Strong Community Collaboration Sets a New Course for the Winchendon Public Schools

Facilitator, Dr. Lindsey Gunn, in action
While the term “strategic planning” may sound pretty mundane, this process is not. Guided by Dr. Lindsey Gunn, an experienced and skilled facilitator from The Cambrian Group, the people who came together last week found themselves deeply engaged.
Tina Santos, a middle school parent, wrote that “I have enjoyed working with all the staff and community members in these sessions and am very excited to see the end results being implemented.” Shirley Houdin, a retiree, appreciated the “incredible variety of new knowledge” and the “refreshing agenda.” One effusive WPS teacher said that “collaborating with the larger community of Winchendon has been invigorating and has infused me with new hope for the future of our district!”
A teacher new to the high school had similar feelings: “I’m so hopeful for the future of this district. This is one of the most dedicated groups of people I have ever worked with.” One of our paraprofessionals expressed thankfulness for having been invited. “I enjoyed myself...I felt pride to be able to work with administrators, teachers and community members.”
On the first day, the group wrestled with fundamental beliefs and values, and grounded in that discussion, began a discussion about the mission of our public school system which continued right through the third day. On the second day, participants talked--often passionately---about the strengths and weaknesses of the Winchendon community and schools, and then considered those ideas in the broader context of social, economic and technological forces impacting the town and the schools. As one parent remarked, “by getting to the root of our challenges, we were able to find a way forwards--and that was very powerful.”
We talked about critical threats to the schools and, conversely, about inspiring possibilities for the future. Riley Kimball, a junior at Murdock High reflected that “being able to experience this strategic planning has really shown me a lot about what we as a town need to do to change the path we have--and will continue to go on--unless we change something together!” By the end of Day Two, the group began articulating strategic objectives, which Gunn describes as “bold resolutions dedicating the organization’s resources and energies...” to achieving “results that exceed our present capabilities.” Day Three began what will be ongoing discussion and debate about how the schools and community can realize the visionary objectives--naming strategies, and ‘parameters’ for the work ahead.
Setting a strategic direction for the schools is a community-wide undertaking, with vital implications for the future of our town’s young people, families, economy, civic and cultural spirit. Participants in last week’s process hope you will take a few minutes to read through the elements of the Strategic Plan draft that were completed by the close of Day 3--see that here: https://5il.co/brjx (PDF).

District and community leaders, as well as students, collaborating on our strategic plan...

The leaders of our teachers’ and paraprofessionals’ unions are among those listening closely to the reflections of high school student Hannah Demanche
Jessica Vezina, Middle School Principal, reflects that “I feel encouraged by this process and confident in the direction we are moving.” We hope you agree, and also hope what you read will inspire you to get involved in the next phase of the planning process! “I want to thank the Winchendon community members who participated so reflectively as we launched our strategic planning work,” exclaims Superintendent Landers. “Broader community participation will be essential in the coming months, as the district convenes working groups to create plans to carry out our bold strategies and reach for our ambitious objectives.”
DESE Tiered Focused Monitoring Review at Monty Tech
During the week of January 20th, 2020, 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. 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
(781) 338- 3704 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 or
charter school) with a report with information about areas in which the (district or charter school) meets or exceeds
regulatory requirements and areas in which the (district or charter school) requires assistance to correct or improve
practices. The public will be able to access the report at www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/reports/.