001We also want to grow our high level students, those 30. We also want to make sure that those students, those 496 students are being successful, as well as growing our students that are 73. So, we do have plans for each of them, not just the ones that are um bubble or proficient. We also want to grow and stretch our advanced students, too. So, at the end, you'll notice there's some things that I will talk about in the presentation about how we're doing each one, but do you want to talk about it now? >> Okay. But >> I think also, Miss Tucker, it starts with um tier one instruction. And so one of the things that the board has really invested in is making sure we have high quality material. And so we've talked about that.
002We we're making sure that our kids are exposed to grade level material each and every day. We are right now the curriculum team along with the principles we're doing instructional walks and we are actually visiting classrooms math and ELA classrooms looking at what is happening in the classroom and we're adjusting how we support teachers based on what we see in their teaching and one of the biggest um learning for our principles has been the importance of making sure that planning is used wisely and teachers are internalizing ing the lesson because a lot of questions come when our when our instructors have not spent time wrestling with the content before they deliver with students. And so it starts with tier one instruction. The other piece is around schools are now um building their groups um in
003their small group instruction and their tutoring session. Again, MAP is one assessment we use. We also look at how students performed on so last year to form those groups. And so we have tutors coming in that are supporting kids, but we also small group instruction [clears throat] that happens during the regular day of ELA and mathematics. So that's how we're touching students. But the key is making sure that our kids are exposed to on grade level material each and every day and that we support our teachers and how to scaffold up the instruction to make sure students are successful. One additional question, where will after school's tuing start for our students? So, schools are right now organizing after school tutoring. They would love to start today, but we do know that we have to bring
004uh those that those those names to the board for approval. Um they are already organizing for after school tutoring and as well as Saturday and and they are also starting u before school tutoring as well. >> Perfect. Thank you so much. And I was just going to add a few more things just so we know. I think these were some of the questions that you were asking. So that you know that they are forming these targeted tutoring groups also coordinate with the um instructional they have tutors during instructional day. They're providing ongoing support and training for teachers how to use a lot of these material because some of the curricul curriculum is new. So, they still need additional supports in using that that's been provided and ensuring they're doing um teacher internalization with their lesson
005plans, ensuring that parents and students are aware of the MAP assessment and how to um use that and the teachers also making adjustments to small groups. They act and what's what I can tell you this year that I think they hadn't all did last year they're doing more of goal setting h sitting down with the students actually setting goals and say this was your map score and this is your projected score so when they take it again they can actually measure that so I know it wasn't it was new last year so some teachers did it this year I think it's being done more with fidelity in addition to that we have a lot of platforms where this map data feeds into there things that they can use at home I think I mentioned last
006year but this year we're doing it a lot earlier So we have like I excel those scores feed immediately into the program. It level sets them. Teachers don't have to input the data. It's uploaded. So it tells you that this is my um my individualized plan for this student and they can go home and still work on exale based on that MAP levels. So there's a lot of things that we're doing with the MAP assessment that students can still be supported at home, you know, while they're there. And you can also monitor their participation on these um apps or programs. Question. >> Any other questions? >> Miss Proctor, >> am I not a question but a comment? It seems like you are using the um the software, the programs that was mentioned earlier that you
007need to be using. You are using them. Yes. >> Yes. Regard and and like I said those I mean they can attest they really you can tell when they're doing data presentations they love it. It's it's right at their fingertips. You don't have to take as much time to do those calculations. It's it's all right there >> and they're using the resources that I think m Miss for me proctor's talking about because we are holding it tight. And so I'll just be very transparent that you know we had a walk last year and one of the things the state says was that people many times we saw in a school where people were reverting back to using whatever they wanted you know versus being held tight with the expectations but because we just purchased our
008new we actually have curriculum now for all the grade levels. Now one of the things the academics team is holding very tight and the principles are holding tight with implementation of that curricular resource is only as great good as it's utilized and that kids understand and that and teachers and staff are understanding it. So we are holding tight to that non-negotiable that you will imple utilize the curricular resource that is aligned to the so and we're coaching and supporting so that they can teachers can get familiar with and get more comfortable with implementing this new curricular resource. Um, so yes, they are using it and of course we want them to get better and better and better and we appreciate our teachers for embracing the new curricular resources, but it is a non-negoti. >> Yeah.
