Superintendent's Newsletter
November 2024
Dear School Community,
First and foremost, with the holiday break upon our school community – I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving.
As I continue to visit our schools and the classrooms within them to spend time with our students and faculty, I am impressed with level of student engagement and ongoing learning that is happening.
It is incredible to see our students owning their own learning by demonstrating critical thinking skills, effective communication, utilizing creative problem solving techniques, and collaboration.
Despite being three towns and six schools – we are certainly one strong school community.
I am extremely proud and grateful to serve as your Superintendent of Schools. #WEareOR
With all respect,
Michael S. Nelson
Superintendent of Schools
From Dr. Fedorowicz
As we look to the end of the third month of school and head into the winter months, I hope you are feeling as inspired as I am. We are making great strides to support student learning and professional growth.
Professional Development
Our last full Professional Development (PD) day was on November 5th, which specifically targeted content and subject areas as designed by the Professional Development Planning Process developed by the Instructional Council. This is the first year we are rolling out the new draft of this process in order to assist in providing more meaningful and rigorous PD. The document is a work in progress, but serves as a guide to enhancing PD throughout the year. The Department Coordinators have been very instrumental in assisting with the development of PD this year to provide collaborative work and creating targeted lesson plans. Elementary school educators are focused on the second year of the IntoReading core literacy program including enhanced Tier II and III training, OpenSciEd, and Investigating History.
Curriculum Updates
A tremendous amount of work and effort has gone into the new High Quality Instructional Material (HQIM) curriculum this year, or updating to ensure alignment with DESE. This is not only a huge task but also requires adjusting our instructional delivery as well. The Junior High School math team is unpacking Amplify Desmos Math which is rated very highly by DESE. OpenSciEd has hands-on, inquiry based learning activities that require time to set up, break down and adjust teaching moments depending on the outcome of the experiments. Our Investigating History is also inquiry-based and provides a new way to teach history. Our elementary literacy teachers and specialists are continuing their work with the HILL for Literacy this year to focus on instructional delivery for Tiers II and III. They are about 60-70% through the Science of Reading training modules that align our Instructional Focus to Instructional Practices as recommendations and resources for Tiers I, II and III to provide individualized and small group instruction.
Please reach out to Dr. Shari Fedorowicz at sharifedorowicz@oldrochester.org or 508-758-2772, ext. 1955 with any questions.
From Dr. Curley
Unified Basketball Game
On Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024, the Unified Basketball Team played against the Tri-Town Police Departments in their 3rd annual basketball game at Old Rochester Regional High School. The gym was packed and the excitement was palpable from the players and the spectators. Although the Tri-Town Police Department’s tied it up at one point, the Bulldogs were able to pull off the win! A huge thank you to the Police Department’s of Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester for participating in this amazing community event. Additionally, thank you to our amazing educators, Danielle Dore and Emma Fenton, for planning this event! If you were unable to attend this year, it is a must see event!
The District is in the process of updating the Bullying and Harassment Prevention and Intervention Plan and will be seeking input from parents and community members throughout the months of December and January at School Council Meetings and through the District Website.
Please join us at the next Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) meeting at 4pm on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 to review the by-laws. This is an in-person meeting at the ORRHS Library.
Please reach out to Dr. Jaime Curley at jaimecurley@oldrochester.org or 508-758-2772, ext 1942 with any questions.
Ballot Question 2, regarding the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam, has been approved by voters. What does this mean?
The question asked voters whether students should be able to graduate high school without achieving a certain competency on the MCAS exam.
Since the question passed, MCAS testing competency is no longer a requirement for students to graduate high school. The standard for high school graduation is now determined by the district rather than by the State. Students must still complete all district graduation requirements.
However, MCAS testing will not be eliminated. State testing is federally mandated, so students will continue to take the MCAS exams on the current state schedule, including in Grade 10. Read more.
The Mass Literacy Guide has been empowering educators since 2020 with practical strategies and resources for PreK-3 literacy. Now this hub of early literacy information includes a section designed specifically for families and communities. Families and community members can use the site to learn more about reading and writing instruction and how to support it at home. Educators can use the site to provide caregivers with information about evidence-based early literacy.
A steering committee through the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District (SRPEDD) was formed to develop a Digital Equity Plan in order to enable Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester an opportunity to leverage regional resources. A public workshop is available on Wednesday, December 4th from 6:00-8:00pm at ORRHS. All are invited to attend.
As part of an OpenSciEd unit on how sound transfers energy through particles of a medium, 6th grade students built models to show changes in amplitude and frequency of a sound in Ms. Jacobsen's class. Read more.
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Shari Fedorowicz and Marion Police Chief Richard B. Nighelli recently attended and delivered presentations at the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office Handle With Care Conference on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Read more.
Did you know that our districts are served by five regular school committees? Recently, our school committees reviewed and approved donations and grants, approved travel and upcoming trips and advertising for the athletic department. Click here for the complete schedule, meeting resources and minutes. Upcoming meetings:
December 5th - Marion School Committee
December 12th - ORR School Committee
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