Thursday, August 29, 2019

Superintendent's Report to SC 8.28.19


Superintendent’s Report to the School Committee
August 28, 2019


Summer Project Updates
      Technology Summer Projects
      SHS Technology Ninjas
      Ms. Mackey Knowles - presentation

      Facilities Projects
      Built a new office at Stanley School
      Library shelving removed at Stanley repurposed
      Principal/Nurse/Office Suite at Stanley - renovated
      Rebuilt wooden trains behind Stanley
      Painted the stage at Stanley
      Moved computer room tables at Stanley
      Facilitated installation of two A/C window units at Clarke
      Constructed & painted a room divider in Clarke portable
      Electric room at Hadley cleaned out
      8 classrooms and exterior stairs painted at Hadley
      Refinished conference table in the superintendent’s small conference room
      Gym ductwork at middle school complete
      Swipe cards at all three elementary schools
      Phase 3 of the high school gym sprinklers repaired
      Install and repair of common area speakers at the elementary schools


Opening of Schools Report:
       Clarke School - From Principal Shea - The opening of Clarke School went very smoothly this year. Students in grades 1-4 were greeted on the playground by their teachers and quickly settled into classrooms. Throughout the day students practiced routines and spent time getting to know classmates. Kindergarten screening is wrapping up this week with an expected 44 students. Total enrollment at Clarke is 215.  As the new principal, I am very impressed with the level of dedication and teamwork amongst the Clarke Staff. Many of them came in over the summer to meet me and were extremely helpful in bringing me up to speed on building norms and procedures. I am looking forward to connecting with families at the PTO Kindergarten Welcome Breakfast next Tuesday and Clarke Curriculum Night on September 12th.

       Hadley School - From Principal Bebchick - Hadley School had a smooth start to the school year!  We were excited to welcome 260 students in grades 1-4 to school on August 27 and look forward to having our 66 kindergarten students join us next week.  Kindergarten screenings have been taking place this week, which will allow our team to create balanced homeroom groups. Students are settling in nicely as they learn classroom routines and make new friends!  We are grateful to the district maintenance staff for their hard work over the summer to clean the building, make repairs, paint, and organize materials.

      Stanley School - From Principal Huntley - On Monday, August 26th, Stanley School students, staff, and families readied for the school year with a New Family Meet and Greet, classroom peeks, and a building tour, followed by a Back-to-School Picnic.  Families brought their picnic dinner or purchased treats from the food trucks on the night before the big day.

      On Tuesday morning, families and friends attended the First Day of School Community Meeting behind the school.  Children found their teachers with balloons in hand and gathered as a new class community. After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and Stanley School Pledge, we discussed the importance of the Home~School connection and then had a Happy New Year countdown just as they do on December 31st, in Time Square. The most exciting part of this community event was the ball-drop. Mr. Barthlomew dropped a ball from the roof of the school just as we counted backward to one.  Teachers threw confetti over their class, parents cheered, children smiled and we were off to our classrooms with barely a tear.

Teachers spent the day getting to know all about our 239 students. New students have come to us from as far away as Norway and we were delighted with the warmth our students showed newcomers.  New staff members were celebrated and supported by an incredibly supportive veteran staff. It was a great first day and we anticipate 179 more wonderful days.

      Swampscott Middle School - From Principal Calichman - The first day of school at SMS was incredible!  Students and staff came in with positive attitudes and were ready to give it their all.  I asked the staff to use the first day of school to make connections with students and to make them fall in love with our SMS community.  As I walked around the classrooms, I noticed countless examples of these connections taking place, setting the stage for a progressive and productive learning environment.

      Swampscott High School - From Principal Kohut - Swampscott High School kicked off the year with a freshman assembly and homeroom followed by a rousing entrance of our Class of 2020.  The SHS Administration introduced "The Big Blue B's" discussed expectations for this year, and took a whole school selfie (check Twitter).   Students then attended periods one, two and three.  Feedback from students and staff was overwhelmingly positive and SHS looks forward to the best year yet!

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Back to School Letter 8.15.19

WELCOME BACK!


August 2019


Dear Swampscott Families,


On behalf of the Swampscott Public Schools, I would like to welcome you to the 2019-2020 school year. A special welcome to those students and families who are joining us for the first time. The beginning of school is rapidly approaching and there is much to do as both you and the district prepare for the opening of school.


The first day of school for students in Pre-K and grades 1-12 will be on Tuesday, August 27th. Individual screenings will take place by appointment for our incoming Kindergarten students from Tuesday, August 27th through Thursday, August 29th. There is NO SCHOOL on Friday, August 30th, and Monday, September 2nd in honor of the Labor Day holiday. The first day for Kindergarten students is on Tuesday, September 3rd. The school year calendar can be printed from our website along with a year-long calendar of events that is easily accessible for each of the schools. The calendar feature also allows filtering for those of you with students in more than one school: Calendar Link to SPS Website


Shortly after school begins, Curriculum Nights will be held at each of the schools for parents and guardians to meet teachers and learn about the curriculum expectations. Please mark your calendar as the dates and times of these events are as follows:



Clarke Elementary - Thursday, September 12th at 6:00 pm

Hadley Elementary - Thursday, September 5th at 6:00 pm 
Stanley Elementary - Thursday, September 5th 6:00 pm 
Middle School - Grades 5 Tuesday, September 17th 6:00 pm 
Middle School - Grades 6 Wednesday, September 18th 6:00 pm 
Middle School - Grades 7 & 8 Thursday, September 19th 6:00 pm 
High School - Thursday, September 26th at 6:00 pm


Believe it or not, the summer months are a very busy time for the school district, with countless facility and maintenance projects underway as we anticipate the arrival of the students and faculty.  We are especially pleased to report that this summer all three elementary schools have had swipe card systems installed in their buildings for staff only. In addition, we are so fortunate to have been awarded $54,884.70 in state funding from the Safer Schools and Communities “Local Equipment and Technology” grant competition. These funds will allow us to continue this work at the high school and to upgrade the current system at the middle school during the school year. 


Finally, the School Building Committee would like your help in determining an energy use goal for the new elementary school we are working to build in Swampscott. We would appreciate you taking the time to visit the School Building Committee website (bit.ly/SwampSBC) to participate in the survey. Your voice is an invaluable part of this process. 


I look forward to welcoming our students to the new school year very soon!


Warm Regards, 


Superintendent