Balanced for our Winter Break

Balance in our Lives for Winter Break

As we look forward to the holiday season and winter break that is fast approaching, we are reminded of the importance of “balance” in our children’s lives and our own lives.  While we continue to strive for high expectations and academic excellence for all, we must also try to maintain necessary time for appropriate nutrition, sleep, exercise, relaxing and socializing with friends and family and simply having fun….balance! With that in mind, we will be moving into the winter vacation (December 23^rd – January 4^th) with an agreement by all in our district that no long term projects, lengthy reports or lengthy reading assignments will be given.  Instead, we would like to encourage all of our students and families to read just for pleasure’s sake, spend time with friends and family, get some rest and have fun!

Math Workshop for Parents/Guardians

“Strategies Behind the Mathematics... How to Help Kids with Homework”

On Monday, November 30th, we will be sponsoring an informational session:  Strategies Behind the Mathematics for PARENTS of students in grades 1-5 from the Luce, JFK, and Hansen. This will take place from 6:15-8:15 p.m. at the Luce Elementary School.

·       Grade 1 and 2 parents are invited from 6:15-7:15 pm

·       Grades 3, 4, and 5 parents are invited from 7:15-8:15 pm

The focus of this workshop, offered by Susan Brass, Kerri Falzone, and Maryanna Biedermann, our math specialists, will continue discussions on how to best help children with their understandings, as well as homework, as they move through the next topics in math. At this workshop we will work to build understanding around the common language, concepts, and strategies involved in place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Childcare will be provided from 6:00 to 8:30 pm.    

We hope to see many of you on Monday, November 30th at the Luce!

Changes in Bus Times effective December 7th

Some Changes in Bus Arrival Times Effective December 7th!

Dear Parents and Guardians:

As you are aware, in September, we made several route changes for our school buses following the altered start and end times of the five Canton Public Schools.  Two major changes included reducing the number of tiers from four to three and expanding the number of buses per tier from fourteen to twenty.

Since then, we have been carefully monitoring school bus transportation and have noticed many of our buses arriving too early to our schools.  The school administrators have expressed concern, and many of you have brought this issue to our attention as well. Therefore, we will be moving the morning pick up times slightly later so the buses arrive at the schools closer to the start of classes.

The updated Bus List and Times is being sent to you via Blackboard Connect and will also be sent at least two times more by your building principals.  Please adjust your child’s bus pick up time later by the number of minutes in the column labeled “# of Minutes Later.”

The changes will be effective on Monday, December 7, 2015.

Please note there will no changes to the afternoon bus routes.

If you have any questions, please call Leslie Tamarkin, at 781-821-5060 X1156.

Thank you.

Looking for "Gently Used Books" for High School Independent Reading Libraries

A message from our English Department Chair at CHS

Looking to get rid of old books?

Many teachers have independent reading libraries for classes. 

We like to keep the reading libraries fresh and up to date with multiple copies of high interest texts and would love to have any gently used books you are looking to donate or get out of the house.  We will take any titles that might be popular with young adults.  Some titles/genres on the wish list based on student interest and requests are:

All Souls

The Martian

Season of Life

Divergent

Brown Girl Dreaming

Tuesdays with Morrie (or any other Mitch Albom)

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Unbroken (YA or adult version)

Jodi Picoult (any titles)

Nicholas Sparks (any titles)

Malcolm Gladwell (any titles)

Sports books of any type

Young Adult Novels (of any type)

Military/War books

Sci-Fi and Fantasy

We would be grateful for any donations.  I am happy to pick up books at your convenience or you can drop them off to me at CHS in my office (C400). I can be reached at ashleyr@cantonma.org or 781-821-5050 ext. 2301 to arrange pick up/drop off.   Thank you in advance for any help you can give.

Rebecca Ashley, English Department Chairs

Sign Up for Canton STEAM Creative Design Night

CPS STEAM Creative Design Challenge

Sign Up

We are excited to have our first STEAM Creative Design Challenge Event for Canton Public Schools.  This event will be for preschool and elementary students. Go to the LINK BELOW to register. 

Date: Wednesday. October 14, 2015
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Galvin Middle School

Event Details:
Come between 6-8 p.m. to work with our design challenges. You can decide to work on one or three design challenges.
Last entry into a challenge will start at 7:30 p.m.
Please sign up before Wednesday, October 7, 2015. Space is limited is 300 students.
We will be using the creative design process to complete each challenge.

Design Challenge #1: Why do people wear what they wear?

You will create a piece of protective clothing using various recycled materials.

Design Challenge #2: How is Music different then noise?

Design an original instrument. Name it. Describe how it produces sound. Tell why it is different from existing instruments. What category of instrument would you put it into? Keep in mind: Structured sound is music.

Design Challenge #3: How does the design process help us solve problems?

Sign Up: http://goo.gl/forms/URZwPXe6i0

New Nurse Leader Begins in our District

Kim Clark-Connor Named New Nurse Leader 

I am a bit behind with this announcement as Kim snuck in here in the late summer.  Thus far, she has picked up multiple projects and is charging ahead!

Kimberly Clark-Connor, R.N., B.S.N, has many years of experience in the nursing field, including School Nursing and Occupational Health Nursing.  As Canton's School Nurse Leader, she will have a myriad of responsibilities including oversight of the School Nurses, professional development coordination, and development of health office protocols across the district.  Prior to joining us in Canton, Kim worked as a Site Manager for the American Red Cross, and as an Occupational Health Nurse for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  She is eager to begin this new role and looks forward to acclimating herself within the Canton School System.

You will see Kim at many community partnership meetings and out and about at all of our schools.  Please join me in giving her a warm welcome!

Math Workshop for Parents of Students Grades 1-5

The Strategies Behind the Mathematics: How to Help Kids with Homework

On Tuesday, September 29th, we will be sponsoring a "Strategies Behind the Mathematics" for PARENTS of students in grades 1-5 from the Luce, JFK and Hansen. This will take place between 6-8:00 p.m. at the JFK Elementary School. The focus of this workshop, offered by Susan Brass, Maryanna Biedermann and Kerri Falzone, our math specialists, will be to continue their discussions from last year on how to best to help their children with their math understandings as well as homework.  At this workshop we will work to build understanding around the common language, concepts and strategies involved in addition, subtraction. multiplication and division. 

We hope to see many of you on Tuesday, September 29th at 6:00 at the JFK!

Our First Official Week of School

Parents, Guardians and Community Members,

It was a memorable week for us between Labor Day and Friday, September 11, 2015.  Our indergarten and preschool students began their first day of school the day after Labor Day. Bus and van pick up and drop offs seemed fairly smooth for our youngest, and there were many smiles from start to finish at the Rodman Early Childhood Center and our three elementary schools.

Tuesday and Wednesday were a bit taxing with the very warm and humid weather, but we maintained our guidelines from DPH and the Bureau of Environmental Health, supplying constant hydration, maintaining low activity levels, moving from the second and third floors as needed, etc. The students and staff were happy to see cooler temps on Thursday!  Thank you all again for your vigilance in sending children dressed in appropriate clothing and supplied with water.

In spite of the heat, several open houses were held at the elementary schools and high school, and the parent feedback about information they received and their communications with teachers was excellent!  I was also able to drop in on two CAPT meetings and the CAPE meeting, and again experienced a significant enthusiasm for assisting the Canton students in as many ways as possible through potential grants, enrichment programming, fundraising and more.

I will be updating you next week about two upcoming programs.  You may want to mark the dates down on your calendars.  We will be having our STEAM sponsored Creative Design Challenge night on October 14th for students of all ages, and the elementary math specialists will be running a parent workshop on the enVisionMATH program - for first - fifth grades on September 29th.

