Superintendent’s Report to the School Committee, 3/9/22

COVID Case Report

The Masconomet Regional School District has had a total of two reported COVID cases since February 28, 2022.  Both of these reported cases were staff members.

At-Home COVID Testing Program

Masconomet continues to participate in DESE’s At-Home Testing Program.  In this program, any student or staff member who opts into the program will be provided one at-home rapid COVID test kit every other week for as long as DESE continues the program.  We currently have 622 students and staff who have signed up for the program.  Parents and faculty members may still opt into the program at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceWxzZKEwUeuOCzGM2aOPdAw8gN0hxxOHKNJqTIoGOFhAPxQ/viewform?usp=sf_link  Our next test kit distribution will be during the week of March 14^th. 

2022-2023 School Year Calendar

The School Committee has approved the calendar for the 2022-2023 school year.  The full calendar can be viewed at: https://www.masconomet.org/Page/2#calendar1/20220310/month

In 2022-2023, teachers will return to work from summer vacation on Monday, August 29, 2022.  Orientation for students in grades 7 and 9 will be held on Tuesday, August 30^th.  The first day of school for all students in grades 7-12 will be on Wednesday, August 31^st and regular classes will be held on Thursday, September 1^st.  There will be no school on Friday, September 2^nd and Monday, September 5^th in observance of Labor Day. 

Starting the school year before Labor Day will allow us to end earlier in June.  The last day of the 2022-2023 school year with no added snow days will be Tuesday, June 13^th, 2023.  The last day including five make up days for snow cancellations will be Wednesday, June 21^st, 2023.

The current calendar does not identify any delayed opening or early dismissal days for professional development.  These days are still under consideration and will be added to the calendar later this year.

Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Search Update

I am moving forward in the process of making a final choice for the position of Assistant Superintendent of Student Services.  Our two finalists, Lynne Bennett and Brad Denton, both had onsite interviews during the week of February 7^th.  Last week, the Masconomet Executive Leadership Team visited the Arlington, Massachusetts Public Schools to conduct a site visit for Ms. Bennett.  Later this week, we will be conducting an in-house “site visit” to meet with members of the Masconomet faculty and administration regarding Mr. Denton.  I want to thank everyone who has taken part in this process through serving on the screening committee, attending the candidates interviews and submitting feedback on the two candidates.  I plan on making a recommendation to the School Committee of a preferred candidate on March 23^rd. 

Presentation by Tom Guskey on April 4

On Monday, April 4^th, 2022, Masconomet will be hosting Thomas Guskey, PhD, a professor of educational psychology at the University of Kentucky.  Dr. Guskey is the author/editor of over twenty books and numerous articles on educational measurement, evaluation, assessment and grading.  Dr. Guskey will be speaking to our faculty during the scheduled delayed opening on April 4^th and then will be meeting with members of the District Leadership Team.  In anticipation of Dr. Guskey’s remarks, we have provided all faculty with a copy of his book, On Your Mark; Challenging the Conventions of Grading and Reporting (2015).  In this book, Dr. Guskey explores the current practices of student grading and grade reporting, explores the underlying flaws in these practices and challenges educators to develop more authentic and relevant grading practices that truly reflect what students are learning in the classroom. 

Middle and High School Schedule Committee

One of the agreements reached between the Masconomet Teachers Association and the School Committee in the Collective Bargaining Agreement that was approved by the School Committee on February 16, 2022 creates more flexibility in our daily schedule.  I am currently in the process of assembling a team of faculty and administration, including representatives from the Masconomet Teachers Association, to consider new daily schedule options for the Middle and High Schools that reflects these changes that were agreed on in the CBA.  I anticipate that I will be presenting our recommended new schedule at a School Committee Meeting in June.