Good Morning Everyone,
I hope this Superintendent Update for November 2022 finds you and yours well.
Enrollment: Our enrollment as a regional school district has steadied. As of this morning, we have 1417 students enrolled within our district. David Prouty High School has 365 students enrolled; Knox Trail Middle School has 366 students; Wire Village School has 414 students; and East Brookfield Elementary School has 244 students including 113 students enrolled for the "Cubs Corner" Preschool!
Personnel: We continue to post for paraprofessionals to join our district. All other positions have been filled at this time.
Covid-19 Update: Covid-19, much like any other virus, continues to pose a threat to our overall health and wellness. Should you or a member of your family experience any of the symptoms of Covid-19 or other viruses, please reach out to your primary care physician. To remain up-to-date on "what you need to know about COVID-19 in Massachusetts," go to: https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-updates-and-information
There are also hundreds of vaccination sites across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that have indicated their willingness to vaccinate children 5 to 11. Many accept walk-in appointments, including CVS and Walgreens pharmacies, Market Basket and other grocery chains, and community health centers. More information on these sites, as well as safety information and helpful questions and answers, are all available at www.mass.gov/covidvaccine.
As a reminder:
- The COVID vaccine is free for all, and no ID or insurance is needed to be vaccinated;
- You can get vaccinated even if you are undocumented. Getting a vaccine will not impact your or your family’s immigration status. The Public Charge rule does NOT apply to getting the vaccine.
Getting your family vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones. We appreciate your help to keep all of our students, faculty, staff, and volunteers, as well as our community, safe and healthy this fall and all year long.
Food Service Supply Chain Shortages: Recently, our Food Service Department was informed of continuing supply chain shortages/issues. Please know our food services department continues to work diligently with other personnel to ensure that we have food stuffs in a timely manner for our students. Please know that the menus at our schools, as a result, are subject to change; and that we deeply appreciate your patience, understanding and support while we navigate these supply chain issues.
MSBA Update: Given the recent votes of each community we serve in the October Special Ballot vote, it is my honor and privilege to inform everyone that I have received the Project Funding Agreement (commonly known as the “PFA”) for the David Prouty High School Building Project within the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District. Additionally, the School Committee will be voting on Tuesday, November 8th, 2022, to continue the work that lies ahead in Module Six: Detailed Design. To learn more about our building project and Module Six - Detailed Design, you can go to: https://www.massschoolbuildings.org/building/design or attend a future meeting of our David Prouty High School Building Committee. The next meeting of the David Prouty High School Building Committee will take place on Thursday, November 17th, 2022 at 6:00pm in person at the Wire Village School. Other informational meetings are in the planning stages and will be taking place over the coming weeks and months ahead.
Inclement Weather Notifications: As noted in our 2022-2023 school calendar, we will have traditional snow days this year. Safety considerations, and uniform access to electricity/internet during the school day, 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, as well as consult with the National Weather Service, 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 in the event that a weather-related delay, closing, or release is necessary.
The Best Way to be Notified! The Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District uses our 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 and search for “SEBRSD” then download the App to your phone.
As well, as a backup communication service, notifications will be made through our OneCall Notification System. I will do my best to let you know the night prior, but not later than 5:30 a.m. on the day in question. Further, notifications will be placed on our website, Facebook page, and Twitter Account for the district well as Channel 4 (WBZ), Channel 5 (WCVB), Channel 7 (WHDH), and Channel 25 (FOX).
November Events: Finally, this month we have so many exciting activities taking place throughout our learning community.
- Event: School Committee Meeting (Tue, Nov 8, 6:15 PM)
- Event: School Closed - Holiday: Veterans Day/Armistice Day (Fri, Nov 11)
- Event: School Closed – Professional Development (Mon, Nov 14)
- Event: American Education Week, (Tues, Nov 15 – Fri, Nov 18)
- Event: School Building Committee Meeting (Thurs, Nov 17, 6:00 PM)
- Event: Half Day of School (Wed, Nov 23, 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM)
- Event: School Closed - Holiday: Thanksgiving Break (Thu, Nov 24 - Fri, Nov 25)
- Event: Healthy Families Night 2022 (Wed, Nov 30, 6:00PM)
With so much happening in our learning community, it is so easy to lose sight of all of the wonderful things happening around us. With that said, from our family to yours, please take time to recognize and celebrate our Veterans this month as well as time with family and friends - safely - this Thanksgiving! I remain truly grateful to the members of this community for demonstrating kindness, compassion, and decency throughout the fall season. Your partnership and support of the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District is deeply appreciated. #Innovate #Inspire #Achieve
Sincerely,
Paul S. Haughey, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District