February 2019 Superintendent Monthly Memo

Dear Staff Members,

I hope everyone had a good week and is looking forward to a relaxing weekend.  Below are some updates included in the monthly memo that may be of interest. 
1.      School Building Committee update
1.      The next School Building Committee meeting is on Thursday February 14th.  At that time the School Building Committee will vote to approve the budget for the Wahconah High School Project.  This is a very important piece of the process. The School Committee will also vote on this that evening as well.  This will be the budget that will be the basis eventually for the April 6th vote.  Please remember the vote for the building project is Saturday April 6th at each towns polling station.  The polling station locations are on the school website.  It is critical that every person gets out to Vote!
                                             1.      Here is a link to the Dalton Selectboard Meeting on Monday February 4th where the Selectboard voted 4/1 in favor of the project.  
                                             2.      The next Community Evenings are scheduled:
1.      March 5th 5pm Wahconah/7pm Windsor Town Hall
2.      March 7th 5pm Becket Washington/7pm Kittredge
2.      District Treasurer Michael Kinney has retired the new treasurer is Richard Jette.  
3.      Staff updates
1.      Hal Westwood has transferred to Craneville as an interventionist
2.      Mary Ann Gingras has transferred to Kittredge as an interventionist
3.      John McComish has transferred to the sixth grade special education position at Nessacus
4.      Griffin Ellsworth will be a long term sub in Social Studies
5.      Elizabeth Jackson has transferred to a special education position at Nessacus
6.      Kara Keegan has transferred to the Horizons special education program at Nessacus
7.      Open Positions
  1.      We are currently hiring for a special education teacher at Craneville
 2.      We are currently hiring for a  math teacher at Nessacus
4.      School Counseling Week:  February 4-8 is National School Counseling Week, highlighting the role counselors play within schools.
5.      Black History Month: February is Black History Month. The Supplement to the 2018 Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework (download), available on the frameworks page of the DESE website, lists a wide range of African-American history resources starting on page 31.
6.      Educator Licensure: Please read the attached updated information from the DESE regarding educator licensure renewal.  Many licensed staff need to renew their licensure by June.  Please be closely checking your licensure renewal dates. 
7.      Equity and Diversity Steering Committee: The first meeting of the Equity and Diversity Steering Committee took place on Thursday January 31st.  The next meeting will be on Thursday March 21st.  All meetings are in the Nessacus Library.  We will be sharing a detailed email outlining the work happening.  We have also added a section to the school website with resources.  If you are interested in more information please contact me directly. 
8.      Digital Learning Day Countdown: Digital Learning Day (#DLDay) 2019 is on February 28.  The day celebrates great teaching practices and showcases innovative teachers, leaders and instructional technology programs that are improving student outcomes.  Schools that are planning to participate in Digital Learning Day 2019 can add their DLDay celebration to the official DL day map or register for the DLDaywebinar.   
9.      Important Upcoming Dates:
February Vacation: February 18-22
Professional Development Half Day: March 8

Thanks!
Laurie

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