SPS Weekly Newsletter

This week's header photo (above) features the O'Donnell Middle School's inductees to the National Junior Honor Society. The OMS held its National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony Monday evening. The National Junior Honor Society recognizes outstanding middle school students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. Congratulations to the 26 OMS students inducted!

Veterans Day is coming up this Monday, November 11. It’s more than just a day off from school. As I wrote last year, Veterans Day is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate those who have served our country - the men and women who joined the Armed Forces and bravely protected our freedoms and liberties. It’s not to be confused with Memorial Day in May, which is a day of respect for those who lost their lives while serving our country. Both days require our attention.

Participation as community members is important and I hope that this Veterans Day you take the time to be active and present. Consider the following:

• Thank a Veteran for their service.

• Write a letter to a Veteran.

• Attend the local parade (It forms at 9:30am and starts at 10am on Monday, November 11, going through Stoughton center, with ceremonies at Town Hall and Faxon Park.).

• Reflag the grave of a Veteran (The Town is reflagging graves of veterans at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery near CVS and Evergreen Cemetery near Town Spa at 10am on Saturday, November 9.).

In the end, I am able to write this because a Veteran has kept me safe by serving our great nation.

Enjoy the long weekend and have a great Veterans Day!

Sincerely,

Joseph F. Baeta, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Stoughton Public Schools

At the end of October, the Stoughton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) honored several Stoughton Public Schools educators. In appreciation of our educators' dedication to students with unique learning needs, SEPAC created the Bright Knight Award to recognize the daily support given to our students.

At the end of the 2023-2024 school year, Stoughton SEPAC invited parents whose children have Individualized Education Plans or 504s to nominate staff members who have supported their children's journey to achieve their full potential. Responses were overwhelming.

In late October, SEPAC hosted an in-person recognition ceremony for the 2023-2024 Bright Knights and their guests attended by the superintendent, special education director, and principals of each school. It was a successful mission project and event for SEPAC.

"We felt it was appropriate and long overdue to recognize the staff who truly go above and beyond their job duties to help our children succeed in school. We are able to recognize and thank them for these efforts through the Bright Knight Award," SEPAC Board Member Kellie Laguerre said.

"Anytime a parent organization takes the time and effort to create opportunities to recognize SPS staff I believe it speaks to the positive culture and climate of the community and schools. This is a perfect example. Moreover, our educators who work in the area of special education in any capacity are the best of the best. These recognized educators top that list. We appreciate the recognition," Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Baeta said.

"I was very pleased when the officers from the SEPAC proposed this award. Our educators work hard and face many challenges every day and honoring their dedication with this type of recognition sends them a clear message that their efforts do not go unnoticed or unappreciated," Director of Special Education Ed Clarke said.

The winners of the inaugural Bright Knight Awards are listed below. You can also read about the impact each recipient made here. Upon the end of the current school year, nominations will be solicited for the next Bright Knight Awards.

The O'Donnell Middle School had its annual 8th Grade Veterans Day Assembly on Thursday. Prior to the start of the assembly, a group of 8th grade students interviewed local veterans about their experiences in the military. Then the students presented their veteran to their classmates during the assembly. The veterans and student presenters are pictured here.

Special thanks to the local veterans who participated - Francis Cowgill, Nate Derby, Deion Dos Santos, Joe Fustolo, Tony Gray, Mark Hausammann, Katherine McFadden, Michael Pazyra, Jan Runaldue, Bill Snyder, Jacob Tapper, Teresa Tapper, Brian Turner, and Dennis Walsh.

The OMS 8th grade student interviewers/presenters include Mariana Borba, Tori Chaisson-Haskell, Jascelie Champagne-Milard, Reni Fabikun, Ilyas Faris, Katie Gorman, Safiya Griffiths, Natalie Harmon, John Marco, Christa Mikhael, Joel Omidiji, Kayla Ortiz Infante, Aiden Rodrigues, and Nora Turner. They did a great job!

(A big thank you to 8th Grade Social Studies teacher Caitlin Valair for all of the work that goes into organizing this event and thanks to the OMS food services staff for preparing a delicious brunch for the veterans to enjoy prior to the assembly!)

