School Committee Meeting Agenda: September 25, 2018

From the Office of the Executive Secretary to the School Committee

School Committee - Regular Meeting September 25, 2018

A G E N D A

1. Public Comment (3 Minutes):

2. Student School Committee Report:

3. Presentation of the Records for Approval:
• Regular Meeting, September 4, 2018
• Special Meeting, Superintendent Evaluation, September 13, 2018

4. Reconsiderations: None

5. Unfinished Business/Calendar:

#18-263, Motion by Ms. Nolan, that whereas the school district seeks to bridge the digital divide and; whereas a new policy of distribution of Chrome books to all students was discussed and; whereas the question of whether existing CRLS students could use their own devices was not discussed and
whereas junior and senior students who already have computers might benefit from continuing to use them and; whereas that might save the district money, that those students who were not included in the original distribution plan, meaning juniors and seniors, who can show they have a suitable device may be allowed to continue to use those devices, further; that those students will be advised that those devices are not the responsibility of the district to maintain and ensure compatibility, but instead that responsibility rests with the student. (Nolan 9/4/18).

6. Awaiting Reports:

#18-114 Joint Motion by Mr. Kimbrough and Ms. Nolan, whereas the CPS has included in its district plan a goal to address equity and access and
Whereas a walkout in 2016 on the uncomfortable environment at CRLS as documented by students led to a number of changes and an action plan to address issues of sexual harassment, and
Whereas CPS district outcomes look to measure student/family comfort levels in our schools and meaningful relationships with teachers, and
Whereas female, LGBTQ+ students at CRLS have written in the register forum on multiple occasions to express their concerns regarding discomfort as a female, LGBTQ+ students at CRLS
be it resolved that the Superintendent will by the Summer meeting:
1) update the School Committee on the status of work on addressing issues in CRLS and district wide,
2) update the School Committee on our districts professional development regarding supporting our teachers to support our female, LGBTQ+ scholars
3) share specific details about the current work in the district with our male students that addresses hyper
masculinity and creating anti-sexist spaces for female, LGBTQ+. (5-1-18 C18-137)

#18-143, Joint Motion by Ms. Nolan and Mr. Fantini, that the district provide a report by the first meeting in September on any past evaluations of the Summer Compass program effectiveness
(5-15-18 C18-188)

#18-144, Joint Motion by Mr. Fantini and Vice Chair Kelly, whereas strong internship programs have been proven to create success for student career and college aspirations, that the School Committee ask the Superintendent for a report describing our present internship program(s), and the district’s plan to create enhanced internship programs in our schools. (5-15-18 C18-189)

#18-248, Joint Motion by Ms. Nolan, that the following be referred to the Superintendent: Whereas there has been an overall policy on homework and a policy on homework for K-8 students and
Whereas CRLS students have worked to establish a thoughtful homework policy, that the School Committee supports the work and establishes the attached policy for the upcoming school year. The Superintendent will provide a report back to the School Committee by the second Regular meeting in October, 2018.
Further that the policy be communicated to all staff and students as soon as practicable (first reading).
(8-7-18 C18-304)

#18-249, Motion by School Committee Member Emily Dexter, the School Committee requests a report from the Superintendent on the number and percentage of 6th grade students in each CPS upper school and Amigos that have been granted, for school year 2018-2019, their first choice of courses in world language. The Committee requests this report by the end of the 2018 calendar year. (8-7-18 C18-305)

7. Superintendent’s Agenda:
 

7a. Presentations:
Strategic Initiative 1.3: Dynamic Diversity Development...
Dr. Kenneth Salim, Superintendent of Schools
Ms. Barbara Allen, Executive Director of Human Resources
Mr. Ramon DeJesus, Program Manager for Diversity Development

7b. CPS District Plan:

7c. Consent Agenda:

#18-269 Approval of Cambridge Education Association Unit E Collective Bargaining Agreement, to be effective September 1, 2018 through August 31, 2021

#18-270 Day & Residential Program Services not available from the Cambridge School Department

#18-271 Contract Award: Cambridge Public Health: Nursing Services

#18-272 Contract Award: J.S.C. Transportation: Vocational Student Transportation Services

#18-273 Gifts/Miscellaneous Receipts

#18-274 Grant Award: NOVO Foundation SEL/Transgender PD (SC19149)

#18-275 Grand Award: IBM Corp Kennedy/Longfellow (SC19-150)

8. Non-Consent Agenda:

9. School Committee Agenda (Policy Matters/Notifications/Requests for Information):

#18-276 Motion by School Committee Member Emily Dexter, whereas CPS strives to engage parents, students, educators, staff, and the community in CPS decision-making, the School Committee will televise the scheduled Roundtable discussions on Learning and Professional Time (Nov. 13, 2018), and Equity and Access (Jan. 22, 2019).

#18-277 Joint Motion by Mayor McGovern, Vice Chair Kelly and Ms. Bowman, WHEREAS: Cambridge Public Schools has collaboratively brought forward working definitions of equity and racial equity; and
WHEREAS: These definitions have been shared broadly across all of CPS including at the district-wide colloquium on August 29, 2018; and
WHEREAS: Establishing and disseminating shared definitions promote broader understanding, informing action and ideas; and
WHEREAS: The following definitions are integral to the CPS District Plan:
Equity means that each student, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status will have access to the opportunities, resources, and support they need to attain their full potential.
Racial equity means the absence of institutional and structural barriers experienced by people based on race or color, that impede access, opportunities, and results; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the School Committee formerly adopt these definitions of equity and racial equity and share them out broadly to the CPS community.

#18-278 Joint Motion by Mayor McGovern, Vice Chair Kelly and Mr. Kimbrough, WHEREAS: In addition to creating definitions for equity and racial equity Cambridge Public Schools has made the following statement of acknowledgement:
CPS understands that communities of color have experienced centuries of systemic oppression, and may need more as a result of these forces. Achieving racial equity requires proactive and continuous work to dismantle systemic oppression and white privilege in our schools. CPS is committed to altering systemic power dynamics and structures in order to hear and elevate underrepresented voices and to recognize and eliminate bias; and
WHEREAS: This statement provides perspective in viewing any and all student outcome data; and
WHEREAS: CPS website now offers a data dashboard of district level data on each strategic outcome by student subgroups including: African American / Black Students, Asian Students, Hispanic / Latino Students, White Students, Students with Disabilities, Economically Disadvantaged Students; and
WHEREAS: CPS has also put forward the following definitions of equity and racial equity:
Equity means that each student, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status will have access to the opportunities, resources, and support they need to attain their full potential.
Racial equity means the absence of institutional and structural barriers experienced by people based on race or color, that impede access, opportunities, and results; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That CPS share the equity statement and definitions alongside any and all student outcome data including on the dashboard pages as an acknowledgement of disparities as well as to bring focus to the ongoing efforts in this area.

#18-279 Joint Motion by Mayor McGovern Mr. Fantini and Mr. Kimbrough,
WHEREAS: Cambridge Public Schools has designed and created a data dashboard as an instrument to report on the key outcomes of the district’s three-year strategic plan; and
WHEREAS: The CPS dashboard provides district level data on each strategic outcome; and
WHEREAS: The CPS community is comprised of people of diverse race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, or socioeconomic status; and
WHEREAS: The CPS strategic objectives include equity and access as well as expanding and strengthening family partnerships; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Superintendent explore holding a ‘Dashboard Tour’ with the purpose of visiting each school community to directly share data, and to be in conversation with families and students promoting interpretation, understanding, and potential collaborative actions.

#18-280 Report of the March 28, 2018 Community Relations Sub-Committee

#18-281 Report of the May 3, 2018 Curriculum and Achievement Sub-Committee

10. Resolutions (letters of congratulations, letters of condolence):

#18-282 Motion by Mr. Fantini, that in recognizing the contributions Ms. Elaine Schear has made to the Friends of CRLS and to the Cambridge Public School District, the School Committee hereby goes on record in expressing it’s appreciation and thanks to Ms. Schear and that the Executive Secretary be and hereby is requested to forward a suitable resolution on behalf of the entire School Committee.

11. Announcements:

12. Late Orders:

13. Communications and Reports from City Officers: