Town of Groveland and Pentucekt Regional School District Announce Delay in Uptack Road Project Will Result in Bus Route Impact

pentucketporta on September 5, 2023

GROVELAND — Town Administrator Rebecca Oldham and Superintendent Justin Bartholomew report that the Uptack Road project has been delayed, which will impact the school bus commute for Pentucket Regional School District students. 

Pentucket Regional Middle andHigh Schools and the Bagnall Elementary School will be affected by this delay, and school bus companies have been notified.

Click here to view the updated bus route information.

Uptack Road will be reopened for travel Sept. 13.  

Uptack Road was closed due to culvert demolition. To learn more about the Uptack Road project, click here. 

 

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Pentucket Regional School District Welcomes Staff Members at New Teacher Orientation

pentucketporta on August 30, 2023

Superintendent Justin Bartholomew is pleased to share that the District welcomed its new staff members at New Teacher Orientation last week.

Orientation, held on Aug. 23-24 at Pentucket Regional Middle-High School, was designed to welcome new teachers to the District, discuss the District’s core values and beliefs, and become energized for the coming school year. Special Education Literacy Teacher Laura Coakley facilitated for about 30 new staff members.

The orientation began with a welcome address and introductions from Superintendent Bartholomew, Payroll/Benefits Coordinator Brandy Perusse, Human Resources Specialist Lisa Giampietro, Human Resources Coordinator Sabrina Simone, and Coakley.

Coakley then provided an overview of the orientation schedule, goals, and materials. Assistant Superintendent Brent Conway jumped into a discussion about Pentucket’s core values, inclusivity practices, and curriculum and instruction.

Assistant Superintendent Conway also facilitated an educator evaluation session, where teachers engaged in the goal setting process which serves as the foundation for the educator evaluation system.

Catherine Page, Sam Kwong, and John Kwiatek, members of Pentucket’s IT team, gave a technology overview, including details about Google Classroom, Infinite Campus, and logging into Chromebooks and the PRSD website.

The orientation also covered a variety of other important topics including special education, student safety, professional growth, keys to success at Pentucket, and more.

The two-day orientation closed the with a luncheon provided by the Pentucket Association of Teachers. New staff met their mentor teachers at the luncheon, who will support them throughout the year in a book study and other collaborative meetings.

New teachers will participate in follow-up orientation meetings in September, October, and December to keep track of their progress throughout the fall.

“New Teacher Orientation is a great welcome to our tight-knit district,” said Superintendent Bartholomew. “We believe it is important that new teachers get to know their colleagues and become familiar with the values within our schools. We are excited to see what the new year brings for everyone at Pentucket!”

The Pentucket Regional School District welcomed its new staff members at New Teacher Orientation. (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)

 

Pentucket’s Bagnall School Welcomes Multiple New Hires, Leadership Team Members

pentucketporta on August 29, 2023

Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and Principal Jim Day are pleased to welcome multiple new hires and two new members of the leadership team at Bagnall School.

The Pentucket Regional School District has hired five new teachers at Bagnall School. Hannah Gohr has been hired to the role of kindergarten teacher, Madi Codair to the role of Grade 4 teacher, Korri Finn to the role of Grade 6 teacher, Laurel Chabib to the role of life skills teacher, and Camille Torres to the Therapeutic Intervention Program (Grades 3-6).

Bagnall School also welcomes four more staff members who have been hired for a variety of roles including Library and Media Staff Member Lisa Pitella, and Paraprofessionals Oliver Bucco, Molly Casey, and Nicole Freeman.

There are also two new members to Bagnall’s leadership team.

Jennifer Barreto will join the District as Bagnall’s new Assistant Principal. Caitlin Guilfoil, who has been Bagnall’s Special Education Coordinator for four years, will expand her role as an official administrator within the school’s leadership team.

“We are thrilled to have these qualified individuals join our team,” said Superintendent Bartholomew. “They each bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to Bagnall School, and I am confident they will be valuable assets within our District. Welcome to you all!”

Merrimac Applicants Sought for Vacancy on Whittier Tech School Committee

pentucketporta on August 22, 2023

MERRIMAC – The Pentucket Regional School District invites interested Merrimac residents to apply to fill a vacancy on the Whittier Tech School Committee.

The board member serves to represent the best educational interests of children from the Town of Merrimac. Applicants will be interviewed in public session by the Pentucket Regional School Committee, which is the appointing authority. The selected applicant commits to serving a three-year term, ending March 31, 2026.

The Whittier Tech School Committee establishes purposes, policies, programs, and procedures which will best produce educational opportunities for all students.

School Committee members have four responsibilities:

  • Create and adopt District policies.
  • Select a Superintendent-Director to implement those policies.
  • Evaluate the Superintendent-Director.
  • Budget for adequate resources for the District.

