DESE Doing Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Winchendon Public Schools.
During the week of May 23, 2021, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Winchendon Public Schools. The Office of Public School Monitoring conducts a review in each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child's special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview the chairperson(s) of the district's Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and onsite observations.
Parents and other individuals may call Michael McDonald, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (781) 338-3746 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.
Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the district with a report with information about areas in which the district meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the district requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at www.doe.mass.edu/psm/.
Winchendon Public Schools
Suzanne Michel, Director of Pupil Services
Preschool Screening in June
Winchendon Public Schools Preschool Screening will take place on June 9 & 10, 2021. Children must be age 3 or 4 by August 31, 2021 to be eligible. Screening looks at a child's development in the areas of language, fine and gross motor skills, cognition and social emotional skills.
If you have any concerns about your child, suspect your child may have a disability, or if you did not receive an information packet by mail please call the Winchendon Pre-K Program 978-297-3436 or email kbrooks@winchendonk12.org.
MWCC Graduate Paige Landry Honored for Extraordinary Service and Perseverance as one of the Commonwealth's "29 Who Shine"
GARDNER, MA - May 12, 2021 - On May 13, 2021, higher education leaders, students, faculty and staff will be joined virtually by Governor Charlie Baker for the 10th Annual "29 Who Shine" celebration. MWCC's "29 Who Shine" honoree is Paige Landry.
The "29 Who Shine" awards recognize a student from each 15 community colleges, nine state universities, and five UMass campuses. The students honored in the Class of 2021 have all contributed to their communities in support of COVID-19 relief efforts. This year's ceremonies will be broadcast on YouTube Live on Thursday, May 13 at 2 p.m.
In her time at MWCC, Landry has shown herself to be an exemplary student and community member, an ideal candidate for the "29 Who Shine."
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when personal protective equipment was scarce, Landry recognized the need for masks in residential facilities for disabled adults for both the residents and their caretakers. Landry worked with the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society to develop and implement a mask-making project which resulted in the distribution of nearly 500 masks to local organizations working with developmentally delayed and disabled individuals.
"I have always enjoyed helping others and giving what I can. I have been volunteering for as long as I can remember," notes Landry. "When I was about eight years old, I started volunteering at the food pantry near my home."
As President of the PTK, Landry led a project to create a virtual learning survival guide to help fellow community college students adjust and succeed in virtual classes, then during the week of finals, she spearheaded a virtual wellness yoga relaxation session. In her role as President of the Sexuality and Gender Alliance Club, Landry helped the club create a no-contact drive to donate necessities to local homeless veterans.
Off campus, Landry currently volunteers at the Lowell Alliance where she helps to supply diapers to struggling area families.
"We are honored to present Paige Landry as our 29 Who Shine honoree. Paige has persevered through homelessness and hospitalization with COVID-19, while not only maintaining her academic standing but continuing to volunteer both on campus and off," stated MWCC President James Vander Hooven. "She is a shining example for other students with disabilities, overcoming diversity to succeed as a student, and as an exemplary member of our community."
Landry is the current President of Phi Theta Kappa Honors (PTK) Society, President of the Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society, a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success Honors Society, President of the MWCC Sexuality and Gender Alliance Club and a member of the Student Government Association.
Following graduation from MWCC with her Associate Degree in Human Services, Landry will be moving to the Springfield, MA area where she will continue her education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She intends to continue her focus on human services, eventually earning her Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling.