Good Morning,
I hope this Superintendent Update for May 2023 finds you and yours well. It is that fantastic time of year again. It’s May! The important month where we educate, celebrate, and increase awareness of mental health. Mental Health Awareness Month is also referred to as “Mental Health Month” and has been observed in May in the United States since 1949, reaching millions of people in the United States through the media, local events, and screenings.
Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to her or his community.
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
I will be posting something important about mental illness throughout the month of May in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and to raise awareness... Please partner with us in raising awareness of “Mental Health Month.” After all, it will only prove beneficial to each and every one of us to raise awareness - so that we may continue our journey together in a safe and healthy manner focused upon “teaching and learning with purpose!”
Enrollment: Our enrollment as a regional school district has steadied. As of this morning, we have 1460 students enrolled within our district. David Prouty High School has 351 students enrolled; Knox Trail Middle School has 382 students; Wire Village School has 441 students; and East Brookfield Elementary School has 256 students including 120 students enrolled for the "Cubs Corner" Preschool!
Personnel: Open positions for summer and fall have begun to be posted within the district. If you are interested in becoming a part of our family, please continue to check back and apply at: https://www.schoolspring.com
Early College Update! David Prouty High School continues to offer Early College courses. This spring semester Entrepreneurship is taking place in partnership with Worcester State. Students are working diligently to learn about wat is takes to be an entrepreneur in the 21st century and are really enjoying the course. Moving forward, David Prouty High School administration, faculty and staff are looking to expand our offerings in Early College with Anna Maria College, Mount Wachusett and Worcester State. We thank our local colleges and universities for their partnership and look forward to becoming an Early College designated high school in the coming school year with the Massachusetts Board of Education and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education… More to come.
CTE Update: Quality Support System (QSS) happening this spring! David Prouty High School is excited to be a part of the Quality Support System process with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) Career and Technical Education Division. 2023 Schools taking part in the process include but are noit limited to:
• Boston - Madison Park High
• Salem - Salem High
• Everett - Everett High
• Holyoke - Holyoke High
• Gloucester - Gloucester High
• Peabody - Peabody Veterans Memorial High
• Spencer-E Brookfield - David Prouty High
• Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational Technical - Northeast
Metro Regional Vocational
• Bristol County Agricultural - Bristol County Agricultural High
DESE will partner with us in this learning process to examine our work in the area of career and technical education. We appreciate DESE’s readiness to work together; and we look forward to the opportunity this spring to learn from them and them from us, as well. More to come.
School Lunch Hero Day 2023: Between preparing healthy meals for America’s students, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating student food allergies, and offering service with a smile, school nutrition professionals are true heroes.
On Friday, May 5, 2023, we will celebrate the 11th Annual School Lunch Hero Day! School Lunch Hero Day is a chance to showcase the difference school nutrition professionals make for every child who comes through the cafeteria. School Lunch Hero Day provides you with the perfect opportunity to recognize the hardworking professionals in our school cafeterias.
The School Nutrition Association of Massachusetts (SNA) has partnered with author Jarrett J. Krosoczka, of the “Lunch Lady” book series, to remind everyone—directors, managers, parents, students, and school staff—that school nutrition employees are superheroes that deserve some recognition. Please take a moment and join us to say, “thank you” to our superheroes on Friday, May 5, 2023!
Teacher Appreciation Week 2023! Teacher Appreciation Week is May 8-12, 2023, and this year, we’re joining together to tell teachers that we will listen to them, we will stand with them, and together we will act - so that every student has a teacher who feels respected and supported. Our teachers on a daily basis are creating innovative lesson plans while they create a sense of safety and belonging for their students. They are getting up early to make it work and they stay up late; working with parents and caregivers and go the extra mile to transform classrooms into welcoming learning environments. Please take a moment during the week of May 8-12 to recognize and acknowledge our teachers for their tireless efforts in partnering with you in providing a quality education for your son or daughter. A simple thank you note would mean the world… #ThankATeacher
MCAS Mathematics Testing! 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.
Beginning in May, your child will be taking the Mathematics MCAS, our Commonwealth’s standardized test. 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.
✔Gently 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.
2023 MBCA Senior Award Winners Announced! On May 21st, 2023, we will recognize our outstanding senior student athletes and their families at our annual MBCA breakfast. This year, the MBCA Executive Board received over 90 nominations for their senior awards. You can find the names of all of the student-athletes that MBCA is awarding on their All-Academic and All-Senior team below...
As you can see, David Prouty High School was well represented this year as…
- Braeden Cashman earned senior honors on the "All-State, All-Academic team."
- Cam Hoekstra earned a placed on the "Division 5 State All- Senior team;" and
- Braeden White was named "Senior Division 5 State Player of the Year!"
Please join me in recognizing these young men in earning recognition from the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Association!
DPHS Band Travels to Hershey, PA! The David Prouty Band is performing at Hershey Park music competition on May 5th. Students will be leaving on May 4th and returning May 7th. As always. thank you for all your support! The music students are excited to share their talents with Pennsylvania and (possibly enjoy some chocolate from the factory too)!
David Prouty High School Band Students taking part in this performance are: Thomas Bain, Paige Burke, Marlee Domey, Connor Domey, Jorelys Ignacio, Ava Sobosik, Tyler Downes, Paige Fritze, Matthew McNicol, Elijah Barnett, Christopher Pinkowski, Makenzie Lipski, Aidan Page, Zachary Soulor, Kadyn Murillo, Lily Mateucci, Lily Melanson, Nick Russo, Kassidy Smith, and Victoria Zheng.
Please join all of us in the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District in wishing our David Prouty High School Panther Band an awesomely safe and fun trip to Hershey Music Competition! Go Panthers!
MSBA Update: Our next meeting of the David Prouty High School Building Committee is tentatively planned to take place via Zoom and in person on Thursday, May 18th, 2023 at 6:00pm at the Wire Village School. All are welcome to these important in-person meetings.
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 Saturday, June 10th at 9:30am.
5K Event Details: Spring Season Celebratory 5K
Date: June 10th, 2023
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!)
- 9:30 a.m. - Girls on the Run 5K Start
As of today, the Wire Village School has over 26 girls looking forward to running the 5K at Polar Park on June 10th. Please come on out on Saturday, June 10th to cheer on our girls!!
Other Upcoming Events in May/June 2023!
As you know, each month we have many exciting activities taking place throughout our learning community. This month, in the month of April, here are just a few things planned.
- Event: Wire Village School PAWS Meeting (Wed, May 10, 6:00pm)
- Event: East Brookfield Elementary School PIE Meeting (Tue, May 16, 6:00pm)
- Event School Committee Meeting (Tue, May 16, 6:00 PM)
- Event: School Building Committee Meeting (Thurs, May 18, 6:00pm)
- Event: Knox Trail MS Memorial Day 2023 Program (Tues, May 23, at 9:00am)
- Event: Unified Olympics (Thurs, May 25).
- Event: Half Day of School: Professional Development Day (Fri, May 26)
- Event: School Closed: Holiday – Memorial Day 2023! (Mon, May 29)
- Event: Wire Village School Field Day Field Day (Fri, June 2)
- Event: David Prouty High School Graduation (Fri, June 2)
- Event: SEPAC Meeting via Zoom (Mon, June 5, 6:00pm)
- Event: Knox Trail MS 8th Grade Graduation (Thurs, June 15, 5:00pm) @KTMS!
- Event: Last Day of School (Tues, June 20) *Half Day
As always, thank you for your continued partnership and support of the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District. #Innovate #Inspire #Achieve
Sincerely Yours,
Paul S. Haughey, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District