From Superintendent Brooke Clenchy
Nauset Community Newsletter - November 2021
Happy November!
November presents that annual opportunity to reflect, extend gratitude, and embrace all that we are thankful for. This month we have several dates that are particularly important to us - November 11 - Veterans Day; November 13 - World Kindness Day; November 25 - Thanksgiving.
NPS Updates
Policy SubCommittee Update
The Policy Sub-Committee of the Nauset School Committee's will begin the process shortly to review and update all school district policies. This process will be led by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. The work is anticipated to take approximately 2 years and will begin sometime after December.
Nauset Regional High School Building Update
The School Building Committee which is helping to oversee the major renovation joint project between Nauset Public Schools and the Massachusetts School Building Authority continues to be on track, on time, and on budget. Meetings occur regularly and frequently and include the designer, engineers, and the Owner’s Project Manager (OPM). Details are now being planned, including flooring, outer finishes, etc.
Teaching & Learning
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update
Title One Schoolwide Program:
All Nauset Public Schools have now qualified to participate in a Title One Schoolwide Program. The difference between a schoolwide program and a targeted assistance program is that, now, our schools are able to use the funds to “support comprehensive schoolwide reforms.” This change is due to the percentage { >40%) of students in most of our district schools living in poverty. The US Department of Education notes:
“In designing and implementing the schoolwide plan, a school must implement strategies that: (1) provide opportunities for all children to meet challenging State academic standards; (2) use methods and instructional strategies that strengthen the academic program in the school, increase the amount and quality of learning time, and help provide an enriched and accelerated curriculum, which may include programs, activities, and courses necessary to provide a well-rounded education; and (3) address the needs of all students, but particularly those at risk of not meeting challenging State academic standards. (ESEA section 1114(b)(7)(A)).”
For review of the School-Parent Compact: Title I Schoolwide Program, please click here: NPS 2021-2022 School-Parent Compact.
Professional Development:
On Friday, November 12th, all educators, educational assistants, nurses, administrative assistants and administrators will engage in district-wide professional development sessions. Both in-district and out-of-district presenters will host over 30 sessions throughout the day that are rooted within the four goals and foundational values outlined for the district at the start of the year:
Foundational Values
Support, assume the best of, and train all of our stakeholders
Collaborate, and then communicate clearly
Address inequities head on
Grade-level content is the academic priority
Key Strategic Levers
Positive relationships; prioritize engagement
Community Wellness; wellness focus for all
Goals, progress, feedback; assess, differentiate/personalize instruction, accelerate learning
Equitable Learning; team and personal equity culture, consistent cycles of reflection
In addition, there are opportunities for differentiation and self-selection, and also a genuine effort to provide time for “make and take” outcomes, for reflection, and for sustained opportunities to work on individual/team/school/district goals.
To see the full-list of offerings, please view: Nov. 12, 2021 NPS PD Catalog.
Veterans Day
Veterans Day is an opportunity to honor our military veterans, both current and former. We honor their service and the sacrifices that they, and their families, routinely make. Our veterans’ tasks have always been daunting. It seems that the words “thank you” are not nearly adequate enough to acknowledge their courage, bravery and dedication. We know that our freedom is not something that is guaranteed - our service members have protected it so that we can enjoy the life that we have in this amazing country.
To our veterans - we honor and respect your efforts and loyalty, not only on November 11, but always. We thank you for your courage and bravery.
World Kindness Day
World Kindness Day is observed annually as a day to honor the importance of being kind to each other and the world at large. With kindness we have the ability to bridge gaps and develop our understanding and compassion for each other.
World Kindness Day affords us an opportunity to celebrate and highlight the kindness that we are surrounded by. It is also a perfect day to inspire those around us to do the same. There are so many small things that we can do to make a difference in someone else’s life.
Sample ideas:
- Send a message of gratitude.
- Create some baked goods to share with family and friends
- Create “Thank you” cards for First Responders
- Create “Thank you” notes for our Veterans
- Do a “street clean-up” and pick up litter in a specific area
- Pay for someone’s coffee
- Write positive and inspiring sidewalk messages in chalk
- Donate to your favorite cause
- Take on a kindness challenge
- Give out at least three genuine compliments
- Place uplifting notes where people will find them
- Volunteer
- Dedicate 24 hours to spreading positivity on social media
- Prepare an extra dinner plate to deliver to someone
- Leave a positive review online for a local business
- Round up canned goods and other badly needed items for a local food bank
- Drop off baked goods for our local safety (police and fire) partners
The ideas are limitless. Spreading kindness improves our own well-being and helps to create and maintain caring communities.
“NO ACT OF KINDNESS, NO MATTER HOW SMALL, IS EVER WASTED.” — AESOP
“IN A WORLD WHERE YOU CAN BE ANYTHING, BE KIND.” — UNKNOWN
“WHEN WORDS ARE BOTH TRUE AND KIND, THEY CAN CHANGE OUR WORLD.” — JACK KORNFIELD
Thanksgiving
A three-day harvest celebration was held in 1621 in Plymouth County and is considered the first American Thanksgiving. In 1789, on November 25, former president George Washington issued a proclamation for “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer” declaring it an official holiday of “sincere and humble thanks” according to the U.S. National Archives. We are grateful for that first initial celebratory feast and the tradition it has since become.
As we move closer to this special time, may we take the time to reflect on all that we are grateful and thankful for in our lives. In the last two years we have witnessed so much, on such a broad scale. Maybe this year we might take a moment to self-reflect and genuinely appreciate the people we are surrounded by and the fact that we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, where every place we look is a picture in and of itself.
We know that this school year has been incredibly challenging to navigate. COVID is yet to be in our rear-view mirror. We want to express our gratitude to all for your commitment, flexibility, and understanding as we continue to work through the ever-present challenges we experience with this virus. Thank you for consistently going “the extra” to ensure the safety of all.
In the Spirit of the Season
I wish you and your family the very best as you move into this next season of life.
Brooke Clenchy
Interim Superintendent
Nauset Public Schools
Office of the Superintendent
Brooke Clenchy
Interim Superintendent
Nauset Public Schools78 Eldredge Park Way
Orleans, MA 02653
Email: clenchyb@nausetschools.org
Phone: (508) 255-8800 ext. 7002
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