Fourth grade students at the Gibbons School learned about Veterans Day and worked together to make a colorful sign to thank veterans. Students in Jen Makaroff's class are pictured above with their sign and students in Amanda Maksy's class are pictured below with their sign.

Congratulations to the members of this year's Homecoming Court at Stoughton High - Wes Tinkham, Angie Berry, Ethan Jimenez, Magdalie Paul, Andrew Beder, Lauren Price, Beethovas Aurelien, Ruby Guglia, Andrew Takang, and Luciana Perez! This group of 10 seniors in the SHS Class of 2025 were recognized for their hard work, dedication, and contribution to the greater Stoughton High School community during a halftime ceremony during the SHS football game last Friday night.

The Stoughton High girls soccer team defeated Amherst-Pelham 3-0 in a MIAA Division 2 girls soccer tournament game last Sunday evening at SHS! Makenzie O’Connor, Bianca Casna, and Lauren Mitchell scored the Stoughton goals. The team is pictured above after the win.

With the win over #38 seed Amherst-Pelham in the preliminary round of the tournament, the #27 seed Black Knights advanced to play at #6 Somerset Berkley in the round of 32 on Wednesday. The game was scoreless going into the half, before Somerset Berkley scored twice in the second half. Stoughton cut the lead to 2-1, but Somerset Berkley was able to hang on for the win.

Congratulations to the SHS girls soccer team for their success this season and making a postseason run!

All schools and the district office will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2024 for Veterans Day. We will see you back in school on Tuesday, November 12.

Save the date! The Stoughton High School Theatre program is presenting Hadestown November 15, 16, and 17 in the Stoughton High Auditorium. Click here to buy your tickets in advance online. SHS Theatre always does a great job with its productions...can't wait for this show!

The Gibbons School is hosting a multicultural night on Friday, November 15 from 6-7:30pm at the Gibbons (235 Morton St.). This event is open to all SPS families. To find out more and how you can participate (we are looking for families to sign up and run a booth, run an activity, or volunteer), click here.

The Stoughton OASIS Coalition is offering a virtual parent workshop for families of middle school and high school students. This workshop, focusing on managing the emotions of tweens and teens, is being held via Zoom on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. Please note that registration is required (click here to register). See the flyer below for more information.

The Stoughton OASIS Coalition is also offering a parenting workshop for families of preschool students at the Jones Early Childhood Center. There is a workshop on Tuesday, November 19 about managing challenging behaviors and one on Tuesday, December 10 about healthy bedtime routines. Both take place at the Jones from 5-7:30pm. Light dinner and childcare will be provided. Please note that registration is required (click here to register). See the flyer below for more information.

The Stoughton School Committee will be meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 in the conference room at the SPS District Office, 31 Pierce St. The public portion of the meeting starts at 7pm. An agenda for the meeting can be found here.

The Elementary School Building Committee will be meeting virtually on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 7pm. An agenda for the meeting can be found here.

Stoughton Public Schools has partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of students, staff, and their family members. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service that can help you quickly find mental health, social services, or substance use treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of circumstance.

Veterans Day, celebrated on November 11, is our opportunity to honor those who have served and the families who have supported them. For generations, the brave members of the U.S. military have defended our nation, embodying values greater than themselves. Today, we reflect on their sacrifices and celebrate the impact they’ve had on our country.

Veterans and their families face unique challenges during active service. They may endure long separations, frequent relocations, or experience anxiety while their loved ones are in harm’s way. Transitioning to civilian life can be tough, and those affected by trauma might need professional support to heal. As a community, we must stand by our veterans and their families.

Here are three ways to show your support:

1. Be a listening ear for veterans and their families. Offer them a space to share their thoughts and feelings.
2. Provide the Veterans Crisis Line information for those in need. Available 24/7 by dialing 988 and pressing 1.
3. Connect them to Care Solace through our district's personalized link for ongoing support. If you or a family member would like to access mental health or substance use treatment:

• Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365.
• Visit www.caresolace.com/stoughtonschools where you can search on your own or click “Book Appointment” for assistance.

To all our veterans, thank you for your service.

POPS Stoughton will be collecting toys and books for a community yard sale where items will be sold at very affordable prices. If interested in making a donation, please contact Kate Dunn at dramapopsshs@gmail.com. See the flyer below for more information.

For updates throughout the week, be sure to follow Stoughton Public Schools on social media: