|
NPS Superintendent Monthly
November 2024
|
|
|
SUPERINTENDENT BONNER'S MESSAGE
|
|
|
This Thanksgiving, I encourage you to not only gather with family and friends and express your gratitude, but also to be mindful of those who do not have family, friends, or food to eat. Recognize the suffering of the Indigenous people who observe the Day of Mourning and the resilience of their culture in the face of adversity. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection.
Strategic Plan Roadshow :
As stated last month, it has been a great opportunity to connect with many caregivers, families and staff. Each session has been distinctly different based upon concerns, interests and needs for the respective schools. Thank you to those who have taken the time to connect.
Here are quick updates to where we are in meeting the objectives of our Strategic Planning:
The School Committee changed the wording of the mission from using the word Tolerance to Inclusivity.
-
Objective #1--A work group will be convened in January to review the health of our school buildings and to discuss their future as it pertains to carbonization. The school district is waiting for the CAPA Director to release a district-wide facility plan.
-
Objective #2--We are at the beginning of developing FY2026 budget with the principals and department chairs.
-
Objective #3--A work group is planning to meet in December to discuss the district's food nutrition program. This work group will be facilitated by Director of Food Services, Mistelle Hannah.
-
Objective #4--The Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Kate Messmer, is in the process of working with staff to focus on multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) for academics and professional development plan. Matt Holloway, Director of Student Services, is focusing on MTSS for social and emotional needs.
-
Objective #5--Currently, the Out of School Time work group is formulating a survey to assess the needs of wraparound services for PreK through grade 5.
|
|
|
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.
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 elementary, middle and high school levels.
Times of these work groups will vary depending on the facilitator's schedule.
|
|
|
|
MCAS Graduation Requirement:
A “YES” vote means…
MCAS as a graduation requirement has been removed. Many Northampton residents, school staff, caregivers and the school committee supported the removal of the MCAS as a graduation requirement. However, this does not mean that MCAS has gone away. Students in grades 3-8 and 10 will still be required to take MCAS.
School districts across the Commonwealth wait to see next steps. Will each district (351) establish their own standards? We wait for direction from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Meanwhile the district uses MCAS data to access how we are doing in helping our students meet standards.
It is important to understand the historical roots of MCAS and why it was developed. It was a product of Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993. Its purpose was to promote consistent standards for students. Many other states passed laws in the 1990’s that established academic standards and assessments. MCAS was an assessment system to measure school performance and assure accountability in meeting statewide curriculum standards. Districts are penalized when students opt not to participate. Participation can be as simple as signing on to the test. We encourage our students to participate and put their best effort forward. Simple effort helps to improve our schools and district’s rating.
A little more history, in 2001, the federal government passed the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) that was applied to all public schools nationwide. This mandated that students participate in standardized tests in math and English Language Arts in grades 3-8 and once in high school. Along with this mandate, states were required to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward proficiency for all students. Similarly, in 2015, the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) continued with testing requirements and allowed each state to develop their accountability model. For now, because of Federal mandates, states (including
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inclement Weather
Despite the weather we are presently experiencing, it is only a matter of time before Winter pays us a visit. School delays, cancellations, and unscheduled early releases will be communicated via ParentSquare, channels 22 and 40 and the district's website (www.northamptonschools.org).
Important times to remember:
Delays are usually for two (2) hours, schools will begin at the following times:
- Elementary Arrival at 10:00AM
- Middle School Arrival at 10:30AM
- High School Arrival at 11:00AM
Early Dismissal times:
- Elementary Dismissal at 11:30AM
- Middle School Dismissal at 12:25PM
- High School Dismissal at 12:50PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
District's Reading Challenge (Grades K-8)
The Challenge has launched and our students are reading. This partnership with the Forbes Library is encouraging Northampton children to read all year round! The purpose of the challenge is to build:
- a community of readers.
- students' fluency.
- students' vocabulary.
- students' background knowledge.
- students' comprehension.
- students' skills in understanding complex text.
- a love of reading.
To date, Ryan Road and Leeds students have read 274 and 411 books respectively.
Keep Reading! We hope that more students will join the challenge. For a copy of the reading log, click here. log Logs can be dropped off in the school library.
