TPS District Newsletter
Tewksbury Public Schools
September 2023
Message from the Superintendent
Dear TPS School Community,
We hope this newsletter finds you well. Whether you are new to TPS or returning for another school year…WELCOME!
As we reflect on the first four weeks of the school year, we are overall ecstatic with the experiences we are hearing about and seeing in our schools and classrooms. With that, we continue to adapt and improve in areas needed as concerns arise. For that reason we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to both our dedicated teachers, school support staff, administrative team, and of course our supportive parents and guardians for the patience you have exhibited in making the opening of the school year a truly wonderful and successful one overall.
The collaborative effort between home and school plays a pivotal role in our students' educational journey, and the results of this partnership are already becoming evident. We have witnessed remarkable growth, enthusiasm, and positive energy within our school community.
Together, we have achieved the following milestones in the first four weeks:
Established a Positive Learning Environment: Our classrooms are thriving with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a love for learning, thanks to the collaborative efforts of teachers, support staff, and parents.
Fostered Strong Relationships: Building positive relationships among students, teachers, and parents is essential for a successful educational journey. The bonds formed in these first weeks will continue to strengthen as the year progresses.
Safety and Well-Being: We have continued to prioritize the health and safety of our students and staff by diligently following school rules (in and out of the buildings), health guidelines and safety protocols, and certainly a focus on safe behavior on the bus and at bus stops. Thank you for your cooperation and vigilance in this regard.
Academic Progress: Teachers have been diligent in assessing and tracking student progress, enabling us to provide targeted support and tailor instruction to meet individual needs.
Extracurricular Activities: Many students have already participated in and shown enthusiasm for our extracurricular programs. These activities enhance their holistic development, and we appreciate your encouragement in this regard.
As we look forward to the upcoming weeks and months, we are excited about the opportunities and growth that lie ahead. The first four weeks have been a strong start, and we are confident that, with our continued collaboration, we will achieve even greater success.
We encourage you to maintain open lines of communication with your child's teacher and the school administration. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students and our school community.
Warm regards,
Brenda Theriault-Regan
Beginning of Year Literacy Benchmarks are Underway!
Students and staff are busy completing our beginning of the year literacy benchmark assessments! We are utilizing DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) in Grades K-8 as both our universal screener for Dsylexia and to assess and monitor the aquisition of literacy skills. Early literacy universal screening is a way to collect and analyze reliable and valid data on the most predictive literacy skills, helping to identify each student's risk of experiencing reading difficulties. Screening does not diagnose dyslexia or other disabilities, but it does help us understand which students may need additional support to be successful readers. Following the screening assessment, literacy team members and teachers will review all student data. If your student is in Grades K-3 and scores "significantly below benchmarks", we will contact you within 30 school days of testing to discuss how we can support your child.
Special Education: Specialized Curriculum
Our Special Education Department actively seeks professional development opportunities for our faculty and staff regarding specialized curricula and teaching methods. We continue implementing evidence-based interventions such as the SPIRE Intensive Reading Program, Lexia, and iReady for ELA and Math, supported by Landmark Outreach and MGH SAiL Literacy Lab. Our latest pilot curriculum project this school year is the Social Learning and Emotional Regulation (SOLER) program, developed by STARR Autism Support, to assist students with social and behavioral challenges in the DLC programs. We are also excited to announce our participation in Southern Connecticut State University's T3I Transition Project for up to four high school tenth-grade students. We will share more information on this project soon. In addition, we will be providing multiple opportunities for staff to learn about the New IEP, which will be in effect for the 2024 school year. Families will also be notified and offered opportunities for training. As we begin the new school year, we continue to reflect and focus on the best social-emotional and instructional practices to ensure that all students have equal access to the services they need for personal growth and learning.
Busing Woes. . .
We are continuing to work with Tewksbury Transit and Trombly Motor Coach to mitigate the effects of the continuing, unprecedented driver shortage. We thank you for your understanding and patience. If you or someone you know would like to make a difference in our students' lives by providing exceptional transportation service, Tewksbury Transit is hiring. Their number is 978-851-9863.
Please feel free to reach out to Eileen Osborne at eosborne@tewksbury.k12.ma.us with quesions or concerns about your student's transportation.
K-4 Standards Based Report Cards
We are beyond excited to be moving forward with our plan to implement Standards Based Report Cards in grades K-4. Please click on the button above to view the presentation that was shared with School Committee in June to learn more. We are planning a Parent Information Night on October 26, 2023. The presentation will be held in the CES cafeteria at 6:30 PM. Please reach out to Assistant Superintendent, Lori McDermott with any questions at lmcdermott@tewksbury.k12.ma.us.
Reminders to TMHS Students and Parents
From the Director of Student and Family Support
AP Testing is now optional: All students currently enrolled in AP courses were given an AP Testing Form to be completed by their parent / guardian. It is imperative for students to decide if they are selecting to participate in the Spring AP test administration now. College Board requires high schools to order the exams in the fall. Students who decide to request an exam after the order date are required to pay an additional $40 fee on top of the exam fee of $98. If your child is selecting to take the exam you must register and pay on Community Pass by October 6, 2023.
Dual Enrollment Application & Registration Information: All students enrolled in high school Dual Enrollment courses must decide if they would like to receive college credit. Students should check in with their Dual Enrollment teacher for information on application and registration instructions. Please note, the College will bill the families directly.
The open enrollment window for Chromebook insurance is here!
Enrollment Window: August 15th, 2023 - October 31st, 2023.
To learn more about our Chromebook insurance program and to enroll, visit: Chromebook Insurance Information.
Athletics and After-School Clubs: Sign-Up through Community Pass
All students should sign-up for Athletics and/or Clubs through Community Pass. Community Pass will automatically adjust fees for Family maximum amounts. If you have any questions, please contact your child's school.
We are excited to provide ALL students with a FREE nutritious and tasty breakfast and lunch every day! Even though meals are free, we are still encouraging households to fill out a Free/Reduced Meal application because the benefits do not stop at just free school meals, other school fees may be waived or reduced for those who qualify and may assist for increased school funding to support our students. The link to the meal’s application is provided.
Please feel free to contact DebraLee Mugford at dmugford@tewksbury.k12.ma.us with any questions.
NEW Ryan and Wynn School Start and End Times
Tewksbury Public Schools
Website: https://www.tewksbury.k12.ma.us/
Location: 139 Pleasant Street, Tewksbury, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 640-7800