Superintendent’s Report to the School Committee, 12/18/24

Appointment of Brad Denton to Position of Assistant Superintendent for Student Services

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Brad Denton to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Student Services.  Brad has served in this role in an “acting” capacity since the end of March of 2024. 

Brad has a deep understanding of the Student Services Department at Masconomet.  He first joined Masconomet as a Special Education Program Coordinator in 2006 and was promoted to the position of Assistant Director of Special Education in 2009.  As the Assistant Director of Special Education, Brad has been involved in all aspects of our Student Services programming, including program development, student case management, and the evaluation and supervision of faculty and staff.  In this role, he was, and continues to be, an integral member of our Social Emotional Learning Leadership Team (SELLT), which has implemented a comprehensive approach to addressing the mental health needs of our students.  He also coordinated our summer programming for special education and credit recovery.  Through these roles and responsibilities, Brad demonstrated his capabilities and talents are a great match for the Assistant Superintendent role.

Brad has also developed meaningful relationships with faculty and members of the community.  As a member of the Masconomet leadership team, Brad has worked closely with all members of our Student Services Department and has earned their trust and support.  As a former Special Education Program Coordinator, he has an intimate understanding of the needs of our special educators and the challenges they face.  In his time at Masconomet, he has worked closely with our school counselors and nurses on developing programming to meet the needs of our students.  As Assistant Director, Brad has worked with our department heads and principals on solutions to school and district-wide issues, such as the development of our student success centers.  Brad is also a Masconomet graduate and a Topsfield resident.  He has been able to leverage his understanding of the communities Masconomet serves to build strong relationships with parents and community members.  These relationships, both inside and outside Masconomet will serve him well in the role of Assistant Superintendent for Student Services.  

Brad has been serving in the role of Acting Assistant Superintendent for the last nine months, and has demonstrated he is clearly the right person for this role.  While some see an “acting” position as a caretaker role, Brad has spent his time working to improve and strengthen our programming.  He has led an analysis of our special education programming this year, including reviewing our current programs and looking at future needs that may require adjustments to the services we offer.  This review has led to developing stronger relationships with our counterparts in the Tri-Town School Union so we can better understand the needs of students who will be entering Masconomet in the near future.  Most recently, Brad has been engaged with meeting personally with the special education coordinators in the three upper elementary schools to discuss the needs of current 6th grade students as they prepare to transition to Masconomet, and to review the profiles of students in the lower grades.  These conversations will allow Brad to be proactive in developing programming to meet future student needs.

Under other circumstances, I would normally undertake a search to fill the position of Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, but given Brad’s experience, relationships and performance in the “Acting” role, I wholeheartedly believe we have already identified the right person for the job.  Please join me in welcoming Brad to this role.

Masconomet DECA Wins Big in District Competition

Masco DECA competed at the District 24 Conference at the DoubleTree Danvers on December 11 & 12. One hundred and fourteen of the 220 Masconomet DECA Members in the competition were the Top 7 winners in their category and qualified to represent Masconomet at the DECA State Conference in Boston in February. These DECA State qualifiers will have the opportunity to represent Masco and earn a spot at the International DECA Conference which will be held in Orlando, Florida in April. For more information of the DECA Program and their most recent competition please go to: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j0uA5iz4vU9ykwtYyLu5SDZFuym4T9qJqxv_60hMewQ/edit?usp=sharing

Congratulations to Masconomet’s Science Team!

Model UN Team Members Recognized

The Masconomet Model United Nations team kicked off their conference season with a one-day simulation hosted by St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers. Eighteen Masco delegates joined with hundreds of students from schools around New England for an exciting day of debate and negotiation to create resolutions for some of the world’s most pressing issues. Student delegates were assigned to one of a dozen committees, including traditional UN bodies, such as the Special Political and Decolonization Committee, UN Human Rights Committee, and the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, as well as more specialized committees, such as the US Senate debate on immigration reform and the British House of Commons debate on Brexit. Several Masco delegates received awards of recognition, and all should be proud of their efforts!

Award Recipients pictured:

  • Dylan Guido, Best Negotiator (as Russia in the COPUOS Committee)
  • Delaney Ogden, Best Delegate (as UK in the SPECPOL Committee)
  • Thomas Buckley, Best Negotiator (as US in the General Assembly)
  • Landen Boutilier, Best Negotiator (as Hunter S. Thompson in Altamont Committee)

School Quality Measures Survey

Beginning January 6, 2025, the Masconomet Regional School District will be conducting a series of surveys to help us better understand the experiences of students, parents and faculty in our schools.  These School Quality Measures (SQM) Surveys will be administered through the Education Commonwealth Project (ECP), an organization based at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst dedicated to assisting Massachusetts school districts gain a better understanding of their strengths and areas for improvement. 

