Saugus Public Schools

I hope that everyone got off to a good start to the 2023-2024 school year. It was nice to see the staff and students return to our schools as we begin our school year. We appreciate the feedback that we have received related to traffic at arrival and dismissal and we will continue to work to improve our process to provide a safe and timely experience. We realize that traffic can be frustrating, but we are always working to improve.

We are moving forward with an updated Mission and Vision Statement, as well as a new five year Strategic Plan. That said our key goals/focus areas will be:

• Supporting teachers through coaching and professional development to create the learning environments needed to effectively support all students.
• Strengthening our communication and engagement efforts so that students, staff, parents and caregivers are seen, heard, and feel connected to the Saugus Public Schools.
• Providing all students with standards-aligned, consistently outstanding instruction in supportive learning environments.

Our feeling is if we can make progress in those focus areas our district and our students will be moving in a positive way. We are committed to putting our students first and committing to reaching these goals to ensure all our students are held to high standards and graduate from the Saugus Public Schools future ready.

Respectfully,

Michael Hashem - Acting Superintendent - Saugus Public Schools

A lot of hard work goes into opening our schools to students each year. This year is no exception. There are truly too many people to thank regarding getting our buildings open and the students in the classrooms. Our clerks at central office, as well as the clerks in the building this summer worked with the building administrators to prepare for the return of staff and students.

Also thanks to our principals, Brendon Sullivan, Maureen Lueke, Michael Mondello and their admin team members; Myra Monto, Leanne Mottola, Terri Pillsbury, Kimberly Politano, David Micu, Tayler DiPesa, and Rick Doucette. They were crucial in making sure the buildings were staffed and got everything they needed to open.

I do wish to single out the Executive Directors, Dawn Trainor, Pola Andrews, and Susan Terban for working throughout the summer to make sure that the district and schools were ready to go.

Thanks also those that got the buildings, grounds, infrastructure ready for the return of students and staff including; Steve Napolitana, Devin Menezes, Jaime Osgood, Godfred Mbengam, Tom Whittredge, the Saugus DPW, Town Manager Scott Crabtree, as well as all of the Saugus Public School and Town of Saugus employees and the members of the Saugus Committee that spent time this summer to helped us open. As I stated there are far too many to recognize.

And most importantly thanks to the teachers, para, counselors, service provides, student support staff, clerks, and everyone else that work in our Saugus Public School system. While our students always come first, you are the people in front of our students providing the most impact on a daily basis. Thank you so much for working with our students.

If I forgot to mention anyone, I apologize and thank you for your efforts.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead

The following are the dates and times for each building Back to School Nights:

• Saugus Middle School: Tuesday, September 12th from 6 PM to 8 PM
• Saugus High School: Thursday, September 14th from 6 PM to 8 PM
• The Veterans Early Learning Center: Wednesday, September 20th from 6 PM to 7:30 PM
• The Belmonte STEAM Academy: Thursday, September 21st from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
  

Thanks to the passage of Universal Free Meals in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ALL students do not need to pay for breakfast and lunch. All students may receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day. No application will be needed or taken.

Please use the button to access Whitson's Back to School Letter for the 2023-2024 school year. It discusses the menus and some of the other nutritional aspects of the food service provider for the Saugus Public Schools.

On Wednesday, August 23rd, Dr. Lueke, Ms. DiPesa, and the student leaders from the BSA provided our incoming second graders with a building tour during their visit to the Belmonte STEAM Academy. It was great to see our incoming second graders and their families tour their new school. It was especially nice to see of our student leader volunteers serve as tour guides.

Personally, we were excited at the opportunity to provide our second graders a chance to visit their new school prior to the first day of school next week. We were also proud of our young student leaders that came out to welcome the second graders. They are obviously proud to be part of their school community and actively engaged in trying to establish a positive culture.

Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus (HS2) Program Resumes for the 23-24 School Year!

The nonprofit organization will begin service starting on Friday September 22nd and continue during the school year.

How HS2 works:

• HS2 bags are distributed at Saugus Public schools on Fridays to take home to anyone that signs up. Bags include such items as peanut butter, canned meals/soups/tuna/vegetables, pasta, fruit cups, cereal, oatmeal, goldfish, pretzels and granola bars.
• All food is provided to children free of charge.
• There is no qualification needed.

It is our hope these resources will support the health, behavior, and achievement of every student who participates.

To sign up go here to complete online form: https://forms.gle/gmMGguycSHBdziuE9

Feel free to email HS2Saugus@gmail.com for additional information.