Pentucket Spotlight on Excellence: Donaghue School Launches Peer Mentoring Program

pentucketporta on March 13, 2023

WEST NEWBURY – Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and Principal Stephanie Dembro share that Donaghue Elementary has launched a new Peer Mentor Program.

Kelsey Bille, School Counselor, and Margaret Ford, Special Education teacher, coordinate the Peer Mentor Program.

The Donaghue Peer Mentor Program is designed to strengthen students’ social, communication, and friendship-building skills. Peer Mentors are sixth graders who were selected based on interviews and have received mentor training. They meet and support other students throughout their school day who need encouragement and a positive role model to build their communication and social skills.

The program gives sixth-grade mentors a sense of responsibility by giving them an assigned mentoring schedule and specific classroom roles. Mentors have been working closely with the other students to kick off the program.

Sixth graders who have joined the Peer Mentor program have created relationships with other students and are learning new things from their mentees.

“I enjoy spending time with all the students. They are welcoming, funny, and fun to be with,” said sixth grader Brendan Prescott.

“I enjoy experiencing how different students learn,” said Sabrina Howard. “I also like to learn about how the student’s days differ from mine.”

Students have been able to learn new skills and make new friends through the peer mentor program.

Peer mentors have gained skills that will stay with them as they prepare to enter middle school in the fall.

“It has been amazing to watch the sixth graders get out of their comfort zone and take on such an important role within our school,” said Bille. “As a mentor, they’ve helped students gain confidence and conquer important life and social skills.”

“It has been wonderful to see all of the students flourish,” said Principal Dembro. “Sixth graders have grown as leaders and their mentees have gained confidence in themselves and their social skills because of the relationships they have built with each other!” 

 

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Pentucket Spotlight on Excellence: Merrimac Schools Give Back to the Community

pentucketporta on December 15, 2022

WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and Principal Stephanie Dembro wish to share that the Merrimac schools are participating in a multitude of charitable programs to give back to the community.

Throughout November and December, students at Dr. Frederick N. Sweetsir School and Helen R. Donaghue School have been participating in service programs.

One such program is the annual Holiday Helper Program, which has assisted local families in need for more than 30 years. Holiday Helper brings together a number of community groups and organizations to provide support during the holiday season. Kathleen Sullivan coordinates the annual Holiday Helper Program with Kathy Devaney.  Devaney assists local Merrimac families by collecting and providing new clothes, canned food, new books, and gift cards during the holiday season.

As part of the program, the Merrimac schools are running a canned food drive and book drive to provide non-perishable goods and books of interest.

“It’s amazing to see the canned goods pouring in and to see each book needed purchased by a staff member!” said Principal Dembro. “Merrimac has truly stepped up this holiday season to support our local community. We are thrilled to be part of a community that supports one another.” 

The Merrimac schools also are supporting Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island. To date, the schools have raised more than $700 toward its $5,000 goal. Donations will help to grant unique wishes that renew hope and uplift the spirits of children with critical illnesses. Those who wish to donate can do so here. The portal will remain open through June 2023.

As part of the schools’ fundraising efforts, Grade 3 Teacher Kathleen Terceiro is collecting Letters to Santa for the Macy’s Believe Campaign. For every letter written to Santa, Make-A-Wish will receive a $2 donation. The letters will be delivered by Terceiro to the Peabody Macy’s on Friday, Dec. 16.

West Newbury Police Provide Update on Car Found Outside Page School

pentucketporta on November 29, 2022

The West Newbury Police Department would like to provide an update on an incident in which a vehicle and driver were found in a heavily-wooded area near the Page School on Tuesday morning.

On Tuesday, Nov. 29, at approximately 10:30 a.m., West Newbury Police and Fire responded to the school for a report of a vehicle parked in the woods near the school.

The vehicle was found about 500 feet off the road in a wooded area by a resident who was out for a walk. That resident contacted police, who found the vehicle’s driver sitting outside of the vehicle exhibiting symptoms consistent with exposure and possible hypothermia.

The West Newbury Fire Department used a Gator off-road-vehicle to transport that individual back to the road, and from there an ambulance transported the individual to Anna Jacques Hospital in Newburyport for treatment.

The vehicle is of interest to police in Newburyport and West Newbury, who are investigating an incident in which a vehicle crashed through a gate at a municipally owned property on Emery Lane in West Newbury and then crashed through another gate on a portion of the property that connects to Curzon Mill Road in Newburyport.

