Hello Auburn Families and Staff,

I write to you on another one of the glorious weather days we continue to enjoy this fall. I am truly making an effort to enjoy all of this because as we know, the weather will change! We live in New England! As a reminder, below there is a Quick Link Button to inclement weather information. Making the call to cancel or delay school is by far, the worst part of my job as Superintendent. I fully appreciate the disruption it can cause for families but unfortunately, I can't control the weather so I try to use the best information available when the call needs to be made. Thank you for planning ahead and for understanding.

In the past editions of the Superintendent's Update, I have provided you with a summary of initiatives implemented or in progress that are tied to our Strategic Plan. At the School Committee meeting held on October 23rd, I presented a brief update on the Strategic Plan so today, I am sharing the PowerPoint with you for your review. If you have any questions associated with anything in the Strategic Plan, please reach out and I would be happy to speak with you. As I went through the plan, it reinforced for me that we, as a district, are 'rowing in the same direction' thanks to this plan. The work we are doing is becoming systemic and is making a difference in the lives of our students. I have often likened leading a school district to steering a cruise ship. It takes time to make a shift in direction, but if you stick with it, it can happen. I am thankful for the support of District Administrators, Teachers and Support Staff as it takes us all, working together, to make change.

As a reminder, we turn the clocks back this weekend so you can all enjoy an additional hour of weekend time! I thank you for your continued support of the Auburn Public Schools and hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Best,

Beth

Recently, Governor Maura Healey and State Attorney General Andrea Campbell, issued guidance to schools on addressing hate and bias in the schools. Part of the guidance is shared below, in italics, with you. The Auburn Public Schools is committed to working to ensure the physical and social emotional safety of all students and administrators are working to ensure that this guidance is included in our work with students. Some of the initiatives and practices that are in place already include:

• Active District and School based safety teams
• Relationship Mapping at all schools
• Guidance and Social Worker staff at all buildings
• A robust and high quality nursing staff
• Bullying Intervention Plan that aligns with DESE requirements
• Implementation of Sandy Hook Promise programming to include: Start with Hello, Students Against Violence Everywhere(SAVE) clubs, Sandy Hook Anonymous Reporting System at Auburn High School and Auburn Middle School
• Cultural Competency and Proficiency professional development is ongoing
• Peer Leadership Group at Auburn High School and soon to be at Auburn Middle School
• Lenny Learning-providing resources to teachers to address mental health issues such as stress and anxiety

These are just some of the ways we work to help students feel a sense of belonging in our schools and to keep kids safe. You will also find an informational flyer that accompanied the guidance from the State attached.

A brief summary of the guidance from Governor Healey and Attorney General Andrea Campbell:

The Guidance is designed to assist schools in their efforts to combat hate and foster a safe, supportive, and inclusive educational environment, consistent with their legal obligations. The Guidance describes schools’ obligations under Massachusetts’s anti-bullying and anti-discrimination laws; clarifies how schools can and should take action against hate-related bullying and harassment while upholding students’ rights of freedom of speech and expression; details required affirmative steps to create a positive school climate and prevent hate and bias incidents from happening in the first place; and provides examples of best practices to combat hate in our schools.

The Guidance encourages school leaders to take a firm stand against all forms of hate and effectively address hate incidents when they occur. It reminds schools of their legal obligations to promptly investigate all alleged hate incidents to determine whether bullying or harassment occurred. The Guidance further reminds schools of their imperative to educate, promote brave and open discourse, and protect students’ rights to express their views and opinions, including views on controversial and challenging political or policy topics, so long as the expression does not violate the rights of others and does not significantly disrupt the school environment. School administrators must ensure that schools remain free of hate and bias-related incidents without suppressing legitimate speech on difficult subjects or censoring protected expression of unpopular viewpoints.

We are committed to ensuring that all school officials have the information and tools they need to proactively create school environments that promote learning and dialogue, prevent and firmly denounce hate in all its forms, and effectively address hate incidents when they occur.

Congratulations to the AHS Rocket Marching Band for their incredible performances over the season and especially the weekend of 10/26/24 . The Band won Best Percussion Division IA and 3rd place on Saturday at the US Bands MA Championships. They also received a Silver Medal with their highest scores ever at the MICCA Championships on Sunday.

I am including a link to their performance below and I promise, you will enjoy it. As you might imagine, it requires incredible practice, coordination, commitment and perseverance to learn and perform as a marching band. We are so proud of all of the students who participated, Ms. Bailey, our Director of Fine Arts, and all of the staff who supported and guided this talented group of students. Nicely Done!!!!

Each school year, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce offers mini grants, of $500 each, to teachers who propose projects that will benefit our students. The application process is not complicated and over the years, many, many teachers have been awarded these grants and even more students have benefited from the materials and projects these grants have brought to our schools. Below, you will find the list of awardees for this school year along with some pictures. We thank them for applying and the Auburn Chamber of Commerce for their amazing generosity! Nicely done!

Ashlyn Derosier, Bryn Mawr & Pakachoag School, Hooping for the Future!

Cheryl Kelly, Auburn Preschool, Coding With Colby

Melissa Dupuis, Auburn Middle School, Pickleball Unit

Kerry LeBreton, Pakachoag School, Let's 'Bee' A Technology Hero

Christine Robbins, Auburn Middle School, Robert Goddard Meets the Rockets

Karen Loach (8th grade team rep), Auburn Middle School, Grade 8 State Fair Project

Michelle Caplette, Swanson Rd. Intermediate School, Brain Bins

Jennifer McMenemy, Bryn Mawr, Hear me read!

Jessica DeStefano Roark, Bryn Mawr, Using visual representation through Bead Rekenrek to solve math problems.

Claudia Allain & Kimberly Levansavich, Auburn Preschool, Let's Have A Ball

Please follow the link to the AYFS Quarterly Newsletter

Please follow the link below to a very informative video explaining the new IEP(Individualized Education Program) for students with special needs. The new IEP reflects a number of changes and it is important that educators and families are familiar and comfortable with how these changes will impact students.

Submit your photos from in & around Auburn for a chance to be featured in the 2024 Town Report.

The winning photo will be on the cover of the report!

Submissions should be in .jpg or .png format. Multiple submissions are allowed. Photos not chosen for the cover may be featured within the report. All selected entrants will be credited with a byline under the photo.

Please submit photos via email to droberts@town.auburn.ma.us by December 31, 2024. The winner will be notified via email by March 2025.

We encourage employees and residents alike to submit their wonderful photos

Tickets to Footloose at AHS on 11/8 and 11/9 are on sale now.

https://apsmusic.ludus.com/index.php

We are excited to announce that we will be having our bi-annual Unified Basketball Student-Staff Fundraiser game on November 20 at 6:00 PM at AHS! This event aims to bring awareness to our Unified Programs and raise funds to keep our programs going strong. We are also requesting items for a silent auction or for raffle baskets. Items may include handmade items, event tickets, gift cards, board games, etc. All would be welcomed and appreciated. Donations can be dropped off at AHS Attn: Alison DeLuca no later than November 18th.

Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much. ~Helen Keller