coaches. The cost of the trip will not exceed $2000.00 paid by the Lowell High Athletic Department. 20. 2016 / 46 Lowell High School Outdoor Adventures Club Advisor Kendra Bauer, Donna Newcomb and Megan Vilcans to participate in an overnight winter adventure excursion along with 14-16 club members. They will be traveling to Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell, MA from Sunday, February 14 through Tuesday, February 16, 2016. Transportation will be paid by the students and subsidized by the club's funds. The Appalachian Mountain Club will provide them with accommodations, meals and all needed outdoor equipment. Each student will pay $35.00 toward these expenses. No substitute teachers are needed. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 5) 21. 2016 / 47 Headmaster Brian Martin, requests permission for eighteen [18] to twenty four [24] students and four [4] chaperones, Thomas Thornton, Kathleen Keefe, Michael McLeod and Delaney Carr, all Lowell High staff to travel to Ireland during the February school vacation 2017. Students will miss one day of school, Friday, February 17, 2017 and three [3] substitutes will be needed for one day. The cost of two substitutes in the amount of $200 will be paid by LHS individual school budget and the third substitute will be paid by EF Tours. Each student trave ling will incur the total cost of between of $2,530.00 22. 2016 / 55 LHS Housemaster Deidre Haley, teachers Margaret Kennedy, Thomas Thornton, Kirk Czlewicz, Robert Fillmore and Michael Crowe to travel to Jay Peak Resort in Vermont with a group of thirty [30] to forty [40] LHS students. This trip will take place after school on Friday, January 13, 2017 through Monday, January 16, 2017. There is no cost to the School Department budget. No substitute teachers are needed. 23. 2016 / 56 Headmaster Brian Martin, requests permission for Lowell High School Business Professional Advisor, Jill McNamara along with fifteen [15] members of the Lowell Chapter of the Business Professionals of America to attend the National Leadership Conference in Framingham, MA from Saturday, March 5, 2016 through Monday, March 7, 2016 at the Sheraton Tara Hotel & Conference Center. Students will be absent from school on Monday, March 7, 2016. The only cost will be $100 for a substitute teacher for 1 day and will be paid by Lowell High School Individual School account. The cost of the conference will be paid for through The 1826 School Store for students and staff. Students have been raising funds to defray the cost of the trip and each student will pay $50 of the $250 per student. This will include all meals and 2 nights at the Sheraton Tara. There will be no additional cost to the Lowell School Department budget. COMMUNICATIONS: 24. 2016 / 52 Letter of appreciation to Peter D'Amico, Lowell High School Senior Aerospace Science Instructor, Participants of the Lowell High School Winter Concert and Dr. Sharon Clark, Fine Arts Department Head, and Culinary Arts Instructors Mary Jacques and Dianne Lewin- Allen. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 5) PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL: 25. 2016 / 60 The Members of the Lowell School Administrators Association hereby donate fifteen [15] sick leave days to Ms. Sherrie Vlahakis, Lowell High School Guidance Counselor. ADJOURNMENT: 26. 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, January 20, 2016 To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 39 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Minutes of Regularly SC Mtg.  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Permission to Enter: February 3, 2016 To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 54 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Office of Finance & Operations Phone: (978) 674-2019 LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 155 Merrimack Street Fax: (978) 937-7620 Lowell, Massachusetts 08152 E-mail: fantonelli@lowell.k12.ma.us PERMISSION TO ENTER To: Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui, Superintendent of Schools From: Frank Antonelli, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Date: January 29, 2016 Subject: Permission to Enter – February 3, 2016 School Committee Meeting COMMUNITY TEAMWORK, INC. $ 0 155 Merrimack Street Lowell, MA 01852 To amend the existing contract to provide for the roundtrip transportation for preschool students to and from various residences throughout the City of Lowell to the Lowell Collaborative Preschool Academy. No additional funding required. Funding provided by the Preschool Expansion Grant THINK SOCIAL PUBLISHING, INC. $ 25,000 404 Saratoga Avenue Suite 200 Santa Clara, CA 95050 To provide staff training and coaching to Special Education Staff on how to utilize and implement explicit instruction in the development of Social Cognition Skills for Special Education Students Funding provided by the Special Education Program Improvement Grant EDUCATION, INC. $ 42,293 2 Main Street, Suite 2A Plymouth, MA 02360 To provide academic support and tutoring services to special education students who are hospitalized. Funding provided by the School Department Budget – Special Education Hospitalized Children Account  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Teresa "Tessa" Doyle-Creamer, sister of Robert Doyle, Assistant Principal at the Daley School. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 41 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Judy Sweet, sister of June Sweet, former School Department Clerk, Lowell School Committee Recorder and Substitute Teacher. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 42 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Heidi Feliz, Lowell Public School Student at New England Pediatrics. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 48 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Policy: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Wednesday, January 27, 2016 [Robert Hoey, Chairperson] To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 40 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Policy  LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE Henry J. Mroz Central Administration Offices 155 Merrimack Street Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 Edward J. Kennedy Tel: (978) 674-4324 Mayor and Chairperson Fax: (978) 937-7609 Vice-Chairman Stephen J. Gendron Policy Subcommittee Meeting Wednesday January 27, 2016 Andre P. Descoteaux Jackie Doherty Room 116 Rogers School Robert J. Gignac 6:40 p.m. Robert J. Hoey Jr. Connie A. Martin Subcommittee Members Present: Chairperson Robert Hoey, Jackie Doherty, Connie Martin School Department Personnel Present: Frank Antonelli, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations, Chairperson Robert Hoey called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. Mr. Antonelli reviewed the following purchasing policies with the sub-committee: DJ, DJB-R, and DJE. He explained that the proposed policies were consistent with the City’s present bidding policies and state laws. After the sub-committee members asked questions concerning the changes and discussed the ramifications of the changes, Connie Martin made a motion to approve the changes as proposed. Robert Hoey seconded Ms. Martin’s motion. The motion passed 2 to 1, with Ms. Martin opposed. A motion was made by Connie Martin, seconded by Robert Hoey, to adjourn the meeting at 7 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Frank Antonelli Interim Assistant, Superintendent of Finance & Operations For Salah E. Khelfaoui Superintendent of Schools Secretary, Lowell School Committee  File: DJ PURCHASING The School Committee declares its intention to purchase competitively without prejudice and to seek maximum educational value for every dollar expended. The Assistant Superintendent for Business School Business Administrator, under the direction of the superintendent, shall have responsibility for supervision of the school department’s purchasing program. The Assistant Superintendent for Business School Business Administrator is authorized to prepare approve a requisition without prior approval of the Committee when formal bidding procedures are not required by law and the budget allocation for the category is adequate to cover the obligation. Requisitions shall be signed by the superintendent or his/her designee. Any commitment off of funds beyond budget allocations must have prior Committee approval. Adoption date: Date of Manual Adoption LEGAL REFS.: M.G.L. 7:22A; 7:22B: 30B; 71:49A Lowell City Code, Secs. 12-16, 12-26, and 24-1 through 24-5 Lowell Public Schools Lowell Public Schools  Office of Finance & Operations Phone: (978) 674-2019 LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 155 Merrimack Street Fax: (978) 937-7620 Lowell, Massachusetts 08152 E-mail: fantonelli@lowell.k12.ma.us Purchasing Policy Revisions To: Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui, Superintendent of Schools From: Frank Antonelli, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Date: January 29, 2016 Subject: Purchasing Policy Revisions Attached are the three purchasing policies that were reviewed and approved at the Policy Sub- Committee meeting on a vote of 2 to 1, with Connie Martin voting against the motion. I am recommending that all words with a line through it be deleted from the existing policies and all words that appear in “red” ink be added to the existing policies. I am also recommending that policy DJE be deleted in its entirety and replaced with policy DRE-R. Please note that the thresholds for purchasing supplies and services under the proposed policies are consistent with the City’s policies (see attached memo from the City’s Purchasing Agent) and the state purchasing laws, M.G.L. C. 30B and C.149. I would also add that the City Solicitor thinks it is an “excellent” idea to have the school department’s policy consistent with the City’s policy.  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 2016-2017 School Year Calendar To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 43 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: 2016-2017 School Year Calendar  Office of the Superintendent of Schools - LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS - Lowell, Massachusetts 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR Monday, August 29, 2016 Orientation Day – Staff Only Tuesday, August 30, 2016 First Day of School – Grades 1-12 Friday, September 2, 2016 No School – Labor Day Recess Monday, September 5, 2016 * No School – Labor Day Tuesday, September 6, 2016 Schools Re-Open along with Prekindergarten & Kindergarten Classes Beginning Thursday, September 8, 2016 No School - Election Day - State Primary Wednesday, October 5, 2016 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Monday, October 10, 2016 * No School – Columbus Day Tuesday, November 8, 2016 No School -Election Day Friday, November 11, 2016 * No School - Veterans’ Day Observed Wednesday, November 23, 2016 Early Dismissal – Thanksgiving Recess Thursday, November 24, 2016 * No School - Thanksgiving Day Friday, November 25, 2016 * No School – Thanksgiving Recess Monday, November 28, 2016 Schools Re-Open Wednesday, December 7, 2016 Wednesday -½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Thursday, December 22, 2016 Thursday – Holiday Recess Begins at Close of Day Friday, December 23, 2016 * No School - Holiday Break Sunday, December 25, 2016 * Sunday - Christmas Day Monday, December 26, 2016 * Monday, Christmas is Observed [Holiday Break: Friday, December 23th – Tuesday, January 3, 2017] Monday, January 2, 2017 * Monday - New Years Day Observed Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Schools Re-Open Wednesday, January 11, 2017 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Monday, January 16, 2017 * No School – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Wednesday, February 8, 2017 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Friday, February 10, 2017 Mid-Winter Vacation Begins at the Close of School Monday, February 13, 2017 * President’s Day -[Mid-Winter Vacation: Monday, February 13 – Friday, February 17, 2017] Monday, February 20, 2017 Monday - Schools Re-Open Wednesday, March 8, 2017 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Wednesday, April 5, 2017 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Thursday, April 13, 2017 Spring Vacation Begins at the Close of School Friday, April 14, 2017 * No School – Good Friday Monday, April 17, 2017 * Patriot’s Day - [Spring Break: Monday, April 17th – Friday, April 21, 2017] Monday, April 24, 2017 Schools Re-Open Wednesday, May 3, 2017 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Monday, May 29, 2017 * No School – Memorial Day June 2017 (TBD) Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Will be on the last day of School Thursday, June 15, 2017 180th School Day Thursday, June 22, 2017 185th School Day [Includes five (5) Snow Days] Number of School Days Per Month Approved by the Lowell School Committee at their meeting of Wednesday, February 3, 2016 August 2 January 20 September 19 February 15 October 20 March 23 * Central Administration, Family Resource Center and Early November 18 April 14 Childhood Center --- CLOSED December 16 May 22 June 11 Total 180  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Rescheduling School Committee Meetings To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 44 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Rescheduling School Committee Meetings LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Superintendent’s Office Phone: (978) 674-4324 155 Merrimack Street Fax: (978) 937-7609 Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 E-mail: skhelfaoui@lowell.k12.ma.us Rescheduling the Regular School Committee Meetings of February 17th and April 27, 2016 TO: Members of the Lowell School Committee FROM: Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui, Superintendent of Schools DATE: January 28, 2016 RE: Regular School Committee Meetings of February 17th and April 27, 2016 In view of the fact that the second regularly scheduled meetings of the School Committee for the months of February and April 2016 are scheduled during school vacations [February 17th and April 20th] I am recommending that we move the February 17th to February 24th and the April 20th to April 27th. Most of our students and their families schedule their vacations during school breaks. Therefore, I am making this recommendation in order to give parents and community members the opportunity to have a voice on any items of the school committee agenda that they wish to address in a public participation platform.  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Revised 2015-2016 School Calendar To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 50 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Office of the Superintendent of Schools - LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS - Lowell, Massachusetts 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR Monday, August 31, 2015 Orientation Day – Staff Only Tuesday, September 1, 2015 First Day of School – Grades 1-12 Friday, September 4, 2015 No School – Labor Day Recess Monday, September 7, 2015 * No School – Labor Day Tuesday, September 8, 2015 Schools Re-Open along with Prekindergarten & Kindergarten Classes Beginning Wednesday, September 16, 2015 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Wednesday, October 7, 2015 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Monday, October 12, 2015 * No School – Columbus Day Tuesday, November 3, 2015 No School -Election Day Wednesday, November 11, 2015 * No School - Veterans’ Day Observed Wednesday, November 25, 2015 Early Dismissal – Thanksgiving Recess Thursday, November 26, 2015 * No School - Thanksgiving Day Friday, November 27, 2015 * No School – Thanksgiving Recess Monday, November 30, 2015 Schools Re-Open Wednesday, December 9, 2015 Wednesday -½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Thursday, December 24, 2015 * Christmas Eve – No School - Holiday Break Friday, December 25, 2015 * Christmas Day -[Holiday Break: Thursday, December 24th – Friday, January 1, 2016] Friday, January 1, 2016 * New Years Day Monday, January 4, 2016 Schools Re-Open Wednesday, January 13, 2016 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Monday, January 18, 2016 * No School – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Wednesday, February 3, 2016 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Friday, February 12, 2016 Mid-Winter Vacation Begins at the Close of School Monday, February 15, 2016 * President’s Day -[Mid-Winter Vacation: Monday, February 15 – Friday, February 19, 2016] Monday, February 22, 2016 Monday - Schools Re-Open Tuesday, March 1, 2016 No School - Election Day - State Presidential Primary Wednesday, March 9, 2016 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Friday, March 25, 2016 * No School - Good Friday Wednesday, April 6, 2016 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Friday, April 15, 2016 Spring Vacation Begins at the Close of School Monday, April 18, 2016 * Patriot’s Day - [Spring Break: Monday, April 18th – Friday, April 22, 2016] Monday, April 25, 2016 Schools Re-Open Wednesday, May 4, 2016 Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Monday, May 30, 2016 * No School – Memorial Day June 2016 (TBD) Wednesday - ½ Day Early Release for grades PreK-12 Will be on the last day of School Thursday, June 16, 2016 180th School Day Thursday, June 23, 2016 185th School Day [Includes five (5) Snow Days] Number of School Days Per Month Approved by the Lowell School Committee at their meeting of Wednesday, March 18, 2015 August 0 January 19 September 20 February 16 October 21 March 21 * Central Administration, Family Resource Center and Early November 17 April 16 Childhood Center --- CLOSED December 17 May 21 June 12 Total 180  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Life Skills Program Recommendation To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 58 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Response to Steve Gendron’s Motion of 12/16/15 regarding LHS Athletic Programs Participation To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 59 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: LHS Sports Programs To: Brain Martin – Headmaster, Lowell High School, Salah Khelfaoui, Superintendent, Lowell Public Schools From: James DeProfio – Athletic Director, Lowell High School Re: Lowell High School Athletic Participation Date: January 27, 2016 LHS Sports Programs to the Athletic Subcommittee [by Steve Gendron]: Requests the Superintendent obtain a report on participation numbers for all high school sports programs and deliver to the Athletic subcommittee. This report contains athletic participation grids from 2012 -2013 through 2015 -2016 (fall and winter) for all Lowell High School sports programs. Commitment to excellence in everything we do 2012-2013 Athletics Participation Male Sports Participants Female Participants Baseball 53 0 Basketball 47 39 Crew 40 35 Cross Country 39 27 Field Hockey 0 44 Football 90 0 Golf 18 1 Gymnastics 60 24 Ice Hockey 25 1 Lacrosse 45 60 Skiing- Nordic 0 0 Skiing-Alpine 5 3 Soccer 44 51 Softball-Fast Pitch 0 38 Swimming & Diving 32 40 Tennis 16 19 Track & Field-Indoor 102 98 Track & Field- Outdoor 87 74 Volleyball 58 40 Wrestling 62 3 Total 823 597 Commitment to excellence in everything we do 2013-2014 Athletics Participation Sport Male Participants Female Participants Baseball 52 0 Basketball 41 40 Cheerleading 0 54 Crew 69 83 Cross