Superintendent Weekly Update

Good afternoon,

I hope you have had a good week. We're in the closing days of school with high school students taking final exams and the middle and elementary schools wrapping up their studies. Crane Beach day was a huge success yesterday and field days are yet to come! I know we're all looking forward to stepping away for the summer. We have just two days of school left, Monday and Tuesday of next week.

This will be the last weekly update for the school year. I have some important information to share on two different summer meal programs for our students, a volleyball clinic, and a summer bowling opportunity. I also left the information in for protecting our students and the use of AI in our school system.

I wish you all a restful, restorative summer.

-Brian

Dr. Brian J. Blake

Superintendent of Schools

We've been getting a lot of questions about the last day of school. The last day of school for grades 1-11 will be June 23rd. The schedule for dismissal will be 11:20am dismissal for middle & high school and 11:50am dismissal for both elementary schools. Staff have the rest of the day to complete their checkout process before heading into summer!

A Summer Bowling Pass for Kids at Cape Ann Lanes in Gloucester, MA is available from

Memorial Day until Labor Day 2026 on Tuesdays-Fridays from 11 AM-6 PM.

Registered children can bowl each day of the program for FREE!

To Register:

1. Go to capeannlanes.com/summer-bowling-pass

2. Register your children for FREE!

3. Bring your QR code in the confirmation email or tell us your phone # at check in and COME BOWL for FREE!

We welcome rising 5th to 8th grade boys and girls to come to play volleyball. This two day clinic will be taught by our 2026 players and coaches where we will learn fundamental skills and play lots of games.

The Summer Meals for Kids program provides free meals for children through age 18 for the weeks while school is out. We have grab-and-go sites that are open to the public, as well as meals at enrolled programs, such as summer schools & camps. In Ipswich, I'm excited to say that we have a new site open M-F from 12-1 at the Three Sisters Garden Project at 2 Washington Street!

This summer, Triton Food Services will once again be providing free meals for children and teens 18 and under through our Summer Meals Program. We are excited to continue supporting local families and helping ensure that kids in our community have access to nutritious meals while school is out.

Ipswich Public Schools acknowledges that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly embedded in our world. As such, IPS has guidance for administrators and educators on when and how AI may be used in their work. Here is link to the Ipswich Public Schools Parent/Guardian statement on AI in our schools.

In recent weeks, schools across the Commonwealth have been dealing with a new phenomenon involving artificial intelligence (AI) and students creating images that are inappropriate. This is deeply concerning behavior, as it can be considered criminal in nature. I wanted to share this resource with families so that parents are aware and can have conversations at home.

On September 18, 2024, “An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation” went into effect in Massachusetts. As described in Think Before You Send: Facts about Sexting and Cyberbullying, that law makes it a criminal offense for a person, including a juvenile, to possess, share, show, send, forward, buy, or upload to an internet website a photo or video of a child under the age of 18 in a state of nudity or engaged in sexual conduct.

Back in the spring, I had run a weekly piece related to increased ICE activities in the Commonwealth. Given recent events, I wanted to provide the information again. The Ipswich Public Schools values our entire community and welcomes all learners. We have received calls from citizens and staff members concerned about the safety of our students. As always, we place the safety of our students and staff at the forefront of all we do. School districts across the Commonwealth have received guidance from the Attorney General's Office and have processes in place to protect our students and their information. I will continue to post this weekly until such time as it is no longer necessary. The links below are one page documents that outlines the steps that our district is taking to ensure the safety of our students and their information and the other outlines immigrant students rights to attend school.

Please reach out to me if you have any questions.

The Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) is a free, confidential, and 24/7/365 statewide service available to all of Massachusetts residents regardless of insurance status. The BHHL connects individuals and families to the full range of treatment services for mental health and substance use. Whether by phone, text or online chat, callers can access our services at any time.

• Website/Contact Information: Call or text 833-773-2445 and chat online at https://masshelpline.com

Several of our counselors at the middle and high school have put together a list of food security resources for families impacted by the government shutdown and loss of SNAP benefits. Please click on these links to see what is available.

Food Security Resources (English only)

Food Security Resources (English, Spanish, Portuguese)

Ready to make a difference? Check out our current openings and apply today at https://ipsk12.schoolspring.com/!