Congratulations to Mr. Robert Gallagher, long-time Marshfield High School social studies and history teacher, on earning this week's Marshfield Educator of the Week honor. Mr. Gallagher makes great connections with his students, and his student-centered approach allows for a great deal of student voice within his classroom. He has been involved with many student leadership opportunities, and he has inspired decades of students who have been fortunate to have him as their teacher. Mr. Gallagher currently sits on the board of the Marshfield Wall of Honor, which recognizes Marshfield volunteers and retired educators who have made a significant impact to the Marshfield learning community. Mr. Gallagher has certainly made a positive impact himself. We are honored that Mr. Gallagher is a Marshfield educator.

It was great to see that this particular kindergarten student was enjoying his relaxing ride home from school. Thank you for your patience as we work to create the best possible transportation, drop-off, and pick-up for all of our schools. We are working closely with our transportation company and Marshfield Police to ensure we adapt to the new start times with safety always being paramount. We are happy to report that although we still need improvements in some areas, our busses, drop-off, and pick-ups are improving. Thank you to everyone who is working to improve this important component of our operations.

During visits to our elementary schools, it was apparent what a wonderful job our educators are doing in creating a learning environment that shows connection to our students. Some of what was observed in classrooms and the buildings included:

• Presented materials that make student learning visible
• Systems and structures that make students feel comfortable, included, and which encourage student ownership of learning
• Space for and evidence of multiple grouping models that are appropriate for multiple instructional delivery styles
• The teacher creates an environment with the students that is intellectually and socially safe for learning
• The teacher creates space for student agency, autonomy, and authentic student voice
• The teacher makes efforts to connect with each individual child

It is inspiring to see this in action.

Thank you to everyone who came out to visit our school communities during the high school and middle school Open Houses and the DWS Cookout. We look forward to our upcoming elementary curriculum night. Below are a couple of images from the DWS Cookout.

To start off the school year, all of our educators took part in sharing their "Hopes" for the students. All of our goals as a school community start with our hopes, and it was inspiring to see how much our educators care about the social-emotional and academic success of the Marshfield students. Many of our students have also shared their hopes...Here are some from EWS, DWS and GWS!

Please click on the image below to see a video showing GWS Student Hopes for the Year.

Principals Baird and Casey welcomed MHS 1964 graduates to their buildings as part of their reunion weekend. SRS was their lower school and FBMS their high school in the 1950s and 60s. One graduate upon passing Mr. Baldwin's room at FBMS noted that it was his homeroom and where he was when he found out President Kennedy was assassinated. Another graduate noticed the patched-up hole he put in the wall of the boys' locker room with a shot put in 1964. It was incredibly powerful to consider the innumerable and vivid memories of so many Marshfield students who have graced the halls of this building over its history. Thank you all for sharing your stories and your laughs. We hope to see you all again for your 65th!

In the coming weeks there are several opportunities to support our students and families who work through medical challenges each and every day, all while showing up for school and doing their very best! Next week Marshfield is Going Gold to support Childhood Cancer Awareness

If you're looking for something to do in the coming weeks of fall, consider joining Wally at BOSTON COMMON on Saturday, October 5th at 10 a.m....It's going to be an AMAZING day supporting the PAN/PANDAS students and families!! Register/Sponsor/Donate: https://givebutter.com/lookwalk

On Saturday, October 19th at 1pm on the Cape Cod Canal, join the walk to support our Type 1 Diabetic students! Learn more about this and South Shore Action For Hope by clicking here

Our targets for this year are developed from the Strategic Plan and Vision of the Graduate and are informed by on-going data gathering, including my ongoing entry-plan work. As a District, these will be our targets and focus for the year. I realize that this year we will not finish our work in any of these areas, but the goal is to make measurable improvements in all of these areas by the end of the school year.

Family and Community Engagement: All buildings will explore Joyce Epstein’s 6 Dimensions of Family Engagement looking at the communication, community collaboration, learning at home support, parenting support, volunteering, and family input in decision-making in each building.

District and School Culture: Each building will look at the level of voice and choice of staff in each building, types and reasons for celebrations, processes for collaborative decision making, structures for collective responsibilities and governance, and traditions within the school.

