Good Afternoon Everyone,
I hope this Superintendent Update for November 2024 finds you and yours well. This month I am asking everyone to celebrate the power of presence together! The Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District - in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) - is emphasizing the importance of attending school. DESE's "Power of Presence" initiative asks you to submit a creative piece of artwork, music, photography, videography, writing, etc. to express why you attend school. We hope to hear from everyone: pre-K to adult students, families, school staff, educators, and administrators!
Some examples include a short story about your school community, a painting of your favorite teacher, a photo of your classroom decorations, a video interview of your favorite teacher, a song you've been practicing for the school play, a testimonial about a new skill you learned - we are encouraging you to get creative!
DESE will choose one entry to be featured this spring, highlighting you and your school community! We can't wait to see what you create and what makes your presence so powerful. This opportunity is open to all students, school staff, educators, and families in Massachusetts public pre-K-12 schools and adult learning classes.
Deadline: December 20, 2024
To Submit:
Complete the Entry Form (with included Media Agreement language)
Attach your submission to the form.
Deadline is Friday, December 20th, by 11:59 p.m.
The creator of the entry that will be featured in the spring will be notified on or before January 10, 2025.
Share why you attend. Entry Form
Enrollment: Our enrollment as a regional school district has steadied. As of this morning, we have 1,435 students enrolled within our district. David Prouty High School has 308 students enrolled; Knox Trail Middle School has 419 students; Wire Village School has 429 students; and East Brookfield Elementary School has 255 students including 107 students enrolled for the "Cubs Corner" Preschool!
Personnel: We continue to post for a chemistry teacher and a history at David Prouty High School and for paraprofessionals to join our district. All other positions have been filled at this time.
Health/Wellness Update: Public school districts, including the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District, have requested over-the-counter rapid antigen COVID-19 self-tests free of charge from the federal government for their students, families, staff, and school communities. These self-tests are easy to use and can play an important role in containing the spread of the virus. Schools can use these tests, for example, to stock nurses’ offices and main offices with tests; to send test kits home with students or parents; or to distribute within their communities to put these valuable safeguards in the hands of students, parents, and staff who need them. There is no obligation to access these test kits for COVID-19, but in case anyone has a need, each nurse’s station at each school has been supplied accordingly. Stay healthy this holiday season!
AlphaBEST Leadership Change: Adriane DiPasquale, Regional Director, has left AlphaBEST. While Adriane’s departure comes at a busy time of year, we are fortunate that Kim Jennings Christopher, former Regional Director, has graciously stepped in to lead our MA and RI Managers. As you know, Kim is an experienced leader and a great partner to each of our Districts, and she and Adriane worked very closely together.
Kim’s role is interim, while we find a strong candidate for this position. That process has already begun and we hope to have news for you in the coming weeks. Should you need anything at all, please reach out to Kim at kchristopher@alphabest.org
Important Information Regarding the Early College Designation Process: Due to the high volume of Part A applications, DESE has extended the review process. We will not have a Part B session on November 5th. However, DESE will keep all applicants updated with a new timeline for all Part B Designation Sessions. David Prouty High School continues to work in partnership with the Early College team at DESE and DHE in hopes of moving forward with the designation process this academic year. More Early College Designation news to share soon.
The Early College team at DESE and I appreciate everyone’s patience as we work together through the designation process.
MSBA Update: The Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) is accepting entries until Friday, November 22 at 11:59 pm for the Building a Logo contest. Official contest rules and guidelines for distribution are within the attached Design and Release document and found on the MSBA’s Building a Logo webpage. The attached informational poster is provided should you wish to display it.
Please contact buildingalogo@massschoolbuildings.org with any questions, the MSBA looks forward to receiving your students’ entries.
The next meeting of the School Building Committee is planned for Thursday, November 21st, 2024 at 6:00 pm at the Wire Village School in Spencer, MA.
Congratulations to all of our athletic teams and extracurricular student-athletes on a productive fall 2024! We could not be more proud to see you out there competing in all kinds of conditions carrying on that Panther Pride in Football; Soccer (Boys & Girls); Cross Country (Boys & Girls); Golf; Cheerleading; and Marching Band! #GoPanthers
November 2024 Events: Finally, this month we have so many exciting activities taking place throughout our learning community.
Event: Election Day: Tuesday, November 5th, 2024.
Event: School Closed - Holiday: Veterans Day/Armistice Day (Mon, Nov 11)
Event: School Committee Meeting (Tue, Nov 12, 6:00 PM)
Event: American Education Week, (Mon, Nov 18 – Fri, Nov 22)
Event: School Building Committee Meeting (Thurs, Nov 21, 6:00 PM)
Event: Half Day of School (Wed, Nov 27, 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM)
Event: School Closed - Holiday: Thanksgiving Break (Thu, Nov 28 - Fri, Nov 29)
With so much happening in our learning community, it is easy to lose sight 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 Yours,
Paul S. Haughey, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District