Superintendent’s Report to the School Committee, 5/29/24

Performing Arts Department Head Announcement

I’m pleased to announce the hiring of Jared Cassedy as the next Performing Arts Department Head for the Masconomet Regional School District.  For the past six years, Jared has been the K-12 Performing Arts Coordinator/Band Director for the Lexington Public Schools.  He began his career in 2005 as a music teacher at Windham Middle School, in Windham, NH and was appointed as the first Director of Bands for the newly constructed Windham High School directing all instrumental ensembles in 2009.  Until 2016, Jared held the position of Director of K-12 Fine and Performing Arts in Windham and was responsible for the supervision and evaluation of teachers as well as the development of curriculum.  From 2016 to 2018 Jared worked as the first Director of K-12 Performing Arts for the Salem School District in New Hampshire.

Jared is also the conductor of the New England Conservatory Preparatory School’s Jr. Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble, a position he has held since 2016 where he works with students within the Greater Boston area who rehearse and perform actively throughout the school year.  Additionally, Jared is on the faculty of The Longy School of Music of Bard College where he teaches conducting classes for the Masters of Music in Music Education program and is the Artistic Director for Longy’s Side-by-Side Orchestra Program.

Jared is the recipient of the 2015 GRAMMY Music Educator Award furnished by the GRAMMY Foundation and The Recording Academy having been selected out of a pool of more than 7,200 nominees nationwide and was most recently recognized as a 2022 National Music Teacher of Excellence by the Country Music Association (CMA) Foundation. Jared is President-Elect for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) and is the Past Chairperson for the MMEA Northeastern District.  Jared graduated Summa cum Laude from the University of New Hampshire – Durham where he received his Bachelors of Music degree in Music Education and has a Masters of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Educational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University.

Jared will be available to meet with students, parents and interested members of the community at 5:30 PM on Monday, June 17^th in the small cafeteria.  Please join us in welcoming Jared to Masconomet.

Director of Teaching and Learning Finalists

I am happy to announce the two finalists for the position of Director of Teaching and Learning for the Masconomet Regional School District.  The finalists are:

• Kevin Cyr, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Lynnfield Public Schools
• Dennis Mahoney, Principal of Winchester High School

Both finalists will next spend an afternoon at Masconomet meeting with groups of district administration, department heads, and faculty.  Kevin Cyr will be at Masconomet on Thursday, May 30^th and Dennis Mahoney will visit us on Thursday, June 6^th.  Both candidates will be available to meet with faculty from 2:30 to 3:30 PM in the High School Library on their respective dates. 

The position of Director of Teaching and Learning was posted on May 1, 2024 and received 27 applications.  Based on a review of qualifications and experience, six applicants were selected for interviews, five of whom accepted this invitation.  Interviews were conducted on the afternoons of May 21^st and 22^nd by an interview committee that included Faculty Members Michael Kelsen, Lauren McAuliffe, Michael Surette and Nicko Tzortzis, Department Heads Irene Duros and Sarah Smith, Principals Katie DiNardo and Phil McManus, and Acting Asst. Superintendent for Student Services Brad Denton.  I want to thank the members of the interview committee for offering their time and sharing their viewpoints on each of the candidates invited to interview. 

Credit for Life Fair on May 23^rd

Over 100 Masco Juniors attend the Credit for Life fair sponsored by Institution for Savings at Salem State University on Thursday, May 23rd!  It was a great opportunity for our students to get hands-on experience learning about the realities of being a 25-year-old working professional in this day and age. Students were tasked with choosing a career, receiving a credit card and a credit score to learn and visit 12-15 booths learning about budgeting their monthly expenses on things they needed and things that they wanted.  Thank you to all who supported this event and made it happen!

Memorial Day Assemblies on May 23 and May 24

Masconomet Middle School held its Memorial Day Assembly on Thursday, May 23^rd.  8^th Grade students and their teachers led the assembly, which consisted of solemn and moving readings and musical performances to honor our fallen soldiers.  Masconomet High School’s Memorial Day Assembly included remarks from Health Teacher Nick Parianos, who is a United States Marine Corp Veteran.  Contingents of local veterans were on hand to observe both of these ceremonies with our students. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2024

We are in the middle of “Senior Week” at Masconomet High School.  Last Tuesday, May 21^st, members of the Senior Class participated in our Internship Fair, where students who have been engaged in an internship since the beginning of April shared their experiences with other students, members of the faculty and parents.  On Tuesday, May 28^th, the Senior Class held its Baccalaureate Celebration.  On Thursday morning, we will hold our Senior Awards Ceremony at 10:30 AM.  Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2024 will be held this Friday, May 31^st at 6:00 PM at Bunker Stadium.  I would like to extend my congratulations to the members of the Class of 2024 and wish them the best as they enter their post-secondary studies or begin their careers!