Student and Staff Equity Belonging and Wellness: As a district we will be reformulating the Social Emotional Learning, Wellness, and Diversity / Equity / and Inclusion teams as subgroups under one expanded Equity Belonging and Wellness team. This team will include students and families from across the district and will function as ambassadors for the work throughout the district.

Data Driven Decisions: We will continue to build our data structures throughout the district, engage in data dialogues, and analyze and explore data to make needed changes.

Rigorous Curriculum Development: We will be firmly establishing the stages of our district-wide curriculum review cycle and engaging in curriculum adoption, including the new elementary ELA curriculum district-wide.

Financial Stability: We will be looking closely at capital and operational budget priorities and working collaboratively with existing budgets as we firm up our curriculum review cycle.

Efficient and Effective Protocol, Procedure, and System Development (including safety): We will look closely at all our procedures and protocols (at least as many as we can) through a systems thinking lens and make any needed improvements.

Collective Teacher Efficacy (which is another way of saying our ability to work effectively together in teams): This is an important focus for us. Emphasizing the importance of educator collaboration is certainly nothing new; however, through research of John Hattie in New Zealand, we now can confidently say that working well together is the most important initiative in which we can engage to produce strong academic and social emotional achievement for our students. Hattie researched over 1000 meta-analysis, 50,000 quantitative and qualitative student and teacher peer-reviewed research reports, and data covering over 250 Million students world-wide, and found that the largest effect size on student achievement is made through collective teacher efficacy. Schools and districts where educators collaborated best had the highest achievement growth.

Student Voice and Engagement in the Teaching, Learning, and Leading: Also featuring prominently in effect size are strategies that make learning visible and explicit to the students. That brings us to our theme for the year, “Through the Eyes of the Student” and our greatest focus for the year, which is student voice and engagement in the teaching, learning, and leading throughout our schools. There is nothing more paramount and important this year than continuing to foster an environment that places students first and which provides them with a culturally responsive and inclusive environment that promotes student agency and voice.

Safety is a paramount for Marshfield Public Schools. This summer, Marshfield District Leadership worked collectively with Marshfield Police, Marshfield Fire, Emergency Management, Facilities, Technology, external safety plan advisors, and School Committee Safety Subcommittee members to refine, revise, and create safety protocols. Please be aware that we will not be providing entrance to our buildings to anyone who does not present a proper license, even if we are aware of who the person is. This is a standard protocol that is necessary to ensure safety. All visitors will continue to be screened via our Raptor Technology through use of their license.

• As a District, we have developed an emergency preparedness plan for each of our buildings. These plans were created in coordination with local police, fire, and emergency management departments. We meet as a District Crisis Team each summer and periodically throughout the year to refine plans, and we are in constant collaboration and communication.

• In conjunction with the Marshfield Police Department, our district has developed lockdown, shelter-in-place, and lockdown with information protocols. Our staff receives annual training in these protocol from members of the Marshfield Police Department, and we supplement this training with periodic drills and scenarios to further increase our preparedness. Each school has a Crisis Team, in addition to our District Crisis Team.

Leadership will continue to meet with Marshfield Police and Fire throughout the year to refine, and when needed, create safety protocols.

Marshfield Public School District is committed to providing a safe, positive, and productive educational environment where students can achieve the highest academic standards. No student shall be subjected to harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyber-bullying.

"Bullying" is the repeated use by one or more students or school staff members of a written, verbal, or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at a target that:

• causes physical or emotional harm to the target or damage to the target's property;

• places the target in reasonable fear of harm to him/herself, or of damage to his/her property;

• creates a hostile environment at school for the target;

• infringes on the rights of the target at school; or

• materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.

"Cyber-bullying" means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a: • wire • radio • electromagnetic • photo-electronic or photo-optical system, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, internet communications, instant messages or facsimile communications.

Cyber-bullying shall also include the creation of a web page or blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person or knowingly impersonates another person as author of posted content or messages, if the creation or impersonation creates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition of bullying.

Cyber-bullying shall also include the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the distribution or posting creates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition of bullying.

Bullying and cyber-bullying may occur in and out of school, during and after school hours, at home and in locations outside of the home. When bullying and cyber-bullying are alleged, the full cooperation and assistance of parents and families are expected.

