It was with a unanimous vote and an enthusiastic round of applause that the Mattapoisett School Committee received a report from Old Rochester Regional Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Shari Fedorowicz on ORR’s literacy program curriculum for the 2023-24 academic year.
Noting he has spent almost 30 years at Old Hammondtown Elementary School, Principal Kevin Tavares assigned a superlative to the job Fedorowicz did in leading the ORR District’s search for a program to implement across the district.
“I can say that Dr. Fedorowicz’s leadership has been the most comprehensive … it’s the first time in my recollection all three towns (agreed). This is a good thing for the district,” said Tavares, referring to the Tri-Towns’ preference for IntoReading over CKLA and Wonders, two other programs being seriously considered.
Consultation with the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and with other school districts corroborated ORR’s findings. The committee also approved the choice of DIBELS 8th Edition as the district’s early literacy screener.
“We are beyond grateful that we are at this point,” said Mattapoisett School Committee Chairperson Carly Lavin during the committee’s final public meeting of the academic year on Tuesday night at Center School.
As summarized by Fedorowicz, the district worked with HILL for Literacy, beginning in the fall with a needs assessment before narrowing down to three potential programs based on established needs, followed by a comprehensive rubric for quantitative and qualitative analysis.
Teachers reviewed publishers’ samples and demonstrations for each grade level and offered feedback before a final round of Q&A with vendors. A monthly review of programs ensued and in June, data was reviewed and discussed.
An initial training will begin on June 27.
Fedorowicz thanked the teachers for the “hours and hours” of time it took to make effective decisions.
“It was so efficient the amount of time that you all put in. It was a great opportunity for the leadership team … they put in a lot of time and effort, I’m really impressed,” said Mattapoisett School Committee member Tiffani Reedy.
In attendance with Lavin and Reedy were members James Muse and Cristin Cowles. Amanda Hastings was not present.
Late in the meeting, the committee voted to keep Lavin in the chair and Muse as vice-chairperson. There were no other nominations or dissenting votes. Melissa Wilcox was voted to remain secretary for the committee.
In a School Improvement Plan update, Tavares reviewed 21st Century Learning projects at Old Hammondtown involving the Mattapoisett Fire and Police departments, the recent Grade 6 field trip with the Mattapoisett Land Trust to Cuttyhunk, a Grade 5 project on writing alternate endings to fairytales, the process of publishing a book and reading to Kindergarten children.
Center School Principal Dr. Linda Ashley reported on Social-Emotional Learning, noting that all students at both elementary schools have identified two trusted adults. Learning walks were taken at each school, and they timed out well with the district’s literacy and strategic plan initiatives.
Grateful to the Parent-Teacher Association through a “crazy May and June,” Ashley said the education the students received during field trips “doesn’t end there. They read about where they’re going and write about where they’re going,” she said.
Student Handbooks were developed last summer to be made more consistent across the Tri-Towns. There are now walkie-talkies in every single school office. Center School will expand on Heritage Month. The MLT visited Grade 2 to teach about a plant’s lifecycle, and Mattapoisett Woman’s Club was also involved.
“They did a great job, took it very seriously,” said Ashley, happy with the establishment of community partnerships.
Tavares also reported on Global Citizenship-based projects, including Facetime with teachers, talking with scientists based in Colorado and weaving a theme of kindness throughout the school day. Town Administrator Mike Lorenco and ORCTV worked with a group of students on videos and projects and will expand on that work next year.
Later in the meeting, Tavares told the committee that Old Hammondtown will receive a mural that will encompass the whole cafeteria under the theme of “think, learn and care.”
In recognizing the work at the elementary schools, ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson considered the nonvoting item an important update for the committee. He alluded to the strategic alignment of ORR’s strategic plan to coincide with each elementary school’s two-year plan. “I think we made a good decision on how to tie in the six (district) schools,” he said.
In her Chairperson’s report, Lavin recognized ORR Director of Student Services Craig Davidson, who was attending his last district meeting.
“I’m very excited for him. This has been a wild ride for a few years. One of the things that separates us from other districts is we put the person ahead of the job,” said Lavin, telling Davidson, “It was an amazing opportunity for me to learn from you.”
Lavin also gave a general note of appreciation to the administration and faculty “for what you bring to our families.”
Davidson notified ORR it can run its Enrichment programming on top of SAIL from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm daily. Facilities Director Gene Jones will staff the building. Davidson said ORR has hired 12 high school students as “camp counselors” and some spots are still available.
Nelson said Davidson came to “a complex district at a complex time, and he hit the ground running” as the ORR District had to fill all three Central Office positions. “It’s tough to see you go this early on, but it makes sense. We wish you nothing but the best,” he told Davidson.
Nelson also reported on seven full-team planning sessions for the district’s Vision 2028, most recently four public forums/town halls soliciting feedback.
“We feel fortunate to have such a supportive board here … please know we are just as appreciative … to have you behind us, it means the world,” he told the committee.
The School Committee voted to approve the lease of the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC) for the 2023-24 School Year.
“It’s been a terrific partnership in this school … we are better as an OHS family,” said Tavares. “The space that they utilize is one corridor … we have students that visit the other students, they come to our events.”
The School Committee voted to accept the donation of a dogwood tree from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation in honor of fifth-grade student Emma Lowe winning the statewide Arbor Day Poster Contest. The tree is being planted near the flagpole at Old Hammondtown. Tavares said the new dogwood matches the mature dogwood tree on the grounds.
Colleen Johns is leaving as Library Media specialist after 15 years. The book “Somewhere in the Bayou” is being dedicated in the honor of Johns’ service.
The committee approved the disposal of surplus equipment.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, September 21, at 6:30 pm.
Mattapoisett School Committee
By Mick Colageo