009And this is I don't think this is our school to say this, but we evaluate the superintendent and one of the um features that I noticed was stated by Mr. Brown earlier um that when teachers are kind of doing their own thing, they're pull you monitoring them and you're pulling them back to follow the the curriculum as as stated and that was part of what she was saying you were doing. So I felt that was really wonderful that for for the public I guess I'm saying it's rich. It's very rich that you are doing what you're supposed to be doing. >> Thank you. >> That's my last name. >> Um, is there a resource or is there a time where for the parents and the students that don't have access to computers? Is there a
010time where they can come and um with the parent or without the parent or is there a way that they can take their computers home to access these because I know that is a big thing too if the parents or the student don't have at home access. >> So they they they are allowed to take their Chromebooks home. So they can take them home. >> Yes. >> Um that's correct Mr. B school. So they're allowed to we ordered additional ones this last year. >> Right. Yes. So this this year they I've seen like I know middle school students they've all been issued Chromebooks >> and I can attest high school students too, right? >> Yes. Yes. >> Okay. So if there's an issue we need to know let my constituent know. >> Thank you. Thank
011you and let us know. >> Yeah. Cuz I I got a message that asked about that. >> And that's important because if you don't have those resources, you can't use them at home. We want to be equitable to all our students. So if there is an issue, >> please let us know. Perfect. Thank you. >> And I do have a question um from what Miss Tucker is asking also. If the student if the parent do we know or have we done a survey if the parent doesn't have if they do not have internet service at home? Are we do we still have the hotspots? >> And just clarification too and I answer that question. So 3 through 12 Miss Tucker takes them home. Okay. >> So that that might be that per the asking. So
012K through 12 do have them available in the classroom. So maybe that constituent is asking about a K through um two sorry K through two student but 3 through 12 take them home K2 use them in the classroom. So perhaps that's maybe the question coming from your constituent just for clarification. Thank you Miss Jes for that. And then your question um chair preacher was around the hotspots. Correct. >> Yes. Do we still have the hotspots that we used to have during co? >> Yes we have a limited number of hotspots. >> Are parents able to check them out? >> Yes. Um students parents can check them out. they probably are not aware of that. We try to accommodate our homebound and homebased students first, >> right? >> And then whatever we have left, um we
013do have a budget liable, but we do provide hotspots. >> We the district has about 75. >> Okay. And I think the last thing, parents can still access all of these platforms through their cell phone. So even if you travel and you just want to take your cell phone, kids can access the apps through cell phones as well. And so that that's another avenue. But if there is a parent that does not have a laptop and their school is not bringing it home, please reach out to the principal and we'll make sure that it's arranged. >> So Mr. and um team if you all could also answer because I know that second grade we administer second grade for um um what we administer we have third through 12th grade but we know that our second
014graders take math and so one of the questions is from the community is that why are we not sending home 12 for second graders and so what is the is there a plan for us to provide second grade can they check them out I know that they're available in the classroom but I know that we had conversations around our smallest our youngest learners being on the computers But just wonder if you all can speak to that. >> So we do 3 through 12 for so because those are so grades. We are still one to one and so second grade students can take their devices home if they would like. They have them in the classroom and they can check them out. We can assign them to second grades as needed. Thank you. Appreciate it. And
015then the last piece I want to remind our families that we um that as a division for our high quality materials we purchase consumables. So kids we are trying to get our kids to write as well. So sometime you may not see a computer coming home but you will see you should see activities where we're asking kids to write and actually show their thinking and writing because one of the skills we're trying to build up is writing with our students. But we do have consumables um in the classroom. It's more [clears throat] of a blended learning model, not having kids solely on computers. Kids should be also be using our curricular resources as well cuz screen time, we talked about it as a team that we want to look at screen time, especially for our
