Winchendon Weekly News school newsletter - Wednesday, December 14

Memorial School Celebrates "12 Days of Christmas" with Flannel, Crazy Socks, and Plaid!

Flannel and fleece for 12 Days of Christmas
Photo courtesy of Martha MacEwen

Flannel and fleece for 12 Days of Christmas
Photo courtesy of Martha MacEwen

Flannel and fleece for 12 Days of Christmas
Photo courtesy of Martha MacEwen

Flannel and fleece for 12 Days of Christmas
Photo courtesy of Martha MacEwen

First Grade teacher Mrs. Brenda Keney with her great nephew Levi Trombly
Photo courtesy of Martha MacEwen

Mrs. Jordan's First Grade class showing off their plaid pride
Photo courtesy of Martha MacEwen

Mrs. Jordan's First Grade class showing off their plaid pride
Photo courtesy of Martha MacEwen

Mrs. Jordan's First Grade class showing off their plaid pride
Photo courtesy of Martha MacEwen

The wearin' o' the plaid on Plaid Day at Memorial School
Photo courtesy of Martha MacEwen

Mrs. Barrette's First Grade class dressed up for Hawaiian Day at Memorial School
Photo courtesy of Martha MacEwen

MWCC Names Melissa Croteau Chief of Police and Public Safety

MWCC Chief of Police and Public Safety Melissa Croteau.
Photo courtesy of MWCC

GARDNER, MA - December 12, 2022 - Mount Wachusett Community College is pleased to announce that Deputy Chief of Police Dr. Melissa Croteau has accepted the position of Chief of Police and Public Safety after the retirement of her predecessor Karen Kolimaga.

A Gardner native, Croteau earned Associate of Science degrees in Criminal Justice and Human Services at Mount Wachusett Community College, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Master of Education at Fitchburg State University, and doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of New England. She graduated from Municipal Police Basic Training at the Boylston Police Academy in 2003, and the State Police Academy in New Braintree in 2005.

Chief Croteau began her career at MWCC as an Institutional Security Officer in September 2002 and was promoted to Campus Police Officer in 2003. She earned the rank of Sergeant in 2009 and Lieutenant in 2011 before being named Deputy Chief in April 2022 upon Chief Kolimaga's retirement.

"Dr. Croteau's 20 years of service at MWCC, on the Campus Police department and as an adjunct instructor, illustrate her passion and commitment to our community and to our students," stated Dean of Students Jason Zelesky in a message to the MWCC community announcing the appointment. "As a leader, law enforcement officer, and educator, Melissa is positioned, prepared, and committed to doing whatever it takes to get the job done."

"Our department has educated, trained, and caring officers who want to translate the department visions into reality," Chief Croteau noted. "We are committed to continue to learn and grow. We need to be transparent, honest, open, and approachable to continue building a solid foundation of trust and communication between our department and the college community by treating everyone with respect while increasing community engagement and participation in making our college community a safe one."

In addition to her role as an Officer, Croteau has been an adjunct faculty member since 2011. She is a member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team, the CARE Team, and has served on the Leadership Academy. Off campus, Croteau is an active member of the Gardner Elks, the Girl Scouts of Central & Western Massachusetts, and has been a co-captain for the Greater Gardner Relay for Life since 2002.

Sizer Senior Stories to celebrate the Class of 2023

Daevion Ramos of Fitchburg to attend Full Sail in Florida with scholarship

Sizer Senior Daevion Ramos
Photo courtesy of the Sizer School

On Tuesday, Dec. 13, Sizer School in Fitchburg began celebrating the Class of 2023 in the form of Sizer Senior Stories. A series of articles shared throughout the community, Sizer Senior Stories will feature the final intentions of Sizer seniors.

"Every student is different--and that in and of itself is worth celebrating. What Sizer Senior Stories will showcase is that each of our paths are different too – and can be within reach," according to Sizer's Director of Communications & Recruitment Lindsay Alweiss.

"Ted Sizer once said, 'You cannot teach a child you do not know well,' which is why Sizer is a small school," continued Alweiss. "So it's like the whole community gets to watch you grow, mature, learn – become a really awesome human. And we are all so proud and excited to be there when a senior reaches the finish line."

The first student featured was Sizer School Senior Daevion Ramos of Fitchburg.

On December 8th, during Sizer's On the Spot College Decision Day, Daevion met with Brooke Bidga, the admissions representative for University of Massachusetts Dartmouth - he submitted his application before his interview, and Brooke was able to accept him into their university!

He was also accepted into Full Sail University in Florida.

"I'm a really creative person and I'm very hands-on about how different things seem to work, like show production, so I started looking at colleges that have that creative kind of feeling to it and that's when I came across Full Sail University," he said.

Daevion has set his intention and will be attending Full Sail University in the Fall of 2023 studying Show Production!

Not only did Daevion receive these acceptances, he also was awarded the Creative Minds Scholarship to Full Sail University.

"My mind was honestly blown that I got into not only my dream school, but somewhere out of state, which means farther away from some family but also closer to some of my family that lives in Florida," said Daevion. "I applied after I saw what my college had to offer. They had bachelor's degree program in show production, and I immediately knew that was my dream college."

The Creative Minds Scholarship is designed to identify high school seniors who are exceptionally talented in their written and visual communication, academically successful, and passionate about careers in entertainment media and technology. Through the Creative Minds Scholarship program, eligible campus-based Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Fine Arts program participants may receive up to $25,000 toward the tuition of Full Sail University's campus-based degree programs.

Going forward, Sizer Senior Stories will continue to celebrate the dreams and ambitions of the Class of 2023, from colleges to careers to serving our country.

For 20 years, Sizer School has been sending graduates into the world who THINK for themselves, CARE about others, and ACT creatively and responsibly. Find out more about the project-based, innovative education Sizer School offers. Visit www.sizerschool.org or now for a chance to join us next year, https://tinyurl.com/SizerSchool