Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Joint Athletics & Wellness and Policy Subcommittees Meeting - May 29, 2019
A joint meeting of the Athletics & Wellness and Policy Subcommittees was held on May 29, 2019 at 6:05 pm in the Coddington Building. Present were Mayor Thomas Koch, Mr. Anthony Andronico, Mr. James DeAmicis, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mr. Doug Gutro, Athletics & Wellness Chair and Mr. Paul Bregoli, Policy Chair. Also attending were Superintendent Richard DeCristofaro, Mr. Kevin Mahoney, Mr. Jean-Jacques Niamkey, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mr. Robert Shaw; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
North Quincy High School Athletic Director JJ Niamkey reviewed the very successful spring season: Softball, Boys & Girls Tennis, Boys Volleyball all qualified for the MIAA tournament; Sarah Pillone qualified for the state meet for Triple Jump. Quincy High School Athletic Director Kevin Mahoney reported that no Quincy High School teams qualified for the MIAA tournament, but four students qualified for individual tennis tournaments and two students qualified for division track & field events. Patriot League awards are still to be announced for the spring season.
Fall Student Athletic Information Nights are scheduled for NQHS on June 13 and QHS on June 17, incoming Grade 8 students and parents are invited along with returning students.
The Student Athlete Leadership Summit is scheduled for June 7 at the Tirrell Room, 50 juniors from both high schools will learn about Injury Prevention, Strength and Conditioning, Nutrition, and take part in Leadership activities with the YMCA staff.
For middle school track, only two meets were able to be held as the weather did not cooperate, but over 500 students participated. Middle school golf was a pilot program, 60-70 students participated in five sessions. Volunteers from both high school girls and boys golf programs assisted.
Mayor Koch asked if the Athletic Directors have met with Commissioner of Natural Resources David Murphy, both have met with him several times. Both Athletic Directors agreed that the Parks Department is very responsive, battled the elements this spring but kept the fields in good shape.
Mrs. Lebo and Mr. Bregoli attended the middle school track meet, were over 1,000 parents and family members there. Mrs. Lebo suggested that the Quincy Police Department could help with traffic management.
Mr. Gutro asked if there are any anticipated changes for the Fall. Mr. Niamkey said the partnership with the Boston Cannons and the enhancements to Veterans Stadium will bring some positive changes for the Football, Lacrosse, and Soccer programs.
The next item on the agenda was the idea of revising the School Committee Wellness Policy 1.7 to incorporate “Share Tables” and reduce food waste. Dr. DeCristofaro shared the USDA and DESE guidelines, noting that the City’s Health Department would need to be involved, staff training and monitoring would be required. The Town of Wellesley has created a Standard Operating Procedure document which was shared with School Committee.
Mr. Bregoli suggested inviting someone from the Health Department to participate in a working meeting. Mayor Koch said that Commissioner Jones would be happy to help and suggested sharing the research with her.
Mr. Andronico asked if School Nutrition Director Sara Dufour is involved in the discussion, and she provided the background research shared.
School Committee agreed to keep this item on the Subcommittee agenda for further exploration.
Mr. Bregoli moved onto the next item on the Agenda, the proposed revision to School Committee Policy 10.5.7 Homeless Students Enrollment Rights & Services. Homelessness Coordinator Leslie Bridson created the revised Policy based on the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the Massachusetts-specific plan created by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
When ESSA was passed by the federal government, Foster Care students were separated from McKinney-Vento (Homeless) Students, so Ms. Bridson provided proposed language to create a new Policy section 10.5.8 Students in Foster Care: Enrollment Rights & Services.
Dr. DeCristofaro said that these Policies are formalizing what has been a practice, the focus is always on what is in the best interest of the students’ education.
Mrs. Hubley and Mrs. Lebo agreed that the Policies should be approved in Subcommittee tonight and can be revised at a later date as needed.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the revision to School Committee Policy 10.5.7 Homeless Student Enrollment Rights & Services as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Andronico and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to establish School Committee Policy 10.5.8 Students in Foster Care: Enrollment Rights & Services. The motion was seconded by Mr. Andronico and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Both Policy sections will be on the agenda for June 12, 2019 meeting for discussion and eligible for approval vote in September 2019.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn the joint Athletics & Wellness and Policy Subcommittees at 6:35 pm. Mr. Andronico seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.