016youngest learners because they will as they get older in the grade levels that they're tested by the state on the computer, everything is done. And so our youngest learners don't necessarily have to always be on a computer, especially kindergarten, first and second, because that's how you learn to write and form letters and learn how to do exactly what Mr. Brown said. And if you're on a computer or on a phone, those are skills that we're trying to build up because the foundation as you heard with athletics, the same thing in in academics is the foundation starts in our youngest learners, kindergarten, first and second. Thank you. >> Appreciate it. Thank you, Dr. Jackson. Great. >> Thank you. >> Okay. [applause] >> Okay. Next, we move to our public comment period. Public comment period. Comments are
017encouraged during the public comment period. No person may speak on an issue for more than three for more than three minutes. Please give your name, address, and or your award number. Brandon B. Good evening. Um, my name is Brandon Bell. Um, um, I live in 259 Port Avenue, Petersburg, Virginia. And I'm a graduate of Petersburg High School, 2024 graduate and Richard Bland Community College. And even though not for this semester, but I am enrolled in Christopher Newport University and I came here to talk about this program that I'm in currently enrolled in during my absence away from school. This program is called engage and this program it offers free first okay it offers free education concerning blueco collar jobs for any ages. This includes gas, electrical and construction. Honestly, I'm going to graduate this program
018this Friday. I plan on um speaking there as well. Thank you. But during this program, I was able to receive a OSHA 10 license, an OSHA 30 license, and just basic fundamentals in gas, electrical, and construction work. And I just believe I'm here today to let everyone know for the students, those who are after me, for this wonderful opportunity because just yesterday I took the test. I passed it for my wish of 30. [applause] I passed it and it was completely free of charge. The only thing I had to do there was show up and engage. >> Wow. So, honestly, as you can see, I'm nervous, but you know, I would not be here if I didn't truly believe that it was a great opportunity for the students. Um and [clears throat] >> got >>
019um I came to ask if is it possible to um a question for you all. Is it possible to have a list of the alumni or soon to be graduates of the school to help pipeline them if they don't plan on going to college or have any like immediate plans to better themselves early as early as possible? [applause] >> I have a question for you, Brandon. Yes, sir. >> Let's say it's 11 12th graders. They're already here. They do not have to be a student at Richland to actually take the >> No, sir. Anyone honestly during the in the program that I'm in at this moment, there's people this the oldest person there is 43. So, it's truly for anyone and it is a great experience. >> Okay. And so, who would who would we
020contact? The website is engage e n g a g- e c p i.com and the main the head dude there his name is Charles. I apologize. Um but if you need more um I can most definitely give you his contact information if you give me one second please. His contact information is 773 33 32 93 87 >> Mr. Brown. I have that information for you all and for Thank you. >> We appreciate it, sir. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Congratulations. and thank you for representing Petersburg. >> That's right. Go away. Congratulations. [applause] I'm very proud of you. Keep it up. >> Okay, next we'll move to our action items. This should not take long. I see you have four board members. [laughter] One more. You can't move to 6A board members. Um um 68. We
021are in need of a work session before we go to the um BSBA conference on the 19th. We will need to have a work session at 5:00 PM and we'll be here at Petersburg High School. We also need a close session, a quick close session at 4:00 also. It should not be that much on there, but we'll need a close session. So, we just need a motion from a board member that we conduct a board work session a work session on November the 18th at 5:5 p.m. >> So move, Mr. Chair. >> Second, Miss Tucker. All in favor? I >> oppose. Motion carries. Thank you all, Miss Brown. 6B. >> Thank you, boys. [snorts] pre school board members. Um, it is the superintendent's recommendation that the school board approve the description of the new truency
022supervisor as provided. >> Any questions? >> Is there a motion to accept the superintendent's recommendation? >> So moved by Miss Tucker. Miss Tucker, is there a second? Second, Mr. Davis. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries 6C. >> Okay. Thank you. It is the superintendent's recommendation that the school board approve the BCPS slot commitment form. If you could pull that up for the academic year 2027 at the Maggie L. Walker Governor's School as provided. And as you can see, we will be adding two additional um two additional slots for students at Maggie Walker, which will take our total requested for school year academic year 2027 to 14. So again, it is the superintendent's recommendation. The school board approved the the school board approved the new slot commitment form for academic year 2027 at Maggie Walker
023Megan L. Walker Governor School as provided and the request we will put in the request that will come from local. We will ask city council to fund the two positions. Okay. You've heard the superintendent's recommendation. Is there a motion to accept? >> So move Mr. Chair moved by Mr. Davis. Is there a second? >> Mrs. Proctor. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. D. >> Thank you, board. Members, it is the superintendent's recommendation that the school board approved the athletic trainer agreement contract with the addition of the requested date um information number information included within the actual request itself as provided. >> Thank you. Any questions? Is there a motion to accept the recommendation? >> So moved by Mrs. Tucker. Is there a second? Second, Mr. Dance. All in favor? I >> I oppose. Motion
024carries. >> E. >> Thank you, Vid. School board members. It is the superintendent's recommendation that the school board approved the field trips for PHS, which is to Churchland school in Port Smith, Virginia on 126, 126, and 7th of 2025. the city of Palms Classics Classic in Fort Meyers, Florida on 1217 20 1217 through the 23rd of 2025, excuse me. Field trip to Turning Turner Ashby High School in Bridgewater, Virginia on um through the 20th of 2025. Sorry, the way it's written here is a little confusing, so bear with me. Then BR and then the field center Brolton Brton High School. um in Raleigh, North Carolina on 1226 through 1229 and 2025. The field trip to Salem Convention Center in Royal Oak, Virginia on 219 through 22 21 2026. And then Liberty University in Royal Oak,
025Virginia on 32 to 33 of 2026. The Virginia Beach Sports Center on 320 to 321 of 2026, and the VHSL outdoor track championship in Liberty at Liberty University on 65-6 of 2026. Just want to call the attention to the board that these are a lot of field trips. And if you remember last year, you all often were very gracious in doing a special call meeting because oftent times we and I'm talking about me and our team through um that is included. So everybody the schools often were receiving our field trip forms um at a delayed rate and so this year we want to get them in as quickly as possible so that we don't have to scurry and add them at the last minute. So, thank you all board members for your patience as we
026try to bring them forward um quickly so that we can plan in advance. And so, again, it is the superintendent's recommendation that the school board approve all the field trips listed as provided. >> You've heard the superintendent's recommendation. Is there a motion to accept? >> So, moved by Mrs. Proctor. Is there a second? Second, Mr. Dance. All in favor? I oppose. Motion carries. Okay, next we'll move to our proclamations. Mrs. Brown, FGH. >> Perfect. Thank you, board chair Richard. We'll start with the first one. Our proclamation of National School Lunch Week, which was October 13th to October 17th. It is the superintendent's recommendation the school board approved the proclamation of National School Lunch Week that was previously in October 13th through October 17th. Our next proclamation is our proclamation of National [clears throat and cough]
027Safety Week which occurred October 20th to October 24th of 2025. And so it is the superintendent's recommendation that the school board approve the proclamation of National School Bus Safety Week that we celebrated on October 20th through October 20 24th to 2025 as provided. And our final and our third proclamation was our red ribbon week that we celebrated which was October 23rd to October 31st, 2025. And it is the superintendent's recommendation that the school board approve the proclamation of Red Ribbon Week, which was celebrated on October 23rd to October 31st, 2025, as provided. And our final proclamation of this evening is the proclamation of American Education Week that is coming up on November 17th through November 21st, 2025. And therefore, it is the superintendent's recommendation that the school board approve the proclamation for American Education Week
028on November 17th through November 21st, 2025 as provided. >> Thank you, Mr. Brand. You've heard the recommendations for the proclamations FGH and I. Is there a motion to accept? >> Mr. Chair, I move to accept. >> Thank you, Mr. D. Moved by Mr. Dan. Is there a second? >> Second, >> Mrs. Pro Mrs. Tucker. All in favor? I opposed. [snorts] Motion carries. Thank you. Next, we'll move to our information item. Miss Brown. >> Thank you. I have my superintendent's report and I want to thank um some team members who are here tonight. It was a little bit longer. We are going to look at where we award certain things earlier on so that you can have the most of your night. So, I just want to thank the team that we're about to recognize, but
