Shrewsbury Public Schools: Superintendent's Update For April 15

Shrewsbury MA

16 April, 2022

4:27 PM

Description

Press release from the Shrewsbury Public Schools: April 15, 2022 Dear Shrewsbury Families, Colleagues, & Community Members, "Some good news as we head into April Vacation: Shrewsbury Education Foundation award and grant recipients: First, today I had the pleasure of accompanying Kimberly Olsen, President of the Shrewsbury Education Foundation (SEF), and Melanie Petrucci, SEF Secretary, to present this year's John P. Collins Awards for Excellence. Volunteers from the SEF selected the faculty and staff (listed at the bottom of this message) from over 120 nominations, the most they have ever received. There were many surprised faces and student cheers when these awards were presented to staff who received this significant honor. Ms. Olsen, Ms. Petrucci, and I also recognized educators who were recipients of this year's SEF grants. I am very grateful to the SEF for sponsoring this important recognition of excellence among our staff and for their generosity in funding grants that provide resources for innovation and improvement. Next year's budget -- a very good news story: This past Wednesday, the School Committee approved the recommended budget for next year, which will now go to Town Meeting in May for final approval (where I am confident it will be supported). Thanks to last year's operational override and our current financial circumstances, I am very pleased to confirm that there will be no budget reductions, while we also will be able to restore three middle school allied arts teaching positions that were cut in previous years and add several critically important positions to support students' mental and behavioral health. You can find the details here. It certainly feels good to be in a position of budget stability, compared to years past – this is a very good news story! I hope you all have a wonderful vacation week with family and friends. Happy Passover and happy Easter to all who are celebrating this weekend!" Respectfully, Joe Sawyer Superintendent of Schools Shrewsbury Education Foundation John P. Collins Awards for Excellence – 2022 Professional Educators (8) Lisa Arteca, School Nurse, Oak Middle Lesley Burnap, 2nd Grade Teacher, Coolidge Loubaina Buxamusa, Occupational Therapist, Parker Road/Beal/Lead OT Anne Egan, 6th Grade Math & Science Teacher, Sherwood Middle Bethany Jones, 5th Grade Special Education Teacher, Sherwood Middle Jason Ponticelli, 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher, Oak Middle Denise Satterfield, Math Teacher, SHS Meghan White, 1st Grade Teacher, Paton Paraprofessionals (4) Sujatha Deenadayalan, ABA Technician, Beal Robin Grout, Instructional Aide, Coolidge Jodi Morrocco, Sheltered English Tutor, Coolidge Jean Waligora, Special Education Aide, SHS Support Staff (4) Toby Alvarez, Administrative Assistant, Oak Middle Sarah Kane, Driver, Bus #1 Mindy LaPierre, Administrative Assistant, Paton Sheryl Lesslie, IT Support Specialist, Paton Leadership (2) Noelle Freeman, Director of School Nursing Brian L'Heureux, Director of Information Technology Unsung Heroes (2) Ken Goodwin, Custodial Supervisor, Public Buildings Department Marc Rischitelli, Head Coach, SHS Speech & Debate Team Shrewsbury Education Foundation 2022 Grant Recipients Sarah Williams & Kris Cobb – SHS, Visual Arts Heather Thompson – SHS, World Languages Heather Leger – SHS, World Languages Paula Toti & Alesia Raczelowski – SHS, Physical Education Shirley LeMay – SHS, Family Consumer Science Beth Morin – SHS, Health Alison McDonald – Sherwood, Health Lauren DeSantis – Sherwood, Physical Education Hilary Clegg & Andrea Collins – Sherwood, Media Center & Structured Reading Jeff LaRose – Oak, Physical Education Sophie Straubel – Oak, Science Lisa Papazian – Beal, Instructional Coach/Curriculum Coordinator Robert Parry-Cruwys – District, Clinical Coordinator This press release was produced by the Shrewsbury Public Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.