Dear Students, Staff, and Families:
I wanted to share some updates from the past couple of weeks. Reminder that on November 10th, we have a professional development day, and on November 19th, we have district-wide Parent-Teacher Conferences. There will be no school for students on both November 10th and November 19th. Be sure to watch for messages from your school’s administration with details on how to schedule your Parent/Teacher conferences.
Community School Ribbon Cutting
On October 15th, Community School hosted a Ribbon-Cutting Event. Thank you to all who attended and enjoyed the tour. This project is one that tested us at several turns, but the result is well worth it! The newly renovated school is a fantastic blend of modern design and functionality, creating an inspiring and welcoming environment for staff and students alike.
National School Bus Safety Week
This week marks National School Bus Safety Week. It is a great time to highlight the role we all play in ensuring the safety of students on and around school buses. Whether you’re a student riding the bus or a driver sharing the road with one, your actions matter. It’s a perfect time to talk with students about proper behavior while waiting for the bus, boarding and exiting safely, and staying seated and respectful during the ride. These small choices can make a big difference. Drivers, too, have an important responsibility. Staying alert in school zones, obeying stop-arm signals, and being aware of children crossing the street can prevent accidents and save lives. Let’s all do our part to make school transportation safe—for every student, every day.
Homework Policy
This week, the Policy and Procedures subcommittee worked with district administration and teachers to prepare and present an amended homework policy to the full committee last night. The School Committee adopted the revised I-17 Homework Policy with a 7-0 vote. Please review the policy here.
Flu Clinic Reminder
A quick reminder that our final community Flu Clinic is on Tuesday, October 28th, from 4:00-7:00 PM in the Cumberland High School Cafeteria. Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting your flu shot.
No appointment necessary—just drop by! If you would like to schedule a specific time, visit schoolflu.com to preregister. Stay healthy this flu season—get your flu vaccine!
Sincerely,
Philip D. Thornton, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools