Dear Shrewsbury Families, Colleagues, & Community Members,

We are continuing to enjoy spectacular weather, but on behalf of Chief Colby and our Fire Department please be aware of the Outdoor Fire Advisory issued earlier this week given the level of risk for brush fires.

Our schools remain extremely busy during this fall season, as we focus on key academic priorities such as the implementation of our new literacy program in grades K-6.  See this slide deck from Assistant Superintendent Amy Clouter for an overview of this program, and stay tuned for an opportunity to attend an informational forum in the near future.  I have had the opportunity to visit several classrooms when students were engaging in literature study, and I have been very pleased with the high quality of the texts and the sophisticated reading, writing, and book discussions I have witnessed.  A big thanks to all of our educators who are working very hard to make this new curriculum implementation a successful one!

Please also note the following information, including:

• A new partnership with Leicester Public Schools for vocational technical education programs
• Information on our district's Season of Giving appeal for gift cards for families in need
• Shrewsbury Education Foundation announces the recipients of the John P. Collins Awards for Excellence
• Shrewsbury Robotics open house tomorrow from 1pm-4pm at SHS

New partnership with Leicester Public Schools for vocational technical education programs:
I am pleased to announce that the School Committee voted unanimously to make Leicester High School our district's preferred vocational technical program, which will enable access to this type of education for Shrewsbury students that has been sharply reduced in recent years due to admissions changes at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School.  This new partnership will provide the opportunity for up to 15 current 9th grade students to transfer to Leicester High School for the second semester this year to participate in exploratory programming, and then to continue in future years in one of Leicester High School's specific vocational technical programs (currently Building and Property Maintenance; Culinary Arts; Early Education; and Health Assisting).  Ninth grade students and their families who are interested should attend an informational session this coming Wednesday, November 13 at 6:30pm at Shrewsbury High School.  Current 8th grade students and their families will receive information in the near future about the potential to attend Leicester High School next school year.  For more information about this partnership, click here, or contact Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jane Lizotte at jlizotte@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us.

Season of Giving gift card drive for families in need:
This year our school district will again provide help to our students' families in financial need through the Season of Giving program.  Please click HERE for more information about how to donate a gift card.  If you are in need, please click HERE to provide us with confidential information so that you can get help.  I am confident that our school community will again be generous in supporting our neighbors in need.

Shrewsbury Education Foundation announces the recipients of the John P. Collins Awards for Excellence
The Shrewsbury Education Foundation recently notified the recipients of their John P. Collins Awards for Excellence.  These awards, named after the late Superintendent of Schools Dr. John P. Collins, who served from 1978 to 1994, recognize those whose excellent work "brings the mission of the Shrewsbury Public Schools to life."  The recipients, based on their nominations from last spring, that were selected by Shrewsbury Education Foundation representatives are:

Professional Educators (6)

• Allysen Feeley & Missy Newell, Special Education Teachers, Paton School (Team)
• Christine Miner, Fourth Grade Teacher, Spring Street School
• Paul Quinn, Special Education Teacher, Shrewsbury High School
• Nicole Cormier, Fourth Grade Teacher, Paton School
• Emily Bredberg, Media Specialist, Shrewsbury High School

Paraprofessionals (4)

• Emily DeLeon, ABA Technician, Beal School
• ABA Technician Team - Parker Road Preschool
  • Ashleigh Carrasquillo
  • Andressa DeLeon Guimaraes
  • Mariana Gonzalez

Support Staff (2)

• Kristi Baldino, Head Custodian, Beal School
• Nicole Nye, Secretary, Parker Road Preschool

Unsung Heroes (1)

• Robin Gilfoy, Driver, Bus #38

Leadership (1)

• Donna Rice, Instructional Coach/Curriculum Coordinator, Spring Street School

 

Congratulations to all of the award recipients!

 

Shrewsbury Robotics open house tomorrow from 1pm-4pm at SHS

The SHS Robotics team will hold their annual open house from 1pm-4pm tomorrow in the Largess Commons at Shrewsbury High School. Consider stopping by with your children to see their robots in action, tour their shop, learn more about robotics, and for a Legos giveaway!  See this flyer for more information.

Thanks for your continued support of our school district!

Respectfully,

Joe Sawyer
Superintendent of Schools