Good Afternoon Everyone,
I hope this Superintendent Update for June 2024 finds you and yours well. Despite a couple of hot days recently, everyone has managed take part or plan to take part in field days, field trips, outdoor learning and end-of-year concerts and graduations in our District Wide Preschool, Wire Village School (Grade 4), East Brookfield Elementary (Grade 6), Knox Trail Middle School (Grade 8), and High School…. Please take a moment to join me in recognizing and celebrating our young people, especially the Class of 2024. I am so proud of our graduating Class of 2024! As I indicated in my commencement speech to them, I have learned so much from them and with them over these past four years and deeply appreciate their humor, kindness and willingness to pay it forward with and for others...
Enrollment: As we approach the end of this school year, I am pleased to report that the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District proudly served more than 1,451 students.
Personnel Report: We are Hiring! All of our open positions are posted on SchoolSpring.com for the summer months and next school year.
Summer 2024 positions currently include but are not limited to: Summer Eats Food Services and Extended School Year paraprofessionals.
Positions for 2024-2025 include but are not limited to: History Teacher (High School); CTE Marketing Teacher (High School); Special Education Teachers (Elementary, Middle and High School); Art Teacher (Elementary); ELL Teacher (Districtwide); Title I Interventionists (Elementary and Middle School); and Paraprofessionals (Elementary, Middle School and High School).
To apply, please go to: http: www.schoolspring.com
Knox Trail Middle School Welcomes Mr. Sean McNiff as New Principal! I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Sean Woodard-McNiff as the new principal of Knox Trail Middle School, effective July 1. Mr. McNiff brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record of educational leadership, making him a valuable addition to the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District.
Mr. McNiff joins Knox Trail Middle School from Normandin Middle School in New Bedford, where he has served as principal since 2018. During his tenure, Mr. McNiff demonstrated steady leadership in curriculum development, student support initiatives, and community engagement. Under his guidance, Normandin Middle School expanded its curriculum offerings, introduced new support programs for students placed at-risk, and strengthened community relations through innovative programs and events.
Mr. McNiff's leadership improved the school’s overall ranking, particularly in the post-pandemic period. His focus on enhancing the school climate played a crucial role in these achievements, fostering a positive and inclusive environment that encouraged student engagement and academic success.
Before serving as principal for the past six years, Mr. Woodard-McNiff was the Upper School Principal at New Bedford High School. As part of that work, he supervised the curriculum and instructional work at the school, that saw significant increases in growth for Math and ELA, as well as the Advanced Placement departments that saw gains in offerings, participation and qualifying scores.
Throughout his career, Mr. McNiff has been committed to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment. He has led professional development programs for teachers, focusing on social and emotional learning, equity and inclusion, and innovative teaching strategies. His efforts have improved academic outcomes and created a supportive and collaborative atmosphere for students and staff alike.
"I am thrilled to join Knox Trail Middle School and work with such a dedicated community of educators, students, and families," said Mr. McNiff. "My goal is to inspire and lead the KTMS community to ensure that all students feel safe, supported, and prepared for their future endeavors. I look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place - by strengthening the partnership with both of our communities, Spencer and East Brookfield, MA.”
As the Superintendent of Schools, I am confident in Mr. McNiff's ability to lead Knox Trail Middle School. "Mr. McNiff's extensive experience and leadership in education make him the ideal candidate to guide Knox Trail Middle School moving forward. His commitment to student success and his innovative approach to education will benefit our entire regional school district’s learning community. I’d like to thank the members of the search committee, including administrators, teachers, parents, students and School Committee members for their time and due diligence.”
In his free time, Mr. McNiff enjoys spending time with his family and four children attending the myriad of activities that they are involved in, and traveling with them whenever possible. Mr. McNiff also enjoys jogging and catching up on the latest historical fiction novels.
MCAS Update: Our students continue to take MCAS. As mentioned last month, MCAS has been upgraded to better measure the critical skills students need for success in the 21st century: deeper understanding; knowledge application; synthesizing; and writing. Most students will take the test on a computer reflecting the digital world we live in today. MCAS helps the Commonwealth identify schools and districts that need additional support. The next-generation MCAS reports your child's scores in new categories that better show whether your child is meeting expectations in their grade level.
Next week, at the high school, students will continue to test in biology. Let’s work together and make your child’s experience a positive and successful one! We’ve been preparing at school. Here are some suggestions you can do to help everyday:
✔Ensure your child arrives at school on time.
✔Have your child eat a healthy breakfast at home or at school.
✔Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep.
