FOWLER SCHOOL

3 Tiger Drive

978-897-6700

Principal- Keith Kinney kkinney@maynard.k12.ma.us

Assistant Principal-David Snyder dsnyder@maynard.k12.ma.us

Administrative Assistant- Joanne Lochiatto jlochiatto@maynard.k12.ma.us

Administrative Assistant- Marie Roche mroche@maynard.k12.ma.us

Nurse Amy Jamieson: ajamieson@maynard.k12.ma.us

Nurse Rozie Ross: rross@maynard.k12.ma.us

Greetings:

BIG QUESTION: WHO WAS THE TIGER ON THE 1st DAY?

This week has been brief with our students, so there isn’t much new to share in this Smore that hasn’t already been communicated via email. In the coming weeks, you can expect this tool to be updated regularly with information about school and community events—both past and upcoming. It will serve as a valuable resource for information that you can refer to at any time.

Community plays a vital role in our school culture. Many Fowler graduates return to visit and make significant contributions. A recent example is Sienna, a student from Maynard High School. As part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Sienna has successfully installed AED stations throughout town, including one here at Fowler. You can find the AED at Fowler on the first base side of the small baseball/softball diamond, near the parking lot.

Thank you, Sienna, for your incredible work—you're a wonderful example of student leadership! Please see the Maynard Fire Department's press release below.

Important Information Below: (New)

1. Fowlerr Handbook (Important)

2. Fowler School Principal on Facebook Page

3. Maynard Student Demonstrates Leadership and Commitment to the Community.

4. Stuff a Cruiser Food Drive

Repeat:

1. Drop Off and Pick Up Procedure (Video)

2. Food Services: IdentiMetrics

3. Parental Notification Regarding English Language Leaners (2025-2026)

4. Town of Maynard Updates

5. Title I Reading Services Identification Procedures

2025-2026 Fowler Student and Family Handbook:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_M4UxaFGEzyerlyfXwSi6HT46yjWtBEtWrhnrbicDbc/edit?usp=sharing

Please review our Student Handbook and use the link below to confirm that you have received and reviewed it. If you prefer not to use Google Forms, you may print page 6 and submit a hard copy of your acknowledgment to the Fowler office.

https://forms.gle/xAv25eQnAwg6rMDx5

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579046079177

Maynard Public Schools has established a procedure to identify students who are either failing or at the highest risk of failing to meet the State's academic achievement standards. Eligibility for Title I Reading services is based on multiple objective criteria related to education, developed by a team that includes Reading Specialists, classroom teachers, the Title I Director, the building Principal, the Director of Student Services, and parents.

Students with limited English proficiency and those with disabilities are given equal consideration for Title I services.

Eligible students are identified for the Targeted Assistance Program through a selection process that begins in May, before the start of each school year. Additionally, students may be added to the Title I Program throughout the school year if they meet the eligibility requirements.

• Teachers who have concerns about students’ reading skills refer them to the Building-Based Support Team (BBST). The Team consists of the BBST Coordinator, Principal, Reading Specialist, and Classroom Teacher. Teachers follow the BBST process, which includes reports on students’ current skill levels and documentation of strategies used in class.

• When BBST recommends applicable, general education accommodations/ interventions, the Team evaluates the effectiveness of the intervention after a set period of time.

• If the Student Support Team determines that a referral for Title I eligibility is appropriate, the BBST coordinator notifies the Title I Director that a student has been referred for the Title I eligibility process.

• The classroom teacher completes a section of the Title I Reading Criteria Form as part of the Eligibility Process. The classroom teacher informs the student’s parents of the eligibility referral and explains that the Reading Specialist will conduct an assessment of the student.

• The Reading Specialist completes the reading assessment and adds the assessment data to the Criteria Form, along with the information that the teacher has filled in.

• The Reading Specialist scores each section of the Reading Criteria Form using a point system developed to generate an overall composite score for each student participating in the process. From the composite scores, a rank-ordered list of students is created.

• Students with the highest scores demonstrate the most academic need and therefore qualify for Title I services. The limitations of staff schedules may impact the total number of students involved in the program in a given year.

• Once the eligibility process is complete, the Title I Director contacts the BBST coordinator with details about students’ eligibility status.

• The Reading Specialist completes an Eligibility Determination Letter for each student, stating whether the student qualifies for Title I Reading services. One copy of the letter is sent to the students’ parents, another is placed in their files, and another is kept on file with the Title I Director.

The student eligibility process is completed by September of each year. At the beginning of each school year, Title I teachers confer with classroom teachers to ensure that the eligibility information is accurate and that the neediest students will receive services. The exact process is followed for students who are referred for Title I eligibility during the school year.

On Saturday, September 13th, students from both the MHS National Honor Society and Fowler School National Junior Honor Society in conjunction with the Maynard Police, the Maynard Food Pantry, Market Basket of Maynard and the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley will be participating in Stuff a Cruiser at Market Basket in Maynard from 10am - 1pm.

Stuff a Cruiser is a friendly competition between the surrounding towns of Hudson, Stow, Lancaster, Bolton, Concord and Clinton to see who can collect the most food and/or money for their local food banks. The town with the greatest total weight collected earns bragging rights for the year. Last year Maynard collected over 3,700 pounds of donations (over 2,100 pounds of food and $800 in cash) and missed out on winning by just 14 pounds.

Beginning Wednesday, September 3rd until Friday, September 12th there will be bins located in each building where items can be dropped off. There will also be a cash donation box in each of the main offices if you would like to make a monetary donation. Every dollar donated is equivalent to 2 pounds of food. All donations will go to the Maynard Food Pantry.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As you may know, all students in the District are able to receive free breakfast & lunch. This has led to an increase the number of students accessing our breakfast and lunch services. Over the past year we noticed that this caused a delay at the cashier when students have to enter their cafeteria codes at check out. This results in students having reduced time to eat their food before they have to get to class. In order to improve the efficiency of the school breakfast check out process, the District began piloting the use of a finger scan device that is a form of biometric ID management last Spring at Green Meadow. The following information provides some more detail about what this new technology is and what it is not.

Our school will continue implementing a biometric ID management system in an effort to provide accurate student identification and improve efficiency and security for our students and their accounts. We are using this new ID management system because we are held accountable for students and the accuracy of their records. This technology will help us reduce the costs and time required in managing student ID while providing an easy, fast and accurate way to identify students. This system will also ensure that no one but your child can charge items to his/her account.

What is biometric identification?

Biometric identification is an automated method of identifying a person based upon physical or behavioral characteristics. Our school has selected the identiMetrics System because it is secure, accurate, cost-effective and non-intrusive. You can learn more about the system at www.identimetrics.net.

How does biometrics work?

We will be using finger scanning biometrics similar to your smartphone. Using a finger scanner, the software scans certain unique points on the finger to create and store individual templates that identify each student. When the student returns, the software again scans the finger and looks for a match in the database. When a match is found, the student is identified. This all happens in about a second.

How does IndentiMetrics Work?

What about the privacy of our students?

The software scans the finger for identification. It does not store a copy of the fingerprints. Instead, the software creates a template of the unique points on the finger. The template is converted to a unique number and is stored in the school’s database with the same high level of security of all of our records. The templates are also protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA is the same Federal Law that protects all student records.

When your child graduates or is no longer enrolled in the school system, the templates are deleted. At no time is a fingerprint image stored.

It is important to understand that we are not fingerprinting students. In addition, fingerprints cannot be recreated or delivered to any agency - governmental or otherwise.

Opt-Out

If for whatever reason, you do not want your student to participate in using the IdentiMetrics scanner, you may opt-out. There is a form attached to this packet that can be used to inform us of your decision. Fill it out and return it to the Business Office and your student’s profile in the food service POS system will be updated with your opt-out request. Your student will use another form of identification (barcode, PIN, or ID Card).

Maynard Opt-Out Form

Formulario de exclusión voluntaria

Formulário de recusa

Thanks for your attention!

It is important to us that your child’s experiences in school are educational and rewarding. This new way of identifying our students is safe, easy, accurate, efficient and secure. If you have any questions or do not want your child to participate, please contact us.

Wayne White

Business Manager

Maynard Public Schools

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

In order to comply with state requirements, school districts must inform parents of students whose home language is other than English of the rights they may have regarding English language education (ELE). The district will screen your child to determine if your child is an English learner. If your child is found to be an English learner and eligible for placement in an ELE program, you will receive further notification with your child’s English proficiency test results and program placement information.

If your child is determined to be an English learner, you have the right to:

• choose an ELE program among those offered by the district as described in state law and regulations;

• visit an ELE program in the district;

• attend available conferences or meetings to learn more about the ELE programs offered in the district;

• request a new ELE program in accordance with state law; and

• withdraw your child from an ELE program.

Available ELE programs include:

• English as a Second Language (ESL) - ESL classes provide direct English language instruction that focuses on developing speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in English. This is required for all schools in Massachusetts.

• Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) – an ELE program in which sheltered grade-level content instruction is used. Sheltered content instruction is content instruction that is modified so that an English learner can comprehend it and participate in the class at his or her level of English proficiency. All instruction and materials are in English.

• Dual Language Education or Two-Way Immersion (TWI) – an ELE program that develops students’ language skills in two languages (English and Spanish). This program includes native English speaking students and students who are native speakers of another language.

English Learner Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC)

Districts serving 100 or more English learners or in which English learners comprise at least 5% of the student population, whichever is less, are required to establish an English learner parent advisory council (ELPAC). Similarly, any school designated as underperforming or chronically underperforming and operating an ELE program is required to establish an ELPAC. Parents of English learners are encouraged to participate in such councils.

Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy

The Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy recognizes students who are proficient in English and one or more languages. The insignia is placed on the diploma and/or transcripts upon graduation to inform institutions of higher education and potential employers of the graduate’s multilingual skills. Maynard Public Schools does offer the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy to multilingual graduates.

For more information about the topics discussed in this notice, please contact: Deanna LeBlanc, Director of Curriculum, at 978-897-2222 x6103 or dleblanc@maynard.k12.ma.us. You may also obtain additional information about ELE programs offered by the district at upcoming English Learner Parent Advisory Council meetings, which will be posted on our website: https://www.maynard.k12.ma.us/

Please contact me with any questions or concerns that come up throughout the year.

Sincerely,

Deanna M. LeBlanc

Director of Curriculum, Maynard Public Schools

dleblanc@maynard.k12.ma.us

978-897-2222 x6103

Maynard Power Choice to Provide 26 Months of Stable Electricity Supply Prices Starting in September 2025

The Town of Maynard is pleased to announce the September 2025 launch of Maynard Power Choice, a new community electricity buying program from the Town for residents and business owners.

The town is joining more than 200 other Massachusetts cities and towns with similar programs, including the communities of Acton, Sudbury, Lincoln, and Wayland. Through the program, electricity customers in Maynard will have three new options for the supply charge on their Eversource electric bills, including two that provide increased electricity from renewable sources. All Maynard Power Choice options will provide savings compared with Eversource at launch, and prices are fixed for 26 months.

Participants in Maynard Power Choice will automatically receive an additional 5% of their electricity from renewable sources for a price of 13.800 ¢/kWh, which is below Eversource’s August 1 residential price of 14.884 ¢/kWh. That translates to a savings of more than $5/month for an average Maynard household. Two additional options are available by request: Participants can receive electricity that is 100 percent from renewable sources for 14.810 ¢/kWh or just the minimum amount from renewable sources required by law for 13.590 ¢/kWh. Both prices are also below Eversource’s August 1 residential price.

There will be two public information sessions:

• Thursday, July 24 at 7 PM | Maynard Public Library, Roosevelt Room | 77 Nason St, Maynard, MA 01754 and on zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88491331114?pwd=RqUog3zsxOWuEfYmfGtNaRWArR3anW.1)
• Tuesday, July 29 at 1 PM | Maynard Senior Center | 50 Brown St, Maynard, MA 01754

Additionally, representatives from Maynard's Sustainability Committee will be at the Maynard Farmers Market on Saturdays throughout the month of July to answer your questions about Maynard Power Choice.

Answers to many common questions can be found on the Maynard Power Choice website (https://maynardpowerchoice.com/). You can also call customer support at 1-844-202-6266.

The Maynard Food Pantry is open every Monday unless it is a holiday. Maynard residents are welcome to shop 2x a month (out-of-town residents are asked to keep it to 1x a month).

1. Adult and Youth Mobile Crisis Intervention: Call 800-640-5432

2. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org/chat

3. Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

4. Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline: Call 800-327-5050 or visit helplinema.org

5. OUT Metrowest for LGBTQ Youth: Call 508-875-2122 or visit outmetrowest.org

6. Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ Youth: Call 866-488-7386, text START to 678678, or visit thetrevorproject.org

7. Planned Parenthood: Call 888-258-4448 or visit plannedparenthood.org

8. National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 800-799-7233, text LOVEIS to 22522, or visit thehotline.org

9. Eating Disorder Hotline: Call 800-931-2237, or visit nationaleatingdisorder.org

10. Seize the Awkward: text SEIZE to 741741, or visit seizetheawkward.org

ELPAC (English Learner Parent Advisory Council) Resources

SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) Resources

Maynard Music Association (MMA)

Interested in learning more about the Maynard community and the many wonderful things happening around town? Check out the monthly Maynard Advantage Newsletters by subscribing athttps://maynardvoice.com/

As your food service provider, we want to understand your needs and continuously improve

upon our service. We appreciate your feedback on how we can take our service at your location

to the next level.

 Contact your General Manager, Susan Mitchell-Tang, at Tangs@whitsons.com with

questions or comments related to the service at your location.

 For general comments that will help us improve our overall service, please feel free to

share your comments wish us through the following link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T69CJK8