Jonas Clarke Middle
News and Notes | June 2019
From the Principal
As we wrap up the school year I want to thank you for your support not only this year but all throughout my tenure here at Clarke. It has been an honor to lead the staff, students and community here for seven years as Principal and four years as an Assistant Principal. The picture here is from earlier this week when we had a visit by former Clarke Principal, Pamela Houlares. Ms. Houlares was the Principal of Clarke Middle School from 1990 - 2006. From it's opening in 1973, Clarke has only had four leaders. This is an incredible testament to the strong community that we have here and when people come here, they want to stay. It was wonderful to talk to her not only about the changes that we have seen but how strong the collaboration has remained here at Clarke and it was a wonderful way to enter the last weeks of school.
I am so thrilled that our next Principal has been chosen and I want to let you know Mr. Dane Despres is absolutely the right leader for Clarke Middle School. As a former English teacher and now Department Head, Mr. Despres has the historical context, experience as a Clarke staff member, and veteran teaching experience that will enable him to continue all of the incredible work that is happening here at Clarke. In the next few weeks, Mr. Despres and I will work to ensure a smooth transition and you will be hearing from him on that transition plan in the very near future.
I wish you all the best and a summer filled with relaxation, good weather, family and friends. I hope to see many of you around Lexington as well in the near future as my role as a Lexington resident and parent will continue!
Until then here are a few reminders for the remaining days of school;
- June 14th - 6th grade trip to Maine
- June 17th - 7th grade trip to Canobie Lake Park
- June 17th - 6th grade and 8th grade field day
- June 17th - 8th grade Moving on Ceremony @ the LHS auditorium (6:30PM)
- June 18th - Last Day of school for all students - this is a half day with dismissal at 11:45AM
Reserve Your Yearbook!
Clarke Walk for a Cure
WE hope you can join us!
A Short Homework Survey - Open through June 9th
A homework committee has been meeting, comprised of PreK-12 teachers, school and Central Office administrators, counselors, ELL and Special Education teachers, parent representatives and school committee representatives. As a group they have studied key research on the topic of homework and discussed the ramifications of the research on what we do with homework here in Lexington.
We are at the point in the process where we are thinking about the ‘no-homework’ dates around religious holidays portion of the Homework Implementation Plan. While the current plan was conceived to reduce stress and honor religious holidays, it has had some unintended consequences. We used a recent meeting to formulate some proposals for revisions to the current plans to try and address those issues.
In developing these new proposals, the goal was to keep a focus on:
- Reducing stress for students
- Creating consistency for teachers to assist in instructional planning
- Respecting religious, cultural and family observances
As well as considering
- The needs of each grade span
- Ensuring pedagogically sound practices
We are interested in your feedback on the proposals Family Homework Survey
All responses are confidential. We will be sharing results at an upcoming School Committee meeting to help inform their decision-making process.
Thanks again for your time and thoughts!
Lexington Public Schools Homework Committee
Lexington Memorial Concert and Service for Janet Haas, Beloved Musician and Teacher
On Saturday, June 22, 1:30-3:00pm, at Lexington High School, students, colleagues, friends and family will gather to honor the life of Janet Haas, a revered and beloved string teacher in Lexington for 31 years. Performing musicians for the concert will include her many recent school-age students as well as accomplished alumni and colleagues from her long illustrious career. Speakers will honor Janet and a reception follows for all.
When Janet began teaching in Lexington the high school orchestra had 17 string students. 31 years later there are nearly 200 string players in 3 orchestras. During those same inspiring years Janet was also a vibrant member of the Boston music scene, playing viola da gamba and violone in numerous early music ensembles and freelancing as a double bass player.
Janet is remembered not only as a brilliant musician, teacher and colleague but also as a woman of the highest professional, personal and musical integrity. She deeply wanted her students to experience the fullest passion for music. When she saw a need among her students or in a program she quietly rose to address that need. If a student wanted to learn to play bass at a school that was not in her schedule she would find a way to fit them in. She was a living example to her students of commitment, honesty and perseverance. Praise from Ms. Haas was a precious gift that meant her students had done something truly special and important.
A month after diagnosis, Janet died of a brain tumor on January 9, 2019. Surviving her are her husband Eric Haas, daughter Amelia Smith, mother Lucy Reeve, and brother Mark Reeve. Janet will also be deeply missed by her colleagues and friends in Lexington and in the greater Boston musical community. She was one of a kind. Her community is profoundly enriched by her years of generosity, wit, spirit and passion.
The public is warmly invited to attend the memorial concert and celebration of Janet’s remarkable life.
For more information please contact mrogers@lexingtonma.org
District Wide News on Redistricting in Lexington
The work is still expected to culminate with a preferred redistricting plan to be presented for public comment early this fall. Following a review of community feedback and any needed revision, a final recommendation will be presented to School Committee for vote. Approved maps will be implemented for the 2020-21 school year.
All updates can also be found on the Lexington Public Schools Redistricting Website Here
Dates to Remember
Saturday June 8 | Clarke Walk for a Cure
Check in begins at 9:30AM | Walk starts at 10:00am Register Here
Monday June 10 | Clarke 6th and 7th Grade Chorus Concert
7:00PM Clarke Auditorium
Tuesday June 11 | Clarke 8th grade and Middle C's Chorus Concert
7:00PM - Clarke Auditorium
Monday June 17 | Clarke 8th grade Moving On Ceremony
6:30PM LHS Auditorium
Tuesday June 18 | Last Day of School - Half Day
11:45AM Dismissal