Bullying is prohibited:

• On school grounds;
• On property immediately adjacent to school grounds;
• At school-sponsored or school-related activities;
• At functions or programs whether on or off school grounds;
• At school bus stops;
• On school buses or other vehicles owned, leased or used by the school district; or,
• Through the use of technology or an electronic device owned, leased or used by the school district.

Bullying and cyber-bullying are prohibited at a location, activity, function or program that is not school-related or through the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased or used by the school district if the act or acts in question:

• create a hostile environment at school for the target;
• infringe on the rights of the target at school; and/or
• materially and substantially disrupt the education process or the orderly operation of a school.

Please see the link below for more information regarding bullying prevention and reporting.

Marshfield Public Schools Safe Schools and Bullying Intervention Plan

Please click on the link below to find the:

Anonymous Bullying Reporting Form

We are committed to stopping bullying and working with our students to promote kindness and empathy towards all.

Massachusetts STEM Week 2024

Mass STEM Week 2024 will take place from October 21–25 and is a statewide collaborative effort organized by the Executive Office of Education and the STEM Advisory Council in partnership with the state’s nine Regional STEM Networks, which plan and coordinate activities with local school communities, community leaders, and business partners. Visit the STEM Week webpage to learn more.
Educators and students are invited to participate in one of the STEM Week 2024 Design Challenges

• Wade Institute for Science Education- Extreme Zoo Makeover: A STEM Approach to Habitat Design
• Kids in Tech - STEM Goes Green: The STEM Challenge
• The STEM Education Center at WPI - "I Am STEM" Lesson Library
• Museum of Science – Environmental Engineering Challenge
• PBLWorks - The Future of Work

Thank you to Aimee McAlpine, Director of Professional Development and On-line Learning, and to everyone who made this week's professional development a big success at the elementary level.

Current enrollment by school and grade is displayed above. Please note that the Granatino Early Elementary Education Center (GEEC) is not represented (3 students) in this graph.

Thank you to Lucy and Joann for recruiting a strong turn out of multilingual families at FBMS Open House!

Emily, Talita and Lucy for kicking off our ELPAC planning committee.

Family letters: Initial and annual letters were mailed to families this week. Dates have been updated in Aspen.

Benchmarks and Success Plans: I will be sharing the list of students who did not meet their ELP benchmark, as well as target scores for all students who took the ACCESS in 2024 by September 27th. Teams will work on developing success plans in October using Ellevation.

Summit K12 and BOY: The BOY assessment window for students in grade 1-12 is 9/18-10/2.

Goals and evaluation: Building principals will be primary evaluators for ELE staff. I will work with principals and staff members as we navigate the evaluation and goal-setting process. More information regarding shared school and team student learning and professional practice goals is forthcoming.

EL PAC: If you are interested in serving on the EL PAC planning committee please email me as soon as possible. The first EL PAC informational meeting will be held on October 17th from 6:30-8 at MES. All are welcome! The next planning meeting is Thursday, October 3rd at 3:45. Email Kate for details.

Interpretation and translation: Google Slides has an improved Extension that translates into all of our languages while maintaining formatting.

ITI On DemandAccess number

September 26th: Elementary Curriculum Night

October 2: ELE Department Meeting at MES

October 17: EL PAC Information Meeting (TBD)

ACCESS for ELLs test administration window: January 6–February 14, 2025

• Deadline for schools to return test materials to DRC: February 18, 2025**

• Pre-reporting data validation by schools: March 24–28, 2025

• Reports and data files available in AMS: April 28, 2025

• Schools receive printed reports: May 14, 2025

• Post-reporting data validation by schools: May 14–22, 2025

• Updated results posted in AMS: June 6, 2025

Blogs/Articles and Webcasts of Interest

Multilingual Learning Look-for Tool

The Multilingual Learning Look-for Tool articulates essential expectations for effective teaching and learning aligned to the DESE Educational Vision, the MA Blueprint for English Learner Success, and the Standards of Effective Practice.

PD Opportunities

September 25

This WIDA webinar explores five critical, research-based aspects or “guideposts” of reading instruction for multilingual learners (MLs). For each guidepost, attendees will receive an overview of the current research and strategies and tips for how the guidepost translates to classroom instruction.

