Superintendent's Update 4-29-16

Post date: May 2, 2016 12:41:40 PM

May is here and only seven weeks of the school year remain, fewer for the seniors. Attached is a list by building of end-of-year events.End of Year Events All Schools 4-29-2016.pdf A few of these events are highlighted below. In addition to final exams, state math assessments, performances and exhibitions, students, families and educators will be engaged in celebrations and transition activities. The building project is on track for certificate of occupancy later this month. We are working on plans for move up day on June 9^th. News and events for all schools are posted regularly at the website (www.lunenburgschools.net) and at Lunenburg Public Schools on Facebook.

Teacher Appreciation Week - May 2-6

Bus Drivers Appreciation Day - May 2

School Nurse Appreciation Day - May 11

The School Committee and Board of Selectmen recently issued a joint resolution encouraging all members of the community to join with them in expressing appreciation to our teachers, nurses and bus drivers for their dedication and devotion to their work and to the students.

Thank You Dr. Berthiaume and Ms. Shapiro

Please join me in extending appreciation to Greg Berthiaume and Colleen Shapiro for their many years of service to our students, schools, and community. Our schools have benefited from their talent, dedication, and commitments. We are very grateful to them and to their families for the many hours of service their have contributed while serving on the School Committee as well as many other sub-committees, school councils, advisory committees, and town committees.

The upcoming School Committee meeting is at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, May 4. The meeting is at Town Hall and will be televised. Following are some agenda items open for public comment. You can provide feedback on any of these via email to lps@lunenburgonline.com or during the public comment at the meeting.

Naming of MS/HS Gymnasium: The School Committee will take action upon a recommendation from the Reconfiguration Advisory to retain the gym name as Memorial Gymnasium and include on the plaque Dedicated to Veterans from Lunenburg High School who gave their lives in service to our country.

Class Ranking

The School Committee is considering a recommendation to eliminate reporting of class rank for students. LHS Principal Spadafino and LHS Guidance Counselor Karma Tousignant made a very informative presentation at the April 27 meeting which interested individuals are encouraged to review at the following link: https://drive.google.com/a/lunenburgschools.net/file/d/0B9UcBKxgqY3PaGdLSnV3RktGeXc/view

Power Purchasing Agreement (Solar)

The Committee continues to review the option of a Power Purchasing Agreement for installation of solar panels on the new middle-high school.

New and Revised Policies

Various policies in Section4000- Personnel have minor wording changes. Policy 3201 Student Activity Accounts has been updated to meet new regulation requirements. You can view these policies at the following link. https://sites.google.com/a/lunenburgschools.net/lps/school-committee-1/policy-under-review?pli=1

2016-2017 FEES

Also on the agenda for the May 4 meeting is a presentation and discussion regarding bus, student, athletic, and facility use fees. No action will be taken at this meeting and additional information will be sent to parents/guardians in the next few weeks prior to a vote by the School Committee.

Upcoming Events

Empty Bowls – May 5

Please join the 3rd grade at our Annual Empty Bowls Dinner. Thursday, May 5, 2016 5-8 p.m. Turkey Hill Middle School. The proceeds from this event benefit the Lunenburg Food Bank and the Flint Water Crisis.

Annual Town Meeting – May 7

The meeting begins at 9:00 a.m. in the Lunenburg High School Auditorium. There will be a short decommissioning ceremony for the current Lunenburg High School under reports.

Goodbye Lunenburg High Sock Hop – May 7

Break out your poodle skirts and grease up your hair, because the Lunenburg High School Class of 2018 is hosting a 1950s themed Sock Hop! The event is open to the public (ages 14 and up), so students, teachers, parents, grandparents, and alumni are invited to come say goodbye to Lunenburg High School before the new Middle-High School building opens and LHS closes its doors for good in June. The Sock Hop dance will be held on Saturday, May 7 from 6 to 9 in the LHS gymnasium. A free dance lesson will be offered from 5-6 and the LHS Student Council will be on hand to provide tours of the building from 6-8. Tickets are $7 per person and $10 per couple in advance through the LHS main office and are $10 per person and $15 per couple at the door. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime event of music, dancing and nostalgia!

Annual POPS Concert – May 13

The concert will feature performances of all musical ensembles at Lunenburg High School. Always a sellout, it is recommended that you purchase tickets in advance by contacting tickets@lunenburgmusic.org.

Graduation Week – May 23-27

Baccalaureate Ceremony May 24, 7:00 pm at St. Boniface

Community Awards Ceremony, May 26, 6:00 pm at Lunenburg High School Auditorium

Graduation – May 27, 6:30 pm on the field at Lunenburg High School

Save these Dates - July 13 & July 14

Turkey Hill Elementary School Playground Community Build Volunteers will be needed for a variety of tasks related to the installation of the playground. Facilities Director John Londa with the assistance of the Lunenburg PTO will be organizing the project. Our fundraising partners the Turkey Hill Family Lions Club will provide food for the volunteers on those days.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Loxi Jo Calmes

Lunenburg Public Schools

1025 Massachusetts Ave.

(978) 582-4100 x211

(978) 582-4103 fax