Superintendent's Update - April 5, 2022

April 5, 2022

Dear Shrewsbury Families, Colleagues, & Community Members,

I hope you get to enjoy today's spring weather before a few April showers over the next few days.  We are now three-quarters of the way through the school year, and I continue to be extremely grateful for the efforts our superb educators, support staff, and leaders are doing to support student learning and growth, and for all the ways that families and the community are supporting our children's education.  Those of you who live in town should have received a copy of the latest Shrewsbury School Journal in the mail, but everyone can read this issue, which has lots of terrific information about our schools, online here.  My column in the Journal talks about the importance of media literacy, and I strongly encourage you to watch this latest episode of School Talk, where members of the School Committee speak with four of our leaders about this critically important topic.

Please note the following:

1. If you haven't yet, please consider watching the recording of our recent webinar on student mental health here.  This webinar provides valuable information on this critically important topic.

2. Congratulations to the SHS students who recently earned honors at the regional science fair! The following students placed: Kevin Antony Thinagar (1st place and entry at a Massachusetts delegate to the International Science & Engineering Fair); Advait Bhowmik (3rd); Vishnu Angiras & Misha Mishechkin (3rd); Joseph Yu (Hon. Mention); Nicole Mia Plotnik (Hon. Mention); and Maya Kasbekar (Hon. Mention).  These students conducted very sophisticated research studies that are on the cutting edge of scientific research -- bravo!

3. I would appreciate it if families and community members would take a few minutes to provide me with feedback regarding my work as your superintendent (as separate survey will be sent to staff).  This feedback will be shared with members of the School Committee as they conduct my annual evaluation.  To complete this very short survey, click on this link or paste it into your browser: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SuperintendentFamilySurveyApril2022.  Thank you.

I hope all of our families observing are having a generous Ramadan.  Thank you all for your continued support of our schools.

Respectfully,

Joe Sawyer
Superintendent of Schools