029I'll start my superintendent report this evening. Next slide, please. With a congratulations to Westview Early Childhood Education Center on their quality rating. Westview Early Childhood Education Center successfully met Virginia's quality expectations for early childhood programs through the Virginia Quality Birth to Five VQB5 system. I can tell you firsthand as I attended the Virginia Association of School Superintendent Conference, one of the things the state got up and they started to ask all of us that that were awarded this quality rating to please stand and be recognized. So, I just want to congratulate Westview Early Childhood Center for their quality rating, Virginia Quality Birth to Five for the Early Learning Center. [applause] Thank you. Next slide. I just want to also highlight and thank the wonderful team here in Petersburg City Public Schools led by Mr. Yamas
030as we celebrated our Hispanic Heritage Month. It was a wonderful event. I was in there, but the team was was definitely um representing for Petersburg. So last week, our language instruction and education program, which is the LIE department, organized our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, which took place from September 15th to October 15th, 2025 in a Hispanic and Latino Heritage Fiesta. Participants enjoyed traditional performances, food, and dancing. And those are some of the pictures that were able to show, and it just shows our community of our Hispanic and Latino learners and families that they are appreciated. and we are excited to have them here in Petersburg City Public Schools. So again, thank you and we hope you had a wonderful Hispanic Heritage Month. [applause] Thank you. Next slide. I also want to recognize our disability our
031PCPS um disability awareness month. So last week our special education department recognized disability awareness month which to takes place annually in the month of October with a family movie night. So during the event, PCBs celebrated our diverse community and promoted inclusivity and everyone had a great time. As you can see, popcorn and cotton candy seems to be the favorite food of the week for our students and our families. So congratulations and we hope you had a wonderful disability awareness month. [applause] All right, just a quick update. our PCPS 5year strategic plan steering committee. Um, as you all know, as a part of the plan as we build our five-year strategic plan, one of the major suggestions that you've seen across the country is that there is a five-year strategic plan steering committee. And so, they
032will tenatively meet on the second week of November of this month for two consecutive days. and their role is to analyze all of the focus group feedback data that we got in our small group sessions to take a look and analyze all the survey results that we've gotten and to begin to formulate our initial division mission vision and strategic priorities. And I want to highlight that our vision is pretty much set. So it'll be just reviewing there may not be changes but there will be our mission our vision and strategic priorities will be finalized during this conversation and during these meetings. Um for our second piece, we want to ask this after this evening. I want to ask our schoolboard members if you want if you could please provide input on the appointment of four
033community members and two board members who could serve on the steering committee if you all would like. And so this opportunity will be two days uh two full days as a time commitment. And so you all can decide if you want to do four community members, if you don't want to do two board members. We just wanted to provide you with options for providing additional feedback. And so um at this moment it's just to give the information. It is not a requirement. It is just a suggestion and just an offer if you want to include board members if you don't because you all this is your plan. This is our plan anyway. So if you want to just allow for community members, we can give names. We can extend the invitation just so you can
034provide it if you want. Does it have to be four Dr. Gay? It can be two. It can be you all can we can decide. We just wanted to give you just high low. If you don't want that, we just love feedback. What's the best way to move and you all can make the suggestion and we can move forward because that is two full days of commit. >> Correct. So board members would you agree? I know it's a lot but for we would just use the community members because I know this is going to come back to us and we don't have a lot of discussion. So you want to do the four members or six members? Are you okay with four? >> Four sounds good to me. Okay. So can each one of us
035pick a member? And when when do you need when you need the information >> as soon as possible? >> No later than Friday. Today >> Friday would be perfect. Friday if one member community member >> get the information to Dr. Gay by Friday. You need the name and phone number and email or just name phone number. >> Name, phone number, email if if possible. Just two. >> As long as you have the number, you're good to go. >> Okay. Okay. We will do the four of us. One person, one person. Okay. >> Thank you so very much. Okay. Thank you. Next slide, please. And so now, thank you again, as I said, to who we're going to recognize. We're going to look at doing them at the beginning of the board meeting so that they
036can have the rest of their evening. But I do want to thank our team for staying. So, as you all know, we are focused on our goal. One of the goals for our board goals is to reduce the percentage of students who are chronically absent city public schools by 3%. And so we are now going to be acknowledging as a part of our bigger plan acknowledging the school that had the greatest decrease for that month in chronic absenteeism. And so this is a traveling award. And so the goal is for the schools to be really really focused on chronic absenteeism and we want to recognize them in front of everyone and then they will be awarded a traveling trophy. And so if the same school gets it every month, this the the trophy will stay.
037If another school gets it, it'll travel to that school with at the end of the year, the school that has it the most and has decreased it the most will keep the children for the 25 26 school year. And so next slide, I just want to reiterate that the criteria is the school aims to reduce their product absenteeism rate by 3% each month in comparison to the corresponding month's rate in the school year 2425 because that's what we're comparing it to. So again, if a school is able to reduce 3% each month, what it should say is that at the end of the year, we should as a school division be able to reach our goal. And so with that, the school that has the highest reduction in chronic absenteeism each month from the corresponding
038month from last year, which is the chart that you saw, their rate will be they will be awarded the PCPS [music] monthly chronic absenteeism trophy. Great. >> And so I would ask the entire board to join me in a drum roll. Dr. the mic. I'd like to bring some board to show the um trophy verse that you were able to pick out before me. So if you can bring the trophy and on the trophy this is a trophy that we have made for so that they can display it proudly in the front of their school. So when parents come in so if you can see it references our chronic absenteeism goal and that is the trophy that will travel um to and it'll be awarded to the school. So I think it's very nice and
039it shows how very important this goal is. So again, I drum roll. And the winner is congratulations [music] to Alicia Fields and the entire Peter Bird High School team for having the highest input. [applause] [applause] We want to we want to your attention to the slide that shows the Petersburg High School. They were at 48% of their students were chronically absent this time last year during the 2425 school year. And for this month, for the the same point in time, 34% of students were chronically absent. Chronically absent. So that is a great decrease from last year to this year. And so congratulations. [applause] Good evening chairman and vice chair, school board members and superintendent and all that are summer and who are listening. I have part of my attendance team. I want you all to
040come up because it's a team effort [applause] that we do. And you know when students miss school, they miss out. So we going to continue to uh elim eliminate those barriers and continue to encourage our students and families to come to school. So I have Miss Katrina Walker, our tennis clerk here. >> Yes. All right. Miss Glenn, [applause] and associate principal, Miss Riddick. So we're just so excited because it's a lot of hard work, but we're going to continue the hard work. And that trophy will stay >> at [laughter] High School. That's right. And so thank you so much. Before [applause] we give you the trophy, we have a video that we want everybody to see before we hand you the trophy and take pictures with the board. So, if we could click, we created
041the communications department created a video to show everyone our focus on chronic absenteeism in Petersburg. >> Every [clears throat] school wants it. A symbol of pride, commitment, and showing up. They've heard [clears throat] the rumors. They've seen the prize. And now the chase begins. [music] [music] This isn't just about trophy. It's about every day because of [music] this vision. Showing up means stepping up. Who will take you first? >> Petersburg High School. [applause] >> How about we come to the center? >> Mr. Brown, >> Dr. Manson. Anyone want to