Superintendent's Update 10-23-15
Post date: Oct 23, 2015 9:42:15 PM
Responsible community membership is part of our mission and there are multiple examples of how the students of the Lunenburg Public Schools are giving back to their local community and beyond. In this update I want to highlight the Lunenburg soccer and field hockey teams and booster clubs who raised awareness and funds in the fight against all forms of cancer. Last week the teams held ceremonies prior to their games in tribute to families and friends impacted by the disease. The Lunenburg Field Hockey Booster Club raised $2,208 and donated $1708 to Dana Farber Cancer Center in memory of Kelly Arciprete and Debbie Houston. They also donated $500 the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden. That donation to the Healing Garden will be matched by the Soccer Booster Club. The athletes and booster clubs appreciate the support of parents and members of our community for their contributions and support.
Congratulations to the 2015 John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Recipients
The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship provides a tuition waiver for up to eight semesters of undergraduate education at a Massachusetts state college or university. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must score at the Advanced performance level on one of the three high school state assessment tests and Proficient or higher on the remaining two high school state assessment tests. The students must also have combined scores from the three tests placing them in the top 25 percent of the district’s graduating class. This year’s Adams Scholarship recipients are: Elena Arciprete, Lauren Basque, Amanda Bontempo, Kathryn Broden, Emily Catalini, David Garcia, Andrew Gardner, Dustin Grey, Michaela Guillette, Katherine Helmer, Joshua Hennessy, Sydney Hudson, Ethan Johnson, Susan Johnson, Kelley Lapointe, Carly Leblanc, Robert Leon, Cassia Lockwood, Logan Marshall, Noah Martel, Tyler Martin, Micaela Moore, Daniel Parsons, Natalie Proctor, Emma Raboin, Adam Ramram, Liam Rawlinson, Dylan Riley, Sonxai Thirakoun Laohome, and Jillian Tremont.
I congratulate and commend the students for their hard work and dedication.
Homecoming 2015
Please join us tomorrow, Saturday, October 24 for the Homecoming festivities. The parade kicks off at noon from Turkey Hill Middle School and features the class floats and homecoming royalty. This year the students selected Ms. Sandra Laserte and Mr. Greg Dupuis as parade marshals for their significant and tireless efforts in supporting the students, schools, and community. The public can get a close up view of the floats after the parade in the LHS east parking lot. The homecoming football game begins at 2:00 PM. The LHS marching band will perform at the conclusion of the game. Following the marching band performance is the announcement of the winning float. This is always a fun day for the entire family.
Primary School Receives $1000 Award from Miles for Myles
I extend my thanks and appreciations to the many students, parents/guardians, faculty and staff who participated in Miles for Myles last weekend. It was reported that the event had 620 registered participants this year. The Lunenburg Primary School won the building challenge with 173 registrations. Participation was strong from the other buildings as well with 137 registrations from the middle school and 117 registrations from Lunenburg High School. In addition 28 student volunteers from the high school assisted with the event bringing that building’s total to 145. What a great turn out from the schools!
Reconfiguration Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ Attached)
As construction on the building progresses and school based teams continue to prepare for the reorganization, we have developed an FAQ for parents and guardians. We will add to this document as additional questions are received.
How will the schools be organized in this reconfiguration?
The District will return to a four school configuration with the opening of the new co-located middle/high school in the fall of 2016. Each building will have a smaller student population than the current configuration. The Primary School will serve students PK-2. Grades 3-5 will be at Turkey Hill (a process for renaming the school is currently underway). Grades 6-12 will be in the new co-located middle/high school. Each building will have a full-time principal.
How does a co-located middle/high school operate?
The new middle/high school was designed to operate as two separate educational programs. The new building has a classroom wing for the middle school and another classroom wing for high school. The 6th grade students will be located on the first floor of the middle school wing. Middle school and high school students will enter the building via separate entrances. Located behind and between the classroom wings are the cafeteria, gym, auditorium, central offices, health services, and library/media center. There are an appropriate number of art, music, and technology classrooms for both middle and high school programs. These special area classrooms are clustered together in the central core of the building near the auditorium. On the second floor above the school offices there are some high school classrooms. The gymnasium can be divided at center court by a curtain to accommodate two large physical education classes. There is also a weight room and an alternate physical education room with a substantial dance/yoga area, exercise bikes and treadmills. A health education classroom is also located near the gym.
