Good Afternoon Everyone,
I hope this Superintendent Update for December 2024 finds you and yours well. This month, we enter the winter months, a time to celebrate family, friends, and community with many exciting events in and around our learning community. From our family to yours, Happy holidays! Our regional school district is no fun without your son or daughter in attendance. With that in mind, I begin by reminding everyone of our partnership with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, called...
Let's celebrate the power of presence together! To emphasize 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!
We 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 regional school district enrollment has grown slightly over this time last year, especially at the preschool level. As of this morning, we have 1438 students enrolled within our district. David Prouty High School has 306 students enrolled; Knox Trail Middle School has 418 students; Wire Village School has 432 students; and East Brookfield Elementary School has 259 students including 108 students enrolled for the "Cubs Corner" Preschool!
Personnel: We are currently seeking a physics teacher, and health/wellness teacher at David Prouty High School as well as paraprofessionals to join our district. All other positions have been filled at this time. To apply for any of our open positions within the district, go to: https://www.schoolspring.com and enter "Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District" in the employer tab on the left-hand side of the webpage.
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!
Early College Update: Just before the Thanksgiving Break, Phylitia Jamerson, Executive Director of the Office of Early College at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education notified Worcester State University President Barry Malone and me that both of our learning communities have been invited to continue to Part B of the Early College Designation Application process.
In her correspondence dated, November 26th, 2024, Executive Director Jamerson wrote, “Together with the Early College Joint Committee, we thank you for your engagement in this process and your demonstrated commitment to your students’ postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion.
Early College is a significant priority for the Commonwealth, and we look forward to receiving the final application of this proposed program in February 2025. Again, thank you, and congratulations.”
As Superintendent of Schools, I want to extend many congratulations to our entire team of professionals at David Prouty High School and within our district on a job well done. Getting to this point in the process has been a tall task for our small learning community, yet an endeavor well worth the effort. Our administration, faculty, staff, and student body have the talent and gifts to not only excel in Early College partnership work with Worcester State University but in whatever endeavors they choose… I am proud of Principal Malone and the entire team of professionals for their efforts, to date; and we look forward to obtaining final designation approval by the Early College Joint Commission later in June of 2025!
Morgan Kates recognized as MASS Academic Achievement Award Recipient for 2024-2025!
Recently, Superintendent Paul Haughey met to recognize the top senior, Morgan Kates, with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Academic Excellence Award. The state association celebrates top students during the early portion of their senior year instead of the usual spring award ceremony so that the distinguished honor can be included in college applications.
Superintendent Haughey and Principal Nathaniel Malone invited Morgan to join him recently in the high school for a brief press event. Mr. Malone said, “Morgan has demonstrated exceptional academic achievements, leadership qualities, and a commitment to extracurricular activities. As the top-ranked student at David Prouty High School, she consistently shows an unwavering commitment to academic excellence, actively seeking challenging courses and displaying a drive for success..." Superintendent of Schools Paul Haughey added, “What stands out most about Morgan is the fact that she presents herself with a quiet confidence and spark - yet is driven and full of determination - preparing her well for life after high school.”
Winter 2024-2025 Athletic Teams registering online now for David Prouty HS & Knox Trail MS! This year's winter sports offerings at David Prouty HS & Knox Trail MS.
David Prouty HS
Girls Basketball
Boys Basketball
Indoor Track
Winter Cheer
Knox Trail MS
Girls Basketball
Boys Basketball
Indoor Track (7 & 8)
Winter Cheer (7 & 8)
You can sign-up at FamilyId on the following link - https://www.familyid.com/organizations/3760/account
Inclement Weather Notifications: As noted in our 2024-2025 school calendar, we will have traditional snow days this year. Safety considerations and uniform access to electricity/internet during school hours of operation 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 while consulting with the National Weather Service, the 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 if a weather-related delay, closing, or release is necessary.
Notification Process: Our district utilizes the latest version of our App and website. Our latest 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 to search for “SEBRSD” and then download the App to your phone.
David Prouty High School/MSBA Project Update: Later this month, on Thursday, December 21, 2024 at 6:00 pm, the School Building Committee will hold its annual meeting via Zoom.
Upcoming Events in Late November and December!
Finally, we have many exciting activities taking place throughout our learning community
Event: DPHS Marching Band & AA Transportation's Stuff the Bus! (Sat, Nov, 28th, 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM at Klems!) Donations may also be made throughout the first week of December 2024.
Event: Winter Crafts & Vendor Fair at East Brookfield Elementary School (Sat, Dec 7, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
Event: SEPAC Meeting via Zoom (Mon, Dec 9, 6:30 PM)
Event: School Committee Meeting (Tue, Dec 10, 6:00 PM)
Event: Half Day of Professional Development Day (Fri, Dec 13)
Event: School Building Committee Meeting via Zoom (Thurs, Dec 21, 6:00 PM)
Event: School Closed - Winter Recess (Mon, Dec 23 – Mon, Jan 1)
Finally, from our family to yours, have a safe and healthy holiday season and a happy new year! And as always, thank you for your partnership and support of the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District! #Innovate #Inspire #Achieve
Sincerely Yours,
Paul S. Haughey, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools