Brockton, Massachusetts Regular School Committee Meeting June 20, 2022
Live Stream
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 Sullivan, Chair Ms. Asack, Vice-Chair, Ms. Ehlers, Mr. Homer, Ms. Rivas Mendes, Mr. Rodrigues, Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan
Also Present: Superintendent Thomas, Interim Deputy Superintendent Szachowicz,
Executive Team Members
Mayor Sullivan - Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Mayor Sullivan - Chair, took a roll call to establish a quorum that was followed by the salute to the flag.
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Ms. Sullivan – Here |
Mr. Homer – Here |
Ms. Ehlers – Here |
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Ms. Rivas-Mendes - Here |
Mr. Rodrigues - Here |
Ms. Asack, Vice-Chair – Here |
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Mr. Sullivan - Here |
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Mayor Sullivan, Chair – Here |
Hearing of Visitors There were no hearing of visitors.
Consent Agenda Mayor Sullivan explained the purpose of the Consent Agenda, read the items aloud and asked members for any requests to remove items for further discussion. No items were removed for discussion.
Mr. Sullivan made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Mr. Homer.
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimously.
Superintendent’s
Report Introduction of Student Representative 2022-2023
Superintendent Thomas introduced Abigail Bertocchi as the 2022-2023 Student Representative, Melody Rivas and Jaden Dubuisson as alternates.
(applause)
Student Representative Abigail thanked the School Committee members, Principal Burns, Assistant Principal Copp, Ms. Merian, Mrs. Bosco and former Student Rep. Elen Arustamyan. She also thanked the outgoing Senior Class for being great leaders to all the students proceeding and setting a good example for the whole student body.
Student Representative Abigail Bertocchi gave a report on Senior’s end of the year happenings at Brockton High School:
- Athletics
- Senior Night was held for several Spring Sports
- Softball and Volleyball teams made it to their playoffs
- A Senior vs. Faculty held an In-house soccer tournament
- Fine Arts
- On May 25, 2022, Seniors participated in their last Pops concert at BHS
- Seniors attended the Annual BHS Band Booster banquet where they were awarded certificates for their outstanding abilities and services
- On May 3, 2022, the Seniors participated in the 123rd Annual Huntington Memorial Parade
- On June 2, 2022, the Chorus was invited to the LGBTQ Plus Pride month flag raising at City Hall
- On June 15, 2022, the Senior Drama Club held their Award Ceremony
- Classical and Modern Language Honor Society Induction
- To be inducted students must maintain an overall average of 90% in all language classes, complete 3 years in their studied language and complete community service in their study language
- A total of 195 Senior were inducted: 47 Chinese, 38 Latin, 110 Spanish
- Senior Events
- On May 19, 2022, Senior Sunset Field Night
- On May 25, 2022, the Senior Award Ceremony
- On May 26, 2022, the Senior Prom was held at Gillette Stadium
- The Senior Voices gave a presentation to the freshman discussing a variety of topics, to help prepare them for the remainder of their high school career
- Graduation
- Saturday, June 4, 2022, Brockton High School held their Graduation Ceremony
Abigail thanked School Committee members, teachers, staff, and students for their hard work and looks forward to the upcoming school year
(applause)
Both Melody Rivas and Jaden Dubuisson introduced themselves to the committee and spoke briefly of their interests and extracurricular activities they are involved in at Brockton High
(applause)
Superintendent Thomas thanked the Student Representatives and looks forward to hearing from them.
Introduction of: Dr. James LaBillois, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services
Superintendent Thomas invited and introduced the newly appointed Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services, Dr. James LaBillois. Dr. LaBillois is replacing Sharon Wolder as she moves into the Deputy Superintendent position. Dr. LaBillois will join our team and the Brockton Public Schools on July 1, 2022.
Dr. LaBillois thanked the committee and is excited to join the Brockton Public Schools, everyone has been incredibly helpful and welcoming. Dr. LaBillois mentioned for the past six years he was the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Hingham Public Schools, began his career as a psychologist with the Boston Public Schools before moving into the Director of Student Services position with the Norwell Public Schools which he held for four years and then six years as the Executive Director of Instruction prior to working at the Hingham Public Schools. He was looking for a new opportunity and Brockton Public Schools has a fantastic reputation and is excited to join the team.
(applause)
Introduction of: Dr. Karen Spaulding, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning K-5
Superintendent Thomas mentioned Dr. Karen Spaulding was unable to attend tonight’s meeting due to family medical but would invite her to the next School Committee meeting.
Presentation: Focus Area #2: (power point)
Superintendent Thomas invited Dr. Michele Conners, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Gr. 6-12, to introduce our coordinators that will present 2 Focus Areas, one Active Reading and Writing and the second on Middle school Math and ELA.
Dr. Conners mentioned tonight’s presentation from both Candice McGann and Joanne Nelson will share work done across our four core content areas in the middle schools around Focus Area #2 which is Active Reading and Writing.
Active Reading and Writing – Multiple Texts in ELA and Social Science (J. Nelson)
- Shared Objective – Across the District and Across Content Areas, with Consistency
- District Objective – Teachers will develop specific instructional strategies for teaching AR/Writing with multiple texts, so that they will be able to teach the strategies to their students in order to prepare them for MCAS and success in ALL classes.
- Middle School ELA/Social Studies Journey Towards Meeting Our Shared Objective
- Shared Strategy
- Root Cause Analysis
- Next Steps
- DISTRICT-WIDE Active Reading and Writing ROLL OUT
- Student Focus Groups
- Direct Instruction of the Steps – Using the Active Reading for Comprehension Tool
- Teacher Feedback on using this strategy by sharing their learning, their growth, their realization of what it is they’re doing and what kinds of strategies and learning they’re providing for their students.
- Teaching Active Reading of PROMPTS was a GAME CHANGER!
- Next Steps – Moving our students – Meeting Success
Active Reading and Writing in Math (C. McGann)
- Implemented a new Middle School Curriculum at the beginning of 2020
- Why focus on Active reading and writing in Math? Students were not answering the question that was being asked.
- Math Prompts
- MCAS questions aligned to the priority standards covered in Modules 3 and 4 for grades 6-8
- Given on a paper graphic organizer and transferred information to the computer
- Required students to use the MCAS Equation Editor online
- Including using zoomable number lines and graphing on coordinate grids on a computer
- Were immediately graded: students completed a reflection and then were allowed to retake
- We immediately discovered that reading was not the only obstacle…
Digital Literacy presented a challenge
- A few examples of common errors:
- Students had only seen the MCAS equation Editor on MCAS. They could not locate inequality sigs, repetend bar, or correctly enter fractions and mixed numbers
- They were using the letter x for a times sign and a times sign for the letter x
- Not exposed to using graphing tools on a computer so students struggled with the graphing
Solution: Multiple exposures to these tools using district prompts and on the common assessments
- Data…
- We completed 33 Math and 9 Science prompts from 2/2/22 to 5/11/22
- 28,261 MCAS prompts were completed in Math grades 6-8
- 90% participation on the MCAS Math prompts across all three-grade levels
- Average scores started at 40-50% and ended in the 75-85% range
- Student participation on the common assessments was 96-98%
- The average district Common Assessment score percentage increase from Module 2 to the two common assessments given after using weekly MCAS Prompts
- Grade 6: Module 2 to Module 3 – 4.5% Module 2 to Module 4 – 24%
- Grade 7: Module 2 to Module 3 – 2% Module 2 to Module 4 – 8.8%
- Grade 8: Module 2 to Module 3 – 8% Module 2 to Module 4 – 45%
Teacher Feedback:
- Students began to understand the “select all” directive
- It gave students the opportunity to practice both their math and technology skills
- A consistent way of making sure we’re covering all topics in an MCAS atmosphere
Next Steps:
- Triangulate the data from the MCAS Prompts to the Common Assessments to how they preformed on 2022 MCAS to plan for instruction 22-23
- The Edcite Data Hub will provide this data by class, by teacher, and by student so we can focus our just in time support at the student level
- Create 4-5 prompts for each module and include constructed response type questions to be administered next year.
- Build teacher capacity to create their own Edcite assessments using equation editor
- Module 2 to Module 3 – 4.5% Module 2 to Module 4 – 24%
Teachers’ recommendation for next year:
- Start with digital literacy relevant to the module and then do constructed responses as it gets closer to their common assessment
- Start earlier in the year and keep questions related to current module
- More open responses
- Start earlier in the year; each student has a portfolio folder with their completed prompts
Questions/Answers
None
Mayor Sullivan, Superintendent Thomas and Ms. Asack thanked Ms. Nelson,
Ms. McGann, teachers, and students for their hard work throughout the school year.
Items to Refer to None
Subcommittee
Unfinished Mr. Sullivan asked for an update on the Neighborhood Health Center.
Business Mayor Sullivan mentioned Sue Joss and their legal representation went before the Planning
Board and it was approved. The building is completed however delivery has been delayed.
Mayor Sullivan asked members if they would like to have Dr. Herman attend the next meeting to give a final update for the summer.
Mayor Sullivan spoke about the Vaccine Clinic held today at the Arnone School.
He mentioned there were protesters there harassing people and that’s unacceptable.
Chief Perez and school police will collaborate during upcoming clinics for the safety of all.
Mayor Sullivan understands the idea of people disagreeing, however we are providing a service and safety is paramount for everyone and will make sure that it is safe for everyone.
New Business Mr. Sullivan requested a walkthrough at the new Champion School (May Center). (A day/time will be coordinated with Dr. Cobbs.)
Mayor Sullivan mentioned a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the May Center will be held in September, all are welcome to attend.
Superintendent Thomas provided the closing of school dates:
- Tuesday, June 28, 2022 – Pk-8 (early release)
- Wednesday, June 29, 2022 – Brookfield Elementary (early release)
- Thursday, June 30, 2022 – Brockton High School (early release)
Ms. Asack mentioned she was able to attend the portable planetarium at the Brockton
Public Library and asked how we can have this at some of the schools in September.
Mayor Sullivan mentioned the portable planetarium is the property of the library, we can utilize it throughout the district for public schools, private schools, and parochial schools.
There is a process in place, and we can work with Mr. Paul Ingle, Library Director.
Ms. Asack wished everyone a safe summer and looks forward to seeing all in September.
The next School Committee is Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor Sullivan mentioned we are working diligently to finding a new location to house the buses. A meeting is scheduled this week for further discussion.
Mr. Sullivan gave a verbal report of the Bid Review Subcommittee held earlier this evening.
Mr. Sullivan motioned to accept the verbal report of the Bid Review Subcommittee as presented, seconded by Ms. Asack.
Mr. Sullivan motioned to move this item favorably to the full School Committee for its consideration, seconded by Ms. Asack.
The motion passed unanimously.
Seeing no further business,
Ms. Sullivan motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael P. Thomas
Superintendent/Secretary
Power points: BHS Student Representative Presentation
Focus Area #2:
Active Reading and Writing: Multiple Texts in ELA and Social Science
Active Reading and Writing in Math
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