The Peak - November 2023

Monthly News from the Wachusett Regional School District

As reported by a number of news outlets, the morning drop-off line at Naquag Elementary School featured an unexpected visitor a few weeks ago. Some students, parents, and staff enjoyed a close-up look at this curious and relatively well-behaved moose. After a brief delay, the moose moved on without incident and drop-off resumed as scheduled.

We decided to have a Dyslexia Awareness Day because we thought it would be fun and would also help people be aware that dyslexia is not a disability - it’s a learning difference. That’s why we did the “Fun Facts” on the morning announcement - for people to know not to be rude to people who do have dyslexia and also for kids who have dyslexia to know what it is and that it doesn’t mean they’re not smart.

There are a few things that people should know about dyslexia. First off, if you have heard of dyslexia but aren’t 100% sure about what it is, don’t tell people with dyslexia what it is when it’s incorrect, because it makes us mad. If you want to know about dyslexia, you should ask us! - because we don’t mind talking about it and we want people to know. Or you can go out and just learn more about it. Lots of people think that dyslexia means you read backwards or don’t see words right and just need glasses. Dyslexia is different for everybody. It doesn’t mean you need glasses - I mean, some of us do need glasses, but dyslexia itself isn’t an eye problem, and people need to know that. Dyslexia is a brain difference that makes it harder to read and write words and sometimes to comprehend. People with dyslexia are often really good at thinking, story-telling, and visual or hands-on learning. Sometimes they might be more of a hands-on learner than an academic learner - but some other people might be a better academic learner. It’s all about the individual.

“Paint the School Red” Day was sooo fun. Normally, some of the middle school students (especially the boys) don’t really participate in special color days - but they did, and it was really cool to see. When we were passing out stickers and ribbons, everyone was like “Me! Me!” and really wanted to wear one. I felt really proud and excited, especially thinking about younger kids with dyslexia seeing all of these 7th and 8th graders wearing ribbons and t-shirts - that was so cool, I get smiley just thinking about it.:)

The 2023 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) National Convention took place in Boston this month. As this event is held in a different city each year, a large group of SLPs and SLPAs from our district took advantage of the opportunity to attend so close to home. The ASHA Convention is the most comprehensive education event in the world for speech, language, and hearing professionals. Our attendees treasured this unique experience and we commend them for their commitment to professional growth.

Mountview students in MaryBeth Petit and Kaylyn Pacific’s classes participated in a “Spook-tacular” Science lab in late-October. Students were able to view a demonstration with dry ice. When dry ice is added to water with a phenol red indicator, the dry ice changes the water from red, to orange, then yellow as the pH level changes. The classes followed with another demo where they were able to make water turn red, then back to clear magically in front of students eyes. This again was all based on the pH of the substances. The kids had a great time with all of these activities!

Students and staff in the Dawson Elementary School TLC program enjoyed a pre-Thanksgiving "feast". Members of the Special Ed Admin team also took part in the celebration as students shared snacks, stories, and reasons to be thankful.

This month marked the 2-year anniversary of the launch of the Central Tree Middle School Bobcat Café. Two years ago, Kelsie Aldi and Kate Andrus presented a proposal for a student-run coffee cart to enhance the pre-vocational opportunities for our Life Skills classroom. Principal Dave Cornacchioli was immediately on board and the program has been rolling ever since.

The Bobcat Café has provided such an amazing opportunity for our students and also for our staff who get to order a hot or cold beverage several times a month. Thank you to Kate and Kellsie for making this vision a reality and also to all the staff members who support this endeavor.

Chocksett Middle School Student in Ms. Pare's 8th grade science students continued their study of ecosystems by learning how the environment around a body of water can impact water quality. Kathryn Parent, an Education Coordinator with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation, joined life science classes, bringing water samples from different ecosystems in the local area. Students worked in groups to analyze the water quality of their sample, evaluating the pH, nitrate concentration, and turbidity, then used that information to determine the most likely water source for their sample.

This morning I awoke to a brilliant ray of sun gleaming through the kitchen window. There is a stream of water that passes through our back yard and deposits in a lovely pond east of our home. Most days we are either rushing out the door to work, or coming home in the dark and we often miss the beautiful rippling pond that lies before us. This morning was different…as I slowly approached the window, I noticed the sun was just peeking over the treetops. The air was still, the road was quiet and the trees that surrounded the water’s edge were bare. The statues swayed and reflected in the pond’s water as if they had been painted in. As the coffee brewed, the conversation in the kitchen drifted and our eyes became fixed on the natural beauty before us. It was as if we were suddenly connecting with the beauty of our surroundings and we were experiencing a moment of peace.

Peaceful moments for most of us are rare given our demanding schedules. However, if we look closely we can regularly experience the moments of bliss in our daily lives. While the district is frequently buzzing with conversations about teaching and learning, there are many moments when I feel those precious moments of peace.

This week, I was invited to the Central Tree Café and the TLC Thanksgiving celebration. While visiting the faculty were so appreciative that I made time to attend. A couple of times I heard “we know you are so busy, we really appreciate the time you took to come to our event.” And I was thinking, so far this has been the most peaceful part of my day. You see depending on how you experience a moment in time, those visits were actually peaceful. I felt like “this is where I want to be, doing what I want to do,” and I felt fulfilled.

If we can become more aware of how we feel in those peaceful moments, listen to our feelings and our hearts, that’s when creativity flows, you feel energized by a new sense of purpose and the answers you seek for problems can be solved. Those stolen moments of peace bring about fulfillment, joy and purpose.

Later today, we will enjoy the traditional meal of turkey, stuffing, vegetables and those luscious desserts. We also will take a moment to reflect on the simple blessings. If we take a tiny moment to allow gratitude for the small miracles, isn’t that what enriches our lives? My wish for each of you is peace and happiness during this special season.

Joan M. DeAngelis, MSW, LICSW, CAGS

Director of Special Education & Student Services

The Friday afternoon band got into the Oktoberfest spirit last month.