Peace, Unity and Joy
Dr. Portia S. Bonner
|
|
|
|
|
NO SCHOOL:
November 28 - November Break
November 29 - November Break
December 23-January 1 - Winter Vacation
HALF DAY:
November 27 - November Break
December 12 - Teacher Work Day
Schools dismiss according to the following schedule:
- Elementary 8:00-11:30AM
- Middle School 8:30AM-12:25PM
- High School 9:00AM-12:50PM
|
|
|
|
View the Freshampton Newsletter for menus and additional information about the Nutrition Department.
December Menus:
Listen to Director of Food Services Mistelle Hannah on NEPM radio station:
|
|
|
|
|
SPOTLIGHT ON SCHOOLS, STUDENTS AND STAFF
|
|
|
Ryan Road celebrated World Kindness Day on Wednesday 11/13/24 - we had 840 acts of kindness!
5th graders worked together and counted all the tokens making groups of 10!
|
|
|
|
Youth for Equity and Action
|
Below is YEA implementing mindfulness and Restorative Practice with students at Ryan Road
|
|
|
|
5th Graders at Jackson and Bridge Street schools have been participating in the annual Robot Week! Students work in partnerships to learn foundational programming concepts such as conditionals, variables, and loops. The week long intensive also introduces students to Design Thinking as a method of problem solving. The five steps are Empathize, Define, Ideate, Test, Refine. The week culminates in a Talent Show during which each team must use the programming concepts learned throughout the week to show off a talent.
In the attached video the student's robot uses a conditional to check that it is on white paper before performing its talent and then a loop to repeat its actions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jackson Street Elementary
|
Northampton firefighter Adam Martin visited both of our kindergarten classrooms and taught students about fire safety. He also showed them a lot of interesting gear, and let them climb into a fire truck! Check out Ms. Jenny Jen’s students practicing staying low to the ground in case there’s smoke. |
|
|
|
|
Our kindergarteners are also working on letter-sound connections and their knowledge of one-to-one letter-sound correspondence. Here are some of our kindergarteners practicing making letters in shaving cream! I also spotted some JSS students practicing letter-sound connections by tracing letters on sandpaper. By adding a distinctly sensory component, our teachers create another pathway for learning in addition to saying the letter name, the sound it makes, and a word (Bat!) that starts with B. Plus, shaving cream and sand paper are fun, and one of our school rules is have fun. |
|
|
|
13th Past Midnight at NHS
|
The Northampton High School Theater program put on a rendition of the 13th Past Midnight play the weekend of November 8. |
|
|
|
|
School Psychologist of the Year works at Leeds Elementary
|
Message from Principal Wenz
We have a great deal to be grateful for and celebrate at Leeds Elementary School:
Our School Psychologist, Dr. Kira Henninger received the Massachusetts School Psychologist of the Year award.
Congratulations to Dr. Henninger. Dr. Henninger was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the field, dedication to student success, and commitment to advancing Mental Health in schools.
|
|
|
|
|
FAMILY/STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND ENGLISH LEARNER EDUCATION
|
|
|
|
Interested in learning more about family engagement and ELE learning opportunities?
Please reach out to:
Lauren-Lee Barry
Family-Student Engagement
& English Learner Education Coordinator
Northampton Public Schools
Phone: 413.587.1481
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transition to Kindergarten Events
|
Do you have a child turning 5 on or before August 31, 2024? Join our Transition to Kindergarten events to learn about Northampton Public Schools Kindergarten! We kick off on Wednesday, December 11th from 5:30-6:30 pm with our Zoom Kindergarten Info Night to hear from Principals, Kindergarten Teachers, and other NPS employees who will guide you through the registration process.
|
|
|
New December offerings from the Early Childhood Center! Have a child 8 years old or younger? You are invited to participate in our FREE family events!
Help us spread the good news about the Northampton Public Schools! Like and follow us on social media at:
|
|
|
VOLUNTEERS IN NORTHAMPTON SCHOOLS (VINS)
|
|
|
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
Andres Cucalon, Coordinator 413-552-9447
|
|
|
“The more you practice the art of thankfulness, the more you have to be thankful for.”
- Norman Vincent Peale
|
|
|
|
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
