From the Office of the Executive Secretary to the School Committee
AGENDA
1. Public Comment (3 Minutes):
1a. Public Hearing on Rights and Responsibilities Handbook
2.
Student School Committee Report:
3.
Presentation of the Records for Approval:
- Regular Meeting – July 29, 2014
4.
Reconsiderations: None
5.
Awaiting Reports:
- Report by fall 2013 on AP program at CRLS (C13-133) (June 4, 2013)
6.
Unfinished Business/Calendar:
#14-136, City Council Order #0-12
COUNCILLOR MAZEN
WHEREAS: A city wide out of school STEAM initiative requires coordination with the school department for successful implementation; and
WHEREAS: Students who are to be successful in STEAM endeavors need a solid foundation in Mathematics; and
WHEREAS: Summer learning programs are essential for all students to continue to develop and enhance math skills; and
WHEREAS: Many communities including Brookline offer a full range of math courses over the summer; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to ask the school department for a list of programs which are available this summer to students, including those which need credit recovery, additional tutoring and teaching, and those who are advanced and want to accelerate their learning, in both middle and high school; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to ensure that the list include all programs for students during the summer which offer personal teaching, not only online or computer based classes; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to compile and release this list by July 10th.
#14-137,
Joint Motion by Mr. Fantini and Mr. Harding, that, whereas the Vassal Lane Upper School (VLUS) students who reside at the Rindge Towers and Jefferson Park have a very difficult and dangerous walk to school, and whereas those residences are public housing and these students have other impediments to attending school regularly, and whereas these students live less than the Cambridge Public School Department minimum required distance to school of 1.5 miles for 6-8th graders, we ask that the Cambridge Public Schools’ Transportation Department adjust or amend our transportation policy for this student population to ease their transportation barriers and access to school starting in school year 2014/15.
#14-139,
Joint Motion by Ms. Cronin and Mr. Fantini That, whereas, the Cambridge Public Schools is currently engaged in a comprehensive curriculum review to assess our district's alignment with the new Massachusetts' academic frameworks, which address the need for 21st Century college and career readiness goals in our public schools, and whereas, inherent in this CPS review is an assessment of our core curriculum programs for grades Jr.K through 12, and whereas, also critical to this review should be our high school RSTA program, which offers students an opportunity to develop their career readiness skills, and whereas, given the current scrutiny being applied to our district's core academics, it is equally important we conduct a similar comprehensive review of the RSTA program currently offered to students in grades 9 -12 at CRLS, and therefore, the goal of this review is to ensure students enrolling in our high school RSTA program receive the programmatic offerings necessary to achieve competitive 21st Century career readiness skills upon graduation. To be consistent with the time frame of the curriculum review schedule currently in place, this report should be conducted during the 2014-2015 academic year and findings presented to the School Committee by September, 2015.
#14-144, Revisions to the 2014-15 School Committee Rules (First Reading)
#13-122,
Motion by Mr. Fantini and Mr. Harding that each of the elementary and middle schools be provided with feedback in the form of a written report, provided by an expert consultant retained under the Request for proposal (RFP) process, as to the progress each school is making towards meeting the data-driven, high-quality improvement strategies as noted in the School Improvement Plans, other guiding documents and indicators as designated by the Superintendent, including parent satisfaction. Further, that the Superintendent shall provide copies of each report to the School Committee as part of its annual review of the School Improvement Plan as required by law. Further, the Superintendent shall provide analysis of the progress or lack thereof student achievement.
7.
Superintendent’s Agenda:
7a.
Presentations:
7b.
Innovation Agenda:
7c.
Consent Agenda:
#14-152 Recommendation: Approval of a Request from the School Committee
To the Election Commission for Mailing Addresses
#14-153 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to Public Complaints
About School Personnel Policy (First Reading)
#14-154 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to Uniform Grievance
Procedures (First Reading)
#14-155 Recommendation: Approval of Global Revision of References to
“Principal” in all School Committee Policies to be a Reference to
“Principal/Head of Upper School (First Reading)
#14-156 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to Student Welfare
Policy (First Reading)
#14-157 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to Emergency Plans
Policy (First Reading)
#14-158 Recommendation: Approval of Gift of Camera Equipment
#14-159 Recommendation: Contract for Day & Residential Program Services
Not available from the Cambridge School Department
#14-160 Recommendation: Contract Award: Education Inc.: Tutoring Services
#14-161 Recommendation: Contract Award: All Star Staffing: Provision of
Certified Nursing Assistants (CAN) Health Aides
#14-162 Recommendation: Contract Award: Integrated Learning Center:
Home Based Behavioral Services
#14-163 Recommendation: Contract Award: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt:
Math Materials
#14-164 Recommendation: Contract Award: Kittredge Equipment Company:
Cafeteria Kitchen Equipment
#14-165 Recommendation: Contract Award: Imperial Bag & Paper LLC:
Provision & Delivery of Food Services Paper Products
#14-166 Recommendation: Contract Award: Costa Fruit & Produce: Fresh
Produce
#14-167 Recommendation: Contract Award: Baldor: Fresh Produce
#14-168 Recommendation: Contract Award: Kids Ballroom Dance: Ballroom
Dance Program for all Elementary Schools
#14-169 Recommendation: Sterling Business Products: FY15 Printing & Mailing
Services
#14-170 Recommendation: Grant Award (1)
8.
