When the Mattapoisett School Committee returned from executive session to open its December 6 public meeting, Chairman Jim Muse handed the floor to Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson who promptly announced that Mattapoisett Schools Principal Rose Bowman has submitted her intentions and plans to retire at the end of the 2021-22 academic year.
Bowman began her career in 1971 teaching second grade in New Bedford schools. She became a preschool teacher in the Music Room in Mattapoisett in 1986. Bowman joined the Mattapoisett School District in 1990. She was a Kindergarten teacher from 1990 to 1993 and a Kindergarten and reading recovery teacher from 1993 to 1998.
For 10 years from 1998 to 2008, Bowman served as principal at Old Hammondtown School, and she was principal at Center School the next six years (2008-14.) Bowman currently spends time each week in both schools and the town’s overarching principal.
“Principal Bowman has been an extraordinary leader of our elementary schools for the past 20-plus years and has led with care and enthusiasm,” said Nelson. “She has always worked to build a positive learning environment in Mattapoisett’s elementary schools and in our community as a whole.”
“She has supported our teachers, our students and families in whatever way she could. She has been a wonderful role model for our district’s administrators and has always been willing to share her wisdom, advice and guidance. She has made many valuable contributions to our district as an educator and principal, and we appreciate her many years of unwavering service and commitment, providing the best education possible to our youngest students. She has been a staple in our school community and will be very much missed.”
When it was time to report to the committee, Chairman Jim Muse said his report would consist of four words: “Thank you Rose Bowman.”
“It’s a pleasure and a privilege to have had this position, and I am so grateful to everyone who has supported me,” said Bowman in acknowledging a round of applause in the hybrid meeting. “The staff, the kids, the families, it’s been an extraordinary time. And I love teaching, but being a principal was the position that I loved the most.”
“I leave with mixed emotions just because I am so thrilled to have been part of this school district, and I thank you very much for your kind words and for all the support that you’ve given to me.”
Bowman got down to business, as she and Associate Principal Kevin Tavares presented key data from MCAS testing results.
In introducing the subject, Nelson noted that the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) predicted a statewide dip in scoring due to the disruption in learning brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
Bowman praised Tavares for his thorough work in the report, framing it in the positive light of a community making the most of a challenging situation.
Tavares reported off the combined data of Grades 3-6, and Mattapoisett students exceled relative to the statewide average in English Language Arts with 72 percent of students exceeding or at least meeting expectations in that subject matter.
Center School and Old Hammondtown students did not live up to 2019’s extraordinary 72 percent success rate in Math, but with 7 percent exceeding expectations and 49 percent meeting expectations, the 2021 scores were solid on their own and far exceeded the statewide average that dipped to 34 percent.
In Science Technology Engineering, 77 percent of Mattapoisett students exceeded or met expectations, again well over the statewide average. While 23 percent partially met expectations, there were none in the not-meeting-expectations category, “an amazing accomplishment” according to Tavares.
“It shows, again, the hard work of teachers and the students,” he said.
Muse said his takeaway is that the thorough presentation can once again be used to improve the teaching in Mattapoisett schools. “This isn’t about tests for individual students, this is about the school as a whole,” said Muse. “I’m not a great big fan of large, standardized tests, but the sense you’re able to use this information, use this data, dig into it, work it and make our schools even better is greatly appreciated.”
In her Principal’s Report, Bowman thanked the high school students from the National Honor Society for their effort to collect books and share in various capacities. Bowman also noted that music performances in Mattapoisett schools will be different this year to ensure social distancing.
In his Central Office Administrator’s report, Nelson addressed the Covid-19 situation by noting that the state masking mandate continues, and an update is anticipated in January.
In his report, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber told the committee that Mattapoisett Schools’ budget has approximately $646,000 of unencumbered and unobligated funds, and 83 percent of those funds are related to student instruction.
Committee member Carly Lavin asked about the low numbers for breakfast in Barber’s report. Tavares said the signage for breakfast is prominent, and Bowman said that children are just choosing to eat breakfast at home.
The committee voted to approve a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Patricia Cooney to serve as a long-term second-grade teacher due to a leave of absence.
The committee voted to accept a donation of a book for the school libraries offered by ORR School Committee Chairperson Heather Burke. The book “Monty and Rose, Nest at Montrose” was written by Tamima Itani about piping plovers.
Nelson also congratulated the ORR girls volleyball team for its MIAA Division 3 state championship.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee is scheduled for January 13, 2022, and the next Joint School Committee meeting will be held on January 20. Both meetings start at 6:30 pm.
Mattapoisett School Committee
By Mick Colageo