Strategic Planning Update
On Monday, October 24th, Dr. Carabatsos and Dr. McManus dedicated time at their monthly faculty meetings to introduce our strategic planning process to their faculties. Ms. Cindy Bohne, who has been engaged as a consultant to facilitate this process, was also introduced to the Middle and High School faculties at these meetings. On Tuesday, October 23rd, I sent invitations out to the 22 members of our Working Team, which is made up of faculty, administration, school committee and parents/community representatives. We will be meeting monthly beginning in November. Anyone who would like more information about our strategic planning process or to sign up to receive updates can go to https://www.masconomet.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=908
Schedule Review Committee Update
Our Schedule Review Committee met last week to finalize surveys for faculty and students regarding our 2022-2023 Pilot Schedule. The surveys were sent to faculty members last Friday and will be open through October 31st. The student survey will be administered this week during M-Block. The Schedule Review Committee will be meeting in November to review the results of the surveys.
Classroom Observations
Since the beginning of school in September, I’ve been engaged in visiting classrooms on a regular basis. To date, I’ve visited over 90 of the approximately 120 classroom teachers in both the middle and high schools. I plan to complete this first round of visits in the next few weeks and will begin a second round in November. Earlier this month, I also began holding shared classroom visits with a building principal and a department head and have almost completed visits to every department in both schools. One thing that stands out through all of these classroom visits is the strong relationships our teachers have with their students. It is evident throughout the middle and high schools that students enjoy positive connections with their teachers and that our teachers care about their students as individuals. I would like to commend our faculty for taking the time to get to know their students and for showing them that they care deeply about their learning.
Student Meetings
In early October, I began holding regular meetings with students. I meet weekly with groups of 10 students from the Middle School and met with the Executive Board of our High School Student Council earlier this month. On the whole, our students are reporting a positive school experience that feels more “normal” than the past two years. They report that their teachers are passionate about their subjects and they know how to engage students in learning the curriculum. Students also report their teachers are committed to seeing them be successful. Students in both the Middle and High Schools report that M-Block has been invaluable in helping them to reduce their homework load and to receive extra help. They also feel positive about the 1:10 dismissal on Wednesdays. Because their afterschool activities have not changed their start times, students are able to complete homework assignments prior to attending any afterschool activities on Wednesdays. This has allowed them to end their evenings earlier because they do not have to complete homework after activities are completed.
On the negative side, students in both schools talked about the adjustment to learning a new sequence of periods in this year’s pilot schedule. They also reported a familiar complaint: dissatisfaction with the food options in the cafeteria.
Congratulations to Cast and Crew of Chicago
Congratulations to Mr. Brian Pereira, our Theater Director, and to the entire cast and crew of Chicago. The Theater Company performed the musical on October 13-15. It was a fantastic show! The show was viewed by a judge from the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild (METG) on Saturday, who gave the show very high praise.
Good Luck to Our Fall Sports Teams
Our Fall Athletic Teams are winding down their regular season competitions and are getting ready for post-season tournament play. On Monday, Golfers Tyler Feldberg and Jack Mertz won the Northeast Conference Open Championship. Yesterday, the Golf Team finished 10th in the Division II State Championship. As of yesterday, Girls Soccer was ranked #2 (Division 2), Field Hockey was ranked #3 (Division 2), Boys Soccer was ranked #7 (Division 2), Volleyball was ranked #9 (Division 2), and Football was ranked #11 (Division 3). Tournament seedings for these sports will be released by the MIAA between October 31st and November 2nd. Our Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams will be competing in the NEC Championship Meet on Saturday, October 29th and their respective state meets on Saturday November 12th. Varsity Cheerleading finished first in their competition at Billerica High School last weekend and have another competition this weekend.
Tri-Town Council Programs
On Thursday, October 20th, I was able to attend the presentation “What is Exactly is Play?” by Dr. Peter Gray. Dr. Gray’s presentation was arranged by the Tri-Town Council. For those who were not able to attend, a recording of the presentation is available on the Boxford Cable Website at https://boxford.vod.castus.tv/vod/?video=a7575c21-0fd1-4942-b215-95482f655066
Tri-Town Council is also presenting a screening of the film Chasing Childhood on Thursday, November 3rd in the Masconomet Auditorium. 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.
Upcoming School Events:
| High School | Middle School |
| October 27, Senior Halloween Dance November 4, Quarter 1 Ends November 11, Veterans Day – No School November 15, National Honor Society Induction November 23, Thanksgiving Recess Begins at 10:30 AM | October 27, Essex North Shore Tech presentation to students during school day. October 27, Parent – Teacher Conferences November 11, Veterans Day – No School November 23, Thanksgiving Recess Begins at 10:30 AM November 30, Trimester 1 Ends |
For a full listing of School Events, please see the Masconomet Website.
News from the Masconomet Superintendent 