Michelle Amato

The meeting agenda included a welcome and sign-in session, followed by the review and approval of the April 21st, 2025, and May 19th, 2025, minutes. Key discussion items involved updates from the Superintendent, Kelly McGuire, focusing on the progress developing DCEP goals using a slide deck. Additionally, William J. Doyle presented updates on the DSFP, referencing several template documents. The final segment addressed announcements related to constituent groups, including Parent Leaders, UFT District Leader, CSA District Leader, DC37 District Leader, and the District 2 Family Support Coordinator, concluding with setting the DLT dates for the 2025-2026 period.

The meeting agenda included a superintendent's report with an update on school spotlights, specifically mentioning a visit to 75 Morton focusing on school climate, culture, and peer mediation, and noting an upcoming visit to Lab Middle School. There was discussion regarding the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program acceptance at Clinton School. Updates were provided on parent and family engagement workshops, including the initial "NYC Reads" workshop and plans for future sessions focused on assessment and curriculum. A significant portion of the meeting involved reviewing and discussing the District Parent and Family Engagement Policy (DCEEP), including its structure, goals built around the Chancellor's priorities, and progress monitoring using various screeners (Acadians, MAP, iReady). Discussions also covered the distinction between DCEEP progress checks and publicly posted School-based CEP progress reports. Finally, updates were provided by parent representatives regarding upcoming CEC and PEP meetings, capital requests, DC 37 activities like member orientations and staffing needs (School Food/Crossing Guards), and changes to retirement system enrollment for new hires.

The meeting began with an introduction from the Council President, Anthony Taylor, who detailed his extensive involvement with PS188 and his goals for increased PTA participation. The agenda included a review and initial discussion on the September meeting minutes, with the June minutes being tabled per a member's request. District updates covered the expansion of Ballet Tech, a school food visit with Assemblymember Harvey Epstein focusing on vegan/vegetarian options and recycling initiatives, and alignment between Chancellor's statements and school-level communications. Focused work involved district visits to special education classes (autism spectrum disorder classrooms) to better support teachers and paraprofessionals, and a deep dive into Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) using data from academic screeners, aiming for 80% proficiency in reading and math and a 10% increase for historically disproportionate subgroups. Culture and Climate discussions highlighted a reduction in overall suspensions, although disproportionality among Black and Hispanic students with IEPs remains a focus. School Survey data indicated high student safety but noted a belongingness gap, especially for Black female students. Next steps involve sustaining positive shifts by prioritizing high-quality Tier 1 curriculum implementation (Wit & Wisdom, Illustrative Mathematics) and embedding Social-Emotional Learning throughout the day. Administrative updates covered reviewing and potentially modifying the District Comprehensive Education Plan (DCEP) based on central stakeholder feedback, reviewing the District Family, Parent and Family Engagement Policy (DPFEP), and confirming requirements for the Commissioner's Regulation 100.11 plan for shared decision making.

The meeting included reports from constituency representatives. Discussions covered upcoming reports on contracts for excellence and upcoming elections for parent groups. A significant portion of the meeting involved updates on DC-37 activities, including site visits and new hire orientations. Operational updates included the completion of school-based options voting and discussions regarding teacher transfers via the open market system. A survey indicating a vote of no confidence in the administration of one school was noted. Further discussions centered on developing DCEEP goals around five chancellor priorities plus improving attendance, noting that chronic absenteeism remains high. Key strategies discussed included strengthening core curricula, developing intervention and enrichment programs (such as 'Win Periods'), and strengthening data-based decision making. Data related to disciplinary actions, showing disproportionality for Black students and students with disabilities, was shared. Updates were provided on Summer Rising projections, retirements among Board members, and interim principal appointments for several schools. Finally, attendees discussed planning for future DLT meeting schedules and potential enhancements to mathematics education, including a district-wide Math Olympiad and exploration of adding geometry to the middle school program.

The meeting included reports from various representatives. Pamela Rodriguez reported on conducting a new member orientation for DC 37 staff on November 7th and site meetings with principals. She also announced hiring efforts for school lunch helpers. Craig Slutzkin discussed the CEC meeting, focusing on the Office of Food and Nutrition presentation and planning workshops for parents regarding the Wit and Wisdom curriculum, which will be supported by a district-wide questionnaire. Jung Min Lee reported on the Manhattan High Schools President's Council meeting, college fair activities, and the successful transformation and increased enrollment/AP participation at their high school due to motivated parent engagement. Kelly McGuire reported on district highlights, including Blue Ribbon School awards, a Principal Terrell Bell award, upcoming spotlight visits, parent engagement initiatives at PS 212, PS 3's partnership with the Whitney Museum, and the Salk School of Science winning the Realm Award for their literary magazine. She also detailed plans to support families with the Wit and Wisdom curriculum through informational materials and workshops, alongside walkthroughs across all District 2 schools to gauge curriculum implementation fidelity for both literacy and math (NYC Solves initiative). Finally, the group reviewed the District Parent and Family Engagement Policy and the District Comprehensive Improvement Plan (DCIP), which outlines strategies aligned with the Chancellor's 5 priorities.