Superintendent's Update 9-18-16

Post date: Sep 19, 2016 4:46:01 PM

I received many positive comments about the open house events these past two weeks. We are partners with parents/guardians in educating your children and strong school-home relationships are important to us. Lunenburg educators appreciate you making time in your busy schedules for school events. I extend my thanks and congratulations to the building faculties and administrators for organizing these informative evenings. I also want to thank the café managers and newly appointed Food Service Director, Nadine Lorenzen for providing a sampling of the healthy offerings our students are enjoying with those attending those open house events.

As I visited classrooms this third week of the new school year it is clear that we have settled into our new schools, schedules and routines. I made quick visits to over thirty-five classrooms across the District this week and spent extended time in four of those rooms. A range of learning activities were underway including poster projects in geology, science experiments, and a Socratic Seminar as a culmination of AP students’ summer work on Hamlet. As I speak with students in every school, they are excited to be back at school and are enjoying reuniting with friends, meeting new classmates and working with their teachers.

Enrollment Highlights: 2016-2017

• District = 1655 students; an increase of 86 students from this time last year; 94 new students enrolled since June, 2016.

• School Totals: Primary=400; Elementary=405; Middle=391; High =459;

• Average Class Size K-8 = 24

• Enrolled under School Choice = 47

• Placed Out-of-District=14; ACE Program at the Thomas C. Passios Building=7

PTO Meeting Monday, Sept. 19th @ 7:00 pm Lunenburg Middle-High School

This will be a social “Meet and Greet”. Light refreshments and an opportunity to meet other parents/guardian. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Busing Update

Thank you to our students and their parents/guardians for their patience and cooperation as Dee Bus worked to balance routes and stabilize times. I appreciate the work of our bus drivers whose focus is always on safety. They begin and end our students’ day and work hard to ensure that the ride is a good experience for the children. We have ordered another bus to be added to the elementary/primary route to accommodate the increased ridership. We want to address crowded buses, and also wherever possible decrease the time on the bus for our students. More information will be communicated once the bus is delivered and a driver is hired.

School Committee & Superintendent’s Goals 2016-2017

The School Committee is embarking on a strategic visioning process this year. A consultant will be hired to facilitate that work. They will be forming a special advisory to research and make recommendations about adult education programs/community learning opportunities (see below). The School Committee also has a goal to showcase student and educator’s work within the district. There is so much exciting, positive work that takes place every day in each of our schools and they want to highlight that for the community during School Committee meetings. Contained in the Superintendent’s goals are curriculum updates, classroom visits, supporting the SC in strategic visioning and completing a review of preschool opportunities for those students. SCHOOL COMMITTEE FY17 GOALS APPROVED 9-7-2016.pdf Superintendent Goals FY17 Goals Approved 9-7-2016.pdf

A Wonderful Opportunity!!! Register today for Strength, Fitness and Flexibility – A Lunenburg Adult Education Program

Workout in our state of the art fitness facility in the new school. Open to all Lunenburg residents aged 18 and older. All skill and experience levels welcome. Program will run for 12 weeks in length (Approximately 24 classes). Enrollment will be capped at 24 participants. All participants must sign an insurance waiver and submit it with a completed registration and full payment prior to participating. Adult Ed Registration Emergency Form.pdf RECREATIONAL AND VOLUNTEERS ACTIVITIES RELEASE FORM .pdf

Cost: $67.00 per person for all 24 classes! Checks payable to: Town of Lunenburg Memo: Adult Education.

The program begins Monday, Sept. 19 from 6:30-8:00 and meets Monday and Wednesday until December 7^th. Steve Boone is the instructor. The program is located at the new middle-high school. To reserve your spot email sboone@lunenburgonline.com today!

Seeking Volunteers - Adult Education Advisory

With the opening of the new Lunenburg Middle–High School, it is the stated goal of the Lunenburg School Committee to develop and implement an adult education program to benefit the Lunenburg Community. To that end, the School Committee seeks to form an Advisory Committee. Members will be volunteers appointed by the School Committee as follows: one (1) member from the School Committee who will be the liaison to the School Committee, two (2) educators, and four (4) community members. Members of the Advisory Committee may call on the support of School Administrators. Lunenburg Lifelong Learning Advisory Committee.pdf If interested please email lps@lunenburgonline.com

Miles for Myles Run, Walk, Ride ---- Sunday, October 16

Support the Lunenburg PTO and the Miles for Myles Committee by participating in the 15th Annual Miles for Myles 5K Race/Walk/Bike Ride/Fun Run on Sunday, October 16. There is a newly certified route this year with a new starting point – the new Lunenburg Middle-High School! The Lunenburg PTO is excited to host the annual Miles for Myles event. With your help the PTO gives back to our school district yearly by providing funds for non-budgeted items such as added technology, guest speakers/programs, field trips, materials and supplies. 10% of the proceeds from Miles for Myles will be donated to support the No Need to Speed® awareness campaigns about the dangers of high-speed driving and distracted driving. Automobile accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers.

Get in on the fun – Run, Walk, or Ride! Free Dri-Fit T-shirts to the first 400 registrants, prizes and refreshments. Register now! When registering make sure to check off which school you are participating for. The winning school will receive $1000!

Register on-line at https://www.signmeup.com/site/online-event-registration/113746/SMUCalendar

After School Music Lesson Sign-Up

The after school music sign ups have begun for this school year! If you are interested in registering your child for the fall after school music program, please print, complete and return the attached form. Music Fall Registration Edited.pdf Please direct any questions to the After School Music Coordinator, Geoffrey Sheldon at gsheldon@lunenburgonline.com

Thank you for supporting your children and their schools. Have a great week ahead.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Loxi Jo Calmes

Lunenburg Public Schools

1025 Massachusetts Ave.

(978) 582-4100 x211

(978) 582-4103 fax

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