School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Date: 2016-12-07 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: SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: 3. 2016 / 473 Spotlight on Excellence: National Title I Distinguished Schools 4. 2016 / 474 Spotlight on Excellence: First Book-UTL Book Giveaway MINUTES: 5. 2016 / 463 Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, November 16, 2016 PERMISSION TO ENTER: 6. 2016 / 465 Permission to Enter: December 7, 2016 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) MEMORIALS: 7. 2016 / 459 Mary Donovan, daughter of Ann Donovan, Adult Education Teacher, niece of Betty McKiernan, Adult Education Director, sister in law of Sarah Donovan, Moody School teacher, sister in law of Holly Donovan, Greenhalge Teacher and sister of Brian Donovan, former Lowell Public School Technology Department staff member. 8. 2016 / 479 Antonio "Anthony" DiProfio, father of James "Jim" DiProfio, Athletic Director/Physical Education Chairperson. 9. 2016 / 480 June (Sullivan) Wholey, retired School Nurse and aunt of Shaughnessy School Principal Susan Mulligan. MOTIONS: 10. 2016 / 460 [by Steve Gendron]: Request the Superintendent initiate a "School of the Month" program as a means to bring students and staff before the committee monthly to present a "State of the School" and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. 11. 2016 / 461 [by Connie Martin]: Requesting a report on the current Science Fair opportunities for Lowell Public School Students and any plans for expansion for fiscal year 2017 or 2018. 12. 2016 / 468 [by Robert Hoey]: Request that the Superintendent send a letter of appreciation to Roberta Keefe, Principal of the Moody School, and the entire Moody School staff and students, to thank them for their Veteran's Day musical held on November 17, 2016. 13. 2016 / 469 [by Robert Hoey]: Request that the Superintendent send a letter of appreciation to Amy Bisson and Mickie Dumont, retired teachers, for their work on the First Book initiative, planned collaboration with the Superintendent of Schools, the United Teachers of Lowell, and the staff in many collective bargaining units. 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) SUBCOMMITTEES: 14. 2016 / 464 Lowell High Subcommittee: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Wednesday, November 16, 2016 [Robert Gignac, Chair] REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT: 15. 2016 / 470 Policy for the Admission of Children of Non-Resident School Employees 16. 2016 / 476 LPS Strategic Plan Presentation 17. 2016 / 472 Disposal of Surplus Supplies NEW BUSINESS: 18. 2016 / 475 Request to Reschedule the Wednesday, April 5, 2017 Early Release Day 19. 2016 / 477 Health and Wellness Policy Advisory Committee CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS: 20. 2016 / 467 Permission to attend an award ceremony and conference in Long Beach, California for Pawtucket Memorial School Principal Mathew McLean along with Mathew Stahl, Wang School Principal, Dorothy Durkin, Joann Riddle-Duffy, Bernadette Pugh, Pawtucketville Teachers, and Patricia Guziejka, Title I Director on February 21 through February 25, 2016. The State Title I office will be providing a $4,000 grant to cover the conference. All other expenses will be pay through the Lowell Title I budget. No substitute teacher is needed. 21. 2016 / 471 Principal Peter B. Holtz, requests permission for Bartlett Music Teacher, Rachel Crawford to attend the Kentucky Music Educator’s Association Annual Conference as part of the National Science Foundatio n grant to be held on February 8th through February 11, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. All expenses will be paid by UML through the National Science Foundation Grant. No Substitute teacher is needed. There will be no cost to the School Department budget. 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) PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL: 22. 2016 / 462 The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell hereby donate fifty eight [58] sick leave days to Linda Cluff, Bartlett Community School Teacher. ADJOURNMENT: 23. ADJOURNMENT: Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • F: 978.937.7609 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 Spotlight on Excellence: National Title I Distinguished Schools To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 473 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Spotlight on Excellence: National Title I Distinguished Schools  LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Phone: (978) 674-4323 155 Merrimack Street Fax: (978) 275-6363 Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 E-mail: rdesmond@lowell.k12.ma.us Spotlight on Excellence: Pawtucketville Memorial National Title I Distinguished Schools Presentation TO: Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui, Superintendent FROM: Robin Desmond, Interim Assistant Superintendent DATE: November 30, 2016 Mathew McLean, Pawtucketville Memorial School Principal, will be discussing the National Title I Distinguished School designation the Pawtucketville Memorial has received from the Massachusetts State Department of Education. The National Title I Distinguished Schools Program publicly recognizes qualifying Title I schools for the outstanding academic achievements of their students. It highlights the efforts of schools across the country making significant improvements for their students. The program has been in place since 1996, showcasing the success of hundreds of schools in one of three categories: ● Category 1: Exceptional student performance for two consecutive years ● Category 2: Closing the achievement gap between student groups ● Category 3: Excellence in serving special populations of students  Lowell Public Schools Pawtucketville Memorial Elementary School 425 West Meadow Road Lowell, MA 01854 November 29, 2016 Robin Desmond, Assistant Superintendent Lowell Public Schools 155 Merrimack Street Lowell, MA 01852 Dear Assistant Superintendent Desmond, I am respectfully requesting permission for LPS staff members to attend an award ceremony and conference in Long Beach California in February, 2017. Pawtucketville Memorial Elementary School has been named a National Title I Distinguished School by the Massachusetts State Department of Education. Pawtucketville is one of up to 100 schools throughout the country that is being nationally recognized at the National Title 1 Conference in Long Beach California in February, 2017 for exceptional student achievement in 2016. The award letter states: The National Title I Distinguished Schools Program publicly recognizes qualifying Title I schools for the outstanding academic achievements of their students. It highlights the efforts of schools across the country making