Guideposts for Reading Instruction with Multilingual Learners

September 26

Are you a K-12 teacher or administrator? Discover how to set up a language-rich learning environment through effective scaffolding and peer learning strategies for the upcoming school year. You will receive practical tools you can immediately apply in your classroom, a live Q&A session with our ML experts, and a one-hour PD certificate upon completion.

Back to School with Multilingual Learners: Strategies for Setting Up a Language-Rich Learning Environment

October 1

WCEPS Empowering Newcomers Webinar

The first English Learner Parent Advisory meeting will be October 17th at 6:30-8:00 in the MES Cafeteria. All multilingual families are encouraged to attend! Email Kate Lyons Mailloux at kmailloux@mpsd.org for more details.

The MHS Athletic Teams continued a very successful start to their seasons this week with multiple

Programs getting big victories among their Patriot League rivals. The Boys Golf Team continued their impressive start by defeating previously undefeated Scituate on the road, 238-255. Justin Ford and Max Albert led the way for the Golf Team by shooting 38’s.

The Boys Soccer Team had 2 big Patriot League victories over Whitman-Hanson, 2-0 and Scituate, 5-3. Owen Cregan collected a “hat trick” in the Scituate game for the Rams as they continue to be one of the top teams on the Keenan side in Boys Soccer.

The Football Team opened their Home Schedule last Friday Night with an impressive 31 – 23, come from behind victory over non-league Methuen. The Rams scored 31 straight, unanswered points against Methuen led by Senior Quarterback Tor Maas. Both Seniors Davin True and Jake Brilliant scored big touchdowns in the come from behind victory.

Girls Soccer continues to play competitively against their tough opponents. The Girls look to get back to their winning ways this Friday against Scituate. They will be part of a double header featuring Girls Soccer at 4:00 and Football (against B/R) at 7:00 PM.

Field Hockey had a quiet week, game wise. They lost a tough one, 2-1, with no time left on the clock

against Silver Lake in their only game action of the week.

Girls Cross Country continues their impressive run defeating Duxbury, 46-15. The Rams captured the

first seven spots crossing the finish line. The boys lost a tough to Duxbury in Cross Country, but still

captured the first three spots at the finish line.

Volleyball will also be looking to get in the win column next week when they host Quincy and Sandwich next Monday and Thursday.

Please click on the link to access the Marshfield Public Schools PTO Page. Thank you to the PTO for all of their work in supporting Marshfield Public Schools.

Thank you to the Special Education Parents' Advisory Council (SEPAC) for their excellent work in supporting Marshfield Families. Here is an upcoming event for all families:

Navigating Aspen & Canvas for the Caregiver

When: Thursday, October 24, 2024, 6:30 pm

Where: MHS Presentation Center

Registration: Here

Learn how to access and get all needed information regarding:

• Daily school work
• Grading & evaluations
• Bus/teacher assignments
• Work flows
• Schedules and more

Presented by the Marshfield Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC).

Please click on the link to access information regarding the MEF. We are thankful for their amazing support.

Are you, or someone you know, interested in joining our fantastic team of educators? We would love to add you to our dedicated team of Substitute Teachers. We also have a few ESP, SESP & Tutor positions we are still looking to fill. Click the link(s) below to learn more:

Employment Opportunities

Sept 23-27 - Go Gold Week

Sept 24 - School Committee Meeting (DWS)

Sept 26 - Elementary Curriculum Night

Oct 2 - District Wide Early Release

Oct 4 - MHS/FBMS Term 1 Mid Term

Oct 14 - Columbus Day (no school)

Oct 23 - District Wide Early Release

Oct 24 - SEPAC Navigating Aspen & Canvas for the Caregiver

Eames Way School

Governor Winslow School

Daniel Webster School

Martinson Elementary School

South River School

Furnace Brook Middle School

Marshfield High School

Marshfield High School Counselor Connection

Marshfield Health & Wellness

Email: psullivan@mpsd.org
Website: www.mpsd.org
Location: 76 South River Street, Marshfield MA 02050
Phone: (781) 834-5000
Twitter: @MarshfieldSuper