Superintendent's Update

Friday, June 17, 2022

Thanks to all of our competitors, staff, families, and volunteers, who all helped to make the Titan Games a success and a reminder of the importance of inclusivity! 

(Traducción/Traduções/ ترجمة) 

Family Update: Friday, June 17, 2022

(Last Issue for the 2021-2022 School Year)

Table of Contents:

Superintendent’s Weekly Message - Thank You

2022-2023 Calendar - Final Calendar Approved

Welcome, Mr. Jonathon Bell - New Marion E. Zeh School Principal

Thank You to Our Retirees

Day of Service 

The Beat - June Issue

Titan Games a Success

Parent Webinar Series: Supporting Teenagers’ Well-Being

Food Services and the Cost of School Lunch

Dear Parent(s) and Guardian(s),

The conclusion of a school year provides many opportunities for reflection and insight into the culmination of growth. It is essential for all of us to take the time to appreciate the students’ achievements and encourage them to find pride in their accomplishments. Throughout the year, I truly enjoyed seeing our schools return to some sense of normalcy with open houses, concerts, athletic events, clubs, dances, graduations, and other key events. It is clear that students thrive on interactions, personal touch, and individual connections. On behalf of our school committees, I want to thank principals, faculty, staff, and parents who worked tirelessly to foster connections and build a sense of community for our students. 

Respectfully,

Gregory L. Martineau

Superintendent of Schools

2022-2023 Calendar - Final Calendar Approved

At the June 15, 2022, Combined School Committee Meeting, the committees amended the previously approved 2022-2023. The changes are:

1: No School: Tuesday, September 6, 2022 (Primary Elections)

2. No School for Students: Tuesday, May 9, 2023 (Shift Educator Professional Development Day from March 20, 2023 to May 9, 2023 (Local Elections))

The rationale for the change is to not have school in session during election days, as several schools are used as voting locations.

Final Approved Student Calendar - 2022-2023

Welcome Mr. Jonathon Bell -

New Marion E. Zeh Elementary School Principal

Dear Zeh Parent(s) and Guardian(s):

I am pleased to share that Mr. Jonathon (Jon) Bell has accepted the Marion E. Zeh Elementary School Principal position. Throughout the hiring process, it was evident that Mr. Bell possesses the ability to provide strong leadership through a collaborative and positive approach that inspires all to achieve. Mr. Bell brings nine years of experience as a building principal and eight years of teaching experience as a fourth-grade educator. 

Mr. Bell currently serves as the Principal of Douglas Elementary in Douglas, Massachusetts. Before serving as a principal in Douglas, he was the principal at Westview Elementary in Olathe, Kansas, where in 2016, his school was the recipient of the Kansas Challenge Award for making a notable difference in student achievement. Mr. Bell holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from MidAmerica Nazarene University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Emporia State University.

I want to thank the Zeh families for their engagement in the search process - the input was invaluable. Mr. Bell will begin his new role on July 1, 2022.

Thank You to Our Retirees

I want to acknowledge and thank The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough Retiring Staff of 2022. On behalf of The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough, I want to express my gratitude for their years of service to the students and wish them well in their future endeavors. 

 Retiring Staff 2021-2022 School Year



Northborough 

Teachers/Professional Staff:

Joanne Giancola is retiring as a Librarian from the Proctor School. Her years of service are 2001-2022.

Linda McCann is retiring as a Grade 2 Teacher from the Lincoln Street School. Her years of service are 2000-2022.

MaryEllen Remillard is retiring as a Librarian from the Zeh School. Her years of service are 1997-2022.

Educational Support Professionals/Administrative Assistants:

Margaret Butler is retiring as an ESP/Special Education Aide from the Melican Middle School. Her years of service are 2016-2022.

Karolyn Lanciault retired as an Administrative Assistant from the Melican Middle School. Her years of service are 1997-2021.

Custodial Staff:

Philip Gates is retiring as a Custodian at the Proctor School. His years of service are 2012-2022.

Southborough 

Teachers/Professional Staff:

Nancy Bauman is retiring as a Kindergarten Teacher from the Finn School. Her years of service are 1989-2022. 

Kim Bowker is retiring as a School Nurse from the Trottier Middle School. Her years of service are 2009-2022.

Barbara Johnson is retiring as an ELL Teacher from the Finn School. Her years of service are 2007-2022. 

Amy Reilly is retiring as a Science Teacher from the Trottier Middle School. Her years of service are 2004-2022. 

Educational Support Professionals:

Tammy Gleeson retired from the Finn School. Her years of service are 2003-2021.

Cheryl Pini is retiring from the Trottier Middle School. Her years of service are 1998-2022.

Custodial:

Edward Mercer retired from the Woodward School. His years of service are 2004-2021.

Northborough-Southborough Regional School District

Teachers/Professional Staff:

Ann Fuhrman is retiring as a Special Education Teacher from Algonquin Regional High School.   

Her years of service are 2014-2022.

Nancy Hart is retiring as a Mathematics Teacher from Algonquin Regional High School.   

Her years of service are 2008-2022.

Lisa Klockner is retiring as a Special Education Teacher from Algonquin Regional High School. Her years of service are 2010 -2022.

Margaret Perreault is retiring as a Mathematics Teacher from Algonquin Regional High School.  

Her years of service are 2004-2022.

Mary Ellen Wolfe is retiring as an Intervention Tutor from Algonquin Regional High School.  

Her years of service are 2016-2022.

Educational Support Professional:

Joan Buzzell is retiring from Algonquin Regional High School. Her years of service are 2000-2022.

Custodial Staff:

Mark Carey retired as a Custodian from Algonquin Regional High School.  

His years of service are 1996-2022.

Central Office Staff

Jean Pinto retired as a Transportation and Registration Assistant. Her years of service are 2015-2022.

Day of Service

The ARHS Student Council’s Service Committee organized its first-ever Day of Service on June 9, 2022. The group planned to send 91 students to various volunteer locations across Northborough and Southborough. The placements included placements at Finn, Proctor, Peaslee, Woodward, and Neary, both middle schools, the Northborough Free Library, and on-campus at Algonquin. The projects ranged from outdoor campus cleanup to volunteer help at the Titan Games (formerly the Algonquin games) to indoor help in classrooms with teachers. Unfortunately, due to rain, several of the placement locations that were solely based in the outdoors had to be canceled. Still, almost 40 students spent the first half of their day working in their community, doing a wide variety of projects, with many students returning to their old elementary school to see their former teachers and to provide help where needed.

Feedback from the staff at each of the placement locations includes:

• Proctor Principal Alana Cyr: “Proctor loved having the high school students help out today! Although we had to pivot from our outdoor project due to the rain, the students LOVED having the 'big kids' in their classrooms helping! They were tremendous role models. We hope to do this again next year. It was so awesome seeing former Proctor alumni."  
• Peaslee Principal Dr. Mary Coakley: "We loved having the students at Peaslee! They were a huge help!"
• Finn Principal Clayton Ryan: "Thank you so much for coordinating this and for making this happen. Sadie, Katie, Rebecca, Cameron, and Charlotte were unbelievably helpful, and our students were THRILLED to have "big kids" in their classrooms. They all completed four hours of service. I'd love to be able to continue this next year with a "mentor" or "Big Brother" kind of spin to it."
• Northborough Free Librarian Bonny Krantz: "I want to thank you and the student council for putting together today's Day of Service. The students that I hosted here at the library were fantastic! They did a great job completing the projects that I had for them and seemed to really enjoy the work! If this does become an annual event, I would love to host students again next year!"

Students that participated enjoyed the day. Their feedback included:

• “I loved it so much. I loved that I was able to work in my old classroom and then was able to help the students.” 
• “I had a great time working in a class of first graders!”
• “I loved the activities that I did. I was able to help out with a kindergarten class, and I thought it was a lot of fun to be with them and share their joy”
• “This service opportunity is something I'm super thankful I did. I hope that in the future, it can involve more people and happen a little bit more often because there is so much potential.”

The Beat - June 2022, Issue 7

Titan Games a Success

The Student Support Services Department held its annual Titan Games after a two-year reprieve.  It was an amazing day for our students and educators. Thanks to all of our competitors, staff, families, and volunteers, who all helped to make today’s Titan Games a success and a reminder of the importance of inclusivity! 

Sandy Hook Promise’s Say Something Program

Two years ago, the District launched the Sandy Hook Promise’s Say Something Program and an Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) grades 6-12. The Program teaches students, teachers, and administrators how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others to Say Something to a trusted adult OR use its anonymous reporting system. 

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is a holistic program combining education about the warning signs of potential violence or self-harm with the tools to report concerns safely. This is the only anonymous reporting system in the U.S. that provides training and a mobile app, website, and hotline – exclusively for schools. 

A National Crisis Center backs the Anonymous Reporting System and:  

• Operates 24/7/365 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
• Solely responding to messages (aka tips) received by the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System
• A dedicated team of highly skilled and trained Crisis Counselors
• Fluent in multiple languages with translation support for over 600 languages
• Trained in suicide prevention, crisis management, and mental health support
• Qualified professionals with backgrounds in psychology, social work, and education
• Directed by a former law enforcement official with 20+ years of experience in anonymous reporting systems 

Parent Webinar Series:

Supporting Teenagers’ Well-Being

WEBINAR 1: May 31, 2022

Mental Health, Suicidality and Supporting Our Children - recording  password: AX!7vjnG

Mental Health, Suicidality and Supporting Our Children - presentation slides

Mental Health, Suicidality and Supporting Our Children - resources

WEBINAR 2 - June 7, 2022

Cyber-Safety and Cyber-Bullying - recording  password: %PNS4!1=

Cyber-Safety and Cyber-Bullying - presentation slides

Cyber-Safety and Cyber-Bullying - resources

WEBINAR 3 - June 14, 2022

Promoting Wellness and Building Resilience - recording  password: Z62SO.cg

Promoting Wellness and Building Resilience - presentation slides    

Promoting Wellness and Building Resilience - resources

Food Services and the Cost of School Lunch

We have some important changes to our Food Services Program that will start at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.

Meals for 2022-2023 School Year

• Meals will no longer be FREE.  The USDA lifted the universal free meal program effective June 30, 2022.  
• Due to the increased cost of production and price of food, the School Committees in all 3 Districts supported a $.25 increase to all meal prices. 

Families in need of support

• Families in need of support are encouraged to apply to the Department of Transition Assistance (DTA). This will help families in need both inside and outside of school - https://dtaconnect.eohhs.mass.gov/
• If you are unsure of whether your family will qualify for support, please contact Project Bread hotline - 1-800-645-8333. They will help you with the application process. 
• If you do not qualify for support with the DTA, you are welcome to apply for Free or Reduced Lunch by following - Free and Reduced Lunch Applications
• 
  

Summer Meals

• The District does not provide summer meals. 
• Families in need of support this summer are encouraged to contact Project Bread hotline - 1-800-645-8333. They will connect with a variety of local summer food options.

MySchoolBucks Account

• Families are encouraged to create or update their MySchoolBucks account. Students need to maintain a positive balance on their account. Without a positive balance, students will be provided lunch up to three meals, after which a meal from home should be provided. A la Carte items or second meals are not allowed to be charged. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to pay the balance due and keep the accounts up to date.

We appreciate your participation in the program. Our Cafeteria Staff have worked hard throughout the Pandemic and we are looking forward to a restful summer and new school year. Should you have any questions, comments, or concerns - please feel free to contact:

Keith Lavoie - Assistant Superintendent of Operations - klavoie@nsboro.k12.ma.us

Dianne Cofer - Food Services Manager - Algonquin Regional High School - dcofer@nsboro.k12.ma.us

Kyle Parson - Food Services Manager - K-8 Northborough and Southborough - kparson@nsboro.k12.ma.us

Juneteenth Resources