Superintendent's Update – September 18, 2025
Dear Shrewsbury Families, Colleagues, & Community Members
The beginning phase of our new school year has evoked mixed emotions. On the one hand, during my visits to all of our schools I have witnessed students positively engaged with their teachers in their learning and happily connecting with their classmates at lunch and recess. On the other, the first weeks of our school year have been marred by tragic circumstances within our school community and continued strife that we see in the news.
Our year began with a crisis in the Coolidge community with the senseless killing of Mr. Kevin Doherty, the parent of a first grader, after dropping him off at school. Coolidge continues to work with Mr. Doherty’s family to provide them with support, and in the near future we will be communicating ways in which the entire community can help based on the family’s wishes. The Spring Street and Beal communities also mourned the loss of two longtime, beloved secretaries, Judith Adair, and Karin Freeman. Our School Committee Chair, Erin Boucher, made poignant remarks at the September 10 meeting in honor of Mr. Doherty, Mrs. Adair, and Mrs. Freeman, and I encourage you to read them here.
On a national scale, the recent assassination of national political figure Charlie Kirk has deeply affected American society. This latest episode of unacceptable violence within the political realm is another profoundly troubling violation of our nation’s values. Many of us, and many of our older students, are also seeing vitriolic and divisive commentary in its aftermath, mainly on social media, as well as possibly seeing graphic video of the shooting itself. Please be reminded that if they are affected by violence they witness online, your child can always seek support at school through a trusted adult, and that you as a parent can always connect with one of our school administrators or counselors if you feel your child needs help in any way. I also urge you to speak with your child about what they are seeing on social media. You may find resources here from the National Association of School Psychologists regarding how to talk with your child about violence.
I continue to be troubled by the rise of contempt for others that we see within the political dialogue playing out in the media and social media. At our opening day staff assembly, I presented information from The Dignity Index, a non-partisan effort to counter such contempt by promoting constructive dialogue and dignity for all within our society. I encourage you to read more about The Dignity Index here.
Within our schools, we will continue to promote dignity by honoring our core values and following our longstanding policy respecting our students’ right, “in an atmosphere free from bias and prejudice,” to “share and express their ideas and opinions on controversial issues, and within a forum of fair and open discussion, grow in their understanding of the difficult and complex problems they face as citizens in today's world.”
In closing, I want to make you aware of this school year’s “No Homework” Calendar, found here, which was recently approved by the School Committee. Next Tuesday is the first “no homework” date for all students in the district, which aligns with Rosh Hashanah, when I hope our Jewish members of our school community have a happy new year celebration. Please remember that while some “no homework” dates align with certain religious holidays, any time a student needs to miss school or is not able to complete homework due to a religious obligation they may receive accommodations to make up missed work, per our district policy and state law.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our schools.
Respectfully,
Joe Sawyer
Superintendent of Schools