Past issues of the "From the Superintendent" newsletter
Superintendent's SPS Sharings, September 2009
Note: One of my objectives for 2009-10 is to communicate with you throughout the year using a more frequent eblast "SPS SHARINGS", as well as through Superintendent Coffees, email, face-to-face conversations or even if passing at Karma Coffee or Starbucks. I don't do Facebook and I can't understand the what and why of Twitter, so we'll have to rely on the more historical modes of communication. Nevertheless, my goal is to communicate more frequently but in shorter, more succinct messages. So here we go.....
We're back and the opening was as smooth and successful as we always hope it will be. The smiles on our student's faces, parent cameras at bus stops, the weather, the staffing levels keeping class size reasonable due to successful negotiations with our employees, a new kindergarten assessment program, an impressive group of new teachers joining our high-quality veterans, and parents already stepping up to help-these are what make the partnership called SPS a great place to learn and grow.
FLU: This fall, SPS will be working with local health officials to provide, on a voluntary basis, vaccinations for the seasonal flu and for the H1N1 flu. We are currently working on our plan for such an undertaking and will announce the details as soon as possible. We feel that providing this service for our community is in everyone's long term interest but understand that opting-out or obtaining the vaccine through your pediatrician are options you have.
Just a reminder-if your child exhibits flu-like symptoms, keep them home. If students at school are found to present flu-like symptoms, our nurses are instructed to send the children home. Children shall stay home until 24 hours after any fever subsides without the use of medication. (This is a change from the 7-day rule suggested by the Mass Dept of Public Health last spring.)
Also, please help us by instructing and reinforcing with your child the proper and important hygiene steps of: frequent hand washing; sneeze and cough into the bend of your arm, not your hands; and, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Much more to come on this so please be watching for information from your school.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS: A schedule of all school committee meetings is posted on the web site. The agenda for each meeting is also posted 4-5 days in advance of the meeting. Note that again this year, one meeting will be held in each school and at that time, the principal will present a 'State of the School' report. We urge you to attend any or all and know that our school committee members are very open to hearing from you or talking with you about any education or SPS issue on your mind.
TV: Starting this week, school committee meetings will be recorded for playback on the local cable TV channels. Consult the cable guide for replay times.
EBLASTS: This really has become the channel of choice for communication with our parent community, especially for emergency and time-sensitive information. You're reading this so you obviously are in the system. Please help us by letting your neighbors and friends who may not be in the system know about the system and that it is a parent maintain email lists. Parents get on the contact list, edit their email address or addresses, their choice of lists, or to unsubscribe from a list, by going to the district web site and following the instructions for Constant Contact.
I hope 2009-10 is a great one for your family. We will be working hard to make it a great one for everyone.
John R. Brackett
Superintendent of Schools