Wednesday's Words

As we wrap up an incredible school year, we want to wish all of our wonderful families a safe, relaxing, and fun-filled summer break! We are so proud of the growth, kindness, and hard work our students showed this year. Thank you for your continued partnership and support—we can't wait to welcome everyone back, refreshed and ready to learn, this fall! Have a fantastic summer!

Sincerely,

Dr. Ingrid Allardi

DEIDRE FERRARA

H. Olive Day School

• Teacher

• Service Dates: 8/29/2007 - 6/30/2026

Deidre Ferrara has dedicated twenty years of service to Norfolk, beginning as a paraprofessional and growing into an exceptional educator whose compassion, kindness, and commitment have positively impacted countless students and colleagues. Her unwavering dedication to students and her school community will leave a lasting legacy, and she will truly be missed!

LINDA GLEBUS

H. Olive Day School

• Paraeducator

• Service Dates: 8/29/2011 - 6/30/2026

For 15 years, Linda Glebus has made a profound and lasting impact by bringing immense clinical expertise, warmth, and joy to our youngest learners. Beyond her exceptional teaching skills, her legacy of kindness, dedication, and heart has left a lasting mark on the students and colleagues she so beautifully supported. She will be deeply missed!

KATHY HALEY

Norfolk Public School District

• Special Education Administrative Assistant

• Service Dates: 9/29/1999 - 6/30/2026

Since joining Norfolk Public Schools in 1999 as an instructional assistant at the HOD School and transitioning to Executive Administrative Assistant in 2017, Kathy Haley has served as the true heartbeat and "rock" of the Special Education Department. Kathy's extraordinary legacy of dedicated service has left an enduring mark on our community, and we wish her the absolute best in this next chapter!

SHARON LAVALLEE

H. Olive Day School

• Librarian

• Service Dates: 8/31/2005 - 6/30/2026

For 22 years, Sharon Lavallee inspired a love of reading in generations of Norfolk students through her passion for books, innovative literacy programs, and dedication as a school librarian. Sharon's impact on students' literacy journeys has been extraordinary. Her legacy of fostering lifelong readers will be felt for years to come, and we wish her all the best in a well-deserved retirement!

ROBIN MCFADDEN

Freeman-Kennedy School

• Teacher

• Service Dates: 8/30/2006 - 6/30/2026

For twenty years, Robin McFadden has been a dedicated member of our school community. For Robin, teaching has never been just a job, it’s a lifelong calling to inspire the next generation. You’ll often find her in the audience at school plays or cheering from the sidelines at after school games, showing the kids that she’s their biggest fan both in and out of school. She is a true cheerleader for those who struggle academically or socially, never giving up on a child and helping them turn self-doubt into real confidence!

HOLLI MERRITT

H. Olive Day School

• Special Education Teacher

• Service Dates: 9/1/1986 - 6/30/1998 & 8/28/2002 - 6/30/2026

For 36 remarkable years, Holli Merritt has been a dedicated special education teacher, advocate, and leader whose impact on students, families, and colleagues has been immeasurable. Through her expertise, compassion, and commitment to excellence, she has ensured that every student is supported and every voice is heard, while serving the district in numerous leadership roles. It has been a privilege to work beside Holli during her years in Norfolk, and she will be greatly missed!

FRANCES PERICLES

Freeman-Kennedy School

• Teacher

• Service Dates: 10/01/2000 - 6/30/2026

For 25 years, Fran Pericles has been a devoted educator in the Norfolk Public Schools. She began her career as one of our first Technology Integration teachers and later found her home in third grade, where she was a valued member of the team for over twenty years. She has concluded her distinguished teaching career as a fourth-grade teacher. We wish her all the happiness and relaxation in her well-deserved new chapter!

KELLY PERIERA

Freeman-Kennedy School

• Physical Education Teacher

• Service Dates: 8/30/2006 - 1/30/2026

For twenty remarkable years, Kelly Periera has been an integral member of our elementary school community. She dedicated herself to fostering a love of movement, health, and teamwork in every student who passed through the gymnasium doors. More than just a Physical Education teacher, Kelly has been a mentor, an advocate for healthy living, and an endlessly positive presence. Thank you, Kelly, for two incredible decades of service!

VICKY TIBBETTS

Freeman-Kennedy School

• Paraeducator

• Service Dates: 9/17/1999 - 6/30/2026

For 27 years Vicky Tibbetts has been a devoted educator in the Norfolk Public Schools. Vicky has become a pillar of the NPS community having supported thousands of students. Her work ethic is unmatched and she tackles every challenge with a quiet, tireless resolve that inspires everyone around her. It is seen not just through her decades of hard work, but through her unwavering genuine care she offers to our staff and students. Vicky does more than just show up to work - she shows up to care for the people around her!

ANNA EBERWEIN-TUPPER

Norfolk Public School District

• Director of Special Education

• Service Dates: 1/2/2007 - 6/30/2026

For over two decades, Anna Tupper has been far more than an administrator; she has been a champion for every student and a vital pillar of the Norfolk Public Schools community. Beyond her professional accolades, it is Anna’s spirit - her infectious laugh, her deep kindness, and her rare ability to find joy in the small things - that we will miss most. We wish Dr. Tupper the very best as she begins this well-deserved new chapter with her family and friends!

This summer, we encourage all students to keep their reading and math skills sharp by participating in our Summer Reading and Math Challenge! Students can use one side of the log to track their reading and the other side to record their math activities, including math game play and fact practice. Reading/Math logs will be sent home with students during the week of June 15th. The logs and directions will be found on a button on the Teaching and Learning page of our website and as a flip flop icon on the Student Start Page. Completed logs should be returned to school in the fall. As an added incentive, one class at each grade level will earn a special reward for returning the most completed logs. We hope you'll join us in making reading, math, and learning part of a fun and engaging summer!

We look forward to partnering with families
for a summer filled with learning, growth, and fun! Happy reading and math-ing!

Automatic Eligibility

Children are automatically enrolled if during the 2025-26 school year they qualified for:

• Free or reduced-price school lunch (via application or direct certification)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), TANF, or certain DTA cash benefits
• Specialized student categories: homeless, migrant, runaway, or Head Start programs

How to Apply

If your child does not meet the automatic criteria, you can submit an application through the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) online at DTAConnect.com/SUNBucks.

Hockomock Area YMCA, with branches in Foxboro, Franklin, and North Attleboro is committed to addressing food insecurity through their Food Access Program.

For More Information: Visit hockymca.org/food-access. To learn more or if you are in need of support, please contact foodaccess@hockymca.org or call 508 643-5277

Lenore's Pantry will replace food distribution previously offered at the branches. See flyer for information on Lenore's Pantry & Market, located at 451 Elm Street, North Attleboro. Or visit https://www.hockymca.org/our-cause/lenores-food-pantry-and-market/

• 2026-2027 NPS School Calendar
• Monday, August 31 - 1st Day of School- Grades 1-6
• Monday, August 31 - Classroom visits - PreK & Kindergarten
• Tuesday, September 1 - 1st Day of School - PreK & Kindergarten
• Friday, September 4 - NO SCHOOL
• Monday, September 7 - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

Please click on Employment Opportunities to join our team!

CURRENT OPENINGS:

For more information contact Jill Rivolla, Human Resources @ jrivolla@norfolk.k12.ma.us

Qualifications: Possession of an Associate’s Degree or higher. Preferably at least two or more years working in an educational setting. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables). Experience with integrated financial/HRIS software (e.g., Harpers/MUNIS). Familiarity with FLSA regulations and state-specific teacher retirement systems. Strong interpersonal, communication and organization skills. Ability to work independently and as a member of a team. Confidentiality and professionalism is essential

Position Type: 12-month, Part-time
Salary: $22 to $24 Per Hour

Hours: 20 hours/week (to be agreed upon with business consultant and business office specialist)

• At least 3 year(s) of relevant experience preferred.
• Associate degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Look for our next issue coming in August!

Norfolk Public Schools

Email: allardi@norfolk.k12.ma.us
Website: norfolk.k12.ma.us
Location: 70 Boardman Street, Norfolk, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 528-1225