Thank you for your continued support to the Canton School System.  Please consider attending our School Committee meeting on September 17th at 7:00 p.m. The agenda is outlined below.

Remember there will be no school on Monday, Sept. 14th.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

School Committee Agenda

September 17, 2015

Open Session:  7:00 p.m.

Distance Learning Lab

A.            Call to Order

B.            Executive Session- For the purpose of discussing issues related to contractual matters.

C.            Routine Matters

1.             Approve Minutes dated September 3, 2015

2.             Approve Executive Session Minutes dated September 3, 2015

3.             Approve Executive Session Minutes dated September 3, 2015 of Public Release

4.             Approve Bill Schedule dated September 24, 2015

D.            Public Comments/Questions

E.            Student Member Report: Michael Larsen will report on school events and activities happening around the district.

F.            Superintendent’s Report:  Ms. Henderson will provide an update a variety of matters going on throughout the district. 

G.            Old Business

1.             Update on Before-After School Survey for JFK: Results will be discussed and general plan of action outlined for all elementary schools next year.  Mr. Nectow will report on before/after school programs going out to bid.

H.            New Business

1.             Introduction of New Administrators:  Derek Folan, CHS principal, will introduce Don Devoid, Math Dept. Chair, Shanna Belenky, Team Chair, and Meredith Chamberland, Guidance Director 6-12.  Dr. William Conard, principal at Galvin Middle School, will introduce Lisa Kaminski, English/Reading Dept. Chair, Annya Haughton, Dean, and Jim Spillane, Assistant Principal.

2.             GMS Events Update:  Dr. Conard will provide an update regarding opening of school activities and events at the Galvin Middle School.

3.             Out of State Athletic Travel Approval:  Danny Erickson will request approval for a home Boys Varsity Hockey to play Franklin High School the Providence College Arena on December 18^th at 7:00 pm.

4.             Logo Changes:  Danny Erickson and Derek Folan will discuss an issue that has yet to be “revealed” re: the logo for athletics.  Packet will be available during the presentation.

5.             Unit A and Unit E Collective Bargaining Agreements:  The School Committee will vote on the Unit A and Unit E Collective Bargaining Agreements.

6.             Bus and Late Start Time Update:  Mr. Nectow will provide an update on the late start time impact and new bus routes.

7.             Food Services/Cafeteria Substitutes:  Mr. Nectow will propose a rate increase for the substitutes in Food Services.

8.             District Improvement Plan:  Superintendent Henderson will review the final goals established by the Senior Management Team after reviewing student performance data, staff and community survey data, School Committee input and results of the Model Educator Evaluation.  The Final District Improvement plan will also include longer term goals.  This information is not attached to the packet as the finalized SMART goals are being completed by Senior Management on 9/15/15.  Goals generated through data analysis and from input of the School Committee will include:

·         Cultural proficiency and communication,

·         Increased educator “growth” through increased quality of recommendations and conversations as part of the Model Educator Evaluation,

·         Data driven decision making with specific emphasis on math (along with other academic and social/emotional areas,

·         Full Day K Analysis,

·         CHS turf analysis, long term space analysis and implications on programming.

I.              Business Manager’s Report:  Mr. Nectow will report on the progress of the Hansen Addition (Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Zoning Board).

J.             Sub-Committee Reports

1.             TEC- Robert Golledge

2.             CPC – Mike Loughran

3.             BRC- John Bonnanzio

4.             Wellness- Kristin Mirliani

5.             Finance – Reuki Schutt

6.             Building Use – John Bonnanzio

7.             Policy – Kristin Mirliani

8.             Superintendent Search – John Bonnanzio

9.             New Town Administrator –Michael Loughran

K.            Future Business – Next Meeting Thursday, October 1, 2015

L.             Other Business

M.           Adjournment

Agenda for the Sept. 3rd School Committee Meeting

Canton School Committee

Canton, MA

September 3, 2015

6:30 PM Executive Session

7:00 Open Session

Canton High School

Distance Learning Lab

The Canton Public Schools strives to develop students who are competent and creative thinkers, curious and confident learners, and compassionate citizens.

