SPS Weekly Newsletter
In This Edition of the SPS Weekly Newsletter...
This week's header photo (above) features first grade students in Ms. DeVore's class at the Dawe School with their gratitude jar. Leading up to Thanksgiving, classes at the Dawe received a jar and pieces of paper with students writing or drawing something they are grateful for and placing it in the jar. Some classes have been sharing what they have been writing about during their morning meeting. This activity was organized by Mrs. Thibeault, Assistant Principal and Academic Support Teacher at the Dawe.
From the Desk of the Superintendent
Next week is a short week as we have an early release day on Wednesday and have no school Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. Where this is my last newsletter message before the holiday, I wanted to offer some Thanksgiving thoughts.
Thanksgiving is a time for getting family and friends together to celebrate all that we have. I’m thankful for the efforts of SPS employees, our outstanding student scholars, our families, and the Stoughton community. During these tumultuous times within our nation and the world, I hope we all take this day of thanks and truly look from within.
Giving is also part of this special day. Join me in this time of giving by supporting others as you can and see fit.
To my SPS students - be safe, kind, and rest up.
Wishing our students, staff, families, and community a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving break.
Happy Thanksgiving SPS! Go Black Knights!
Sincerely,
Joseph F. Baeta, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Stoughton Public Schools
List of Best Schools Includes Three From Stoughton!
For the second consecutive year, both the Wilkins School and South School have been recognized as two of the best elementary schools in the state by U.S. News & World Report! Additionally, Stoughton High School has also been recognized this year by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best high schools!
U.S. News & World Report looked at schools across the country for its annual rankings list. More than 950 elementary schools in Massachusetts were ranked for this year’s list. Elementary schools ranking in the top 40 percent of their state earned the distinction of being named one of the best schools by U.S. News & World Report. This included both the Wilkins and South, with the Wilkins School scoring highest in Stoughton, ranking in the top 18 percent of elementary schools in Massachusetts.
“Our school’s achievements are a collaborative effort. All of the staff who have worked with the students from kindergarten through fifth grade, and all of the students, deserve recognition. It is rewarding to have all the hard work validated. It is an honor to be named alongside other top-performing schools in the state, including our South Elementary School,” said Katie Monahan, Principal of the Wilkins School.
“It is an incredible honor to be included once again in this list of Top Elementary Schools,” said Jake Dore, Principal of the South School. “The amazing staff, students and families should all take immense pride in the South School’s recognition. Despite the physical conditions of the building, the Shark Community continues to persevere!”
Meanwhile, high schools ranking in the top 40 percent nationally earned the distinction of being named one of the best high schools by U.S. News & World Report. Stoughton High was in the top 25 percent of the almost 18,000 high schools ranked across the country. Stoughton High’s inclusion on this list of best high schools follows SHS being named a School of Recognition by DESE for its accountability results and reducing chronic absenteeism, and earning bronze distinction on the Advanced Placement Program’s School Honor Roll.
“We are incredibly proud of Stoughton High School's continued success and recognition on a national level,” said Juliette Miller, Principal of Stoughton High. “Being ranked in the top 25 percent of nearly 18,000 high schools is a testament to the dedication of our students, staff, and community. This honor highlights our commitment to academic excellence and creating a supportive, inclusive environment for all learners. Together, we are building a bright future for every student.”
Elementary schools are ranked based on student proficiency in math and reading, with the top-ranked schools recognized as high achieving ones that succeeded in educating all of their students. The High school ranking focuses on six indicators of school quality: college readiness; breadth of curriculum; scores on state proficiency tests; performance in reading, math, and science; underserved student performance; and graduation rates.
“The work of all of our educators and students is both impressive and it is paying off as we see continued improvements in student achievement,” said Dr. Joseph Baeta, Superintendent of Schools.
Congratulations to the students and staff at the Wilkins School, South School, and Stoughton High!
Town Meeting Supports Article Requesting Revote for Elementary Building Project
At the special Town Meeting on Wednesday, Town Meeting members approved an article that requests the Select Board schedule a revote for funding the new consolidated elementary school building project. This article passed 111-34.
After the original townwide vote to fund the new consolidated elementary school project failed in June, the MSBA has allowed us to pursue a revote in April 2025. This particular Town Meeting article does not approve funding for this project and it does not guarantee a revote will be rescheduled; it was an article designed to show Town Meeting support for having the process of holding a revote move forward.
In addition to the article about the elementary school building project, Town Meeting also approved an article for capital items for the Stoughton Public Schools:
- Telephone system replacements in our buildings
- Complete HVAC services at the Dawe School
- Charging carts for Chromebooks for elementary schools
- Funding to conduct a Capital Needs Assessment relative to all school buildings
Speaking of the new elementary school building project, this episode of Around Town on SMAC features host Dave Walsh going on a tour of the South Elementary School with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Baeta and South Principal Mr. Dore. The episode highlights some of the deficiencies of the current building and the need for a new school.
SHS Theatre Program Presents Hadestown
The Stoughton High School Theatre program presented Hadestown last weekend for its fall production. Congratulations to the cast and crew for their fantastic performance! Take a look at a few photos from opening night last Friday...
Stoughton High National English Honor Society Induction
The Stoughton High chapter of the National English Honor Society held its first induction ceremony Thursday evening!
According to the National English Honor Society website, the mission of NEHS is to "nurture a unique opportunity to engage high school students and teachers around the world with the valuable experiences of fostering literacy and serving society, and to recognize outstanding and diverse achievements in the English Language Arts."
Congratulations to the first group of inductees from SHS!
O'Donnell Middle School Thanksgiving Food Drive
The O'Donnell Middle School Student Council organized a Thanksgiving Food Drive this month, with OMS students and staff donating 1,019 items for the Stoughton Food Pantry! In a friendly competition between grades, the 8th grade donated the most, contributing 491 items! OMS Student Council members are pictured here with the donations. Great work giving back to our community!
Thanksgiving Break Schedule
Here is a reminder of our Thanksgiving break schedule:
Wednesday, November 27, 2024 - EARLY DISMISSAL
- School hours for Stoughton High & the O’Donnell Middle School will be 7:35am-11:32am on Wednesday. Elementary schools will be 8:30am-12:20pm. Preschool will be 8:30am-11am and there will be no afternoon preschool sessions. Lunch will be served in our schools on Wednesday.
Thursday, November 28, 2024 - THANKSGIVING DAY; NO SCHOOL
- This year's Thanksgiving Day football game between Stoughton and Canton is being played at Canton High School starting at 10am. Scroll below for more details.
Friday, November 29, 2024 - NO SCHOOL
- All schools and the district office reopen on Monday, December 2, 2024
Thanksgiving Football
Winter Sports Registration
Winter sports registration is open for both Stoughton High and the O'Donnell Middle School. There is no cost to participate in sports at SHS or OMS. Don't wait...sign up today! Click here to register.
The following winter sports are offered at the high school level: boys/girls basketball, boys/girls hockey, boys/girls swim, boys/girls indoor track and field, cheerleading, and wrestling.
The following winter sports are offered at the middle school level: boys/girls basketball and wrestling. There is also a winter OMS dance team.
We are also offering Unified Bocce this winter!
Podcast About How Teens Experience Grief & Loss
This episode of the "Where's My Handbook?" podcast features Stephanie Patton of the Stoughton OASIS Coalition talking with Georgeann Lewis, an adjustment counselor at Stoughton High, about the ways that teens experience grief and loss and how to help them cope in healthy ways.
POPS Holding Toy Yard Sale on December 1
Save the date for this great holiday shopping opportunity from POPS Stoughton!
Click on the links to view the flyer in the following languages: Portuguese, Haitian, and Spanish.
OMS PTSO Craft & Vendor Fair Coming December 7th
Care Solace
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”.
Important Links
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