DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

Last Saturday evening I had the pleasure of attending A Night of Stars sponsored by the Spaulding Education Fund. This is a wonderful evening that provides an opportunity for the community to come together and for many of our students to showcase their talents. The proceeds of the event go to support the efforts of one of our key community partners, the Spaulding Education Fund.

I can’t thank Spaulding enough for the support it has provided to the schools over the years. From assistive technology and iPads to teacher training and student enrichment, Spaulding has been a valuable partner in our efforts to continuously improve the quality of our academic program. I am thrilled that they have reorganized and will once again be partnering with MERSD to support the children of Essex and Manchester.

The Spaulding Education Fund (SEF) an independent, non-profit organization providing support for programs that enhance the academic curriculum of the Manchester Essex Regional School District (MERSD). SEF is committed to advancing educational excellence in the Manchester Essex Regional School District by enhancing the student curriculum with innovative ideas in core learning areas such as math, science, technology, engineering, literacy, humanities, art, music, as well as health and wellness. SEF grants educational initiatives that enrich, advance, and enliven the classroom experience. SEF helps to fulfill the most basic promise of a community – to provide excellent public education for everyone.

Learn more about the SEF

A team from MERHS had the opportunity to travel to Maine with a cohort of other school districts from New England to engage in professional learning site visit to Casco Bay High School. This grant funded experience allowed us to visit a Experiential Learning school. Our team was able to engage in conversations about authentic learning opportunities and bring back seeds of inspiration to share with our high school colleagues.

Powerful Strategies to Help Children Develop Independent Executive Functioning Skills

(including a focus on using technology in positive/helpful ways)

January 3rd, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ~ Virtual

Presenter: Sarah Ward

For more information contact Joanne Maino.

Mainoj@mersd.org

Sponsored by MERMS Council

Special Education Parents Rights Workshop

January 29th, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. ~ Virtual

Please RSVP to Shelley Mullarkey for Registration and Link.

Mullarkeys@mersd.org.

SEL Presentation featuring Michael Eatman

March 28th, 6:00 p.m.

For more information contact Joanne Maino.

Mainoj@mersd.org

Sponsored by MERMS Council

New IEP Workshop for Parents

Presenter: Allan Blume

April 4th and 25th, 6:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m. ~ Virtual

Please RSVP to Shelley Mullarkey for Registration and Link.

Mullarkeys@mersd.org.

More information and events coming soon!

Navigating Your Family's Emotions: An Introduction to the Zones of Regulation

Date to be Announced

Essex Elementary Cafeteria

12 Story St.

Essex, MA

Join special education teacher and social worker Lauren Costa for a workshop that focuses on strategies parents can use at home to support children in developing self-regulation. The Zones of Regulation is a curriculum that helps children to identify feelings that arise when they encounter challenges, recognize when they are becoming less regulated, and manage emotions in order to feel grounded and re-centered. To make emotions easier to talk about, think about, and regulate, The Zones of Regulation utilize simple, common language and visuals to make the complex skill of regulation more concrete for learners and those who support them.

RSVP to Shelley Mullarkey at mullarkeys@mersd.org.

I have been at MERSD for just over 14 years. My time here has meant so much to me. It has been an incredible privilege to see your inspiring work in action and I have learned so much from you all. Thank you for welcoming me in your classrooms, and for helping me to see the magic happening every day by our exceptional staff and talented students.

I am excited about my next role, which is focused on financial and HR software, working with state government. But I am also feeling a lot of emotions and sadness about moving on from a place that has been a home for so many years. I know you will be in great hands with the business office team. I am grateful and indebted to them all for their tireless efforts in support of MERSD staff, students and families, and for supporting me every day.

Thank you all for letting me be a part of your team, and for your friendship!

How To Participate and Learn More

We welcome your participation and input as we navigate the budget process and work to deliver a fiscally responsible budget that maintains excellence, supports our strategic priorities, and positions MERSD for continued growth.

Public comment is welcome at the beginning of all regularly scheduled School Committee sessions, and there are two key budget meetings that will take place in December:

• December 13th – Public Hearing on the Tentative Budget. This event is meant to provide the community with an opportunity to learn and to ask questions about our proposed budget.

The Facilities team is ready for winter! Ice Melt has been delivered to all schools, our plowing contractor is in place and all of our snow removal equipment has been checked and inspected to ensure to proper operation.

MERHS has been honored by the College Board for outstanding achievement on and commitment to Advanced Placement testing. The College Board awarded MERHS bronze recognition in its 2023 AP School Honor Roll. Schools are honored for increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness, ensuring consistent student outcomes.

For updates on MERSD News check out the link below ⤵️

https://www.mersd.org/domain/727

MERHS Drama Club is holding auditions for Death of A Dead Guy by William L. Bowman, Jr., on Monday, December 11th at 3:15PM at MERMHS Auditorium. Death of a Dead Guy will be performed at the METG Drama Fest on March 2, 2024. The Massachusetts High School Drama Festival, a competitive program that typically includes 112 one-act plays produced by member high schools. The competition is organized across three levels; preliminary, semi-final and State Finals. Student excellence in acting and technical design is recognized at each level. Of the 112 one-act plays that enter the festival, fourteen will be selected as State Finalists, of which three will be named winners. Two schools chosen from the State Finalists will go on to represent Massachusetts in the New England Drama Festival, the regional showcase of secondary school theatre.

The results are in! Congratulations MERHS for placing in the Top Ten! Thank you to all who donated.

The Open Door Food Truck will visit Essex Elementary School and Manchester Memorial Elementary School. For more information about The Open Door please visit their website.

Third Wednesday of each month during the school year.

2:45-3:30 p.m.

12 Story St.

Essex, MA

43 Lincoln St.

Manchester, MA

The District Calendar is available in the Quick Links Section of the district and school homepages. Please note that the last day of school, if all snow days are used, will be June 20th; without the use of snow days, we are scheduled for the last day of school to be June 12th. Should we exceed five snow days, additional make-up days will be added to the end of the year through June 30th.

• School & District websites – we are making an effort to keep these informative and up to date.

• District & School website calendars have up-to-date information about school and district activities.

• Athletic schedules can be accessed from a link on the Athletics page.

• The budget page can be accessed by a Quick Link off the district home page – here you will find our FY 24 budget documents and presentations. We will be updating this in the fall to reflect the FY25 budget process.

• Superintendent’s Blog is a forum to share good news, observations, and information about our schools and about education in general.

• MERSD Facebook

36 Lincoln St.

Manchester, MA 01944

https://www.mersd.org/

Phone 978.526.4919

Fax 978.526.7585

MERSD Mission Statement: Educating all students, instilling a passion for life-long learning, and encouraging both local and global citizenship.