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Superintendent's Message

Welcome Back!

August 27, 2019

Happy New Year!

With great anticipation, we welcome you to a new school year.  Teachers returned yesterday.  There is palpable energy and enthusiasm about what the new year brings.  Much like the traditional New Year in January, it is a time of reflection and goal setting.  We look forward to sharing that with you and your children.

We accomplished a great deal in the school facilities this summer.  Included in those improvements are a bus lane at Thoreau, complete STEAM Lab at Ripley and significant aesthetic updates in both new carpeting and paint at Peabody and Sanborn.  This supports the major reconfiguration at the two middle schools since today Peabody will welcome only sixth grade and all of grades seven and eight will attend Sanborn.  We also reviewed long-standing traditions such as “Sanborn time” and have moved all the clocks to the real, actual time rather than a seven minute delay.

The Concord Middle School Building Committee is actively meeting and is looking soon to secure a project manager and architect.  The committee’s goals for the year focus on an envisioning a schematic design of a new school.

Our district goals remain aligned with the five year strategic plan:  fostering multiple pathways for student success, student well-being, creating an inclusive community and creating inspiring learning environments.  Below you’ll see an invitation to formally engage in this process by offering input and feedback.

Among these priorities, we realize the importance of relationships.  We look forward to fostering these relationships and partnering with you. Best wishes for a great first day!

Dr. Laurie Hunter, Superintendent

A PARENT FORUM REGARDING INCLUSION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN OUR SCHOOLS

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

The Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District together with the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) want to hear from parents about inclusion in our schools.  We would like to learn from you directly about approaches that have been successful for your child with disabilities, where you think change is needed and gains could be made.

One of the priorities highlighted this year from the District Strategic Plan is the inclusion of students with disabilities and the valuing of all learners.  The district and schools will be creating goals related to ensuring all students feel welcome and valued in our schools.

There are two ways you can help by providing this important feedback.  Firstly, we are holding a parent focus group, jointly hosted by Laurie Hunter and the Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC).

When:   Thursday, September 5th from 10:00 – 11:30 am.  Where:  Conference Room 4, Ripley Building, Meriam Road

The focus group attendees will also include Ruth Grube, Director of Student Services, members of the School Committee and also a representative from each building from Pre K through to CCHS.

Secondly, if you are unable to attend or would prefer to share your information confidentially, you can email the SEPAC Co-Presidents at concordsepac@gmail.com or Superintendent Hunter at lhunter@concordps.org

Grand Opening and Open House

You are cordially invited to the GRAND OPENING AND OPEN HOUSE

New Ripley STEAM Innovation Lab

A place for elementary students to design, build and DREAM!

Where:  Ripley Building, 120 Meriam Road, Concord, MA 01742

When:  Monday, August 26, 1pm – 3pm & Tuesday, August 27, 1pm – 3pm

What:

★ Electrify a card craft or your own design & creation of wearable art!

★ Build a giant mobile structure!

★ Create a mini-robot that you can take home!

★ Plus More!

We hope to see you there!