All Masconomet Middle and High School students will take the SQM Survey during M-Block on January 6th.  This survey will take approximately 25 minutes to complete.  Parents or guardians who have questions about the survey should contact their child’s principal.  We will also be sending a companion survey link to all Masconomet parents through the email address they have provided to the district.  Faculty members will also complete a version of the survey during their faculty meetings on January 6th. All survey responses are anonymous and will not collect personal information.

The School Quality Measures (SQM) Framework seeks to create a comprehensive picture of the effectiveness of a school.  Rather than focusing solely on achievement test scores, the SQM Framework evaluates a school’s effectiveness in the areas of “Teachers and Leadership,” “School Culture,” “Resources,” “Academic Learning,” and “Community and Wellbeing” through collecting school-reported data from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and through surveys of school stakeholders.  The result of this data collection is the creation of a SQM Dashboard that offers a more “dynamic picture of school quality and student learning than a single standardized test.”  For more information on the SQM Dashboard, please visit: https://www.edcommonwealth.org/school-quality-measures 

Thanks in advance for taking the time to complete the survey.  We will use the SQM Dashboard to guide our school improvement efforts.  Creation of an SQM Dashboard for Masconomet is a component of the Masconomet Strategic Plan, 2023-2028.

SBIRT Screening

On January 6 & 7, 2025, the Masconomet Regional High School Nursing and Counseling staff will administer the SBIRT health screening to all 9th-grade students. SBIRT stands for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment. SBIRT is used to screen for alcohol, nicotine, tobacco, and other drug use. This health screening is required by Massachusetts law. Please check your email for details.

January Parent Coffees with Administration

Our next High School Parent Coffee will be held on Friday, January 17 in the High School Library at 8:30 AM.  Our next Middle School Parent Coffee will be on January 24 in the Middle School Library at 8:30 AM. Parents are asked to check in at the main office to sign into the building.  They will then be escorted to the library for the Parent Coffee.

Click here for the full schedule of Parent Coffees with Masconomet Administration

Stay in Touch with Masconomet

District Communications and Quick Reference Guide

Have a question or concern and don’t know where to start? The District Communications and Quick Reference Guide will get you in touch with the right person at Masconomet.

Stay Connected with Masconomet

Stay Connected with Masconomet outlines our District’s communication methods.

School Principals’ Blogs

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.

Masconomet’s Strategic Plan, 2023-2028

Masconomet 2024-2025 Strategic Initiative Goals

Masconomet’s Portrait of a Learner

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Superintendent’s Report to the School Committee, 12.4.24

Girls Soccer Team wins Division 2 State Championship

Congratulations to Masconomet’s Varsity Girls Soccer Team for winning the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Division 2 State Championship.  The Team defeated Duxbury, 5-0, on November 23 in Worcester to clinch the state title.  They finished with a season record of 22-0-1 and a truly dominant 101-6 goal differential.  Congratulations to Head Coach Allison Lecesse, her coaching staff and to the entire team.

Photo Credit: Boston Globe

Masconomet Cheerleading takes 2nd Place at State Meet

Congratulations to the Masconomet Cheerleading Squad for finishing in second place in Division 2 at the 2024 Massachusetts School Administrators Association State Meet on 11/24 in Worcester.  The team finished second to Billerica by earning a score of 88.5. Great job!

Masconomet Middle School Leaders Testify Before State Antisemitism Commission

Middle School Principal Philip McManus and school counselor Jessica Goldberg shared their experiences with the Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism during a Statehouse hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Antisemitic acts have increased in recent years, with the Anti-Defamation League of Boston reporting that incidents in New England tripled from 2022 to 2023.

Principal McManus and Ms. Goldberg shared the impact the discovery of swastika graffiti on campus had on the school community, and the importance of continuous communication with stakeholders. They were joined by Deborah Coltin, Executive Director of the Lappin Foundation in Beverly, which provided antisemitism education services and support following the incident.

Commission members were particularly interested in the school’s quick and strategic response, leading to positive response from parents and the school community.

The Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism was created in July and was charged with soliciting feedback from across the state on proactive measures to reduce the incidence of antisemitic attacks. Members include representatives of the House and Senate, municipal government, education, and law enforcement, including Essex District Attorney Paul Tucker.

The Middle School and district are committed to continuing its work with the Lappin Foundation around educating students about antisemitism and the Holocaust, and maintaining a safe, inclusive, and welcoming school community.

