Superintendent's Update
January 11, 2024
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT'S DESK
Hello Auburn Families and Staff,
As we prepare for the three day weekend ahead of us, I thought it was important to reflect on the reason for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, on Monday, January 15th. This holiday is intended to celebrate the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. The goal is to commemorate his commitment to justice for all and the example he set through his values of courage, truth, compassion, humility and service.
Dr. King wrote in a letter from a Birmingham, Alabama jail on April 16. 1963, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."
For many, Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday is a call to service to one another and to the community. We thank all of you who serve the Auburn community in any way you can. It is the 'Auburn Way' to care and support one another and that is what makes Auburn special.
Below you will find information from the Massachusetts Partnership for Youth with a variety of resources for families along with a training opportunity for families with neurodivergent children who struggle with sleep.
As a reminder, please note that tomorrow, January 12, 2024, is a half day of school for students.
Please find the newsletter from the Town of Auburn, The Auburn Account, linked below in Community Events and Information section of this newsletter.
Thank you for your continued support of the Auburn Public Schools.
Best,
Beth
MASSACHUSETTS PARTNERSHIP FOR YOUTH-PARENTING SOLUTIONS LIBRARY
Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is pleased to announce its new MPY Parenting Solutions Library. The MPY Parenting Solutions Library is offered at no charge, in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, a non-profit located in Mansfield, Connecticut. Peace At Home Parenting Solutions is a dynamic hub of trusted knowledge and compassionate support that inspires parents to create positive change for their children, their families and themselves. Through this new partnership, MPY is pleased to offer proven resources to help students’ families thrive.
Peace At Home Parenting Solutions specializes in empowering parents with evidence-based strategies to foster nurturing connections that safeguard their children's mental well-being. The trainings are presented by experts with advanced degrees and the trainings focus on child and adolescent development, including difficulties in school, mental health challenges, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ identity formation, racism, and grief. These trainings present easy-to-use strategies for long-lasting change.
NEW ENGLAND SCHOOL DEVELOP COUNCIL-SLEEP IN NEURODIVERGENT CHILDREN AND TEENS
Sleep is a major problem for many neurodivergent children and lack of sleep can affect how children behave during the day. Sleep can also affect school performance. Sleep problems aren't unique to neurodivergent children, but recommendations about how to address sleep problems, side effects from medication, and family routines are not one-size-fits-all. Please join us to learn what children, teens, parents, caregivers, healthcare providers, and school staff can do to help ensure that children (and families) get a great night's sleep and feel energetic and ready to learn.
Participants in the webinar will:
- Describe common sleep problems in children who are neurodivergent
- Identify the causes and contributors of sleep problems in this population
- Explore the behavioral and medical treatments for sleep problems in children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, epilepsy, and other neurodivergent populations
IMPORTANT DATES
HALF DAY FOR STUDENTS-PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR STAFF
Friday, Jan 12, 2024, 07:00 AM
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.DAY-NO SCHOOL
Monday, Jan 15, 2024, 07:00 AM
PRESIDENT'S DAY-NO SCHOOL
Monday, Feb 19, 2024, 07:00 AM
FEBRUARY VACATION FEBRUARY 19-23, 2024 NO SCHOOL
Monday, Feb 19, 2024, 07:00 AM
HALF DAY FOR STUDENTS-PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR STAFF
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024, 07:00 AM
NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS-PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR STAFF
Friday, Mar 22, 2024, 07:00 AM
APS QUICK LINKS
AUBURN COMMUNITY EVENTS AND INFORMATION
SECOND ANNUAL BUDDY BINGO NIGHT FOR KIDS IN GRADES PREK-5
February 8th (snow day 15th) from 5:30- 7PM in the AHS Cafeteria.
Come participate in a fun filled evening with your friends and family.
Play bingo for cool prizes including some grand prizes like Swan Boat or WooSox tickets.
Pizza, candy, chips and water will be available for purchase.
Sign up and pay in advance for a discount!
All proceeds will benefit our Unified School Day Games in June.
AUBURN DAY/STAR WARS NIGHT AT THE RAILERS
Get your tickets before we are SOLD OUT!
Enjoy a day filled with exciting ice hockey action at Auburn Day/StarWars Night with the Worcester Railers on Saturday, January 27th. The thrilling event starts with two early afternoon faceoffs the first at 1:00 when Auburn JV hockey takes on Wachusett JV. The second at 2:30 when Auburn Varsity Hockey takes on Wachusett Varsity hockey. All this is followed by the Railers game at 7:05.
Your ticket provides access to all three adrenaline-fueled games. Furthermore, all Lower-Level Center ice ticket holders will receive a Worcester Railers group hat as a keepsake of this unforgettable day. The hat can be picked up at the Fan Assistance table in section 121 during the Railers game. Get your tickets today and experience a day packed with fun, excitement, and unforgettable hockey action.
Once you purchase your tickets you can access them at www.railershc.com/mytickets use the email that you purchased your tickets with to login. We also highly recommend you transfer your tickets to your apple or google wallet upon entering the DCU Center for the game.
All sales are final no refunds or exchanges.
THE AUBURN ACCOUNT-JANUARY 2024
AUBURN FAST PITCH LEAGUE
Auburn Fastpitch is working hard to get American Legion Lady Fastpitch Softball started in Massachusetts! Legion softball has started in other parts of the USA and it’s about time we started this here giving our young women the same opportunities our young men get through Legion Baseball.
Do you think you might be interested?
What you need to know:
· This is for girls in grade 8 through 12. Girls entering 8th grade in fall 2024 are eligible to play.
· The American Legion Lady Fastpitch league will not interfere with travel or school softball.
· This program is a great way for girls in grades 8th-12th to play competitive softball but at an affordable cost and in some cases for free.
· We are expecting the cost to be $50-$100, however, we are hoping to get a full sponsorship to fund the player cost.
· All games will take place during the week with the occasional Sunday evenings. They will have to play a minimum of 10 games starting in June and ending with playoffs at the end of July.
· There will be a try-out, date is TBD.
· You do not need to live in Auburn to play, anyone can join our team.
· This is independent and separate from Auburn Fastpitch.
If you are interested in receiving more information, please fill out this link and we will pass along information as it comes.
BOOK SALE-AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Book Sale
Where: The Auburn Public Library
369 Southbridge Street, Auburn, MA
Tables will be set up in the Merriam room
When: Saturday, February 10, 2024, 10am-12:30pm
Payment: Cash, Check, Credit Card or PayPal
Notice will be on the library website, contact list email and Facebook if postponed.
The book sale is B.Y.O.B →Bring Your Own Bag!!
Questions? email: friendsofauburnplibrary@gmail.com
AYFS QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
Auburn Youth and Family Services (AYFS) has begun publishing a quarterly newsletter, the goal being to share with the community information about their ongoing efforts to support those in need. Enjoy reading this first edition AYFS Quarterly Newsletter - December 2023 and if you're willing to support AYFS in their efforts, there is information contained therein, along with a "Make a Donation" button. Thank you!
AUBURN WORCESTER YOUTH LACROSSE REGISTRATION
UNITED SOCCER REGISTRATION
AUBURN FAST PITCH REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
The Spring season runs April through June, ages 5 and older. Registration closes March 15th, 2024. Register before 12/31/23 for a $25 early bird discount !
For registration or for more information go to:www.auburnfastpitch.org
AUBURN LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION
Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much. ~Helen Keller