1. Public Comment (3 Minutes):

2. Student School Committee Report:

3. Presentation of the Records for Approval:

• May 28, 2019 Roundtable on Disproportionality

4. Reconsiderations:
None

5. Unfinished Business/Calendar:
None

6. Awaiting Reports:
#C19-064: Leveling Up | Joint Motion by Member Nolan, Member Kimbrough

That the following be amended and referred to the Superintendent:

Whereas the School Committee worked to raise the level of instruction for all students through the Level Up initiative at CRLS; and

Whereas a recent Globe project on valedictorians documented a sobering and critically important question of whether high schools are preparing students for success: and

Whereas the recent report The Opportunity Myth by The New Teachers Project found that despite 71% of students in a national representative sample of audited classes met classroom expectations and succeeded on assignments, only 17% of those assignments were on grade level when evaluated; and Whereas both the Valedictorian Project and The New Teachers Project identified the need for high expectations and intentional focus on rigorous curriculum, instruction and assignments as key to delivering on the promise of success in college and life; and

Whereas there were gaps by racial subgroups in performance on common assessment; and

Whereas nearly 1 in 3 CRLS students indicated that teachers do not have very high expectations of them; Therefore, the School Committee directs the Administration to evaluate the Level Up ELA classes, to ensure that the initiative is as successful as possible. The School Committee requests the Superintendent submits a report no later than the August 6, 2019 Regular Summer Meeting.

#C19-131: Dyslexia Screening | Joint Motion by Vice Chair Kelly, Member Fantini

That the following be adopted as amended: Due to legislation passed by the State Legislature that requests early screenings of students to identify if they have dyslexia,

That the Superintendent take appropriate steps to ensure that students are screened and that students who are identified receive appropriate and timely supports and that training and support for teachers is in place. Superintendent will report back on how the district will comply with the present law.

#C19-179: Supt provide update of special education transportation | Motion by

That the Superintendent or designee provide an update on Special Education transportation to the School Committee by Tuesday, June 18, 2019.

#C19-181: No funds for plastic water bottles | Motion by

That the following be adopted as amended:

That whereas bottled water is environmentally devastating, and

Whereas bottled water costs approximately 50 times more than city water, and Whereas Cambridge's water routinely exceeds health and safety standards, and Whereas the school district and the city have sought to reduce waste and encourage city water consumption over bottled water, and

Whereas the City Council passed an order recognizing this issue on January 28, 2019, be it ordered

That the district establish a policy that no district funds, unless necessary, may be used to purchase bottled water, and

That this policy be referred to the Superintendent for a report by the summer meeting, and

That this policy be communicated to all schools.

7. Superintendent’s Agenda:

7a. Superintendent's Update:
None
7b. Presentations:
None

7c. CPS District Plan:
None

7d. Consent Agenda:
#19-160 Recommendation: Day & Residential Program Services not Available From the Cambridge School Department
#19-161 Recommendation: Contract Award: ReadyNurse: Nursing Services
#19-162 Recommendation: Contract Award: All Star Staffing: Nursing Services
#19-163 Recommendation: Contract Award: Delta T Group: Contract Staffing Services
#19-164 Recommendation: Contract Award: Riverside Community Care: Special Education Services
#19-165 Recommendation: Contract Award: Hummingbird Transportation: Student Transportation Services
#19-166 Recommendation: Shore Educational Collaborative: Professional Development
#19-167 Recommendation: Contract Award: Illuminate Education: Software Maintenance
#19-168 Recommendation: Contract Award: PJ Systems d/b/a HiQ: Computer Hardware
#19-169 Recommendation: Contract Award: Apple Inc.: Computer Hardware
#19-170 Recommendation: Contract Award: Gifts/Miscellaneous Receipts
#19-171 Recommendation: Grant Award: Nellie Mae Education Foundation- Building Equity Bridges (SC20144)
#19-172 Recommendation: Grant Award: FY19 Small Change Big Impact/Hormel Foods (SC19160)
#19-173 Recommendation: Grant Award: Puerto Rico and USVI Hurricane Relief (SC19146)

8. Non-Consent Agenda:
None

9. School Committee Agenda (Policy Matters/Notifications/Requests for Information):
#19-174: Policy second reading | Motion by Member Dexter

That
Whereas the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School has undertaken an extensive process to examine and redesign its Attendance Violation Policy; and

Whereas data can be used for continuous improvement; Therefore, the Attendance Violation Policy will be amended per the attached document and corresponding revisions will be made to the Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, (second reading).

#19-175: Sugary Drinks | Motion by Member Dexter

That
Whereas supporting the Whole Child is one of the strategic goals of the Cambridge Public Schools; and

Whereas some CPS parents opt their children out of drinks served in CPS cafeterias that have high levels of natural or added sugar, but other parents do not know they have that option or do not realize that sugary drinks are served in CPS cafeterias; Therefore, the School Committee requests that the CPS Administration send beverage opt-out forms to all parents in their summer registration packets that inform parents that juices (though with no added sugar) and chocolate milk are served in CPS cafeterias and that they have the option to opt their child out of these beverages.

#19-176: Uniform Start and End Times for Schools | Joint Motion by Member Dexter, Member Fantini

Whereas out of school time (OST) programs provide invaluable learning experiences to CPS students; and

Whereas staggered arrival times impede the ability of OST programs to provide consistent, uninterrupted programming; and

Whereas CPS is currently considering changes to the start and end times of CPS elementary schools; and

Whereas the added cost of transportation for uniform school ending times would be more than matched by an increase in OST learning time; Therefore, the School Committee urges the administration to establish uniform start and end times for all elementary schools that are not Extended Learning Time schools; and To make provisions for all school buildings to be open to students beginning no later than 7:30 am.

#19-177: Revise discipline policy | Motion by Member NolanThat the School Committee congratulate the Super Seniors of CRLS class of 2019, in recognition of academic achievement for the top ten students and in recognition of the honor given twelve students chosen for their demonstration of living up to the motto Opportunity, Diversity, and Respect.
#19-178: Advanced Learners Teacher | Joint Motion by Member Nolan, Vice Chair Kelly, Member Fantini

That Whereas the district has a commitment to all learners; and
Whereas the position of lead teacher for advanced learners has not had stable leadership for some time; and

Whereas the district has been reviewing protocols to address advanced learners needs; and

Whereas at times circumstances are such that students' needs cannot be met in a classroom;That the School Committee request, before the next school year begins, a report on recruitment efforts for the position, on supports for learners, including existing statistics on existing plans, and future updates to procedures, policies and protocols, including changing the existing system of relying on parents and guardians to identify students, which is inherently inequitable, and to ensure transparency and clarity, and under what circumstances a student may advance a grade (C19-205).

#19-179: Comm. Sub-Comm Social Media Policy 2nd Reading | Motion by Member Bowman Approval of Revisions to Cambridge Public Schools Policy Regarding the Personal Use of Social Media by CPS Employees (second reading).
#19-180: Change Street Names | Joint Motion by Member Bowman, Mayor McGovern

That
Whereas the City of Cambridge adopted Policy Order POR 2019 #126 on April 8, 2019 that directed the City Manager to request City personnel to compile a full accounting of streets, schools, and public buildings that may be named in honor of those who have ties to the American slave trade, and to work towards renaming all of these streets, schools, and buildings as soon as possible; and

Whereas the research and renaming of school buildings will provide CPSD the opportunity to better understand how the legacy of the American slave trade is connected to our city's history; and

Whereas there is a possibility that multiple CPSD schools may be impacted by the policy order that would require district and city staff to rename school buildings; and

Whereas CPSD students and families should play an active role in determining the names of their schools; Therefore, be it resolved that the School Committee and Superintendent form committees with CPSD schools impacted by the research that emerges from the City Council policy order; Be it further resolved that each CPSD school impacted by the policy order must have diverse representation on their committee with a requirement to include families who are the descendants of or those who benefited from the institution of slavery.

10. Resolutions:
None

11. Announcements:
None

12. Late Orders:
None

13. Communications and Reports from City Officers: None
Updated on 05/04/2021