SPS Weekly Newsletter
In This Edition of the SPS Weekly Newsletter...
This week's header photo features the cast and crew from the Stoughton High Theatre Program's Production of The Wiz! You can see the SHS spring musical this weekend in the SHS Auditorium this Friday (May 9) at 7pm, Saturday (May 10) at 7pm, and Sunday (May 11) at 3pm. More information further down in this newsletter.
From the Desk of the Superintendent
Last week the elementary school building committee met for the first time since the April 8th Town Election. With the ballot question to fund the new elementary school building project passing, there is a lot to be accomplished in the coming weeks and months as we get ready to break ground on a new elementary school for the town.This includes hiring a construction team, going before various boards for permitting, submitting design development documents, and completing construction documents. This work is extensive and will take the better part of a year. Some preliminary site work is projected to begin early in the spring of 2026, with the building construction starting in summer 2026. A new elementary school will be ready to open in the fall of 2028, for the start of the 2028-2029 school year. In the meantime, the current South School building will remain open until the new school is ready.
Another aspect of this project is redistricting. The new school, which will be built on the former Line Lumber site (off Park St.), will have an increased enrollment of approximately 600 students. This allows us to go from the current number of five elementary schools to four once the new building opens (the new building along with the Dawe, Gibbons, and Hansen, with the Wilkins being repurposed as a preschool and district offices.) As we go from five elementary buildings to four, we will go through a process to redistrict and redraw the neighborhood boundary lines for each elementary school. Redistricting will be completed and voted on by the School Committee by the fall/winter of 2027 for implementation when the new school opens. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, students will remain in their current elementary schools through June 2028.
This is an exciting time and we will be sure to keep you updated throughout the process.
Switching gears, the Stoughton Town Meeting commenced on Monday, May 5 and continued on Wednesday, May 7 of this week. The School District budget will probably be taken up next week. Town Meeting is scheduled to meet Monday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 14.
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Joseph F. Baeta, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Stoughton Public Schools
Bus Registration for 2025-2026
Bus registration for the 2025-2026 school year opened on Monday, May 5 and continues until Tuesday, June 17 – the last day of school. Students entering grades K-12 are eligible to apply.
The School Committee voted to bring back the bus fees for the 2025-2026 school year. The cost to ride the bus is $375.00 per student with a family cap of $750.00.
Parents/guardians will access the bus application in the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
Instructions on how to register can be found on our website.
PLEASE NOTE:
Parents must complete a bus application EVERY YEAR for EACH CHILD. Students are not automatically placed on a bus for the following year.
Massachusetts General Law requires school departments to provide transportation for any student in Grades K-6 who live more than 2 miles from their assigned school. If your student is planning on taking the bus, you still MUST complete a bus application, even if you live more than 2 miles for their assigned school.
Bus applications will be processed in the order they are received. There are limited seats and we cannot guarantee all students that meet the deadline will be placed on a bus. We will not have a waiting list or reopen the application in the fall!
Summer Programs
Registration for Stoughton Public Schools summer programs will open at 4pm on Monday, May 12 and the deadline to sign up will be June 13. More information will be sent to families when registration opens. Students will have the option to sign up for the following programs starting Monday:
Theatre Program - Elementary and Middle School
For students entering grades 3-8
Fee: $300
Production: Newsies Jr.
Enrollment: Limited to 45 students
Dates: July 7-24
Time: 8:30am to 12:30pm
Location: Stoughton High School
Performances: July 24 & 25
Theatre Program - High School
For students entering grades 9-12
Fee: $250
Production: Sweeney Todd School Edition
Enrollment: Limited to 20 students (audition only)
Dates: July 7 - August 1
Time: 9am to 2:30pm
Location: Stoughton High School
Performances: August 1 & 2
Athletics - Strength Program
For students entering grades 9-12
Fee: $20
Enrollment: Limited to 25 students per session
Dates: Mondays & Wednesdays from July 7 - July 30
Time: 7-8am (session 1) and 8:15-9:15am (session 2)
Location: Stoughton High School weight room
Athletics - Conditioning Program
For students entering grades 9-12
Fee: $20
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays from July 8 - July 31
Time: 9-10am
Location: Stoughton High School turf field
Athletics - Volleyball Clinic
For students entering grades 9-12
Fee: $20
Enrollment: Limited to 50 students
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays from July 8 - July 31
Time: 9-10am
Location: Stoughton High School gymnasium
Other summer programs, as detailed in last week's newsletter, will be offered by invitation to eligible students.
Pair of SHS Seniors Named Hockomock League Scholar Athletes
Congratulations to Stoughton High seniors Leah McCarty and Sofia Issa, pictured together above, for being selected to represent SHS at the 2025 Hockomock League Scholar Athlete Award Banquet!
The Hockomock League Scholar Athlete Award is given to two top-ranked student-athletes from each Hockomock League school and is based on academics, athletic participation, sportsmanship, leadership, and citizenship. The honorees "successfully balanced a demanding academic schedule along with participation in athletics as well as many extra-curricular activities during their high school career." The banquet took place last week at Lake Pearl in Wrentham. SHS Principal Julie Miller, SHS Athletic Director Robin Ireland, and the parents of the students were in attendance. They are pictured in the photo below with Leah and Sofia.
Leah participated in cross country, basketball, and outdoor track at SHS, serving as a captain of all three teams. Prior to SHS, Leah attended the West (Wilkins) Elementary School and O'Donnell Middle School. After graduation, Leah plans to attend Tufts University and study neuroscience and psychology, hoping to pursue a career where she can help individuals achieve better qualities of life.
Sofia participated in field hockey, ice hockey, and outdoor track at SHS. Prior to SHS, Sofia attended the Gibbons Elementary School and O'Donnell Middle School. After graduation, Sofia plans to attend Northeastern University and major in Health Sciences. She wants to pursue a career in the medical field and work with children in developing countries.
We are so incredibly proud of your accomplishments and wish you the best in your future endeavors!
Photos courtesy of Ryan Lanigan of HockomockSports.com.
Stoughton High Tuesday Jazz Band Performs at Hatch Shell
Congratulations to the Stoughton High Tuesday Jazz Band for a fantastic performance last Sunday morning at the Hatch Shell at the Charles River Esplanade in Boston! Stoughton performed as part of the MAJE (Massachusetts Association for Jazz Education) Gold Medal Showcase featuring 17 gold medal winning high school jazz groups from across the state.
OMS Jazz Ensemble Wins Silver Medal
Congratulations to the O'Donnell Middle School Jazz Ensemble on their excellent performance at the MAJE Festival in Easton on May 1. These hard-working 7th and 8th grade students earned a silver medal for their performance, and outstanding musicianship awards were presented to Tori Chaisson (trumpet), Mariana Kramer (clarinet), and Carmella Saint-Louis (alto saxophone) for their impressive solos and overall contribution to the group performance. The OMS Jazz Ensemble is directed by SPS music faculty member Una Davenport.
Trio of SHS Students Attend DECA's Top Conference in Orlando
Stoughton High DECA President Isabella Kuznitz and Vice Presidents Makaila Graffeo and Max Arroyo recently had the incredible opportunity to attend the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Orlando, Florida, alongside nearly 25,000 DECA members from around the world. Throughout the week, they competed in high-level business roleplays, participated in leadership breakouts, and engaged in valuable networking sessions designed to enhance their entrepreneurial and professional skill sets. They return from the conference energized and inspired, ready to share what they’ve learned and help strengthen Stoughton DECA’s future programming and success.
Spring Author Series
Author and illustrator Marietta Apollonio visited the South School on Monday as part of our Spring Author Series. She is pictured above with some of the students in attendance.
The next visit in the Spring Author Series is Monday, May 12 at 5pm when author and illustrator David Biedrzycki comes to the Hansen School. The following week, Peter Reynolds visits the Gibbons School (5-6pm on Monday, May 19).
Students from all of our elementary schools are invited to attend these engaging and fun author presentations! The first 75 families at each event will receive a free copy of one of the author’s books.
SPS Represented at Bridgewater State University Educator Career Fair
Matthew Colantonio, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Wellness, represented Stoughton Public Schools at the Bridgewater State University Educator Career Fair on Wednesday. Interested in working for SPS? Click here to see our current employment opportunities.
SHS Spring Musical This Weekend!
Save the Date: Grade 5 Showcase Night at the OMS on May 15
Attention current 5th grade students and families: Please join the OMS administration and your grade 6 school counselor for the Grade 5 Showcase on May 15, 2025 at 6:30 pm in the O'Donnell Middle School Cafetorium. This program is an introduction to all our 5th grade students and families for all things middle school. You will hear all about OMS classes, activities, clubs, and more!
Upcoming Parent Workshops
Registration for Next School Year
Attention families looking to register for next school year:
The pre-registration portal for preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1-12 for the 2025-2026 school year is open. More information and the link to the pre-registration forms can be found by clicking here.
Please keep in mind:
- Preschool students must be 3 or 4 years of age by August 31, 2025 and be toilet trained. Pre-registration does not guarantee a spot in the preschool program as there are limited spots available.
- For kindergarten, children must be 5 years old by August 31, 2025. Any student currently attending the Jones Early Childhood Center for preschool that will be entering kindergarten in the fall must still register for kindergarten.
- Students only need to register for grades 1-12 if they do not currently attend the Stoughton Public Schools.
Save the Date: Community Safety Awareness Event on May 17
Join the Stoughton SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) and the Stoughton Police for an inclusive event filled with fun, safety education, and a tour of the police station. The event takes place Saturday, May 17 from 12-2pm at the Stoughton Police Department (26 Rose St.). Click here for more information.
Save the Date: Once A Knight, Always A Knight 5K Walk/Run on May 17
The annual Once A Knight, Always A Knight 5K Walk/Run will be held Saturday, May 17 this year. The race starts at 9am at Halloran Park in Stoughton (right near the District office/Jones Early Childhood Center).
For more information, including how to register and the race route, visit the Stoughton Recreation Department's website.
Message from the Stoughton Climate Action Plan Committee
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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