Superintendent's Update February 27, 2015
Post date: Mar 1, 2015 7:28:43 PM
While cold temperatures have remained, everyone is grateful for the opportunity to be in school or at work for five days this week. Our final day of school this year is now scheduled for Monday, June 22, 2015. I am pleased to inform you that the calendar for 2015-2016 school year was approved by the School Committee at Wednesday’s meeting. Please note that the calendar for next year was developed to end school as early as possible in June, 2016 to provide as much time during the summer for Phase 2 of the building project. The second phase includes the demolition of the old school, construction of the greenhouse, 2 new athletic fields, tennis courts, basketball courts and the student/game day parking area. I have attached a copy of the approved calendar to enable you to plan accordingly.
Calendar Guidelines and School Start Times
At the next meeting of the School Committee on Wednesday, March 4, 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall the Calendar Advisory appointed by the School Committee will make a presentation on school start times and the health benefits associated with later start times for adolescents. The Advisory will also present recommended guidelines for future school calendars. This meeting is open to the public and will also be televised.
PTO Happenings
The PTO has also scheduled a fun family movie matinee this Sunday, March 1st. Despicable Me 2 will be shown at 1:30 in the Primary School Gym. Please bring a canned good as your entrance fee to help stock the Lunenburg food pantry shelves. Popcorn, candy & water will be on sale (no outside food permitted). Bring your own pillows, blanket and stuffed animals to get comfy with! This is a family event, so please no drop offs.
It’s not too late to become a PTO member. For more information about the Lunenburg PTO please visit www.lunenburgpto.org or go directly to the membership form www.lunenburgpto.org/Membersip_Form.html Registration can be done online or print out at home and return completed to your child’s school. Thank you for your support, membership matters!
School Department Budget
The proposed FY16 School Department Budget is posted at the website for public review http://www.lunenburgschools.net/school-committee-1/budget. A presentation of this budget will be made to the Finance Committee at a televised meeting on March 5, 2015. The proposed budget includes additional teachers to lower class sizes and funds for important updated textbooks and other instructional materials. This week the Town Manager released the Preliminary Town Budget which can be downloaded at http://www.lunenburgma.gov/ . In closing remarks the Town Manager stated the following: “(It was a) very difficult budget process; not what I had anticipated. Service levels are not what Department Heads recommend and they don’t meet the service demands. Hopefully Governor’s Budget will bring some good news.” The Governor’s budget is expected to be released next week.
African Arts in Education – Public Performance Friday, March 6th at 7:00 p.m.
This program brings the experience of African culture to students through a 30-day display of art at the Primary School and High School and a series of workshops, culminating in a school performance of music by world-class performers from Crocodile River Music. The evening public performance will include a performance with the LHS Chorus. Adult admission is $5; Students and Seniors $3, Children under 12 are free with a $15 family maximum
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Lunenburg Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Other support has been provided by the Sun Hill Foundation, the Lunenburg PTO, and the Lunenburg Music Aiders.
Building Project
Inclement weather conditions have hampered construction, but work is still ongoing. Structural steel erection has started in the middle school wing. Structural steel erection in for the high school wing is nearing completion. Temporary building tent enclosure, heating and lighting installation is underway. Weather permitting roof drains, roof blocking and selected exterior framing work is scheduled to commence. Structural steel erection also continues in the shared area with plumb, bolt, detail, second floor decking, moment welds and inspection ongoing as weather permits. Other activities planned are underground mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) work and storm drain installations. The next School Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in the Thomas C. Passios Building.
School Choice Opening for 2015-2016
The School Committee also voted at the last meeting to participate in Choice again next year and to open the following grades to Choice:
Grade 8 (up to 10 students)
Grade 9 (up to 10 students)
Grades 10, 11, & 12 - Any student currently enrolled whose family moves from Lunenburg.
We will accept applications until March 15th. A lottery is held if we have more than 10 applications for either grade. If we do not have that many seeking to enroll on March 15th, we will accept everyone that has applied, and then from that time forward accept upon receipt until we hit the limit or until the 5th day of the 2015-2016 school year. After that time any remaining openings may be filled by students currently enrolled in grade 8 or 9 whose family moves from Lunenburg. The application is available at the website.
Sincerely,
Superintendent Calmes
Lunenburg Public Schools
1025 Mass. Ave.
Lunenburg, MA 01462
978-582-4100 X 210 (Office Phone)
978-582-4103 (Fax)
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