Brockton High School to Close at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Brockton High School students are being dismissed at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 10, 2013. Parents are being notified via telephone and buses will transport students home per normal procedures. The early closure is the result of plumbing issues caused by a city water main break on Linwood Street Monday afternoon.

“The water main was repaired yesterday. However, the amount of silt and sludge that was disturbed as a result of all the work has backed up plumbing at the high school, and our plumbers need to turn off the water so that they can flush the lines today,” said Michael Thomas, Executive Director of Operations.

Students, staff and parents were very understanding of the situation, said Principal Sharon Wolder.

“We understand this was an inconvenience, but the health and safety of our community is always the priority,” Wolder said. “Sometimes events outside the building affect what goes on here, and we could not have anticipated this issue. We have confidence in the city and School Department facilities crews and thank them for their work in resolving this matter.”

Parents were notified via telephone this morning, and staff members were on hand to supervise any students who wished to remain. The Girls Field Hockey and Soccer games scheduled for this afternoon will go on as planned; however, the following activities have been cancelled:

• Girls swim meet
• Volleyball practice
• Freshmen field hockey
• Band practice
• JROTC
• Freshmen football
• Cheerleading
• All boys soccer

 Please monitor this website for more information as it becomes available.

BHS In-Service Date Moved to September 25^th

Brockton High School’s first in-service date of the year has been moved forward to Wednesday, September 25^th to accommodate state-mandated teacher evaluation training for BHS educators. The school’s early-release days are held twice annually to provide an opportunity for professional development among staff. Brockton High School students are released at 11:00 a.m. on in-service dates.

The first in-service had been scheduled for October, but was moved up to ensure that BHS teachers have timely training in the state’s new evaluation system, said Principal Sharon R. Wolder.

“The change had to be made after the calendar was published, and we wanted parents to be aware of it,” Wolder said. “The sense of urgency for getting teachers prepared for the evaluation system required that we complete the training at the beginning of the year.”

The school plans to inform parents’ through direct phone calls and at the school’s Open House on September 19^th. Brockton High School’s second in-service date is scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2014.

Curriculum initiatives show steady gains in both English Language Arts and math at all levels

Brockton schools showed steady growth and pockets of excellence on the spring 2013 administration of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test. Brockton High School, the state’s largest urban public school, continued to be a standout in English Language Arts (ELA), while district-wide curriculum initiatives at the elementary level drove steady gains in both ELA and Math.

“Our increased focus on math district-wide is showing dividends with impressive growth at all levels – in some cases double digit increases,” said Kathleen A. Smith, JD, Superintendent of Schools. “There is always room for improvement, but these scores prove that the work we are doing, from our cross-curricular writing initiative to targeted math instruction and increased professional development, is working. We remain focused and committed to increasing academic performance and providing every child with the highest quality education possible.”

Mayor Linda M. Balzotti, who chairs the School Committee, said the scores demonstrate the professionalism and dedication of BPS educators.

“These results reflect the tremendous work being done in our schools each and every day,” the Mayor Linda M. Balzotti. “The students, teachers and staff of the Brockton Public Schools are once again putting the city on the map when it comes to student achievement. We’re continuing to make progress across the board, and our success continues to serve as a model to school districts across the country. ”

Across the district, Student Growth Percentile (SGP) climbed 4 points in math, and 1 point in ELA. In science, scores increased at the elementary and middle school levels and declined slightly at the high school. Brockton remains the only urban school district in the state that has not been designated a Level 4 district, a designation that triggers more intensive state oversight.

“Brockton celebrates its accomplishments, but does not rest on its laurels. We have always been the first to identify our areas of weakness and address them head on,” said Deputy Superintendent John R. Jerome. “The tremendous amount of work that has been done and is continuing at the elementary level is clearly showing results in this year’s MCAS scores, and in years to come we will see the effects of our current Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEAM) initiatives.”

Science became an MCAS standard two years ago, and Brockton has strengthened its science curriculum in a number of ways: eight new science specialists have been added at the middle and high school level to increase students’ opportunities to engage in scientific discovery; new labs have been constructed in four middle schools and a new bio lab was built at BHS this year, all to provide more hands-on learning activities; and two years ago, the district adopted the Discovery Education tech book at the elementary level, the first technology-driven curriculum strand that has provided a continuum of science learning.

Brockton High School sophomores posted the highest scores ever on the ELA MCAS test, an exciting 95.6 points on the Composite Proficiency Index (CPI), which measures the extent to which a school is exhibiting proficient performance on MCAS.

“We teach our students a process for understanding information and how to break it down so that they have strategies and confidence that they can rely on when taking the MCAS test,” said Brockton High School Principal Sharon Wolder. “Perseverance is a key to success, so we teach our kids that even if they think they don’t know the answer, to reason through and figure out what they do know, to rely on their skills and work through their problems. That focus and tenacity are some of the things that make our BHS students so successful in school and in life.”

There were a number of other schools with break-out performances on the spring MCAS tests. The Louis F. Angelo Elementary School, North and West Middle Schools and Joseph Plouffe Academy were all categorized as Level II schools, the second highest level of proficiency a Massachusetts public school can attain. East Middle School and Huntington Elementary, which are both Superintendent Priority Schools, once again proved that the School Committee’s increased investments in those schools are paying dividends: East’s SGP grew 5 points in ELA and 3 points in math; Huntington’s SGP increased 8.5 points in ELA and 20 points in math.

The Dr. William Arnone Elementary School showed dramatic gains, especially at Grade 4 where CPI scores rose by 9.9 points in ELA and 16.3 points in math. The Arnone School has been a leader in the district Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS). Last year, the school adopted a pilot Professional Learning Communities model and achieved National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation in recognition of the excellence of its kindergarten program.

“The Arnone School is a great example of how many of the curriculum changes and increased professional development we are doing is positively impacting student achievement,” said Elizabeth Barry, Executive Director of Learning & Teaching, PreK-8. “The teachers, administrators and staff have taken a team approach and worked collectively for the good of the students.”

Last year, all elementary schools implemented Understanding by Design (UBD), a math initiative that encourages collaborative lesson and unit planning among grade level teams prior to the delivery of each math unit. The district also strengthened its math lesson delivery by developing its own educator-designed curriculum utilizing a hybrid of two programs, Envisions and Investigations.

“The story these scores tell is steady progress is made by measured approaches, by professional development that has an immediate link to classroom instruction, and by teams of administrators, teachers and staff that work collaboratively for the good of students,” Barry said. “We are proud of the work we are doing and the success of our students.”

Governor Deval Patrick's Congratulatory Letter to Massachusetts educators 

Superintendent Smith Seeks Community Input for Long-Range Plan

Brockton Public Schools Superintendent Kathleen A. Smith, JD invites parents and community members to join her at a series of Superintendent Forums to gather input and perspective into the Brockton Public Schools. The forums, to be held at middle schools around

the city throughout October, will give the Superintendent valuable insight as she prepares an Entry Plan and Five-Year Strategy Plan for the 17,300-student school district.

“The purpose of the Superintendent Forums is to empower parents and community members to vocalize what they want to see in their Brockton Public Schools,” Smith said. “It is very important that all voices are heard as we chart our direction for the next several years. I encourage all to share their thoughts, ideas and feedback with us as we move forward.”

The first forum will be held Wednesday, October 9^th at 6 p.m. at North Middle School. Additional forums will be held on successive Wednesday evenings - Oct. 16^th at South Middle School, Oct. 23 at East Middle School and Oct. 30^th at West Middle School. Portuguese translators will be on hand at the Oct. 23^rd meeting at East Middle School. Mrs. Smith will meet with French-speaking parents at the Oct. 10^th Parents’ Academy Forum at the Baker School, and with Spanish-speaking parents at the Oct. 15^th Parents’ Academy Forum at the George School. Translators will be present at both of those meetings, as well.

“My focus during the first months of my superintendency is to reach out to the different groups in the city and ensure that everyone has a voice in the district’s long-term planning process,” the Superintendent said. “The Brockton Public Schools is experiencing enormous growth in enrollment at a time when there are a number of new state and federal educational initiatives that are being implemented. It is imperative that parents, educators, community members and stakeholders work together to create a shared vision for our school community and our students.”

During the forums, the superintendent will be asking parents how they feel about programmatic offerings – everything from access to PreK programs to special education, talented & gifted courses, foreign language and arts, music and athletics. Smith said she expects to have honest and open dialogue about school safety, class size levels and building capacity. Parents and community members who cannot be present at one of the forums may view them on Brockton Community Access Channel 12 or fill out an online Superintendent Survey by clicking here.

“The time to act is now. Our children deserve the best, and we need to have a plan not just for how we are meeting their needs today, but how we will continue to grow and evolve to meet their needs for the future,” Smith said.

In addition to the Superintendent Forums, Superintendent Smith has convened a Transition Team of community stakeholders and Brockton Public Schools employees and students to analyze and make recommendations. The Transition Team is chaired by Lasell College Professor and former School Committee Member Richard Bath and includes representatives from local colleges and universities, business owners and leaders, civic and community groups. The Transition Team has been divided into five key areas of focus: Learning & Teaching, Culture & Context, Operations & Finance, Organizational Efficiencies & Effectiveness and Youth Voice.

 Wednesday, October 9
North Middle School Cafe - 6 PM

 Wednesday, October 16
South Middle School Cafe - 6 PM

Wednesday, October 23*
East Middle School Cafe - 6 PM

Wednesday, October 30
West Middle School Cafe - 6 PM

KINDERGARTEN SHOWCASES SET FOR NOVEMBER

It’s time for parents of 4-year-olds to start thinking about selecting a school for their soon-to-be Kindergarteners, and Brockton Public Schools officials are launching Kindergarten Showcases this month to help families make the best choice. The district invites parents of children who will be entering Kindergarten next fall to attend one of four showcases to learn about what programs are offered at individual city schools, meet principals and Kindergarten teachers and explore the types of learning experiences their children will have next year.

“The Kindergarten Showcases are a wonderful way for us to welcome parents and children into our schools for the first time,” said Jane Feroli, Specialist for Parent Engagement. “We want them to be thinking about what type of Kindergarten program they want to enroll their child in, and which school is the best fit for their family. This is also a chance for us to prepare them for what types of documentation they will need when registration rolls around.”

The school district's elementary and middle schools have been divided into four geographic attendance zones: Northwest, Northeast, South and Central. Parents may select a school in their zone or in the citywide zone. This year, Brockton has more than 1,500 kindergarteners district-wide, in K-5 and K-8 schools, the Gilmore Early Childhood Center and the new Barrett Russell School.

The Brockton Public Schools provides a variety of programming, including general education, inclusion, two-way Spanish language instruction, bilingual/ESL services and special education services. Parents attending the showcases will be provided with information about the registration process, including important dates and deadlines. The showcases will also cover Kindergarten content, what a typical day in Kindergarten is like and give parents a chance to meet and greet school leaders and ask questions of principals and teachers.

“The most important thing we can do as educators is to form a strong connection with parents and families, because they are our students’ first teachers,” Feroli said. “We want to provide parents with the tools they need to make the best decision for their child, and to make them feel comfortable and welcome in our schools. We want to form lasting partnerships between schools and families.”

Speakers at the showcases will include Elizabeth Barry, Executive Director of Learning & Teaching PreK-8; Soraya DeBarros, Director of Parent Information and School Registration Center; Dr. Julianne Andrade, Coordinator of Elementary Literacy PreK-5 and Social Studies K-8; Kennedy School Teacher Susan O’Connell and Joni Block, Coordinated Family & Community Engagement (CFCE) Coordinator.

Links:

BPS Kindergarten Information Book

BPS Kindergarten Showcase Presentation

BPS Kindergarten Registration Information

CITY ELECTION PROVIDES CIVIC & MATH LESSONS FOR PLOUFFE ACADEMY STUDENTS

When Election Day dawned November 7^th, hundreds of poll workers headed to schools and municipal buildings across Brockton, ready to oversee Americans’ greatest right: the ability to vote. At the Plouffe Academy, 6^th graders in Tish Mency’s Math class opened the school library to voting, providing students and teachers an opportunity to exercise their Constitutional rights and select Mayoral and Councilor-at-Large candidates in the school’s annual mock election.

Mency’s 6^th graders analyze the election results and use the final tallies to calculate fractions, decimals and percentage points.

“It’s a real world application of math and a good experience for students to see how the voting process works,” Mency said. “We also use our results to compare to how the city votes, and see if our exit poll results were accurate predictors of the final outcome.”

The students made their polling place look as festive as possible, and decked the library out in red, white and blue streamers. Patriotic posters and slogans were posted throughout. Balloons gave the room a festive affair and poll workers greeted each voter and checked their name against the school roster. After voting, those who cast their ballots were checked out by a poll worker, thanked by another student and then asked to participate in an exit poll at the door.

“It’s a great learning experience for all of our students to take part in this election,” Principal Michelle Nessralla said as she exited the polling place.

Champion High School Students Operate Holiday Food Drive for the Needy

Some of the most important lessons students learn by doing and at Champion High School, community service learning is a graduation requirement. This year, a group of seniors in Bill Baran’s Civic Engagement course decided to launch a holiday food drive for the needy. From now until the end of the year, the students are collecting food items and donations to benefit the food pantry at the David Jon Louison Center, an emergency shelter for women and children located a few blocks from the school in downtown Brockton.

“This project has been extremely rewarding for the students. They truly are pleased to be able to help those less fortunate than they are, especially at the holiday season,” Baran said.

For 19-year-old Edlene Brito, the project is personal: when she and her young son needed help, a local shelter gave them a place to stay and food to eat. Now on her feet and planning to attend college after graduation in January, Edlene wants to pay that kindness back – and then some.

“A lot of people helped me when I needed it, and I want to turn around and help other people,” she said. “I want to show other people that there are people out there who want them to succeed, who will do what they can to give them a hand.”

The Champion High School students have collected cans and food stuffs at the Warren Avenue schoolhouse and reached out to other Brockton Public Schools; currently, they are collecting donations at the Baker, George and Downey Schools, at Ashfield Middle Schools and at the Plouffe Academy. The BB Russell Alternative School, Pathways Center and Boys and Girls Club are also hosting donation boxes.

In addition, the students have harnessed their creativity and created an “End Hunger” t-shirt that they are selling for $10 each. The logo was designed by class member Devontay Gierbolini and the shirts are being produced through the Wonder Tees vocational program at the school.

“There are hungry kids and families who need help in Brockton, and it makes us feel good that we can make a difference,” Devontay said.

BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO UNDERGO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DISTRICT REVIEW

Department of Education officials will review and assess Brockton Public Schools programs and services in November as a part of the Accountability System.

The Brockton Public School System is preparing for a District Review visit from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) Center for District and School Accountability. District Reviews are conducted routinely to evaluate education programs and services in public school systems in Massachusetts. Brockton is one of 20 school districts and charter schools scheduled to receive visits during the 2013-2014 school year.

The DESE District Review team will visit the Brockton Public Schools from November 18-21, 2013. The review team will see classrooms, collect data on performance, review curriculum and gather feedback from parents and staff. At the end, they will provide the district with a detailed report on their findings.

“I see this as a very positive opportunity for the Brockton Public Schools to gain unbiased insight into our school system, and I look forward to working with the DESE on this important project,” said Superintendent of Schools Kathleen A. Smith, JD. “This review will help us as we develop a five-year district plan. It is always important to assess and analyze strengths and weaknesses, and I believe the District Review team will provide us with valuable insight and recommendations that will help us to improve our schools for the benefit of our students.”

The visiting team of educators will review all aspects of district operations, including curriculum and instruction, system-wide procedures, professional development opportunities and employment practices, financials structures and student support initiatives, among other things. The team will interview district administrators, teachers and parents; conduct observations of instructional sites; and prepare a report for the Superintendent and School Committee.

The final report, which will serve as a tool in the continued development and improvement of programs and services, will be released next spring.

“Assessments by outside agencies are always a positive experience because they provide validation of what we are doing well and suggestions where we need improvement,” Superintendent Smith said. “I see this as an opportunity to showcase our successes and to collect new ideas on how to better serve our students.”

###

BROCKTON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WINS HOLIDAY PARADE COVER CONTEST

Devin Pokraka has been drawing since she was old enough to hold a pencil. The joy of creation – of putting ideas to paper, of sketching, coloring and painting in images that were born of her own imagination – has given the Brockton High School junior a sense of purpose and achievement. The Greater Brockton Holiday Parade Committee and HarborOne Bank recognized Devin’s artistic prowess and put her watercolor of Christmas lights and ornaments on the cover of the 27th Annual Holiday Parade book.

“I was surprised they chose my work, because so many people in my classes had really great drawings and paintings,” the 16-year-old said. “I am really proud.”

More than 300 student artists from across the region submitted entries to an annual cover contest sponsored by the Holiday Parade Committee.

“We received a lot of really great entries, but there was something about Devin’s painting that captured the imagination,” said Parade Organizer John Merian. “She’s got a great perspective.”

Brockton Public Schools Art Director Sarah Richards said the cover contest is a great way to showcase the talent and skill of Brockton’s young artists.

“The competition is a wonderful way to connect our student artists with the community: we get to showcase the great work that our students and teachers are doing, and the students also gain the respect and notice of their friends and neighbors,” Richards said. “HarborOne Bank and the Parade Committee demonstrate how much they value the arts and arts education, and we are so pleased to partner with them.”

At the city’s downtown Santa Hat Challenge on November 24th, parade organizers presented Devin with a framed copy of her work and a $100 cash prize. On Saturday, November 30th, thousands of parade watchers will have an opportunity to see Devin’s artwork and kick off the holiday season in style.

“The parade is a reflection of our city, it shows the artistic and creative points of Brockton,” said Devin, who marched with the Brockton Youth Cheerleaders when she was younger. “It’s a fun thing to do, and it gets everyone out to be thankful for all that we have in the city. I’m glad to be a part of it.”

The parade officially kicks off the holiday of the season in Brockton. Beginning at 9 a.m. that morning, there are crafts and activities for the whole family. Check out the fun a the Brockton Public Library; stroll Main Street and learn facts about Brockton’s own James Edgar, the first department store Santa; shop at City Hall’s Holiday Bazaar beginning at 11 a.m.; and take part in a holiday-themed scavenger hunt in downtown Brockton .

At 1 p.m. the parade steps off at Belmont and Main Streets and wends its through the streets of downtown Brockton. Thousands of revelers turn out to enjoy elaborate floats, troupes of talented dancers and martial arts performers, and the acclaimed Brockton High School Band. Following the parade, they gather in City Hall Plaza for a holiday sing-along and see Mayor Linda M. Balzotti throw the switch on the city’s Holiday Tree, which is decorated with ornaments made by Brockton Public Schools students.

For more information, please visit www.1stdepartmentstoresanta.com

Raymond School Students Provide Thanksgiving Dinner to 25 Families

Raymond K-8 School students worked together to send a message of hope and compassion to 25 needy families this holiday season by providing a Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings. For two weeks this month, students at the Oak Street schoolhouse brought in canned goods and other foodstuffs which the Student Council sorted and packaged into feasts for 25 families.

“We want our children to understand the importance and joy of giving back to their community,” said Raymond School Principal Carol McGrath. “The Thanksgiving story has a lot of resonance in this city – of a group of immigrants who came to a new world, learned new skills and customs and then shared the results of their hard work and toil with those who lent them a hand. This project shows our students in a real way how they can make a positive and lasting difference.”

Organized by Kindergarten Teacher Heidi Rubenstein and carried out with help from Student Council students and their advisor, Kathy Holman, the annual Thanksgiving Dinner drive knits the school together, McGrath said. Each grade was assigned one particular item for the feast: kindergarteners were asked to bring in napkins, Grade 1 students brought in vegetables, etc… and each child was awarded a “Raymond Raptor” coupon that when culled with others added up to classroom rewards as part of the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports initiative.

The school will deliver the feasts – which come in a disposable foil turkey pan – to the needy families before Thanksgiving. Each pan comes with a supermarket gift card with which families can purchase a turkey (the school couldn’t be responsible for refrigeration). The cards were bought with funds raised by a K-3 Pajama Day earlier in the month.

Raymond School 8th grader Marie Ranguin said the Thanksgiving Dinner drive shows students how important it is to help those in need.

“I think it’s a great way to teach others that sharing is caring,” she said. “Thanksgiving is a time spent with family and friends and being thankful for what you have. I’m happy to share with people who don’t have enough.”

BPS PRINCIPALS, STUDENTS & STAFF MARCH IN 27th ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE

The holidays came alive on Brockton’s streets November 30th when the city’s Greater Brockton Holiday Parade wended its way through the historic city center, spreading cheer and community spirit in its wake. This year, the Brockton Public Schools principals were honored as Grand Marshals of the 27th annual parade.

“I was so proud that our Brockton Public Schools principals were chosen as the Grand Marshals of the 2013 Holiday Parade,” said Superintendent of Schools Kathleen A. Smith, JD. “I know the Brockton children and families appreciate our principals, who as a group represented all that is good about the City we serve. The Holiday Parade is truly a community celebration and I was so glad to see so many of our students, staff and families participating in the parade or cheering along the way.”

The Superintendent marched alongside School Committee and City Council members, Brockton’s delegation to the State House and US Representative Stephen Lynch.

Thousands of people took part in day-long activities: beginning at 9 a.m., there were crafts and activities for the whole family from a downtown treasure hunt and pictures with Santa to a Holiday Bazaar and a historical lesson on Brockton’s own James Edgar, the first department store Santa. More than 90 different community groups and festive floats meandered down Main Street, up Legion Parkway and across to the finish line at City Hall. At the end of the parade, hundreds gathered at City Hall Plaza to take part in a parade Awards Ceremony; the BHS Marching Band played holiday tunes while the switch was thrown on the city’s Holiday Tree, which each year is adorned with ornaments made by Brockton Public Schools students.

“The parade is meant to celebrate the best of the city – its traditions, its people and its promise,” said Parade Chairman John Merian. “Brockton has a proud history: the City of Champions is home of famed boxers Rocky Marciano and Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Edison pioneered his work with electricity here and Brockton was the first city to elevate its railroads for safety purposes. But during the holidays, we like to celebrate James Edgar, who first introduced the Department Store Santa at his Main Street department store.”

This year, Cape Cod Café Owner James Jamoulis was honored with the James Edgar Award for his community service and commitment to the families of Brockton.

BROCKTON HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY CONCERT PROVIDES FESTIVE FARE - DECEMBER 17th & 18th

Tickets are now on sale for the concert, which features the highly acclaimed Brockton High School bands and choruses. The concert will mark the debut of new Choral Director Matthew Cunningham

The Brockton High School Holiday Concert is known far and wide as one of the best tickets around – a chance for music lovers and community members to gather and celebrate the sounds of the season. The Concert is always a mix of traditional favorites and new variations on festive themes that make listeners feel all the merrier. This year, the December 17th and 18th shows will have a different flavor, as new Choral Director Matthew Cunningham makes his debut with the Repertory Chorus and Concert Choir.

“This is going to be Matt’s inaugural performance, and that is very special since he is a graduate of the program,” said longtime Music Director Vincent Macrina, who conducts the Advanced Concert Band. “The Holiday Concert is a tradition in this community, it’s something we have all come to love and depend on as a way to kick-start the holiday season. We are looking forward to another great line-up of traditional pop tunes with a little Latin flavor mixed in and some different arrangements to get people in a happy holiday mood.”

Tickets for the December 17th and 18th concerts are now on sale for $3 per person for general admission, and $5 for those who wish to give to The Enterprise Helping Hands Fund, a holiday program sponsored by The Enterprise newspaper that benefits the needy in Southeastern Massachusetts. Macrina said that Brockton concertgoers helped raised more than $1,700 for the Helping Hands Fund last year – a wonderful gift to the community and an important lesson for the student musicians who take part in the concert.

“It’s always important to give back, but I think it’s all the more meaningful for our kids to see that they can make a difference at this time of year,” the maestro said.

This year, the show will open with the Advanced Concert Band marching on stage, playing “Santa’s Parade,” a toe-tapper the 100+ piece band performed in the Greater Brockton Holiday Parade. The Advanced Concert Band will also play some classic tunes like the French carol “Pat-a-pan,” and some newer selections like Mariah Carey’s “Christmas.”

The Concert Band will feature some spicy sounds like the “Latin Bell Carol” and “Joyful Time,” a Latin-influenced number, Macrina said.

Cunningham, the new Choral Director, said he is especially excited to return to the stage he performed on as a high school student. The 2008 graduate played in the band and sang in the Chorus under former Choral Director Penny Knight.

“I’m very excited, it does feel like coming home. To be able to give back to the program that gave me so much as a student is a wonderful thing,” said Cunningham, a Providence College graduate who had previously taught in Holbrook. “The Holiday Concert is an annual tradition that brings together all of the bands and choruses and the community as a whole. It’s a time for everyone – regardless of their religion - to come together and celebrate the season with music.”

The Repertory Chorus will perform favorite holiday selections like “Home for the Holidays and “The Christmas Song;” the Concert Choir will sing the traditional “Sleigh Ride” carol and perform “Nes Gadol Haya Sham,” a Hanukkah song. The finale will be a collaboration with the Advanced Concert Band, as singers and instrumentalists come together to perform “Christmas in the Air,” a medley of four or five well-known holiday tunes.

“This will definitely be a great show,” Cunningham said.

Tickets cost $3 per person for general admission, and those who wish to give to The Enterprise Helping Hands Fund may purchase tickets for $5, with $2 benefitting the newspaper’s holiday giving fund. Tickets are available at the Brockton High School main office, 470 Forest Avenue, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays. The concerts will be held Tuesday, December 17th and Wednesday, December 18th at 7:00 p.m. in the Brockton High School Auditorium. A snow date of Thursday, December 19th has also been set. For more information, please contact the Brockton High School Music Department at (508) 580-7656.

SEPAC Invites Parents to "Be Part of the Conversation"

The Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is hosting a coffee hour on December 18th to encourage parents of students with special needs to get involved in our schools and advocate for their children.  Special Education Director Laurie Mason and her staff will meet with parents and present on the district special education administrative re-organization, current student demographics and the exciting changes for the coming year.

SEPAC is also inviting parents/guardians of all students with disabilities to join this important advisory group. SEPAC has the responsibility in part to advise the School Committee on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities. Please join us December 18 for an open discussion on how our SEPAC can accomplish this important mission.

Please RSVP to this event so that we can prepare presentation materials in advance for all participants.

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2013 (6:30 PM – 8:00 PM)

Location: Arnone School, 135 Belmont Street

Registration: By email at sepac@bpsma.org. or go online at www.brocktonpublicschools/sepac.com or complete the attached form and return to your child’s school.

ASK YOUR TEACHER ABOUT COLLEGE DAY

November 26, 2013

 
The halls of Brockton High School were awash in college colors November 26^th as teachers and students celebrated the Ask Your Teacher About College Day. The annual event is designed to open a dialogue about post-secondary education, expose students to the myriad of college options and encourage them to start thinking about college sooner in their high school careers.
 
“We always want students to be thinking about their future; this is a way to encourage students to start exploring which colleges and universities they might be interested in, by asking people they know who attend those schools,” said BHS Guidance Counselor Donna Neary. “College is an important factor in lifelong success and we want our students thinking about and planning for college at younger and younger ages. This is a nice, informal reminder that college helps you succeed and it gives students an outlet to connect with their teachers and explore their options in a relaxed way.”
 
Neary created and launched Ask Your Teacher About College Day at Brockton High School nearly 20 years ago, and the program has spread to other high schools in Massachusetts. This year, the event coincided with the annual Adams Scholars Assembly, when 290 BHS seniors were awarded scholarships to attend state colleges and universities tuition-free. 

Neary said the most important way to celebrate the day is to start talking with students about college, why it’s important and the doors a college education will open for them
 
“The exposure is so important for these students. Over and over I have kids who are applying to schools that they never visit, or only applying to schools that they have heard of locally,” Neary said. “The important thing about picking a college is that you explore your options and find the best fit for yourself, and this event makes students start thinking about college before they sit down with their guidance counselor. This is an opportunity for students to talk to graduates of those schools to gauge what type of a school it is, and how they might gain from attending it.”
 

Weather Cancellations

December 17, 2013

WEATHER-RELATED CANCELLATIONS – DECEMBER 17, 2013

Due to weather conditions, a number of Brockton Public Schools after-school and evening programs have been cancelled for Tuesday, December 17, 2013. The cancellations include:

• All elementary and middle school after-school programs, including 21st Century Learning Centers and intramural programs
• All middle and high school athletics (interscholastic and intramural)
• Edison Academy is closed
• The Adult Learning Center evening program is closed
• Parents’ Academy Workshop scheduled for the Barrett Russell School has been postponed to the spring

Parents of Smart Start Extended Day students are asked to pick up their children as soon as they can, so that families and staff can get home safely during what is predicted to be a difficult evening commute.

Please note: the Brockton High School Holiday Concert, scheduled for this evening, will go on as planned.

SIGN UP FOR BPS WEB UPDATES

The Brockton Public Schools website provides up-to-the-minute information about academics, enrichment and athletic programs throughout the school and calendar year. Since its redesign in September 2007, www.brocktonpublicschools.com  has continued to grow and evolve in an effort to serve the needs of students, staff, parents and community members.

“The BPS website is an incredible resource: it provides information on academic programs, school-sponsored activities, upcoming meetings and enrichment programs,” said Superintendent of Schools Matthew H. Malone, Ph.D. “We are constantly updating and retooling our site to make it a better communication tool and we’re always looking to find areas to expound upon so that we can provide as much information as possible.”

Interested parties are invited to sign up for the site’s News and Calendar Feed options, which send updates directly to your inbox electronically. Simply click on the orange “Rss Feed” icon next to the News & Information and Calendar sections on the BPS homepage, and enter your contact information. The next time a new story or calendar event is posted, you’ll know immediately.

“Whatever vehicle you use to get your information – email, Google, Yahoo, Facebook – we can interface with and send you the latest news, including school cancellations and meeting dates,” said Webmaster Kathy Ettinger. “It’s a wonderful feature that we hope more and more people will take advantage of.”

INAUGURATION DAY – JANUARY 6th

2014-2015 SCHOOL COMMITTEE SWORN-IN

Brockton marked the start of a new political era January 6th when City Clerk Anthony Zeoli gave the Oath of Office to new Mayor Bill Carpenter and the incoming School Committee and City Council.

Three new School Committee members were sworn in alongside seasoned veterans: Allisha Clark of Ward 3, Judy Sullivan of Ward 5 and Raymond Henningson of Ward 7. New City Councilors Shirley Asack, Shayna Barnes and Moises Rodrigues rounded out the field of new elected officials.

In his inaugural address, Mayor Carpenter celebrated the city’s diversity and congratulated the new School Committee members and City Councilors for their willingness to serve.

“You are the changing landscape of government,” Carpenter said. “I am so proud to see so many new faces added to the process.”

A former Ward 5 School Committee member, Carpenter vowed to continue to support public education in Brockton while also focusing on restructuring city government operations to maximize efficiencies, revitalizing the local economy and stabilizing and rebuilding neighborhoods and playgrounds. The mayor promised to lead the city with a keen eye on leveraging technology and data to streamline government, make it more effective and user-friendly.

Mayor Carpenter announced the formation of a Blue Ribbon panel of business and government leaders who will work to establish an Office of Economic Development, City Planning and Community Planning so that Brockton can begin a new period of growth and economic stability.

“Starting today, the City of Brockton is open for business,” Carpenter said, to loud applause.

Superintendent of Schools Kathleen A. Smith, JD said she looks forward to working with Mayor Carpenter and the seven-member School Committee to further enhance educational opportunities in the Brockton Public Schools.

“A city’s greatest asset is its children, and our Brockton Public Schools are a source of tremendous pride in this community,” Smith said. “I look forward to working with Mayor Carpenter and the School Committee to continue our mission to make this the best school system possible and to provide our students with every opportunity to learn and succeed in a 21st century economy.”

National History Day – January 17th

History came alive in Brockton High School’s Azure Café on January 17th as BHS students presented their research through the school’s annual National History Day competition. Each year, the competition challenges students from across the country to become experts in a historical topic of their choice. This is the 17th year that Brockton high School has participated in the competition, and more than 250 students took part, submitting over 150 projects.

The National History Day competition is based on in-depth research: students must select a topic that falls within a predetermined theme, write a 500-word process paper with an annotated bibliography and present their research as a table top exhibit, individual or group performance, individual or group documentary, individual or group websites, or a research paper. This year’s topic was “Rights and Responsibilities in History.”

Brockton High School juniors enrolled in the American History II course are required to take part in the contest, but it is open to all others who wish to participate.

“Students showed a very high level of work in their projects: we saw depth of knowledge and research throughout,” said Social Science Department Head Michele Conners. “It’s always a great competition because it gets students excited to delve into history and explore themes that still have bearing in today’s society.”

Twenty Brockton High School projects will compete in the regional semi-finals in March. Brockton students will be represented in the Individual Exhibit, Group Exhibit, Group Documentary, Individual and Group Website categories. The state finals will be held April 5th at Stoneham High School.

For the past nine years, Brockton High School has sent competitors to the national finals at the University of Maryland each June. Winners of the National History Channel Award are given a $5,000 scholarship.

SUPERINTENDENT SMITH APPOINTS THREE ADMINISTRATORS TO RESOURCE BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS

New Deputy Superintendent, Executive Director and Development & Grants Director named

Superintendent of Schools Kathleen A. Smith announced the appointment of three Brockton Public Schools administrators to key positions in district leadership: Deputy Superintendent of Operations, Executive Director of Learning & Teaching 6-12 and Alternative Schools, and Director of Development and Grants Management.  Each position has been carefully designed to resource the district for success and position the Brockton Public Schools as a leader of 21^st century urban education.

At a meeting before the School Committee earlier this month, Smith announced the appointment of Michael P. Thomas as the new Deputy Superintendent of Operations, Dr. Clifford N. Murray as Executive Director of Learning& Teaching 6-12 and Alternative Schools, and Laurie Silva as Director of Development and Grants Management.  Each of the appointees will hold pivotal roles in the administration of the 17,000-student school district and will help to shape policy, curriculum and service delivery, and funding for the state’s fourth largest district.

“I am very excited to have Mike, Cliff and Laurie on my leadership team; each one of them brings a unique skill set and experience that is key to the success of our Brockton Public Schools,” Smith said.  “These appointments represent the first step in a multi-year approach to provide for the long-term success and growth of our school district.”

Thomas, who has served as Executive Director of Operations since 2009, has been promoted to Deputy Superintendent of Operations.  John R. Jerome, the district’s long-serving Deputy Superintendent, is slated to retire in March and his responsibilities have been split between Thomas and a Deputy Superintendent of Learning & Teaching. In his role, Thomas will oversee daily operations of the school district and manage the Facilities, Transportation, Communications, Technology Services, Emergency Management Departments.  He will also supervise the functions of the Human Resources Department, all before- and after-school programming and adult education and enrichment programs under the Community Schools umbrella, and he will serve as liaison to all City of Brockton departments, including the Building, Fire, Police and Public Works Departments.

“Mike is perfectly suited to his role,” Smith said. “He knows our buildings and our school leaders, he has worked with many of our teachers and support staff, and he is well known and regarded in the community.  He brings a can-do attitude to every project he tackles, from the catastrophic Easter evening flood in the Azure Building at Brockton High School – to the $36 million Green School Repair Project he oversaw to renovate and restore eight city schools.”

A native Brocktonian, Thomas is a Brockton High School graduate who has worked in the school system for 22 years.  For the past four years, he has served as Executive Director of Operations, supervising the.  He began his career in 1992 as a physical education teacher at East Middle School, served as the Brockton High School Department Head of Physical Education from 2001 to 2004, as an Assistant Housemaster at BHS for three years and then as Housemaster of the Azure House from 2007 to 2010.  He also stepped in as Interim Principal of BHS last year, a testament to his ability to lead and build consensus. 