The back-up support documents for each agenda item are arranged in the order listed below.

A. Call to Order

B. Executive Session- For the purpose of discussing issues related to contractual matters and personal service contract issues.

C. Routine Matters

1. Approve Minutes dated August 20, 2015

2. Approve Executive Session Minutes dated August 20, 2015

3. Approve Bill Schedule dated 9/10/15

D. Public Comments/Questions

E. Superintendent’s Report: Ms. Henderson will provide an update on the week of August 31 opening of school activities, and on a variety of matters going on throughout the district.

F. Student Member Report: Derek Folan will update the School Committee on the Canton High School student representatives who will be reporting out for student related district activities this year.

G. Old Business - None

H. New Business

1. Program for International Student Assessment: Derek Folan, Principal, Canton High School will report on the PISA being administered this year at Canton High School as well as provide an update on ACT college entrance exam.

2. Special Education Program Overview: Debra Bromfield, Director for Students Services will report out on the Special Education Programming six year shift. She will also provide a brief overview of Circuitbreaker.

3. Bus Update: Barry Nectow, Business Manager, will provide an update following Day One of the new bus routes, additional bus routes and later start time impact.

4. Student/Family Handbook Appendix: A brief overview of the contents of the Handbook Appendix will be provided with approval request.

I. Business Manager Report: Barry Nectow will provide the Year End Report Summary. He will also propose a new, more aggressive time line for the school budget completion.

J. Sub-Committee Reports

1. TEC- Robert Golledge

2. CPC – Mike Loughran

3. BRC- John Bonanzio

4. Wellness- Kristin Mirliani

5. Finance – Reuki Schutt

6. Building Use – John Bonnanzio

K. Future Business – Next Meeting Thursday, September 17, 2015

L. Other Business

M. Adjournment

August 25, 2015

Dear Canton Public School Families:

It is with great excitement and anticipation that I am writing this “Opening Day and Welcome Back” letter for the 2015-16 school year.  We have had an incredibly busy and productive summer preparing for the arrival of the students. I am sure your children are curious and possibly a bit anxious about their return to school or the start of their school career.  Knowing our educators and support staff as I do, I am confident that each child will be received with warmth, caring and support.  

With the help of our administrators, custodial and maintenance faculty, technology staff, Central and Business Office staff and many educators, a significant amount was completed in preparation for our Thursday, September 3^rd opening of school. We have been busy hiring new faculty; adding educators to our district always adds a heightened level of energy.

So, welcome back to all, and “hello” to our parent/guardians of new students to our District.  We eagerly await your arrival!

The biggest change for our District this year is the school start time; therefore I wanted to devote a bit of this letter to that topic.  I have attached the new start time schedule at the end of this letter.  Bus times will be posted in the Canton Citizen on August 27^th.  Bus passes with explanatory letters are being mailed out this week.  If you signed up your child for a bus, and you have not received your letter/pass by Friday, August 28^th, please contact Leslie Tamarkin at tamarkinl@cantonma.org or 781-821-5060, ext. 1156.  No students will be allowed to board the bus without their bus pass, so please be certain that the bus pass is visible on your child’s (all grades) backpack. Beginning October 1^st, we will put additional riders on the bus as space is available.

I would like to ask your patience in the first two to three weeks of school as we continue to make the bus schedules as efficient as possible.  While we do try to plan for all possibilities, some issues may arise. I understand that there has been some concern about middle and high school students having to ride for lengthy periods of time, with some busses having the two levels combined.  We have made every effort to ensure that the rides will be as short as possible. We managed to have only four busses with combined high school and middle school students.  In efforts to ensure that students in grades K-5 will not sit in the busses while waiting to offload, we have hired additional morning staff at each of our elementary schools.  If you have any concerns that range beyond “getting the kinks worked out” during the first few days, please do not hesitate to contact Barry Nectow, our Business Manager, at 781-821-5060, ext. 1245.

Other updates I would like to highlight:

• We have hired several new administrators, some in interim positions and others in permanent positions.  Each of the principals will update you re: their new faculty and administrators.  With regard to district positions, I want to introduce Kim Clark-Connor, who is our new Nurse Leader. Also, Jayne Moore is acting as Interim Curriculum and Instruction Director for our district.
• Mike Wentland, Technology Director, and April Goran, Technology Integration Administrator, have worked extensively with our maintenance department to install new teacher computers in the classrooms and to roll out the interactive projectors to the elementary and middle schools.  Additionally, we are pleased to have hired a technology teacher for our elementary schools, another enhancement in our budget.
• The high school continues to develop their World Language program, offering American Sign Language in addition to Mandarin, which was added two years ago. Enhancements are also being added with courses in STEAM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Arts-Mathematics) at the high school level.
• We are pleased to say that there are NO new curriculum initiatives at the elementary level this year as we take continued steps to work with our team of teachers on the mathematics curriculum that was implemented over the last two years.
• Teams of teachers came in over the summer to work on writing units for the elementary levels, update science units across the district and add technology to their curriculum units.
• The Rodman Early Childhood Center will have their own lunch program this year thanks to Martha Lawless, our innovative Food Services Director.

I could continue to list many more programs that are being undertaken this year, as this is only our “short list”.  However, it is critical to know that as you scan the above list, the majority of this could not have been accomplished without the support given to the school department by the Canton community – thank you!

If you would like to continue to stay in touch with new projects and programs as they develop, please consider attending our School Committee meetings.  A schedule of those meetings is posted on our website at www.cantonma.org.  You can find the district calendar, the lunch menus and links to all the schools there.  Please also consider signing up for the Superintendent’s Blog or Twitter account.

We look forward to seeing all of our students in grades 1-12 on Thursday, September 3^rd.  Please note that there is school on Friday, the 4^th.  Following a day off on Labor Day, September 7^th, we will return, Tuesday, September 8^th.  That day will also be the first day of school for preschool and kindergarten students. 

In closing, as I enter the 2015/2016 year as your Interim Superintendent, I am excited and confident with the direction the Canton School District is moving to benefit all of our students.  We have a dedicated educational faculty, families, and community members who are highly motivated to make the Canton School District not good, but great.  It looks to be a terrific year!

Sincerely,

Jennifer A. Henderson, Interim Superintendent of Schools

August 20, 2015 School Committee Agenda

Canton School Committee

Canton, MA

August 20, 2015

6:30 PM Executive Session 7:00 Open Session

Canton High School   Distance Learning Lab

The Canton Public Schools strives to develop students who are competent and creative thinkers, curious and confident learners, and compassionate citizens.

The back-up support documents for each agenda item are arranged in the order listed below.

A.            Call to Order

B.            Executive Session- For the purpose of discussing issues related to contractual matters and personal service contract issues.

C.            Routine Matters

1.             Approve Minutes dated July 30, 2015

2.             Approve Executive Session Minutes dated July 30, 2015

3.             Approve Executive Session Minutes dated July 30, 2015 for public release

4.             Approve Minutes dated August 11, 2015

5.             Approve Executive Session Minutes dated August 11, 2015

6.             Approve Executive Session Minutes dated August 11, 2015 for public release

7.             Approve Bill Schedule dated 8/10/15

D.            Public Comments/Questions

E.            Superintendent’s Report – Ms. Henderson will provide an update on a variety of matters going on throughout the district including updates on enrollment, positions filled, start of school communications going out, etc.

F.            Old Business

1.             Building Rental Increase: This item was tabled at the July 30^th meeting and will be moved forward by Mr. Nectow.

G.            New Business

1.             School and District Student/Family Handbooks:  Principals will review and respond to any questions or comments re: changes in the 2015-16 school handbooks and an overview of the District Student/Family Appendix will be provided.

