Superintendent's Newsletter - Wednesday, October 5

Sizer School prepares to open enrollment for 2023-2024

The community is invited to an information session on October 26

Known for its small class sizes, personalized education, and hands-on approach to learning, Sizer School in Fitchburg has been engaged in academic excellence for two decades and serves students in grades 7-12.

"Sizer is very community-oriented and you never feel left out at our school. You could feel that from day one," said James Geehan, a Sizer Senior from Townsend. Geehan is in his 6th year at Sizer. "Everyone knows everyone here and everyone gets along. Everyone is inclusive, and I feel that is something very unique to our school."

Sizer graduates enter the world prepared for the future - they think for themselves and care about themselves and others. Sizer grads become engaged citizens, who act creatively and responsibly in their communities.

"The first day of 7th grade I was getting positive feedback from teachers," noted 8th grade student Gabriel Medina of Fitchburg. "The teachers being so nice always gives me good vibes to start the school day."

As the school prepares to open enrollment on November 1st for the 2023-2024 school year, they are inviting families who are interested in enrolling to an in-person Information Session at the school on October 26. The evening will start at 5:00PM with an overview of Sizer by the Director of Communications & Recruitment, Lindsay Alweiss, followed by several staff presentations ending with a building tour from a Student Ambassador.

According to Senior Dominic Gionet of Fitchburg, "Students here relate to one another really well by getting to know each other through friendship, similar interests, and sharing the same work in the classes they are enrolled in. The help you get from your fellow students is second to none."

He continued, "If you are a student looking for a smaller environment, a community built within a focused and goal-oriented environment...Sizer School would definitely be a place for you."

Sizer School is a free charter public school, educating students throughout North Central Massachusetts. Chartered for up to 400 students, the school enrolls students in grades 7, 8, and 9 every year through an open lottery process.

"The learning system is amazing, there is tons of support here," said Junior Mariana Umpierrez of Fitchburg. "If you're not academically challenged in a class you can be moved to something that matches your learning skills. There are tons of opportunities to look into colleges, careers, and other things you might be interested in."

She added, "It's a safe environment, and overall it's an amazing school. You can fit in no matter who you are or what you want to be!"

While the school's 7th and 8th grade teaching teams prepare middle school students for academic success at the high school level, Sizer's high school team enhances subject-matter understanding by utilizing project-based lessons led by essential questions. Professionals from around the area visit classrooms to work with students, take on interns, mentor future leaders and offer experience-based opportunities for gaining better understanding. High school students excel in Advanced Placement courses, Dual Enrollment programs, and Sizer's Early College High School program with Fitchburg State University.

"This is a great school. Amazing teachers and staff. The best decision I ever made was sending my child to Sizer," said 8th grade parent Lew Chamberlain of Fitchburg.

"Having worked at other schools, at Sizer is where, for the first time, I have experienced a real sense of teamwork and appreciation," said Sizer Student Support Interventionist Magela Avila of Fitchburg. "The way we all work with each other and help each other is amazing. I always tell people I know about Sizer, how we are different from other schools. We are more personal and caring and understanding and go above and beyond for the students we have."

For 8th grade student Gabriella Walsh of Winchendon, "You should apply to Sizer School because there are great teachers here and the support team to help you if you are having a hard time. Everyone here is so nice and caring."

Fellow 8th grader Lily LaClair of Fitchburg agrees. "The teachers are amazing and you can make amazing new friends too!"

The public Information Session on October 26 will take place at the school located at 500 Rindge Road in Fitchburg. For more information about the event, email info@sizerschool.org or visit www.sizerschool.org.

Mount Wachusett Community College Prepares for New England Commission of Higher Education Visit

GARDNER, MA - October 3, 2022 - Mount Wachusett Community College will welcome a team from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) for its 10-year accreditation review on November 6 - 9, 2022. The team representing the Commission visit the college for evaluation. This visit follows an extensive, college-wide self-study process addressing the commission's Standards of Accreditation.

MWCC is accredited by The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), non-governmental membership association that serves as an institutional accreditor and promotes educational excellence and quality assurance to its member institutions. Accreditation is voluntary and applies to the institution as a whole. The commission, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, accredits approximately 240 institutions in the New England region.

The MWCC NECHE Self-Study 2022 is available on the accreditation page of our website.

NECHE is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a reliable authority on the quality of education for the institutions it accredits. NECHE is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), affirming that its Standards and processes are consistent with the quality, improvement, and accountability expectations that CHEA has established.

The public is invited to submit comments regarding the college. Public comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution. The commission cannot settle disputes between individuals and institutions, whether those involve faculty, students, administrators, or members of other groups. Comments will not be treated as confidential and must include the name, address, and telephone number of the person providing the comments.

Public comments must be received by November 9, 2022. The commission cannot guarantee that comments received after that date will be considered.

Public comments should be submitted to:

Public Comment on Mount Wachusett Community College
New England Commission of Higher Education
301 Edgewater Place, Suite 210
Wakefield, MA 01880
info@neche.org

Applewild Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for Three Newly Renovated Spaces with Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale

Photo courtesy of Applewild School

On Monday October 3rd Applewild school celebrated a ribbon cutting for the opening of three renovated spaces in front of a crowd of Kindergarten through 9th grade students, current and former trustees, faculty, staff, alumni families and Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale. Amy Jolly, Head of School, shared the exciting changes including the expansion of Applewild's preschool program offerings with a recently completed toddler room and toddler playground for children as young as 18 months old. Thanks to generous donors, Applewild School renovated the Ansin building, including the addition of new science labs and a makerspace classroom. The complete renovation of a View Street residence lets the school open a second dorm to enhance the experience for Applewild's residential students and staff. The student Appleseed Chorus shared a song with the crowd and Mrs. Jolly thanked the donors who helped to make these three projects a reality, as well as their wonderful general contractor Walter Bennet. After sharing remarks at the event, Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale presented Applewild School with an Official Citation from the City of Fitchburg celebrating the opening of the Applewild School View Street Dorm, expressing best wishes and good fortune to the students of Applewild School.

Mount Wachusett Community College Celebrates Dental Education Clinic Enhancements with Ribbon Cutting

left to right: MWCC Dental Program Director Cindy Cadoret, Assistant Secretary for Career Education for Massachusetts Robert LePage, Gardner City Counselor Elizabeth Kazinskas, President and CEO of the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts Dr. Amie Shei, Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale, Dental Hygiene Student Marlene Boucher-Ripley, Representative Michael Kusmerek, Senator Anne Gobi, and Senator John Cronin.
Photo courtesy of MWCC

GARDNER, MA - October 6, 2022 - On September 28, 2022, students, faculty and administrators at Mount Wachusett Community College's Dental Education Clinic celebrated the completion of enhancements to their clinic made possible by The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts and by a Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Workforce Skills Cabinet, Executive Office of Education.

"The college is forever grateful for the support we receive from our funders and legislators as we pursue our mission," MWCC Executive Director of Resource and Strategic Initiative Development Heather Layton stated. "Today we express our deep appreciation to our funding partners Dr. Amie Shei, President and CEO of the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, and Robert LePage, Assistant Secretary for Career Education for Massachusetts without whom we would not be here today."

The improvements to the dental education clinic include a state-of-the-art sterilization and infection control center, enabling the program to offer new certification and continuing education programming in Infection Control and Safety. Additionally, patient treatment rooms received new furnishings and equipment as well as radiographic equipment. The new x-ray equipment allowed for the creation of the only Board approved Radiation Health and Safety Certification course in the region and meets licensure requirements in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The enhancements also enable the MWCC clinic to host Monty Tech dental program students.

State Senators John Cronin and Anne Gobi, Representative Michael Kushmerek, Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale, and Gardner City Counselor Elizabeth Kazinskas were on hand with congratulatory messages, including citations from the Senate and City of Fitchburg, and were guided on a tour of the clinic by students in the dental hygiene and dental assisting programs.