October 29, 2019
BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 29, 2019
The Regular Meeting of the Brockton School Committee was held this evening in the George M. Romm Little Theatre at Brockton High School, at seven o'clock. These minutes contain a summary of the meeting and list items that were under discussion.
Present: Mayor Rodrigues, Chair; Mr. Minichiello, Vice-Chair; Ms. Asack,
Mr. D’Agostino, Mr. Gormley, Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan, Interim
Superintendent Thomas
Absent: Mr. Bath
Also Present: Executive Team Members
Mayor Rodrigues called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m. followed by a salute to the flag.
Hearing of Visitors
None
Consent Agenda
Mayor Rodrigues explained the purpose of the Consent Agenda and asked members for any requests to remove items for further discussion.
Mr. Minichiello moved to accept the Interim Superintendent’s recommendation
to approve the following Consent Agenda items, the motion was seconded by
Mr. D’Agostino.
- Approval of October 15, 2019 Regular School Committee Meeting Minutes
- Approval of Security, Safety, Transportation Subcommittee Meeting Report
- Approval of Overnight, Out-of-State Trip: Empower Yourself to Niagara Falls, NY
- Acceptance of Notification of Personnel Appointments: Certified
- Acceptance of Notification of Personnel Appointments: Non-Certified
- Acceptance of Notification of Personnel Actions: Leaves of Absence, Resignations, Retirements
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
Superintendent's Report
Interim Superintendent Thomas introduced student representative Georgina Younes a current junior at Brockton High school. Georgina is enrolled in the Full IB diploma program, holds the position of class secretary, a Chinese officer in the foreign language honor society, is president of the Model Brockton City Council Club at BHS and plays the flute in the advanced concert band.
Student Report
Student Georgina Younes gave a report on happenings at Brockton High School:
- The Annual Halloween hallway is Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
- Friday, November 1, 2019 the Brockton Boxers Football team will play against Newton North high school at 5:00 p.m. here at Marciano Stadium.
- The Women’s volleyball team will host Weymouth high at 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, November 5, 2019 is no school due to election day.
- This week is spirit week for the seniors. (class of 2021)
- Monday, November 11, 2019 the Brockton High school marching band is playing in the Brockton Veterans Day Parade beginning at 10:00 a.m., downtown Brockton.
Learning and Teaching
High Expectations Teaching / Jon Saphier & June Saba-Maguire
Interim Superintendent Thomas introduced Jon Saphier from Research for Better Teaching, Inc., and Chief Academic Officer June Saba-Maguire to present a brief overview of High Expectations Teaching. This is professional development that will take place this year in the Brockton Public Schools for Cohort 1,2 and 3 for the duration of three to five years.
Mr. Saphier gave an overall brief review of High Expectations and the work that is involved and giving students belief, confidence, tools and desire.
- Giving students the belief, that effort can grow the ability to do well at academics. (“Smart is something you can get.”)
- Help them develop the confidence that they already have enough brain power to do rigorous work at high standards if they learn effective effort.
- Teach them the tools for exerting effective effort.
- Get them to care enough to want to.
June Saba-Maguire discussed the Professional Development 2019-2020 Cohort Information sheet, which gives a timeline of the three cohorts from each of our schools. She also discussed the action plan worksheet for this school year which also projects in the next couple of school years our goals.
During the 2019-2020, all BPS schools will implement High Expectation Teaching Strategies (HET) to improve student achievement. Teachers will use strategies and create lessons introduced at District HET PD resulting in higher performance expectations and improved achievement. District leaders and school administrators will monitor implementation in various ways (classroom observations, lesson planning, CPT and PLC meetings, student work) to ensure results. Success will be measured by improved academic achievement on grades, district assessments and state tests.
Bridgewater State University at Brockton High School
Interim Superintendent Thomas introduced Mary Waldron, Sydne` Marrow and Laura Biechler to present a power point on the college collaborative between Bridgewater State University and Brockton High School that began last year with Mayor Carpenter, former Superintendent Kathleen A. Smith, JD and Principal of Brockton High School Dr. Clifford Murray. The Memorandum of Agreement was completed during the summer and just recently in September there was a ribbon cutting ceremony at Brockton High where President Clark of Bridgewater State University presented two full scholarships for Brockton High seniors that would like to attend and go into the teaching field.
Mary Waldron presented a power point:
- Ribbon cutting ceremony
- How it all started – The College Collaborative Mayor Bill Carpenter,
- Memorandum of Agreement
- Meet the Bridgewater State University Staff
- Ten $1,000 scholarships awarded last year and another 10 to be awarded this year!
- PLUS, the Mayor Carpenter Scholarship.
The Brockton2BSU Scholarship Application 2020 is Due: February 1, 2020 the application and essay can be submitted two ways:
1. By email as a word document or a pdf attachment to: BSU@bpsma.org In the subject line: Brockton2BSU Scholarship Application.
2. Hand deliver the application to the BSU@BHS staff is available to assistance students, guidance counselors and parents. We are located behind the Azure Cafeteria.
If possible, please try not to submit via Google Docs.
Call Mary Waldron at 508-531-2255 with any questions or stop in to the BSU@BHS office.
Mary also discussed the Science Seminar flyer with tentative 2019-2020 dates.
All are welcome!
Champion High School – “Me to We” Leadership Presentation
Interim Superintendent Thomas introduced Principal of Champion High School and Frederick Douglas Academy Cindy Burns, Director of Pathways Shanna Gray, student Tabitha Sepulveda, student Darnell Harrison and student Angela Alicea to discuss their recent trip to New York to attend the “Me to We” conference.
Ms. Burns shared information how the program began and how it has benefited the students. She noticed students were most engaged when they can help others. Students were involved in Pennies for Patients, Susan G. Komen awareness and fundraising. Shanna Gray reported that this is an international program that works with students and school to help young people develop their leadership abilities. Last year a trainer from “Me to We” came to the school for a three-day workshop where approximately 12 students worked on public speaking, looking at areas where they could improve themselves. A few projects they took on were the look of the building (hallways), bathrooms and rugs. They created a Zen garden and they worked in cooperation with the NAACP on the community garden on Frederick Douglas drive.
This year approximately 30 students are involved this year in the “Me to We” program.
Students attended the “We Day” field trip on September 25, 2019 and is hosted annually. Shanna Gray showed a brief video to share what “We Day” is about and how it began.
A power point presentation shared information about the “Me to We” conference
- WE.ORG
- Celebrate Doing Good!
- Mindful: Focus on Mental Health, Wellness, And Reduce Stigma
- Innovators: Be Bold and Brave Think Outside the Box
- One Planet: Make the World A Better Place
- Community: Everyone Deserves Love, Respect and Equal Rights
- Leaders: Make History!
We Schools: Champion Leaders this year will focus on:
- School Reputation
- Social Justice & Equality
- Bullying
- Mentoring Elementary Students
Champion High student Tabitha Sepulveda spoke on Social Justice & Equality
Champion High student Darnell Harrison spoke on Bullying
Champion High student Angela Alicea spoke on Bullying
Questions/Comments from School Committee members
- Thanked all students who participated in the “Me to We”
- Impressed and willing to visit and speak at Champion High
- To invite School Committee members to events to attend
Items to Refer to Subcommittee
Mr. Gormley motioned to have a Superintendent’s Contract Subcommittee on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. Mr. D’Agostino seconded the motion.
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
Unfinished Business
None.
New Business
None
Announcements/Notices
Interim Superintendent Thomas invited everyone to Marciano Stadium / Brockton High School football playoff game Friday, November 1, 2019 at 5:00 p.m., against Newton North.
Mayor Rodrigues reminded everyone the hours for Halloween is 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. this Thursday and for all to be safe.
Ms. Asack reminded everyone of the upcoming Veterans’ Day assembly at Brockton High School in the auditorium next Thursday, November 7, 2019 at 9:30 a.m., and the Veterans Day Parade next Monday, November 11, 2019 beginning at 10:00 a.m., downtown Brockton.
Executive Session
Mayor Rodrigues announced that school committee had personnel matters to deal with and would go into Executive Session accordance with MGL Chapter 30A, Section 21, and that the regular meeting would not reconvene. He asked for a motion.
Mr. Minichiello moved to go into Executive Session; seconded by Mr. D’Agostino.
A Roll Call Vote was taken:
Mr. Minichiello – yes
Ms. Asack – yes
Mr. Bath – Absent
Mr. D'Agostino – yes
Mr. Gormley – yes
Ms. Sullivan – yes
Mr. Sullivan – yes
Seeing no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael P. Thomas
Secretary/Interim Superintendent
mdc