When will the entire building project be completed?
Once the new building is completed and the current school year has ended, the second phase of the building project will commence. This phase includes asbestos abatement and demolition of the old high school and the construction of parking lots, athletic fields, tennis courts and basketball courts. Parking for the high school students will be impacted during this phase of the project. Student parking will be available, but limited when school resumes next fall.
What are the start/dismissal times and how will bus transportation be organized?
The buses will make two runs in the morning and again in the afternoon. Students in grades 6-12 will be transported on the first run every morning and afternoon. Students in grades K-5 will be transported on the second run.
Start/dismissal times for the 2016-2017 school year are as follows:
Grades Start Time Dismissal Time Early Dismissal
6-12 8:00 a.m. (1st Bell 7:55) 2:30 p.m. 11:30 a.m.
3-5 8:50 a.m. 3:10 p.m. 12:10 p.m.
K-2 9:00 a.m. 3:20 p.m. 12:20 p.m.
PK Morning 8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
PK Afternoon 12:00 p.m. 2:30 p.m.
Will there be changes to the Extended Day and Early Learning Programs?
Extended Day will continue to be available for students in grades K-5. Before and after school care will be available at Lunenburg Primary School for students attending classes in that building. The Early Learning Program will also continue to operate and will be housed at the Primary School. Extended Day services will also be available for students in grades 3-5 in the building they attend.
We encourage parents/guardians to consider a wide variety of after-school activities available for older students and the Lunenburg Boys and Girls Club for students in grades 6 and above. For information about the Boys and Girls Club: http://www.lunenburgma.gov/content/192/1211/1219/default.aspx
What will be done with the furniture/equipment from the old high school?
We are committed to reusing or repurposing any usable furniture and equipment. School policy dictates the process for disposal of furniture and equipment that is obsolete or determined no longer necessary or usable by the school. The process is initiated when an itemized list of excess property is presented to the School Committee in public session. The School Committee then by majority vote may deem the property excess and no longer usable for school purposes. Upon being declared as excess, furniture and equipment is first made available to other Town Departments. Furniture or equipment not re-purposed to another department is disposed of in an appropriate manner including being put out for bid or donated to charitable or reuse organizations. Depending upon the type, age and condition, the property may otherwise be recycled or disposed of appropriately.
Upcoming Events
Parent Teacher Conferences
October 27 – Turkey Hill Middle School
October 28 Early Release all schools
October 29 – Lunenburg High School
November 5 – Primary School
Parents/guardians unable to schedule during these times are encouraged to contact the teacher(s) to schedule a mutually convenient time.
October 27, 2015 6:00 p.m. in Ayer
“The Empowerment Project” is a documentary about strong, powerful women in a wide variety of industries. The film was made to sparking conversation about leadership, success, feminism, strength, and much more. This free screening of the documentary, which is appropriate for ages 10 and up, will be held at the Ayer Shirley Regional High School Auditorium.
October 28, 2015 6:00 p.m. at Monty Tech
“The Hungry Heart” is a documentary and the winner of the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s 2015 Media Award. It provides an intimate look at the often hidden world of prescription drug addiction through the world of Vermont pediatrician Fred Holms who works with patients struggling with this disease. The film will be shown Wednesday, October 28th at 6:00 pm at Monty Tech. This free event is open to the public. The Director Bess O’Brien will be available for Q & A following the event. The event is sponsored by District Attorney’s Office of Joseph Early, Monty Tech, Fitchburg High School and the Fitchburg Police Dept.
Sincerely,
Superintendent Loxi Jo Calmes
Lunenburg Public Schools
1025 Massachusetts Ave.
(978) 582-4100 x211
(978) 582-4103 fax
FAQ Reconfiguration as of 10-23-2015.pdf