SPS Weekly Newsletter

I hope our students and staff in grades 1-12 had a great first few days of school. I enjoyed visiting classrooms on Wednesday on the first day. As I start my 34th and final school year, I am reminded that the beginning of a new school year is a new chapter filled with purpose and promise for all students and staff.

On Tuesday, SPS staff gathered in the high school auditorium for a convocation to start the school year. I want to share a portion of my message to the staff:

As educators, every year, we ask ourselves: “Why do we do this?” Why do we show up—early mornings, late evenings, heavy hearts sometimes—and give our all?

We do it for the students—For that quiet kindergartener who will discover their voice in your classroom; For the eighth grader who doesn’t yet know they are a brilliant student; For the senior who nearly gave up but finds a mentor just in time.

We do it because we know education changes lives.

And this year, I’m asking us all to lean even more into our purpose.

I will end my 34 year career with how I started it, by following the motto: “All Means All Every Day!”

This is more than a slogan—it’s a call to action. When we say “all students,” we mean every student, including the overachievers and the ones still finding their way, or the students who come ready to learn and those carrying invisible burdens.

“Every day” reminds us that consistency matters. Every day is a new opportunity to make an impact.

We are building a culture where every child feels seen, heard, and valued.

Our success will come from the way we work together, challenge each other, and never settle for “good enough.”

Our students don’t need us to be perfect. They need us to be present, to care deeply, and to believe in them.

So, as we launch into this new school year, we will “lead with heart and teach with courage”, never forgetting that the work we do—every lesson, every conversation, every moment—matters.

Let’s have a phenomenal year.

Enjoy the weekend. I am looking forward to seeing you on Monday, as we welcome our preschool and kindergarten students on their first day of school.

Sincerely,

Joseph F. Baeta, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Stoughton Public Schools

First graders in Mrs. Getchell's class at the Wilkins Elementary School are pictured here with Dr. Baeta and Principal Mrs. Monahan on the first day of school.

It is great to have our students back in the classroom!

The first day of school for students in grades 1-12 was Wednesday, September 3. Take a look at some pictures from each school in the slideshows below (the slide changes every few seconds).

DAWE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

GIBBONS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

HANSEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

SOUTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

WILKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

O'DONNELL MIDDLE SCHOOL

STOUGHTON HIGH SCHOOL

STAFF CONVOCATION

Photos at the SPS Staff Convocation on Tuesday, September 2.

Students from the award-winning Stoughton High theatre program performed a medley of songs from their summer production of Sweeney Todd at the start of the annual SPS staff convocation Tuesday morning. Watch their performance below (or by clicking here). Always amazing to see how talented our students are!

The Stoughton High Theatre program is already getting ready for its fall production of Little Shop of Horrors. For more updates from the theatre program, follow them on Instagram @stoughtonhighschooltheatre.

We are excited to announce that mobile ticketing is now available for Stoughton High sports games. Mobile tickets can be purchased through GoFan.

There will still be a cash option available to purchase tickets for home games at SHS.

Aidan Lewis, a senior captain on the Stoughton High golf team, got a hole-in-one during Wednesday's match against North Attleboro at Easton Country Club! Congratulations!

For more updates about the Black Knights this fall season, follow the Stoughton High School Athletics Facebook page.

The first day for preschool and kindergarten is Monday, September 8, 2025. Click on the button below to view the full district calendar for 2025-2026:

Wondering what is being served in our cafeterias this month? Breakfast and lunch menus for September are posted here. Please note that breakfast and lunch will be free of charge for all students during the 2025-2026 school year.

The Stoughton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) deeply values the dedication of our educators and the meaningful impact they have on students with diverse learning needs. The SEPAC created The Bright Knight Awards to recognize these educators. The SEPAC invites parents of children with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan to nominate one staff member who has made a significant difference—someone who has built a strong connection with your child, supported their growth, and helped them access and enjoy their education to the fullest.

Nominations are now open for the past 2024-2025 school year! The deadline for nominations is Friday, September 26, 2025.

Please complete the Google Form and share a brief explanation of why you are nominating this staff member.

Recipients will be recognized at a SEPAC fall meeting, where each honoree will be publicly thanked and presented with a Certificate of Appreciation. Portions of nominations may be read during the awards ceremony.

Please note that each parent may nominate only one staff member. A maximum of two staff members per school will be selected each year.

Attention OMS Drama Enthusiasts: The OMS Drama Drama Club will be getting an early start this year to work on its production of Pure Imagination. This Broadway Revue will feature songs from 14 different musicals, including Matilda, Shrek, Frozen, and more! An information session will take place after school on Monday, September 8, and auditions will take place on Thursday, September 11 or Friday, September 12. The performances will take place on Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6. OMS Drama Club is open to any OMS student in grades 6, 7, or 8. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Bauman-Field (b_bauman@stoughtonschools.org).

Parents! Join Stoughton OASIS at the Stoughton YMCA on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 from 5:30-7pm to participate in a FREE workshop on Developing Healthy Screen Time for Kids. The workshop will cover topics including:

• What is a reasonable amount of screentime?
• Why do screentime problems happen?
• Preventing problems with screen time
• Teaching healthy screen time habits
• Managing conflict over screen time
• Helping your child be responsible and safe online
  
  

Questions? Email: spatton@stoughton-ma.gov.

Did you know that Stoughton Public Schools has partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of students, staff, and their family members? Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service that can help you quickly find mental health, social services, or substance use treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of circumstance.

• Call: 888-515-0595 (available 24/7/365 with multilingual support)
• Visit: caresolace.com/stoughtonschools to search or click “Book Appointment”.

For updates throughout the week, be sure to follow Stoughton Public Schools on social media: