Superintendent's Report to SC 6.23.21

  

Superintendent’s Report to the School Committee

June 23, 2021

Director of Human Resources - HIRED:

• Ms. Tanya Shallop

• Begins July 19th, 2021

• Her primary office will be located in the Business Office at the Middle School

• A reminder that this is a joint position with the general government

• She is coming to us with experience as an HR Director in another municipality, which is invaluable as she transitions to our position.

• She understands the structure of a town, working with collective bargaining agreements, investigating employee issues, recruiting, screening, and onboarding employees.

• We are all very excited to have her join our Team.

Summer Facilities Projects and Communications:

• 2021 Summer Facilities Projects

• 2021 Custodial Summer Responsibilities

DESE Updated COVID-19 Guidance:

The June 19 message states that:

• For summer programs: Masking indoors and maintaining other health and safety guidance is not required but is encouraged. The DESE summer guidance is in alignment with state guidance encouraging unvaccinated individuals to continue to mask. The DPH mask advisory advises unvaccinated residents to continue wearing masks in indoor settings and when they can’t socially distance themselves.

• For the fall: At this time, all health and safety guidance including masking and physical distancing will be lifted. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will collaborate with the Department of Public Health (DPH) to issue any additional health and safety recommendations over the summer should they become necessary.

Superintendent's Report to SC 6.9.21

  

Superintendent’s Report to the School Committee

June 9, 2021

June 11th Vaccination Clinic:

• An important reminder that the second vaccination clinic will be held at Swampscott High School this coming Friday, June 11th from 2 pm - 5 pm.

• The clinic is available to all Swampscott and Nahant Public School students, families, and staff who are 12 years old or older.

• If you are receiving your second dose, please remember to bring your vaccination card with you.

• Pfizer Vaccination Clinic 6.11.21

Director of Human Resources - Update:

• We had 8 strong candidates for Round 1 interviews that were scheduled for Wednesday, June 2nd, and Thursday, June 3rd.

• Of those 8 candidates, one took another position and one did not show for her scheduled interview. 

• We have moved four candidates forward to the next round of interviews which will take place this Friday, June 11th. 

• In this round, the Interview Committee will include the Town Administrator, Mr. Fitzgerald, Town Director of Finance, Ms. Sarro, Town Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives, Ms. Fiske, Town and School Dept. Attorney Darren Klein, and myself.

• My goal is to have this critical position filled no later than July 1. 

Summer Learning Program:

• July 6th to August 13th Monday through Friday from 8:30  am to 12:30 pm

• FREE to all families

• Location: Swampscott High School

• Current Enrollment: 178 students

• 96 targeted

• 82 non-targeted

• K-4 is completely full

Career & Technical Education Opportunities:

• 12 prospective students for the Innovation Pathway of Advanced Manufacturing as of June 4th.

• 7 perspective students have completed their application for the After Dark Partnership with Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical High School.

Superintendent's Report to SC 5.26.21

  

Superintendent’s Report to the School Committee

May 26, 2021

May 21st Vaccination Clinic:

• A huge thank you to our Occupational Health Nurse, Amanda Mulcahy, for her efforts in coordinating this event.

• Another “Thank You” to our school nurses for being there to assist our students and families.

• A final shout-out and thank you to our volunteers including Suzanne Wright and Amy OConnor as well as Select Board Chair, Peter Spellios.

• 246 individuals were vaccinated!

• Second clinic being held on June 11th.

Director of Human Resources:

• We have formed an interview committee and will begin first-round interviews of candidates next Wednesday, June 2nd. 

• Ms. Sybert is currently conducting phone screens for each candidate. 

• The interview committee members include Our Director of Finance, Ms. Sybert, Town Director of Finance, Ms. Sarro, our Occupational Health Nurse, Mrs. Mulcahy, and myself.

• The final round of interviews will include Town Administrator, Sean Fitzgerald. 

Addressing Learning Loss:

• On Monday, May 24th, DESE posted the FY22 Summer Acceleration Academy Grant. This grant targets an Academy Week, in late August to target learning loss. 

• We are offering a 6-week, 4-hour/day Summer Program to Address Learning Loss from July 5th until August 13, 2021.  It will serve students entering grades 1 through 12. We are in the process of inviting students who our data suggests would benefit from summer learning to be able to enter the next grade level fully prepared. If we do not fill all the available seats (about 200), we will open the program to all families seeking summer enrichment opportunities for their students. 

• The program is project-based, which will provide students the opportunity to learn through high-interest projects while receiving small bursts of just-in-time academic instruction in reading, writing, and math that they will need to complete their projects.

• High school students will be able to recover missing credits or earn an additional semester’s worth of credit towards graduation.

• The program is free to all SPS families.