This week at SBRSD!
Please find below this week’s updates & events happening in our District ~
“The aim of education is the knowledge, not of the facts, but of values.” – William S. Burroughs
This week’s quote emphasizes the importance of instilling principles that guide students toward responsible citizenship and ethical behavior, rather than simply focusing on rote learning. This approach fosters critical thinking, empathy, and moral decision-making. As we approach World Kindness Day, October 30th, we know that acts of kindness become integral to the educational experience, teaching students the value of compassion, respect, and community. When students are encouraged to demonstrate kindness, they develop a sense of responsibility toward others, which strengthens the social fabric of our school and community.
Also, the importance of choice and voice in education heightens this values-driven approach. When students are given the opportunity to make choices and express their perspectives, they are more likely to internalize the significance of kindness and other core values. By being an active participant in their learning journey, students are empowered to not only understand but also practice living their values like empathy and kindness in real-world situations, creating a more inclusive and compassionate school environment.
Congratulations to All on The Jungle Book Kids!
I had the opportunity to see the Sunday performance of The Jungle Book Kids, and it was terrific! The TACPAC was overflowing with smiling faces from our school community!
I want to give special recognition for outstanding work to Co-Directors Tom Masters and Courtney English, and Co-Music Directors Courtney English and Maddie Caruso, as well as to the many other amazing community members that support theater education at SBRSD!
It was wonderful to see the 80+ students from our third through six grades showcasing their talents and wowing the crowd with their engaging performances! I could not be more proud of all of you, and so look forward to the next one!
Please find below this week’s updates & events happening in our District ~
Last Friday, Julie Kelley, the Research Analyst for the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS), shared that the House passed their version of the FY24 closeout budget and moved away from utilizing the millionaire’s surtax funds to supplant general budget line items to free up those funds for close out purposes, which is in Ms. Kelley’s opinion, welcome news.
Next up, we will receive the calculation of the inflation factor to be used for the FY26 foundation budget when the 3rd quarter numbers are released on October 30th. This is a key element in the funding formula as we begin our work of putting together our proposals for our fiscal 2026 budgets!
I will continue to monitor the state budget information and share as information becomes available.
Here are some other important items to highlight:
Task Force Initiatives ~ There is still time to lend your voice to either one!
- Improving Attendance Task Force – (Facilitators: Julie Steuernagle and Paul Sullivan, with support from Sandi Hubbard.)
- This group had a great first meeting that was a sharing of ideas and was an organizational meeting. The next meeting, which will include food and childcare, is scheduled for Thursday, October 24th from 4:30 to 5:30 pm in the Eagle’s Loft.
- Cell Phone Policy Task Force – (Facilitators: Jesse Carpenter and Charles Miller, with support from Julie Dolan.) Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 29th, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in the Mt. Everett Library.
School Committee Candidate Forum
Last week we held our inaugural School Committee Candidate Forum in the TACPAC. This came about in response to members of our community who wanted to have the opportunity to put a face to the name on the ballot. We invited all those running for a seat on the School Committee this November to join us for a community conversation where they each gave an introduction and shared why they were running for School Committee.
Two seniors, Makayla Carpenter and Tyler Nourse, were the evenings emcees and did a great job! Jaiden Carpenter, an eighth grader at Mt. Everett, asked questions on behalf of students in the Civics class to the prospective members. All the students were thoughtful and articulate and were genuinely interested in the process as well as learning about the candidates who will help to collectively lead SBRSD.
There was an opportunity for members of the public to engage with the candidates with a chance to query the group and share in dialogue as a way to get to know them better. The consensus was that this was a successful event, and one that will likely become a new tradition!
School Committee Members & Superintendent Professional Development ~
Last week, School Committee Chairperson, E. Bonnie Silvers, and Vice Chairperson, Arthur Batacchi, and I attended the inaugural retreat held by the Leading Now organization for governance teams called Building and Keeping Trust | Same Team for All Kids.
The conference was a two-day opportunity for superintendents and their board chair and/or vice chair to join Leading Now experts for a collaborative, student-centered learning opportunity, designed to strengthen the relationship between the superintendent and the School Committee or Board.
As participants, we left with reflective, proactive, and responsive ideas to ensure we have a greater understanding of our collective values, can build trust with all constituencies, and that we have concrete communication strategies to navigate difficult conversations with stakeholders and to meet the political complexities of the work ahead. It was a wonderful event, and our team loved collaborating with other Districts in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont!
To review the documentation presented at the SBRSD hearing, please see the District website at https://www.sbrsd.org/documents/district/budgets/fy25-budget/716623
It’s happening!
This Friday, the 2024 – 2025 Superintendent Advisory Councils are meeting for the first time this year. I am looking forward to the students leading the work and hearing their ideas and hope for our work together each month. Next week, I will share some of our initial ideas and plans as we start by reflecting on random acts of kindness as the theme for this month!
Leading Now Retreat
The Jungle Book Production
Superintendent Regulbuto Represents SBRSD in Savannah, Georgia!
Superintendent Regulbuto is pleased to share that she has been invited to attend and speak at the National Forum to Advance Rural Education in Savannah, Georgia! The conference is hosted by the National Rural Education Association and Rural Schools Collaborative, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Education. Dr. Regulbuto will be speaking about the work our district has been doing through our partnership with Transcend to provide all students with relevant, rigorous, and affirming education.
Portrait Team
Our Portrait team has been busy capturing adorable smiles from the youngest members of our school community. Mount Everett students are excited to share the skills they've been practicing with the SBCCP.
Innovation Pathways offers opportunities for students to explore cutting-edge technology and in-demand fields! The program emphasizes real-world skills through career-focused experiential learning. Participants connect with industry mentors, go on field trips, get set up with internships in their areas of interest, and more!
Mount Everett currently offers two technical pathways in Advanced Manufacturing and Information Technology.
To learn more about our Innovation Career Pathways please use the links below! To express interest in learning more about Innovation Pathways please use our form - Expression of Interest Form