✔Gentle encourage them to do their best.
✔And finally, take a quick moment to write an encouraging note to your child.
To learn more on steps you can take as parents/families, go to the MCAS Resources for Parents/Guardians website. Please continue to encourage your child to put forth their best effort as we work to conclude the MCAS season on a positive note.
Knox Trail Middle School Annual Memorial Day Program 2024! Knox Trail Middle School in Spencer, MA held its Annual Memorial Day Program on Friday, May 24th, featuring patriotic songs and readings and a bagpipe performance. To view the video of the Memorial Day performance, check out our YouTube Channel Video below.
David Prouty High School Band Earns Music Gold at Great East! Our David Prouty High School Band, under the direction of Mrs. Kelsey Forfa, performed beautifully this morning at the Great East Music Festival at the Mass Mutual Arena in Springfield, MA. As a result of their efforts, they brought home the "Gold Medal Performance" plaque for the David Prouty High School trophy case. Congratulations to Mrs. Forfa and the entire David Prouty High School Band on a job well done!
Knox Trail Middle School Wins Back-to-Back Gold at Middle East Festivals! Knox Trail Middle School earns a gold medal at the Great East Music Festivals in Springfield, MA… Back to back gold medal years! Our young performers could not be more psyched and proud!
Panther Athletics Spring 2024 Update! David Prouty High School and Knox Trail Middle School wrapped up the spring on high notes in Tennis, Outdoor Track and Field, Baseball and Softball. While the spring took some time take to shape due too many torrential downpours in April, the month of May made for some highly competitive meets on the track, on the field, games on the diamonds and on the courts. Congratulations to all of our student-athletes on finishing the spring strong! Way to #GoPanthers!
MSBA Update: The David Prouty High School “Addition/Renovation” Building Project continues to move forward. Within Module Seven: Construction! We are currently working on the raising of “C” Building, our new gymnasium as well as our preschool wing at this time. Our next School Building Committee meeting is planned for Thursday, June, 20th, 2024 at 6:00pm via zoom.
AlphaBest Update: AlphaBest will continue to provide services throughout the summer months for the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District. To learn more or to obtain summer information, please contact the Director of Programming, Mrs. Kimberly Jennings, at phone number: 781-664-8840 or by email at: kjennings@alphabest.org. Thank you.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024 As mentioned above, on Wednesday, May 29th, 2024, our entire learning community celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2024 by recognizing our graduates at an outdoor ceremony at Polar Park in Worcester, MA! Once again, please join me in congratulating our David Prouty HS Class of 2024!
To view the "Senior Class Slideshow," a production by Class Historians Eva, Bella, and Cam, click video below.
To view the David Prouty High School Graduation in its entirety, click the video below.
"Girls' on the Run” at Wire Village School! Help us cheer on our Wire Village “Girls on the Run” Team! Girls on the Run is a team of coaches and Grade 3 & 4 girls who all inspire to build confidence and make intentional decisions, while fostering care and compassion for self and others. The coaches use physical activity and dynamic discussions to build social, emotional & physical skills while encouraging healthy habits for life. The “Girls on the Run 5K” takes place at Polar Park on Sunday, June 2nd at 9:00am.
5K Event Details: Spring Season Celebratory 5K
Date: Sunday, June 2nd, 2024
Location: Polar Park, 100 Madison Street, Worcester, MA 01609
Time
8:00 a.m. - Girls on the Run Festivities (Happy Hair, Bling Your Bib, and MORE!)
9:00 a.m. - Girls on the Run 5K Start
As of today, the Wire Village School has over 25 girls looking forward to running the 5K at Polar Park on June 2nd. Please come on out on Sunday, June 2nd to cheer on our girls!!
Other Upcoming Events June 2024!
As you know, each month we have many exciting activities taking place throughout our learning community. This month, in the month of June, here are just a few things planned.
Event: Girls on the Run 5K at Polar Park (Sun, June 2)
Event: SEPAC Meeting via Zoom (Mon, June 3, 6:00pm)
Event: School Committee Meeting (Tues, June 11, 6:00pm)
Event: Knox Trail MS 8th Grade Graduation (Wed, June 12 at 5:00pm) @KTMS!
Event: Anticipated Last Day of School (Fri, June 14) *Half Day
Event: School Building Committee Meeting (Thurs, June 20, 6:00pm) via Zoom.
As always, I deeply appreciate your continued partnership and support of the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District. It has been an honor and privilege to serve you and your children this school year! #Innovate #Inspire #Achieve
Sincerely yours,
Paul S. Haughey, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools