A Letter from Superintendent Caverly
Welcome to Autumn
October 3, 2023
Our school year is off to an exciting start. Staff across the district have worked tirelessly to create a wonderful, safe, and supportive learning environment for all students to learn. The start of the school year is always such a critical time to build relationships, create routines, and develop community. Each school year creates new opportunities for student growth and development. Amongst all of the academic work required, it is always critical to remember that students are the reason for our work. They matter. Creating a safe, supportive environment, in which each student is seen, valued, and heard, is a core function of our schools. This work is at the foundation of students growing as well-rounded young people and as learners. This core principle is at the heart of the amazing work our staff does on a daily basis to support every student’s growth.
I am excited to share with you a new newsletter that has been created. We developed the newsletter in order to provide parents and community members with updates on district goals, share upcoming events, introduce district staff, or share news from across the district. The goal is to share this newsletter with the community approximately every six weeks to create better, more transparent communication with our community. You will find our first newsletter entitled “Hawkboard” attached to this communication.
I also wanted to share an update on our Attendance Initiative. First, I wanted to thank the community for partnering with the district to support this initiative. I am proud to share that when comparing the district rate of chronic absences for the month of September 2022, to the district rate of chronic absences for the month of September 2023, we have seen approximately a 45% reduction in students who have been absent 10% or more of the scheduled school days. This is an incredible accomplishment! Although early in the year, we hope through continued collaboration this positive trend will continue.
In our elementary schools, “Howdy” the hawk has become a frequent visitor at our morning meetings. In addition, students have received a letter from “Howdy” sharing the importance of being at school. District-wide procedural protocols have been created to clearly communicate with families about attendance across the district. It is important that we manage student attendance consistently from building to building to ensure that students and families understand the importance of being in school, as well as how to communicate if their child is out of school. Procedurally, this is the same whether you are at Eliot Elementary School or Marshwood Middle School.
National Alert System Test
On Wednesday, October 4th at 2:20 p.m. ET, there will be a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This will occur between 2:20 pm and 2:50 pm. This is only a test, but it may create stress for some children across the district. Our Principals have been notified and they will be sharing this information with their building staff.
No action is required by the public. However, every TV, radio, and cellphone in the United States could send a distinctive, jarring electronic warning tone of an emergency alert, accompanied by a notice along these lines:
This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.
Central and Eliot Elementary Schools are creating plans to support our youngest learners. In addition, each building will be sharing that this is only a test and differentiating for learners who may need additional support.
One of my favorite aspects of my role as Superintendent of Schools is spending time with our staff and students by being in classrooms and school buildings. It is magical to see the growth of students from one day to the next. When I am out and about in schools, I am always looking for opportunities to better share with families the work we are doing. We also need to hear from you! Our collaboration is important to me and is critical to the success of students. Over the course of the year, there will be opportunities in each school building for this important two-way communication. Whether it is a survey, an informational night, or even a Parent Teacher Conference, your voice matters and we need to hear from you.
Please note: There was an error on the District Calendar; parent conferences will not be held at Marshwood Middle School on November 21st.
As a reminder, this Friday, October 6, 2023, is a professional development day and there will be no school.
In partnership,
John Caverly
MSAD 35
Superintendent of Schools