From the Office of the Executive Secretary to the School Committee
School Committee - Regular Meeting
March 16, 2021
SUPPLEMENTAL* AGENDA
1. Public Comment (3 Minutes):
2. Student School Committee Report:
3. Presentation of the Records for Approval:
February 12, 2021 Special Meeting
February 25, 2021 Special Meeting
March 2, 2021 Regular Meeting
4. Reconsiderations: None
5. Unfinished Business/Calendar: None
6. Awaiting Reports:
#20-308 Joint Motion by Member Fantini and Mayor Siddiqui
Whereas, the Cambridge Public Schools participate in the Journey into Education and Teaching Program, known as JET, to provide a pathway at little cost for paraprofessionals to get their bachelor’s degrees and Massachusetts teacher licensures; and
Whereas JET (www.jetintoteaching.org) supports the goals of building local teacher pipelines and developing an educator workforce that reflects the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students; and
Whereas JET provides the program structure for recruitment and support such as: advising, guiding in application procedures for college admission and financial aid, participating in cohort groups, providing local educator mentors, and professional and career development opportunities; and
Whereas Cambridge must commit to providing and compensating mentors as part of our commitment to JET Paraprofessionals; and
Whereas JET is an education program of the Massachusetts Foundation for Teaching and Learning; and
Whereas Massachusetts is unique in providing a state education grant that funds the undergraduate education of employed eligible paraprofessionals who commit to becoming teachers; and
Whereas JET already has demonstrated a record of success; and
Whereas meeting application deadlines is critical; now therefore be it
Resolved that the Superintendent collaborate with JET and report on how the program will operate in Cambridge.
#21-27 Joint Motion by Mayor Siddiqui, Member Rojas and Vice Chair Bowman
Whereas: Providing the best education and ensuring the wellbeing of our scholars are the highest priorities of the Cambridge School Committee and CPS Administration; and
Whereas: The data shows extreme negative consequences of school closures on scholars’ mental, physical, and academic wellbeing; and
Whereas: There is growing evidence that more students can and must be brought back in-person with urgency; and
Whereas: The School Committee and Administration are committed to adaptability and quickly pivoting plans as necessary amid the COVID-19 pandemic; and
Whereas: CPSD must continuously revisit conditions and plan for further expansions; and
Whereas: While the current reopening model recommendation allows families to opt into in-person learning, not all scholars in the district are eligible due to staffing and space constraints; now therefore be it
Resolved: That the Superintendent work with his team to provide a report on what is and is not working with the existing model and the possibilities for subsequent expansions by Friday, April 2, 2021; and be it further
Resolved: That the Superintendent provide an update on the impact of vaccine rollouts on further in-person expansion planning by Friday, April 2, 2021.
7. Superintendent’s Agenda:
7a. Presentations: COVID 19 Response Update……….Dr. Kenneth N. Salim, Superintendent of Schools
7b. CPS District Plan: None
7c. Consent Agenda:
#21-76 Recommendation: Approval SY2021-2022 Cambridge Public Schools District Calendar
#21-77 Recommendation: Day & Residential Services not Available from The Cambridge School Department
#21-78 Recommendation: Contract Award: Casey EMI: Custodial Supplies & Equipment
#21-79 Recommendation: Contract Award: Stepping Stones Group: Special Education Staffing Services
#21-80 Recommendation: Gifts/Miscellaneous Receipts
#21-81 Recommendation: Grant Award: FY21 Reading Recovery-Formerly Early Literacy Intervention (SC21632)
#21-82 Recommendation: Grant Award: FY21 Special Education IDEA Allocation (SC21605) Increase
*#21-87 Recommendation: Contract Award: Sunbelt Rentals: Equipment Rentals
8. Non-Consent Agenda:
9. School Committee Agenda (Policy Matters/Notifications/Requests for Information):
#21-83 Joint Motion by Member Fantini, Mayor Siddiqui and Vice Chair Bowman
Whereas: Jimmy worked for CPS for over 35 years as a Technical Specialist, an Aide in Information Technology, Culinary Arts, Hospitality, and First Work programs at RSTA and also as a member of the Facilities staff at Donnelly Field, Thorndike Street, Berkshire Street, and the King Open School; and
Whereas: Jimmy Ravanis, was known for his wonderful humor and wit, which was guaranteed to always get a hearty laugh out of everyone who knew him; and
Whereas: Jimmy will be remembered fondly by all who came in contact with him; and
Whereas: Knowing he will be sorely missed and never forgotten by his many loving family members and friends, we give thanks to his great spirit that endeared him to the lives he touched; and
Whereas: The King Open School Principal and community will lead an effort to honor James Ravanis appropriately; now therefore be it
Resolved: That the School Committee go on record supporting the efforts of the King Open School’s honoring of James Ravanis with an appropriate ceremony held in his name.
#21-84 Report of the February 24, 2021 Governance Sub-Committee
#21-85 Report of the February 25, 2021 Special Education & Student Supports Sub-Committee
10. Resolutions:
#21-86 Joint Motion by Mayor Siddiqui and Member Wilson
Whereas: My Brother’s Keeper Task Force Cambridge worked with the Tufts School of Medicine and the Cambridge Health Alliance to hold the first of a series of COVID-19 vaccine clinics at the Cambridge Community Center on Sunday, March 7th, 2021; and
Whereas: On March 7th, 2021, over 100 vulnerable Cambridge residents, including CPS parents and caregivers, received their first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and will be receiving their second dose on April 3rd, 2021; and
Whereas: Building community and partnerships are not only important to the School Committee, however to the City of Cambridge as a whole; now therefore be it
Resolved: That the School Committee go on record extending its gratitude for My Brother’s Keeper Task Force Cambridge and their service to the Cambridge community; and be it further
Resolved: That a formal copy of this Resolution be prepared by the Executive Secretary to the School Committee.
11. Announcements:
12. Late Orders:
13. Communications and Reports from City Officers: None