(Testimony may be viewed here, beginning at 2:23:00)

Masconomet Middle School Holds Successful Food Drive

Masconomet Middle School held a successful Food Drive prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday.  The entire middle school collected 2,790 food items to donate to local food pantries, which is the most that has been collected in several years.  The 8 Blue Team won the school-wide competition to donate the most food items with 872 items collected! Donated food was delivered by the Middle School Student Council on November 27th to the First Church in Boxford, Trinity Church in Topsfield, and Acord Food Pantry in Hamilton.  Thanks to everyone who donated for your generosity!!

Masconomet High School’s Days of Giving

The Peer Leading program is excited to share with you that Masco’s Days of Giving will run from Monday, December 16th, to Friday, December 20th!

Masconomet High School’s Peer Leading strives to create, and stress, the importance of community within and outside the walls of Masconomet. This holiday season, the Peer Leaders are seeking donations of gifts and/or gift cards for adolescents aged 11 and up.  This age range is to ensure that all children have a merry and bright Holiday season. All collected items will go directly to students and families in the Tri-Town! All donations can be dropped off outside of the Library or House B each morning from 7:00-7:30 during the Days of Giving.

December Parent Coffees

Our next High School Parent Coffee will be held on Friday, December 6 in the High School Library at 8:30 AM.  Our next Middle School Parent Coffee will be on December 13 in the Middle School Library at 8:30 AM. Parents are asked to check in at the main office to sign into the building.  They will then be escorted to the library for the Parent Coffee.

Click here for the full schedule of Parent Coffees with Masconomet Administration

HS Winter Band and Chorus Concert on December 10 at 6:00 PM

Senior Citizen Holiday Luncheon on December 12

Our annual holiday luncheon for senior citizens in Boxford, Middleton and Topsfield will be held on December 12 in the Masconomet Auditorium.  Our Masconomet High School Band and Choral Groups will perform.  Thanks to the Institution for Savings and Sol Bean Juice Bar and Kitchen for sponsoring this event. Interested senior citizens should contact their local Council on Aging for more information.

School Cancellation Notification Procedures

As we enter the winter season and the possibility of inclement weather, I wanted to share with you our procedures for communicating school cancellations and delayed openings.   

School cancellation or delayed opening announcements will first be communicated through “passive” means, such as Instagram and local news media outlets and then later through direct telephone contact through our Blackboard Communication System.

Once the decision is made to cancel or delay the start of school, it will be communicated through the following outlets:

  1. All Media Communications will be sent out as soon as a decision has been made regardless of the time, and should be before 5:30 AM on the morning of the cancellation/delay.
  2. Direct Contact Communications through Blackboard via telephone and email should be sent out prior to 8:30 PM if a decision to close or delay school has been reached on the evening prior or at 6:00 AM if a decision is made on the morning of the cancellation or delayed opening.

Please remember that conditions may vary widely across the three communities during a weather event.  Parents always have the final authority to make the decision that it is unsafe for their child to travel to school.

Stay in Touch with Masconomet

District Communications and Quick Reference Guide

Have a question or concern and don’t know where to start? The District Communications and Quick Reference Guide will get you in touch with the right person at Masconomet.

Stay Connected with Masconomet

Stay Connected with Masconomet outlines our District’s communication methods.

School Principals’ Blogs

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.

Masconomet’s Strategic Plan, 2023-2028

Masconomet 2024-2025 Strategic Initiative Goals

Masconomet’s Portrait of a Learner

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School Cancellation Notification Procedures, 12.3.24

As we enter the winter season and the possibility of inclement weather, I wanted to share with you our procedures for communicating school cancellations and delayed openings.  These procedures have been developed in an effort to balance the needs of staff members who commute to work from a distance and families of students who may need to arrange childcare services for the day with the requests of families who do not want an “invasive” 5:30 AM phone call. 

In order to balance these needs, school cancellation or delayed opening announcements will first be communicated through “passive” means, such as Instagram and local news media outlets and then later through direct telephone contact through our Blackboard Communication System.

Once the decision is made to cancel or delay the start of school, it will be communicated through the following outlets:

  1. All Media Communications will be sent out as soon as a decision has been made regardless of the time, and should be before 5:30 AM on the morning of the cancellation/delay.
  2. Direct Contact Communications through Blackboard via telephone and email should be sent out prior to 8:30 PM if a decision to close or delay school has been reached on the evening prior or at 6:00 AM if a decision is made on the morning of the cancellation or delayed opening.

Please remember that conditions may vary widely across the three communities during a weather event.  Parents always have the final authority to make the decision that it is unsafe for their child to travel to school.

Masconomet Regional School Committee and Masconomet Teachers Association Reach Agreement on New Three-Year Contract

11/19/24

The Masconomet Regional School Committee announces that it has reached agreement on a three-year successor contract with the Masconomet Teachers Association, extending to June 30, 2027. 

Highlights of the agreement include:

  • Increases in the teacher salary grid of 3 percent in the 2024-2025 school year, 3.75 percent in the 2025-2026 school year, and 4 percent in the 2026-2027 school year.
  • Enhanced parental leave benefits, increasing the amount of time union members with a newborn or newly adopted child may take. MTA members may now take up to eight paid weeks of leave.
  • Increases in the number of unannounced observations of professional status teachers to six in a two-year period. This change better aligns the Masconomet district with the state’s model evaluation process.

The School Committee and MTA membership unanimously ratified the agreement in separate votes on Wednesday, Nov. 13.  The previous three-year agreement expired on June 30. MTA members have been working under the terms of that contract during the current school year. 

“The school committee is happy to have arrived at a new contract which strikes a fair balance between the needs of our instructors and the those of our students,” School Committee Chair Joseph McLean said.  “We are excited to provide best in class new parent benefits to eligible MTA members and thankful for improvements in the process for providing teacher feedback.  We believe this new contract will enable us to attract and retain a strong team of instructors for our students and eagerly look forward to the positive impact this will have on the Masconomet learning environment.”

Superintendent’s Report to the School Committee, 11/13/24

Thanks to Masconomet Community for Supporting the Middleton Fire Department

On Thursday, November 7th, Principals DiNardo and McManus and I delivered over $1600 in gift cards to the Middleton Fire Department to say “thank you” for their efforts in battling the brush fire that has been burning in Middleton. 

The gift cards were donated by Masconomet families and faculty and staff over the prior week and collected by the Middle and High School Main Offices.  We appreciate the outpouring of support from our families and faculty for the Middleton Fire Department.

Congratulations to the Cast and Crew of The Addams Family

On November 1st and November 2nd, the Masconomet High School Theater Company presented the musical The Addams Family.  Congratulations to the entire cast and crew of the production for putting on a great show!  Thanks also to Mr. Brian Pereira and the faculty advisors to the Theater Company.  All the hard work definitely showed through in the performance.

Congratulations to Our Fall Athletic Teams

Our Masconomet High School Fall Athletics Teams enjoyed very successful seasons.  Here’s an update on how our teams fared this year:

Boys’ Soccer finished their regular at 14-2-2 and entered the MIAA D2 Tournament as the 11th seed.  The boys won their first-round playoff game against Marlborough, 2-1 and lost in the second round to West Springfield, 1-0.

Cheerleading participates in the D2 North Championship on Sunday November 17 at Billerica Memorial HS. Tickets can be purchased online here.

Cross Country participates in the D2 state championship on Saturday November 16 at Ft. Devens. The girls’ race starts at 12:30 and boys’ race starts at 1:15.  The Boys finished 5th and the Girls 6th at the D2A Meet on November 9.

Field Hockey finished their regular season with a 13-5-0 record and earned the 15th seed in the MIAA D2 Tournament.  The team won its round of 32 game against Leominster, 2-0 and lost its round of 16 game against Somerset-Berkley Regional, 5-0.

Football finished its regular season at 6-2 and entered the MIAA D3 Tournament as the 8th seed.  The team then lost to Milford, 24-15 in MIAA D3 Round of 16 on November 8. Football hosts Malden Catholic in a non-playoff game on Friday November 15 at 6:00.  

Girls’ Soccer defeated Oliver Ames, 3-0, in the D2 Round of 8 on Wednesday, November 13.  Their next game will be the State Semi-Finals against Mansfield on Monday, November 18th at 5:00 PM at Walpole High School. The team finished the regular season undefeated at 17-0-1 and entered the MIAA D2 tournament as the #1 seed.  They have already won playoff games against Melrose (3-0) and Westfield (6-0).

The Golf Team finished third overall in the MIAA D2 North Tournament held on October 16.  Cole Velardo finished first in the individual D2 North Competition.  The team finished 9th overall in the D2 State Tournament held on October 21.

Volleyball completed the regular season with and a 16-4 record, which was good enough for a 12 seed in the MIAA D2 tournament.  The team won their first playoff match against Silver Lake Regional, 3-1 and lost in the Round of 16 to Westwood, 3-0.

Masconomet Students Learn about Our Electoral Process

Over the last few weeks, Masconomet students have been very involved in learning about and participating in our National Election.

Masconomet Students Volunteer at the Polls

In coordination with the Tri-Town Clerks, over 40 students volunteered for two-hour shifts at the Topsfield, Boxford and Middleton polling sites on election day as well as during early voting.  Students were helping poll workers sign in and sign out voters, tabulate early voting ballots and greet the community as they came through the door. Some of our 18-year-old students even cast their first ballot!

Masconomet Students Volunteering at the Polls
The Swing State Challenge!

Students in Grade 8, 10 and 11 participated in the “Swing State Challenge” prior to the election on November 5th. Each Social Studies class divided up the seven swing states, did demographic and polling research on each of them, and then made a prediction on how each state would “swing”.  No two maps looked the same! 

Winners:  

  • There was a four-way tie with classes guessing 5 of the 7 swing states:  Hughes AP Gov, Maciak CP U.S. History Period 1, Quinn Honors U.S. History Period 2, and Mitchell Honors U.S History Period 5.  
  • Mr. Mitchell’s period 5 class was the overall winner by correctly guessing the popular vote distribution and five of seven swing states.
  • On the staff side, the Guidance/Counseling Department guessed all of the swing states correctly.
Edward M. Kennedy Sophomore Field Trip

On November 5, Election Day, Masco Social Studies teachers Kim Marini, Laura Greeley and Peter Magner accompanied 100 sophomores to the Edward M. Kennedy Center for the Senate.  They participated in the Voting Rights Senate Simulation in which they role-played Senators from around the country.  Masco sophomores engaged with experts in committee hearing, built the bill from scratch and then argued the bill on the Senate floor.  A great day for experiential civics learning!

Massachusetts Ballot Question #2 and MCAS Testing

Ballot Question 2, regarding the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam, has been approved by voters. What does this mean?

The question asked voters whether students should be able to graduate high school without achieving a certain competency on the MCAS exam.

Since the question passed, MCAS testing competency is no longer a requirement for students to graduate high school. The standard for high school graduation is now determined by the district rather than by the State. Students must still complete all district graduation requirements. 

However, MCAS testing will not be eliminated. State testing is federally mandated, so Masconomet students will continue to take the MCAS exams on the current state schedule.  All students in grades 7, 8 and 10 will be tested annually in English/Language Arts and Mathematics.  Additionally, students in grade 8 will be tested in Civics and students in grade 9 will be tested in Science and Technology.

High School Parent Coffee on November 15

Our next High School Parent Coffee will be held on Friday, November 15 in the High School Library.  Parents are asked to check in at the main office to sign into the building.  They will then be escorted to the library for the Parent Coffee.

Click here for the full schedule of Parent Coffees with Masconomet Administration

Stay in Touch with Masconomet

District Communications and Quick Reference Guide

Have a question or concern and don’t know where to start? The District Communications and Quick Reference Guide will get you in touch with the right person at Masconomet.

Stay Connected with Masconomet

Stay Connected with Masconomet outlines our District’s communication methods.

School Principals’ Blogs

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.

Masconomet’s Strategic Plan, 2023-2028

Masconomet 2024-2025 Strategic Initiative Goals

Masconomet’s Portrait of a Learner

Designed with WordPress

Superintendent’s Report to the School Committee, 10/23/24

Four Retired Masconomet High School Educators were inducted into the “Masconomet Wall of Honor” on Monday, October 17th 

The Educators recognized were:

Walter “Terry” Meinelt, Art Department

Jennifer Reyes, Mathematics Department

Denise Tenanty, Mathematics Department

Greg West, Health Department

Retired faculty members are inducted onto the Wall of Honor by a committee consisting of current Masconomet High School Faculty.  There are now 32 members of the Masconomet Teacher Wall of Honor, which is located in the main foyer at the high school.

Masconomet High School’s Teacher Wall of Honor

Masconomet Visual Art Department Presenting at Artistry Unleashed Conference

Congratulations to Masconomet Visual Art Teachers Ursina Amsler, Erin Evans and Liz Saitta, who will be presenting at the Artistry Unleashed Conference at Lawrence High School on November 5th. 

From the conference description: “Artistry Unleashed:  Igniting Imagination, Innovation, and Inspiration. Dive into a dynamic realm where creativity knows no bounds and innovation takes center stage at our first visual and performing arts conference.  Join a diverse lineup of visionary artists, cutting-edge performers, and trailblazing thought leaders for an immersive experience that blends groundbreaking presentations with interactive workshops.”

235 Juniors Participated in PSATs at Masconomet High School on October 16th

Masconomet Regional High School administered the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to 235 Juniors on Wednesday, October 16.  Special thanks to our Guidance and Information Technology Departments for organizing and administering the fully online test in Masconomet’s Field House.

In addition to being great practice for students taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), the PSAT/NMQT also qualifies students for the National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition for regional and national scholarships.

235 Juniors Participate in PSAT Testing at Masconomet on October 16th

Faculty Participates in Training on New Individual Education Plan (IEP)

All Masconomet faculty in grades 7-12 participated in training on the newly-implemented Individual Education Plan (IEP) during Wednesday early-release professional development time on October 2nd and October 9th.  The training was led by Kelly Mertens, a recognized expert in the field of Special Education.

All students identified to receive Special Education Services in Massachusetts have an Individual Education Plan (IEP).  IEPs identify the accommodations and modifications a student will need in order to be successful.  IEPs are developed through a team-based process that includes the student, parents, regular education faculty, special education faculty and identified specialists.  Massachusetts implemented a new IEP form at the end of last year and Masconomet is in the process of migrating all students receiving special education services to the new form.  In addition to training the faculty, Masconomet has also held training sessions on the new forms for parents.  This training is designed to assist in meeting the District’s Improvement Goal “Strategic Initiative B:  Meeting the Needs of All Learners” included in Masconomet’s 2024-2025 Strategic Initiative Goals.

Faculty Begins Curriculum Review

On October 16th, all Masconomet faculty in grades 7-12 began work during Wednesday early-release professional development time to align their department curriculum documents to Masconomet’s Portrait of a Learner Document and to department-based transfer skills.  Director of Teaching and Learning Kevin Cyr kicked off this work with an overview of the curriculum alignment project for all faculty in the Auditorium.  Faculty members then broke up into department-based groups to work under the direction of their department head.  Faculty will be engaged in this work for the eight weeks between October 16th and the end of December. 

The work begun this fall represents the next step in a long-term process to focus on teaching students the skills they need for future success.  Last year, Masconomet faculty developed our Portrait of a Learner and department-specific transfer skills in response to the question “What knowledge, skills and dispositions does a Masconomet Learner need to master in order to be prepared for future success?”  The next step in this process is to review our curriculum documents and to revise them, if necessary, to ensure we are intentionally teaching these skills to our students.  This work is designed to address “Strategic Initiative A:  Curriculum Development and Review Process,” included in Masconomet’s 2024-2025 Strategic Initiative Goals.

Vaccine Clinic at Masconomet on October 25th

On October 25th, 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 senior citizens).  The vaccines offered are: Flu, COVID, Shingles, Pneumonia, Tetanus/Diphtheria, Pertussis (DTAP), RSV (click link for eligibility details)

Sign up for Masconomet’s October 25th Vaccine Clinic

High School Parent Coffee on October 25

Our next High School Parent Coffee will be held on Friday, October 25 in the High School Library.  Parents are asked to check in at the main office to sign into the building.  They will then be escorted to the library for the Parent Coffee.

Click here for the full schedule of Parent Coffees with Masconomet Administration

Stay in Touch with Masconomet

District Communications and Quick Reference Guide

Have a question or concern and don’t know where to start? The District Communications and Quick Reference Guide will get you in touch with the right person at Masconomet.

Stay Connected with Masconomet

Stay Connected with Masconomet outlines our District’s communication methods.

School Principals’ Blogs

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.

Masconomet’s Strategic Plan, 2023-2028

Masconomet 2024-2025 Strategic Initiative Goals

Masconomet’s Portrait of a Learner

Designed with WordPress

Superintendent’s Report to the School Committee, 10/9/24

Multi-Lingual Family Welcome Event

Masconomet and the Tri-Town School Union will be hosting an event on Thursday, October 10 at 6:00 PM in the High School Small Cafeteria to welcome our Multi-Lingual Families.  The event is being hosted by Masconomet’s English Language Learner Coordinator Jeanne O’Hearn and he counterpart in the Tri-Town School Union Karyn Pierog.  Between Masconomet and the Tri-Town Union, we invited nearly 70 families whose first language is not English to this event.  Languages that are represented in the Masconomet/Tri-Town School Community include Portuguese, Spanish, French, Chinese, Russian, Albanian, Gujarati, Korean, and Vietnamese.  World Language Department Faculty will be in attendance to provide translation services and Masconomet students in the Global Competency Diploma program are volunteering to help with set, up, greeting families and leading activities for young children in attendance.  Members of the administration from Masconomet and the Tri-Town Union will also be in attendance.  The event is a way to share information about Masconomet and the Tri-Town Schools and to make sure that parents know how to access the information they need.

Congratulations to Masconomet’s National Merit Scholarship Commended Students

Seniors Mariko Prazar, Ashwin Prasad, Chloe Lodewick, Sophie Gustafson and Tennant Bryson received Letters of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for their outstanding performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) last October. They are pictured below, with School Counselors Ms. Clark and Mr. Ely, with Principal DiNardo.

Middle School Parent Coffee on October 18

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 dates listed below.  Our next Middle School Coffee will be on October 18 and High School Coffee on October 25.

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

Masconomet Regional High School First Responder Course Makes an Impact Beyond the Classroom

Students in the Emergency Medical Services program at MRHS get to learn from local industry professionals through demonstrations, guest speakers and other opportunities. (Photo Courtesy Masconomet Regional School District).

BOXFORD – Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and paramedics are short-staffed nationwide. According to the American Ambulance Association, the turnover rate for EMTs, which includes both resignations and firings, was 36 percent in 2022. 

Federal studies have indicated 40,000 additional full-time emergency medical personnel will need to enter the field by 2030 to meet a growing demand.

Masconomet Regional High School’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program — now in its 25th year — has built an opportunity for students to explore the medical field at an early age. 

Once Masconomet completes the state Department of Public Health’s requirements, it will be one of two high schools in the state accredited by the DPH to train and certify EMTs. 

In the First Responder course, students receive an experiential education including certifications and hands-on work with medical equipment. Students can take this course beginning their freshman year. 

In the course, students learn medical terminology, techniques for assessing sick and injured people and teamwork techniques on emergency scenes, as well as topics like airway management, EMS operations, childbirth, and more. 

By the end of the one-semester course, students should be able to demonstrate skills of CPR, spine immobilization, splinting, taking vitals and patient assessment.

Students can also take the honors EMT course, which provides additional medical education that prepares students for EMT licensing exams, including internship opportunities with local ambulance services and fire departments. 

Through the First Responder course, students are certified in CPR and STOP THE BLEED. Students in the EMT course are additionally certified as mandated reporters and acquire three certifications from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The EMS program has helped students get their EMT license, helping hundreds to successfully enter the healthcare field as EMTs, paramedics, nurses and physicians.

Many Masconomet graduates have entered public safety careers in the Boxford, Middleton, and Topsfield police and fire departments, using this training on the job.

Even those uninterested in the healthcare field apply their training to careers as babysitters, lifeguards, ski patrollers and more. 

Courses in the program are currently taught by Nicholas Parianos, who initially applied to work at MRHS as a health teacher. Administration later approached Parianos and asked if he had any interest in getting his EMT license, working part-time on an ambulance, and taking over the EMS program. 

Parianos also works part-time for Beauport Ambulance Service, which provides emergency services for a number of North Shore and Cape Ann communities.

Parianos hopes that he can continue to procure equipment for his students. The program has been fortunate enough to receive several financial and equipment donations from local agencies, and Parianos says the program is always open to receiving donations.  

Most recently, on Sept. 24, the Salem Fire Department made a generous donation to the program. Visitors spoke to students about the overlap between EMS and fire services and the value of EMS training.  

The program has also benefitted from grant funding. Recently, the program received a $2,000 grant from the Masconomet Education Foundation to purchase equipment.

“This is one of the best things for our program because the kids thrive when lessons are hands-on. I think this is what makes our program stand out from many others, the amount of equipment we have,” said Parianos. “This is why our students can really get such a high-quality education, it is not just about reading the book and having a lecture but talking about it and then physically practicing.”

Most notably during Parianos’ career, he saw his commitment as a teacher come to fruition when a former student worked alongside him in an ambulance. 

“He took the course while I was co-teaching. The student was able to get his national and state license, complete his internship, and gain employment with the company,” said Parianos. “He ended up being my partner on the ambulance where we responded to real-life emergencies. I love that memory and think it may be the coolest thing I’ve ever gotten to do as a teacher.”

Parianos recognizes the value community partnerships have on the education he provides to his students, but he also emphasizes how the course can have an impact beyond the classroom. 

“This program helps everyone, it helps the students by providing skills and career opportunities, it helps ambulance and fire services by providing employees, and it helps patients by increasing providers on the road and decreasing response times,” said Parianos.

MRHS students getting hands-on experience learning how to properly secure an individual onto a backboard. (Photo Courtesy Masconoment Regional School District). 

From left: Andrew Francis, Nicholas Parianos, Benjamin Potvin and Ryan Riley. On Sept. 24, Francis, Potvin and Riley, from the Salem Fire Department, presented to students and did a question-and-answer session. The Department also made a donation to the program for the school to purchase new equipment. (Photo Courtesy Masconomet Regional School District).

As part of the First Responder course, students get certifications in CPR, STOP THE BLEED and other first aid certifications. (Photo Courtesy Masconomet Regional School District). 

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 1st.  Julie is replacing Dr. Irene Duros, who resigned her position effective August 29th. 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 CoffeesHigh School Parent Coffees
September 20September 27
October 18October 25
December 6November 15
January 24December 13
February 28January 17
March 28February 14
April 18March 21
May 30May 23

Vaccine Clinic at Masconomet on September 27th

On September 27th, 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 8th

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 8th 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.

Superintendent’s Report to the School Committee, 9/11/24

Opening of School

This is my first report to the School Committee since the opening of school for all students on Wednesday, August 28.  We’ve had a great opening week of school.  All faculty returned to work on Monday, August 26th and participated in our annual Opening Meeting, where we welcomed new staff, congratulated our new Professional Status and Master Teachers and shared our adventures from summer break.  Our 7th and 9th grade students attended orientation at their respective schools on Tuesday, August 27th.  Seventh grade students engaged in a series of activities to get them accustomed to the middle school building and to learn about their new teammates and teachers.  Our 9th grade students participated in a program led by our High School Peer Leader Organization.  On Wednesday, August 28, all students in grades 7-12 returned to school and met with their teachers and attended class meetings.  On Thursday, August 29th, both schools ran a “Monday” class schedule to compensate for the Labor Day Monday holiday.  By Tuesday, September 3rd, both schools were operating as though we hadn’t been off for ten weeks.  I want to make sure to thank our Maintenance Team, our Administrative Assistants, our Cleaning Crew and our 12-month administrative team for their work in preparing for the opening of school.  We will have a report on our summer accomplishments at the September 25th School Committee Meeting.

Welcome to Our New Masconomet Faculty!

I am happy to welcome our new faculty to Masconomet.  New teachers came to Masconomet for orientation on Wednesday, August 21st, where they met with members of the administration, and Kathy Natalie, our Mentoring Coordinator.  Our new teacher induction program includes a series of meetings that run throughout the school year.  Each new teacher is also assigned a mentor, who also meets regularly with their assigned new teacher.  Our new administrators, teachers and paraprofessionals are:

District Positions
Kevin CyrDirector of Teaching and Learning
Jared CassedyPerforming Arts Dept Chair
 
Middle School Faculty
Leslie Pedersen-CrowtherSpecial Education Program Coordinator
Emily HoganMath Teacher
Kevin GallantBand Teacher
 
High School Faculty
Kevin CarensSpecial Education Program Coordinator
Thomas O’RiordanMath Teacher
Arianna NatoliMath Teacher
Catherine DuvalChorus Teacher
 
Student Services Faculty
Gillian HosmanDistrict Reading Specialist
Brian TripoliSpecial Education Teacher
Mason ToschSpecial Education Paraprofessional
Mark VerrySpecial Education Paraprofessional
Trevor SchonewaldSpecial Education Paraprofessional

Parent Communications Guide

Masconomet always seeks to promote good communication – with parents, the Towns, and within and among the schools themselves. To this end, our Executive Leadership Team has developed a Problem–Solver and Communications Guide, which is intended to help us foster effective communication through putting members of the community in touch with the best person to answer their specific question.  The guide can be accessed from the front page of the Masconomet Website under the “Helpful Links” heading.

The Problem–Solver and Communications Guide provides parents and community members with the appropriate contacts at Masconomet for a number of common issues, such as academics, attendance, student records and special education/student services.  Because problems and concerns are best addressed at the source, we suggest that parents should always begin at this step.  For example, the chain of communication for a concern about a grade on an assignment would be to begin with the teacher who assigned the grade, then to the appropriate Department Head, and then to the Principal or Assistant Principal. If the concern is not resolved, the last step in this process would be the Superintendent.  If you have a question about a topic that is not listed on the Problem–Solver and Communications Guide, the best place to start is the main office of either the Middle or High Schools where our administrative assistants will then direct you to the appropriate person in the District.

In addition to the Problem-Solver and Communications Guide, our Stay Connected with Masco page lists the different types of information and the methods we use to communicate to parents and community members about what’s happening in our schools.

September 11th Memorial

On Tuesday, Masconomet students and administration joined with members of the Boxford, Middleton and Topsfield Police and Fire Departments to plant the American Flags for Masconomet’s annual September 11th Memorial Display.  Thanks to Masconomet Parent Ed White for organizing the display for the past few years.  The memorial was originally coordinated by Masconomet students Cole O’Malley, Nate Hopper and Olivia O’Malley (no relation to Cole) in 2006.  For the past 18 years, the Flag Memorial has continued as an annual tradition at Masconomet to remember those killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Masconomet’s September 11 Memorial

Middle School Open House

Masconomet Middle School will be hosting their annual Open House on Thursday, September 12 at 6pm in the auditorium.  The program will begin with a parent presentation followed by a mock schedule walk through at 6:30. During this time, parents will be able to meet their child’s teachers and hear about their classes. Please come in to make an in-person connection with your child’s teachers.

Parent Coffees

This year, 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 dates listed below. Please check in at the Main Office of the school and you will be escorted to the library.

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

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 Principals 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.