Winchendon CFCE Presents:
Positive Solutions for Families Workshops
Join Us for a Virtual Two-Part Series!
Thursdays, January 13 and 27
7:00 p.m.
Presenter: Cynthia Maxfield MS.ED.
Cynthia has 45 years experience as an Early Childhood Teacher and Administrator working with families inboth public and private schools, as well as community settings. As the former Early Childhood Coordinator atNashoba Regional School District, Cynthia led a pilot program implementing "Positive Behavior Supports" inearly childhood classrooms.
January 13
Supporting Social/Emotional Development and Building Positive Relationships
This session will focus on building positive relationships with our children, as well as teaching them skills to build friendships and positive ways to behave and interact with others.
January 27
Determining the Meaning of Behavior
This session will focus on our children's challenging behavior and offer strategies to teach them to behave, express their emotions and solve problems.
To register, email Kristin at kmoran@winchendonk12.org
Winchendon CFCE is funded by a grant from MA Dept. Of Early Education and Care andWinchendon Public Schools
Congratulations Mrs. Rebekah Leonard
Winchendon Public Schools Educator of the Week
January 3, 2022
Thank you for everything you do, Mrs. Leonard!
Mrs. Leonard, the school nurse at Murdock Middle High School, has been working tirelessly to test and track in order to help keep our students and staff safe anbd healthy. She is cheerful and patient, regardless of the challenges thrown her way. She has remained constant throughout the pandemic.
Murdock Students Receive College Acceptances
Our Murdock High School Class of 2022 has been hard at work and looking to the future.
Congratulations to the following Seniors who have received college acceptances:
Camille Daigle: Dean College, Cornish College of the Arts, & Marymount Manhattan College
Shaiel Gasqui: University of Alabama & Stonehill College
Evelyn Haley: Simmons University
Ronan Kast-McBride: Keene State & Franklin Pierce University
Olianney Noble: University of Massachusetts Lowell, Framingham State University & University of Massachusetts Boston
Maria Vecchiarello: Emmanuel College & University of New Haven
New Leadership in the New Year at Sizer School
Andrew Lay hired as Charter School Principal
Photo courtesy of The Sizer School
On December 17, Sizer School in Fitchburg announced the hiring of a new school principal, Andrew Lay
"[Andrew] brings extensive experience as an educator and administrator in charter schools with a passion for collaborating with teachers on curriculum, instruction, and assessment, and a history of serving students well," said Executive Director Michelle Paranto, Ed.D.
Sizer School, a free public charter school located in Fitchburg, serves students in grades seven through twelve from 25 local towns and cities. Sizer incorporates the Essential School philosophies with Project-Based Learning to provide a student-centered approach to education where teachers coach students to learn to use their minds well and become their best selves.
"The school's mission of providing a deeply personalized educational experience for each student drew me to Sizer," said Lay. "Throughout my career in education, I have focused on providing responsive learning experiences that demand students pursue intellectual growth through the lens of their own passion. I hope to extend that framework as principal."
A lifelong-learner, Lay has been in education for 25 years, teaching a diverse portfolio of courses and grade levels from middle school ancient history to advanced placement Physics. He has also served as an instructional leader, curriculum director, and building level principal at other New England charter schools.
Lay earned dual degrees in history and physics at Bowdoin College, with a minor in classical languages (his true passion is Ancient Greece). Lay attended Brown University where he earned a Master's in Urban Education Policy, with a focus on school systems/structures and the history of American education.
His other areas of interest within the field of education include differentiation, experiential learning, hands-on applications, teacher development, multi-modal instructional practices, professional learning communities, and student voice.
Outside of school, Lay has an appetite for consuming literature, translating Greek and Latin sources, skiing and playing lacrosse with his children, and preparing an artful array of soups and stews in the kitchen.
Hiring Lay came after an extensive principal search that included community and staff forums, as well as Q&A sessions with each finalist candidate.
Lay stepped into the role with guidance from outgoing interim principal David Uminksi. Uminksi, who retired as principal from Oakmont Regional High School in 2021, worked with Sizer from August until December.
"We want to thank Principal Uminski for leading the school during a very challenging fall for Sizer," said Paranto. "His wisdom and leadership have been invaluable, and we will miss seeing him at the school daily."
For two decades, Sizer School, a North Central Charter Essential School, has offered excellence in education and a one-of-a-kind learning community. Sending graduates into the world who THINK for themselves, CARE about others, and ACT creatively and responsibly. Visit www.sizerschool.org for more information or apply now for a seat in the 7th, 8th or 9th grade - https://tinyurl.com/SizerSchool. Sizer is accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year until March 1, 2022.