Last night, the Masconomet School Committee voted to begin the 2020-2021 school year under the remote learning option presented in the Draft Masconomet Reopening Plan. We are currently planning for student instruction to begin on September 21st. The Committee also endorsed the Administration’s plan to revisit the decision to implement the remote plan on October 7, 2020, and make the decision to either shift to a hybrid model or remain in a remote model based on the trends in local COVID-19 infections that occur between now and early October.
I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide the School Committee and me with their thoughts around the best way for the District to restart school for students in September. There are many points of view on this very important decision and I know that I speak for the members of the School Committee in saying that we appreciate the respectful and constructive tone that has characterized the dialogue around this decision.
Over the next few weeks, we will be finalizing our plans to implement the remote learning model. At the same time, we will also continue our preparations to implement a hybrid model in October if the conditions allow it. We will keep you informed of our plans, including orientation activities for students, as we get closer to the first day of school for students in September.
I am writing on behalf of the School Committee to remind you that the School Committee will be meeting on Zoom tonight, August 12, 2020, to approve the Masconomet Reopening Plan submission to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and to select the model (In-Person, Hybrid or Remote) that our schools will use to start the school year. The School Committee will be meeting in Executive Session at 7:00 and plans to begin the public portion of the meeting around 8:00 PM. The meeting agenda and Zoom link can be found at: https://www.masconomet.org/domain/184
On Monday August 10th, the School Committee met to review the District’s Draft Reopening Plan and discuss specifics around implementation of the In-Person, Hybrid and Remote Models. A recording of this meeting is available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15FpCfxP5SqhzhOk14kMUExgT1OyBxWcI/view?usp=sharing (The recording is 3:44 long and will take some time to download)
The School Committee’s Blog contains a summary of Monday’s discussions and site inspection of the Middle and High Schools. The School Committee Blog can be found at: https://www.masconomet.org/domain/207
I am writing with an update on our planning process for the start of the new school year at the Masconomet Regional School District. The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education has granted all school districts in Massachusetts ten additional days for staff training at the beginning of the year. With these ten additional days factored in to our calendar, we are scheduled to resume student learning on Monday, September 21st, pending approval by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Our planning process for what education will look like on September 21st continues to be guided by a vigilant monitoring of public health data in Massachusetts. The Commonwealth’s careful and disciplined approach has enabled our state gradually to begin reopening, in part because of strong compliance with health and safety precautions. The question now on all of our minds is how and when we apply those lessons learned to begin safely reopening our public schools.
As you have heard, the Massachusetts Department of Education has directed districts to submit on July 31, 2020 a preliminary plan that addresses the feasibility of three options for serving students at the start of the school year. Those options include a full return to daily, in-person attendance, a hybrid plan combining in-school learning with remote learning, and finally, a 100% remote learning program. Last week, a group of 40 stakeholders from the District, including teachers, nurses, department heads, building leadership and district administration met to review the guidance documents provided by DESE and to draft plans for each of the three options. These drafts formed the basis for our July 31st submission to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. An outline of the main components of these three plans, in-person, hybrid and remote, follows this letter.
Our district’s final plan, once it is approved by the School Committee on August 12th, will be submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on August 13th. This submission will indicate which option the School Committee has selected for our students to begin the school year. At this time, it is clear that we cannot implement an in-person model given the current health and safety requirements. This leaves our hybrid and remote plans as the remaining two viable options. Given the significant changes these plans will require in the way schools operate, we also must negotiate our proposal with all employee unions impacted: teachers, administrators, support staff, maintenance staff and paraprofessionals. We are on a very tight timeline to meet the August 13th DESE deadline for submitting final fall plans.
We recognize that the circumstances and needs of every family and staff member are different, and that no plan will satisfy everyone in our community. But rest assured we are working diligently to explore every option available to us, we remain guided by the data and science to keep our students and staff safe and healthy, and we will be prepared to make adjustments along the way if and when the public health conditions or other variables change.
We will keep you informed of our progress in developing a final plan, selecting the option for starting the school year, and in our negotiations with our unions. If you have questions regarding our plan, our School Committee has developed a survey for you to send us your questions. The survey can be found at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/u/2/d/e/1FAIpQLSeLRrYZzmQgkuYt1AKn_AXUCACrTIn5tAAoc1h_Lol5wehNiQ/viewform?usp=sf_link Your questions will be used to help us develop future communications around our plan.
I am confident that we can prioritize both safety and learning as we prepare for the start of a successful school year. Thank you for your patience and cooperation in these difficult times.
Sincerely
Michael M. Harvey, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Summary of Masconomet Reopening Plan
All In-Person Learning
The goal of this plan is to return 100% of students to in-person learning in school environments that have been appropriately modified to address health and safety requirements issued by DESE.
All students and staff will be required to wear a mask.
Handwashing/sanitizing stations will be available throughout the buildings.
Ensuring mandated three-foot minimum spacing in classrooms would require extensive furniture purchases and storage solutions.
Unable to provide minimum required spacing in many courses (Arts, Music, Physical Education, Science Labs).
Unable to transport all students using the maximum capacity of 25-students on busses.
Unable to feed all students using the 6-foot minimum social distancing during lunch.
Our feasibility study has led us to conclude we cannot implement an in-person model given the current health and safety requirements.
Hybrid Learning
Students alternate between in-person learning with safety requirements and remote learning.
While in-person, all students and staff will be required to wear a mask.
Handwashing/sanitizing stations will be available throughout the buildings.
Approximately 50% of students will be in-school on a given day. Students will attend in-person on an alternating basis (Either every other day or two consecutive days in school per week).
Students who are not in school will follow their daily schedule remotely.
6-foot physical distancing will be the standard in all spaces in the building, including classrooms.
Students will eat lunch in the field house with 6-foot minimum physical distancing. Prepackaged lunches will be available for students.
Reduced student numbers will make it possible to transport students using the current DESE guidelines.
All students will follow a seven-period day, regardless of whether they are attending in-person or remotely.
Special Education Cohorts as identified in DESE guidance will attend school full-time.
Grading Periods, (Quarters and Semesters in the HS and Trimesters in the MS) will remain the same regardless of the teaching and learning environment.
As during in-person learning, students may be assigned homework to be done outside of scheduled remote class instruction.
Attendance will be taken in PowerSchool for every class.
Teachers will maintain current instructions, assignments and learning materials in Blackboard and will provide clear learning objectives and expectations.
Instruction in the curriculum will be done in coordination with Department Chairs. Courses will follow the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks Documents.
Students will receive alphanumeric grades. Standard Masconomet Grading policies will apply for grading periods.
Parents will have the option to choose an all-remote learning plan for their children.
Remote Learning
In this model, remote learning is the default model of instruction for all students, though some High Needs students may still be served in-person.
DESE “Time in Learning” Requirements will apply to the Remote Schedules.
Students will follow a five-day, eight period schedule.
Students’ seven courses will each meet three times per week.
All seven courses will meet on Monday.
W.I.N. Block is added as a “What I need” period for students to access guidance counselors, coordinators, teachers, advisors, etc. as needed.
As during in-person learning, students may be assigned homework to be done outside of scheduled remote class instruction.
Students and teachers are expected to have a live, video presence during instructional time.
Attendance will be taken in PowerSchool for every class.
Teachers will maintain current instructions, assignments and learning materials in Blackboard and will provide clear learning objectives and expectations.
Instruction in the curriculum will be done in coordination with Department Chairs. Courses will follow the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks Documents.
Students will receive alphanumeric grades. Standard Masconomet Grading policies will apply for grading periods.
Grading Periods, (Quarters and Semesters in the HS and Trimesters in the MS) will remain the same regardless of the teaching and learning environment.
Masconomet Reopening Plan Planning Committee
The following group of teachers, administrators, parents and community members met at Masconomet on July 28-July 30 to develop the In-Person, Hybrid and Remote Learning Plans for the Masconomet Regional School District
Ursina
Amsler
Middle School Teacher, MTA Vice President
Doug
Batchelder
Director of Facilities
Marie
Bridges
Special Education Team Chair
Patty
Bullard
Asst. Superintendent for Student Services
Steve
Burt
Director of Safety and Security
Marc
Butterworth
Parent
John
Daileanes
Director of Athletics and Phys Ed.
Cathie
Daly
HS Secretary — Support Staff Association Co-President
Pete
Delani
HS Principal
Kristen
DeMarco
SEPAC Chair
Brad
Denton
Asst. Director of Special Education
Katie
DiNardo
HS Asst. Principal
Irene
Duros
Guidance and Counseling Department Head
Tammy
Fay
Science, Technology & Engineering Dept. Head
Meagan
Hildebrand
English Department Head
Ben
Hodges
Business and Comp. Sci. Department Head
Marshall
Hook
Parent
Kathy
Hostetter
HS Nurse
Ryan
King
Technology Integration Specialist
Gwen
Lemire
MS Nurse
Kendell
Longo
Boxford Director of Public Health
Stacy
Mannheim
Art Department Head
Phil
McManus
MS Principal
Gavin
Monagle
MS Asst. Principal
Carrie
Murphy
Director of Food Services
Lisa
Novack
Parent
Jeanne
O’Hearn
Foreign Language Department Head
Randy
O’Keefe
Music Department Head
Vin
Ruocco
Director of Information Technology
Jeff
Sands
Asst. Superintendent for Operations and Finance
Alyssa
Schatzel
HS Asst. Principal
Susan
Sooaar
Paraprofessionals’ Association President
Melissa
Stanley
High School Teacher, MTA Professional Improvement Committee Chair
Last week, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released its Initial Fall School Reopening Guidance. In this document, the DESE prioritizes reopening school with in-person instruction for all students in September following a comprehensive set of health and safety guidelines. The document also instructs school districts in Massachusetts to develop contingency plans should our local conditions change for both a remote learning model and a hybrid model that incorporates both in-person and remote instruction. Over the course of the summer, we expect further expansion of the reopening guidance and clarification of the requirements of each plan to be issued by the DESE.
This week, our District’s Executive Leadership Team, which consists of Assistant Superintendents Patty Bullard and Jeff Sands, High School Principal Peter Delani, current Middle School Principal Jim Dillon, incoming Middle School Principal Phil McManus and me, met to review the Initial Fall Reopening Guidance. We also developed a timeline for our work this summer to develop the three plans. Our goal is to have our plans completed in time for submission to the DESE in early August. We expect to communicate them to the Masconomet Community around the same time.
While we hope that the trend in COVID-19 infections in Massachusetts continues on the current downward trajectory, and allows us to have all students safely in school in September, we’ll be ready with our contingency plans if the need arises. In the meantime, please do your part to stop the spread of COVID-19 by wearing masks, washing your hands and practicing social distancing.
As we wrap up what has become the most unusual school year of all time, I wanted to take a minute to recognize five very special members of our faculty who are retiring this year. I would have hoped to have done this in person with all of us together today, but this will have to do. Please join me in congratulating Vicki Aguilar, Jim Dillon, Jennifer Reyes, Karen Simi and Greg West on their retirements. These people have played a great role in making Masconomet a wonderful place to learn and work.
Vicki Aguilar
Vicki Aguilar retired in September of 2019 after serving in the Masconomet District for nineteen years. She was first hired in November of 2001 as a part-time school secretary and in 2004 became the Registrar of Masconomet High School. In this role, Vicki was responsible for maintaining student transcripts, assisting students with college applications, and helping students obtain working papers. She was also the first face many Masconomet students and families met as they enrolled in the school. Vicki is known for her up-beat personality, attention to detail and her ability to put students, parents and co-workers at ease.
2004 2020
Leslie Brooks
Leslie Brooks is retiring after 15 years as a Paraprofessional in the District. She was originally hired as a Special Education Tutor in the Middle School in 2005 and then moved to the High School in 2006. Leslie also worked regularly in the Masconomet’s Student Services Summer Program. Leslie is known for her positive attitude, willingness to be flexible in the face of changing schedules, and her commitment to her students.
Jim Dillon
Jim Dillon came to Masconomet Middle School in September of 1998. Jim came to Masco with 9 years of classroom experience: two at Rockland Junior High School and seven at Alvirne High School in Hudson, New Hampshire. In his time as a teacher at Masco, Jim served on a number of staff committees, including the Professional Improvement Committee, the Middle School Advisory Council, and as a mentor to new members of the faculty.
Last year, when Masconomet Middle School Principal Dot Flaherty resigned, Jim applied for the position of Interim Principal. He did this, not because he particularly wanted the job, but because he so felt strongly about Masconomet Middle School, he wanted to ensure a smooth transition in leadership. In most cases, a person in an interim position is there merely to keep things running and not make any changes until their successor takes the reins. Apparently, no one told Jim this. In the past year, he has led the school through several major initiatives, been an active member of the District’s Executive Leadership Team and, most importantly, served as an overall champion of the Masconomet Middle School Program.
1998 2019
Jennifer Reyes
Jennifer Reyes was hired as a mathematics teacher at Masconomet Middle School in the summer of 1998. Jennifer came to teaching after working for ten years in high-tech sales and marketing. After working in the Middle School for two years, Jennifer moved to Masconomet High School in 2000. In her time at Masconomet, Jennifer was very involved in the life of the school. She was instrumental in developing the Masconomet Architecture Fair, a culminating exhibit of projects created by geometry students. She also served on the National Honor Society Faculty Committee, the Professional Improvement Committee, worked in the High School’s Engineering Day Curriculum, mentored new faculty members and taught the SAT Prep Course. Jennifer embodied what it means “to be a good teammate,” as she cared deeply about her colleagues as well as her students. She embraced what “Masco” is all about.
1998 2020
Karen Simi
Karen Simi has been a member of the Masconomet community for the past twenty years. She began her career at Masconomet as a Secretary in the Technology Department in 2000. She was quickly promoted to the position of Administrative Assistant to the Technology Director in 2001. In 2005, Karen became the “House C” Secretary and then moved to the position of Administrative Assistant in the School Counseling Department in 2005. In all of these roles, Karen distinguished herself because of her dedication, work ethic, dependability, and willingness to tackle any job. Karen’s kind demeanor with faculty, parents, and students always made them feel welcome at Masconomet.
2000 2020
Greg West
Greg West is retiring after 31 years in the Masconomet District. He was first hired as a Health Education Teacher at Masconomet in 1988. As a Health Teacher, Greg was the driving force behind the institution of the EMS Certification Program for students at Masco. He was known for his engaging teaching style, particularly his classroom discussions in his Intro to Medicine classes, and the hands-on skills training in his Honors EMT courses. Greg has also worked as an advisor on many student activities. Most notably, he has served as the Drama Club Advisor and Directed the fall and spring student productions. Greg also served as the Yearbook Advisor, and the Yearbook Photographer. Greg has also served on several District Committees, including the District Crisis Team, School Health Advisory Council, and the Substance Abuse Prevention Team. He embraced being a part of “Masco,” holding himself and others to a standard of excellence whether in the classroom, stage or working with staff and administration.
Congratulations to Katie Bernard and Justin Crosby, the winners of the First Masconomet Vision 2025 Challenge! Students were asked to use any media (video, visual arts, music, poem, essay, persuasive writing, journal entry, etc.) to create your own response to the question, “What knowledge, skills and dispositions do Masco students need for success?” and connect their responses to the current COVID-19 global pandemic and school closures.
Thanks to all of our students who submitted an entry.
I’d also like to announce Challenge #2. . .
Masconomet’s Vision 2025 Challenge Series
Empowering our youth to create meaning and success.
Challenge #2:
Watch the Video “Failure and Growth Mindset” from the film Most Likely to Succeedhttps://vimeo.com/178681594
At the beginning of the clip, Ted Dintersmith describes the contradiction between the need to “risk failure” in order to be successful in life and our system of education that discourages risk-taking in schools. How has the avoidance of risking a bad grade influenced you in school? What might you do differently in school if the risk of a bad grade wasn’t there? Consider what this makes you think about yourself, your interests, your curiosity, and the systems around you. Take some time to brainstorm and organize your thoughts. Dig deep. Push your creativity.
Use any media, approach and style to create your own original response to the statement: “If I could learn about anything I wanted in school, I would choose to learn about _________, because _________.”
Connect your response in any way you choose to the current COVID-19 global pandemic and how life has changed during this time.
Use ANY media — video, visual arts, music, poem, performance, essay, persuasive writing, journal entry, etc.
Use ANY style — artistic, thoughtful, humorous, ironic, dramatic, scientific, etc.
Projects can be collaborations, as long as collaboration is done virtually.
Submissions will be judged by a panel of community members for their originality, concept, skill, delivery and presentation, as well as overall impact and use of the challenge. Submissions will also be assessed in the context of the student’s age/grade.
Participation is optional, but I can promise “eternal glory” for a select few. Chosen projects will be highlighted in Masco and local media, and the honor of being selected will certainly have merit on a resumé. This is also a chance to positively impact all those who will see your amazing work during this challenging time.
The North Shore area superintendents have collaborated to make a timely and unified decision about school closure that they feel is in the best interests of their faculty, staff, students, and families. This decision was made after significant conversations among school leaders, local public health officials, and state officials. State officials have today urged that municipalities should make decisions based on their local circumstances, and given the rapidly changing COVID-19 crisis, which the World Health Organization has this week labeled a global pandemic.
The following districts have mutually decided to close schools through at least March 27:
Amesbury Public Schools
Beverly Public Schools
Chelsea Public Schools
Danvers Public Schools
Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School
Everett Public Schools
Georgetown Public Schools
Gloucester Public Schools
Hamilton–Wenham Regional School District
Haverhill Public Schools
Ipswich Public Schools
Lawrence Public Schools
Lynnfield Public Schools
Manchester Essex Regional School District
Marblehead Public Schools
Masconomet Regional School District (Middle/High Schools of Boxford, Middleton, Topsfield)
Methuen Public Schools
Nahant Public Schools
Newburyport Public Schools
Pentucket Regional School District (Groveland, West Newbury, Merrimac)
Rockport Public Schools
Saugus Public Schools
Swampscott Public Schools
Triton Regional School District (Newbury, Rowley, Salisbury,)
Tri-Town School Union (Elementary schools of Boxford, Middleton, and Topsfield)
Wakefield Public Schools
Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School
Winthrop Public Schools
Leadership for all 28 school districts have decided to close their school facilities beginning on Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27. School district leadership will continue to re-evaluate the situation on a day-by-day basis.
The school leaders held a conference call today after a lengthy call with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. During that call, no determination was made by the state on widespread school closure. The superintendents in this region have consulted with health experts and their own municipal public health agents in reaching a decision that, while difficult, is in the interests of the safety and wellbeing of their communities, which is paramount at all times.
The decision to collectively close schools on the North Shore area has been made after significant consideration and in an effort to proactively address the evolving novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.
The Department of Secondary and Elementary Education (DESE) is advising districts throughout the state this morning to cancel or reschedule gatherings of 250 people or more and to limit instances where students, faculty, and staff are closer than 6 feet away from each other. While DESE is not explicitly advising districts close at this time, due to the concerns regarding the spread of this virus among crowds, area superintendents feel it is prudent to close their facilities temporarily. District leaders additionally encourage students and staff to avoid being in large crowds of people in order to further prevent the spread of the virus.
Massachusetts school districts have been informed that no district will have to go past June 30 and that school districts will not have to go beyond their planned 185th day of school, regardless of the COVID-19 situation.
Each district will additionally provide updated information through their websites and individual communication channels to their communities as more information becomes available.
The following is a statement from the superintendents in the 28 districts:
“The health and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff are of the utmost importance to us all on the North Shore, and as a result, we’ve collectively decided to close our school facilities for the next two weeks. This is being done in an effort to proactively address the evolving COVID-19 situation. We have each been in close communication for months now with our local and state health officials to ensure we’re following their recommendations for preventing the spread of this virus.
“We believe by closing our facilities for this period of time, we will have a positive impact on preventing the spread of this virus and promoting public health and safety by creating a united response to this situation.”
Symptoms of the virus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and can appear between two and 14 days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Anyone who experiences symptoms and believes they may have the virus is advised to contact their health care provider. For more information from the CDC for those who may have the virus, click here.
The North Shore superintendents also wish to encourage students and staff to follow recommended preventative steps from the DPH:
Practice good hand hygiene! Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds including under your fingernails. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol content) can be used when soap and water are not available.
Keep your hands away from your face.
Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing with a tissue and discard it immediately. Cough into the sleeve over your elbow instead of your hand. Wash your hands often when coughing and sneezing.
Stay away from people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.
We have been made aware of a few students at Masconomet who have may have been exposed to coronavirus. None of these students are currently exhibiting symptoms. However, out of an abundance of caution, the Masconomet Regional School District will be closed from Friday, March 13th through Sunday, March 15th so that we may conduct a deep cleaning of the building. The current plan is to re-open at our regular time on Monday, March 16th. As this is a fluid situation, please look for additional announcements over the weekend.
In an effort to slow the spread of the virus through our communities and to limit the exposure of students to people from the outside, we will take additional steps:
As of today, all field trips are cancelled until further notice.
Effective immediately, all events and meetings on school grounds outside of the regular school day are cancelled until further notice. Student clubs, activities, and extra help sessions that occur immediately after school will still be held for the time being.
The start of the spring sports season will be pushed back to March 23rd.
We will continue to monitor the situation and re-assess these cancellations as we learn more. Please remember that these decisions are not made lightly and are taken to maximize the safety of students, staff and members of the community.
On Wednesday March 4th, the Masconomet Regional School Committee will hold a Public Hearing on two very important topics; the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) District Annual Operating Budget, and participation in the School Choice Program. Public hearings are an opportunity for members of the public to share their views with the School Committee. The public hearing will begin at 7:00 PM in the Osgood Presentation Room at Masconomet Regional High School. The School Committee Policy governing Public Hearings can be found at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1okO6rv7VSnKGF3YtISbnA-7Oeb_C7p8A/view?usp=sharing.
Here is some information on the two topics of the Public Hearing:
FY21 District Operating Budget
The School Committee is charged with approving the Masconomet Regional District’s Annual Operating Budget and is scheduled to take a final vote to adopt the FY21 Operating Budget on Wednesday March 11th. The School Committee is currently considering the Superintendent’s Recommended Budget of $36,580,321, which is an increase of $1,891,054 or 5.45% over the current year. This budget recommendation is made up of a level service, or the funds necessary to maintain current programs, staffing and materials, increase of $1,673,078 or 4.82% over the current year and “critical priorities” in the amount of $217,976 or a .63% over the current year’s budget. Detailed information regarding the FY21 Superintendents’ Recommended Budget is available at https://www.masconomet.org/Page/707
School Choice Program Participation
The Massachusetts School Choice Program was created in 1993 as part of the Massachusetts Education Reform Act. The program allows districts that opt into the program to accept non-resident students into the school system. Districts are compensated a set amount of $5,000 for each student that is accepted. Districts that choose to opt into the School Choice Program have the ability to limit the acceptance of students to specific grades and may set limits on how many students are accepted. The Administration of the Masconomet Regional District is asking the School Committee to consider accepting School Choice students for next year. The School Committee is currently scheduled to vote regarding participation in the School Choice Program for next year after the conclusion of the Public Hearing on March 4th.
The School Committee would like to hear your views on these two important issues. Please considering attending the Public Hearing at 7:00 on March 4th to lend your input to their decisions.
Last fall, I asked faculty, parents and members of the community for their responses to the question “What knowledge, skills and dispositions do you feel Masconomet students will need to master in order to be successful in the future?” I’ve compiled the responses from these groups and have presented them below in the form of a “word cloud” (https://www.wordclouds.com/). In a word cloud, the size of the word signifies how many times it appears in the response list. The largest words appear many times, while the smallest words appear only once.
Here’s the Word Cloud built from responses from the Masconomet Faculty:
Here’s the Word Cloud composed of responses from parents and the community (Note “S. & E. awareness” is an abbreviation for “Social and Emotional awareness”):
Finally, here’s a Word Cloud that combines the responses from both groups:
As I review these Word Clouds, I’m struck that there is very little to be found in the way of traditional academic content on either list. “Writing skills” probably comes the closest to being a part of the traditional academic curriculum, but there is no list of essential historical dates or places to memorize, no essential mathematical operations to master, and no essential pieces of literature to read.
What has made the list are what are known as “soft skills,” such as “collaboration,” “problem solving,” “communication,” or “critical thinking.” While the name “soft skills” probably refers to these skills being in the affective domain and more difficult to measure through traditional testing, I would argue that they are any thing but “soft.” Mastery of these skills are going to be more valuable to our students as they navigate the unknown challenges of the future than any discreet facts they could learn.
I think the similarities between the lists complied by the faculty and parents and the community is a good sign. We seem to be in agreement on what our students should know, do and feel. Our job as educators and as a community is now to make sure our system is designed to deliver helping our students to master these knowledge, skills and dispositions.
News from the Masconomet Superintendent 