2.             Ice Rental Costs: Danny Erickson will provide an overview of the ice rental cost estimates for the 2015-16 school year.

3.             Building/Space Update: Information will be discussed regarding the proposal for the Galvin Middle School project related to space needs.

4.             Hansen Addition Update:  Information will be provided regarding bid outcome and forward movement on the Hansen addition.

5.             Business Manager’s Report – Mr. Nectow will provide an update on the buses. He will propose a schedule for an earlier rollout of budget preparations for consideration by the School Committee.

The Year End Top Line report will be presented at the September 3^rd School Committee Meeting.

H.            Sub-Committee Reports

1.             TEC- Robert Golledge

2.             CPC – Mike Loughran

3.             BRC- John Bonanzio

4.             Wellness- Kristin Mirliani

5.             Finance – Reuki Schutt

6.             Building Use – John Bonnanzio

I.              Future Business – Next Meeting Thursday, September 3, 2015

J.             Other Business

K.            Adjournment

Agenda for School Committee Meeting on July 30th

School Committee Meeting on July 30, 2015

Open Session at 7:00 p.m.

Location: Distance Learning Lab at Canton High School

The back-up support documents for each agenda item are arranged in the order listed below.

A.            Call to Order

B.            Executive Session- For the purpose of discussing issues related to contractual matters and personal service contract issues.

C.            Routine Matters

1.             Approve Minutes dated June 11, 2015

2.             Approve Executive Session Minutes dated June 11, 2015

3.             Approve Executive Session Minutes dated June 11, 2015 for public release

4.             Approve Minutes dated June 22, 2015

5.             Approve Executive Session Minutes dated June 22, 2015

6.             Approve Executive Session Minutes dated June 22, 2015 for public release

7.             Approve Minutes dated July 13, 2015

8.             Approve Bill Schedule dated July 23, 2105 FY15

9.             Approve Bill Schedule dated July 30, 2105 FY15

10.          Approve Bill Schedule dated July 30, 2015 FY16

D.            Public Comments/Questions

E.            Superintendent’s Report – Ms. Henderson will provide an update on a variety of matters going on throughout the district. She will also review the draft proposal of the District Improvement Plan for 2015-16 so that School Committee members can consider and provide input prior to the August meeting.

F.            Old Business – None

G.            New Business

1.             Canton Parent Advisory Council for Student Services (CPACSS) Update:  Tracie Pustizzi, President of CPACSS will provide an annual update of the CPACSS.

2.             Movie Night in the Park- The event is to be held on Saturday August 15, 2015 from 3:00 –10:00 p.m.  Use of the field has been scheduled by the Parks and Recreation Department and a Police detail will be in place.  The Board of Selectmen wanted the School Committee to be aware. 

3.             Canton Schools Custodian/Maintenance Union Contract – The School Committee will vote on the ratification of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Custodial/Maintenance Union.

4.             Canton District Calendar – Due to a variety of date and time changes on the district calendar which was initially reviewed and approved by the School Committee in late February, the changes will be noted and a new vote will be taken.

5.             Building Rental Fee Increase – Mr. Nectow will propose an increase in building rental fees for the 2015-16 school year.

6.             Policy Manual – School Committee members will take a final vote on the completed Canton District Policy Manual and an implementation date will be noted and signed.

H.            Business Manager’s Report – Mr. Nectow will provide the Donation Reports for the months of May and June 2015.   The final “top line” report for FY 15 will be presented at the August School Committee meeting after books are closed.

I.              Sub-Committee Reports

1.             TEC- Robert Golledge

2.             CPC – Mike Loughran

3.             BRC- John Bonanzio

4.             Wellness- Kristin Mirliani

5.             Finance – Reuki Schutt

6.             Building Use – John Bonnanzio

J.             Future Business – Next Meeting Thursday, August 20, 2015

K.            Other Business

L.             Adjournment