That incident remains under investigation by West Newbury and Newburyport Police.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Page School was placed in secure mode, meaning no one was allowed to enter or leave the building. Pre-K students were dismissed as scheduled at 11:15 a.m., and the school day continued as normal aside from students being kept inside throughout the day.

There is no danger to the school community.

The established school safety and security policies in place in the Pentucket Regional School District were followed, and police, fire and school officials are all in contact with each other.

Police will have an increased presence around the school as a result of the investigation into the vehicle.

Pentucket Spotlight on Excellence: Bagnall Elementary School ‘Kindness Crew’ Spreads Positivity

pentucketporta on November 29, 2022

Members of the Bagnall School “Kindness Crew” are modeling positivity throughout the school community. They pose here with Principal James Day, fifth-grade teacher Amy Croft, Assistant Principal Brenda Erhardt, School Adjustment Counselor Christina Ierardi, and school mascot Elmer. (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)

GROVELAND – School Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and Bagnall School Principal James Day are pleased to share that Bagnall students are participating in a “Kindness Crew” to inspire, recognize, and commit acts of kindness in the school community.

Fifth-and sixth-grade students applied to become part of the Crew and were assigned to mentor a classroom once a week, modeling and recognizing kindness. Each student-mentor records good deeds, and awards those students a kindness token.

All students who commit an act of kindness are recognized during schoolwide announcements on Monday morning.

Each month will have a theme: Respect, Community, Gratitude, Family, Conflict Resolution, Diversity, Random Acts of Kindness, Resilience, and Self-Esteem. Crew members will reinforce these themes each month to promote a positive culture in the school community.

“We have noticed that students are so excited to be recognized for kind acts that they are trying really hard to be kind to one another, said Grade 3 teacher Ashley Tiller. “The Kindness Crew has made an impact already and students are embracing this initiative.”

A Bagnall parent also shared that her two daughters now play “Kindness Crew” at home instead of “house.”

“It’s great to see the kids spreading kindness, and the older students becoming the role models and teaching the younger kids how important kindness is in our Bagnall community,” Principal Day said.

Bagnall also has re-introduced social-emotional learning in the classrooms, proactively addressing students’ mental health. The school adjustment counselor visits individual classrooms monthly to work on issues like empathy and problem-solving among others.

“Initiatives such as the Kindness Crew are terrific teaching tools. Our students are learning that even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference, which is a lesson they will carry their entire lives,” Superintendent Bartholomew said.

Pentucket Regional School District Announces Leadership Appointments for 2022-2023 School Year

pentucketporta on June 15, 2022

WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew is pleased to announce several administrative changes for the 2022-2023 school year.

  • Stephanie Dembro will become Principal at the Donaghue and Sweetsir Schools. She has served as Assistant Principal at both schools. She replaces Ken Kelley, who has served as a principal in the Pentucket District for more than a decade and is leaving for a position in another district. “Mr. Kelley has been absolutely fabulous as a school leader,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “Ms. Dembro and Mr. Kelley have been an incredible tandem. We are very excited to continue the stability in leadership that the Donaghue and Sweetsir communities deserve.” A search committee will be put together to find a replacement for a new Assistant Principal.
  • Tara Ellis, currently Special Education Coordinator, will assume the position of Assistant Principal/Special Education Coordinator at Page School.
  • Brandon Bates will become Assistant Principal at the Middle-High School. Bates comes to the District from the Lawrence Public Schools, where he worked as Ninth Grade Dean of Students at Lawrence High School.

“These changes will help us better provide quality education and support for all of our students,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “They are passionate about education and improving our District, and I look forward to seeing what our new leadership team will achieve.”

Pentucket Regional School Committee Approves 2022-2023 Budget, Shares Information About Cuts, Additional Fees

pentucketporta on May 11, 2022

WEST NEWBURY – Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and the Pentucket Regional School Committee wish to share an update about the District’s 2022-2023 budget, and the impact it will have on students, staff, and faculty.

The School Committee unanimously approved a budget of $47,846,000 for the coming school year on Tuesday, May 9. The Committee had requested an additional $1.34 million in spending to cover an ongoing structural deficit between state funding and the actual cost of services.

The District sought increased funding through a Proposition 2 ½ override, which voters in Groveland and Merrimac did not approve.

To close a $1.34 million gap, the School Committee approved Superintendent Bartholomew’s recommended cuts:

General expenses ($528,364)

  • Reduce HS/MS supplies, $45,864
  • Stop paying for field trips in Grades 6 and 7, $28,000
  • Reduce Paraeducators positions by two, $40,000
  • Reduce athletic teams to two male and two female teams per sport, $25,000
  • Discontinue a percussion contract, $24,500
  • Do not hire a human resources manager, $115,000
  • Reduced the number of special education teachers from six to four, $120,000
  • Do not hire Tech Repair or Tech Theater support, $85,000
  • Eliminate special education coordinator days during the summer, $45,000

Increased fees ($325,950)

  • Increase before-school and after-school program fees by $50 per session, or $110 for both sessions, $160,000 (estimate)
  • Double athletic fees in effect in the 2020-2021 school year, and eliminate family cap, in the 2022-2023 school year only, $105,950 (Students who have an economic hardship would still be eligible for a waiver.)
  • Eliminate one bus route, $60,000

Staff reductions ($485,686)

  • Eliminate one nurse position
  • Eliminate 1.2 English Language Arts positions (Middle-High School)
  • Eliminate one Math teaching position (Middle-High School)
  • Eliminate one Science teaching position (Middle-High School)
  • Eliminate one Visual Arts teaching position (Middle-High School)
  • Eliminate a .7 Performing Arts teaching position (Middle-High School)
  • Eliminate one Physical Education/Wellness teaching position (Middle-High School)
  • Reduce Art teaching position at Page Elementary School from 1.0 to 0.6
  • No Library/Media Aide at Bagnall Elementary School
  • Eliminate one elementary teaching position each at Bagnall Elementary School and Sweetsir Elementary School

“None of this is fair. None of this is good, but it’s where we are,” Superintendent Bartholomew said.

Increased fees and staffing cuts were spread across the District, while attempting to protect elementary grades where development of health, wellness and interpersonal skills are especially critical.

Committee members concurred with the recommendation to not seek a smaller override. A second override would mean a larger number of teachers would receive notification of possible non-renewal on Friday, and create great uncertainty across the District into July.

The spending gap is being driven by a series of factors, including a significant decrease in state funding:

  • Student transportation costs will increase by more than $500,000 next year. The state does not follow its obligation to fully funding regional school transportation, and actually is cutting Pentucket’s allocation by $144,000 next year.
  • Pentucket will receive just $67,500 in additional Chapter 70 funding.
  • While the state promotes its $1.5 billion Student Opportunity Act, the District will receive only $58,000 from the Act next year.

Superintendent Bartholomew and Committee Chair Christopher Markuns of Merrimac recommended that residents and town officials begin working together immediately to find funding solutions for the 2023-2024 budget.

“The state is swimming in extra money, and we’re cutting $1.34 million,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “The funding formula does not work.”

To see Superintendent Bartholomew’s presentation to the School Committee, click here.

Pentucket Regional School District Distributes COVID-19 Rapid Tests to Staff

pentucketporta on January 3, 2022

Pentucket Superintendent Justin Bartholomew hands a COVID-19 rapid antigen test kit to a staff member during distribution at Bagnall Elementary School on Sunday. (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)

WEST NEWBURY – Superintendent Justin Bartholomew reports that more than 200 COVID-19 rapid antigen tests were passed out Pentucket Regional School District employees on Sunday, allowing staff to self-test before returning to work.

Tests were made available for any staff member who wanted one. Staff members were not required to take a COVID-19 test before classes resumed on Monday, Jan. 3.

District employees and volunteers coordinated check-in and distribution for two hours on Sunday morning at Bagnall Elementary School in Groveland.

“Our staff and students are our first priority. We want them to feel as safe as possible when classes are in session, and the tests are one more level of protection,” said School Committee Chair Dena Trotta, who volunteered at the distribution.

Test kits were provided to all Massachusetts public school districts by Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and Massachusetts National Guard.

“I’m certainly grateful to the Baker Administration and the state,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “With the Omicron variant, it has become difficult to find a rapid test on the shelves. What we heard from our staff is a lot of ‘thank yous’.”

 

Krista Niles, a first-grade teacher at Page Elementary School, checks in a staff member at a COVID-19 rapid antigen test kit distribution at Bagnall Elementary School on Sunday. (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)

Pentucket Regional School District Urges Caution Amid Increase in COVID-19 Cases

pentucketporta on November 1, 2021

WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew wishes to share that the Pentucket Regional School District has seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases involving students in lower grades in recent weeks.

Fourteen positive COVID-19 cases have been reported at Bagnall Elementary School, including 12 among students. The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education mandated that two sixth-grade classes be fully tested because of the increased number of positive cases. Four COVID-19 cases have been reported at Page Elementary School.

Through contact tracing, most of the 18 cases were determined to be connected to social gatherings outside of school involving multiple Pentucket district students.

Superintendent Bartholomew recommends that parents have their child tested if there is close contact with someone who has COVID-19, and to keep their child home until they receive a negative test result. Parents of students age 12 and older who have not yet vaccinated their children are urged to do so to help protect them from the virus and curtail its spread.

“The health and well-being of our students and staff is a paramount concern at all times,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “I ask that parents and guardians use this new data to inform their decisions about their children’s activities outside of school.”

Page School ‘Superheroes’ Team Up With West Newbury Departments to Support Food Pantry

pentucketporta on June 1, 2021

WEST NEWBURY – School Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and Fire Chief Michael Dwyer are pleased to report that Page School students became true “superheroes” by helping to fill the shelves of West Newbury’s food pantry last week.

On Friday, May 28, Page School students took part in “Superheroes Day,” participating in a fun run dressed as their favorite superhero. The day was sponsored by the Page School PTO and organized by first-grade teachers Bridget Murray and Krista Niles.

The School partnered with the West Newbury Police and Fire Departments and the Council on Aging, and asked the students and their families to donate non-perishable items.

The donations filled a police cruiser and Engine 24.

“I am very proud of our Page School teachers for creating an opportunity to teach about giving and charity, and of our first-graders who participated and learned a life-long lesson,” Superintendent Bartholomew said.

“We know there are families in need in our community,” Chief Dwyer said. “By filling both the engine and cruiser, these young students have helped alleviate food insecurity in our community.”

If you can help the Food Pantry, please contact Council on Aging Director Theresa Woodbury at coa@wnewbury.org or 978-363-1104.

100% Pentucket Update #4 (3/16/2021) Elementary Schools to Transition Into Fully In-Person Learning Starting Next Week

pentucketporta on March 16, 2021

WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew, on behalf of the district and the 100% Pentucket Working Group, wishes to provide the community with an update following the School Committee’s vote tonight to initiate a return to fully in-person learning starting next week.

Pentucket Regional School District students in kindergarten through second grade will return in phases over the course of four days, from Tuesday, March 23 through Friday, March 26. Then, all students in kindergarten through sixth grade will attend school in-person beginning Monday, March 29, unless they have opted to continue learning remotely. 

“This phased approach will enable us to evaluate and potentially modify our re-opening protocols in real-time to ensure that we’re doing everything possible to keep everyone safe while finally welcoming students back to school full-time,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “I want to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly over the course of the last year to make this day a reality by helping develop and execute plans for remote, hybrid and now fully in-person learning.”

Prior to welcoming back students, Pentucket will host a professional development day for teachers that will provide them with critical guidance on how to support the transition back to fully in-person learning. That guidance will place a heavy emphasis on strategies to provide students with a positive, supportive, engaging and celebratory classroom environment. Teachers will also be equipped with the tools they need in order to recognize when students may be struggling with social or emotional challenges.

Plans for a return to school for middle and high school students will be finalized and shared with the community in early April.

While 3 feet will be the minimum social distancing standard in schools, increased distances will be the norm for lunches and mask breaks.

DESE Commissioner Jeffrey Riley first shared his intent to transition elementary school students to fully in-person learning on Feb. 23. Superintendent Bartholomew has partnered with the public health and safety officials from Groveland, Merrimac and West Newbury to form the 100% Pentucket initiative, a working group of professionals and representatives of the district and its member communities to prepare and plan for a return to five-day in-person instruction this spring. The working group advises the superintendent on the latest guidance from the state and federal authorities as well as decisions made by municipal public health officials.

Pentucket has been planning for a return to in-person learning since the start of the pandemic and has gradually brought more students into the classrooms for more hours as it was determined safe to do so.

Pre-Kindergarten students are already operating on a normal schedule and have been since the start of the school year. A limited number of students identified as having the highest need were also brought in for in-person learning four days a week this February. 

 

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