significant improvements for their students. The program has been in place since 1996, showcasing the success of hundreds of schools in one of three categories: • Category 1: Exceptional student performance for two consecutive years • Category 2: Closing the achievement gap between student groups • Category 3: Excellence in serving special populations of students The National Title I Association implemented the National Title I Distinguished Schools Program to highlight selected schools that have successfully used their Title I federal funds to improve the education for economically disadvantaged students. The Pawtucketville staff is deeply honored by the acknowledgement for closing the achievement gap between student groups. In 2011, Pawtucketville was ranked in the bottom 11th percentile of elementary schools in the Commonwealth. Through deliberate reforms to school culture and instruction, the school has risen to the 57th percentile as of 2016 and is currently ranked as a level one school by the DESE. Sincerely, Dr. Mathew McLean Principal “Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible”  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Spotlight on Excellence: First Book-UTL Book Giveaway To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 474 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Spotlight on Excellence: First Book/UTL Book Giveaway  LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Phone: (978) 674-4323 155 Merrimack Street Fax: (978) 275-6363 Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 E-mail: rdesmond@lowell.k12.ma.us Spotlight on Excellence: First Book/UTL Book Giveaway TO: Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui, Superintendent FROM: Robin Desmond, Interim Assistant Superintendent DATE: November 30, 2016 Mickie Dumont, UTL Educational Issues Chair, and Amy Bisson, Teacher at the Rogers/Stem School, will be presenting a video highlighting the very successful First Book event held on November 19, 2016. The video link is below. https://youtu.be/BAAYs2JqYc4  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, November 16, 2016 To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 463 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Permission to Enter: December 7, 2016 To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 465 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Mary Donovan, daughter of Ann Donovan, Adult Education Teacher, niece of Betty McKiernan, Adult Education Director, sister in law of Sarah Donovan, Moody School teacher, sister in law of Holly Donovan, Greenhalge Teacher and sister of Brian Donovan, former Lowell Public School Technology Department staff member. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 459 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Antonio "Anthony" DiProfio, father of James "Jim" DiProfio, Athletic Director/Physical Education Chairperson. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 479 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Management Information Systems LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Department Phone: (978) 674-4320 43 Highland Stree t Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 June (Sullivan) Wholey, retired School Nurse and aunt of Shaughnessy School Principal Susan Mulligan. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Management Information Systems Department Agenda Item: 2016 / 480 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 initiate a "School of the Month" program as a means to bring students and staff before the committee monthly to present a "State of the School" and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 460 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 Connie Martin]: Requesting a report on the current Science Fair opportunities for Lowell Public School Students and any plans for expansion for fiscal year 2017 or 2018. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 461 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 Robert Hoey]: Request that the Superintendent send a letter of appreciation to Roberta Keefe, Principal of the Moody School, and the entire Moody School staff and students, to thank them for their Veteran's Day musical held on November 17, 2016. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 468 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 Robert Hoey]: Request that the Superintendent send a letter of appreciation to Amy Bisson and Mickie Dumont, retired teachers, for their work on the First Book initiative, planned collaboration with the Superintendent of Schools, the United Teachers of Lowell, and the staff in many collective bargaining units. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 469 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 Subcommittee: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Wednesday, November 16, 2016 [Robert Gignac, Chair] To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 464 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 for the Admission of Children of Non-Resident School Employees To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 470 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 LPS Strategic Plan Presentation To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 476 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Central Administration 155 Merrimack Street Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 Jim Neary Tel: (978) 674-2112 Coordinator School email: jneary@lowell.k12.ma.us Improvement& Accountability To: Dr. Salah Khelfaoui Re: LPS Strategic Plan Presentation Date: December 2, 2016 Dr. Khelfaoui, The LPS Office of Accountability will present a brief overview of the Lowell Public Schools Five-Year strategic plan entitled: Inspire, Engage, Empower at the upcoming Lowell School Committee Meeting of December 7, 2016. The presentation will include a description of the methodology used to develop the plan, the key elements of the plan (Vision and Values Statements, Pillars of Urban Excellence, Strategic Objectives, and Key Performance Indicators) and the next steps for implementation within departments and across schools. Yours truly, Jim Neary Coordinator of School Improvement and Accountability Patricia Guziejka Title I Director Paul Schlichtman Coordinator of Research, Testing and Assessment  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Disposal of Surplus Supplies To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 472 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Disposal of Surplus Supplies  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Request to Reschedule the Wednesday, April 5, 2017 Early Release Day To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 475 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Robin Desmond Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Phone: (978) 674-4323 LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Assessment Fax: (978) 275-6363 155 Merrimack Street E-mail: rdesmond@lowell.k12.ma.us Lowell, Massachusetts 08152 Rescheduling the Wednesday, April 5, 2017 Early Release Day to Wednesday, March 29, 2017 TO: Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools FROM: Robin Desmond, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment DATE: November 23, 2017 RE: Request to Reschedule the Wednesday, April 5, 2017 Early Release Day to Wednesday, March 29, 2017 In view of the fact that the MCAS English Language Arts (ELA) testing window is set for April 3, 2017 through May 3, 2017, schools are closed on April 14th, and April vacation is scheduled for April 17th through April 23rd, I am recommending that the April 5th Early Release Day be moved to Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Based on the above listed schedule, schools will only have 16 school days to administer ELA MCAS tests for grades 3-8. Each ELA test consists of three separate sessions, which will likely have to be administered on separate days due to timing issues. Many school Principals would like to maintain the opportunity to meet with staff during an Early Release Day, prior to the MCAS testing window, to review policies and protocols regarding the administration of testing for the month of April.  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Health and Wellness Policy Advisory Committee To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 477 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Health and Wellness Policy Advisory Committee  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Permission to attend an award ceremony and conference in Long Beach, California for Pawtucket Memorial School Principal Mathew McLean along with Mathew Stahl, Wang School Principal, Dorothy Durkin, Joann Riddle-Duffy, Bernadette Pugh, Pawtucketville Teachers, and Patricia Guziejka, Title I Director on February 21 through February 25, 2016. The State Title I office will be providing a $4,000 grant to cover the conference. All other expenses will be pay through the Lowell Title I budget. No substitute teacher is needed. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 467 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  ​ ​Lowell Public Schools Pawtucketville Memorial Elementary School 425 West Meadow Road Lowell, MA 01854 November 29, 2016 Robin Desmond, Assistant Superintendent Lowell Public Schools 155 Merrimack Street Lowell, MA 01852 Dear Assistant Superintendent Desmond, I am respectfully requesting permission for LPS staff members to attend an award ceremony and conference in Long Beach California in February, 2017. Pawtucketville Memorial Elementary School has been named a National Title I Distinguished School by the Massachusetts State Department of Education. Pawtucketville is one of up to 100 schools throughout the country that is being nationally recognized at the National Title 1 Conference in Long Beach California in February, 2017 for exceptional student achievement in 2016. The award letter states: The National Title I Distinguished Schools Program publicly recognizes qualifying Title I schools for the outstanding academic achievements of their students. It highlights the efforts of schools across the country making significant improvements for their students. The program has been in place since 1996, showcasing the success of hundreds of schools in one of three categories: ● Category 1: Exceptional student performance for two consecutive years ● Category 2: Closing the achievement gap between student groups ● Category 3: Excellence in serving special populations of students The National Title I Association implemented the National Title I Distinguished Schools Program to highlight selected schools that have successfully used their Title I federal funds to improve the education for economically disadvantaged students. The Pawtucketville staff are deeply honored by the acknowledgement for closing the achievement gap between student groups. In 2011, Pawtucketville was ranked in the bottom 11th percentile of elementary schools in the Commonwealth. Through deliberate reforms to school culture and instruction, the school has risen to the 57th percentile as of 2016 and is currently ranked as a level one school by the DESE. Logistical information regarding the conference is detailed on the following page. Sincerely, Dr. Mathew McLean Principal “Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible”  ​ ​Lowell Public Schools Pawtucketville Memorial Elementary School 425 West Meadow Road Lowell, MA 01854 Pawtucketville National Title I Award Logistical Information Purpose To receive the National Title I Distinguished School Award for closing the achievement gap between student groups. In addition, attendees will participate in the Title I conference. Attendees Mathew McLean, Principal Mathew Stahl, Wang Principal and Architect of Pawtucketville’s Turnaround Dorothy Durkin, Pawtucketville 4th Grade Teacher Joann Riddle-Duffy, Pawtuckeville 3rd Grade Teacher Bernadette Pugh, Pawtucketville Kindergarten Teacher Patricia Guziejka, Lowell Title 1 Director Conference Long Beach Conference Center, Long Beach California Location Dates February 21st - February 25th (during February vacation) Estimated $2,200 per attendee Cost Funding The State Title I office will be providing a grant of $4,000 to attend the Source conference. Additional funding for hotels, airfare, food expense will be funded through the Lowell Title I budget. Substitutes The conference takes place during February break. Therefore, there will be no additional staffing costs. Additional Additional information can be found at the conference web site Information http://www.titlei.org/conference “Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible”  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Principal Peter B. Holtz, requests permission for Bartlett Music Teacher, Rachel Crawford to attend the Kentucky Music Educator’s Association Annual Conference as part of the National Science Foundation grant to be held on February 8th through February 11, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. All expenses will be paid by UML through the National Science Foundation Grant. No Substitute teacher is needed. There will be no cost to the School Department budget. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 471 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  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 United Teachers of Lowell hereby donate fifty eight [58] sick leave days to Linda Cluff, Bartlett Community School Teacher. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 462 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: