Superintendent's Report to SC 3.27.25

TO: Swampscott School Committee

FROM: Superintendent Angelakis 

DATE: March 27, 2025

RE: Superintendent’s Report to School Committee

2025-2026 School Year Calendar DRAFT - Second Read & Possible Vote:

• I recommend maintaining the six early release days for professional learning for the 25-26 school year. 

• Survey results taken and shared by a colleague - PD Day Survey NSSRT.

DEI Directive and Our CORE/District Strategy Work

• On March 4th, Mr. Kohut shared a website that one of his teachers shared, “a DEI ‘snitch’ form” - https://enddei.ed.gov/

• I maintain that we make no changes to our District Strategy/CORE work, in which DEI plays a key role.

• Our plan is right for our students and families, and I am unwilling to sacrifice the goals we have been working towards. 

• CORE Plan/District Strategy 21-26

Director of Teaching and Learning Update 

• Sarah Kent’s Transition Plan

• Sarah’s calendar is filling up

• There is a dedicated day at each building for scheduling meet-and-greets and department meetings, such as Innovative Pathways and Guidance at SHS and Literacy Specialists at SES, attending a Leadership Team meeting, and attending faculty meetings. 

CALENDAR ADJUSTMENTS FOR 24-25

• April 2nd is a full day of school. It was a tentative early release day in case we had a snow day on one of the other Professional Learning Days.

• June 17th is the last day of elementary and middle school.

• June 18th is the last day of high school due to election day.

Superintendent's Report to SC 3.13.25

TO:      Swampscott School Committee

FROM: Superintendent Angelakis & Superintendent Designee Jason Calichman

  

DATE: March 13, 2025

RE: Superintendent’s Report to School Committee

2025-2026 School Year Calendar DRAFT - First Read:

• Read through the DRAFT, fully highlighting 

• Start/End of School dates

• Early release days

• Vacations

• Holidays, etc.

DEI Directive and Our CORE/District Strategy Work

• Tabled until the March 27th meeting

Director of Teaching and Learning Update 

• Three rounds of interviews

• Narrowed the applicants to two finalists

• The third and final interviews consisted of Superintendent Angelakis, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Ms. Stella, Director of HR Ms. Colts, and myself.

• I’m excited to announce and present our new Director of Teaching and Learning, Ms. Sarah Kent. 

• Sarah is a long-time resident of Swampscott, so some of you might know her from all her work in town over the years. 

• Sarah will begin working full-time on July 1, but we are discussing a transition plan that will last through the spring. We all agree that it’s essential for Ms. Kent to meet the staff and leadership team to become somewhat acclimated before the summer break. 

• I’d like to read a little about Sarah’s background, and then Sarah, if you’d like to say a few words, I’ll toss it to you. 

MR. KOHUT

• As you may have heard, after 18 years with Swampscott High School, Mr. Kohut will leave us at the end of this year. 

• I want to thank Mr. Kohut for his many years of service and dedication to Swampscott's students, staff, and families.

• His tenure has brought a stability that our high school had not seen until his tenure. 

• We wish him all the best in his future endeavors - he will be missed. 

Ms. Zotto

• Our new high school principal has been named

• 14 years of working at SHS

• 3 years working at SMS

• She is smart, she is kind, and is an incredible instructional leader

• Connects with families, students, and teachers

• Holds students accountable 

• The perfect fit for SHS

Superintendent's Report to the SC 1.9.25

TO: Swampscott School Committee

FROM: Superintendent Angelakis

DATE: January 9, 2025

RE: Superintendent’s Report to School Committee

DIRECTOR OF TEACHING & LEARNING SEARCH 

• The week of December 16th, the Round 1 interview committee conducted eight interviews.

• Three of those candidates rose to the top.

• Mrs. Coults is coordinating the second round of interviews in the coming weeks.

• These candidates want to begin on July 1, 2025, which will change the course for the remainder of this school year.

• At a previous meeting, I mentioned that I was transitioning some of Dr. Bacon’s tasks to the leadership team.

• However, over time, what began as nine pages of Dr. Bacon’s responsibilities grew to fourteen pages.

• And with the knowledge that, likely, we will not have someone new in place until July, the reality is that those fourteen pages of responsibilities will be impossible to complete with fidelity this year. 

• My team and I are focused on the most critical aspects, including family engagement, CORE work, the Mentor Program, and professional development. 

UU CHURCH & SES PARKING

• The license agreement is being finalized with all of our input and with our attorneys.

• This is for 45 parking spaces for our elementary school staff during school days.

Superintendent's Report to SC 12.12.24

TO:         Swampscott School Committee

FROM: Superintendent Angelakis

DATE: December 12, 2024

RE: Superintendent’s Report to School Committee

DIRECTOR OF TEACHING & LEARNING

• I have received Dr. Bacon’s official resignation as she is moving on to new opportunities.

• Dr. Bacon has been with us since July 2019, four and a half years. Shortly after her arrival, we all know the pandemic happened in March 2020. She led us through this challenging time with the new instructional model of remote learning. She worked tirelessly with our curriculum leaders and technology department to ensure we were doing our best to meet the needs of all our students. She has raised the bar with data analysis and data-driven instruction. Dr. Bacon has also pursued numerous grants and played a significant role in the creation and success of the various pathways for our students. Dr. Bacon will be missed here at SPS, and we wish her nothing but the best in the future. Dr. Bacon’s last day with us will be January 3rd, 2025.

• We had 21 applicants for the Director of Teaching and Learning position, and we were fortunate to have such talented candidates. 

• Of the 21 applicants, Ms. Coults, Mr. Calichman, and I reviewed them and narrowed the field to the strongest eight candidates.

• Ms. Coults will lead the first round of interviews, with building leadership, central office,  and teacher representation on the committee. 

HIGH SCHOOL NEWS

• PROSPECTIVE STUDENT OPEN HOUSE

• Mr. Kohut received a great deal of positive feedback from parents and students.

• Higher attendance than at last year’s event - approximately 160 attendees.

• ADVANCED PLACEMENT DATA

• Concerned about the impact the high school schedule might be having on AP coursework and the ability to complete the material, Mr. Kohut examined the data. 

• 2021 school year, 189 test takers, 69% earned 3-5 (meaning college credit)

• 2022 school year, 182 test takers, 67% earned 3-5

• 2023 school year, 192 test takers, 70% earned 3-5

• 2024 school year, 197 test takers, 76% earned 3-5

• CONGRATULATIONS

• To SHS Chorus members Hadley Husted and Alex Shilo on being selected to perform with this year's Massachusetts Northeastern District Senior Chorus in January. High school singers prepare a short choral work, sight singing, and a scale for a judge and are scored on their performance. The very best singers from the region then work with a nationally known choral conductor for just ten hours of rehearsal to prepare a full concert program. Great job, Alex and Hadley!

SUPERINTENDENT DESIGNEE - MR. CALICHMAN

• We have scheduled weekly 1:1 meetings/mentoring sessions.

• Mr. Calichman was part of every building and department budget and capital meetings.

• He attended the SES RAW Arts Mural dedication in my absence.

• He is scheduling his attendance and talks with staff to introduce himself at upcoming elementary and high school faculty meetings.

• Mr. Calichman is meeting with building administration and department leaders. (Tech, T & L, Special Education, METCO, and Finance)

• Central office leadership is copying him on relevant district—and building-level emails that may impact or be applicable in the future. 

• He will be a member of the bargaining team.

• He is attending biweekly Finance/Human Resource meetings with me.  

• He has connected with the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association for School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.), so he will be informed when to register for the 3-year MASS New Superintendent’s Induction Program. 

NEW

• In my absence, Jason is now in charge of the district.

• We will be attending the MASS Mid-Winter Conference on January 23rd.

• He will conduct finalist interviews with me for the Director of Teaching and Learning position. 

• He assisted with the Ipswich tour of SES on December 11th.

• Mr. Calichman participates in the ongoing Finance/Superintendent budget meetings and generates ideas to contribute to the budget discussions. 

• Beginning in January, Mr. Calichman will attend all my standing meetings with Student Services, METCO, High School Leadership, Elementary Leadership, Technology, Facilities, and School Committee Chair meetings.

UU CHURCH & SES PARKING

• A license agreement has been drafted by our attorney and shared with our counterparts at the UU.  

• We plan to meet with them next week to review it and move forward with our plan.

AARPA FUNDS

• Ms. Wolff - Morgan’s Message to me on Tuesday.