Superintendent’s Report to the School Committee, September 25, 2024

Anti-Semitic Graffiti at Masconomet Middle School

Earlier this month, several swastikas were discovered in a boy’s bathroom at Masconomet Middle School.  I would like to echo the statements made by Middle School Principal McManus that these acts are unacceptable and these and any other symbols of hate have no place in our district or our communities.  I would also like to commend Dr. McManus for confronting this incident head-on and for engaging the Lappin Foundation to address the student body at the middle school last Thursday to teach them the meaning of the symbol and the impact it has on all students and faculty.  During the assembly students watched the video “Swastika:  Symbol of Hate” and discussed the impact of anti-Semitism.  Dr. McManus reports the middle school students were deeply moved by the video and subsequent presentation and several middle school students spoke out to share their feelings on the incident.  Dr. McManus held a forum for faculty at the end of the school day on Thursday and plans a faculty working group on this topic this year.

Welcome New Director of School Counseling Julie DeMatteis

I am happy to announce the hiring of Julie De Matteis as the Director of School Counseling and Health Services for the Masconomet Regional School District.  Julie is returning to Masconomet after working for the past year as the Director of Counseling, 6-12 for the Bedford Public Schools.  Prior to working at Bedford, she worked for 17 years at Masconomet as a Counselor at the High School and as the Interim Director of Counseling and Health Services.  Her start date at Masconomet is October 1^st.  Julie is replacing Dr. Irene Duros, who resigned her position effective August 29^th. I would like to thank Dr. Duros for her service to the students at Masconomet.

Leading Now Conference

Last week, I was able to participate in the latest cohort of superintendents in a program entitled “Leading Now.”  “Focused on strategic communications and public engagement, Leading Now enables superintendents to access and apply messages and trust-building strategies in service of ALL students.” (https://leadingnow.org/about/)  Over two days, I worked with a cohort of over 30 superintendents from across the country on sessions on defining our values, building trust and navigating the political complexities of the educational landscape.  My cohort will be meeting regularly over zoom for the next several months.

High School Parent Coffee on September 27

The Middle and High School Principals and I will be continuing our practice of holding a series of Parent Coffees.  These informal sessions are an opportunity for parents and members of the public to meet face-to-face with their principals and me to ask questions and discuss any issues they may have.  Parent Coffees will be held on Friday mornings at 8:30 AM in the Middle or High School Libraries on the following dates:

Middle School Parent Coffees	High School Parent Coffees
September 20	September 27
October 18	October 25
December 6	November 15
January 24	December 13
February 28	January 17
March 28	February 14
April 18	March 21
May 30	May 23

Vaccine Clinic at Masconomet on September 27th

On September 27^th, the Masconomet Regional School District will be hosting a vaccine clinic for members of the public from 3-5 PM.  The clinic will be located in the Small Café at Door #26 and is open to all ages (3+ through seniors).  The vaccines offered are: Flu, COVID, Shingles, Pneumonia, Tetanus/Diphtheria, Pertussis (DTAP), RSV (click link for eligibility details). Thanks to Tri-Town Public Health Nurse Julia Lobel for organizing this clinic.

Anyone interested in this free clinic can SIGN UP HERE: https://form.jotform.com/242385316710150

US Attorney’s Office Presents Internet Safety Program on October 8^th

The United States Attorney’s Office and Department of Homeland Security will be offering a virtual program “Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online:  A Project Safe Presentation for Parents” on October 8^th at 6:30 PM.  Advanced registration is required for this program.  More information, including the registration link is available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N9kjSXn9YOthOii22CIKkatlZTxNT4bV/view   

If you have a question or concern and don’t know where to start, please consult Masconomet’s Problem–Solver and Communications Guide

To make sure you stay up to date on Masconomet news and information, Stay Connected with Masco outlines Masconomet’s communication methods.

Both our Middle and High School Principal’s publish weekly blogs with information from their schools.  For more school-specific info, please see the High School Principal’s Masco Memo and the Middle School Principal’s Weekly Update.