Country 49 33 Field Hockey 0 43 Football 126 0 Golf 16 2 Gymnastics 48 16 Ice Hockey 17 2 Lacrosse 53 74 Skiing-Nordic 0 0 Skiing-Alpine 8 4 Soccer 51 47 Softball-Fast Pitch 0 38 Swimming & Diving 28 29 Tennis 13 19 Track & Field-Indoor 74 121 Track & Field- Outdoor 74 69 Volleyball 43 42 Wrestling 53 2 Total 815 718 Commitment to excellence in everything we do 2014-2015 Athletics Participation Sport Male Participants Female Participants Baseball 47 0 Basketball 48 39 Cheerleading 0 25 Crew 34 63 Cross Country 45 32 Field Hockey 0 51 Football 131 0 Golf 18 1 Gymnastics 42 13 Ice Hockey 27 2 Lacrosse 53 75 Skiing-Nordic 0 0 Skiing-Alpine 9 3 Soccer 75 63 Softball l-Fast Pitch 0 41 Swimming &Diving 22 38 Tennis 15 15 Track & Field-Indoor 96 92 Track & Field- Outdoor 91 71 Volleyball 63 40 Wrestling 65 0 Total 881 664 Commitment to excellence in everything we do 2015 - 2016 Athletics Participation Male Sport Female Participants Participants Baseball N/A N/A Basketball 49 34 Cheerleading 0 25 Crew 38 31 Cross Country 52 25 Field Hockey 0 58 Football 120 0 Golf 23 1 Gymnastics 48 9 Ice Hockey 25 2 Lacrosse N/A N/A Skiing-Nordic N/A N/A Skiing-Alpine 11 6 Soccer 74 65 Softball -Fast Pitch N/A N/A Swimming & Diving 23 39 Tennis N/A N/A Track & Field-Indoor 136 110 Track & Field- N/A N/A Outdoor Volleyball N/A 41 Wrestling 50 0 Total 649 446 Commitment to excellence in everything we do  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Advocacy for Newcomer Program To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 62 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Phone: (978) 674-4323 155 Merrimack Street Fax: (978) 275-6363 Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 E-mail: cabrams@lowell.k12.ma.us Advocacy for Newcomer Program TO: Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui, Superintendent FROM: M. Claire Abrams, Assistant Superintendent DATE: January 28, 2016 The following is a report on the motion below. Advocacy For Newcomer Program [by James D. Leary and Mayor Rodney Elliott]: Request the Superintendent contact Congresswomen Tsongas, Senator Markey and Senator Warren in order to discuss appropriate funding for the students entering the Lowell Public Schools Newcomers On January 21, 2016, the following group of stakeholders joined together to address the  Office of Congresswoman Tsongas Kate Machet motion above. Those present at the meeting were as follows:  Office of Senator Edward Markey Jeremiah Thompson  Office of Senator Elizabeth Warren Patrick Kenney  Representing Lowell Public Schools Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui, Superintendent Robert Gignac, Lowell School Committee M. Claire Abrams, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment Jeannine Durkin, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services Dr. Phala Chea, Coordinator of the English Language Education Department Mr. Brian Martin, Headmaster of Lowell High School Amy McLeod, Curriculum Coordinator Lowell High School Sean Carabatsos, Principal Reilly Elementary School Thad King, Principal of the Robinson Middle School Stephen Gervais, Foreign Languages/ELL Department Head Lowell High School Jaana Thorarensen, Specialist for English Language Learner Research and Testing  Representing City Hall Anne Sheehy, Assistant Director of Human Resources Michael McGovern, Assistant City Manager Conor Baldwin, CFO Rodney Conley, Data Analyst The following information was shared at this meeting. According to the Office of Refugees and Immigrants, approximately 2,400 refugees were resettled in Massachusetts last year-typical of recent years. Nearly 90% of these individuals were settled in the following four communities: Lynn, Worcester, Lowell and Greater Springfield. Many of the refugees come from Iraq, Somalia, Bhutan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Within, the ELL population, there are a significant number of refugee students entering grades K-12 with limited and or interrupted formal education since 2011. The charts below show refugee student enrollment within the last five years, district enrollment within the last 12 years and the different languages spoken by our families. Many of these students come to the United States with trauma and limited or interrupted educational experience. Most are non-English Speakers; others are at the early stages of English Language Development. A large percentage of middle and high school aged students have received only one or two years of formal education in a refugee camp schools or have had their formal education interrupted because of war or civil unrest. Furthermore a majority of the older students lack age-appropriate literacy and numeracy skills even in their native language. The group as a whole expressed that there is a need of more support to the district if we are to meet the needs of all of our students. Lowell has always and continues to be a city that embraces their youth and welcome all families and students to our wonderful city. The administrators, principals, teachers and staff have been very creative in planning programs within their schools to meet the needs of all. Our message to the representatives present was that we will continue to work hard to meet the needs of all but we are also at a time when financial relief is extremely necessary. Following the discussion at Central Office, the team left to visit the Reilly School, a school with many newcomer students. Principal Sean Carabatsos prepared the visit, which included visits to the following sessions; Readers Workshop Inclusion, Grade one ELD classroom, Kindergarten-K2; Readers Workshop Inclusion and Grade four ELD classroom. During the visit the representatives observed language – rich classrooms, in which adults encourage children to speak, read and write to demonstrate their individual understanding. Although these classrooms are rich in vocabulary and visually appealing to all learners, it was evident that additional resources are needed to support all of the students in need, especially our ELLs. The representatives visiting the district were thankful that Lowell took the time to set up this visit. They acknowledged that they are hearing from other districts as mentioned above but were pleased with the presentation Lowell provided and said they would definitely bring all of this information back to the legislatures. I would like to thank Dr. Phala Chea, Coordinator of the English Language Development Office and Sean Carabatsos, Principal of the Reilly School for their assistance with this report. Refugee