Winchendon Weekly News -- May 10, 2024
From the Desk of Dr. Goguen - Superintendant's Update February 16, 2024
Watch the May 10, 2024 Student-Produced Blue Devil Weekly!
Kindergarten Registration Open for 2024-25 School Year
If you have a child that will be eligible for Kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year, the registration forms and more information can be found at:
2024-2025 Kindergarten Registration
Eligibility Requirements:
- Your child must be five (5) years of age by August 31, 2024.
- Original Birth Certificate must be provided.
- Proof of Residency must be provided (current utility bill, lease or mortgage)
- Physical examination, including vision and hearing screening by your physician, dated after August 31, 2023 must be provided.
- Immunization verification must be provided by the end of August, 2024. (Must include lead screen results.)
DESE to Conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of WPS
During the week of May 27, 2024, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of the Winchendon Public School district. 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(s) 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 Michelle Hennessy-Kowalchek, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (413) 314-6709 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 Winchendon Public Schools with a report with information about areas in which the Winchendon Public Schools meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which Winchendon Public Schools require assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at https://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.
SNHU Announces Winter 2024 President's List
MANCHESTER, NH (05/15/2024)-- It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following students on being named to the Winter 2024 President's List. The winter terms run from January to May.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President's List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.
The following Winchendon students were named to the list:
Myron Foote
Alexis Thiers
Justin Smith
Maria Vecchiarello
Brandon MacKenzie
Mount Wachusett Community College Confers 450 Degrees and 229 Certificates to 620 Students at 59th Commencement Ceremony
GARDNER, MA - May 15, 2024 - Mount Wachusett Community College celebrated the academic achievements of its graduates during the college's 59th Commencement on May 15, 2024. A total of 620 students graduated, with 441 associate degrees and 234 certificates being conferred.
MWCC President James Vander Hooven welcomed graduates and guests, "Welcome to this celebration of our students. You have all accomplished so much and overcome so much to be here! Hundreds of hours of class time and homework balanced with the daily challenges of life--parenting, caring for loved ones, dealing with personal illness and recovery, part time or full-time work, and through it all you have persevered. And for that we applaud you."
Also joining President Vander Hooven was Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, who shared words of welcome with students: "Let me start by offering my sincerest and most heartfelt congratulations to Mt. Wachusett Community College Class of 2024! It's an honor to be here today to celebrate this milestone with all of you. Each of you have different dreams and different goals, you've all had different ways of getting here, but all of you have done the work and today, all of you get to say you're one step closer to pursuing the dreams you've imagined for yourself. And let me be the next person to tell you – because I'm sure I'm not the first--we are so proud of you."
The student speaker was Winchendon resident Katlin Bosworth, a mother of three and first-generation college student who received both a Human Services associate degree and a Liberal Arts and Sciences associate degree.
"MWCC will always be my safe place, the place where I am supported and encouraged, the place where I became an adult, the place that has helped me raise three children, the place that taught me success was within me, the place that supported me through the loss of my mother, the place that believed I was worth fighting addiction and the place that has given me acceptance and grace. The place that has picked me up time and time again through my own failures and struggles," Bosworth told her fellow graduates. "Embrace your curiosity, curiosity fuels growth and new opportunities. Be resilient, challenges will come your way, but setbacks are stepping-stones to success and dream big, because nothing is impossible."
The ceremony also included the presentation of a certificate of graduation from the CAPS Link Program to Abigail Billings. The CAPS Collaborative's Transition Link program has offered the opportunity for young adults to gain vocational, daily living, and social skills in a community-based setting on the MWCC Campus.
"Abigail has been an amazing contributor in our MWCC community," Vander Hooven stated. "In her time at MWCC, Abigail has not only found her voice, but has developed the skills to use it in support of her future endeavors. She has built lasting relationships that will support her as she graduates and moves on to her next chapter."
The graduates included the following students from Winchendon:
Alexia S. Allard
Sue Ann Bennett
Katlin Elaine Bosworth
Sirena Denae Caputi
John M. Coderre
Halli F. Coulter
Kathleen Megan Dwyer
Molly C. Eglington
Michelle L. Fazio
Nicole Elizabeth Flerra
Emily J. Forest
Andrew M. Forest
David P. Fortin
Isaiah Goguen
Rachel K. Legree
Courtney Anne Lively
Monique Marie Maillet
Catherine H. Murphy
Melissa P. Phatthammachack
Courtney Hannah Ruble
Drew M. St. Peter
Jennifer L. Thurlow
Jacqueline M. Toth
MacKenzie Wilson
Rebecca M. Wood
Regis College Celebrates 94th Commencement Exercises
WESTON, MA (05/16/2024)-- Regis College celebrated its 94th Commencement Ceremony on May 11, 2024 at the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston, where more than 1,100 students received degrees ranging from associate to doctorate.
Members of the Class of 2024 celebrated their accomplishments with an inspirational commencement ceremony at the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston featuring humanitarian and nurse Alix Dorsainvil, '14, who delivered the commencement address and received an honorary degree. Social justice advocates Dr. Alix Cantave and Charlotte Cramer Wagner received honorary degrees.
"Not only are you college graduates, you are Regis College graduates," said President Antoinette Hays, PhD, RN in her message to the graduates. "That really means something. It means that each of you have engaged in a journey of learning in which the university has contributed to forming your character and confidence in preparing you for a career, and more importantly, a life of meaning."
"Never stop learning, for learning is a lifelong journey," Hays continued. "Use the knowledge you gained at Regis to make the world a better place."
In her address, Dorsainvil urged graduates to use what they have learned at Regis to continue to serve the dear neighbor without distinction, a core value of Regis' founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph.
"There is great freedom to be found in forgiveness and abundant love," she said. "To the graduates who have a dream and no idea how to make it a reality, trust you have been prepared by your courses and equipped with a valuable skillset and allow the Regis' mission to guide you to lead a life worth living."
Thousands of friends and family members attended the ceremony, bringing their support and enthusiasm in celebration of the graduates' achievements.
The following local students earned degrees:
Erin Gerrard of Winchendon, graduated with a BS in Medical Imaging
Mount Wachusett Community College Inducts 59 New Students into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
GARDNER, MA - May 13, 2024 - On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the Phi Delta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Mount Wachusett Community College welcomed 59 new members to its ranks.
Founded in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) recognizes the academic achievement of community college students and provides members with the opportunity for personal, academic, and professional growth through leadership and service.
Throughout the school year, PTK members coordinated and participated in activities and fundraisers, including the annual Winterfest Raffle, hot cocoa bar, and bake sales. In April, PTK raised over $940.00 through a two-day on campus yard sale of items donated by staff and students. Half of the funds raised by these PTK events were donated to the MWCC Student Emergency Relief Fund. PTK expresses their gratitude to everyone who donated and volunteered for these events.
The PTK invited Leeanne Hadsel, M.Ed., CAGS, the college's Senior Mental Health Counselor to give remarks. Hadsel shared a message of congratulations as well as a reminder of the importance of emotional and mental well-being in addition to resilience, dedication, and intellect to a successful and fulfilling life.
"Today is not just a day of celebration for your extraordinary academic achievements; it's also an opportune moment to emphasize the many factors that make us successful. As bright minds within our college community, you've consistently pushed the boundaries of your capabilities, demonstrating resilience and dedication," said Hadsel. "As you continue to excel and push the boundaries of what's possible, let your well-being serve as the compass guiding you. Because when you're feeling your best, you're not just achieving greatness--you're inspiring everyone around you to do the same."
Additionally, two of the PTK members were chosen to represent MWCC at the Phi Theta Kappa All-Massachusetts Academic Team Recognition Ceremony at the Massachusetts State House.
"We are thrilled to have both Nikki Ramos and Wren Stoddard nominated for PTK All-State recognition," noted advisor Fagan Forhan. "Both students have made tremendous contributions to our campus community and have made lasting change here in addition to totally rocking their academics."
Advisors Fagan Forhan, Nicholas Cochrane, and Tami Morin, along with Chapter President Nikki Ramos, Vice-President Chris Johnson, Scribe Wren Stoddard and Treasurer, Kalea Reilly welcomed the 2024 Phi Theta Kappa, Phi Delta Chapter inductees.
The inductees included Katlin Bosworth and Danielle Sroczynski of Winchendon.
Mount Wachusett Community College Celebrates Dental Hygiene Graduates in Pinning Ceremony
GARDNER, MA - May 15, 2024 - Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) held a pinning ceremony for the ten members of the Dental Hygiene Class of 2024 on May 14, 2024. The pinning ceremony represents the passage from student to registered dental hygienist.
"The path you chose for your higher education and career was not an easy one. You have chosen to go into a caring field, you chose a path that was difficult, and for that you are to be commended," MWCC President James Vander Hooven told graduates. "I am so proud of you tonight, I am so proud of who you have become and I wish you the best in your next chapter."
Guest speaker was Maria Mesquita, DMD, a Brazilian native and an alumna of the MWCC program. Mesquita received her dental surgeon degree in Brazil in 1996 and became an endodontist. She had a flourishing practice for 8 years before moving to the US. Her dental qualifications held little weight in her new home, and she started from the beginning with an associate degree from MWCC and in 2017 earned her DMD from Tufts School of Dental Medicine.
"Never be discouraged by anything or anyone. In the coming years you will encounter a myriad of opportunities and challenges, each presenting a chance for growth and development, from providing preventive care to patients of all ages, to collaborating with other health care professionals," Mesquita told graduates. "Your role is both diverse and dynamic, and beyond the technical skills and clinical expertise, I urge you to remember the importance of empathy, compassion and human connection. As dental hygienists, you have the unique privilege of not only caring for your patients, but also building meaningful relationships based on trust, respect and understanding. Embrace the future ahead with open hearts and tireless optimism knowing that the best is yet to come."
Welcoming graduates to the Dental Hygiene profession were Dental Education Program Director Cynthia Cadoret, and faculty members Heather Almeida, Virginia Heroux, Kelly Jancaitis, Kelley Martell, Veronique Major, Ellen McCracken, Annie Peterson, Kristina Sanders, Katherine Soal, and Alison Waite. Clinical supervising dentists were Dr. Shirley Austin, Dr. Andreza Castro, Dr. Margarita Hernandez, Dr. Gianna Frederike Schuhknecht, and Dr. Susanna O. Arowosegbe.
The Dental Hygiene Class of 2024 graduates are:
Leyla Abdela, Hyde Park
Abby Bryant, South Barre
Megan Campbell, Worcester
Jenna Guzman, Leominster, Leominster
Marian Khalil, Holden
Nicole Lehtomaki, Athol
Stella Pion, Leominster
Edward Garcia Abreu, Pelham, NH
Rebecca Rule-Sellers, Richmond, NH
Alyssa Abbott-Kerylow, Vernon, VT