West Middle School Principal Dr. Clifford Murray will serve as the district’s Executive Director of Learning & Teaching 6-12/Alternative Schools.  A dynamic educational leader who understands the needs of adolescents, Murray has led West Middle School for the past six years.  During that time, he enhanced the school’s reputation as a first-class middle school, improving school culture and student achievement results.  He also implemented common planning time for teachers, increased before- and after-school opportunities for students, led efforts to improve curriculum and services for a growing English-as-a-Second-Language population, and continued to focus on meeting the needs of all of our special needs students. 

Murray began his career in the Brockton Public Schools in 1995, teaching science at East Junior High School. For the next 11 years, he taught science, then math and science in the Read 180 program, before being named assistant principal in 2008.  In September 2008 he took the reins of West Middle School, where he worked to create a collaborative school culture, improve parent communication and improved student academic performance.  He holds a bachelor’s of arts degree in Biology from the University of Miami, a master’s in education and a CAGS in Finance and Administration from Fitchburg State College and a doctorate of Education from Nova Southeastern University.

As Executive Director, Murray will use the experience and insight he gained as an educator and administrator at West and East Middle Schools to oversee operations of all nine BPS secondary schools and its four diverse alternative school programs.  One of his projects will be to strengthen the transition between middle and high school so that our 8^th graders are better prepared to meet the rigorous standards at Brockton High School.  He will also work closely with our alternative schools to strengthen supports and advocacy for the needs of alternative students. 

During the spring time, Murray will continue to anchor West Middle School, and the district will provide additional supports to the West leadership team.

“I am very excited to have Cliff’s knowledge, vision and curriculum management skills to oversee our middle, high and alternative school programs; I know that under his leadership, student achievement will continue to grow,” the Superintendent said.

Resourcing the Brockton Public Schools for success is a theme of Smith’s superintendency, and the creation of the Director of Development and Grants Management position is in line with her goals to increase private funding to support innovative programs for Brockton students.  Laurie Silva, a longtime school administrator with proven success in development and grant writing has been named to the post.

“History has taught us that state and local aid alone cannot provide for all of the important and innovative projects we want to undertake on behalf of our students,” the Superintendent said.  “Laurie brings a great deal of experience, passion and energy to this post, and I look forward to having her spearhead an initiative that will benefit every person in our school district.”

Silva joined the Brockton Public Schools in 1999 as the Community Partnership for Children Grant Specialist.  In that role, she developed funding sources and managed the operation of our early childhood and learning services program, working in partnership with key state agencies and local community partners.  In 2005, she became the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Coordinator, where she has been effective in designing and implementing quality after-school and summer programs for some of the neediest of students.  Her foresight led to the creation of summer literacy programs for English as a Second Language students who, data showed, were returning to school in September at a disadvantage because they were not getting enough quality instruction during the summer vacation. 

As Director of Development and Grant Management, Silva will be responsible for the development, processing and submission of all grants for the district.  She will also identify and cultivate in-district and local stakeholders to work collaboratively on new grant initiatives, supervise the collection of data germane to grants development and management, and help district leadership identify organizational needs that can be supported through grant funding.

Silva holds a bachelor’s of science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, a master’s of School Administration in Educational Leadership, and CAGS in School Administration from Bridgewater State University.  She has also taken doctoral level courses in Educational Leadership at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.

“All three of these individuals bring energy, enthusiasm and a great deal of experience to their new roles, and I know that they will help us to continue to move forward in a positive way,” Superintendent Smith said.

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West Middle School National History Day - January 22nd 

West Middle School students shared their historical knowledge with school and district administrators, teachers, parents and friends as part of the school’s annual National History Day celebration January 22^nd.  More than 200 seventh and eighth graders conducted in-depth research projects to demonstrate their ability to conduct in-depth research and discuss historical themes.

West Middle School Principal Clifford Murray said he was very impressed with the scope of the projects.

“There was a wide variety of projects, and students really demonstrated an appreciation for all types of history,” said Murray, who was just named as the district’s Executive Director of Learning & Teaching 6-12 and Alternative Schools.  “National History Day challenges students to think differently about history, to really immerse themselves in the material and discover how history shapes the present.”

The National History Day competition is based on in-depth research: students must select a topic that falls within a predetermined theme, write a 500-word process paper with an annotated bibliography and present their research as a table top exhibit, individual or group performance, individual or group documentary, individual or group websites, or a research paper. This year’s topic was “Rights and Responsibilities in History.”

This year, every 8^th grader enrolled in World History courses was required to take part in the competition, and some 7^th graders elected to take part, as well.  Administrators and teachers like National History Day because it helps to build enthusiasm for historic themes while also preparing students for the rigors of high school and college research, Murray said. 

“I like the idea that the students don’t always pick the typical, common aspects of history, but they delve a little deeper into who we are,” Murray said.  “I think we all learn from it – the students learn from their research and from one another, and the adults do, too.  This year, there was a fabulous project about ‘The Orphan Train,’ a program that transplanted orphans from Eastern cities into foster homes in the rural Midwest.  It was fascinating.”

Middle and high school students who won top honors at their school’s National History Day competitions will compete in the regional semi-finals in March.  Brockton students will be represented in the Individual Exhibit, Group Exhibit, Group Documentary, Individual and Group Website categories.  The state finals will be held April 5^th at Stoneham High School.

Student winners can receive awards and prizes ranging from $250 to a National History Channel Award scholarship of $5,000.