Whittier Tech School Committee members are expected to maintain effective communication with the public, staff, and students, and to maintain awareness of attitudes, opinions, desires, and ideas. All Committee meetings are held in adherence to the Open Meeting Law, except where a closed executive session is permitted by the law.

Merrimac residents who are interested in serving are asked to send a letter of interest to Marianne Naffah, Office of the Superintendent, 22 Main St., West Newbury 01985 or to mnaffah@prsd.org, no later than Friday, Sept. 1.

 

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Pentucket Regional School District Receives State Grant to Enhance School Security

pentucketporta on July 19, 2023

WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew is pleased to share that Pentucket Regional School District, with the assistance of the Police and Fire Departments of Groveland, Merrimack, and West Newbury, has received funding to improve school security within the District.

The state’s Safer Schools and Communities Initiative, managed by the Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research within the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, awarded the District $71,406.79 for two projects:

  • The district will use $28,118.83 to purchase 45 interoperable radios and a repeater system. The radios will link police, fire, and emergency medical services in the three communities when they respond to Pentucket Middle High School in a mutual aid situation.
  • The district will use $43,287.96 to purchase and install cameras and a secure-entry system at Donaghue School in Merrimac.

These projects were identified as District priorities through ongoing safety and security reviews with public safety leaders in all three sending communities.

Pentucket was among 42 grant recipients, who were chosen through a competitive application process.

Districts could apply for funding for up to three buildings.

Superintendent Bartholomew wishes to thank Groveland Police Chief Jeffrey Gillen, Groveland Fire Chief Robert Valentine, Merrimac Police Chief Eric Shears, Merrimac Fire Chief Larry Fisher, and West Newbury Police and Fire Chief Michael Dwyer for their expertise and support during this process.

Pentucket Regional School District Announces Administrative Restructuring for 2023-2024 School Year

pentucketporta on June 6, 2023

Brenda Erhardt

WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew announces that the Pentucket Regional School District will restructure administrative services to strengthen core educational operations throughout the District in the 2023-2024 school year.

The changes are:

  • Brenda Erhardt, Assistant Principal at the Bagnall Elementary School in Groveland, has been named Interim Principal of the Middle High School.

This represents an operational change, with a single building principal who will be supported by three assistant principals in the building. This change will increase coordination between the schools’ staffs on educational matters, and increase smooth transitions between the Middle and High School.

Though in one building, the Middle School and High School will remain separate entities each with their own school councils, and will develop their own identities.

Erhardt is a Groveland native and Pentucket Regional High School graduate. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Lesley University, and a Master’s in Education from Salem State University.

Erhardt started her professional career as an engineer supervisor in the private sector, becoming a teacher at the Page School in West Newbury in 2004. While at Page she took on roles of increasing responsibility, and served as Interim Principal at Bagnall earlier this year.

“Brenda is an exceptional educator,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “Having grown up in the District and attended our schools, she knows the high expectations of our school community and understands the high quality of instruction every student deserves. We are fortunate to have her leading this new administrative model.”

  • High School Principal Jonathan Seymour has been named Executive Director of Operations.

“Jonathan has been High School Principal for 15 years, and we really appreciate his hard work during that time,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “He was an integral part of the new school project, and in this new role will be able use his experience and operational skills to benefit the entire District.”

  • Middle School Principal Terrence Conant has been named Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction.

Conant will succeed Robin Doherty, who left the District earlier this year.

“The Middle School has made incredible progress in student achievement due to Terry’s high level of curriculum and instructional focus,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “We are excited to see Terry in this new role supporting teaching staff at the secondary level and expanding the successes we have seen.”

Pentucket Regional School District Announces Leadership Team Changes

pentucketporta on May 30, 2023

WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and the Pentucket Regional School District announce the following changes to the District’s leadership team for the 2023-2024 school year:

  • Sabrina Simone, current Assistant Principal at the Middle School, has been named Coordinator of Human Resources.

“Throughout her career Sabrina has shown an incredible understanding of human interaction, attention to detail, exceptional communication skills, and incredible dedication to the education profession,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “Her experiences as an administrator and having to negotiate some very challenging issues will be of great benefit to the entire District.”

Simone began her career in education as a School Counselor in Chelmsford, joining the Pentucket District in that role in 2012. She was named Middle School Assistant Principal in 2021.

She received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of New Hampshire, and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Boston College.

  • Alexandra Cordeiro has been named Assistant Principal/Special Education Coordinator at the Dr. John C. Page School.

“We are extremely excited to have Alexandra coming to Page,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “Her commitment and enthusiasm will make her a great asset to the Page community.”

Cordeiro began her educational career as a teacher in the Tri-Town School Union in Topsfield. She most recently worked as a Chapter 504 School-Based Coordinator at Steward Elementary School in Topsfield.

Cordeiro has received a Bachelor’s degree from Framingham State in Liberal Studies, a Master’s degree in Education from Lesley College, and a Master’s degree in School Administration from Gordon College.

  • Samuel “Sam” Kwong has been named Database Manager. He will succeed Amy Funk, who is retiring after 10 years with the District.

“We are so incredibly thankful for Amy’s brilliance working with the various student information systems, her strong communication skills, and flexibility,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “While this is a big loss for our District, Sam and Amy have collaborated for many years so we feel so fortunate to be able to bring in an incredible talent who understands our systems.”

Kwong brings extensive private sector data management experience to the Pentucket District. He most recently worked as a Data Manager for Weston Public Schools.

Kwong has received a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Northeastern University, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.

Superintendent Bartholomew wishes to thank Amy Funk for her service and dedication to the District.

Merrimac Elementary Schools Celebrate Unique WeeBulletin board created by Sweetsir students and PTO members during Unique Week celebration. (Photo Courtesy Pentucekt Regional School District)

pentucketporta on April 10, 2023

MERRIMAC — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and Principal Stephanie Dembro are pleased to share that the Sweetsir and Donaghue Elementary Schools recently celebrated Unique Week.  

Teachers, faculty, and PTO members collaborated to create a week, held from March 27-31, which was dedicated to celebrating each student’s uniqueness.  

During Unique Week students participated in activities including breathing exercises during Monday’s mindfulness theme, creating music notes, designing infinity symbols, coloring and more. Students were encouraged to wear fun outfits that corresponded with that day’s unique theme.  

Additionally, students created posters and worked with their peers to create an overall poster featuring individual creations. The PTO sponsored the inclusive poster project.

“As counselors, we are excited to celebrate We are Unique Week. It gives our students and staff the opportunity to reflect on what makes us amazing,” said School Psychologist Amy Brennan. “We are all incredible individuals and together we create an incredible community.” 

Unique Week gives students the opportunity to foster relationships with peers and celebrate their unique qualities through fun activities and engagement.  

“Unique Week is important to me as a Special Education teacher in the Horizons Program, because it provides an opportunity for the school community to celebrate each and every student’s strengths, passions, and love that they spread each and every day both in and outside of the classroom,” said Special Education teacher Margaret Ford. 

“The Merrimac students have continuously demonstrated their abilities to show care, compassion, kindness and inclusion to our students who access the District Program,” said Special Education Teacher Abbie Glynn. “Unique Week is just another way that our little community can come together to celebrate everyone’s uniqueness, while also showing students that they share similarities to some of their peers that may look or act differently than them. As a teacher of the district program for many years, I am so proud to share in this special week to not only honor my students, but every student in the Merrimac schools who are special and unique.”  

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Pentucket Regional School District Adds Override Calculator to 2023-2024 Budget Portal

pentucketporta on March 31, 2023

WEST NEWBURY — The Pentucket Regional School Committee and Superintendent Justin Bartholomew announce that a budget calculator has been added to the District’s official budget website, which will allow residents to calculate the impact of a proposed Proposition 2 1/2 budget override.

The School Committee has recommended a $50.7 million budget for the 2023-2024 school year, to serve students from the sending communities of Groveland, Merrimac, and West Newbury. This amount would commit Groveland and Merrimac to raise more in taxes than would be allowed under Proposition 2 1/2. West Newbury does not need an override to pay its assessment next year.

Under the recommended budget, Groveland will seek a $1.25 million override, while Merrimac will seek an additional $860,000.

The budget calculator will allow residents to gauge the monthly and yearly impact of the override, based on where they live and the value of their property.

To pass, the override must be approved by Town Meetings in Groveland and Merrimac, and in referendum votes in both communities. Groveland Town Meeting will be held on Monday, April 24 at 7 p.m. at Bagnall School. Merrimac Town Meeting will be held on Monday, April 24, at 7 p.m. at Sweetsir School. The referendum questions will appear on ballots in the Groveland and Merrimac Town Elections, both held on May 1.

Should either Groveland or Merrimac approve the override in both votes, all three towns will be required to pay an increased assessment. If the vote fails in both towns, the School Committee would have to adjust the budget in a number of areas. Those areas could include:

  • Cut any transportation that is not required
  • Remove proposed athletics cap and/or eliminate more sports
  • Possible use of stabilization funds
  • Possible modification of Middle School High School schedule (teacher cuts)
  • Serious impact on elective opportunities
  • Serious impact on performing and visual arts programs

To learn more about the Pentucket budget, view documents and presentations, or ask a question, click here.

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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