Good Morning Everyone,
I hope this Superintendent Update for November 2023 finds you and yours well.
Enrollment: Our enrollment as a regional school district has steadied. As of this morning, we have 1432 students enrolled within our district. David Prouty High School has 328 students enrolled; Knox Trail Middle School has 386 students; Wire Village School has 448 students; and East Brookfield Elementary School has 247 students including 107 students enrolled for the "Cubs Corner" Preschool!
Personnel: We continue to post for a special education teacher at Knox Trail Middle School and for paraprofessionals to join our district. All other positions have been filled at this time.
Leadership Changes: On Friday, November 3rd, Mrs. Fasoli resigned her position at Knox Trail MS. As a result, Mr. Ron Tomlin has agreed to assume the role of Principal for Knox Trail Middle School. Mrs. Manske, Director of Preschool/Early Education and Care, will be looking after East Brookfield Elementary School temporarily with Mr. Tomlin while we post the position of “Lead Teacher” for the remainder of the school year. Once a suitable candidate has been identified for the “Lead Teacher” role and responsibilities at East Brookfield Elementary, I will update the community-at-large further. More to come.
Chronic Absenteeism: At the meeting of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on October 24, 2023, Commissioner Jeffrey C Riley provided a comprehensive update on the pressing issue of chronic absenteeism affecting students across the Commonwealth and highlighted the importance of attending school regularly, not only to better support students’ academic growth and social-emotional development, but also to provide access to important resources. The Chronic Absenteeism Recovery Initiative is DESE’s commitment and call to action to support schools and districts in their efforts to mitigate this ongoing crisis. To facilitate this effort, DESE has allocated approximately $4 million of its remaining discretionary ESSER funds. Participating entities, including the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District, will receive $10,000 with the expectation that additional contributions from local resources will be utilized to further support and enhance this critical effort.
Early College Update: Earlier this month, the district received word that we were not awarded the Early College Designation by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. However, the Early College Team came out to David Prouty High School on Halloween; met with district and building leadership, as well as faculty, staff, students and college representatives from Worcester State to see our Early College efforts, to date; and where we need to go moving forward as a district and high school. Prior to this in-person meeting with DESE’s Early College team and various key stakeholders, my office received the following correspondence from Governor Healey’s office that our district was awarded an Early College planning grant to support us in the work ahead.
Innovation Career Pathway (Manufacturing): On Friday, October 26th, 2023, the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District also submitted our Part A Application so we may be considered for an Innovation Career Pathway in manufacturing with FLEXcon and Worcester Envelope as our industry partners and the Blackstone Valley Ed Hub and Central MassHire as our community partners. We have had a handful of students approach us about entering the workforce and establishing themselves with a career interest in advanced manufacturing. As such, we have continued to cultivate and strengthen our community and industry partnerships so our students are not only college ready, but career and life ready post-graduation.
Wild Bill Swim Update: We are extremely excited to partner with Wild Bill Swimming this school year for all of our students in grade three. As of this moment, we are tentatively planning to have swim lessons offered to every third-grade student at East Brookfield Elementary School and Wire Village School at the YMCA in Southbridge in March of 2024.
The swim program will be offered on Tuesday & Friday each week throughout the month. The program will provide water safety coursework as well as swim lessons in the pool. Right now, the YMCA has planned for multiple groups in the pool at a time; each group having approximately 5-7 children each. Water safety lessons will take place in the upstairs gym and led by another Y instructor at the same time. A mix of water safety talk and games.
Lunch will be provided by the school district and can be eaten in the gym after swim lessons, but must be cleaned up by the children.
School Staffing: Each locker room will have two adults (teacher or volunteer student/parent).
- Pool deck: There will be one teacher on deck at all times engaging in what is being taught and helping with any behavioral issues based on an indicator by the instructor.
- Gym: the YMCA will have one instructor dedicated to this activity. The school will provide more supervision to facilitate. Student volunteers from the high school are welcome to support the water safety and activities accordingly.
Releases will be needed. Kathleen Russell, YMCA General Manager, will send over the YMCA release for us to share with you as parents/families of our student soon. This release will include media/photo consents, which will also need to be signed in addition to the one the school puts out. *Media/photos are allowed.
So, parents/families can prepare: In January, two questionnaires will be shared. The first one is for the parents/family members and the second will be for the children. The YMCA needs these questionnaires back before February break so they may organize the program so it includes water safety coursework, fun/games as well as the lessons in the pool. These questionnaires parent and student self-evaluation of the children's swimming level so they can preset and organize the groups.
The Wild Bill Swim program is free of charge and for all our students in the third grade. For safety reasons, all students are asked to be on their best behavior; remain alert and engaged when on the deck of the pool for each lesson. Thank you so much to everyone involved in this important water safety program, especially Jenn Yorkzk Triger of Wild Bill Swim and the YMCA of Southbridge. As we get further along in the school year, more information will be made available. In the interim, to learn more about Wild Bill Swim Challenge, go to: https://www.wildbillswim.org
MSBA Update: As was mentioned at our November 2nd, 2023 School Building Committee meeting, on October 25th, I received confirmation from the Massachusetts School Building Authority that we are in line to receive a supplemental grant to address the stresses and strains from unforeseen increases in inflation that occurred with our building project - after we had executed the Project Funding Agreement for our David Prouty High School Building Project. Below is the exact correspondence received outlining the work ahead for our School Building Committee and regional school district moving forward - so we build a high school facility our communities-at-large and regional school district can be proud of….
Please join me in thanking the Massachusetts legislature and the Massachusetts School Building Authority in providing this supplemental grant to us.
Inclement Weather Notifications: As noted in our 2023-2024 school calendar, we will have traditional snow days this year. Safety considerations, and uniform access to electricity/internet during the school day, make snow days an important part of successfully navigating the school year. Calling snow days in New England is a difficult task. As the Superintendent of Schools, I have a unique opportunity to evaluate conditions in real time, as well as consult with the National Weather Service, Department of Public Works, local Emergency Management officials, and neighboring towns. My decision regarding delaying, closing, or releasing schools early always has been and always will be based upon “safety first” for everyone within our learning community. If you have not already done so please put a plan in place for the safe care and/or receipt of your child in the event that a weather-related delay, closing, or release is necessary.
The Best Way to be Notified! The Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District uses our App and website services are our primary means for delivering the most up-to-date information to your cell phones with our notification feature. To get the App, you can go to the Apple Store or Google Play Store and search for “SEBRSD” then download the App to your phone.
I will do my best to let you know the night prior, but not later than 5:30 a.m. on the day in question. Further, notifications will be placed on our website, Facebook page, and Twitter Account for the district well as Channel 4 (WBZ), Channel 5 (WCVB), Channel 7 (WHDH), and Channel 25 (FOX).
November Events: Finally, this month we have so many exciting activities taking place throughout our learning community.
- Event: School Building Committee Meeting (Thurs, Nov 2, 6:00pm)
- Event: SEPAC Meeting - Basic Rights Workshop on Understanding the IEP (Mon, Nov 6, 6:00pm)
- Event: School Closed - Holiday: Veterans Day/Armistice Day (Fri, Nov 10)
- Event: School Closed – Professional Development (Mon, Nov 13)
- Event: School Committee Meeting (Tue, Nov 14, 6:00 PM)
- Event: American Education Week, (Tues, Nov 14 – Fri, Nov 17)
- Event: Cubs Corner Parent/Family Workshop (Wed, Nov 15, 7:00 PM)
- Event: " Meet the Coaches" Night! (Wed, Nov 15, 7:00 PM)
- Event: School Building Finance Sub Committee Meeting (Thurs, Nov 16, 6:00 PM)
- Event: Half Day of School (Wed, Nov 22, 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM)
- Event: School Closed - Holiday: Thanksgiving Break (Thu, Nov 23 - Fri, Nov 24)
With so much happening in our learning community, it is so easy to lose sight of all of the wonderful things happening around us. With that said, from our family to yours, please take time to recognize and celebrate our Veterans this month as well as time with family and friends - safely - this Thanksgiving! I remain truly grateful to the members of this community for demonstrating kindness, compassion, and decency throughout the fall season. Your partnership and support of the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District is deeply appreciated. #Innovate #Inspire #Achieve
Sincerely,
Paul S. Haughey, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District