It’s that time! Summer is drawing to a close, and
preparations for the opening of school are just about finished. Although
short, it has been a productive summer around the district. We have been busy with our traditional “off-season”
activities of summer school, technology upgrades, and professional
development. Hiring has also been a focus of our summer work. This fall we are welcoming not only two new
principals to the district, Patricia Puglisi at the High School and Steve
Guditus at the Middle School, but also we have hired eighteen new staff
members. I have enjoyed meeting them all, and I am excited about the
experience and student-centered outlook that they will bring to our high-performing team. Meet the New
Faculty
Security Upgrades
In addition to their routine maintenance and cleaning
projects, this summer our facilities team has tackled a long project list that
included painting, paving and room moves. They have also been key
players in supporting and managing the contract work associated with the extensive
security upgrades at both elementary schools. Both elementary schools are
now equipped with security cameras, uniform and ADA compliant lock systems, and
networked phone and all-call communication systems. Additionally district-wide we have worked
collaboratively with local law enforcement to revise our Crisis Plans and
standardize our readiness drills.
State of the Elementary Facilities September 3rd at 7:00pm in the Middle High School Library
Please join the School Committee on September 3rd at 7:00pm in the Middle High School Library for a presentation on the state of our elementary facilities. Habeeb & Associates will be providing an overview of the findings of their recent study of our elementary schools. The presentation will identify and quantify the short-term costs of maintaining our current facilities as well as provide suggestions for long-term planning. Elementary Facilities Needs Assessment
The Habeeb study determined that each of our elementary school buildings has exceeded its useful life and requires a plan of action to address the structural and programmatic needs of the district. The annual cost to maintain the Manchester Memorial, built-in 1950, and Essex Elementary, constructed in1958, is expected to increase significantly in the next five years. It is imperative that MERSD formulate a long-term plan to address our declining elementary school facilities in order to responsibly manage costs and to provide students with a safe and environmentally sound learning environment.
District Calendar
The District
Calendar has been updated and is
available in the Quick Links Section of the district and school homepages. Please note that the last day of school if
all snow days are used will be June 25th without the use of snow
days we are scheduled for the last day of school to be June 18th.
How to Stay Informed
The How to Stay
Informed Quick Link is located on the district and school homepages. It provides a one-page reference of online
resources that will help to keep you informed of school and district events and
activities. We are always working to
improve home-school communications. We
hope these resources will be of help in strengthening the lines of
communication.
Upcoming Events
·
State of the Elementary Schools Presentation: September 3rd @ 7:00pm MERMHS
Library
·
Open Houses
o
Essex Elementary: TBA
o
Memorial School: September 4th @ 6:00
pm
o
Middle School:
September 12th
@ 6:30pm
o
High School: September 19th @ 2013 at
7:00 pm
·
Parent/Student Athlete Fall Sports Meeting: September 8th @ 6:30 pm MERMHS Auditorium.
·
Social Media Presentation at MERHS: September 11th @ 6:30 pm MERMHS Auditorium.
Enjoy the final days of summer.
We are looking forward to seeing you and the students on Wednesday!
Pam
