February 2025 Newsletter

“In February, nature reminds us that even in the coldest moments, beauty can still flourish.”

Gabriela Aleman

"Let from this month onwards your days become more happier, fulfilling, purposeful, satisfying & joyful."

Rajesh Goyal

Happy February!

It has truly been an active few weeks with changes at the federal level, local politics, and the funding of our schools. To keep you in the know, I have a few updates to share:

Over the past four weeks, there have been a significant number of executive orders that have unnerved school leaders. It is important that we reserve a sense of calm and provide clear, fact-based information as it becomes available. In most cases this will result in waiting for further clarification or official guidance. I have turned to the Attorney General’s Office, DESE, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, and district counsel for direction and guidance. Many of the executive orders are in conflict with Massachusetts law and local policy. There is little clarity as to how these executive orders may affect our funding.

 Currently, some community members voiced the need for additional funding for schools. Their concern has resulted in the School Committee requesting a mid-year appropriation of $600,000. However, the district must focus on next year’s school budget and the possibility of losing federal funding if we are out of compliance with executive orders. The federal funding we receive through the Department of Education are the ESSA/entitlement grants such as Title I, II, III, IV and IDEA, which were created by Congress and are controlled by Congress for now. NPS currently receives $1,397,894 in federal funds through these grant programs. A majority of this funding targets low-income students, students of color, English language learners and children with disabilities. In total, we receive $1,750,446 in federal support.

Another concern is the Medicaid reimbursement that is funded through the federal government that we receive for certain medically necessary services provided to students in a school setting. This funding source is used to replenish the Special Education Stabilization fund that was recently established. Loss of these funds would impact our special education programs.

During the vacation week, like so many other districts, I received a “Dear Colleague” letter from the Office of Civil Rights addressed to all K-12 schools, colleges, and universities nationwide. This letter outlines how the President’s administration intends to enforce federal nondiscrimination laws in educational settings based upon a very broad application of the Supreme Court case law on race conscious admissions. Failure to comply within 14 days will result in loss of funding. This letter is informational and spells out the federal government intent but does not change the law. Civil Rights Law such as Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, and the ADA have not been repealed and are still enforceable. In addition, we are also governed by state law which provides robust protections.

The probability of ICE agents entering our schools is low but safeguard protocols are in place to help manage the situation if an enforcement event occurs. NPS schools are still considered to be the safest place for students to be.

As many of you are aware, we have reverted to the 2020 version of Title IX. Massachusetts and Federal laws are in conflict over the rights of transgender individuals and in the recognition of two biological sexes at birth. 

Prospects of dismantling the Federal Department of Education would have limited effects on what is taught in schools. NPS curriculum is guided by state and national standards and decided at the local level. Currently, the DOE oversees the federal streams of grants, federal student loans, and financial aid for higher education. The DOE also collects data on student achievement, statistics, and enforces anti-discrimination laws. It is the current administration’s plan to move education under the control of individual states.

These changes may not directly or immediately affect you, but there are many who are fearful about tomorrow. It is important more than ever to support one another with compassion, respect, and understanding; strength lies in our commitment to lifting each other up. We will continue to protect our students and maintain a safe and supportive environment for them. As things unfold, I will continue to update the school community.

Refer to the City's Statement Reaffirming Northampton's Commitment to Inclusion and Sanctuary.

We are establishing two new work groups this month. The first group will focus on discussing consolidation and changing enrollment. The second group will focus on master facilities plan and net zero carbonization. These two work groups will meet virtually.

Work groups are meant to be small to allow collaboration on design, development, output and or recommendation towards a specific objective.  We seek parent and staff representatives from each of the schools.

For opportunities to volunteer for the work groups, please submit your name to npscomments@northampton-k12.us expressing your interest with:

1) Grade level of your child or staff position

2) School which your child attends or staff works

3) Reason of interest

4) Dates and times of availability.

Northampton Public Schools has created working groups to support the implementation of the district's strategic plan. If you are interested in joining any of the following working groups, please send an email expressing your interest to Kate Messmer, the district's Director of Curriculum and Instruction. All of the meetings will take place virtually on Google Meet. 

The Secondary Literacy Working Group will meet on the second Tuesday of the month between 8:30 AM and 10 AM. This group's spring meeting dates are March 11, April 8, May 13, and June 10. 

The Elementary Literacy Working Group will meet on the second Tuesday of the month between 1 PM and 2 PM. This group's spring meeting dates are March 11, April 8, May 13, and June 10. 

The Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Working Group will meet on the second Friday of the month from 1:15 PM to 2:15 PM. This group's spring meeting dates are March 14, April 11, May 9, and June 13. 

March 13 - Work Day

March 31 - Work Day

Schools dismiss according to the following schedule:

Visual Arts Teacher Louise Martindell announces that 7 NHS students have received a regional award in the 2024-2025 Massachusetts Scholastic Art Awards program!

Since 1923, the Awards have recognized some of America's most celebrated artists and writers while they were teenagers, including Tschabalala Self, Stephen King, Kay WalkingStick, Amanda Gorman, Charles White, Joyce Carol Oates, and Andy Warhol. The annual Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition initiative for creative students (grades 7-12). The program recognizes exceptional creative talent in visual arts and writing among teenagers across the United States, offering students the opportunity to earn recognition, exhibition, publication, and scholarships for their work. Learn more HERE.

NHS is proud to count the following students among these esteemed Scholastic Awards alumni! If you see them around school this week, please congratulate them! This is a big achievement for them! 

The student artists alongside a sampling of their selected work is below. We are aiming to get all the recognized work posted on our department instagram if you want to see more (@nhsvisualartsdept).

Preschool Lottery for the coming school year will take place the first week of March.

Please spread the word that all applications received by March 1 will be included in the first round lottery for full and part school day slots.

Here is the link to the NPS Early Childhood Center page on our school website where you can download an application: https://ecc.northamptonschools.org/

Pictured below is Laura Frogameni, NPS' Preschool & Partnership Coordinator tabling for our public preschools at a recent preschool & resource fair. 

Thanks to everyone who participated in the citywide Kindergarten registration event on February 1st!

NHS Key Club members volunteered to play with our rising kindergarten children while their caregivers completed the registration forms. NHS Jazz musicians and the Northamptones provided outstanding musical performances, too.

It's not too late to register your child. Visit this link to download the paperwork and learn more: https://northamptonschools.org/kindergarten

Pictured below is Ashley Miller, NPS Early Childhood Family Engagement Specialist together with Pam Smith, NPS Early Childhood Program Assistant led the coordination of the Kindergarten event. 

Interested in professional development opportunities funded by the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative grant? Check out the offerings at: Preschool Partnership FREE Professional Development

We are grateful to the Pyramid Model Consortium for generously funding a Pyramid Model series for our community. This one will be geared to participants with some proficiency in Spanish and English. Deepen your language skills while learning about the impact of implementing the Pyramid Model's Big 5 foundational practices!

Are you looking for a family outing that is free, fun and supportive for both the children and adults in your family? This one's for you!! Pizza, childcare and adult conversation for families with children ages 0-8/9 years of age is held monthly at the NPS Early Childhood Center at Jackson Street School. 

Cultural experiences for you and your children is what you are seeking? Wahoo - this one's for you! Guided play and gallery tours meet the needs of young children and the adults in the family. Sign up for the Caregiver Cafes, Play Dates at Smith College and so much more at:

Northampton Preschool Partnership Educators gather on a regular basis throughout the academic year for professional development. In February, a panelist of adult English Language Learners shared their experiences and reflected on the linguistic and cultural joys and challenges they have faced. 

For over forty years, hundreds of Northampton community members have been volunteering their time supporting education in city public schools through Volunteers in Northampton Schools (VINS). These volunteers are active in each of the schools helping out in many different ways. They read and play math games with elementary students, join classes for field trips or weekly outdoor nature studies, decorate hallways with student art, and visit classes to share a particular interest, expertise, or cultural background.

The program is managed by Coordinator, Andres Cucalon, who recruits, interviews, and places volunteers to match requests from teachers and school staff.

You are invited to join this effort in any of the following ways:

Become a VINS Volunteer or encourage a friend, neighbor or family member. Contact Andres Cucalon to fill out a form indicating your own interests and availability. Some volunteers contribute weekly or even daily while others come in once a year.

If you expect to join a class for a field trip, classroom activity, or field day, plan ahead by completing the state required CORI check. You can obtain a form from the VINS Coordinator or through your school office. The CORI is in effect for three years, and each school office maintains a list of eligible volunteers.

Support VINS through a donation. VINS is a non-profit organization separate from the school district with a modest yearly budget that covers coordination. Donations of any amount are welcome with a check to

Volunteers in Northampton Schools, Inc.

c/o RK Finn Ryan Road School

498 Ryan Road, Florence, MA 01062

Volunteer to join the VINS Board of Directors.

The Board meets once a month to advise and plan fund-raising like the ever-popular fun, free and not entirely serious Dog Show the first Saturday in March. Your ideas are always welcome.

Contact VINS at vinsvolunteer@gmail.com

How Smith College Museum of Art is faring after more than a year with no entrance fees | WAMC

Northampton Public Schools is currently hiring for the following positions:

These positions are available on School Spring or through the northamptonma.gov website.