BrocktonPost Schools

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2012-02-13T04:23:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, February 14: Brockton School Committee meeting 7 p.m., Brockton High School Little Theatre.

Wednesday - February 15, 2012

SEPAC Workshop: Transition Planning during High School 6:25 to 8:30 p.m.

Thursday - February 16, 2012

Parents' Academy Workshop: "Healthy Cooking on a Budget Nutrition Workshop"
6 to 8 p.m.
Arnone School - 135 Belmont Street, Brockton, MA
Healthy Cooking on a Budget Nutrition WorkshopPresenter: UMASS Extension Nutritionist Andrea Gulezian
All Parent Academy workshops are free to Brockton parents
Free childcare is available.

Friday - February 17, 2012

Parents' Academy AM Workshop: "Parent & Child Literacy Activity" 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
9 to 10:30 a.m.
Location: Gilmore ECC - 150 Clinton Street, Brockton, MA
Parent & Child Literacy Activity
Presenter: Parent Engagement Specialist Jane Feroli
All Parent Academy workshops are free to Brockton parents
Free childcare is available.
Monday - February 20, 2012--WINTER RECESS BEGINS

Spellman Moves From Textbooks To iPads

2012-02-10T04:38:00.000-08:00

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Cardinal Spellman High School plans to phase out text books, by initiating an Apple iPad program, for the 2012-2013 school year.
Cardinal Spellman is the first school, within the Archdiocese of Boston, to implement iPads as a learning too, school officials said in a prepared statement.
Spellman plans to begin using iBooks and etextbooks, which cost much less than traditional textbooks. Not all textbooks will be available as etextbooks this year but, Spellman anticipates those textbooks will be offered within the next few years.
“We are very excited and proud to be making this move. Dickens’ Great Expectations is still taught in many high schools. That is exactly what the school is looking for with the introduction of iPads for all students at Cardinal Spellman. We have great expectations,” said the high school's president John McEwan.
In coordination with Apple, Cardinal Spellman will equip each one of its students with an iPad.
Students will pay a small technology fee, making the iPad available for a fraction of the cost of purchasing it independently. Students will be issued their iPads during the summer.
Spellman will offer training sessions for students and their parents.
Teachers have already begun iPad training sessions. They received their iPads in December as part of a professional development course. They began iPad training, through Apple, in anticipation of making the iPad a major learning tool in Spellman’s daily curriculum. Other training programs will continue throughout the year in subject-specific areas. Teachers will be able to access their Promethean Boards from anywhere in their classroom and use the latest in apps to enhance their lesson plans.
Beginning in 2010, a special technology committee, comprised of parents, teachers, students, administrators and community members was formed by Spellman President McEwan.
The committee met to hear the latest information on the use of one-to-one technology in the classrooms. They looked at laptops, iPads and other new technology entering the market.
From those meetings, a number of pilot programs were instituted in the school.
The final recommendation from the committee was to go forward with a one-to-one program of iPads for all students and teachers.
McEwan is confident that the teachers and students will greatly benefit from this next step in technology. “It’s a giant step forward,” McEwan said.
Cardinal Spellman High School is a Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory school serving students from 40 different communities on the South Shore.

Brockton Sports Supporters Watch Out For Scam

2012-01-24T19:32:00.001-08:00

BrocktonPost 
BROCKTON--Brockton school officials are warning residents and businesses not to fall for a scam where an Illinois company is allegedly sending bills and advertising brochures for a fictional Brockton High School sports calendar. 
“We are working with the Attorneys General in Illinois and Massachusetts to get this company to cease and desist,” said Superintendent of Schools Matthew H. Malone in a prepared statement. “It’s offensive that they are trying to capitalize on good businesses who support student athletes,” he said. 
 
Officials said many businesses and high school sports boosters have received bills from a company called GCQ purportedly for their “business sponsoring an advertisement” in a fictional Brockton High School Sports Calendar. 
 
The Brockton Public Schools and Brockton High School Athletic Department are not running any advertising campaigns or seeking donations for a calendar of any type, officials said. 
Those who receive the bills from GCQ, which ask for a $129 payment, should ignore them.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2012-01-24T04:15:00.001-08:00

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24
Davis: P.T.A. Meeting, Café 6 p.m.
George: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 2 Mrs. Holmes 9 a.m.
South: School Improvement Council Meeting Principal’s Office 5:30 p.m.
South: P.A.C. Meeting Café 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25
Parents’ Academy Family Night at the Fuller Craft Museum
455 Oak Street Brockton ~ 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Baker: School Stores Open During Lunches
Downey: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1 Ms. Williamson 1:15 p.m.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1 Mrs. Aveni 1:30 p.m.
Gilmore: Chinese New Year Celebration During School

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27
Registration for Grade 6 September 2012 Assignments end
Kennedy: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1 Mrs. Skinner 8:50 a.m.
Kennedy: Title One ~ Family Book Talk – Gr. 2 Mrs. Skinner 1:30 p.m.
MONDAY, JANUARY 30

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31
Early Release Day ~ Pre –K- 8 In-Service
Gilmore: NO P.M. Session ~ ½ Day Schedule

Recovery High School Celebrates Brockton Opening

2012-01-23T07:10:00.000-08:00

By Lisa E. Crowley

BrocktonPost

BROCKTON—When Independence Academy celebrated its grandopening and an alternative path of education for high school students sufferingfrom alcohol and drug addiction, among those in the crowd was 21-year-old WestBridgewater resident Ashley McDonnell whose battle with addiction began at Taunton HighSchool when she was 14.

“I think it’s a great idea. I wish I had this option. Inever knew there was a way out,” McDonnell said Thursday night during the grandopening at the recover high school’s location at 460 Belmont St. inBrockton. “I never would have been ableto become sober surrounded by all of the same people doing the same things,”she said.

Young adults like Ashley McDonnell are exactly why officialsat North River Collaborative and Brockton Public Schools got together almost 2years ago to gain support for the idea of opening the state’s fourth so-called“recovery high school” for teenagers suffering from drug and alcohol addiction.

The other specialized high schools are located in Boston,Beverly and Springfield, and until Independence Academy opened its doors inBrockton in December, there was no such option for high school-aged students tocontinue high school separated from the friends who had been a part of theiraddictive behavior and lifestyle in the first place.

Independence Academy will serve students in SoutheasternMassachusetts from Quincy to Provincetown to Dighton-Rehobeth.

The school has been awarded a $2.5 million grant from theDepartment of Public Health to operate for the next 5 years.

The school opened its doors with one student in earlyDecember and has since grown to three students and Principal Richard Melilloexpects that number to be 10 in February.
The school has a capacity of 50 students.

“We are getting a steady stream of prospective students andwe are going through the referral process, but we expect more to come on soon,”said Melillo.

Melillo, who cut histeeth working with troubled youth as a counselor, program specialist andsupervisor of two mult-service residential facilities in greater Los Angeles,knows too well that teenagers are fighting a losing battle with addiction whenthey return to high school and the friends they began their addictions with.

“In more than 20 years of education this is the best thingthat I have done,” said Melillo.

The grand opening was held Thursday, Jan. 19 to celebratethe school’s nearly two months of operation and to host an open house to celebrate thework by a coalition of educational and service organizations from thesurrounding area to bring such a high school to the South Shore.

Joanne Haley-Sullivan, executive director of North RiverCollaborative, which will oversee the new high school, said the school willgive teenagers who want to be a sober a much better shot at success.

“When they come out of treatment—where do they go? Back towhere it all began,” she said while more than 75 school and city officials,parents, and others who attended the 5 to 7 p.m. open house looked through thebrightly painted classrooms boasting state-of-the-art computer equipment.

During the morning open house nearly 200 state and localofficials attended, including Mayor Linda Balzotti, Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray,and Congressman Stephen F. Lynch.

The school has numerous admission requirements, includingstudents have verifiable proof they have been sober for at least 30 days or acommitment to attend sobriety counseling. Students can be between the ages of14 and 21.

Each student who attends the school receives an individualrecovery plan, and along with studying English, math, science, history and allof the other MCAS required core subjects, students receive addiction counselingand health and wellness training that goes above and beyond the average highschool student experience.

Math teacher Janet Braggs, a veteran of the financialservices industry, said the goal of the school is to end one cycle of drug andalcohol abuse and offer young addicts in their teens a chance to get straightand graduate.

“Try being an addict at 35 years old without a high schooleducation…what’s that person going to do? What’s their future? I’m excited tohelp these kids reach their potential,” Braggs said.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2012-01-09T06:19:00.000-08:00

MONDAY, JANUARY 9
Registration for Grade 6 September 2012 Assignments begin
Brookfield: P.T.O. Meeting. Café, 6:30 p.m.
Hancock: P.T.A. Meeting. Library, 6:30 p.m.
Gilmore: P.T.A. Meeting. Café, 6 p.m.
North: Blue Dog Shelter Blanket Collection runs through 1/13. Main Office.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10
Angelo: P.T.A. Meeting. Café, 6 p.m.
Arnone: P.A.C. Meeting. Teachers Lounge, 6 p.m.
Davis: Title One ~ Book Talk Pizza – Gr. 4 - Ms. Amber, 10:30 a.m.
George: P.T.A. Meeting. Café, 6:30 p.m.
Huntington: Citizen of the Month Awards. During School

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11
Community Schools Advisory Board Meeting. B.H.S. Green IRC, 7 p.m.
Angelo: P.T.A. Meeting. Café, 9:15 p.m.
Baker: School Stores Open During Lunches
Downey: Title One ~ Bingo for Books. Café, 6:15 p.m.
George: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 3 Ms. Lange 1:15 p.m.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12
B.P.S. 6th Grade Registration Informational Meeting
South Middle School 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. or 6:30 – 7:15 p.m.
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1 Mrs. Fischer 1:30 p.m.
Baker: P.T.A. Meeting. Community Room, 7 p.m.
Downey: Anti-Bullying Magic Show Small Gym During School

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13
George: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 2, 2-Way 9 a.m.
George: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1, 2-Way 1:15 p.m.
George: P.T.A. sponsored Family Zumba Night. Café, 5:30 p.m.
Raymond: Student of the Month Assembly. During School
MONDAY, JANUARY 16
NO SCHOOL ~ Martin Luther King Day

Kennedy School Wins New Playground

2011-12-19T08:19:00.000-08:00

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Miracle Playground Equipment Company has announced the Kennedy School is the winner of its first-ever Miracle Playground Giveaway Contest and because of an overwhelming show of support, the Kennedy Elementary School will receive a brand-new $25,000 play structure that boasts monkey bars, three slides and a rock-climbing wall.
The Kennedy PTA is still raising funds to install a rubber surface to go underneath the play structure.
The school’s current playground consists of rusted swings and other equipment installed when the building opened in 1965 – equipment that is so unsafe and out-of-date that the children are not allowed to use it.
The Kennedy and more than 150 schools nationwide entered the Miracle Playground Equipment Company’s online contest. Playground Committee Chairs Jennifer Giannaros and Joanna Silverman submitted a picture of the current playground and a narrative of why the Kennedy is deserving of a new playground.
From November 1st to 21st, Kennedy parents and supporters encouraged all of their friends, family and coworkers to vote for the school as part of Miracle’s online voting process on Facebook.
Kennedy came in first in the online voting.
The second phase of the contest required the top 10 vote getters to submit a 3-10 minute video detailing their need and desire for a new playground. That’s when Kennedy 4th Grade Teacher Lauren Roche teamed up with Noube Rateau, Brockton Community Access’s Coordinator of Educational Access Programming, and set to work on the video, which featured the Kennedy Chorus, interviews with Rogan, teachers and parents, and vignettes from students explaining why they wanted a playground.
On December 1st, the school was notified it had won.
To watch the video that helped win the playground, please click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmYVEDGU2Zg

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2011-12-12T07:14:00.000-08:00

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12
Superintendents’ PAC Meeting, West Middle School, 6:30 p.m.
Brookfield: Holiday Shop, During School
Gilmore: P.T.A. Meeting Café 6:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13
Parents’ Academy, NotMyKid Presentation, Arnone School 6:30 to 8 p.m.
B.H.S. Holiday Concert, B.H.S. Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. $4.00 per ticket
Angelo: R.I.F. Book Distribution, During School
Angelo: P.T.A. Meeting, Café 6:15 p.m.
Baker: Title One ~ Bingo for Books, Café 6:15 p.m.
Brookfield: Holiday Shop, During School
Downey: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1, 1:15 p.m.
Huntington: Holiday Workshop for K – Grade 1, Library 1–2:30 pm.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14
Community Schools Advisory Board Meeting B.H.S., Green IRC 7 p.m.
B.H.S. Holiday Concert, B.H.S. Auditorium ~ 7:30 p.m. $4.00 per ticket
Parents’ Academy,Moms & Daughters Yoga Night, George School 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, continued
Angelo: R.I.F. Book Distribution During School
Angelo: Holiday Craft Night Café 5:30 p.m.
Baker: Holiday Shop for Kindergarten and Grade 1 During School
Downey: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1 1:15 p.m.
Huntington: Holiday Workshop for Grades 2 & 4 Library, 1:00 – 2:30 pm.
Raymond: Title One ~ Bingo for Books, Café, 6:15 p.m.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15
SNOWDATE: B.H.S. Holiday Concert, B.H.S. Auditorium ~ 7:30 p.m. $4.00 per ticket
Angelo: R.I.F. Book Distribution, During School
Angelo: Title One ~ Book Talk – Gr. 3, 1:30 p.m.
Baker: Holiday Shop for Grades 2 & 3, During School
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 3 – Mrs. Crossman, 8:50 a.m.
Downey: School Store, Small Gym, During School
Huntington: Holiday Workshop for Grades 5 & 6, Library 1–-2:30 pm.
Kennedy: Chorus & Band Holiday Performance, Café, During School

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
Parents’ Academy--Parent and Child Literacy Activity Workshop, Gilmore Early Childhood Center 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Baker: Holiday Shop for Grades 4 & 5, During School
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1, 1:30 p.m.
Huntington: Grade 5 Field Trip, Peabody Museum, During School
Huntington: School Improvement Council Meeting, Principal’s Office, 1 p.m.
North: Student vs. Faculty Volleyball Game, Gym, 2:30 p.m.
Raymond: Student of the Month Assemblies, During School

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17
Raymond: Pancake Breakfast 10 to 11:30 a.m.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2011-11-29T05:48:00.000-08:00

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Parents’ Academy,Family Night – ZUMBA Fitness Program, Arnone School ~ 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Arnone: Grade 3 Field Trip Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton. During School
Davis: Title One ~ Family Book Talk Pizza – Mr. Ferrari 10:30 a.m.
Davis: P.T.A. Meeting Café 6 p.m.
South: School Improvement Council Meeting. Prinicpal’s Office, 5:30 p.m.
South: P.A.C. Meeting. Café 6 p.m.
West: Book Fair During School

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30
MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT CONFERENCES ~ EARLY RELEASE DAY
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag –Gr. 3 - Ms. Prendergast 1:30 p.m.
Davis: Title One ~ Bingo for Books, Café 6:15 p.m.
Huntington: November Citizen of the Month Awards Assembly. During School
Kennedy: School Picture Day, Gym During School
West: Book Fair. During Conferences

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1
Parents’ Academy, Bullies, Targets and Bystanders - Families First, Arnone School 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
East: Food Drive runs until 12/20 During School
East: School Improvement Council Meeting, Room 130 5 p.m.
East: P.A.C. Meeting, Room 130, 6 p.m.
Huntington: Grade 3 Field Trip Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton. During School
Kennedy: Title One ~ Book Talk Pizza – Gr. 4 - Ms. Donaruma 11:30 a.m.
Kennedy: School Improvement Council Meeting. Conference Room 6 p.m.
Kennedy: P.A.C. Meeting. Café 7 p.m.
North: School Improvement Council Meeting Café 5 p.m.
North: P.A.C. Meeting Café 6:00 p.m.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2
Parents’ Academy--Raising a Reader Parent Training – Expanding on a Child’s Answer--Gilmore Early Childhood Center 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Angelo: Citizen of the Month, Breakfast Café 9:15 a.m.
Kennedy: Grade 3 Field Trip Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton. During School

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4
Baker: Polar Express Breakfast Café 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kennedy Playground Needs Your Help

2011-11-18T09:21:00.000-08:00

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—The Kennedy Elementary School in Brockton needs you to buy coffee, ice tea and slushy-type drinks at the Belmont Street Cumberland Farms!
Cumberland Farms on Route 123, or 1205 Belmont St., near Owen O’Leary’s, Starbuck’s, Bertucci’s and the new Panera, will donate every 20 cents from every coffee, ice tea and “Chill Zone” drink it sells during the next month toward a new playground at the Kennedy Elementary School.
“We really need a new playground,” said Jenna Giannoros, one of the parents on the playground committee who helped initiate the fundraising drive.
Parents and school officials are looking to raise about $50,000.
Cumberland Farms--whose Chief Executive Officer Joe Petrowski is a Brockton native who attended Thursday’s kick off party—has pledged to donate at least $1,000 from the beverage drive.
The kick off party also highlighted the Cumberland Farms' reopening of its renovated store, featuring the "Chill Zone," coffee bar and beverage stations.
Lisa Sheehan, another parent on the committee, said the graffiti-covered, more than 25-year-old jungle gym and broken swings now at the school’s playground are not safe for use, and are in dire need of updates.
“As a parent, I would never let my son on it,” Sheehan said.
Sheehan said the Cumberland Farms drive is a big help, and hopes are the total might get to $3,000, although the guaranteed $1,000 is a step in the right direction.
“It’s a $1,000 we didn’t have before,” Sheehan said.
Fundraising efforts began last summer with a golf tournament organized by James Rober, a Kennedy School parent and cable television committee member.
He said the golf tournament was a huge success—collecting more than $5,000 toward the playground.
Rober said the cable station is involved with Kennedy’s efforts to win a complete playground through a contest hosted by Miracle Playground.
The contest is in the second phase, or public vote phase, where people from all over the country are heading to the contest’s Facebook page and voting for their school's entry.
Kennedy was in first place for votes as of Thursday.
Anyone reading this is asked to vote everyday until Monday, Nov. 21 at the contest page.
Here’s the link: http://www.facebook.com/miracle.recreation.equipment.companyThe top 10 schools with the most votes go on to the next round, which is judging and includes a 3 to 10 minute video that illustrates the need for the new playground.
Rober said Noube Rateau, a producer for Brockton Community Access, will be helping out with the video that is already in production and expected to be completed this weekend—in plenty of time for the next phase.
Judging ends Dec. 1 and a winner is to be announced the same day.
Cumberland Farms CEO Joe Petrowski said he was excited to be in Brockton and is happy to help the Kennedy gets its playground.
“It’s great to be doing something for the schools,” Petrowski said.
At 57, Petrowski said it was education and hard work that helped him rise from a life steps away from poverty to the head of Cumberland Farms, a company that boasts $10 billion in revenues each year.
“Knowledge is the antidote to fear,” Petrowski said, as parents and school officials shook his hand and thanked him for helping with the fund drive. (Pictured at top with Kennedy Principal Brian Rogan)
Petrowski attended the Winthrop School and St. Edwards School, both which are now closed. He earned a scholarship to Boston College High School and then Harvard University where he earned a degree in government and economics.
Now living in Wellesley with his wife, also a Brockton High grad, Petrowski said after his father died of Hodgkins disease when he was 8, he and his mother Ann were left to fend for themselves, a situation many youngsters and their moms face everyday in this city.
“My mom was a single mom,” Petrowski said. “She worked hard to give me everything she could,” he said.
Petrowski said he never dreamed of being a CEO, his only dream was to make enough money to support himself, something that took many, many years and much help to attain.
“I had so many mentors who helped me,” Petrowski said, including Dr. Sarkasian who wrote Petrowski a letter of recommendation that helped get him accepted into Harvard.
He told any kids who might read his words that he worked hard for everything he has achieved, and started on the ground floor working for $2.20 an hour performing oil changes.
“If you really work hard, find those mentors around you and let them help you, you will get anywhere you want to go,” Petrowski said.
“Education and hard work,” he said.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2011-11-14T05:24:00.000-08:00

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Gilmore: P.T.A. Meeting Café 6:00 p.m.
Kennedy: Kindergarten Safe Program During School
Hancock: Book Fair begins During School

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Brockton School Committee Meeting B.H.S. Little Theater 7:00 p.m.
Parents’ Academy, "How to be a Smart Shopper," Arnone School 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Kennedy: Kindergarten Safe Program During School
Kennedy: Title One ~ Family Book Club Pizza/Movie Night 5:30 p.m.
Raymond: Donuts with Dad at Book Fair 10:00 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Safe Routes to School ~ WOW~ Walk on Wednesdays at Brookfield, Davis, Downey, Hancock and Kennedy Schools
Downey: Title One ~ Family Book Bag –Gr. 1 - Ms. Williamson 1:15 p.m.
SEPAC: Basic Rights Workshop & Effective Advocacy Arnone Café 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17
PRE K-5 PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES ~ EARLY RELEASE DAY
DAVIS PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES ~ EARLY RELEASE DAY
RAYMOND PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES ~ EARLY RELEASE DAY
Angelo: Book Fair During Conferences
Baker: Book Fair and Bake Sale During Conferences
Downey: Book Fair and Bake Sale During Conferences
George: Book Fair During Conferences
Gilmore: Book Fair During Conferences
Hancock: Book Fair During Conferences
Huntington: Book Fair and Bake Sale During Conferences
Kennedy: Book Fair During Conferences
Raymond: Book Fair During Conferences

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18
PRE K-5 PARENT CONFERENCES ~ EARLY RELEASE DAY
DAVIS PARENT CONFERENCES ~ EARLY RELEASE DAY
RAYMOND PARENT CONFERENCES ~ EARLY RELEASE DAY
Angelo: Book Fair During Conferences
Baker: Book Fair and Bake Sale During Conferences
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, continued
Downey: Book Fair and Bake Sale During Conferences
George: Book Fair During Conferences
Gilmore: Book Fair During Conferences
Hancock: Book Fair During Conferences
Huntington: School Improvement Council Meeting 10:00 a.m.
Huntington: Book Fair and Bake Sale During Conferences
Kennedy: Book Fair During Conferences
Raymond: Book Fair During Conferences

Kennedy School Contest Targets New Playground

2011-11-03T09:20:00.001-07:00

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--The Kennedy School Playground Committee has entered a national contest with Miracle Recreation Equipment to win a playground for Kennedy School.
The entry with the most votes wins the first round of the contest. The contest begins Tuesday November 1, 2011 and ends November 21, 2011. Please help us by visiting http://www.facebook.com/miracle.recreation.equipment.company
Once you arrive at this page follow the directions to vote. Our school entry is listed as Kennedy Elementary.
It is important that you cast your vote every day until November 21.
In addition to casting your vote, please encourage all of your friends and family to vote too.
For more details about the work we are doing and specifics about how to vote please visit our Facebook page: Kennedy Playground Committee.

Marciano Stadium Reopens For Events

2011-10-24T08:01:00.000-07:00

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Brockton's Boxers are now back on home turf.
On Friday night, Oct. 22, thousands of fans, players and alumni celebrated the reopening of Marciano Stadium after months of $1.2 million renovations at the field, including a new track, turf field, goal posts, lighting and drainage.
The evening also marked the debut of the 150-piece BHS Marching Band’s new uniforms –the first in 20 years – and the first time members of Boxer nation got a glimpse of the band’s new “Rocky”-themed half-time show.
The football team, the second Brockton squad to play on the new field following a soccer game Thursday night, made the best of homefield advantage and beat the Durfee Hilltoppers, 42-27 to improve its record to 4-3.
“This is a celebration of Brockton. We are a close-knit city with a small-town feel, and we believe in our kids and we set high expectations for all," said Superintendent
of Schools Matthew H. Malone. “I want thank Mayor Balzotti, the City Council and School Committee for committing the funds to refurbish the stadium for our students and our community to enjoy,” he said.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOOLS

2011-10-24T06:43:00.000-07:00

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24
Baker: Halloween Skate Night at Carousel Whitman 6-8 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25
Parents’ Academy
Family Night – Dancercise with Mass in Motion & Tribe Dance Company, Arnone School 6-7:30 p.m.
B.B. Russell: Field Trip to St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen, During School.
B.B. Russell: School Improvement Council Meeting, 3rd Floor 5 p.m.
Davis: P.T.A. Meeting, Café 6 p.m.
Kennedy: Title One ~ Annual Breakfast, grades 2-5, 9:15 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26
Safe Routes to School ~ WOW~ Walk on Wednesdays at Brookfield, Davis, Downey, Hancock and Kennedy Schools
Baker: School Store Open During Lunches
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – K - Mrs. Cinelli, 1:30 p.m.
George: Title One ~ Annual Breakfast – K – Gr. 1, 9:15 a.m.
Hancock: Family Cooking Night Café 5:45–7:15 p.m.
Raymond: Family Cooking Night Hancock Café 5:45–7:15 p.m.
Brockton High School--Youth Halloween Party, 5-7 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27
BROCKTON HIGH SCHOOL IN-SERVICE ~ EARLY RELEASE DAY
Davis: Title One ~ Annual Breakfast – K -5, 8:35 a.m.
West: Halloween Party Gym 3–5 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28
Angelo: Grade 1 Field Trip CN Smith Farm East Bridgewater, During School
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1 - Mrs. Fischer 1:30 p.m.
George: Harvest Dance Café 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Raymond: School Picture Day, During School
Raymond: Family Halloween Bingo Cafe 6-7:30 p.m.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2011-10-17T07:19:00.000-07:00

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17
Ashfield: School Picture Day. During School
Baker: Texas Road House Bread fundraiser. Runs through 10/27
Huntington: Welcome Parents PTO Social. Café 6:30 p.m.
West: 21st Century Programs. Begin 2:35 – 5 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18
Brockton School Committee Meeting. B.H.S. Little Theater, 7 p.m.
Parents’ Academy--Homework Help Workshop--Arnone School 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Kennedy: Title One ~ Annual Breakfast K – 1, 9:15 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19
Safe Routes to School ~ WOW~ Walk on Wednesdays at Brookfield, Davis, Downey, Hancock and Kennedy Schools
Arnone: Title One ~ Haunted Bingo for Books Café 6 – 7:15 p.m.
Arnone: Family Cooking Night. Downey Café 5:45 – 7:15 p.m.
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1 - Mrs. Gordon 1:30 p.m.
Downey: Family Cooking Night Café 5:45 – 7:15 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20
PRE K-5 IN-SERVICE ~ EARLY RELEASE DAY
Parents’ Academy--Concussion in Sports Workshop--Arnone School 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
B.H.S.: Parent Teacher Conferences 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1 - Ms. Hodges 1:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21
Parents’ Academy--Know Your Child Workshop presented by Families First
Gilmore Early Childhood Center 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Angelo: School Picture Day. During School
Angelo: P.T.A. Meeting. Café 9:15 – 10:30 a.m.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22
Raymond: Family Fall Festival 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

BPS Wellness Program Gets High Marks

2011-10-11T08:57:00.001-07:00

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Brockton Public Schools Wellness Coordinator Mary Ellen Kirrane is in Louisville, Kentucky today after being named Health Coordinator of the Year by the American School Health Association.
She will accept the honor and a plaque during the association's 85th annual conference Wednesday, Oct. 12.
"This isn't an award I earned, this is an award the school system earned," Kirrane said in an interview before she left for Kentucky. "This isn't my award this is the school district's award," she said.
Kirrane, who heads wellness and health programs for K-8, has been recognized for her professional leadership in the coordination of school health initiatives across the district.
Officials said Kirrane is the first non-governmental coordinator to win the award.
For the past 18 years, Kirrane has written and implemented several system-wide grants that have impacted the district greatly, officials said.
Those initiatives include middle school fitness centers, international nutrition events, peer programs and violence prevention curriculum.
Kirrane also acts as a liaison with other departments and community agencies in implementing local and state health mandates, most recently the newly signed Anti-Bullying Prevention and Intervention Model Plan project.
“Mary Ellen is always at the forefront of issues concerning student health and wellness,” said Superintendent of Schools Matthew H. Malone. “Our students benefit directly from her proactive approach to wellness,” he said.

Kirrane received a bachelor's of science in health education from Northeastern University in 1981 and a master’s in administration from Suffolk University in 1988. She certified as an elementary school principal and she has completed the New England Division of School Health Institutes Coordinated School Health Leadership Program.

One of Kirrane’s major focuses has been in advocacy for broadening health education in the Brockton Public Schools. She has worked closely with classroom teachers to integrate health concepts and skills into daily lessons. Kirrane has often begun presentations by reminding administrators and teachers that, “all teaches are teachers of reading, writing and arithmetic and also can be teachers of wellness when given the right tools.”
Kirrane chairs the Brockton Public School District Coordinated School Wellness Team, which utilized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s model approach to connecting school wellness initiatives to community resources.
Over the past four years, the district team has established school-based teams that meet regularly to assess the wellness needs of their buildings and to create yearly goals and objectives.
Through the coordination of the district team, each school is provided resources and support to achieve their goals.
This initiative was highlighted in the first issues of the Massachusetts Coordinated School Health Program Healthy Kids Better Students newsletter in the spring of 2009.
Kirrane has been an active advocate for school health at state and local levels.
She has served on the Massachusetts Interdisciplinary Health and Health Services Advisory Council as co-chairperson since 2008.
She is a regular presenter at health and wellness symposiums and in 2004 was named The Distinguished Outreach Partnership Award winner by the University of Massachusetts for her collaboration with UMass Extension Family Nutrition Program.
Kirrane serves as an adjunct faculty for Fitchburg State College teaching graduate level courses in wellness, classroom management and fostering responsible behaviors for life and also is the professional seminar advisor for graduate health and family consumer science candidates at Cambridge College.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2011-10-11T06:08:00.000-07:00

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11
Arnone: Title One ~ Annual Breakfast - K 9:30 a.m.
B.B. Russell: Field Trip to St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen, During School
Downey: School Picture Day During School
George: P.T.A. Meeting Café 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12
Safe Routes to School ~ WOW~ Walk on Wednesdays
at Brookfield, Davis, Downey, Hancock and Kennedy Schools
B.P.S.: Community Schools Advisory Board Meeting, B.H.S. Green IRC 7 p.m.
Baker: School Store Open During Lunches
Brookfield: Title One: Bingo for Books Café 6–7:15 p.m.
George: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 3 - Mrs. Lange 1:30 p.m.
Raymond: School Improvement Council Meeting, 10 a.m.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13
Parents’ Academy Darkness to Lights’ Stewards of Children Prevention Workshop
Arnone School 6 to 8 p.m.
Angelo: Family Cooking Night, George Café 5:45–7:15 p.m.
Baker: Title One ~ Annual Breakfast K-1, 9 a.m.
Baker: P.T.A. Meeting, Community Room 7 p.m.
Downey: First Safety Program for Grade 3 During School
George: Family Cooking Night, Café 5:45–7:15 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14
Arnone: Title One ~ Annual Breakfast – Gr. 1-5, 9:15 a.m.
West: Cheesecake & Cookie Dough Band & Chorus fundraiser runs through 10/28

Hundreds In Brockton Join International Walk To School Day

2011-10-06T14:03:00.001-07:00

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—Lao Khang pushed a stroller carrying his preschool son Jordan as he led a group of youngsters including his daughter, third grader Britney and fourth grade niece Cyanne as the group walked to the Kennedy Elementary School for “International Walk to School Day,” which had 97 parents and more than 60 students arrive at school via their feet.
Khang (Pictured at top signing in with neice Cyanne) said it was the first time the family walked the ½ mile or so to their school and pledged to do it as often as they can. Until their pledge to walk to school on Wednesdays—when possible—Britney and Cyanne are usually dropped off at the Kennedy by their uncle.
While they have taken a pledge to participate—Khang held out a caveat.
“It depends on the weather,” Khang said, noting Wednesday’s sunny and 60 degree temperature made it easy for the family to join the estimated 6 million people in 40 countries who shed their automobiles and instead walked to their local schools.
Organizers, including school officials and representatives of the state Department of Transportation hope the worldwide observance will trigger a year-long, and life-long goal of children adding exercise into their daily routine and maybe having some fun along the way.
“It’s a walking school bus,” said Ben Hammer, the DOT’s statewide coordinator for Safe Routes to School, a program through MASS Rides that Brockton helped to pilot. (Hammer, pictured far left in photo below with Kennedy School student Alejandro Alphonse)
Hammer said Brockton has been a lead district in the walking to school
initiative and received a grant three years ago to promote the program.
Jane Feroli, the district’s Specialist for Parent Engagement, who leads numerous outreach initiatives in the district, said five schools —Brookfield, Davis, Downey, Hancock and Kennedy—for the past three years have taken part in the Safe Routes to School on Wednesday Program.
“To date, over 10,000 students at these schools have walked to school on Wednesdays, even sometimes in rain and snow,” Feroli said.
Feroli said 375 students at Brockton's 5 participating schools joined in yesterday's International Walk to School Day.
She said the walk is a great start to the school day because students—and adults—get exercise, fresh air, help reduce harmful emissions from vehicles and have fun talking to family and friends along the way.
“It’s not just about walking to school, it is bonding as a community and creating safe and sustainable practices that can be handed down to other generations,” Feroli said.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2011-10-03T08:38:00.000-07:00

MONDAY, OCTOBER 3
Parents’ Academy, "No Such Thing as a Bad Kid Workshop,Arnone School 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Hancock: P.T.A. Meeting, Library 6 p.m.
West: School Store Opens, Auditorium Lobby 2:35 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4
Brockton School Committee Meeting, B.H.S. Little Theater 7 p.m.
Arnone: P.A.C. Meeting, Teachers Lounge 6 p.m.
Raymond: Title One ~ Annual Breakfast – K – Gr. 5 8:35 a.m.
West: School Improvement Council Meeting, Room 110 6 p.m.
West: P.A.C. Meeting, Room 110 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5
International Walk to School Day at Brookfield, Davis, Downey, Hancock and Kennedy Schools
Angelo: First Safety Program for Grade 3, During School
Arnone: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – K - Mrs. Wedge 1:30 p.m.
Davis: Family Cooking Night, Kennedy Café 5:45 – 7:15 p.m.
Hancock: Title One ~ Annual Breakfast, 9:15 a.m.
Huntington: Family Cooking Night, Kennedy Café 5:45 – 7:15 p.m.
Kennedy: International Walk to School Day with invited guests from MA DOT 8:35 a.m.
Kennedy: Family Cooking Night, Café 5:45 – 7:15 p.m.
Plouffe: P.A.C. Meeting, Café 6:30 p.m.
Raymond: P.T.A. Meeting, Café 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6
Brookfield: Title One ~ Annual Breakfast 9:15 a.m.
Downey: Pajama Day, During School
East: School Improvement Council Meeting, Room 130 5 p.m.
East: P.A.C. Meeting, Room 130 6 p.m.
Huntington: September Citizen of the Month Awards Assembly During School
Kennedy: Read for the Record. During School
Kennedy: First Safety Program for Grade 3. During School
Kennedy: Title One ~ Family Book Bag –Gr. 2 - Mrs. Mondillo 1:15 p.m.
Kennedy: School Improvement Council Meeting, Conference Room 6 p.m.
Kennedy: P.A.C. Meeting, Café 7 p.m.
North: School Improvement Council Meeting, Café 5 p.m.
North: P.A.C. Meeting Café 6 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7
Parents’ Academy, Welcome to the 2011 – 2012 School Year, Gilmore Early Childhood Center 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Angelo: Citizen of the Month Breakfast, Cafe 9–9:30 a.m.
Ashfield: Welcome Back to School Dance, 3:00–5:00 p.m.
Kennedy: First Safety Program for Grade 3. During School

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2011-09-26T06:55:00.000-07:00

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Baker: Family Skate Night Carousal, Whitman, T.B.A.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Parents’ Academy, Raising the Awareness of Underage Drinking, Arnone School 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Huntington: Title One ~ Annual Breakfast Gr. 2–5 8:15 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Baker: School Store Open. During Lunches
Brookfield: Bingo for Books Café T.B.A.
Downey: Title One ~ Family Book Bag Gr. 1 Ms. Williamson T.B.A
Huntington: Title One ~ Annual Breakfast K–Gr. 1 8:15 a.m.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 to FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
NO SCHOOL ~ ROSH HASHANAH

Free PV Course For Electricians

2011-09-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Southeastern Regional Technical High School has a few spots left for the free 45-hour Photovoltaic, or PV, course beginning Wednesday, September 28.
This course is paid through a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and the Massachusetts State Energy Partnership.
The 45-hour course will take place over seven Wednesday evenings from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. and on two Saturdays with instructor, Russ MacLeod.
Licensed electricians and/or electrical apprentices currently enrolled in a registered electrical journeyman license program are eligible for this free course and should contract Dave Degan at 508-230-1296 or degan@sersd.org for a course packet.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2011-09-19T08:06:00.000-07:00

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
PRE K-8 IN-SERVICE ~ EARLY RELEASE DAY
Parents’ Academy
Welcome to the 2011–2012 School Year
in Spanish, Haitian Creole and Portuguese
Arnone School 6:30 to 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Brockton School Committee Meeting B.H.S. Little Theater 7 p.m.
Angelo: Title One ~ Bingo for Books 6–7:15 p.m.
Ashfield: Open House 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Goddard: Open House 3–5 p.m.
North: Open House 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Plouffe: Open House 5–7 p.m.
Raymond: P.T.A. Meeting Café 6:30 p.m.
West: Open House 6–8 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Parents’ Academy, Make Math Count! Arnone School 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Baker: P.T.A. Meeting Community Room 7 p.m.
B.H.S.: Open House 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Champion: Open House 5-7 p.m.
Downey: Title One ~ Annual Breakfast K-5, 7:45 a.m.
East: Open House 5-7 p.m.
Kennedy: P.A.C. Meeting Café 7 p.m.
Russell: Open House 5–7 p.m.
South: Open House 5-7 p.m.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Raymond: Summer Math & Reading Celebration During School

Brookfield Playground Almost Done

2011-08-13T06:06:00.000-07:00

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—When volunteers in Brockton install a new state-of-the-art playground at the Brookfield Playground, they will have a lot of people to thank, including Dianne And Rick Snelgrove, who in the name of their daughter Victoria, donated more than $20,000.
“There are things to swing on, crawl through, hang on, slide on, and play on. I think the kids are going to love it,” said East Bridgewater resident Dianne Snelgrove of the new playground.
The installation begins, Saturday, Aug. 13 at 7 a.m. at the Brookfield Elementary School
Snelgrove, her husband Rick, and more than 40 volunteers from Brockton and other surrounding towns are expected to arrive at Brookfield Playground to begin the installation of a playground organizers have spent more than 2 years raising money, designing plans, and seeking donations of services and materials to turn a vacant lot into a mecca-of-fun for not only normally-abled youngsters, but also those with physical disabilities.
The Snelgroves, whose daughter Victoria was tragically killed by a Boston Police pepper-spray bullet Oct. 21, 2004 when riots erupted during the Red Sox run-up to winning the World Series, donated $20,000 toward the project, putting the project over the top financially and opening the doors to today’s installation.
Dianne Snelgrove said while “Torie” is unable to attend the day-long installation, which includes a barbecue for volunteers, she and her husband are happy to get their hands dirty moving dirt or helping in any way they can.
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Snelgrove said.
Kritina Lutz, a paraprofessional at the school and who helped lead the fundraising drive, said the Snelgroves have been so generous and gracious, and believes their help with the playground is a beautiful tribute to their daughter’s unexpected death.
Lutz said while organizers have raised about $25,000 to $30,000 in money, services and materials, another $20,000 was needed to buy the see-saws, slides, swings and other equipment that will fill the new playground—which because of a rubber surface will be accessible to children with physical disabilities.
“This wouldn’t have happened without Rick and Dianne,” Lutz said. “They are bringing so much joy to other children,” she said.
Lutz said through area friends and school officials, she heard the Snelgroves had created a fund in their daughter’s name that had donated money to other playground projects.
Lutz said she contacted the Snelgroves, who came to Brockton, checked out the site, and without hesitation agreed to give $20,000 toward the project.
Dianne said the project is eminently worthy, and has found that Torie’s fund has evolved from one that gives to scholarships at Emerson—where Victoria was a student before the shooting—and East Bridgewater where she went to high school—to one that began to pay for playground projects.
She said the fund’s mission is to enhance others’ lives, and the playground projects are a great way to honor Torie’s memory.
“Torie would be thrilled with what’s going on. She never let anything stop her. She had such a zest for life,” Snelgrove said.
Snelgrove said the playground projects began in 2006 with Torie’s Place playground in West Bridgewater on Spring Street, and has continued with others in East Bridgewater, North Easton and Easthampton.
The Brookfield project is the fifth.
Snelgrove said Torie’s death has been extraordinarily difficult on herself and her husband Rick.
The more than $5 million settlement is little solace for the family, and she and Rick have good days and bad days.
“When Torie died a part of my husband and I went with her,” Snelgrove said.
However, she said, they know Torie would not want them to shrink from life and would find it a comfort that they are helping others in Torie’s memory.
“We are going to have to keep going for her. She would tell us ‘don’t let your grief hold you back.’ She would want us to keep on keeping on. So we keep on keeping on,” Snelgrove said.
“This is her legacy,” she said.
Contributions are still being accepted for the Brookfield Playground and can be made to: Brookfield School PTO, 135 Jon Drive, Brockton, MA 02302
The Victoria Snelgrove Memorial Fund can be reached at www.victoriasnelgrove.org.
(Photo above courtesy Kristina Lutz: Dave Garfield and his son Brendan roll over gravel as they prepare the Brookfield Playground for Saturday's equipment installation)

Baker School Terrific Tuesdays Treat Mind, Taste Buds

2011-07-14T13:22:00.000-07:00

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—Youngsters who might beg their parents for a pet ferret after seeing and learning about them during the Mary E. Baker Elementary School’s Terrific Tuesdays presentation of wild animals, including a ferret, have been warned that while they are cute, cuddly and friendly, everyday, and sometimes important items will begin to disappear around the house.
“They’re thieves,” said Jungle Encounters animal handler Debbie Willoughby to a group of more than 60 youngsters, adults and Baker School officials.
“They will steal keys, they’ll go through your school bag and take whatever is in it—school work, papers, notebooks… and they will bury it deep under the couch where you will never find them again,” Willoughby said.
Along with Jesse the ferret, Willoughby showed the audience a lizard-like blue-tongued skink native to Australia, a long-eared African Fennec fox, a unique brown skunk who let out a yawn during the show, a kangaroo-like Patagonian Cavy, and a hedgehog-like Tenrec from Madagascar.
Students asked numerous questions and some were picked to pat certain animals.
Willoughby said the others might bite because they are not used to anyone other than her, and although in captivity, are wild animals.
At the end, everyone who attended was allowed to pat the Patagonian Cavy, which looks like a kangaroo and is the second largest rodent in the world.
While the animals were a thrill for many, one boy, 5-year-old Christopher Cugno, couldn’t wait until the animal presentation was over so he could get to the real reason he was there. (Cugno pictured with twin sister, Tyla, and cousin Gina Gallagher, 4)
“I wanted the ice cream,” Cugno said gleefully, waving one of the animal books given free during the program and headed to a table where ice cream was being served.
Terrific Tuesdays, offered by the school’s Title 1 program, is a summer long presentation of fun, educational programs that began with “Eyes on Owls” June 28.
Programs are held at 6 p.m. each Tuesday night at the Mary E. Baker School.
All are welcome and at the end of every session participants are treated to ice cream.
Terrific Tuesdays will run until Aug. 30 when the program wraps up with “Back-to-School Bingo,” when participants can win books and supplies for the new school year.
Biana Shearrion, who brought her 6-year-old daughter Taz, and 5-month-old son Malaki, enjoyed an ice cream sandwich after the program.
Shearrion said really liked learning about the animals, especially the skunk because she learned what they eat and to stand still if she ever crosses paths with one.
She said, unlike Cugno, Shearrion did not know there would be ice cream at the end.
“We came for the animals, but the ice cream is good too,” Shearrion said.
Click here for more information about Terrific Tuesdays...

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2011-05-31T14:53:00.000-07:00

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1--LAST DAY FOR SENIORS!!!!
WOW ~ Walk On Wednesdays Program at Brookfield, Davis, Downey,
Hancock and Kennedy Schools ~ Before school
Pre K – Grade 5 In–Sservice, early release
Angelo: Teacher Appreciation Luncheon Café, Noon.
East: TERI Program Field Trip, Curry College, Milton. During school
Plouffe: Unified Sports Participants & Parent Information Dinner, Café 6:30 p.m.
Raymond: Staff Appreciation Luncheon Café Noon.
Raymond: P.T.A. Meeting, Café 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 2
Baker: Field Trip for 3rd Grade-Plimouth Plantation, Plymouth. During School
Baker: Field Trip for 4th Grade Museum of Science, Boston. During School
Davis: Spring Concert, Café 6:30 p.m.
Downey: Grade 5 Fitness Day. During School
East: School Improvement Council Meeting, Room 130 5 p.m.
East: P.A.C. Meeting Room 130 6 p.m.
George: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Grade 1, 2-Way 1 p.m.
Hancock: Field Trip for 1st Grade – Southwick Zoo. During School
Huntington: Good Citizens of the Year Awards, South Middle School 8:30 a.m.
Kennedy: School Improvement Council Meeting, Conference Room, 6 p.m.
Kennedy: P.A.C. Meeting RM 201 7 p.m.
South: Field Trip– Patriots Place--Foxboro, During School
West: Bonnie the Snake Lady Show for Grade 6. During School

FRIDAY, JUNE 3
Parents’ Academy Morning Workshop
Summer Fun and Getting Ready for Kindergarten Celebration
Gilmore Early Childhood Center 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Class of 2011 Graduation
Brockton High School, Champion High School, BB Russell
and Lincoln School seniors
Marciano Stadium ~ 5 p.m.
Angelo: Field Trip for K - Buttonwood Park, New Bedford During School
Angelo: School Improvement Council Meeting, Conference Room 9:30 a.m.
Ashfield: MCAS is Over Dance, Café 3-5 p.m.
Brookfield: Kindergarten Play, Café 10 a.m.
East: Peer Mediators Field Trip, 5 WITS. During School
Plouffe: Plouffe Variety Show. Café 7 p.m.
South: Chorus & Band Concert Festival East

SATURDAY, JUNE 4
West: Grade 6 – 8 Lacrosse Team Field Trip, Harvard University, 9:30 – 1:30 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 6
Angelo: RIF- Reading is Fundamental for Gr.1 & 2 During School
Angelo: TAG Parent Night 6 p.m.
Brookfield: Field Trip for K - Buttonwood Park, New Bedford. During School
Brookfield: P.T.O. Meeting, Café 6:30 p.m.
East: Field Trip for 6th Grade Plimouth Plantation, Plymouth. During School
Hancock: Kindergarten Fun Day at Hancock Park. During School
Hancock: P.T.A. Meeting, Library 6:30 p.m.
Raymond: Field Trip for 4th Grade--Plimouth Plantation, Plymouth. During School
South: Field Trip for 6th Grade--Plimouth Plantation, Plymouth. During School

Southeastern Regional To Host Equipment, Supplies Public Auction June 4

2011-05-31T12:13:00.000-07:00

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--The Southeastern Regional School District will hold a public auction of surplus items ranging from tables, chairs, saws and ladders to a sanding machine, and air conditioning unit.
The public, silent auction will be held Saturday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Vocational-Technical High School located at 250 Foundry St., S. Easton.
Some items are in working condition others are not.
The list of used, working and non-working equipment and supplies includes: various ladders, saws, a sanding machine, tables, chairs, filing cabinets, an air-conditioning unit, bulk construction and electrical supplies and a variety of other materials.
Proceeds from the public silent auction will benefit students at Southeastern Regional, including the high school’s scholarship fund.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2011-05-23T05:42:00.000-07:00

MONDAY, MAY 23
TUESDAY, MAY 24
Baker: Field Trip for Kindergarten – Berklee Center Boston, During School
Brookfield: Field Trip for 1st Grade Boston, During School
George: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 3/2Way Mrs. Whittington TBA
Hancock: Hancock on The Move During School
West: School Improvement Council Meeting Room 110, 6 p.m.
West: P.A.C. Meeting Room 110, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25
Massachusetts Walk to School Day
WOW ~ Walk On Wednesdays Program at Brookfield, Davis, Downey,
Hancock and Kennedy Schools ~ Before School
Parents’ Academy ~ Texas Roadhouse Kids Fun Night, Westgate Mall 4–8 p.m.
Baker: Field Trip 1st Grade – Berklee Center Boston, During School
Brookfield: Field Trip for Kindergarten Davis Farmland, During School
Kennedy: Title One ~ Family Book Talk Luncheon – Gr. 5 - Ms. Mancini 11 a.m.
Kennedy: Title One ~ Family Book Talk – Gr. 2 Ms. Mondillo 1 p.m.
West: Drama Club Production “Annie Jr.” auditorium 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 26
Hancock: Field Trip for 2nd Grade – NE Aquarium Boston, During School
East: Girls Mentoring Club Field Trip to a local college, During School
Kennedy: Title One ~ Family Book Talk Luncheon – Gr. 5 - Ms. McIntosh 11 a.m.
Kennedy: Title One ~ Family Book Talk – Gr. 2 Ms. Estabrooks 1 p.m.
Plouffe: Spring Concert Café, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, MAY 27
Angelo: Field Trip for 2nd Grade - Cultural Center RI, During School
Angelo: Angelo School Band at George School Café, During School
Angelo: Family Movie Night Café, 6– 8:00 p.m.
Baker: Field Trip for 5th Grade State House Boston, During School
Brookfield: Field Trip for 2nd Grade - Buttonwood Park New Bedford, During School
Brookfield: Field Trip for 4th Grade - Duck Tours Boston During School
Downey: Field Trip for Kindergarten, During School
George: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 2/2Way Mrs. Higgins 9 a.m.
Hancock: Field Trip for 3rd Grade – Fenway Park Boston, During School
Huntington: 114th Annual Huntington School Parade, 12:30 p.m.
MONDAY, MAY 30
NO SCHOOL ~ MEMORIAL DAY

Lock-Down Drill, Drug Sweep A Success, School Officials Say

2011-05-19T18:42:00.000-07:00

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--No students were arrested and seven were suspended after a coalition of local and regional police conducted a simulation lock-down drill and real drug and weapons sweep at Brockton High School shortly after classes began Thursday morning.
While some illegal items were found during the drug sweep, officials praised students and staff for the success of a drill officials said was organized, calm and indicates the school's preparedness for an actual emergency.
“The safety of our students and staff is our first priority, and accountability is important. We need to test our skills and systems periodically to make sure that our schools are safe places,” said Superintendent of Schools Matthew H. Malone said in a prepared statement, Thursday, May 19.
“I’m proud of the way the students and staff conducted themselves today, they used their training, behaved well and proved that Brockton High School is a great place to learn," he said.
The 90-minute “Hold in Place” lockdown drill began at 9:15 a.m. when Principal Susan Szachowicz announced over the public address system students and staff would be participating in the drill.
All students and staff remained in the classroom or office they were in when the drill began and remained in their place until officials gave an all-clear signal.
Police blocked the entrances to the school stopping the flow of traffic in and out of the high school.
Szachowicz notified parents through an automatic telephone system that the lockdown was a drill and not an emergency as soon as it began.
“You learn by practice. You hope you never have to put these skills to use, but it’s critical that we all know what to do if a crisis arises,” Szachowicz said in the statment.
“I thought it went extremely well – it was an impressive effort by all of the school and police officials. I thought the students and the staff were cooperative. It showed us that if anything were to happen, we are ready to handle that crisis,” she said.
The drill was a coordinated effort between the Brockton Police, School Police and Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office. Also involved were K-9 units from the Stoughton, Middleboro, Foxboro, Quincy, Scituate, Weymouth, Braintree, Hingham, Winchester, Rehoboth and Pembroke Police Departments.
The drill was also a drug and weapons sweep of the seven-building complex—similar to sweeps that have taken place in other communities such as Middleboro where students were found to possess marijuana,knives and prescription pills.
Included in the drug sweep were officers and K-9 units from the Massachusetts Department of Probation, Massasoit Community College Police Department, Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office and MA Department of Correction.
In all, 46 officers and 23 K-9s took part.
Six of Brockton High School’s 4,200 students were found in possession of small amounts of marijuana and one student was found with drug paraphernalia.
Two of the seven students were found to be in possession of pocket knives.
Each of the seven students have been suspended and will face due process hearings. No arrests were made.
“I think that for a high school of this size, with such large land mass, buildings and population, that Brockton High School is extremely safe,” said Brockton Police Lieutenant Donald Mills, who oversees the Brockton School Police.
“There were no arrests or disturbances as a result of this drill, and that is an excellent example of how safe and secure this school is.”
In 2010, the Brockton Public Schools was awarded a two-year, $300,000 Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools, or REMS, grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Through the grant, the district continues to improve and strengthen its emergency management plans and attempting to address the four phases of emergency management: prevention-mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
The project is designed to ensure Brockton school staff, emergency responders, and public physical and mental health care providers are prepared to respond confidently to critical incidents that may arise in schools.
“This is the first of many drills like this, both at Brockton High School and in buildings across our district,” Superintendent Malone said.
“Our students are our responsibility and we are going to give them the best possible education in the most safe and supportive environment possible,” he said.

Cardinal Spellman Announces 2011 Valedictorian, Salutatorian

2011-05-19T09:57:00.001-07:00

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Cardinal Spellman High School has announced the valedictorian and salutatorian for the 2011 graduating class.
Samantha Curran, of Quincy, has been named the 2011 Cardinal Spellman High School valedictorian and Jen Scanlon, of Bridgewater, was named the 2011 Cardinal Spellman High School salutatorian, according to a prepared statement released today by the high school.
Both students plan to deliver speeches to the 2011 graduating class, and everyone in attendance, at the Cardinal Spellman High School Graduation Ceremony.
Commencement will be held on May 26 at 6 p.m. on the school’s football field.
Curran is no stranger to the spotlight. She was named Enterprise All-Scholastic 2009 for volleyball and Enterprise Volleyball Player of the year for 2010.
She is a team captain for volleyball and softball. She is also the President of National Honor Society. (Pictured above)
Curran has donated her time in the community since before she entered high school. She has volunteered for the Walk for Hospice since 2005 and she participated in the Relay for Life. She also serves as a lector at St. Joseph’s Parish in Quincy.
Curran plans to attend Wentworth Institute of Technology to study Biomedical Engineering.
Scanlon hopes to become a veterinarian after college. She will major in biology at Brandies University in the fall.
Scanlon played basketball, ran track, and served as a captain for the girls soccer team during her time at Spellman. She is also an accomplished figure skater.
Scanlon enjoys volunteering and making a difference in the community. She coaches youth soccer and figure skating. She participated in the Relay for Life and she also volunteers at the Handi Kids Therapeutic Recreation riding center. (Pictured at right)
Cardinal Spellman High School President, Dr. John McEwan, said is very impressed with this year’s valedictorian and salutatorian.
“Spellman is very proud of both Samantha Curran and Jen Scanlon,” McEwan said. “They are both well-rounded, outstanding young women. They are accomplished academically, athletically and have shown a great deal of service to the community. They both represent the values and accomplishments of the ideal Spellman student.”

Citywide Spelling Bee Saturday Features Elementary School Kids

2011-05-11T07:19:00.000-07:00

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Brockton public, parochial and private school students in third, fourth and fifth grades will match wits with the dictionary Saturday, May 14 when they will ocmpete in the annual Citywide Spelling Bee.
The event will be held at the historic Little Red School House on Forest Avenue, across from Brockton High School's Rocky Marciano Stadium.
Competition begins with the third graders at 9 a.m., followed by fourth grade at 11 a.m. and the tournament wraps up with the fifth graders at 2 p.m.
Parking is available at the Little Red School House or at Brockton High School.
A second Bee will be held for students in sixth to eighth grade Saturday, May 21.
Each contestant has won a grade-wide Spelling Bee in order to represent their school, and winners of the citywide bee are awarded cash and prizes from sponsors PaperBack Junction, Brockton Education Association, Chartwells School Dining Services, Rockland Trust, Community Bank, Crescent Credit Union, Mutual Bank, HarborOne Credit Union, Prospect Hill Company and the Brockton Rox.
Judges include Mayor Linda M. Balzotti, Superintendent of Schools Matthew H. Malone, several city Councilors, school committee members, State Rep. Christine Canavan, Police Chief William Conlon and Plymouth Country Registrar of Deeds John Buckley, Jr.

Hancock Student Saves Grandmom With 911 Call

2011-05-10T07:15:00.000-07:00

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—Eight-year-old Hancock Elementary School student Nolan Wood didn’t stop to think when his grandmother suddenly collapsed at her kitchen table while painting a picture for him March 22.
Wood immediately recognized his grandmother Patricia Cerone was having a serious medical problem and ran straight for the phone and dialed 911—steps he had learned to take from programs at school and from his mother Michelle Wood.
Wood was able to tell firefighters the address of his grandmother’s house where he was staying for the day because he stayed home from school with a cold.
He described his “Gamma’s” symptoms clearly and with enough detail for emergency responders to realize Cerone was unconscious and needed immediate help.
Firefighters said Nolan never panicked and did all the right things.
“He saved her life,” said Michelle Wood, Nolan’s mother who still thanks her deceased father for sending signals to her to let Nolan stay home from school that day. Otherwise Patricia Cerone would have collapsed at the table with no one around to help her.
Cerone, 64, had not been ill and the collapse identified a life-threatening condition for which she is currently undergoing treatments at Tufts Medical Center. (Cerone pictured at right with Nolan and brother Gavin)
“I’m not a religious person, but my father was there that day,” Michelle Wood said thanking the heavens above for the decision to let Nolan stay home from school March 22.
Yesterday afternoon in Fire Chief Richard Francis’ office, Nolan Wood was presented with a citation of appreciation from Francis and another from Mayor Linda Balzotti who said his “quick thinking” and “quick acting” saved his grandmother’s life. (Pictured below)
After the citations were presented, Nolan, his 7-year-old brother Gavin and 2-year-old sister Avery were given bright red firefighter helmets and Nolan and Gavin were thrilled to climb in and out of Engine 5 checking out the hundreds of buttons and laughing when the loud horn echoed through the garage.
Nolan simply said he called 911, but his father Dicky Wood said Nolan is a smart kid who seems to have a spotlight around him because the 8-year-old has already won the family a free trip for a coloring contest and was recognized in the local newspaper for other endeavors.
“We’re really proud of him,” Dicky Wood said.

Special Olympics Fills Marciano Stadium With Joy, Comaraderie

2011-05-04T18:45:00.000-07:00

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—Brockton High School student Christian Crooker pumped his arms and lifted his legs as fast as he could in the 50 yard dash, but couldn’t overcome the speed of Elbert Drayton during Brockton schools Special Olympic games, but a silver medal was just fine with Crooker.
“It’s not about winning,” said Crooker, 17, who said he plays basketball and other sports, but rarely sprints down a track.
“It was fun. It’s just doing it. I feel awesome,” Crooker said. (Pictured above in center with at left, Adam Fritz and, right, Elbert Drayton)
Crooker’s words were a prevalent theme among the more than 400 students from nearly all of Brockton’s schools who participated in Wednesday’s annual Special Olympics Games Day held at Brockton High School’s Marciano Stadium.
Students of all ages took part in a carousel of events that included running races, relays, a wheelchair push, football, softball and tennis ball throws, soccer shooting, long jumping and croquet—all accompanied by the sounds of music that made the event feel like a carnival of dancing, smiles, hugs and cheers.
Hundreds of parents, friends and family members came and went throughout the day to support their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Gloria Clemonts, who watched on the sidelines with her daughter Tahira Carleton as her 10-year-old grandson Jamuari Couvertier threw a football over the heads of high school volunteers, said it was difficult not to shed a tear during the games—especially the opening ceremony.
“As adults we can learn so much from these kids,” Clemonts said. “It warms your heart,” she said.
Tahira Carleton, Couvertier’s mom, said her young son could not wait to get onto the field yesterday.
“He came home and practiced and practiced,” Carleton said. “He was so excited about it,” she said.
A Brookfield Elementary School student, Carleton said it is a beautiful thing to see how students with varying levels of learning, developmental and physical disabilities help one another.
“Some learn things quicker than others and those who are good at a subject help others who aren’t as good or as quick to learn,” Carleton said. “They really help one another,” she said.
During opening ceremonies, many people wiped tears that escaped down their cheeks, most notably after BHS student Jay Stone and police officer Ted Hancock ran down the track with the signature Special Olympics “Flame of Hope.” (Pictured below)
Hancock, who has worked the event in the past as a bystander, said it was the first time he had the honor of escorting the torch bearer and was inspired by the joy and love that filled Marciano Stadium.
“I sprung like a young puma,” Hancock said with enthusiasm.
Superintendent Matthew Malone said the annual event is a beautiful showcase of how the human spirit—even if that spirit is fraught with disabilities and obstacles—can overcome nearly anything.
“It’s one of the best things we do in the school system,” Malone said.
“It shows that effort and achievement, determination and perseverance are all equal qualities that we all share. Kids with disabilities are just like everyone else,” he said.
Opening ceremonies included numerous recognitions and plaques, including one for Tom Kenney, (Pictured below, center) Brockton High’s athletic director who will retire after decades in the school system.
Before plaques were handed out several students opened the games with the singing of the National Anthem by a trio of BHS students Ana Caroline Alano, Gabriella Brown and Sony Thoyo and a rendition of “God Bless America” by Brookfield Elementary School student Christy Villard, a 10-year-old who said she loves to sing, but rarely performs in public.
Villard said her friends encouraged her to give it her all.
“My friends always say you have to try,” Villard said. (Pictured at right)

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2011-05-03T06:04:00.000-07:00

May 2 – May 6
Kindergarten Registration for 2011 – 2011 School Year
for children turning 5 years old by 12/31/11
B.P.S. School Registration Center 43 Crescent Street Brockton 508-580-7950

TUESDAY, MAY 3
B.P.S. School Committee Meeting B.H.S. Little Theater, 7 p.m.
Baker: International Food Festival - Caribbean Café During Lunches
Davis: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1 Ms. Clary 8:45 a.m.
Davis: P.T.A. Meeting Library 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4

Massachusetts Walk to School Day--WOW ~ Walk On Wednesdays Program at Brookfield, Davis, Downey,
Hancock and Kennedy Schools ~ Before School
B.P.S. Special Olympics at B.H.S. Marciano Stadium ~ 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 pm.
(Rain date May 5th)
Angelo: P.T.A. Meeting Café 6:15 p.m.
Davis: Title One ~ Family Literacy Night 6 p.m.
Raymond: School Improvement Council Meeting 9:30 a.m.
Raymond: P.T.A. Meeting Café 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 5
Ashfield: School Improvement Council Meeting Library 6 p.m.
Ashfield: P.T.A. Meeting Library 6:30 p.m.
Brookfield: Spring Concert for Kindergarten Café 9:45 a.m.
Brookfield: Recycle Program for Grade 3 Café
East: School Improvement Council Meeting Room 130 5 p.m.
East: P.A.C. Meeting Room 130 6 p.m.
Kennedy: School Improvement Council Meeting Conference Room 6 p.m.
Kennedy: P.A.C. Meeting RM 201 7 p.m.
Raymond: Spring Band & Chorus Concert Café 9 and 10 a.m. and 6:30 pm.

FRIDAY, MAY 6
Parents’ Academy Morning Workshop
Early Childhood Play Workshop
Gilmore Early Childhood Center 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Angelo: Family Movie Night Café 6 – 8 p.m.
Brookfield: Spring Concert for Grades 1 - 3 Café 9:45 a.m.
Brookfield: Spring Concert for Grades 4 & 5 and Parents Café 10:30 a.m.
Downey: Spring Concert Café T.B.A.

SATURDAY, MAY 7
Gilmore: School Clean-Up day School Grounds T.B.A.

Stonehill Student Exonerated In Rape Charges

2011-04-27T11:07:00.001-07:00

Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--A Plymouth County Grand Jury has dismissed rape and sexual assault charges against a 21-year-old Stonehill College tutor who was accused of molesting an 8-year-old Angelo Elementary School student in Brockton during class time where he was employed as a work-study student.
"This is a very, very, very good day," said Michael P. Doolin, the attorney for Kevin Treseler, the Millis man accused of the crimes against the third girl.
Doolin said he was notified the grand jury failed to indict this morning and that Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz's office has filed a dismissal in the case.
"I knew from the start that Mr. Treseler didn't do this," Doolin said. "The evidence presented at the time just didn't make any sense," he said.
A May 26 probable cause hearing will not take place.
Doolin said he could not say if Cruz's office has another suspect in the crime. He pointed those questions to Cruz's office.
Bridget Norton Middleton, spokeswoman for Cruz's office could not immediately be reached for comment.
Doolin said he is unsure if Treseler will return to school right away.
He was suspended from Stonehill College following his March 22 arrest on two counts of rape of a child with force and two counts of indecent assault on a child under 14.
Doolin said he believes Treseler is going to take some time to see what his next step will be.
"After everything he's been through, I think he wants to catch his breath and let this pass," Doolin said.
Doolin said he was notified of the grand jury's decision Wednesday morning and immediately gave word to Treseler's family who had supported him through the ordeal.
"We are very grateful for the grand jury and its work," Doolin said.
Grand jury proceedings are closed to the public and defense attorney's are not allowed to present evidence.

BHS Fight Sends One To Hospital

2011-04-26T12:18:00.000-07:00

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--An 18-year-old Taunton man is expected to be arraigned in Brockton District Court after allegedly stabbing another student in the back while in school at Brockton High this morning.
According to police records, Joshua Silva, an 18-year-old sophomore from Taunton faces felony assault and battery with a dangerous weapon--a knife, assault to murder and possession of a dangerous weapon on school grounds.
In a statement from school officials, authorities said shortly after 8 a.m. this morning two 18-year-old males had a physical confrontation on school grounds.
When the students were brought to the Red Housemaster’s office to resolve the issue, one of the young men Silva, pulled out a carpet knife and cut the other.
School administrators rushed to break up the fight.
Silva was arrested by school police.
The victim, a senior at Brockton High, was taken
to Signature Brockton Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
“This is an aberration,” said Superintendent Matthew H. Malone in a prepared statement. “Brockton High School is a safe and supportive learning environment, an urban high school that has been held up as a national model of excellence. We are appalled that this incident has taken place. We do not condone and will not tolerate violence.”
Principal Susan Szachowicz immediately addressed the incident with students and staff
via the school’s public address system, and then sent an automated phone call to parents to communicate the situation with them.
“No child in any school, but certainly at Brockton High, should ever have to witness
something like this,” Szachowicz said in the statement.

Grand Jury To Decide Alleged Tutor Rape Charges

2011-04-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—An attorney for a 21-year-old former Stonehill tutor facing charges of rape and sexual assault of a third-grade Brockton student, said he believes his client will be exonerated as the case works its way through the court system.
Kevin Treseler, a Millis man who was arrested March 21 on the Stonehill campus, has been charged with two counts of rape of a child with force and two counts of indecent assault on a child under 14.
According to prosecutors and court documents, the alleged sexual abuse took place during class time at the Angelo Elementary School where Treseler worked as tutor in work-study program with Stonehill College.
“We expect once a grand jury hears the evidence of the case against Mr. Treseler the charges will be dismissed,” said Treseler’s lawyer Michael Doolin after a pretrial conference in Brockton District Court Thursday morning, April 21.
Treseler, who has been suspended from Stonehill College and working in the tutoring program since his arrest, was surrounded by family and friends during a brief pretrial conference.
None of the family or friends preferred to comment.
Treseler is expected back in Brockton District Court for another pretrial conference May 26.
Doolin said it is up to a grand jury to decide if there is enough evidence in the case for it to move to Superior Court where crimes like rape and murder are heard.
Grand jury testimony is not open to the public.

Human Resources Executive Director To Retire

2011-04-15T05:25:00.000-07:00

Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Human Resources Executive Director Kathy Sirois, a long-time employee in the school system, will retire at the end of June.
Jocelyn Meek, the school department's spokeswoman, said Sirois submitted her letter of retirement to Superintendent Matthew Malone Tuesday afternoon before the School Committee's meeting Tuesday night when Malone had to apologize to the committee and parents for providing for the second time erroneous information about the school department's compliance with state Criminal Offenders Record Information, or CORI, background checks.
"She had been thinking about retiring and it was a decision she made," Meek said Thursday. "Dr. Malone accepted her resignation and is sorry to see her go," she said.
Malone could not immediately be reached for comment.
Sirois, who Meek said has worked in the school system since 1967. Sirois will retire on June 30.
Meek said she did not know if Sirois' retirement had anything to do with the recent spate of misinformation about CORI checks that followed when 21-year-old Kevin Treseler, a Stonehill College student who worked as a tutor in Brockton, was charged with rape and assault of a third-grader at Angelo Elementary School.
Tuesday night, Malone again took responsibility for the second instance of erroneous informaton provided to school committee members and parents since Treseler's arrest.
Tuesday night Malone said he could not trust information from the school department's human resources department because the systems to check information, such as CORI compliance, are outdated.
The first instance Malone said Treseler and other Stonehill tutors had received background checks before working in the schools.
The second instance Malone told school committee members during a closed session meeting employees in the schools had been rechecked every 3 years as state law requires.
Both instances turned out to be wrong.
He said the system consists of paper and file cabinets that with thousands of pieces of paper is too time consuming to confirm who has been rechecked and who has not.
Malone said all 2007 and 2008 employees will be rechecked and that process began this week and could take 6 to 8 weeks to complete.

Malone In Hot Seat Over CORI Info

2011-04-13T09:12:00.000-07:00

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—Superintendent Matthew Malone is under fire again from Brockton School Committee members after information Malone provided committee members and parents about school staff background checks for the second time turned out to be wrong.
During a school committee meeting Tuesday night, for the second time Malone took responsibility for misinformation regarding background checks—an issue that arose three weeks ago following the arrest of Kevin Treseler, a 21-year-old Stonehill College student who has been charged with rape and sexual abuse against a third-grade girl in the Angelo Elementary School during class time where he worked as a tutor.
Malone last night said he was wrong when he told School Committee members during a closed session of the board last week that the school department was in compliance with all aspects of the state Criminal Offenders Record Information, or CORI, background checks—including a requirement that all employees be rechecked every three years.
“I can’t trust what’s been done in the past,” Malone said trying to explain why he told school committee members current teachers had been rechecked after working in the school department for 3 years.
All, Malone said, were checked upon hiring, but the required recheck did not take place in 2007.
“There are thousands of pieces of paper to figure it out. It’s a waste of my time to go through it all and figure out who was or wasn’t checked,” Malone said after the meeting. “Instead of going back, I’m just putting in my own system and fixing the problem,” he said.
He said he could not give a number of how many teachers or staff members were or were not checked after the three-year recheck deadline.
The school department, has about 1,350 full-time teachers and staff and about 500 more part-time, said School Financial Officer Aldo Petroni.
School committee member Tim Sullivan said he was disappointed with Malone’s misinformation.
“I feel like I was misled by you. I passed that information on to parents,” Sullivan said.
School committee member William Carpenter said he did the same thing and was surprised to learn Malone had again misinformed the committee and subsequently the public.
“You assured me we were in compliance and now we’re not,” Carpenter said.
The state’s 3-year rule requires all teachers and staff employed in a public school undergo a CORI check upon being hired and again every 3 years.
Malone said he had no idea how many were checked in 2007 and that the 2008 rechecks will be done now along with the 2007 rechecks.
School committee members said they wanted solutions to the problem, including history of past procedures as well as Malone’s recommendation for the school department to update its software systems to electronically record data like employee CORI checks.
Malone said because the current system is a paper and file system that requires a person to match paper CORI authorization forms with paper CORI checks the system is inefficient and difficult to match who was checked and who was not.
Carpenter said while the move to update software systems is a step in the right direction, he demanded copies—the paper copies—of the 2007 authorization forms signed by teachers and staff for permission to have their backgrounds checked.
“Did we miss 10 or 1,010?” Carpenter asked. “The only way to get that answer is to find out the history of what happened—I want to know,” he said.
After initially arguing against it, saying because finger-pointing wouldn’t solve the problem , Malone agreed to provide Carpenter with the authorization forms when other school committee members supported Carpenter’s request.
School committee member James Daley said while no one wants to finger-point he asserted that if an employee is not doing their job correctly, maybe there should be finger-pointing.
“If somebody doing the job is incompetent they should be removed,” Daley said. “There’s a lack of confidence in the information that is coming out. We have to regain that confidence,” he said.

School Officials Tighten CORI Check Rules

2011-04-06T10:05:00.000-07:00

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—Brockton’s School Committee will propose at its next meeting Tuesday night a new, strict policy that would require anyone—teachers, staff, teacher’s aides, tutors, chaperones, volunteers, and any contractors—to undergo criminal background checks before being allowed to work in or with students in Brockton Public Schools.
The move comes in the wake of the arrest of Kevin Treseler, a 21-year-old Stonehill College student who is accused of forcible rape and sexual assault of an 8-year-old girl during class time at the Angelo Elementary School where Treseler worked as a math tutor.
School committee member Timothy Sullivan said following a special School Committee meeting Tuesday night, officials will require everyone who may have any kind of access to students to be checked for criminal offenses—a policy that goes far beyond state requirements.
“It will help students in the future, but it won’t help this 8-year-old girl. I feel so bad for her,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan said the School Committee will have its subcommittee draft a new policy that will eventually be adopted by the full committee.
Last night members of the School Committee met in a special session with Malone and other administrators to discuss what were described as privacy, legal and confidentiality issues surrounding the Angelo arrest.
Treseler was arrested on the Stonehill campus in Easton two weeks ago. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment March 22.
School administrators have come under fire during the two weeks since Treseler’s arrest after Malone initially publicly said Treseler had been checked and then admitted Treseler and about six other tutors did not undergo a Criminal Offenders Record Information, or CORI, background check before beginning work as tutors.
Malone said a batch of six tutors-including Tresler—was not checked in October, 2009 which is when Treseler began working in Brockton schools.
“It was a mistake, a snafu, a glitch, an error in processing,” Malone said.
Treseler began tutoring in Brockton’s schools in October 2009, then did not work as part of the work study program until last December. He returned to the classroom in January, court documents show.
The well-established federally-funded tutoring program employs about 150 Stonehill students in all of the city’s schools.
Malone said more than 600 people—teacher’s aides, volunteers, chaperones—perform all types of tasks within the schools during the year.
He said state law only requires those employed by the schools who may have unmonitored access to students must undergo criminal checks every three years and does not include volunteers, chaperones, teacher’s aides and contractors who may do work in the schools.
The state offers free CORI checks for school departments, officials said. Private entities, such as the media, must pay for the service.
Malone said once Treseler’s arrest was made school officials began scouring its records and found Treseler (Pictured below) and others in the tutoring program did not have their backgrounds checked.
He said the paper work was lost amid the thousands of criminal checks the school department processes each month.
Malone said the school department conducts about 1,000 criminal checks per month—a figure several school committee members questioned.
After Treseler’s arrest, officials learned Treseler was arrested for possession of marijuana—a misdemeanor charge that was dismissed.
Malone said it is unlikely Treseler would have been excluded from the tutoring program because of the marijuana charge, although Treseler likely would have been called in by officials for an interview or other screening steps had the background check been performed.
Malone said when he realized Treseler had not been CORI checked he contacted the media to take it back and takes full responsibility for the misinformation.
Malone said school officials have spent the last two weeks rechecking backgrounds of every tutor, volunteer and others who enter Brockton schools in the wake of the arrest and sexual assault charges—actions described as a “Herculean” task.
“We have owned this from the start,” said Superintendent Matthew Malone. “We have been fully transparent, up front and honest about the situation,” he said.
He said the double-checks on Stonehill’s tutors—done with the help of Stonehill—have all come back clean and after about a week suspension of the tutoring program at the Angelo School, all tutors are back in the classroom.
He said no one other than Treseler has been fired or relieved of their tutoring positions.
Malone said he is not waiting for the School Committee to approve a new policy.
He said he has instituted a new 3-step procedure of background checks, including a review panel of “red-flagged” applicants.
“We’re (checking) everyone,” Malone said.
Malone said the first change is no one—he stressed no one—will be allowed to enter the schools either as an employee or volunteer—until a CORI check is returned and is clean.
If there is a crime, violation or any other red flag, Malone said a review panel must—and stressed must—interview the candidate to decide if the person should be allowed to have contact with students.
He said anyone with a felony such as armed robbery, theft, sex crimes or drug distribution on their record will be rejected, but others with misdemeanors such as drunk driving, driving violations or in Treseler’s case, marijuana possession, would require a judgment call by the review panel.
He said all CORI paperwork would be kept under lock and key in the human resources department and available within minutes to administrators with clearance.
Tuesday night’s School Committee meeting was held in closed session because officials said matters that would be discussed included personnel issues, the confidentiality of the student involved in the sexual assault charges, and the legal case against Treseler.
School committee members William Carpenter and Patricia Joyce questioned the need for the closed session and said once matters veered toward policy and not individual performance or confidentiality they would move to go into open session.
After the meeting Carpenter said he believed the closed session was absolutely necessary and feels more confident that gaps in the background checks have been closed saying the committee "grilled" administrators over the matter.
“Parents should feel very comfortable that no one will have access to students in Brockton Public Schools without having had a background check,” Carpenter said.
However, Carpenter disagreed school officials were completely transparent in the beginning because initially Malone said Treseler had undergone a background check and then it turned out he was not.
“I think things could have been handled better. I think the administration could do a better job of how they present information to the media. I think it’s a learning experience for them,” Carpenter said. “In the beginning mixed messages were sent and created a lot of questions,” he said.
Carpenter said the new CORI check policy is a step in the right direction. He said during the closed session he asked officials to ensure school bus drivers are included in the CORI process.
He said it is unclear what the process is for bus drivers at the moment.
While he is in complete agreement about the steps the school officials have taken to close the gaps in the background check procedure, he warns that, although criminal checks can eliminate a lot of potential problems, it does not resolve issues surrounding the protection and safety of students.
“Criminal checks are not a panacea,” Carpenter said. “CORI checks are just a screen. It doesn’t predict future behavior,” he said.

Martin To Be Honored At BHS Spring Concert

2011-04-05T18:59:00.000-07:00

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Robert A. Martin, who for nearly 40 years has given back to Brockton as a volunteer and city administrator, will be honored Wednesday night during the Brockton High School Band's Spring Concert after being chosen as the 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award winner by the Brockton High School Alumni Association.
The award is presented annually to a BHS graduate whose outstanding service has been a benefit to Brockton and beyond.
According to a statement from the alumni association, Martin was employed by the City of Brockton for 37 years and has been a leader in numerous city organizations, including helping to launch Brockton's Promise, Brockton After Dark and Brockton Fights Back.
A 1965 BHS graduate, in 1972 Martin was appointed the city’s first substance abuse coordinator and helped begin the Brockton Area Drug Program which was the city's first comprehensive youth drug treatment program.
Prior to working for the city, Martin served his country during a tour of duty in Vietnam as an Army Intelligence Officer.
As a member of former Mayor David Crosby's administration Martin reorganized all the human services accounts into the Division of Human Resources.
Over the years, Martin's talents and organizational skills have been recognized and numerous mayors have sought Martin in their administrations.
Martin has worn many hats including, Acting Chief Procurement Officer, Acting Executive Health Officer, Acting Council on Aging Director, Acting Constituent Services Director and Acting Veterans Services Officer.
Martin was instrumental in the establishment and implementation of a methadone treatment and counseling van in Brockton.
Martin said he considers being an advocate for the construction of Brockton Neighborhood Health Center in the city's downtown as one of his proudest accomplishments.
Another of his beloved works is helping to establish a corporate partnership with the city and Coca-Cola Company--a liaison that sends dozens of Brockton children to summer camp each year.
Martin joins good company. Previous award winners include Armond Columbo, Kenneth Feinberg, Carol Thomas, David Henderson, Moises Rodrigues, Chris Sawyer, Larry Siskind, Jimmy Jamoulis, Lynn Jamoulis, Jackie Jones and Ellen Yaffe.
Martin will receive the award at the Brockton High School Spring Concert.
The concert will be held at the BHS Auditorium Wednesday April 6, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the BHS administration building during school hours or at the door--if the concert is not sold out.

School Comm To Discuss Background Checks

2011-04-05T06:12:00.000-07:00

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--The Brockton School Committee will meet tonight to discuss how a handful of Stonehill college students working as tutors in a much-needed program in the schools did not have their criminal backgrounds checked as per school policy--including one tutor who has been charged with sexually assaulting a third-grader during classtime at the Angelo Elementary School.
"This is not a regularly scheduled School Committee meeting. It was called as a special meeting by Vice-Chair Tom Minichiello after discussion with myself...specifically to make an inquiry in to the CORI checks of employees, volunteers, tutors, etc.," said School Committee member Bill Carpenter in an email.
"Obviously,this inquiry is in the wake of the Angelo School incident and the changing explanations as to whether this tutor and others working in the schools were properly CORI'd," Carpenter stated.
School committee members have said administrators have said some tutors and others within the schools have been checked through the Criminal Offenders Record Inquiry, or CORI, however others have not, including Kevin Treseler,(pictured above), who was arrested and charged last month with rape and sexual assault charges when an 8-year-old Angelo student told police Treseler allegedly molested her several times during classtime.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m.
The school's Finance Committee will meet prior to the 7 p.m. start.
Carpenter said he expects committee members to go into closed session to discuss the job performance of employees involved with the background checks.
He said Minichiello has requested advice from the school committee's attorney about the possible executive session. Kevin Treseler, faces rape and sexual assault charges after an 8-year-old girl told police Treseler molested her several times since December while he was a math tutor at the Angelo Elementary School.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2011-03-21T05:36:00.000-07:00

MONDAY, MARCH 21
Angelo: School Improvement Council Meeting. Café 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22
MCAS ELA Testing: Grades 3 - 8 students, runs through 4/4
West: School Improvement Council Meeting. Room 110. 6 p.m.
West: P.A.C. Meeting Room 110. 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23
MCAS ELA Testing: Grade 10 Students
Baker: School Store Open During Lunches
Gilmore: Toe Jam Puppet Band. During school
Gilmore: Family Health Night. Café 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Huntington: Title One ~ Family Literacy Night 6 p.m.

THURSDAY, MARCH 24
MCAS ELA Testing: Grade 10 Students
Parents’ Academy Health Resource Fair, Arnone School 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
SPED: Family Support Workshop – Self Help & Daily Living Skills. Angelo 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 25
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 5 Mr. Moore 1:15 p.m.
Hancock: March Madness Dance for Gr. 2 & 3 Gym 6 to 8 p.m.
Huntington: Casual Dress Day – 25 cents. During School
Huntington: Family Pasta Supper. Café 6 p.m.
Kennedy: Family Pizza Supper Café 6:30 p.m.

Creepy Creatures Thrill During Harry Potter Night

2011-03-17T19:28:00.001-07:00

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—Arnone School student Shania Tarver couldn’t wait to get a chance to feel the smooth brown and beige diamond skin of a 10-foot, 150-pound Burmese python that was one of the many creepy creatures, modified Quidditch matches, snacks and pencil-wand making during the school’s “Harry Potter Family Night.”
Traver, 10, was mesmerized by the assortment of insects, rats, giant cockroaches, lizards, birds, cockroaches and spiders presented by Curious Creatures’ handler Lenny Smart, whose collection included a spiky African pygmy hedgehog, a California king snake, green iguana, rose-haired tarantula, and the gargantuan python.
“My favorite is the big ole snake,” Tarver said as she joined the hordes--including Arnone Principal Colleen Proudler (Pictured above in wizard wardrobe), who crowded around the python to touch the massive creature that would be twice the size when fully grown.
Hundreds of students and their parents roamed the halls of the school going from one activity to another Wednesday night, March 16.
In the cafeteria a video of Harry Potter movies played on a large screen while youngsters ate cookies as they made pencils into magic wands with bright and sparkly decorations.
Jessira Semedo, 9, (Pictured at right with Harry Potter book) attended the event with her mom Victoria Pagan and friend Krissena England. The pair of girls waved their pencil-wands and talked about their favorite book and favorite character: the precocious and daring girl, Hermione Granger.
“I love, love, love, Harry Potter. It’s my favorite book,” Semedo said.
Some students had their faces painted and others signed up for the numerous modified Quidditch games—no flying children--that were held in shifts in the gym.
Although all the activities were fun, parents and kids said the creepy creatures were “awesome.”
It was hard to tell if the shrieks that filled the auditorium during the display were loudest for the giant cockroaches, the huge tarantula, or the California king snake.
It was perfectly clear the Burmese python was the reptile with the biggest wow factor when parents and children shrieked, squelled and stood up to get a better glimpse or pictures of the sleek snake.
Audience members were allowed to touch the snake and others had the monster placed around their necks.
Handler Lenny Smart said pythons don’t normally eat humans because people are usually too big and swallowing them takes too much effort and could cause the snake to choke to death.
“If they can’t swallow it they’re not going to waste the energy trying,” Smart said.
However, if anyone runs into a Burmese python in the wild, Smart said they can see only about 3 or 4 feet in front of them and recent research shows when the python flits its tongue it is actually helping it to see.
Ten-year-old DeMario Thompson whose little sister, 18-month old Malia was a handful for her father Mark, (Pictured above), said he liked the African pygmy hedgehog (Pictured above) the best.
"It's cool how it can curl up and not hurt itself with its quills," Thompson said.

Smart dispelled many common myths about the creatures, including that tarantulas, like the rose-haired tarantula visiting the Arnone, are not dangerous to humankind.
“Let me start off my saying the only people who have been killed by tarantulas were in the movies,” Smart said.
In fact, Smart said, it is quite the opposite.
“A lot of people eat them,” Smart said. “I’ve never had it, but they say it tastes like crab,” he said.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2011-03-14T05:47:00.000-07:00

MONDAY, MARCH 14
Baker: Fire Safety Presentation for Kindergarten Students. During School
Brookfield: Fire Safety Presentation for Kindergarten Students. During School
Davis: P.T.A. sponsored Yankee Candle Fundraiser runs through 3/28
Gilmore: P.T.A. Meeting. Conference Room, 6 p.m.
Huntington: P.T.O. Meeting - Babysitting provided Café 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, MARCH 15
B.P.S. School Committee Meeting. B.H.S. Little Theater 7 p.m.
Parents’ Academy: "Make Your Child a Better Writer Workshop," Arnone School, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
B.B. Russell: All Star 3-Point Shot Contest. Gym 2:30 p.m.
B. H. S.: School Improvement Council Meeting. Principal’s Office. 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16
Arnone: Title One ~ Family Harry Potter Literacy Night. 6 p.m.
Davis: Family Health Night. Huntington Café 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Huntington: Family Health Night. Café 5:30 – 7 p.m.
SEPAC: Educational Testing. Brockton Main Library 9:30 a.m.

THURSDAY, MARCH 17
B.H.S. Parent Teacher Conferences ~ 6 p.m.
Angelo: Safe Program for Grade 3. During School
Huntington: Title One ~ Family Book Bag. Ms. O’Brien 8 a.m., 10 a.m. & 1:15 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 18
B.B. Russell: Ice Cream Party for students on white & blue card level. During School
Baker: Family Pasta Night. Café 6 p.m.
George: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 4 ESL Class T.B.A.
Huntington: Family Swim Night at B.H.S. Pool. 6 p.m.
SPED: Family Support Workshop – Self Help & Daily Living Skills Gilmore 9 a.m.

Dr. Seuss B-Day Party Celebrates Reading At Gilmore

2011-03-06T19:51:00.000-08:00

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—Marilyn Kelly and her 3-year-old grandson Timothy Donaruma made a special visit to the Gilmore School Early Childhood Center to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ 107th birthday by huddling together on a big green bean bag reading one of grandma’s favorites, “The Cat in the Hat”
“Every Friday we go on a mystery ride to do something fun because he doesn’t have school and today we’re here to celebrate Dr. Seuss,” said Kelly, a Pembroke resident who joined the Gilmore School’s Dr. Seuss birthday party Friday, March 4—an event in conjunction with the National Education Association’s Read Across America.. (Kelly and Timothy pictured above)
Timothy, who turns 4 in three weeks, was happy to listen to his grandmother read the catchy, song-like rhymes and look at the brightly colored cartoon characters in the book—at least most of the time.
“I can read with my eyes shut,” Timothy quipped holding his hands over his eyes as his grandmother read the book aloud.
Kelly and about 30 parents and 40 children, including Michelle Conrad and her 4-year-old daughter Ava, (Pictured at right) enjoyed reading beloved Dr. Seuss books such as “Green Eggs and Ham,” “Fox In Sox,” “Horton Hears A Who,” and old faithful, “The Cat In The Hat.”
Kelly said Dr. Seuss is a great way for youngsters to learn a love of reading and for adults to recall their love of timeless classics like “Cat In The Hat.”
“He’s ageless,” Kelly said. “He brings out the child in us,” she said.
When children became fidgety, adults moved to the next activity in other classrooms, including bingo games, and arts and crafts where children like 2-year-old Cate and 5-year-old Lydia (Pictured below from left to right) colored and glued to their hearts content.
Youngsters also had their pictures taken with "the" Cat In The Hat, a costumed and face-painted Ann Hennessey—a teacher at the Gilmore.
In the cafeteria, parents and youngsters ate snacks, sipped drinks and made tall, paper hats that were worn around their heads as birthday hats.
Phuong Nguyen brought her 2-year-old boy Vincent and daughter Britney, 4, to enjoy the morning's party. (Pictured below with Cat In The Hat)
"We liked making the hats best," Nguyen said.
Each participant received a brown paper “literacy” bag full of activity sheets, crayons, and books for students to take home with them.
Jane Feroli, Brockton Public School Specialist for Parent Engagement, and one of the events' many organizers, said Friday’s program is part of the Gilmore School’s Morning Parents’ Academy Workshops--a new program launched in September.
Every first Friday of the month from 9 to 10:30 a.m. the early childhood center—hosts a workshop for parents focusing on preschool and early childhood literacy, language acquisition, social skills, nutrition and parenting techniques.
Parents of children of all ages and learning levels are invited to attend.
The new monthly Friday morning sessions at the Gilmore are an extension of the highly successful evening Parents’ Academy held weekly on Tuesday or Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Arnone Elementary School.
Evening workshops not only include topics like drug prevention, sibling harmony, and teaching children to be better writers, but also special programs like family night, Thursday, March 10 when “Bonnie The Snake Lady” will entertain participants with lizards, snakes and turtles and tell how people can learn to love things they might fear like people in wheelchairs or with disabilities.
“The Parents’ Academy is a wonderful program,” Feroli said. “It’s really centered around the idea that parents are children’s first teachers,” she said.
Click here for a schedule of morning and evening Parents’ Academy Workshops…

Youth Leaders To Be Honored

2011-03-01T06:22:00.000-08:00

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Two of Brockton's Community Schools directors are among the Brockton Youth Foundation’s honorees for the 3rd Annual Breakfast of Champions--the foundation's yearly ceremony honoring youth leaders in the city.
Harry Allen, the first director of the Community Schools program and current Director Kathleen Smith join a slate of well-known and much-beloved community boosters who are being feted at the breakfast at the Shaw’s Center.
“While most families and businesses are struggling with a difficult economy, our youth need the community support more than ever,” said Bill McGauley, president of the fledgling foundation.
“It is our hope that the community can find a way to support us and help continue the work of the past generation to champion and fund programs like the Brockton Community Schools and the Mayor’s Youth Fund,” he said.
The breakfast will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 20, 2011 at the Shaw’s Center.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 students. Call 508-584-2506 for more information or visit the foundation's website at http://www.brocktonfoundation.org
Allen and Smith are among a list of notable Brockton residents and organizations that have helped shape the community in a positive way.
Brockton Youth Soccer Association, now in its 30th year, serves more than 1,000 youth between 4 to 19 each year and is operated entirely by a volunteer Executive Board that includes Rick and Anne Savignano, Greg Joyce and Michael Khang.
Also among the honorees are teenagers Elizabeth Chauppetta and John Fontes of Brockton and Kristin Schilling of Hanover, who biked across the country last summer to raise awareness and money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Rounding out the list art Tony DeGrace of the Brockton Fire Department, who is a youth coach and adjustment counselor at the YMCA and long-time West Bridgewater youth basketball coach George Sylvester.
The non-profit Brockton Youth Foundation was formed by involved parents and civic leaders to provide funding, leadership and programs to support out-of-school activities as well as increased access and lower fees for all programs serving Brockton youth.
The Foundation is using this year’s event to build support and community partnerships that recognize the value of Brockton’s youth as the city’s next generation of champions and leaders.
Previous honorees include Brockton High School Principal Dr. Susan Szachowicz (pictured above); Dave Gorman, organizer of the D.W. Field Park Kids Road Races; Kenneth “Sonny” Hewitt, a Community Schools basketball official; and Nancy Leedberg, who works at the Brockton Police Department.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2011-02-07T08:35:00.000-08:00

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Kindergarten Registration for 2011 – 2011 School Year for children turning 5 years old by 12/31/11
February 7th – February 11th for students at Gilmore Early Childhood Center
150 Clinton Street Brockton 508-580-7274
B.B. Russell: School Improvement Council Meeting 3rd Floor 2:30 p.m.
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Room 188 12:45 p.m.
Hancock: P.T.A. Meeting Library 6:30 p.m.
Huntington: P.T.O. Meeting - Babysitting provided Café 6:30 p.m.
North: Poetry & Art Contest During School

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
B.P.S. School Committee Meeting B.H.S. Little Theater 7 p.m.
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1 Mrs. Gordon 12:45 p.m.
Gilmore: P.T.A. Meeting Library 6:00 p.m.
Hungtington:Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1 Mrs. Maddock 8:00 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9
B.P.S. Community School Advisory Board Meeting BHS Red IRC 7:00 p.m.
Angelo: Family Night: Understanding Wildlife Café 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 4 Mrs. Anderson 1:30 p.m.
George: P.A.C. Meeting Café 6:30 p.m.
Hancock: Title One ~ Bingo for Books Café 6:30 p.m.
Huntington: Wacky Sock & Hat Day - 25 cents per student During School
Plouffe: notMYkid Presentation Café 6:00 p.m.
Plouffe: P.A.C. Meeting Café 7:00 p.m.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Parents’ Academy Workshop
Internet Safety Night: What We Need to Know to Keep our Children Safe
Arnone School 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Ashfield: Carnival of Probability Café 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Grade 1 Mrs. Aveni 9:00 a.m.
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Grade 1 Ms. Hodges 12:45 p.m.
Brookfield: Kindergarten Valentine Dance Café T.B.A.
B.H.S.: Middle School Parent Orientation 6:30 p.m.
North: Winter Dance Café 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Arnone: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1 Mrs. Smith 9:00 a.m.
Davis: Title One ~ Family Book Talk Luncheon Mrs. Evans 11:30 a.m.
Gilmore: Sweetheart Spaghetti Dinner Café T.B.A.
West: School Dance Gym, 2:45-5 p.m.

Parents' Academy Tonight

2011-01-25T13:24:00.000-08:00

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--The award-winning Parents’ Academy program, which provides Brockton Public Schools parents with free evening lectures, will begin its second semester tonight, Tuesday, January 25, 2011 featuring a presentation by Charlie Appelstein, “Behavior Support for Families: Maximizing Student Potential Using a Strength-Based Approach.”
The presentation takes place at the Arnone School, 135 Belmont St. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the program runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
FREE DAY CARE IS AVAILABLE
Charlie Appelstein, M.S.W. is a nationally prominent youth care specialist and
author whose primary focus is on working with children and youth presenting with emotional and behavioral problems.
Strength-based practice is an emerging approach to helping students presenting
with emotional, learning, and/or behavioral issues that school officials describe is exceptionally positive and inspiring.
Its focus is on strength-building rather than flaw-fixing.
It begins with the belief that every student has or can develop strengths and use past successes to stop problem behavior, enhance decision making, and function better at school.
Begun in the fall of 2006, Parents’ Academy has welcomed 10,000 participants through its doors.
Courses range from MCAS tutorials and internet safety to bullying prevention, discipline and family fun nights. Each spring, Parent Engagement Specialist Jane Feroli surveys parents to determine what topics they would like to learn more about and schedules workshops throughout the school year to meet the needs of the community.
Held weeknights at 6:30 p.m. at the Arnone School, Parents’ Academy offers free childcare, camaraderie and tips for parents and community members.
For more information, call 508-894-4328.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2011-01-25T07:28:00.000-08:00

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25
B.P.S. School Committee, 7 p.m. Little Theatre, Brockton High
Parents’ Academy, Behavioral Support for Families featuring Guest Speaker Charlie Appelstein, Arnone School 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
George: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1 - 2 Way 1 p.m.
South: School Improvement Council, Principal’s Office 5:30 p.m.
South: P.A.C. meeting, Café 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26
Baker: Title One ~ Family Literacy Night 6 p.m.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Room 205 1:00 p.m.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28
Angelo: Grade 1 Field Trip – New England Aquarium, Boston.
Arnone: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – K – Mrs. Wedge 1:30 p.m.
George: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 2 - 2 Way 9 a.m.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29
Baker: Chorus Presentation West Middle School 3 p.m.

Math Program Earns Students MCAS Success

2011-01-25T07:05:00.000-08:00

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Twenty North Middle School math students in Brockton set the pace for holiday giving in December, earning the top spot in a national giving contest that not only rewards work, but teaches and improves math skills.
Students in Pam Senier's math class donated 52,000 virtual points they earned solving differentiated math problems through Apangea Learning's online math instruction program.
The students bested more than 3,000 other classes and 100,000 students nationwide.
"I'm very proud of them, they worked very hard. For our small class to be number one in the nation is impressive, and when you do the math on this, you figure they did the equivalent of 100 hours of math work," North Middle School Principal Sean Ahern in a prepared statement. "That's a lot of practice and problem solving, much of which was done on their own time and at home," Ahern said.
During the month-long "Time for Giving Contest," students worked on math programs both in class and at-home, racking up the points while perfecting their math skills. Through the program, students earn points for every math problem they solve correctly.
Points can then be traded in for gift cards or other prizes.
For every 1,000 points a student earned, Apangea donated one dollar to a cause the student designated, groups like Boys and Girls Club of America, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Wounded Warrior, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brother Big Sister and Special Olympics.
Mrs. Senier's class donated 52,000 points, the most points of any class in the nation.
For its first prize ranking, the class was able to choose one charity--the Wounded Warrior Project-- to which Apangea donated another $50.
Apangea representatives then threw students a pizza party to celebrate their win.
Anthony Rosa earned 11,000 points – the most of any student. The 12-year-old said Mrs.Senier and the Apangea program have awakened a new love of math in him.
"It's my new favorite subject," Rosa said, shrugging. Giving away his points was not a big deal, Rosa added. "I wanted to give them away to help people."
Tiana Brooks said the contest propelled her to do more math problems, too.
"I had confidence we would win because everybody was working hard and donating. When I heard about the contest, I said 'let me donate as much as I have,' because I wanted to help people who really need the help," Brooks said.
The contest is a great motivator for students, but it's the problem solving that is driving student success rates higher, Ahern and Senier said.
Since it was introduced at North Middle School last year, the Apangea program has helped increase student achievement growth by as much as 50 percent on the MCAS test. The 52,000 points the students earned is equivalent to roughly 100 hours students were logged into Apangea – a sure sign, officials said, that kids are excited about the program and willing to learn.
"The students love it. They run to class. I think the competitions and the opportunity to win prizes is a big factor in what gets kids logging on to Apangea – especially outside of school," Ahern said. "Whatever the reason, the data is telling us its working ...some eighth graders have doubled their math scores on the multiple choice part of the MCAS test," he said.
The results wouldn't be so tremendous without Senier, Ahern noted. A huge part of the success of the program at North is how her message resonates with students.
"She's awesome. She's here before anybody else in the morning, and there are always kids lined up to talk to her. They love her," Ahern said. "She's matter-of-fact and non-judgmental. The message she sends is that they can do it if they try hard, and she's not going to give up on them even if they give up on themselves," he said.
A former computer programmer who left her field to become a math teacher five years ago, Mrs. Senier credits the students and the program before taking kudos for herself.
"I think Apangea is a very good program for them because it helps them to take apart problems step-by-step, and then rewards them for good work. These kids are trying, they're learning and they're not giving up when they struggle. That's important," she said.
"A lot of the students do (Apangea problems) at home, and that's what we want – we want them to want to do math on their own," she said.
The Apangea program is also in use at Brockton High School and West Middle School, and will expand to East Middle School in the coming months.
Last year, Brockton High School was awarded the Apangea Math "March Math Madness" Tournament trophy.
Apangea Learning (www.apangealearning.com) is a pioneer in developing differentiated distance learning supported by live, certified U.S. teachers for students in kindergarten to 12th grade.
School districts purchase licenses for Apangea's services and provide their students access during school and after hours from home. Based on one of the world's largest bodies of longitudinal research on cognition originally conducted by the U.S. military, Apangea has proven effective in over 3,000 schools. The privately owned company is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2011-01-10T07:53:00.000-08:00

MONDAY, JANUARY 10
Registration for Grade 6 September 2011 Assignments runs through 1/28
Downey: Grade 1 Field Trip – New England Aquarium Boston. During school.
Gilmore: School Improvement Council meeting. Library 5:30 p.m.
Gilmore: P.T.A. meeting. Library 6 p.m.
Hancock: School Improvement Council meeting. Library 5:30 p.m.
Hancock: P.T.A. meeting. Library 6:30 p.m.
Huntington: P.T.O. meeting - Babysitting provided. Café 6:30 p.m.
North: K.T.A. Club Mitten, Hat and Sox collection runs through 1/21

TUESDAY, JANUARY 11
George: P.A.C. meeting. Café 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12
Pre- K – Grade 8 In Service Day ~ Early Release
B.P.S. Community School Advisory Board meeting. BHS Red IRC 7 p.m.
East: NotMYkid Presentation. Plouffe Café 6 p.m.
Plouffe: notMYkid Presentation. Café 6 p.m.
Plouffe: P.A.C. meeting Café 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13
Info Session about Registration for Grade 6 September 2011 Assignments
10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. South Middle School. Café.
Baker: School Improvement Council meeting. Office Conference Room 6 p.m.
Baker: P.T.A. meeting. Community Room 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14
Huntington: Family Swim Night. B.H.S. Pool T.B.A.
SPED: Family Support Workshop – Communication/Language Gilmore 9 a.m.

Reward Offered For Suspected Arson Fire

2011-01-06T19:15:00.000-08:00

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Police and Fire officials are offering up to a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the person who is suspected of setting a fire to Travis Cycle and Game's On Apparel early Monday Jan. 3.
“Anyone who saw or heard something the night of the fire, or since, is encouraged to call the Arson Hotline," said state Fire Marshal Stephen Coan, whose office is investigating the matter with Brockton Police and Fire.
Brockton Police are also asking administrators at the junior high school and high school to inform students during morning announcements about the reward in the hopes some of the students may have heard something about who might have set the fire since many youngsters had layaways at Travis Cycle--a popular bike shop that has serviced the community for about 20 years.
Police said owners of Travis Cycle and Game's On Apparel are not suspected in the fire.
The Arson Watch Reward Program provides rewards of UP TO $5,000 that helps to solve the crime of arson and is funded by the property and casualty insurance underwriting companies of Massachusetts.
The hotline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-682-9229 and is completely confidential.
The Arson Watch Reward Program recently provided a reward to a woman who helped to convict Chiteara M. Thomas of first-degree murder in the death of 28-year-old Olinda Calderon who died in a horrific fire at 779 Montello Street on July 6, 2006.
It is believed this is the first time in Massachusetts a first-degree murder conviction was obtained in an arson fire.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2011-01-03T07:20:00.000-08:00

TUESDAY, JANUARY 4
School Committee meeting, 7 p.m. Brockton High Little Theatre.
Davis: P.T.A. meeting. Library 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5
Angelo: P.T.A. meeting. Café 6:15 p.m.
Downey: P.A.C. meeting. Library 6:30 p.m.
Raymond: P.T.A. meeting. Café 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6
Ashfield: School Improvement Council. Café. 6:30 p.m.
Ashfield: P.T.A. Café. 7:00 p.m.
B.B. Russell: School Improvement Council. 3rd Floor 2:40 p.m.
Davis: Title One ~ Book Talk Pizza – Ms. Amber 11:30 a.m.
Downey: School Improvement Council. Principal’s office. 1:30 p.m.
East: School Improvement Council Meeting Room 130 5 p.m.
East: P.A.C. meeting. Room 130 6 p.m.
Kennedy: School Improvement Council. Conference room. 6 p.m.
Kennedy: P.A.C. meeting. Room 201 7:00 p.m.
North: School Improvement Council. Library 5 p.m.
North: P.A.C. meeting. Library 6 p.m.
Raymond: School Improvement Council. Large conference room. 10 a.m.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 7
Parents’ Academy Morning Workshop,"Communication with Language Development" workshop
Gilmore Early Childhood Center 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Schools Launch New Text-Tip Hotline

2010-12-22T07:34:00.000-08:00

The BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--From the School Department:
Since the beginning of this month some students in Brockton's public schools have been able to send anonymous texts and web tips to school administrators and School Police through a new software program, officials said in a prepared statement.
The Brockton Public Schools is now using TipSoft SMS, a text- and web-based anonymous tip line, in order to provide middle and high school students with an easy way to let school administrators and School Police know about bullying or other activities that concern them in and out of school.
“The safety of our students is our foremost priority. Students expect school to be a refuge for them, a place where they can concentrate on learning and feel safe in their environment,” said Superintendent of Schools Matthew H. Malone.
“Our administrators often hear of issues in the community before they happen, and TipSoft is another way students can share information or concerns about things going on around them that they think officials--school or police--need to know about.”
The popularity of text messaging has created a significant opportunity for students and the public to help fight crime, said Michael Thomas, acting executive director of operations for Brockton Public Schools.
The low-cost program allows students to text a message to school administrators, sharing information about potential problems at school, concern over a classmate’s behavior or reporting suspicious behavior they may have observed.
"TipSoft is going to be a big help to school administrators and police in preventing problems and dealing with issues in the community,” said Thomas, a former Housemaster at BHS.
“We hope the fact that it is completely anonymous will also empower kids to report bullying and come forward with information about things that concern them.”
Ward 5 School Committee Member Bill Carpenter found the program and recommended its implementation to fellow members of the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Safety & Security, a group that was formed to look at school safety districtwide, especially in the wake of a shooting outside the BHS gymnasium on the evening of Dec 2, 2009. Carpenter worked with Thomas,Brockton Police Officer Al Gazerro and Edward Jacoubs, director of grants and special projects for the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, to bring TipSoft to the Brockton Public Schools.
Carpenter said he hopes students will use TipSoft as a help line, to reach out for help for themselves or friends who are coping with domestic or gang violence, who are being pressured to use drugs, teens who may be considering suicide or who know of dangerous behaviors in their midst.
“We’re trying to get our kids to communicate with us and tell us what’s going on using the means they are most comfortable with, which these days is text messaging,” said Carpenter.
“This is probably going to have a lot more to do with getting help and counseling and wraparound services, so that we can help kids deal with issues before they escalate … we are really looking to get a child that’s at risk in for a conversation with an adjustment counselor.”
Using TipSoft Text Tips, information may be anonymously received and securely replied to with complete confidence.
The service was built specifically to allow text messaging informants to remain anonymous by encrypting the text messages and routing them through several secure servers, protecting the personal details of the informant. The program was purchased for less than $3,000 and costs just $2,000 a year, Thomas said.
“This is an important tool for law enforcement, because the more information we have, the better able we are able to plan our response and formulate prevention,” said Lt. Donald Mills, who oversees the nine-member School Police unit.
TipSoft SMS also allows police to respond by text message to the originating cellphone without ever knowing the identity of the individual who left the tip.
The user’s information is always assigned an alias and a unique ID before being sent. This secure application allows the tipster and the investigator to have two-way dialog while keeping the user’s identity totally anonymous.
Using TipSoft, students can text school administrators through a secure server by texting 274637, the Brockton Public Schools’ TipSoft account. The students identify their school by typing in their school’s keyword, and then the information they want to convey.
For example, a South Middle School student would text 274637, put “Dragons” in the subject line and then text in their report. The call is routed through TipSoft’s server and sent anonymously to the South Middle School leadership team. Students can also send anonymous TipSoft reports through the district webpage, www.brocktonpublicschools.com, by linking through the “Contact Us” port.
The Brockton Public Schools encourages students to report information about any non-urgent illegal activity, such as vandalism, theft, the sale and distribution of drugs or information about crimes that are being planned.
Students who discover information from MySpace, Facebook or YouTube and anonymously text in a tip may help prevent a tragedy. Officials also hope this will be another avenue for students who are being bullied or who witness bullying to alert officials, Lt. Mills said.
TipSoft is currently used by the Colorado Public School System, University of Miami and in communities all across the United States, Canada and UK.
Additional information on TipSoft Text Tips can be found on the Web at www.smscrimetips.com.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2010-12-20T08:13:00.000-08:00

MONDAY, DECEMBER 20
Arnone: Holiday Concert Café. T.B.A.
Brookfield: Kindergarten Play (Snow date 12/21) Café. 10 a.m.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21
B.P.S. School Committee Meeting 7 p.m.
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 3 – Mrs. Ferro 1:15 p.m.
Davis: Holiday Concert Café 6:30 p.m.
East: Holiday Concert Auditorium. 6 p.m.
Kennedy: Chorus Holiday Performance Café 9:30 & 10:15 a.m.
South: Grade 8 Field Trip – Zeiterion Theater New Bedford. During School

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22
Brookfield: Chorus Concert Café 9:30 a.m.
Kennedy: Title One ~ Book Talk Breakfast –Gr. 5 – Ms. Mancini 9:15 a.m.
Huntington: Title One ~ Book Talk Pizza –Gr. 4 – Ms. O’Brien TBA
Early release for school vacation

Anti-Bullying Plan Heads to State For Approval

2010-12-17T07:34:00.000-08:00

The BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--From the School Department:
The Brockton Public Schools has finalized a new Bully Prevention and Intervention Model Plan in accordance with the state’s new law prohibiting bullying and retaliation in schools.
At its December 7 meeting, the School Committee unanimously adopted the plan, which was developed over a number of months by a team of teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, parents, law enforcement officials and representatives of the special education, wellness and nursing departments, as well as community partners. The plan has been submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for final approval.
“This plan is comprehensive: there was an enormous amount of thought, hard work and expertise that was invested in its creation. The Brockton Plan is unique – it was created entirely by our staff, parents and partners to address the needs of our Brockton students today and in the future,” said Superintendent of Schools Matthew H. Malone in a prepared statement.
“We have built upon our strengths and closed the gaps so that our schools are safe, bully-free environments where all students can achieve," he said.
Throughout the fall, an anti-bullying steering committee met numerous times to develop the three-page plan and accompanying materials.
The group’s focus was to create a policy prohibiting bullying and retaliation in Brockton Public Schools, develop procedures for receiving and responding to reports of bullying, and establish protocols for supporting students who have been the victims of bullying while addressing the behavior of the aggressor.
Students in all grades will benefit from prevention curriculums that are culturally sensitive, are adaptable to diverse learning needs and support and empower students to understand the dynamics of bullying and to take appropriate action when necessary.
“No document is going to answer every question and cover every base when it comes to childhood bullying, but we believe that this plan is as all-encompassing as possible,” said Mary Ellen Kirrane, Department Head of Wellness, K-8.
“This plan gives the district a roadmap for not only addressing bullying, but also addressing the climate in our schools. It is our obligation to ensure that all students feel welcome, safe and comfortable seeking out trusted adults when a problem or concern arises,” she said.
The plan provides parent resources; a checklist of steps for staff to take to address the behavior and support the victim. The Steering Committee also developed resources and activities for classroom teachers to conduct lessons on recognizing bullying and how to respond to it.
The state’s anti-bullying law was signed by Governor Deval Patrick in May after a high school student in Western Massachusetts, who had reportedly been bullied by classmates, committed suicide.
Kirrane said the tragedy helped focus educators’ attention on the impact of bullying and sparked conversations among parents, students and schools about how best to address the problem.
“From this tragedy has come a state-wide recognition that bullying is an issue and we all need to address it together – schools, students, parents and communities,” Kirrane said.

Gas Odor Spurs Huntington School Evacuation

2010-12-09T12:55:00.001-08:00

The BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Brockton's Huntington Elementary School students were suprisingly interrupted from their studies for about 30 minutes Thursday morning when the school was evacuated due to an odor of gas.
Deputy Fire Chief George Phillips said the fire department received a call at about 9:36 a.m. this morning from a teacher at the Warren Avenue school reporting there was a smell of gas in an area of the school.
He said students were shepherded by staff and administators to the south end of the school's parking lot while fire department personnel investigated the building.
"It was like a fire drill," Phillips said.
Phillips said department members used gas meters and found "no levels" of gas within the building.
He said the gas company, which also sent representatives to the school, reported it had installed a new boiler in the school's basement a couple of days before and the boiler could have been the source of the gas-smell.
Phillips said the incident lasted about 30 minutes and students were outside in today's 30 degree temperatures for about 20 minutes or so.
"Once we found that there wasn't a problem, we got them in as quickly as we could," Phillips said. "If there was a problem we would have made immediate plans to move the students inside," he said.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUIBLIC SCHOOLS

2010-12-06T08:21:00.000-08:00

MONDAY, DECEMBER 6
Angelo: School Improvement Council Meeting. Conference Room 9:30 a.m.
Brookfield: Holiday Shoppe runs through 12/6 During School.
Gilmore: School Improvement Council Meeting. Library 5:30 p.m.
Gilmore: P.T.A. Meeting. Library 6 p.m.
Hancock: School Improvement Council Meeting. Library 5:30 p.m.
Hancock: P.T.A. Meeting Library 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7
B.P.S. School Committee Meeting. Mary E. Baker School, Cafetorium. 7 p.m.
Parents’ Academy, "Building Children’s Confidence and Self Esteem," Arnone School 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Angelo: RIF: Reading is Fundamental - K & Gr. 1 During School.
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag –Gr. 3- Mrs. Werb 8:50 a.m.
Davis: Holiday Workshop runs through 12/10 Small Gym. During school.
Davis: P.T.A. Meeting. Library 6 p.m.
Huntington: Title One ~ Parent & Child Math Workshop –K – Gr. 1 1:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8
B.P.S. Community School Advisory Board Meeting BHS Red IRC 7 p.m.
Parents’ Academy, "Learning about the Parent Institute for Quality Education PIQE,"
Arnone School 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Angelo: RIF: Reading is Fundamental – Gr. 2 & Gr. 3 During school.
Huntington: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1 - Mrs. Maddock, Noon.
Huntington: Grade 5 Field Trip – The Peabody Museum. During school
West: Holiday Band & Chorus Concert (snow date 12/9) Auditorium 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9
Angelo: RIF: Reading is Fundamental – Gr. 4 & Gr. 5 During school.
Arnone: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1 - Mrs. Smith 8:50 a.m.
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1 - Mrs. Gordon 12:45 p.m.
Baker: P.T.A. Meeting. Community Room 7 p.m.
Davis: A Christmas Wizard of Oz: Lights on for the Arts Performance, 6 p.m.
Kennedy: Grade 3 Field Trip – Fuller Craft Museum. During school.
North: KTA (Kids Take Action) Holiday Concert Guardian Center 2:30 p.m.
Plouffe: Holiday Band & Chorus Concert Café 7 p.m.
Raymond: Holiday Band & Chorus Concert Café 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10
Davis: A Christmas Wizard of Oz: Lights on for the Arts Performance 6 p.m.
Kennedy: Holiday Shop Activity Gym 6:30 p.m.
SPED: Family Support Workshop – Visual Support Strategies Gilmore 9 a.m.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2010-11-29T12:37:00.000-08:00

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29--No meetings or events scheduled.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30
Parents’ Academy, "How to Hold a Family Meeting," Arnone School 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Baker: Grade 3 Field Trip – Fuller Craft Museum. During School.
Davis: Title One ~ Family Book Talk Lunch – Grade 4, 11:30 a.m.
South: School Improvement Council meeting. Principal’s office 5:30 p.m.
South: P.A.C. meeting. café, 6:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1
MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT CONFERENCES ~ EARLY RELEASE
Angelo: P.T.A. meeting. Café, 6:15 p.m.
B.B. Russell: Texas Roadhouse Dinner Rolls Fundraiser runs through 12/10.
Davis: Title One ~ Book Talk Pizza – Grade 4, 11:30 a.m.
East: East Eagle Apparel Sale and Pick up during conferences
Kennedy: School Picture Day. During school
Downey: School Improvement Council meeting. Principal’s office 5 p.m.
Downey: P.A.C. meeting. Library, 6 p.m.
Raymond: P.T.A. meeting. Café, 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2
Parents’ Academy, "Breathing Easier: Good Ideas for Managing Your Child’s Asthma,"
Arnone School 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Ashfield: P.T.A. meeting. Café, 7:00 p.m.
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag –Gr. 3- Mrs. Crossman, 8:50 a.m.
B.B. Russell: School Improvement Council meeting, 3rd floor, 2:30 p.m.
B.B. Russell: P.T.S.A. meeting, 3rd floor, 5 p.m.
Davis: Polar Express Night K – Grade 2. Café 6 p.m.
East: School Improvement Council meeting. Room 130, 5 p.m.
East: P.A.C. meeting. Room 130, 6 p.m.
Kennedy: School Improvement Council meeting. Conference room, 6 p.m.
Kennedy: P.A.C. meeting. Room 201, 7 p.m.
North: School Improvement Council meeting. Library 5 p.m.
North: P.A.C. meeting. Library, 6 p.m.
Plouffe: AMAS Concert. Café, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3
Parents’ Academy Morning Workshop, "Healthy Choices Nutrition Workshop," Gilmore Early Childhood Center. 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Baker: Grade 2 Field Trip – Children’s Museum, Boston. During school.
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag –Grade 1- Mrs. Fischer 12:45 p.m.
B.B. Russell: Breakfast for Blue & White Card students. During school.
Hancock: "Make it, Take it Night." Café. 6:00 p.m.
North: Student-Faculty Volleyball Game. Gym 2:30 p.m.

Library Seeks Teens For Advisory Board

2010-11-22T19:03:00.000-08:00

The BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--The Brockton Public Library is looking for teenagers in grades 6 to 12 to form a new Teen Advisory Board.
An informational meeting will be held Monday, November 29 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Brockton Main Library.
Teens are invited to come for a slice of pizza and talk about what a Teen Advisory Board is all about.
To be eligible, teens must live in or attend school in Brockton.
Once formed, the Brockton Library Teen Advisory Board will meet on a regular basis to advise staff and library trustees on library issues and policies concerning teens in the community; recommend ways to encourage more teens to use the library system and its resources; and contribute volunteer hours assisting with events and programs.
Teen Advisory Board participation can count towards school-required community service hours.
For more information, call Laurie Cavanaugh at the Main Library, 508-580-7890, x207, or email lcavanaugh@ocln.org.

THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2010-11-22T10:09:00.000-08:00

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Brookfield: P.T.O. meeting. Café 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23
George: Title One ~ Family Book Bag –Gr. 2 - Mrs. Holmes 9 a.m.
Raymond: Field Trip for Grades 1 & 7 - New England Aquarium During School

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24 - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26
NO SCHOOL ~ THANKSGIVING RECESS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27
BROCKTON HOLIDAY PARADE 1:00 P.M.
Raymond: Marching in Greater Brockton Holiday Parade

Arnone Students Thank Community For $5,500 Victory

2010-11-16T05:54:00.000-08:00

The BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--FROM THE ARNONE SCHOOL GREEN TEAM:
THANKS TO YOU WE WON!!
School officials at the Arnone School Monday, Nov. 15--America Recycles Day--announced the Arnone School's Green Team has won the America Recycles Day contest and has won $5,5000 for the school.
The team of students and advisors wrote, directed and produced a short video encouraging people to recycle, and their entry collected the most votes in a national voting drive.
The contest was sponsored by Abitibi Paper Retriever.
To see the video, visit http://www.paperretriever.com/infostore/creativityvoting.asp?mode=view&artcat=video

This Week In Brockton Public Schools

2010-11-15T04:40:00.000-08:00

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Angelo: Book Fair runs through Nov. 19th. Café
Hancock: Book Fair runs through Nov. 19t. Café
Kennedy: Title One ~ Gr. 5 Book Club Movie Night Café 6 to 8 p.m.
West: Southeastern Regional Technical High School Presentation 9:07 to 9:47 a.m.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
B.P.S. School Committee Meeting B.H.S. Little Theater, 7 p.m.
Arnone School 6:30 to 8 p.m., Parents’ Academy, Take Charge of Your Finances.
Arnone: P.T.A. meeting. Teacher’s lounge, 6 p.m.
Baker: Title One ~ Parent/Child Fluency Workshop – Gr. 2 8:30 a.m.
B.H.S.: School Improvement Council meeting, donference room, 6 p.m.
Downey: Grade 2 Field Trip – Plimouth Plantation. During School
Downey: Grade 3 Field Trip – Fuller Craft Museum. During School
George: P.A.C. meeting. Café, 6:30 p.m.
Raymond: Donuts with Dads at Scholastic Book Fair Café 9:30 a.m.
Raymond: Scholastic Book Fair Café During School
West: School Improvement Council meeting, Café 6 p.m.
West: P.A.C. meeting. Café 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17
W.O.W. ~ Walk on Wednesday Program, a walking school bus with the students and families at Brookfield, Davis, Downey, Hancock and Kennedy Schools
B.P.S. Community School Advisory Board meeting, B.H.S. Red I.R.C. 7 p.m.
Huntington: Grade 4 Field Trip – Plimouth Plantation. During School
Raymond: Scholastic Book Fair. café. During School
SEPAC: Transition and Secondary Planning Workshop, Arnone, 6:30 p.m.
West: Math Night, café & gym 5:30 to 8 p.m.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18
PRE K to Grade 5 PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES ~ EARLY RELEASE
DAVIS & RAYMOND PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES ~ EARLY RELEASE
Downey: Book Fair and Bake Sale. During Conferences
Kennedy: Bake Sale & School Store. During Conferences
North: Kids Take Action Club visit to nursing home. During School
Raymond: Scholastic Book Fair, Café. During Conferences
Raymond: Fall Fundraiser. During Conferences
West: School Play, auditorium & café 7 to 8:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19
PRE K – GR. 5 PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES ~ EARLY RELEASE
DAVIS & RAYMOND PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES ~ EARLY RELEASE
Angelo: Vendor Fair, café 6 to 9 p.m.
Angelo: Kids Holiday Night, gym 6 to 9 p.m.
Downey: Book Fair. During Conferences
Kennedy: Bake Sale & School Store. During Conferences
Raymond: Scholastic Book Fair, café. During Conferences
Raymond: Fall Fundraiser. During Conferences
West: School Play, auditorium & café 7 to 8:30 p.m.

THIS WEEK AT BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2010-11-08T05:54:00.000-08:00

The BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Davis: School Picture Day During School
Huntington: P.T.O. meeting - Babysitting provided. Café 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Parents’ Academy
"Not MY kid," a Drug Awareness Presentation at Arnone School 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Davis: School Picture Day. during school.
Davis: Title One ~ Bingo for Books 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Huntington: Grade 3 Field Trip – Plimouth Plantation. During school.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10
W.O.W. ~ Walk on Wednesday Program, A walking school bus with the students and families at Brookfield, Davis, Downey, Hancock and Kennedy Schools.
Angelo: Grade 5 TAG Living Museum. Café 9:30 a.m.
B.B. Russell: School Picture Day. During school.
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – K - Mrs. Chehan/Mrs. Convey 1:00 p.m.
Baker: School Improvement Council Meeting Community Room 7:00 p.m.
Baker: P.T.A. Meeting Community Room 7:00 p.m.
Hancock: Take A Veteran to School Day. During school.
Hancock: Harvest Dance Grades 4 & 5 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Plouffe: P.A.C. meeting. Café 6:30 p.m.
Raymond: Title One ~ Parent/Child Fluency Workshop – Gr. 2 8:30 a.m.
Brockton High School: 9 a.m. Tribute to veterans. Auditorium.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11
NO SCHOOL ~ VETERANS DAY

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Angelo: Grade 4 TAG Field Trip – Harvard Museum of Natural History. During school.
Davis: Grade 3 Field Trip – Fuller Craft Museum. During school.
Plouffe: Harvest Dance. Café 3 to 5 p.m.
Raymond: School Improvement Council meeting. Café 5:30 p.m.

This Week at Brockton Public Schools

2010-11-01T12:10:00.001-07:00

The BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Angelo: School Improvement Council Meeting Conference Room 9:30 a.m.
Brookfield: School Improvement Council Meeting Conference Room 1:30 p.m.
Downey: Veteran’s Day care package collection starts
Hancock: P.T.A. Meeting Library 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2
PRE K – GRADE 8 IN-SERVICE DAY ~ EARLY RELEASE
Brookfield: Bake Sale during voting
Davis: P.T.A. sponsored bake sale, front lobby 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Davis: P.T.A. meeting, library 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3
W.O.W. ~ Walk on Wednesday Program
B.P.S. School Committee meeting B.H.S. Little Theater 7 p.m.
Angelo: P.T.A. meeting, Café 6:15 p.m.
Downey: Title One ~ Bingo for Books 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Downey: P.A.C. Meeting Library 6:00 p.m.
Raymond: P.T.A., Meeting Café 6:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Parents’ Academy
Autism Diagnosis: Intervention & Strategies for the Home, School & Community
Arnone School 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
B.B. Russell: School Improvement Council meeting, 3rd Floor 2:30 p.m.
B.B. Russell: P.T.S.A. Meeting 3rd Floor 3:30 p.m.
Baker: Title One ~ Annual Parent Child Breakfast Gr. 3 - 5 9:15 a.m.
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – K - Mrs. Cinella 1:00 p.m.
Downey: Coats for Kids Collection starts
Downey: School Improvement Council m,eeting principal’s office 1:30 p.m.
East: School Improvement Council meeting, Room 130, 5 p.m.
East: P.A.C. Meeting Room 130, 6 p.m.
Kennedy: School Improvement Council meeting, Conference Room, 5 p.m.
Kennedy: P.A.C., Meeting Room 201 7 p.m.
North: School Improvement Council Meeting Library 5 p.m.
North: P.A.C. Meeting, library 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5
Parents’ Academy Morning Workshop
Welcome to the BPS! Family Book Bag Teddy Bear Picnic
Gilmore Early Childhood Center 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Arnone: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – K - Mrs. Wedge 1:30 p.m.
B.B. Russell: Ice Cream for card level students during school
Hancock: Spaghetti Supper, Café 6 p.m.

Patrick Congratulates Brockton High

2010-10-30T08:05:00.001-07:00

The BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Having technical difficulties with video from Gov. Deval Patrick's visit to Brockton High Friday. Working on it. Sorry for the delay and check in later today!

Brockton School Lunches Go Online

2010-10-29T15:17:00.001-07:00

The BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Brockton Public Schools will now offer parents an online account for student lunches that allows parents to prepay balances, review purchases and keep an eye on what their kids are eating to ensure students are making healthy choices.
In a prepared statement, school officials said the new program is a partnership with Mealpayplus, an online prepayment system that offers parents a safe, easy and convenient way to prepay for their children's school meals.
"We see this as a convenience for parents, and also a way for them to monitor their child's purchases and help them make healthy food choices," said Superintendent of Schools Matthew H. Malone.
Chartwells School Dining Services, the corporation that operates Brockton Public Schools cafeterias, has been working to improve food choices, cafeteria operations and convenience since it became the district's food service vendor in 2006, officials said.
Last year, Chartwells introduced a new point-of-sale system district-wide, whereby students use their ID numbers or ID cards to expedite meal service in the cafeterias.
The new online payment system, officials said, is in response to parents comments.
"We often hear from parents wondering why their child is spending a certain amount of money, now those parents can view their child's account and see how much their student is spending on meals versus ala carte items," said Tom Burke, Chartwells' Brockton district manager.
Parents can log onto the student's account any time at http://www.mealpayplus.comand view what their child has purchased on a specific day. The software allows parents to view the balance at any time, as well as to check payment history. In addition, parents can choose to have email confirmations of payments and low balance reminders sent, and payments can be made quickly and easily using a credit card or check online or via telephone. Optional Wallet and Auto-Replenish features enable parents to set a low balance amount that will automatically replenish the account when it drops to a specified balance, if they choose.
For additional information about MealpayPlus, please visit http://www.mealpayplus.com
(The above logo is courtesy of Mealpayplus.com website)

Gov. Patrick To Speak At Brockton High Friday

2010-10-28T12:49:00.001-07:00

The BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Gov. Deval Patrick is expected to make a presentation to Brockton High School students Friday, Oct. 29 at 9:30 a.m.
Principal Susan Szachowicz's office said Patrick is expected to make a presentation about education. Also visiting will be New Jersey State Senator Barbara Buono.
Following the presentation, Patrick will head to his relection campaign headquarters in Brockton for the kickoff of a Democratic Party "Get Out the Vote," bus tour.
Starting from Brockton, the bus will travel to more than a dozen communities from New Bedford to Medford to Milton to Natick during the weekend.

Early Graduation In Works For Brockton High Students

2010-10-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

NOTE: Originally posted Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010
By Lisa E. Crowley
The Brockton Post
BROCKTON—School officials have nearly finalized a new program that would allow Brockton High School seniors to graduate either six months or even nearly a year ahead of other students.
Tuesday night the School Committee unanimously approved the concept of a new early graduation plan, however some details still need to be finalized, including when the program will take effect.
“This recognizes that not everyone learns at the same pace,” said Brockton High School Principal Susan Szachowicz.
However, Szachowicz said an early graduation option will not be suitable for all students, but those who are highly motivated will see it as a way to step into their future sooner.
“This isn’t for a ton of kids, maybe a handful of kids, because they can’t do it with just taking an extra class, they have to meet all Brockton High requirements, but for the motivated student it’s really a great option,” Szachowicz said.
In order to meet graduation requirements, Szachowicz said students would have to take summer courses at the high school or attend classes at area colleges.
Students, Szachowicz said, would have the option of finishing high school after the first semester of senior year or possibly at the end of junior year, depending on how many classes the student can manage in the time frame.
She said the early graduation option was prompted by a current student who happens to be a heavily recruited football player with a fine academic record.
Szachowicz said the student would like to attend spring college football training camps, but as a senior in high school is not eligible.
After talking with the boy’s father, Szachowicz said she and other administrators formed a committee and have been working on the proposal for nearly a year.
Tuesday night the School Committee approved the program in principle, but some changes must be made to the program after member Thomas Minichiello added several comments that need to be included in the draft proposal.
However, Szachowicz said, plans are in the works to offer the option.
“I really like this a lot,” she said. “It’s really in the best interest of the student.”

40th BHS B-Day Celebrates Brockton "Turf"

2010-10-13T13:28:00.001-07:00

NOTE:Originally posted Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010
Story and photos By Lisa E. Crowley
The Brockton Post
BROCKTON—Past, present and future generations came together Friday night at Rocky Marciano Stadium to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Brockton High School and the Community Schools program—a birthday bash that featured the beloved Boxers football team pull out a 28-20 victory in front of hordes of alumni and current students who attended the fete.
“This is one of the most exciting nights with the most school spirit that I have seen,” said Brockton High senior and Class of 2011 President Greta Zukauskaite.
“It’s really great to see all of the alumni and all of the families and all of the students—the bleachers are full. It’s an amazing night,” she said (Pictured above holding flag pole, with from left to right, sophomore Victoria Campbell, junior Amely Lopes and Michele Haughton).
Zukauskaite and her 2011 classmates joined throngs of alumni who streamed into the stadium for Friday night’s Homecoming celebration that was the kick-off of a year long commemoration of the opening of the current high school campus—a facility that opened Sept. 16, 1970 and since has been an academic center that has offered Brockton students courses, sports and activities that outmatch nearly all other high schools in the region.
"We have so much here. People talk bad about Brockton, there’s a stigma and I don’t get it. The problems that happen aren’t here at the high school,” said Michele Haughton, a senior who is also vice-president of the Class of 2011. “If there’s anything going on out in the streets, what you do when you leave here is your problem,” she said pointing at the turf of the Brockton High campus.
“That’s all left at the door,” Haughton said.
Contrary to popular belief, students said the high school does not have metal detectors and they would be shocked if such devices ever would be installed because administrators led by high school Principal Susan Szachowicz—a 1971 grad—teachers, staff and students see the high school as a safe haven—a place where students of many nationalities, races, religions, sexual orientations and artistic, academic and athletic leanings mix and mingle through the hallways of the 548,000-square-foot Brockton High—the largest in New England.
“It’s not tolerated,” said Michael Connor, a special education teacher and 1987 graduate, who along with more than 70 Brockton High teachers gathered in the Little Theatre for a commemorative picture of staff who are also alumni after classes on Friday afternoon—hours before the football game kicked-off.
Connor said he has lived and taught all over the country, including San Francisco, and believes the size and diversity of Brockton High today—about 5,000 students in grades 9 to 12—prepares young adults for the real world.
“It’s extremely diverse and the shock value for (Brockton High) kids isn’t as high and the tolerance level is so much higher than in the suburbs,” Connor said.
After years of traveling, Connor said he has returned to his hometown to teach, but during his pit-stops in other locales, he has left a lasting impression with friends and colleagues of what the Brockton character is.
“It’s a sense of pride in where you’re from—it’s not just Boxers football, Marvin Hagler or Rocky Marciano.., it’s the band, it's the arts department…it’s the villages, the neighborhoods…it’s a sense of pride in your family and community,” Connor said.
The pride revolving around the high school extends as far back as the 1940s when the Warren Avenue High School turned out many of the graduates who have operated businesses and have led the wheels of government.
In the late 1960s an influx of students swelled the old building to bursting and students and teachers suffered through eight years of double sessions from 1962 to 1970 as plans and construction of the new high school were completed, said Claire Appling.
Appling, who worked for the Brockton schools for more than 52 years until her retirement in December 2006—including being the first female headmaster to which she was named the year the high school opened--said it was tough, but Brocktonians are tough.
“It wasn’t easy, but we got through it,” Appling said.
She recalled that half of the students would arrive at about 7:30 a.m. and leave around noon-just in time for the remaining half of students to take classes from about 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.
However, Appling said, the pain of double sessions was worth the wait because when the school opened its doors in 1970 with about 6,100 students, the campus was state-of-the-art and boasted a planetarium, four libraries, a cutting-edge auditorium and music rooms that are still the envy of area schools, an indoor pool and a sprawling building that houses academic programs that have made the high school an award winning and respected leader in student achievement.
“We’ve always been in the forefront,” Appling said.
Before the football game Friday night hundreds of old friends reminisced and looked at black-and-white photos from the 1970s posted on boards under a special tent for alumni where food was served, hugs and kisses were had and conversation buzzed.
Jane Feroli, (Pictured above to far left with, from left to right, Ana Gonzalez, Linda Plache and Linda Callahan) a 1974 graduate, signed up alumni to carry and follow class banners on the field for a special halftime show, talked with 1986 grad Linda Plache, 1983 grad Linda Callahan, and 1973 grad Ana Gonzalez—who arrived in Brockton from Cuba in 1972 as a 16-year-old junior who didn’t speak English.
Gonzalez said she and a handful of other non-English speaking students were placed in a separate class with Mrs. Sims—who along with teaching core subjects, immersed students in the English language.
“By my senior year I was with all the other students,” Gonzalez said proudly.
“It was amazing. The support was wonderful,” she said.
Speaking in impeccable English, Gonzalez said she now teaches Brockton students Spanish.
Janel Cobb, a 1996 graduate looked at the photos posted on the boards under the tent, and pointed to a pretty blonde in one of the pictures making a garment on a sewing machine.
“That’s my aunt,” Cobb said, pointing to her aunt Karen Myles (Pictured above in black and white).
Cobb said some of the student activities shown in the photos revealed how courses have changed since 1970 to when she graduated in 1996.
“I don’t remember us making rugs,” Cobb said. “Classes are much different now,” she said.
Cobb said organizers did a great job and really brought a sense of unity and nostalgia to the event.
“It’s just fun and exciting to come back and see everyone,” Cobb said.
Looking at the pictures and the clusters of grads—some holding children--she said she was having fond flashbacks of her time in high school with friends.
“It’s the whole circle of life,” Cobb said.
On the other side of the tent, a group of four freshmen wearing Boxer football jerseys gazed at photos of grid-iron heroes who played long before they were born and who helped make Brockton High one of the most feared football teams in the state.
“People say good luck or good job when they see the shirt,” said freshman Robert Anuforo who looks forward to a time when he will be a varsity player.
“By playing for the football team it makes you feel important. You have respect,” Anuforo said (#50 pictured above).
Just two years after the new Brockton High opened, the football team charged into what is called the “Super Bowl Era,” behind legendary coach Armond Colombo (Pictured in above photo from 1947 with teammates courtesy of Mark Petti and taken by Stanley Bauman) who led the team to numerous state-wide titles beginning in 1972.
His son Peter now coaches the team and has kept the Boxer legend alive, tutoring heavily recruited college prospects like Albert Louis-Jean, who helped lead the Boxers to a 28-20 victory over Fitchburg’s Red Raiders in front of a roaring and cheering crowd Friday night.
“These colors will stay with you forever,” Class of 2011 Vice-President Michele Haughton said, clutching the front of her red and black Boxers shirt. “This is a great school,” she said.

"Snowy Day" Brings Funny Faces

2010-10-13T13:22:00.000-07:00

NOTE: Originally posted Friday Oct. 8, 2010
Story and photos by Lisa E. Crowley
The Brockton Post
BROCKTON—Dozens of kindergarten students at Raymond Elementary School in Brockton Thursday listened intently as special guest Julianne Andrade read Ezra Jack Keats’ children’s book, “The Snowy Day.”
Andrade--the district’s coordinator of elementary literacy for kindergarten to fifth grade and social studies for kindergarten to eighth grade--raised and lowered her voice and used hand expressions as she read from the 1962 classic about a young African-American boy enjoying the simple delights of a day spent playing in the snow.
“Can anyone tell me what happens when you put a snowball in your pocket,” Andrade asked the dozens of students.
“It melts,” many of the youngsters shouted.
The Raymond School joined all of Brockton’s pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes in a campaign by Jumpstart—a non-profit educational organization—called “Read for the Record” that seeks to increase literacy around the world.
All of Brockton’s pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes joined millions of other students who were treated to special adult guests such as Andrade who read “The Snowy Day” to students in an attempt to foster the love of reading among young students.
Celebrities such as Bill Cosby, Patti LaBelle, and NBC’s Today Show hosts Matt Lauer and Meredith Viera promoted the worldwide event on television shows throughout the day Thursday.
Read for the Record began in 2006 and initially the campaign was intended to set a record with Guiness Book of World Records for the most shared reading experience in the world.
During last year’s event 2,019,752 students read children's favorite, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar."
A spokesman for Jumpstart said this year’s goal is for 2.5 million students, but the group is no longer affiliated with the Guiness Book of World Records.
Each of Brockton’s classroom teachers received a copy of “The Snowy Day,” from Jumpstart as part of Brockton’s participation in Read for the Record—a donation that may seem small, but having books for students to read is becoming more and more difficult, Andrade said.
“The budget for buying books has become less and less over the years and being able to have these books in the classrooms for students to read is very important,” Andrade said. "Literacy is the foundation of learning," she said.
Violet LeMar, Raymond’s associate principal, said administrators work hard to provide books through grants and foundations and the school was recently awarded 2,400 books from the First Book Foundation to be given to students in kindergarten to eighth grade, including “Henry and Mudge,” “The Berenstain Bears,” and “The View from Saturday.”
“Each student will receive at least two books to have of their own and take home,” LeMar said.
As Andrade read “The Snowy Day,” students laughed, raised their hands to answer questions and made funny faces as they followed along with the story.
Principal Carol McGrath, who attended several of the readings, was happy to recall her favorite pastime while walking to school in the snow.
“I made snow angels,” to which she received scrunch-faced looks from the kindergarteners who seemed to have a hard time picturing their principal waving her arms and legs in the snow making snow angels as a child.
Andrade said the program is a fun way to foster a love of reading in students.
“This is a time for adults to show their love of reading,” she said—especially as youngsters turn more and more to digital screens for their reading materials.
“There are certain qualities about having a book in your hand—turning the pages, reading the words,” Andrade said. “I hope 'Snowy Day' becomes a classic for these students as it has for me. I hope when they have children they read it to their children,” she said.

Boxer Birthday Party Friday Night

2010-10-13T13:20:00.000-07:00

NOTE: Originally posted Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010
The Brockton Post
BROCKTON—Get ready for a big celebration Friday during the Boxers football game in honor of the 40th anniversary of Brockton High School and the Community Schools Program.
“It’s really a big birthday party,” said High School Principal Susan Szachowicz, a member of the Class of 1971, the first to graduate from Brockton High after it opened Sept. 16, 1970.
Friday night’s 7 p.m. football game literally kicks off a year-long celebration marking the high school’s anniversary and organizers promise a fun time, punctuated by the talents of current students.
“The students are our future,” Szachowizc said. “I always say I have the best seat in the house during graduation because I’m facing the students and I can see their faces—I can see the smiles on their faces and the shine in their eyes,” she said.
Hundreds, possibly thousands of alumni are expected for Friday’s Homecoming game which from 5 to 7 p.m. will feature a special tent for Brockton High alumni that will have chili, chowder and other goodies donated by Chartwells—the company that provides food service to Brockton High.
Before the Boxers take the field against Fitchburg for the Homecoming Game, Szachowicz said she, Mayor Linda Balzotti and Superintendent Matthew Malone will offer brief comments, but the real show will come at halftime when Brockton High’s award-winning band will perform among other selections, a special program in honor of the school’s 40th birthday.
There will also be a special finale when the band, majorettes and dancers will make a human #40 on the field.
Szachowicz said alumni from across the country are coming for the celebration, while those who can’t make it, like a group loosely dubbed “Boxers in the Big Apple,” will share a toast in New York City in honor of the school’s 40th.
“People really want to be a part,” she said.
City Councilor-at-Large Todd Petti, whose family has been in the city for decades and who also was a member of the 1971 inaugural class said Brockton High has much more to offer than many of the suburban schools surrounding the city.
“There is something for everyone whether you’re an advanced student, struggling student, athlete or artist, Brockton High has so much to offer,” he said.
During his four years of high school, Petti said he took Italian classes because he thought it would be fun.
When he was stationed in Italy as a young serviceman, the classes came in handy and while it may not be a work of art, Petti said he still has a penguin-shaped end table he made in woodshop.
“This high school has so many memories and so many good people and staff,” Petti said. “I’m really looking forward to Friday,” he said.

Brockton High Turnaround Model For The Nation

2010-10-13T13:17:00.000-07:00

NOTE: Originally posted Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010
Brockton Post
BROCKTON--The dramatic turnaround in student test scores and achievement at Brockton High School during the last six years has been noticed around the country and gaining praise from educators and parents.
For more please read an article in today's New York Times.

Brockton Schools Open For Most Tomorrow

2010-10-13T13:13:00.000-07:00

NOTE: Originally posted Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010
Brockton Schools open Thursday, Sept. 2 for grades 1 to 12. Kindergarteners follow Wednesday Sept. 15.
For a preview of Huntington Schools' new uniforms plan, please visit the story link below.
For school bus routes, please visit this bus routes link.
Brockton Post
BROCKTON--When students at the Huntington School in Brockton return to classes in September there will be at least two noticeable differences.
The first is students will begin class one hour earlier at 8 a.m. and the second is some of their classmates will be wearing a uniform--changes which are a part of a redesign plan aimed at improving the underperforming school.
“This is one of a kind in the city,” said School Committee member Richard Bath about the uniform initiative. Read more...

Huntington School Uniforms First in 20+ years

2010-10-13T13:10:00.000-07:00

NOTE: Originally posted Friday, Aug. 6, 2010
By Lisa E. Crowley
Brockton Post
BROCKTON—When students at the Huntington School in Brockton return to classes in September there will be at least two noticeable differences.
The first is students will begin class one hour earlier at 8 a.m. and the second is some of their classmates will be wearing a uniform--changes which are a part of a redesign plan aimed at improving the underperforming school.
“This is one of a kind in the city,” said School Committee member Richard Bath about the uniform initiative. “The Huntington is a test case, an experiment on improving an underperforming school and I think it’s a really great idea,” he said.
Students will have the option of wearing school uniforms when classes begin Sept. 2—a reform that hasn’t been in effect in Brockton for more than 20 years.
School Deputy Superintendent John Jerome said in the early 1980s students and teachers at the Arnone Elementary School participated in a uniform option for several years, but the initiative faded with time.
“Like the Arnone, uniforms are optional. It’s up to the parents--and the students,” Jerome said.
Huntington’s uniform colors are khaki, blue and white and students may wear collared shirts and sweaters with khaki pants, shorts or skirts.
Jerome said a letter from Principal June Saba to Huntington School parents that outlines the changes were sent via mail Wednesday and should already be in residents’ mailboxes.
An open house for questions and more on the plan's initiatives is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Jerome said last Septmember when Saba took over as principal she worked with teachers and parents to come up with ideas to increase student performance overall and on MCAS scores and the redesign plan is the result of that year-long process.
Jerome said during hearings about the new plan in June and July parents voiced overwhelming support for uniforms—especially from parents of an estimated 350 of the school’s nearly 550 students who are of Cape Verde descent and accustomed to wearing uniforms to school.
He said new parents moving into the district will be made aware of the changes as they register.
“It’s up to the parents—we’ll see how it goes,” Jerome said, noting Huntington’s K-5 population are more likely to embrace a uniform option than their middle school and high school counterparts.
“It might be more difficult for parents to get the older students to wear a uniform,” Jerome said.
The new uniform option was approved by the school committee in mid-June and is part of a larger plan to improve MCAS scores and instruction at Huntington and stave off potential negative state and federal education department designation that could force an overhaul of the Huntington under revamped federal No Child Left Behind regulations.
“The Huntington is a Level 3 school,” Jerome said. "All sorts of things happen if we become a Level 4 school under the new designations—this is a way to show that we are not waiting until we reach Level 4 to do something,” he said.
He said Huntington is not the only Brockton school with a Level 3 designation, but it has been struggling longer to improve than some of the others.
Drastic Level 4 steps could include replacing principals and teachers similar to the firings and upheaval at a Central Falls Rhode Island high school earlier this year.
One of the primary steps toward improving MCAS scores--which have not improved over the last two to three years putting the school at Level 3—is to begin classes at 8 a.m. instead of 9.
School officials said the teacher’s union has agreed to the new start time and the additional 60 minutes will be spent improving and enhancing instruction in core subjects like math and science and especially English.
The estimated $185,000 to $225,000 cost for the extra hour was mostly paid by cuts in other areas, Jerome said and was part of budget discussions in July when the 2010-2011 budget was approved.
Tim Sullivan, head of the Brockton Education Association, said teachers worked alongside administrators and parents to make the plan work and negotiate compensation for the 8 a.m. opening, which was agreed upon months ago.
"There were obvious signs like the MCAS scores that indicated something new had to be done at the school," Sullivan said. "You have to commend the teachers, administrators--everyone for trying to do something new," he said.
Jerome said the extra hour will help teachers concentrate on English and comprehension skills because more than half of the school’s students do not speak English as a first language.
MCAS scores, Jerome said, show the mostly Cape Verde students are having a difficult time with short answer questions and more instruction will improve those skills.
“All the studies say extended day is the way to go,” Jerome said.
As part of the redesign plan, Jerome said, non-English speaking students will be “looped” together with teachers for two or three years to foster a more productive and effective learning climate.
For more information about uniforms, the new start time and Huntington's overall redesign plan visit the Brockton Schools' website.
(Photos courtesy Brockton Public Schools)

New Contracts Save School Jobs, Haitian Amendment Seeks State $ for Refugee Influx

2010-10-13T13:06:00.000-07:00

NOTE: Originally posted July 1, 2010
Brockton Post
BROCKTON—While concessions by Brockton school department unions have decreased system layoffs from about 112 to about 80, school officials are looking to an amendment in the state budget passed by Gov. Deval Patrick Wednesday to reimburse the schools an estimated $1.5 million to offset an influx of Haitian refugees.
School officials had hoped the amendment, loosely dubbed the Haitian refugee amendment, would bring more money to the district for the opening of the 2010-2011 school year and save even more jobs.
However, the amendment--led by State Rep. Geraldine Creedon--did not have any money attached to it and directs the state Department of Secondary and Elementary Education to create a plan based on, among other aspects, per pupil costs for districts that have had 25 or more Haitian refugees swell enrollment during the last school year.
School officials have estimated a department of education reimbursement plan based on per pupil costs would bring about $1.5 million to the district.
School Spokeswoman Jocelyn Meek said the district has had 142 Haitian refugees come into the district since the January earthquake--four in the last week.
"As it stands we were able to limp through this year," Meek said, adding, "however with the cuts we face next year there will be an impact," she said.
The school committee had to make drastic cuts because of a $9.7 million shortfall for the 2010-2011 fiscal year that began today, July 1.
The only problem is the amendment requires the state education department devise the plan by Dec. 31, likely too late to decrease cuts in the district for the opening of school in September.
“It looks like we will not know anything until the winter,” said Superintendent Matthew Malone. “I am keeping my fingers crossed and thinking positively, but the reality is that we may not see any relief until FY12,” he said.
Jonathan Considine, director of board and media relations for the state education department, said in an email the agency would begin work on the plan and submit it to the State Legislature by the end of the year.
“(The amendment) on displaced students would require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide the Governor and the Legislature with an estimate of the cost of serving those kids,” Considine said. “Actual funding would require a supplemental appropriation by the Legislature,” he said.
School officials said at least the amendment was not vetoed and is a step toward help with the influx of Haitian refugees.
In the meantime, school officials are seeking every avenue for money to lessen the impact of cuts, including letter-writing and lobbying of its federal delegation in Washington D.C. and renegotiating contracts with all of the schools’ unions.
An agreement with the Brockton Education Association and signed by the School Committee earlier this month saves the district between $1.4 to $1.7 million for the 2010-2011 school year and will bring back 35 to 40 teachers who received layoff notices in the spring.
Timothy Sullivan, head of the teacher's union, said the group could have forced the district to honor the old contract, but decided to work cooperatively with the school committee.
"We chose to see how we could help them face their fiscal issues," Sullivan said.
At a special meeting Tuesday night, the School Committee approved new contracts with four of the five other school unions, saving nearly $340,000 in next year’s budget by delaying salary increases until the 2011-2012 fiscal year.
The four union contracts signed Tuesday are with the paraprofessionals, school security, custodians and food service workers. The administrative assistants are working on a new contract and are expected to have one finalized in the coming weeks.
The changes extend all of the approved contracts to 2013. All were to expire next year.
Officials said about six paraprofessional positions and eight custodians would be called back after the new agreements. Security and food service employees did not face cuts.
Lorraine Niccoli, head of the paraprofessionals union, who received much congratulations from the committee Tuesday night for the concessions, said while the agreement is not perfect, and saves only six to eight paraprofessionals out of 55 who received layoff notices, retirees benefits were not touched and that is a victory unto itself.
“We really wanted to keep the retirees whole,” Niccoli said. “The para’s do a really big job and the teachers are worried how they’re loss will effect the classroom, but in these economic times we learn to make concessions,” she said.
Along with approving the four contracts Tuesday night, the school committee also approved an early retirement incentive that would give certified personnel a lump sum payment of $15,000 and non-certified $10,000.
School Financial Services Director Aldo Petronio said employees who are a short time away from retirement could help the district by taking the incentive early and allow the system to possibly hire two younger teachers for one retiree and save the district unemployment costs.

Malone Meets Residency Requirement

2010-10-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

NOTE: Originally posted Thursday, July 1, 2010
The Brockton Post
BROCKTON--School Superintendent Matthew Malone said, "As of today (Thursday, July 1), I am officially living in a rented house on the West Side of Brockton. Regretfully, my wife and I, after 10 years of marriage, have filed for divorce and we are now legally separated. This is unfortunate and one of the hardest things I have ever had to go through. However, I have two amazing children and I will continue to spend as much time as possible with them moving forward. I ask that people kindly respect my family’s privacy during this difficult time." When Malone was hired last year, his contract required he move to Brockton by August.