TPS District Newsletter

Dear TPS Community,

The start of 2023 was a Happy (and busy) New Year for the Tewksbury Public Schools, as we officially opened the NEW Center Elementary School (CES)!

Opening Day for our 755 students in grades 2, 3 and 4 was January 5, 2023. While it was a freezing cold day, the smiles on our students and staff member’s faces were thoroughly heartwarming. The vibrant and well-equipped new classrooms and large learning spaces are already set up with students actively engaged in learning in their new school. This former construction project came alive as a school on day one.

A new school project and a mid-year move like this does not happen by accident. We are so grateful for the constant efforts and support of so many TPS and Town community members as we planned to make this opening a reality. Our teachers and staff climbed a seemingly impossible mountain packing and unpacking again, to set up their classrooms and workspaces for our students’ arrival. The project has some additional details to tend to and punch list items to work out, but it’s important to know that we are all moved in…on time…and on budget!

Additionally, our new CES PAC gave every single one of us (students and all CES staff and Central Office staff) a new CES T-Shirt to wear on Friday, Jan. 6th for our first CES Spirit Day! The PAC and parents of our students have been amazing, patient, and adaptive with their generous assistance and support through all the new processes and adjustments. The cafeteria is expertly operating already and has the students through the lunch line in approximately 8-10 minutes. The laughter of students heard outside our Central Office windows on the new playground is joyous. Maria and Stacy are manning the front of this immense new facility while juggling the plans for our Ribbon Cutting and Community Grand Opening Day (see below). Above all, Principal Jay Harding, Assistant Principal Rob Rogers, and lead custodian Barry Patterson have been true heroes tending to every little detail to make the school opening a success.

The Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony:

We are currently planning for the official ribbon cutting ceremony during the school day on February 3rd. For the safety of our students, this is a closed ceremony, by invitation only. Please know that this event will be recorded for the community to view on our Tewksbury TV public channel.

Tewksbury Community Grand Opening Public Tours:

We are also planning for the public grand opening tours for the community, on:

• Saturday, February 4th (Snow date: Feb. 11)

• 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

Day 87:

As I end this letter, it’s hard to believe that we are almost half way through this (180-day) school year already. The 90-day mark for our students is on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. Thank you all for a wonderful first half of the school year! The constant support you demonstrate and share on behalf of our students and staff is unmeasurable and deeply appreciated. We can’t do this work without you. Here’s to a great second half of the 22-23 school year, as this new year holds great promise and opportunity for our entire TPS community.

Sincerely,

Brenda Theriault-Regan, Superintendent

Extensive research has shown that students achieve more in school when their caregivers are informed of and involved in their education. Please join our team of teachers and administrators as we share how the "science of reading" is changing instruction in today's K-2 classrooms and offer ideas for how to build upon this important work at home when reading with young children. We'll meet on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 6:00PM in the brand new Center Elementary School. Please use the link below to help us plan. Thank you!

The Department is inviting students, parents, education professionals, and community members to participate in a survey that will provide feedback on the MCAS program and help inform improvements. The Department is seeking stakeholders’ input in several areas, including communications and support, data and reporting, and release of test questions. The survey will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 27. Please contact mcas@doe.mass.edu with any questions.

The English Learner Parent Advisory Team is made up of parents/guardians of English learners who work together with the English Language Education (ELE) staff and the school community to best support our language learners.

Please visit our website for up to date announcements, helpful resources, school calendars and events.

Website: https://www.tewksbury.k12.ma.us/
Address: 139 Pleasant Street, Tewksbury, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 640-7800