Student Enrollment within the Last Five Years 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 163 204 239 165 108 (As of 12/15) Enrollment Data 2004-2016 (As of October 1, 2015) LEP District Population Enrollment Percentage FLNE Low Income 2004-2005 3,313 14,849 22.31% 6,264 9,395 2005-2006 3,787 13,713 27.62% 5,667 10,503 2006-2007 4,068 13,616 29.88% 6,522 8,729 2007-2008 3,840 13,077 29.36% 6,071 8,455 2008-2009 4,174 13,169 31.70% 5,928 8,696 2009-2010 4,517 13,418 33.66% 6,001 9,258 Enrollment Data 2004-2016 (As of October 1, 2015) LEP District Population Enrollment Percentage FLNE Low Income 2010-2011 4,539 13,320 34.08% 5,911 9,760 2011-2012 4,528 13,540 33.44% 5,722 9,742 2012-2013 4,362 13,933 31.31% 5,858 10,172 2013-2014 3,887 13,874 28.02% 5,506 10,292 2014-2015 3,797 14,121 26.89% 4,604 10,746 2015-2016 3,535 14,150 24.98% 4,242 14,126 Languages Spoken in Lowell Public Schools 2015-2016 (39 Languages – As of Dec. 1, 2015) English (10243) Twi (26) Chinese (Cantonese) (4) Spanish (1640) Chinese (Mandarin) (23) Haitian (4) Khmer (1459) Somali (22) Igbo (4) Portuguese (361) Cape Verdean Creole (21) Shona (4) Arabic (169) Luganda (Ganda) (15) Bengali (3) Vietnamese (145) Thai (12) Korean (3) Swahili (Kiswahili) (114) Hindi (11) Kurdish (2) Laotian (107) Tigrinya (7) Polish (2) Gujarati (55) Urdu (7) Tamil (2) Burmese (46) Tagalog (6) Telugu (2) Karen (39) Japanese (5) Yoruba (2) Nepali (29) Krio (5) German (1) French (27) Russian (5) Italian (1)  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Community Service Day To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 63 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Community Service Day LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Phone: (978) 674-4323 155 Merrimack Street Fax: (978) 275-6363 Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 E-mail: cabrams@lowell.k12.ma.us Community Service Day TO: Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui, Superintendent FROM: M. Claire Abrams, Assistant Superintendent DATE: January 28, 2016 The following report is in response to the motion below. Community Service Day [by Steve Gendron]: Request the Superintendent begin planning for the 3rd annual Community Service Day for LPS, and develop a report of community service hours delivered by school. The Lowell Public Schools will once again plan for a Community Service Day on Tuesday, May 31, 2016. All schools will be contacted to highlight some of the Community Service Activities that have taken place over the school year. On Community Service Day, service hours will be calculated by all schools and a report will be presented to the School Committee in June. LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Response to the LHS Investigation Report from the Task Force To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Agenda Item: 2016 / 65 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Response to the LHS Investigation Report from the Task Force LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Office of Student Support Services Phone: (978) 674-2034 155 Merrimack Street Fax: (978) 674-2141 Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 E-mail: jdurkin@lowell.k12.ma.us Response to the LHS Investigation Report from the Task Force To: Dr. Salah Khelfaoui, Superintendent of Schools From: Jeannine M. Durkin, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services Date: January 26, 2016 The following report is provided in response to the report of the Special Evaluation Task Force relative to the Lowell High School incident of September 29, 2015. Task Force Recommendations The Task Force recommended areas for the District Administration and Lowell High School to research including the following:  Improved reporting forms to include more detail about incidents in order to allow future analysis of trends that should be addressed including an online system for reporting to assist with that. o Response: The school district’s discipline reports/forms that are utilized by school administrators are presently online. Forms were updated to reflect all of the required changes relative to Chapter 222 during the 2014-2015 school form. Additionally, required online discipline reporting occurs annually to DESE utilizing the state require categories, definitions, and trend of behavior.  Discuss policy implications with the School Committee, focusing on updating policies on phone use, texting, social media, communication, and bullying. o Response: The aforementioned school policies referred to by the Task Force are included in the Lowell Public School Student and Parent Handbook which is annually reviewed in the spring and updated to reflect amendments/revisions to state laws and regulations inclusive of a review of LPS discipline data. All changes to said policies and the handbook are brought forward to the Joint Policy and Student Support Services Subcommittees for consideration before they are brought forward to the full School Committee for a vote. In addition, if there are amendments to state laws that are effective prior to the annual review, those changes are brought forth at said time.  Provide Training to all administrators about critical incidents and how to manage discipline cases in light of new state laws (Chapter 222). o Response: The district has provided extensive training for school administrators Pre-K-12 focused on Chapter 222 and implications for leaders. What follows is a synopsis of the training provided to date: 1 August 2013 Initiated a discussion about the impact of Chapter 222 during Summer Administrator Leadership (a year before the law took effect) and placed administrators on notice of new law coming into effect by providing a fact sheet and summary of the law. 2013-2014 Met with administrators throughout the school year during selected monthly administrative meetings to share district planning around Chapter 222 and gathered administrators’ feedback relative to Chapter 222 proposed implementation in Lowell. Developed Chapter 222 disciplinary forms, a hearing script, and flow charts. Provided an opportunity for administrators to review and comment on drafts before finalizing documents. May 2014 Provided a PowerPoint on Chapter 222 during an All Administrator Meeting highlighting the major changes impacting disciplinary actions and implications for administrators. Met with the Summer School staff administrators to train them on the impact of Chapter 222 and provided guidance based on data from previous summer school programs. August 2014 Provided additional Chapter 222 Training during Summer Leadership to all administrators including new administrators. - Developed and provided two Chapter 222 Trainings on 8/20/14 and 8/21/14 which included a study of case scenarios. The presentation was placed on video, to insure that all administrators could access the information as a follow-up measure. - Created a video to demonstrate and model the required elements of a Chapter 222 Hearing for all administrators. 