Superintendent's Update
February 9, 2024
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT'S DESK
Hello Auburn Families and Staff,
I hope this finds you and yours doing well. I will share with you that I am not a big fan of this time of year. It always seems a bit dark, it can be gray and cloudy and cold, yet I will tell you that the pride I have in the work we are doing here in Auburn, helps to chase all of that away. Auburn is a special, caring community and while we can always improve, I am grateful for the work our teachers and staff do every day and I am grateful to be a member of such an amazing community.
I have a lot of information to share with you today. It is hard to believe but we are already preparing for the 2024-2025 school year. Below you will find a button for the 2024-2025 school calendar that was approved by the School Committee this week. I hope this helps for your planning purposes.
Also below, you will find the link to the Bus Transportation Form that must be completed for all students who plan to ride the school bus in the 2024-2025 school year. If the application and payment are received before May 1st, the price will remain the same as 2023-2024 which was a fee of $ 100 with a $ 250 family cap. Applications received after that date will follow the graduated pricing scale.
Registration for the APS Preschool and Kindergarten is now open. Please see below for more information and please spread the word to any family who may have a child entering preschool or kindergarten in the coming year. The preschool fee schedule is also attached and please note that for the 2024-2025 school year, full day programming will be $ 6,500 per year and half day programming will be $ 3,500 per year.
Below, you will also find a new section, Strategic Plan Updates, in my newsletter that will be updated at least once each month. Utilizing this communication tool, I hope to provide all of you with information related to the initiatives outlined in our Strategic Plan and our progress toward our goals. I welcome your feedback on this information and hope that not only does it keep all of you better informed but it also allows you to see the care and dedication that the administrators and staff put in to support our students.
Finally, we continue to hold school committee meetings both in person, via ZOOM and through the local cable access channel ACTV. Please note that if you choose to join a school committee meeting via ZOOM, please email Mandy Rocco at mrocco@auburn.k12.ma.us prior to the meeting.
Thank you for your continued support of the Auburn Public Schools.
Best,
Beth
STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE
Enhancing Social-Emotional Learning Supports District Wide
Teaching and Learning is one of the main focus areas of our Strategic Plan. A key indicator under Teaching and Learning in our Strategic Plan is Enhancing the Social-Emotional Learning Supports District Wide. The area of social and emotional well being has taken center stage in the work we do with students from Prek-12 since the COVID 19 pandemic. Not only did COVID 19 have a negative impact on the development of our students, social media continues to impact the confidence, self image and resilience of our students. Below you will find a list of initiatives that we believe will help our students to be socially and emotionally well so that they can then fully access the curriculum.
- Social workers are available at each of our schools to support students.
- AYFS provides counseling support to students during and after the school day.
- AMS Big Brother/Big Sister program for a small number of students.
- Health, Physical Education and Guidance staff are working to review and unpack the newly adopted Health and Physical Education Standards to identify content that is not currently addressed at each level and determine the materials and planning needed to effectively meet the Standards as noted.
- Students in Grades 7 & 9 were screened using the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). This is done each year, with notification to families, by our guidance team in order to:
- Quickly assesses the presence of and/or severity of substance use and identifies the appropriate level of treatment.
- Brief intervention focuses on increasing insight and awareness regarding substance use and motivation toward behavioral change.
- Referral to treatment provides those identified as needing more extensive treatment with access to specialty care.
- Guidance Staff participated in training to allow them to better support students who had experienced trauma.
- In 2023 we offered a viewing of Screenagers to the school community which is an award-winning film that probes into the vulnerable corners of family life and depicts messy struggles over social media, video games, and academics. We also offered a viewing of Anxious Nation a film that reveals the epidemic of anxiety and explores why we are such an anxious nation. The film lifts the shroud of shame around mental health while giving insights into how anxiety shows up in our kids' lives, impacts families and what parents' contributing role may be.
- Brain Health Bootcamp to be utilized at AMS and AHS. The Brain Health Bootcamp, provides online education for students, parents, and school communities to address mental/brain health. They are reclassifying ”mental health” as ”brain health” to emphasize that these conditions are physical and treatable.
- Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ students presented to all staff to help better understand the challenges faced by LGBTQ students, how they can be supported at school and how we can create a safe environment for all.
- A team is being created to help address the issues contributing to students with chronic absenteeism to help them better access the help they need and to improve attendance.
- Guidance and social workers are attending a training on Suicide Assessment, Intervention and Post Intervention.
Mr. Keller, Assistant Superintendent is leading a three-year partnership with the Department of Education’s Social Emotional Behavior Academy, to help our district and school teams create and/or foster joyful, culturally sustaining learning environments. Our work with the SEB Academy is helping us frame a coherent, district-level understanding of effective, proactive multi-tiered systems of support in the social, emotional and behavioral realm focusing on specific goals and our unique needs that will improve the learning experience and outcomes for all of our students. Our team represents a range of roles and levels from across the district: Ms. Jessica Pitsillides, Ms. Alison Simoneau, Ms. Karen Ballway, Ms. Amy Peck, Ms. Eileen Tarini, Ms. Kendra Beveridge, Mr. Matt Carlson, Ms. Ariella Emmanuel, Mr. Andrew Shore, Ms. Brooke Beverly, Mr. Joseph Kalinowski, Ms. Krissi Forques, Ms. Lynn Phelan and Ms. Melissa LaBeaume. In receiving targeted, monthly support from our coach, and ongoing webinars and professional development, as a team, we have been meeting on a weekly basis identifying our strengths and gaps, developing our goals for our overall participation in the Academy as well as each year and determining how we will measure our success.
AYFS NEEDS A LICENSED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST (LICSW, LMHC)
Please see the attachment below for more information on this position and please, spread the word!
2024-2025 APS BUS APPLICATION
Once again we will be using an online Bus Application for 2024-2025 and applications are now being accepted. Please see more information below.
If you apply and pay for bus transportation by May 1st, the bus fee for 2024-2025 will remain the same as 2023-2024 which was a fee of $ 100 with a $ 250 family cap.
There is a graduated fee schedule for all payments received after May 1st.
We have made this change due to an increasing number of late applications which significantly complicates the process of determining bus routes and assigning students to buses. As always, student safety is at the heart of this decision. We hope that families will apply electronically by following the link above. However, if you are unable to do so, I have attached a paper version of the bus application along with the graduated fee schedule and the Rules and Regulations for APS busing. All paper applications and fees must be sent in or dropped off at 5 West Street and can be left in the locked drop box outside of the main entrance.
Please apply early and remember, your application is NOT complete until we receive the bus fee.
If you have questions, please call Central Office at 508-832-7755 or email apsbus@auburn.k12.ma.us.
2024-2025 PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION-NOW OPEN
We are pleased to let you know that registration for Preschool and Kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year is now open. All registrations will be completed online. If your child already attends the Auburn Integrated Preschool, you do NOT need to complete the online registration process. You will receive information from the preschool for next steps. To formally register your child in the Auburn Public Schools, please visit the Student Registration Page on our website. We ask that if you plan to register your child, you do so as soon as possible. As you might expect, we will need ample time to plan for the coming year and the sooner we have a solid count of children who will attend, the more successful school openings will be.
If you or someone you know has a child turning 5 years of age by September 1, 2024, and are interested in registering for kindergarten, please follow the link above. If you or someone you know has a child turning 3 or 4 years of age by September 1, 2024 and are interested in enrolling in our preschool for the fall, you can do so by following the link above.
You must be a resident of Auburn to attend the Auburn Public Schools.
There are specific registration links for Preschool and Kindergarten. Please be sure to select the correct link and the correct school once you enter the registration portal.
Proof of residency (noted below) must be brought, mailed or emailed to the appropriate school.
A raised seal birth certificate must be brought to the school to be copied or can be mailed to the school. If mailed to the school, it will not be returned to you.
If you are not sure which school your child will attend for kindergarten, please call either Bryn Mawr or Pakachoag and a staff member will assist you.
All children of school age who reside in the Town of Auburn will be entitled to attend the public schools.
Every student seeking admission to the school for the first time must present a birth certificate or equivalent proof of age acceptable to the principal and proof of vaccination and immunization as required by the state and the School Committee.
Two forms documenting proof of residency
One from Category A and one from Category B – of the parent(s) or guardian(s).
Category A:
1. Property Deed The following items must be dated within the last 60 days:
2. Current Paid Residential Real Estate Tax Bill (for the home in which you are residing)
3. Fully signed and executed Purchase and Sale Agreement, followed by official closing paperwork, or mortgage statement with address
4. Current (not expired) Rental or Lease Agreement with Auburn address, signed by the tenant and landlord or property manager, with all residents listed
Category B:
1. Voter Registration with Auburn Address
2. The following items must be dated with the last 60 days:
3. Trash, water, electric, cable, gas or oil bill under parent/guardian name with the Auburn address
4. Homeowner Insurance or rental insurance bill with Auburn address
If you do not own or rent a home in Auburn and are living with an Auburn resident, a residency affidavit must be completed and notarized and be accompanied by the above noted residency information from the owner of the property. The administration reserves the right to request proof of residency at any time.
If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact the appropriate person below. Please stay tuned for more information regarding school programming, student screening and transition opportunities that will take place later in the school year. We look forward to working with you.
Auburn Integrated Preschool
Alan Keller, Principal, akeller@auburn.k12.ma.us
Caitlin O’Neill, Administrative Assistant, coneill@auburn.k12.ma.us
508-832-7755
Bryn Mawr Elementary School
Brooke Beverly, Principal, bbeverly@auburn.k12.ma.us
Lisa Wheeler, Administrative Assistant, lwheeler@auburn.k12.ma.us
508-832-7733
Pakachoag Elementary School
Jennifer Stanick, Principal, jstanick@auburn.k12.ma.us
Diane Meunier, Administrative Assistant, dmeunier@auburn.k12.ma.us
508-832-7788
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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
AUBURN COMMUNITY EVENTS AND INFORMATION
AUBURN YOUTH AND FAMILY CASINO NIGHT
TOPSoccer REGISTRATION
Registration for our TOPs program is open until 4/1 and is available for residents of Auburn and surrounding towns.
We are also looking for buddies age 13+ to be part of the program as 1 on 1 coaches.
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a recreational sports program for children and adults with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities offered only through local US Youth Soccer-affiliated soccer clubs. TOPSoccer provides people with diverse abilities an opportunity to play soccer in a structured environment that is safe, fun, supportive, and inclusive. In the TOPS format, coaches or “buddies” work with the TOPSoccer players in a one-on-one format on the field.
This year our program will be held at the turf field at Pappas and will be on Saturdays at 9am. To register, visit https://www.unitedsoccerofauburn.com/ Questions? Contact: Malory O’Brien tops@usauburn.com
GOTSNEAKERS?
From the AUBURN ROCKETS BOOSTER CLUB-
If you like to RECYCLE this fundraiser is for YOU! :)
*ARBC is collecting old, new, out-of-style SNEAKERS...every pair counts!
*Feb 1, 2024 - Feb 28, 2024
*See attached flyer
*Any questions email auburnrocketsboosterclub@gmail.com or see our FB page.
As always THANK YOU for supporting the athletes of AHS!
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
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