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!