2014-2015 All administrators were extended the invitation to participate in multiple venues (mandatory and optional) to support implementation of Chapter 222 and to address questions and concerns that arose with implementation of the new legislation. - Established a Chapter 222 Advisory Committee to meet quarterly throughout the 2014-2015 school year concurrent with regularly established Leadership days. - Invited administrators to Q and A sessions on Chapter 222, developed a survey to garner feedback and additional questions from school administrators about implementation of Chapter 222. Provided email responses to survey for all administrators to review. - Placed Chapter 222 forms in Aspen X-2 to support administrators and trained administrators how to access and utilize forms. 2  - Provided opportunities for Staff Counsel to model and attend initial Chapter 222 hearings to support administrators. - Provided multiple opportunities for Staff Counsel to conduct specific trainings for school building staff at the request of administrators. In addition, the Office of Student Support Services provided on-going support by way of phone and email to address staff questions and concerns regarding Chapter 222 implementation. - Provided an advisory update from DESE on Chapter 222 to administrators and reviewed the advisory at an All Administrator Meeting. - Researched how other school districts were addressing Chapter 222 including conducting a comparison of the other districts’ discipline procedures and/or processes as outlined in their Student Handbooks or Codes of Conduct. Shared the research with the School Committee and all administrators as the basis for Lowell’s procedures and processes in implementing the law. - Developed draft alternative school placement guidelines to address how Chapter 222 impacted alternative education, 504 and special education students and provided multiple opportunities for administrators to provide feedback prior to the guidelines being finalized. District and Lowell High School Actions Following Incident The Task Force Report was not inclusive of the after incident actions taken by the district administrative team and Lowell High School administrators. What follows is a summary of those actions. September 29, 2015 LHS Housemasters began to investigate the incident. September 30, 2015 The Superintendent’s Office was apprised of the incident that occurred at Lowell High School. The LHS Headmaster and Housemaster met with the parents of one of the students involved regarding the incident. October 1, 2015 The Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services met with the parent of one of the students involved regarding the incident. The LHS Headmaster addressed the entire student body via the intercom system during morning announcements and an assembly was held for all seniors during period 7. A voluntary LHS staff meeting was held at the close of school. 3 October 2, 2015 The Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent met with the City Manager, Police Chief and the parents mentioned above regarding the incident. The Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services met with the Headmaster and his Administrative Team including all of the Housemasters to discuss action steps to address the situation. - Collaborated with a justice from the Lowell Juvenile Court regarding Restorative Justice. - Investigated resources from the District Attorney’s Office through the Middlesex Partnership for Youth. - Met with all parents of children involved in the incident with the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services, Chief of Police, and LHS Headmaster. October 3, 2015 The Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services connected with a Professor from Northeastern University School of Law to engage Our Restorative Justice Services for LHS. October 6, 2015 The Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services confirmed a contracted provider for Our Restorative Justice services at LHS. October 8, 2015 The Superintendent convened a district-wide Panel Discussion relative to the LHS incident open to students, families, staff and the general public. Panel participants included the District Attorney, Chief of Police, Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services, LHS Headmaster, Staff Counsel for Student Support Services, and a representative from Our Restorative Justice. The Superintendent announced that he had convened an Independent Task Force to conduct a full investigation of the incident and all of the events that followed. December 9, 2015 A LHS Task Force was established to provide the Headmaster with recommendations on training, curriculum change, activities around staff and student cultural competence, and affirmation of diversity in the school. The committee is comprised of LHS students and staff. The committee plans to submit a full set of recommendations to the Headmaster by March 2016. LHS administrators have committed to a new senior seminar entitled Diversity in America and will use Generation Citizen for further diversity work. The description of the course follows: SEMINAR ON DIVERSITY IN AMERICA – Honors 11, 12 2.5 Cr. In this course, students will actively collaborate in an exploration of diverse voices in the history and society of Lowell, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the United States. Looking at a wealth of primary sources, the course will explore important and challenging issues in U.S. history 4 and American current events around race, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, gender, sexual orientation, and immigration and citizenship status. This course will include required reading, projects, teach-outs, short research papers, community interaction, and a final capstone project. Participation in Generation Citizen will be an integral part of the course. The topics to be covered will be determined with input of the students through consensus building at the start of the semester. PREREQUISITE: This class will be limited to twenty-four students each semester, chosen on the basis of membership in the CCC Pathway or a 500-word essay application stating the student’s interest in the course and what the student thinks she/ he can bring to the class, including how he/ she thinks it will help her/him be a better citizen in Lowell, the state, and the country. Work will be accelerated and conducted as a university-level seminar. This course is required for all CCC Pathway seniors. December 18, 2015 The Lowell Public Schools received a grant award from the Parker Foundation with support from Project Learn for the planning and implementation of a Diversity-in-Hiring Program, including a Courageous Conversations Training conducted with the support of the International Institute for Social Change. Plan implementation is scheduled from February 2016 through June 2016 with additional opportunity for funding for the 2016-2017 school year. January 2016 A Restorative Justice Report will be shared with the LHS community and plans for implementation of recommendations will begin in February 2016. In an effort to stop the use of the N-word at Lowell High, The Black Unity club has printed posters to post in classrooms. All staff have been reminded to continue to address students who choose to use the word, educate them of the offensiveness of the word and ask them not to use it in the future. 5  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Home Education To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 53 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Home Education  LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Henry J. Mroz Administration Offices 155 Merrimack Street Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 M. Claire Abrams Tel: (978) 674-4323 Assistant Superintendent FAX: 978-275-6363 Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment email:cabrams@lowell.k12.ma.us TO: Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui, Superintendent FROM: M. Claire Abrams, Assistant Superintendent DATE: January 27, 2016 RE: Request for Home Education The following parent/guardian seeks permission to home educate their child: Elizabeth & Robert Tighe 31 Carly Way Under General Laws Chapter 76, Section 1, Home Education is constitutionally permissible. Therefore, I recommend approval of this request. If granted, the number of families approved by the Lowell School Committee to home school will total 32 and the total number of children will be 54. MCA/nc  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Vote to accept Grant Award of $ 42,000 to Henry J. Robinson School from Summer Star Foundation for Nature, Art and Humanity, Inc. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 66 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Robinson School  LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Henry J. Mroz Administration Office 155 Merrimack Street Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 Tel: (978) 674-4325 Frank Antonelli Tel: (978) 674-2019 Interim Assistant Superintendent Fax: (978) 937-7620 Finance & Operations E-Mail: fantonelli@lowell.k12.ma.us To: Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui, Superintendent of Schools From: Frank Antonelli, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Date: January 21, 2016 Subject: Approval of Gift and Out-of-State Trip I recommend that the School Committee, pursuit to MGL Chapter 44, Section 53A, accept the Summer Star Foundation for Nature, Art, and Humanity, Inc.’s offer to provide funding for a select group of Robinson School students to attend an educational program at Yellowstone National Park in April of 2016. Additionally, I believe that the School Committee needs to approve this trip since it is out- of- state. On advice of Attorney Christine O’Connor, the following measures will also be taken:  Once the students and the chaperones are selected, they will be required to sign a liability release form, which the City will write.  CORI checks will be done on all chaperones.  With respect to teachers participating, they too will sign a waiver. Here, since teachers are participating on purely a voluntary basis, should a teacher suffer an injury, it would not be viewed as a workers’ compensation injury. I am sure that Thad would be happy to answer any questions concerning this proposal. Cc: Thad King  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Headmaster Brian Martin, request permission for students of the Wrestling Program to attend one overnight stay on February 19-20, 2016 at the MIAA Division I Championships to be held in Brockton, MA. Headmaster Martin is also seeking approval for the same students to travel out of state and stay overnight at the New England Wrestling Championships to be held at the Providence Career and Technical Academy in Providence, R.I. on March 4-5, 2016. The Students will be under the supervision coaches, George Bossi, James Dillon, Michael Dillon, and George Gilbride. Transportation will be via private vehicle provided by the Lowell High School Wrestling Coaches. The cost of the trip will not exceed $2000.00 paid by the Lowell High Athletic Department. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 45 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Lowell High School Outdoor Adventures Club Advisor Kendra Bauer, Donna Newcomb and Megan Vilcans to participate in an overnight winter adventure excursion along with 14-16 club members. They will be traveling to Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell, MA from Sunday, February 14 through Tuesday, February 16, 2016. Transportation will be paid by the students and subsidized by the club's funds. The Appalachian Mountain Club will provide them with accommodations, meals and all needed outdoor equipment. Each student will pay $35.00 toward these expenses. No substitute teachers are needed. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 46 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Headmaster Brian Martin, requests permission for eighteen [18] to twenty four [24] students and four [4] chaperones, Thomas Thornton, Kathleen Keefe, Michael McLeod and Delaney Carr, all Lowell High staff to travel to Ireland during the February school vacation 2017. Students will miss one day of school, Friday, February 17, 2017 and three [3] substitutes will be needed for one day. The cost of two substitutes in the amount of $200 will be paid by LHS individual school budget and the third substitute will be paid by EF Tours. Each student traveling will incur the total cost of between of $2,530.00 To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 47 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: LHS Ireland  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 LHS Housemaster Deidre Haley, teachers Margaret Kennedy, Thomas Thornton, Kirk Czlewicz, Robert Fillmore and Michael Crowe to travel to Jay Peak Resort in Vermont with a group of thirty [30] to forty [40] LHS students. This trip will take place after school on Friday, January 13, 2017 through Monday, January 16, 2017. There is no cost to the School Department budget. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 55 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Headmaster Brian Martin, requests permission for Lowell High School Business Professional Advisor, Jill McNamara along with fifteen [15] members of the Lowell Chapter of the Business Professionals of America to attend the National Leadership Conference in Framingham, MA from Saturday, March 5, 2016 through Monday, March 7, 2016 at the Sheraton Tara Hotel & Conference Center. Students will be absent from school on Monday, March 7, 2016. The only cost will be $100 for a substitute teacher for 1 day and will be paid by Lowell High School Individual School account. The cost of the conference will be paid for through The 1826 School Store for students and staff. Students have been raising funds to defray the cost of the trip and each student will pay $50 of the $250 per student. This will include all meals and 2 nights at the Sheraton Tara. There will be no additional cost to the Lowell School Department budget. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 56 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: LHS Business Prof. of America field trip  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Letter of appreciation to Peter D'Amico, Lowell High School Senior Aerospace Science Instructor, Participants of the Lowell High School Winter Concert and Dr. Sharon Clark, Fine Arts Department Head, and Culinary Arts Instructors Mary Jacques and Dianne Lewin- Allen. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 52 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Lowell High School  LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Henry J. Mroz Central Administration Offices 155 Merrimack Street Lowell, MA 01852 Tel: 978-674-4324 Salah E. Khelfaoui, Ph.D. Fax: 978-937-7609 Superintendent of Schools E-Mail: skhelfaoui@lowell.k12.ma.us January 27, 2016 Peter D'Amico, Lt Col, USAF Senior Aerospace Science Instructor Lowell High School 50 Fr. Morissette Boulevard Lowell, MA 01852 Dear Col. D’Amico, I am writing on behalf of the Lowell School Committee to thank you, your fellow instructors, all of the AFJROTC students and Cadet/2nd Lieutenant Kyle Sopel for their performance during the School Committee Inauguration Ceremony on January 4, 2016. Lowell High School's AFJROTC program is one of the reasons why we all are proud of Lowell High School. The Committee and I thank you and your colleagues for all you do every day to keep this program alive! Sincerely, Salah E. Khelfaoui, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools xc: Brian Martin, Headmaster Members of the Lowell School Committee  LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Henry J. Mroz Central Administration Offices 155 Merrimack Street Lowell, MA 01852 Tel: 978-674-4324 Salah E. Khelfaoui, Ph.D. Fax: 978-937-7609 Superintendent of Schools E-Mail: skhelfaoui@lowell.k12.ma.us January 27, 2016 Dr. Sharon Clark Fine Arts Department Head Lowell High School Fine 50 Fr. Morissette Boulevard Lowell, MA 01852 O the S hool Co ittee’s ehalf, as well as the Lowell Pu li S hool Distri t, tha k you and your students for the excellent performance during the Live, Love Dance winter concert. The Committee members also expressed great appreciation to Dr. Sharon Clark for a job well done and for providing a valuable outlet for our students to show their talent. The dancers exceeded all expectations. They were excellent. The committee members could not have asked for a better performance. Sincerely, Salah E. Khelfaoui, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools xc: Brian Martin, Headmaster Members of the Lowell School Committee  LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Henry J. Mroz Central Administration Offices 155 Merrimack Street Lowell, MA 01852 Tel: 978-674-4324 Salah E. Khelfaoui, Ph.D. Fax: 978-937-7609 Superintendent of Schools E-Mail: skhelfaoui@lowell.k12.ma.us January 27, 2016 Mary E. Jacques & Diane Lewin-Allen Lowell High School, Culinary Arts 50 Father Morrissette Blvd Lowell, MA 01852 Dear Mrs. Jacques and Mrs. Lewin-Allen, The member of the Lowell School Committee had requested that I send you a letter of gratitude on their behalf for opening the doors of the Daniel P. Kane Courtyard Restaurant in hosting the Luncheon after their Inauguration Ceremony. The outstanding service and the delicious lunch were very much appreciated. It is people like you that are the backbone of the Lowell Public Schools and enabled our community to come together. Thank you for your hospitality. Sincerely, Salah E. Khelfaoui, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools xc: Brian Martin, Headmaster Members of the Lowell School Committee  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 The Members of the Lowell School Administrators Association hereby donate fifteen [15] sick leave days to Ms. Sherrie Vlahakis, Lowell High School Guidance Counselor. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 60 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: LSAA sick leave donation  Lowell School Administrators Association 144 Merrimack Street Suite 306 Lowell, MA 01852 508-982-3444 January 29, 2016 To the Lowell School Committee: The Lowell School Administrators Association (LSAA) respectfully requests approval of a donation of fifteen (15) sick days from LSAA members on behalf of Ms. Sherrie Vlahakis, Lowell High School Guidance Counselor. Thank you for your consideration, Susan E. Smith – LSAA President  LSAA Sick Day Donations for Sherrie Vlahakis Name Position Empl.ID# Number of Days Mikaela Keefe Social Worker 02135 2 Lisa Golner Lit.Spec. 12870 1 Patti Corrente Social Worker 01859 1 Aaron Ribaudo-Smith Guidance 25323 2 Chanrithy Uong Guidance 11547 1 Linda Willis Instr.Spec. 13632 1 Kevin Andriolo Asst. Prin. 01640 2 Martha Cohn Curriculum 12698 1 Cindy Matthews Lit. Spec. 22669 1 John Pinard Coord. TV Studio 04317 1 Anna Greenberg Social Worker 05224 1 Elizabeth McKiernan Dir. Adult Ed. 15800 1 TOTAL 15