Good Afternoon Everyone,
I hope this Superintendent Update for September 2024 finds you and yours well. As you are aware, throughout September 2024 we have a number of events taking place within the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District. This month I wanted to take a moment to highlight a few key pieces of information for the public.
Enrollment: Our enrollment as a regional school district has steadied. As this morning, we have 1445 students enrolled within our district. David Prouty High School has 310 students enrolled; Knox Trail Middle School has 421 students; Wire Village School has 445 students; and East Brookfield Elementary School has 245 students including 100 students enrolled for the "Cubs Corner" Preschool!
Personnel: We continue to post for and need a high school chemistry teacher, school psychologist, literacy specialist/coach (Grades 5-8), and paraprofessionals to join our district. As mentioned last month, we are very fortunate to have new personnel joining our faculty and staff this year who are committed to “continuous improvement," remaining positive, and focused upon teaching and learning with purpose – in partnership with our parents/families.
Preschool Update: At the present time, we currently have 100 preschoolers enrolled in our Cubs Corner Preschool program with another ten on a waiting list. Please know as we get further into the new school year, we will do everything we can to accommodate and provide appropriate programming and services to our young people ages 3-5. Moving forward in the new year, we will enact a procedure whereby all students in the Cubs Corner Preschool need to be toilet trained to attend the program. Thank you.
MCAS Update: Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) results from the spring 2024 administration will be mailed home to each parent/family and student in October. Please be on the lookout for the assessment results for your son /daughter at that time. More MCAS information will be shared as it becomes available later in September/early October.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Update: At this time, the communities of Spencer and East Brookfield, MA are listed as low risk for Eastern Equine Encephalitis or what is commonly known as EEE. Should the local Boards of Health and/or Massachusetts Department of Public Health determine the risk level to be moderate or critical, we would notify you, the public of the need to limit outdoor activities after sundown. To learn more about Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Massachusetts, click here. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/eee-eastern-equine-encephalitis
Student Handbooks at all schools and programs are now posted on the district website. Should you have a question, comment, query or concern regarding the student handbooks, please reach out to the building administrator or program director accordingly. The student handbooks are essential in ensuring effective and efficient policies and procedures for our schools and programs - so that everyone within our regional school district and its schools remain safe, healthy and focused upon teaching and learning.
Early College Update: David Prouty High School continues to partner with Worcester State this school year in providing high quality early college programming in English, mathematics, social studies, the sciences and electives. Should your son or daughter wish to enroll in an Early College course offering through Worcester State and David Prouty High School, please have them make an appointment with their guidance counselor to review options of courses available through the 2024-2025 school year. Additionally, David Prouty High School continues to make progress on its “Early College Designation” efforts with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and the Commonwealth’s Board of Education. More news to follow soon on our progress with earning the designation as an Early College high school and district.
Athletics Update: Schedules for all sports teams are now posted on the David Prouty High School and Knox Trial Middle School websites.
MSBA Update: Recently, on Friday, September 6th, 2024, the Class of 1974 took a trip down memory lane and participated in a walking tour of the construction site as well as the high school itself – witnessing the new construction taking place as well as all of the old classrooms and main parts of A and B Buildings within David Prouty HS!
Another walking tour of the construction site will take place for the David Prouty High School Building Committee members on Thursday, September 19th, 2024 at 5:00pm to see firsthand the work that has been taking place since last spring.
The next meeting of the David Prouty High School Building Committee is planned for right after the walking tour on Thursday, September 19, 2024; at 6:00 pm in the David Prouty HS Library/Media Center.
As always, I thank you for your continued partnership and support of the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District. Let’s make the 2024-2025 school year one filled with teaching and learning with purpose, growth and belonging. It begins with each and every one of us working together.
Sincerely Yours,
Paul S. Haughey, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District