Superintendent's Report to SC 2.8.24

 

SWAMPSCOTT PUBLIC SCHOOLS

TO: Swampscott School Committee

FROM:  Superintendent Angelakis

DATE:  February 8, 2024

RE:  Superintendent’s Report 

Mock Town Meeting at the High School

• Mr. Kohut and I were presented with the idea and opportunity to hold a Mock Town Meeting with our 16-- and 17-year-old students.

• This is not an attempt to manipulate an election but rather an excellent opportunity for our students to engage in our Town Government experience. 

• Having grown up in a city my whole life, it took me a while, as an adult, to understand how different the town's government structure is. This is a fantastic opportunity to 3educate our students at a much younger age. 

• The warrant will have two “articles” - the pickleball courts and the voting age.

• Mr. Kohut is working out the details of the actual date of training the students, setting the stage with them, and then the actual Mock Town Meeting date.

• This Mock Town Meeting is not open to the public, but I welcome the attendance of Select Board and School Committee members not as participants but as silent observers on the day of the Mock Town Meeting. 

• The tentative date at this time is February 27th.

Swampscott Elementary School (SES)

• This afternoon, Principal Sanborn, Assistant Principal Knowles, Officer Wilson, and the YMCA Extended Day staff toured the site with our Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) and me. 

• This is the first look they have had inside. The excitement is palpable.

• In the coming weeks, we will be giving tours to the Central Office and other building leaders prior to the elementary faculty and staff tours scheduled for March.

• Working together - the SES administrative team and I are developing regular communications to share with elementary families.

Recognition - Ms. Comparato - Financial Literacy Leader

In 2019, the Swampscott Public Schools proudly established Personal Financial Literacy as a graduation requirement, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to preparing students for real-world challenges. At the forefront of this transformative initiative is our dedicated SHS teacher, Susan Comparato. Not only has she championed this cause for Swampscott, but she has also become a passionate advocate for students across the entire Commonwealth.

Since the inception of this graduation requirement, Ms. Comparato has demonstrated unwavering dedication to enhancing her knowledge and expertise in the field. She has pursued further education and earned numerous certifications, solidifying her position as a leader in Personal Financial Literacy education.

In a recent and noteworthy development, Ms. Comparato took her advocacy to the State House, testifying on behalf of all students about the crucial importance of incorporating Financial Literacy into graduation requirements statewide. Her compelling testimony garnered attention and earned her an interview with WBZ, where she eloquently shared her insights on why Financial Literacy is integral to students' holistic education.

Adding a student perspective to this crucial narrative, our own Sam Snitkovsky was also interviewed, providing valuable insights into the impact of Personal Financial Literacy education from a student's viewpoint.

The culmination of these efforts will be showcased in an upcoming feature scheduled to air on Monday, February 12th, at 6:00 PM. We invite you to join us in tuning in to witness this inspiring story that highlights the dedication of our educators and the importance of financial literacy in shaping the future success of our students. Your support is greatly appreciated!