School Committee Agenda (Policy Matters/Notifications/Requests for Information):
#14-171,
Motion by Ms. Cronin, that, in an effort to extend learning as well as support the social and emotional growth of our students, two independent learning experiences were implemented for the first time this summer. To help upper school students in grades 6-8 successfully enter an accelerated math pathway that culminates in taking Algebra I in 8th grade, a month-long multi-tiered summer math program was implemented. For students on IEPs, the Office of Student Services implemented its half-day Universal Summer Program during the month of July.
Whereas, given these were both first time initiatives developed to target areas of perceived need, it is important that CPS fully understand the impact of these programs - their strengths, weaknesses and barriers to greater success. For this purpose, the School Committee requests that each respective program developer prepare for review by the Winter of 2015, a comprehensive analysis of their respective programs including the number of participating students; stated goals and outcomes;lessons learned and recommended improvements.
These findings will be critical to continued development and implementation of effective summer programs designed to advance the achievement of our diverse student body.
#14-172,
Joint Motion by Ms. Cronin and Ms. Kelly, that, whereas family engagement and community outreach have been identified as key components to school and student success, and whereas school liaisons were traditionally identified as key in helping to facilitate this function in our former JK-8 schools, the School Committee requests an assessment on the current role of liaisons with the restructuring of our system into a JK-5 lower school and 6-8 upper school structure.
#14-173,
Motion by Mr. Fantini, that the two librarian aides laid off due to the administration reorganization of technology/librarians be reinstated to assist in this reorganization to ensure its success and also provide an opportunity for them to seek permanent positions.
#14-174,
Motion by Ms. Kelly, that, whereas significant changes have been made to the mathematics program in the middle schools, including the addition of a district run summer program, that the School Committee be provided with a report on the summer program and this academic year's implementation by September 30, 2014.
#14-175,
Motion by Mr. Harding, that the Superintendent explore the possibility of developing and implementing a financial literacy course to students as an elective at CRLS.
#14-176, Report of the Meeting of the July 24, 2014 School Climate Sub-Committee
#14-177, Report of the Meeting of the August 12, 2014 Governance Sub-Committee
#14-178, Report of the Meeting of the August 26, 2014 Governance Sub-Committee
9.
Non-Consent Agenda:
10.
Resolutions (letters of congratulations, letters of condolence):
#14-179,
Motion by Ms. Cronin, that the School Committee go on record and send a letter of great appreciation to Cambridge Rindge and Latin English faculty member, Dr. Kimberly N. Parker, as the recipient of one of five 2014 Mass Literacy awards.This annual award publicly recognizes and supports its recipient’s deep commitment to and significant contributions in the field of literacy education.
#14-180,
Motion by Mr. Fantini, That the School Committee send letters of congratulations and thanks to the following clerks who are retiring and gave so much to the school system:
Maryann Cataldo
Katherine Clover
Carol Correia
Donna DiTucci
Marie Grimm
Debra Mikos
Jeanne Murphy
Ann Nonni
Martha Sennott
Denise Talarico
#14-181,
Motion by Mr. Fantini, That a letter of condolence be sent to Claire Rodley, retired Executive Secretary to the School Committee, on the recent passing of her husband, James J. (Joe) Rodley.
#14-182,
Motion by Mr. Harding, that a letter of condolence be sent to the family of Ward Gay, career educator and tennis coach at CRLS for 40 years, who recently passed away.
#14-183,
Motion by Mr. Harding, that the School Committee send a letter of congratulations to Laurance V. Kimbrough, CRLS graduate, on being named Head Tennis Coach at Clark University.
11.
Announcements:
12.
Late Orders:
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