Masconomet Strategic Planning Update
In 2022-2023, the Masconomet Regional School District is engaging in an aspirational, community conversation to redefine what success should look like for our students and schools and to embrace the practices that will enable the district to realize that vision.
With excellent educators and tremendous community support, Masconomet has a tradition of high performance. We strive to both honor that tradition and also prepare our students for a rapidly changing world. Post-covid, we must embrace the idea that schools may need to look different than we remember, programs must become increasingly nimble, and the mental health and resiliency of both children and adults is essential.
During this fourteen (14) month engagement, we will ask: what competencies and attributes should the Masconomet graduate demonstrate? What programs and systems are in place to ensure they are prepared for meaningful work and citizenry? Where are their opportunities to start, stop or accelerate programming to continually evolve and adapt to a changing student profile and world? What is our culture and process for planning? We will review and revise our vision, and craft a shared plan for how Masconomet might balance personnel, programming, and policy decisions over the next three to five years (2023-2028). We will be deliberate and thoughtful in developing a plan that is both a guide and a tool for measuring future performance and progress.
We welcome your ideas. All interested parties, especially students, will have opportunities to share their perspectives and suggestions. Whenever possible, we will utilize surveys and focus groups to amplify our many voices. We will prioritize regular communications, collaboration and shared problem solving during this process.
A team of faculty, school leadership, and community members will serve as the organizers, data collectors, authors and co-leaders of this work. Together they will direct and inform the process. With guidance by an outside facilitator, they will explore and craft strategic objectives and initiatives, find consensus, and make recommendations for planning, communications, leadership, and resources. A final document will be completed by November 1, 2023.
For updates on the Strategic Planning Process
and for upcoming community conversations, please register HERE today.
Pilot Schedule Update
Last week, Masconomet’s Scheduling Task Force met to discuss feedback members had received regarding the pilot schedule for 2022-2023. Among several topics, the group discussed the benefits and drawbacks of longer periods of instruction, a fixed, predictable Monday to Friday schedule, use of M-Block and the M-Block scheduling software, Wednesday early release and staff development time. The Task Force is currently developing surveys for students and faculty regarding the new schedule and plans to administer these surveys during the last week in October. As a group, we also decided on the need to come to a decision regarding the schedule for the 2023-2024 school year by February of 2023.
Staff Development Update
On Wednesday, October 5th, we began the more structured part of our staff development programming for the 2022-2023 school year. For this year, each teacher has been assigned to one of three cohorts. Each cohort will participate in three ten-week sessions on curriculum revision, alignment and documentation, social emotional learning, and diversity, equity and inclusion. Work on curriculum revision, alignment and documentation will be done in department teams and will be led by our department heads. The social emotional learning session is being led by two of our school adjustment counselors, Kristen Duffy and Alexis Kostas. Our diversity, equity and inclusion training is being conducted by staff from the Initiatives for Developing Equity and Achievement Institute.
PSAT Day Activities
On Wednesday, October 12, all grade 10 and 11 students took the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSATs). The exam time was approximately 4 hours. Because of the need to maintain a quiet testing environment for students taking the PSATs, we needed to plan alternative activities for students in Grades 9 and 12. Grade 9 students spent the day thinking about the themes of inclusion, belonging, stereotypes, and persevering through participating in an in-school field trip presented by Mr. Patrick Cogan. Mr. Cogan is a Lynn native, who outside of his professional career, trains and competes in marathons and triathlons. He speaks to audiences, primarily young people, about pushing oneself and overcoming adversity. Mr. Cogan has Friedreich’s Ataxia, a neuromuscular disease that effects mobility and use of his legs, and speaks directly to his story as he lives a meaningful life. Following his presentation, students spent time in the athletic center doing some class bonding activities, meeting their class leadership team, and then returned to the auditorium to watch the movie, If I had wings. The students were given a prompt as a writing assignment to get at the themes of the movie that will be completed in English classes on Thursday or Friday.
Grade 12 students were encouraged to use this day to plan for post-secondary opportunities, including visiting schools, exploring technical and career options, and/or a job shadow. Students also could use this day to complete their community service hours by spending the day in service. Seniors were also able to access school counselors and teachers to work on post-secondary planning in the High School Library during the school day.
Chicago at Masconomet High School this weekend
The Masconomet Regional High School Theater Company invites you to come see our fall production of Chicago. Performances will be on Thursday, October 13th at 7:00 PM, Friday, October 14th at 7:00 PM and Saturday, October 15 at 2 PM. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and $10 for seniors and children. Buying tickets in advance is highly encouraged as there were sold out performances for last year’s musical. For tickets, scan the QR code in the poster below, or go to https://www.masconomet.org/domain/86
Tri-Town Council Presents “What is Play
Parents/caregivers, educators and caring adults of children of ALL AGES, please join the Tri-Town Council as we explore: “What Exactly is Play? Why is it so crucial for healthy development?” with Boston College research professor Peter Gray, Ph.D. on Thursday, October 20th from 7 – 8:30 PM at the Masconomet Auditorium. More information and a link to register is HERE.
Tri-Town Council Presents Chasing Childhood
In today’s world of structure, stranger danger, and helicopter parenting, free play and independence have virtually disappeared from childhood, giving way to unprecedented anxiety and depression (now compounded by two+ years of the COVID-19 pandemic). In CHASING CHILDHOOD, psychologists, activists, and leaders of the “free play” movement work to bring back the untold benefits of a less curated life for our kids and teens that can lead to stronger foundations and healthier life outcomes. The film can either be viewed online, or participants can view the film in the Masconomet auditorium at 6:30 PM on Thursday, November 3rd. There will be a group discussion regarding the film that same evening at 8:00 PM in the Masconomet cafeteria. A link to register to watch the film and take part in the group discussion is here.
COVID-19 Booster Clinics at Masconomet
The Tri-Town Public Health Departments are holding COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics at Masconomet from on Friday October 14 and Friday October 21 from 3-6 PM. Please go to https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/capeann to register for the vaccine.
Upcoming School Events:
| High School | Middle School |
| October 17 Financial Aid Night presented by MEFA, 6:30 Auditorium October 27 Halloween Dance November 4 Quarter 1 Ends November 11 Veterans Day – No School | October 14 Mid-point Trimester 1 October 27 Essex North Shore Tech presentation to students during school day October 27 Parent – Teacher Conferences November 11 Veterans Day – No School |
For a full listing of School Events, please see the Masconomet Website.
News from the Masconomet Superintendent 