Community Partnerships & Well-Being
A Community Update from Jane Lizotte, Asst. Superintendent
“Many persons have the wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” Helen Keller
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Inside This Issue
1. Celebrations of Learning and Co-Curricular Activities in Our Schools
2. Today is National Paraprofessionals Day! Thank you, SPS Paraprofessionals!
3. Career Exploration Through Career Fairs, Guest Speakers, Job Shadowing, Internships, and Employment
4. SPS Colleague Connections
5. School and Community Partnerships are Key to Teaching and Learning
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SHS's Family Consumer Science, Music, PE and Visual Arts departments recently shared a project based learning endeavor that provided an opportunity for students to learn and celebrate together through their Foundation courses.The Family Consumer Science, Music, PE and Visual Arts departments provide multiple opportunities for students to access the curriculum in a least restrictive/inclusive environment. These classes are called Foundation courses, where each student is able to reach their personal success, while working collaboratively with peers twice per week during the rotating schedule between Art, Cooking and Music. Students in PE meet on a three day rotating schedule.
While in these classes, students engage in and apply basic skills of art, cooking, music, and physical education that are assessed through various exhibits, performances and movement experiences.
Presenters included (l-r): Mrs. Pamela LeBlanc, Foundation of Art Teacher, Camden Chenevert, Class of 2023, Drew Conant, Class of 2023, Emily Nelson, Class of 2025, and Mrs. Shirley LeMay, Foundations of Cooking Teacher
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Today is National Paraprofessionals Day! Thank you, SPS Paraprofessionals!
Today is National Paraprofessionals Day! Thank you to our paraprofessionals who work tirelessly each day to meet the needs of all students, while supporting colleagues and families! Pictured here is Karen Jose, Beal School Paraprofessional, works with two hard-working second graders this morning.
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SHS's First Inaugural DECA Team Soars to National Competition in Orlando, FLA
SHS DECA Team
SHS educator and DECA Coach, Mr. Jason Andreola, joined by SHS students and state finalists, celebrate qualifying for the ICDC international tournament in Orlando, Florida. Thank you to local residents for sponsoring our students while generously contributing to their upcoming competition!
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Yesterday's OMS Career Fair resulted in meaningful life learning for Grade 7 students. This event was the highlight of the ELA unit focused on careers.
The OMS Career Fair included several kind and generous business partners! See below for the list of many of these special people. Thank you to OMS educators including Grade 7 ELA teacher, Sinead Meaney, and her Grade 7 ELA teaching colleagues, in addition to OMS Curriculum Coordinator, Lisa Daly, and Kathleen Keohane, Director of Alumni Development and Community Relationships, for spearheading this incredible effort.
Students learn about the work of first responders.
Students learn about a career in law.
Students learn about owning a business focused on fitness and wellness.
Students learn about careers in real estate.
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Porter and Chester Institute-Worcester, Massachusetts
SELCO, Shrewsbury-Energy Programs and Initiatives
Cytiva Pharmaceutical-Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
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After School Book Study Groups
Staff members (38 in total from across the district) participated in one or more after school book studies over the past several weeks. Below are the books we read. Participants shared that connecting with colleagues in this way was enjoyable and informative. We recommend these reads to the community.
Quotes that resonated with book study group members can be found below:
"Attention is the most basic form of love."
“What the Dalai Lama and I are offering is a way of handling your worries: thinking about others. You can think about others who are in a similar situation or perhaps even a worse situation, but who have survived, even thrived. It does help quite a lot to see yourself as part of a greater whole."
“The experiences in the first years of life are disproportionately powerful in shaping how your brain organizes.”
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Career Exploration Through School and Community Partnerships:Important work in our schools that aligns with Shrewsbury's Portrait of a Graduate
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Business Partners and SHS Alumni share student shout-outs, and invitations to intern at their workplaces following opportunities to interact with SPS students
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Thank you to a multitude of generous community partners, including Don Musial, Director, Ash Monofills at WIN Waste Innovations, for sponsoring innovative programming in our schools! Don Musial visited Beal School last week to deliver a generous donation. He was greeted by some enthusiastic students!
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Thank you to the India Society of Worcester for collaborating with Sherwood's India Club, to share cultural celebrations with all SMS students and staff during recent Community Meetings!
Sherwood Middle School's India Club are pictured with Ruchi Chauhan and Ashish Cowlagi, members of the India Society of Worcester
Sherwood Shout-Outs Celebrate Student Accomplishments
Jane Lizotte
Jane is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters