Worcester School Committee meets Thursday

And speaking of light agenda...
The Worcester School Committee meets Thursday. The agenda is here.
There are a number of recognitions, including Donna Lombardi from School Nutrition getting the Mass Public Health Association's Lemuel Shattuck award!
The report of the Superintendent is on opiods and their impact on the community.
There are some retirements and appointments.
There is a response to the query from Ms. Colorio on school discipline referrals by school.
There is a response to Mayor Petty's question regarding participation in Skills USA (short version: $14,000).
There is a request for approval of  $1,505.56 for Shred-it.
There is a request for approval of a donation of $1,200 from Tufts University for a fitness study involving 3rd & 4th graders at Chandler Magnet School.
There's a request to accept donations totalling $350 for the CPR project.
There's a request to approve the SHINE Initiative grant for $7900.
There's a request to approve $144.55 from Target for Heard Street. 
Mr. Monfredo wants to encourage the establishment of chapters of "Stand for the Silent."
He also wants to recognize WEDF.
Miss Biancheria wants a list of groups doing cleanups.
There's a request to approve a new nurse. 

There is also an executive session to discuss (it appears) general strategy for all collective bargaining agreements. 

Finance and Operations subcommittee: advertising on buses

backup is here
Foley: conversation we need to have if we believe in the concept of putting advertising on our buses or not
item before us nine or ten years ago and elected not to
some have put on and since taken off
Allen: primarily for economic reasons
chance for WEDF to work with us on revenue sources, work to find alternative ways of revenue generation would be perhaps a better alternative
"school bus are large and yellow and black intentionally" for safety
"any distraction to the purpose of loading students safely on school buses...whatever the revenue isn't worth the price"
Hennessey: serious concerns about compromising safety with advertising
most dangerous area is in immediate area around the school bus
advertising by its nature is designed to call your attention to something
impossible to pay attention to both the advertising and the school bus
"all it takes is a moment's distraction"
Foley: general impression that districts weren't generating very many dollars
"increased commercialization factor"
Ramirez: if the goal is to raise more dollars for teachers and students, that's a discussion I'd like to hear, rather than this
agree that they shouldn't be commercialized
Novick: agree on commericialization, more distracting than dialing a cell phone
Foley: don't own the buses
Allen: just approved the five year contract with Durham, wasn't in contract
Foley: just takes one mistake, hate to see our advertising cause that
motion to work with WEDF for alternative options and report back to F&O
roll call on ads on buses: roll call three opposed
roll call on alternative: roll call three in favor

Worcester School Committee meets this afternoon

As it is a summer meeting, please note that it starts at 4 pm. Also, it has been MOVED to the Durkin Administration building, 4th floor. You can find the agenda here.
We're starting off with a couple of recognitions: WEDF and the Worcester Cultural Coalition, and Hanover Insurance and Harkins Community Consulting.
There is no report of the superintendent.
Teaching, Learning, and Student Supports is reporting out on their June 23 meeting.
We have LOTS of congratulations and recognitions: AbbVie for the Burncoat Middle library; Nelson Place for a "Healthy Lunch for a Healthier Me" art contest win; Nelson Place for their donations to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp; Harvard Pilgrim, for their mini-grant to Thorndyke Road; Good Sports and Snapple for athletic equipment to Doherty; and the Department of Public Health, the Community Connections summer program; the Facilities Department, and the Hector Reyes House for their work on the Joint Use Agreement.
We have a $25.00 donation from Target to accept for Tatnuck Magnet.
We have our annual item to make FY16 budget transfers as required (which will go to F&O for our quarterly reports).
We're being asked to accept a donation totally $5000 for the Healthy Start awards for the Breakfast in the Classroom schools that received the EOS awards.
Mr. O'Connell is asking to review the teacher climate survey.
He also wants to "formulate a plan for restoration of the pool at South High Community School" (which is still on top of the school's electrical plant).
Miss Ramirez is asking that we work with the administation on strategic planning and goal setting.
The administration is sending our annual audit of the student activities funds to F&O.
Mr. O'Connell wants to look at redoing the Worcester East Middle auditorium.
He also wants to look at expanding grade 6 programming at middle schools.
Mr. O'Connell also wants to schedule (another) groundbreaking for Nelson Place. Silly season, people.
The administration is sending consideration of participating in Community Eligibility to provide free lunch to all students to F&O for consideration. Good coverage of this by Scott O'Connell today.
We're being asked to accept a grant of $135,000 for early childhood work with Head Start; it will pay for two teachers and two teacher assistants for extended day and family support.
We're being asked to accept a grant of $55,940 from the Perkins Act; it looks like it's going to purchase diesel equipment for South and welding equipment at Tech.

advertising on buses

Monfredo: WEDF support system
looking to pilot putting ads on school buses for revenue
asking that administration work with the WEDF
Novick: distressed to see item on this
students are not an opportunity for moneymaking or advertising
entrusted with children
this should not be considered: motion to file the item
O'Connell: understand situation, support referring to standing committee for discussion
have had areas of concern with regards to advertising
weigh options, thorough consideration needed
Boone: administration has met with WEDF a number of times on this issue; will give perspective should it go to standing committee
Novick: could we have admin's perspectivve at this time?
Boone: real concerns on this issue
looked at other districts that have done this
concerns relative to safety, people not paying attention to stop arm as they read advertising
followed up with WEDF on this issue
motion to file fails, 3-2 (Novick and Ramirez in favor)
motion to submit 3-2; item goes to standing committee
This is going to Finance and Operations.

Friday morning update: if you're interested in what sort of revenue numbers come through on these, the numbers aren't impressive.That's not even two teachers' salaries. 

Know a fantastic alum of the Worcester Public Schools?

Nominate them for this fall's WEDF Distinguished Alumni and Friends award!
Nominations are due May 15; the awards are in November.
Not sure if they've already been honored? There's a list at the link. 

update on One Library

continue to be working on this project
we continue to work on what's happening with this: met with them and facilities yesterday
two things going on:
(not gotten to the point of defining all the operational aspects)
site evaluations at each site, including timelines
best to have that level of specifics
fundraising continuing for facilities needs; some funding was already secured
Roosevelt is most ready: larger space, newer facilities
Burncoat Prep will be in a mobile unit: making sure that is safe
Goddard has active library space
Tatnuck Magnet: looking at opening space and removing computer room
security issues of keeping space for public access
public access only during non-school hours
working to define what will be out of school hours
will be an MOU relative to all of that happening
financial commitment is through fundraising
closer to when we will be able to have more to say
opening throughout the fall
still working out other details

Worcester Educational Development Foundation presentation

WEDF Board members are here for a presentation on their work supporting the schools, specifically on their strategic plan.
Boone: "Their role is not to supplant what the city ought to be providing" but support and supplement what the schools do
Their mission says that they exist "for the sole purpose of supporting the Worcester Public Schools and identifying resources to meet the needs of the district."

Worcester School Committee scheduled to meet tomorrow*

The Worcester School Committee is scheduled to meet tomorrow night at 7 pm at City Hall. You can find the agenda here.
The report of the Superintendent tomorrow night is from the Worcester Educational Development Foundation, the 501 (c) 3 which partners with the Worcester Public Schools. Tomorrow, they'll be doing a presentation to the School Committee on their strategic plan.
The Public Consulting Group is coming back with a report on Medicaid filings.
We also have a number of reports coming in from the Central Mass Special Education Collaborative, as (now) required by state law: a quarterly update, the annual report, financial statements, and an auditor's report.
We're sending the student policy handbook off to subcommittee for updating for next year (a tip: this is a good time to weigh in on policies you'd like to see added or changed!).
We're being asked to approve a prior year payment for athletic officials.
We also have several items going off for reports: apprenticeship agreements, data charts on graduation rates, crosswalk clearing, and several fiscal request for the city auditor to weigh in on.

*No, I don't know anything otherwise.I'm watching the same weather reports you are!

Middle school after-school activities

Monfredo: "we need to seriously look to expand clubs and intraschool sports at the middle schools"
look for opportunities for students to get involved
Biancheria notes that there are similar items in TLSS: asks that this subcom take these items up in March
Boone: Title IX survey included middle school students; initial set of recommendations
strategic plan for athletic involvement: more students eligible and able to try out for varsity at the high school level
Report of the Superintendent is the Worcester Educational Development Foundation next week, reporting on their strategic focus, which includes sports

Live posting from TLSS

but I'll be leaving early to get to the exam/IB meeting...posting as we go
Mr. O'Connell is running through the order in which we'll be taking the items.

Starting with crew, and we're getting a correction on the total, which should read $155,207.
We have not received any corporate sponsorships for new shells, but we've received extensive assistance from various teams and local community organizations.
Athletic Director David Shea lauds the booster club and students for their fundraising efforts to keep the club going.
We're looking at a cost to the district, if the district were to fund, of $61,707 per year, covering salaries, buses, uniforms, gas, shell rental, insurance, food, and truck rental.
Biancheria is asking for a full budget for crew before April.
Shea notes that the crew team is a citywide team where the students are working together across the quadrants.
Biancheria asks how we recruit crew team members. Shea: no students rejected. Tryouts are publicized through athletic liaisons at each school, through other students, and through social media (!).
Freshmen through senior year; Biancheria requests how many from which school and grade level.
Monfredo speaks again of corporate sponsorship; Shea says we have not yet explored corporate sponsorship
Rodrigues says Boone is looking to funnel donations through WEDF.
O'Connell on the history of the crew team; his suggestion seen by the mayor at the time as "typical from someone coming out of a 'preppy' background."

Preschool:
Monfredo asks if we're talking to private preschools
Rodrigues, yes, there has also been talk of a summit, when we have our meetings, same people coming all of the time. Need for additional full day preschool
Biancheria: accept kindergartners from outside the city, but not preschoolers
have we always had a waiting list? Yes, for typically developing preschoolers, but number of students varies by building.
Meade-Montague: waiting list is kept at both school and district level, so that opening levels can be filled, should they become available.
Biancheria: do we ever not have a waiting list at particular schools? Yes, parents have three choices. If there is an opening in their second or third choice, they can go to that school.
Meade-Montague: there have been times that we've opened a new site in January; those parents are contacted first.
Biancheria asks what the program needs: Monfredo responds including students as full day students in the foundation budget
Rodrigues: early intervention three year olds drive the number of classes we have for preschool; sometimes have to find resources on the fly to open another classroom
At age 2.8, we project how many students are coming in, as any student with a signed IEP must be in our schools by their third birthday.
Biancheria: how are we projecting? murmur from staff that Brian Allen does those projections
Rodrigues speaks of projecting students turning three who are on IEPs
quarterly with early intervention providers
Biancheria: we are ready on their birthday (even if they turn three in March); imagines that not having transportation is a deterrent
charter schools dipping into our budget; "we should come first"
Colorio: neighbors whose child attends preschool, is there translation to help them navigate the system and getting their kid to school? Yes, from Rodrigues. Do we have a proactive system of getting them there?
O'Connell: consideration to full-day preschool programs, are we talking to day care providers?
Rodrigues: meet twice a year with groups
is there anyway that we can help them or they can help us?
Rodrigues: hopeful that Governor's agenda will allow for expanded options
Comment from a mom that typically developing children's parents aren't getting the same sort of support; what do you do with the kid at 11:30? Difficulty in organizing
note from administration that day care transportation can be organized from the private provider.
Woodland Academy and Lincoln Street both have full day preschool; the remainder of the 37 sites are half-day sites.
Waitlist varies from year to year. Sometimes the half day precludes families from applying.
Colorio: have we considered a 3/2 full day preschool (two full days, 3 half days, or vice versa).
HeadStart has over 700 students across the city with a waiting list, as well
O'Connell suggests something that lays out the options available to parents...perhaps through the regional school daycare providers
comments on the limited space we have for any expansion we have
note that Head Start is up for a cut under sequestration, now ticking down to March. If that cut went through, that would be eight of our Head Start teachers.

Upcoming dates

Superintendent's State of the Schools is October 15 at 7 pm at North High.
Coats for Kids is having their annual fundraiser at Coral Seafood from 4 to 9 pm on October 11. Admission is $10 (and there's food and entertainment).

Got a trumpet in the attic?

If you've got an instrument gathering dust, we'll take it!

Worcester Public Schools and WICN 90.5, the NPR jazz station in Worcester, announces a collaboration called Instrumental Partners. The program will collect used musical instruments from Central New England residents for the benefit of public school students.

All instruments will be accepted: brass, wind, string, percussion, acoustic, electric, etc.

WICN will ask people to check their attics, closets and basements for instruments no longer used. “One instrument, placed in the right pair of young hands, could mean everything to that student’s future.” Weston said. The drop off points for the instruments will be the Hanover Theater on Main Street in Worcester, and the WICN studios in the Printers Building, 50 Portland Street.

 First priority is getting South High what they need for the parade in D.C. on July 4th (and yes, they're taking monetary donations as well!).

WEDF annual fundraiser

Students from the Worcester Public Schools will present a concert on March 20 at 2 pm at Mechanics Hall.

The program will include American folk tunes, from traditional pieces to songs from the 1960’s.  This is the sixth annual concert that has been organized by Worcester Public Schools music teachers.

Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the following Worcester Credit Union branches:

315 Main Street, 520 West Boylston Street, and One Skyline Drive.

Proceeds benefit the arts and other educational programs of the district.

Coaches and athletics operating expenses

Budgeted at $445,771
Monfredo is frustrated at not moving toward outside funding for sports
Foley: WEDF looking at that, new direction, more aggressive fundraising entity
O'Brien welcomes that as an idea
Mullaney: WEDF can't do everything, cites mayor as an alumnus of WPS and resource
Foley says it would be well worth it just to see the mayor in uniform again
Boone asks if we're looking at partnerships to reduce our funding or to increase what we do
O'Brien cites sports as a reason people come to school; outside sources would like to add rather than replace
Monfredo says other systems have been able to do this
Novick asks for a breakdown of sports by school (concerned around equity of access)
passes as proposed

Operations (athletics)
O'Connell asks if estimated ticket receipts are reflecting declining interest
(it's estimated to be down by 10%)
Monfredo asks if we can cut the transportation fund
Allen: we added money to cut down students transporting other students
the athletic transportation budget went up as part of our transportation contract (which went down overall)
Mullaney brings up that the Doherty football team gets bused to Foley Stadium
The mayor says that he used to walk
Allen says they can look at how much it costs to bus Doherty football students to Foley
Mullaney says she'll wait to find out how much money we'd save
Passes--for now--as proposed