Winchendon Back to School News -- August 17, 2023
Community Happenings newsletter - July-August, 2023
Massachusetts Community Colleges Celebrate the Launch of MassReconnect Free Community College Program
GARDNER, MA - August 24, 2023 - MWCC President James Vander Hooven joined Governor Maura T. Healey today to launch MassReconnect, her administration's new program establishing free community college for Massachusetts residents aged 25 and older and awarded $100,000 to each of Massachusetts' 15 community colleges to support the quick implementation of the program this fall. Governor Healey and President Vander Hooven were joined by Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Senate President Karen Spilka, Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega, and other community college presidents today at MassBay Community College's Wellesley Campus. During the event, the Healey-Driscoll Administration highlighted the first MassReconnect students at MassBay, celebrating the impact the program is expected to have for students across the state.
"MassReconnect will be transformative for thousands of students, for our amazing community colleges, and for our economy," said Governor Healey. "It will bolster the role of community colleges as economic drivers in our state and help us better meet the needs of businesses to find qualified, well-trained workers. We can also make progress in breaking cycles of intergenerational poverty by helping residents complete their higher education credentials so they can attain good jobs and build a career path. Our administration is grateful for the partnership of the Legislature to move forward on this critical program that will make our state more affordable, competitive and equitable."
"Our administration and our community college partners are ready to hit the ground running with MassReconnect this fall semester. We encourage any eligible students who might have been holding off on taking that final step to enroll to do so now to begin this next stage of their education and career," said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. "We are also proud to be setting our community colleges up for success by providing them each with $100,000 for implementation of this lifechanging program."
"In Massachusetts, we know that getting an education is a key to the middle class, supporting a family, building a life, and pursuing a brighter future. In this year's state budget, we thrust open the doors to those opportunities and countless others, by making community college free for people 25 and over, making nursing programs at community colleges free for all individuals, and setting our state on a path to universal free community college in 2024," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "These proposals are a major step towards the Senate's Student Opportunity Plan and are crucial to ensuring residents have the tools to build the futures they dream of—right here in Massachusetts. I am deeply grateful to Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Secretary Tutwiler, Commissioner Ortega, Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, Senate Higher Education Committee Co-chair Jo Comerford, and Speaker Mariano, for making education a priority in Massachusetts."
"MassReconnect will create life-changing educational and career opportunities through free community college for qualifying residents at institutions such as Quincy College and at other community colleges across the Commonwealth, including for many residents from historically underserved communities. This program will also help to address key labor shortages, while ensuring that Massachusetts possesses a highly trained workforce that is prepared for the industries of the future," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). "I want to thank the Healey Administration, Chairman Michlewitz and my colleagues in the House, as well as Senate President Spilka and our partners in the Senate, for working to include this transformative program in the Commonwealth's FY24 budget."
Governor Healey invested $20 million in MassReconnect for the first year of implementation in her first budget that she signed earlier this month. This funding covers the full cost of tuition and fees and includes an allowance for books and supplies at each of Massachusetts' 15 community colleges. Additionally, each community college will also receive $100,000 from this funding to support student and community program awareness, staffing, and program administration. Quincy College also received $1.5 million in the FY24 budget to operate a similar program.
"For adults coming to one of the fifteen community colleges across the Commonwealth, MassReconnect removes one of the biggest barriers to attendance: cost," said Jim Vander Hooven, president of Mount Wachusett Community College and chair of the Community College Council of Presidents. "By making community college completely free for any adult over 25 in Massachusetts without a degree, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is making an historic investment in our state's workforce and providing hundreds of thousands of adults with a clear pathway to a career."
"Community colleges such as MWCC serve as a pathway to enhanced economic mobility for numerous individuals," Stephanie Williams, MWCC Chief Diversity Executive added. "MassReconnect has the potential to create a ripple effect, generating positive outcomes not only for the individuals directly benefiting from it but also for the broader community and the Commonwealth as a whole. As the Chief Diversity Executive, witnessing Massachusetts' tuition-free program at this juncture is truly thrilling, as it embodies our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion."
Massachusetts residents qualify for MassReconnect if they are 25 or older on the first day of classes, have not previously earned a college degree, are a legal permanent resident for one year as of the start of the enrolled term, complete the FAFSA, and enroll in at least six credits per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate.
"There's no doubt that with MassReconnect we will be able to change the lives of each of the students who take advantage of this historic opportunity to achieve their degree," said Secretary of Education Tutwiler. "But beyond our students, this program will also strengthen the Commonwealth's economy and our public higher education system, By investing in our community college students, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is investing in the future of the Commonwealth."
MassReconnect will likely support up to 6,500-8,000 community college students in the first year, which could grow to closer to 10,000 students by FY25, depending on how many students take advantage of the new opportunity. They could include current students, new students, or returning students who did not complete their degree. There are approximately 700,000 Massachusetts residents who have some college credit but no degree. MassReconnect will help bring back these students to finish their degrees, with the additional funding and support they may have been lacking the first time.
"With the Healey-Driscoll Administration's record-breaking investment in higher education, including the highest levels of support for financial aid and scholarships the Commonwealth has ever seen, we will be able to expand access to higher learning more than ever before. MassReconnect is the centerpiece of that effort," said Commissioner of the Department of Higher Education Ortega. "For all the Massachusetts adults out there who had to put their education on hold or didn't have the opportunity to pursue it in the first place, now is your chance to pursue a degree or certificate to advance your career and transform your life and that of your family."
The Commonwealth's 15 community colleges are a ticket to economic mobility for many Massachusetts residents, and thus are key drivers of our business and our economic success. Nationally, employees who have earned their associate degree are paid 18 percent more than workers with only a high school diploma, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And these well-paying jobs are just waiting to be filled—in July 2023 there were more than 26,000 unique job postings in the Commonwealth that specifically required an associate degree. MassReconnect will harness the power of our community colleges by allowing workers to earn the training and education necessary for their career growth and reinforcing our pipeline of skilled industry professionals entering the workforce.
There is still time to enroll in MassReconnect and access free community college this fall. Visit mwcc.edu/massreconnect for steps and links to information sessions, the application, and FAFSA support.
Sizer School Ready for a Historic School Year
New staff, new honors, new events, new programs
Adjustment Counselor Brielle Stoval helped students run a Community Thrift Store during the Sizer Summer Experience earlier this month. This is Stovall's first full year with Sizer
Photo courtesy of Sizer School
Veteran Sizer Teachers (l-r) Jennifer Spingla, 7th grade Science, Julie Tuttle, 7th grade ELA and Performing Arts Teacher Alyson Cordio take a bow after presenting during professional development on Tuesday
Photo courtesy of Sizer School
A buzz is growing at Sizer School in Fitchburg and you can hear it throughout the building.
As the North Central Charter Essential School prepares to start the school year on Monday, August 28th, staff are getting excited as they prepare for a year unlike any other.
"We are all extremely excited about this school year. It will be the first time in years we won't have to plan around, recover from or limit ourselves due to a pandemic," said Director of Communications & Recruitment Lindsay Alweiss. "And we have so many things planned - things that have been on hold or in theory until now, including a series of events for our students and families and one big event for all of the Central Mass community this November."
Already a year of big announcements, earlier this month, Sizer School was named one of the Top 5 Best Charter Schools in Central Mass in the Worcester Telegram and USA Today Network's Community Choice Awards.
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 in this world. As an Essential School, Sizer's educational philosophy is based on the Common Principles created by Dr. Ted Sizer, founder of the Essential School movement.
"You have to get to know the student in order to understand how they learn best," explains Alweiss. "As an Essential School, Sizer keeps its classrooms small and its community close so that our educators and staff can build meaningful relationships with students and their families."
"Personalization paired with hands-on, project-based lessons allow for true engagement and understanding," she added. "We are here to get students ready for life outside of the classroom. As we've been saying, 'This year we're ready to make history - are you ready to think about your future?'"
In '23-'24 Sizer's rigorous academic calendar will be paired with an equally robust social calendar. In October, Sizer will be celebrating Homecoming, in November there will be a Community Holiday Craft Fair for local artisans to sell their creations, and in December, Sizer will hold an Alumni Day celebration before winter break.
Returning programs like the Wheel of Positivity will continue to promote positivity in school and Sizer Senior Stories will showcase our Class of 2024 and all of their accomplishments and future goals. New programs like Operation O.T.B.G. will be a whole-school project that will last all year long, culminating in a Time Capsule dedication.
"We've got more dances in the spring including Prom, and a return of Sizer Theater Arts, so there will also be at least one big performance this year," said Alweiss.
In his first full year as Athletic Director, Chris Foley will be raising the bar for Sizer's Athletics Program, which supports athletes of all levels in 7th through 12th grade. Programs to promote and support Sizer Athletes are underway including an Athlete of the Week profile on social media and in the school's weekly newspaper to highlight students who lead on and off the field.
An influx of new staff has also reinvigorated the school, including several new teachers, more learning interventionists, and three new central administrators including a new Dean of Students, a new Vice Principal for Student Accountability and a new Director of Special Education and ELL.
Kristin Capezio is Sizer's new Assistant Principal for Student Accountability. With a background in Education and Organizational Leadership, Capezio was most recently an Instructional Coach/Director of Curriculum within Lowell Public School District. She said it was Sizer's approach to education that inspired her.
"Sizer offers a unique educational experience with smaller classroom sizes and more 1:1 attention to students. It's an institution that endorses individuality and promotes students' talents," she said. "One of my larger goals this year will be to support and lead our Student Support Team (SST)."
SST at Sizer serves a critical function, through promoting a positive school culture, establishing trusting and supportive relationships with youth and family, and working collaboratively with teachers, administrators, and other support personnel to ensure students have access to high quality educational experiences each and every day.
She added, "I am looking forward to getting to know the teachers and students …and to learning from everyone on the team."
Following the retirement of Sizer's previous Director of Special Education and ELL, Sarah Sams, Sizer hired Jennifer Spear as its new Director. Last year Spear served as the Assistant Principal at Oakmont Regional High School. This year, Spear joins Sizer with her Masters in Special Education from FSU and Advanced Graduate Certificate in Principal and Supervisor Licensure from Curry College.
Having worked in a number of diverse communities like Lowell, Fitchburg and Lawrence, and with populations requiring all levels of support, Spear not only brings an expanse of experiential knowledge to the position but first hand experience as a mother raising a child with special needs.
New to the position of Dean of Students is Westminster resident Tom Telicki. Telicki's education includes a Master's Degree in Education from UMass Amherst and a Bachelor's degree in English from Stonehill College. Prior to arriving at Sizer School this summer, Telicki worked as a curriculum director for several years at Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School in Charlton. Much of his professional experience took place in the Athol-Royalston Regional School District where he served as an English teacher, English department chair, high school assistant principal, and middle school principal.
In September, Sizer will be reopening their Enrollment Lottery to fill all remaining seats in the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades for the 2023-2024 school year. To find out more, follow Sizer School on Facebook or visit www.sizerschool.org