Winchendon Weekly News school newsletter - Wednesday, January 25
Watch the January 13, 2023 edition of Murdock Student-Produced BLUE DEVIL WEEKLY
Winchendon Student Named to STCC Fall 2022 Dean's List
SPRINGFIELD, MA (01/23/2023)-- Springfield Technical Community College celebrates the accomplishment of the 704 students who were named to the fall 2022 dean's list, including Harry John Paige of Winchendon. The dean's list is published each semester to recognize excellence in academic performance. To be considered, degree-seeking students must earn 12 or more college level credits in the current semester, or a total of 12 or more combined college-level credits earned during the fall and spring semesters, and achieve a 3.3 or above grade point average.
STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequalled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college - a designated Hispanic Serving Institution - seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.
Winchendon Student Named to UNH Fall 2022 Dean's List
Allison Cobiski of Winchendon has been named to the Dean's List at the University of New Hampshire for the fall 2022 semester, with High Honors. Allison, a 2021 graduate of Murdock High School, is majoring in English/Journalism.
Students named to the Dean's List at the University of New Hampshire are students who have earned recognition through their superior scholastic performance during a semester enrolled in a full-time course load (12 or more graded credits). Highest honors are awarded to students who earn a semester grade point average of 3.85 or better out of a possible 4.0. Students with a 3.65 to 3.84 average are awarded high honors and students whose grade point average is 3.5 through 3.64 are awarded honors.
The University of New Hampshire inspires innovation and transforms lives in our state, nation and world. More than 16,000 students from all 50 states and 71 countries engage with an award-winning faculty in top-ranked programs in business, engineering, law, health and human services, liberal arts and the sciences across more than 200 programs of study. A Carnegie Classification R1 institution, UNH partners with NASA, NOAA, NSF and NIH, and received $260 million in competitive external funding in FY21 to further explore and define the frontiers of land, sea and space.
Monty Tech to Participate in Tiered Focused Monitoring Review
FITCHBURG, Massachusetts - January 19, 2023 - During the week of March 13, 2023 the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School District (Monty Tech). The Office of Public School Monitoring visits 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 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 Charles Agong, the DESE's Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (781) 338-3755 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 http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.
Employers Wanted! Sizer to Hold Job Fair for Students in April
A Sizer School education is future focused, providing students with experiences and opportunities that bring them closer to achieving their individual goals.
In April, Sizer, the Fitchburg-based charter school, is teaming up with MassHire to present the school's first Job Fair for Junior and Senior students.
"Creating meaningful connections with local businesses is one of the biggest reasons we're holding this event," says Jessica Burris, Sizer's College & Career Access Counselor. "My hope is that the students will recognize this event as a valuable experience and take the time to speak to attendees with sincerity. Making a good impression on an employer at a young age/knowing the value of work ethic is imperative to adjusting to real-world experiences after high school."
MassHire, which creates and sustains powerful connections between businesses and jobseekers, will be working with Burris and the school to provide support and education.
"Discovering the abundance of local post-graduate opportunities we have in our area can inspire students to strive for success," continued Burris. "And pushing students to move a little bit out of their comfort zone to have conversations with hiring coordinators can have tremendous positive impacts on students post-graduation."
Sign up now, or visit www.sizerschool.org to find out more about the innovative, academic excellence Sizer School offers to Central Mass students. For over two decades, Sizer School has been sending graduates into the world who THINK for themselves, CARE about others, and ACT creatively and responsibly.
Apply now for a chance to join us next year in the 7th, 8th or 9th grade - https://tinyurl.com/SizerSchoolNot only is MassHire a part of organizing the job fair, Anthony Wilson (Program Coordinator for MassHire High School Initiatives) is providing our students with workshops to prepare them for the job fair experience," added Burris.
The school is currently looking for employers to participate in April.
"We want to support all local businesses big and small, and invite you to represent your business at our event! If you are hiring, looking to hire high school soon-to-be graduates, or just interested in being a part of our job fair, connect with us," said Burris.
"Developing meaningful professional relationships with local businesses is so important - the Sizer community doesn't just include the students and staff within the walls of this building, it includes collaborating with the City of Fitchburg and surrounding towns to provide our students with as many pathways to success as we can," she added.
Businesses looking to participate can email Burris at burrisj@sizerschool.org or fill out the Participation Form here - https://tinyurl.com/SizerJobFair
"Discovering the abundance of local post-graduate opportunities we have in our area can inspire students to strive for success," continued Burris. "And pushing students to move a little bit out of their comfort zone to have conversations with hiring coordinators can have tremendous positive impacts on students post-graduation."
Sign up now, or visit www.sizerschool.org to find out more about the innovative, academic excellence Sizer School offers to Central Mass students. For over two decades, Sizer School has been sending graduates into the world who THINK for themselves, CARE about others, and ACT creatively and responsibly.
Apply now for a chance to join us next year in the 7th, 8th or 9th grade - https://tinyurl.com/SizerSchool
Winchendon Public Schools
"Working Together"
Thaddeus King
Superintendent of Schools
173 Grove Street
Winchendon, MA 01475
Our schools are participating in a federal program available to select schools as part of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program called Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). This means that all students attending Winchendon Public Schools are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch at no charge throughout the 2022-2023 school year and beyond, regardless of family or household income.
The Community Eligibility Provision runs on a four year cycles and is available to all the students regardless of income in all of the public schools in Winchendon. This helps to increase access to healthy school meals and enhances the integrity of the school meal programs, today and in the future.
One of the benefits of CEP, it alleviates the need for families to submit paperwork for their children to receive school meals, increasing access for eligible students who may fail to submit a household application.
If you have any questions, please contact Winchendon Public Schools Food Services Secretary, Marilyn Murphy at 978-616-3215 or email at mmurphy@winchendonk12.org.
Sincerely,
Marilyn Murphy
Information sheet from Chartwells (PDF)