Winchendon Back to School News -- August 17, 2023

Community Happenings newsletter - July-August, 2023

From the Desk of Dr. Goguen

August 16, 2023 Dear Students, Families and Staff,
I am pleased be a part of the Winchendon School Community as your Interim Superintendent through June 2024. I took this position to help the district get restabilized and to ensure that students and teachers have what they need to be successful in the teaching and learning cycle. I have experience with assisting districts in moving forward, and I am eager to learn more about the Winchendon School Community. I believe a school community is as strong as the people within it! I know that the people within this community want the very best for their students! During my tenure, it is my goal to assist with building stronger home-to-school connections so that families, students, and staff feel valued and appreciated. I am a collaborative leader who is committed to creating a united community of learners where everyone is engaged in the process of supporting ALL students with a safe, engaging, and rigorous learning environment.

I am pleased to share three important positions in the district that have been filled:

Mrs. Charlotte King has been hired as the Interim Director of Pupil Services. Many of you may know Mrs. King as she was the Dean at Toy Town Elementary. Mrs. King received her Bachelors of Science in Human Development from Wheelock College in 1993, and her Masters in Early Childhood Education from Fitchburg State College in 2000. In Mrs. King’s 30 years of experience in education, she has worked doing early intervention home visits for children with special needs from birth the age three. She also worked as an Integrated Preschool Teacher and Kindergarten Teacher in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Mrs. King’s prior leadership roles have included working as Team Chair and Principal of an Early Childhood Center in Massachusetts. Mrs. King is well-known by those who work with her as a highly effective leader whose strength lies in her natural ability to build professional and trusting relationships with staff and families. With her extensive experience in early childhood education, Mrs. King is student-centered and adds insight and vision to the initiatives our district is undertaking. Mrs. King is excited to be leading the Pupil Personnel Department and making connections with families.

Mrs. Bobbie French has been hired as the Interim Principal of Memorial Elementary School. Mrs. French is a passionate and dedicated educator with over 28 years of experience. She holds a Bachelors, Masters, and CAGS from Fitchburg State University, with a focus on psychology, counseling, and special education. She has also completed the NISL (National Institute of School Leadership) and Lynch Leadership programs. Mrs. French is an active member of MSAA (Massachusetts School Administrators Association) serving on the board as chair of the Elementary Committee. Mrs. French is passionate about creating schools where all students feel a sense of belonging that allows them to excel despite learning challenges. Bobbie believes should be a place where all are welcome and can see themselves reflected in their classrooms and are encouraged to be the best versions of themselves. Mrs. French is a lifelong learner and believes in the power of being a connected educator. She is passionate about focusing on the whole child and creating an environment where all students are welcome and can excel. She appreciates and recognizes the hard work of teachers, and is committed to supporting others to be their best for kids every day. Her passion and enthusiasm for creating a positive and engaging school culture is contagious. Mrs. French lives in Phillipston with her husband (Curt), son (Zachary) and two yellow labs (Blizzard & Koda). Mrs. French is also an avid photographer, reader, and loves fishing with her family.

Mr. Scott Simoneau has been hired as the Districtwide Maintenance Manager. Many of you may also know Mr. Simoneau as he served as the Day Custodian at Murdock Middle/High School.

Please join me in welcoming Mrs. King, Mrs. French and Mr. Simoneau to their new roles. I am certain more information will be coming from them as we prepare for a new school year!

Other news:

Today I received the resignation of Mrs. Mary Jane Rickson, Principal of Murdock High. Mrs. Rickson will be staying on as we start up the search for a new principal, and we thank her for that and wish her the best on her new journey.

The process of interviewing for a new Middle School Principal, Middle School Dean, and High School Assistant Principal is ongoing.

School Supply Drive Until August 21

GFA Federal Credit Union and the Winchendon CAC are sponsoring a School Supply Drive. Please bring any items you wish to donate to the Winchendon CAC, 5 Summer Drive, by August 21. A list of needed items is attached below. Backpacks are being donated and filled by GFA Federal Credit Union. A list of needed supplies is below.

Mount Wachusett Community College Receives Child Watch Expansion Grant from Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts

Children enjoy a sensory table in the MWCC Family Resource Center.
Photo courtesy of Nia Carignan

GARDNER, MA – August 16, 2023 – Mount Wachusett Community College has received a Career Readiness and Educational Access Grant from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts. This grant will enable MWCC to expand its Child Watch drop-in program for student-parents to use while they are on campus attending classes, meeting with advisors, participating in study groups, or otherwise working toward their degrees.

The Child Watch program was launched in April 2022 with support from the federally funded Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) project and the federal work-study program. The Child Watch program provides children with enrichment, play, and socialization with peers and the opportunity to see their parents pursue academics, creating a family value tied to academic growth and perseverance.

"By providing childcare for student parents, MWCC will help to increase educational access and equity for parents and create a pathway for parents to earn their degree and obtain gainful employment to support their families," stated MWCC President James Vander Hooven.

"In its first year, over 50 students utilized the child watch, but this only scratches the surface of the current need," notes Ann Reynolds, CCAMPIS Advisor at MWCC. "This program has helped our parenting students to stay in school. Childcare is an overlooked basic need for many student parents."

For many student-parents, access to childcare can mean the difference between earning their degree or dropping out. With many of our parenting students attending part-time or in the evenings, the lack of evening childcare leads parents to take fewer classes and increases their time to graduation. Additionally, parents with unreliable childcare options may miss significant numbers of classes, leading to a decrease in their academic performance and possible loss of financial aid.

In addition to the expanded child watch program, MWCC has a number of programs for parenting students including the Parent Support Group, Family Resource Center, and Lactation Room and hosts the MOC Child Care and Head Start Services at the Garrison Center for Early Childhood Education. More information on these programs is available at mwcc.edu/student-parents.