Don Cuddy has been growing sunflowers for over two decades. Originally inspired by his daughter’s bringing home a seedling when Center School closed for the summer, Cuddy has enjoyed watching the tiny stems become flowering giants in his yard.

             The war in the Ukraine solidified Cuddy’s concept that by growing sunflowers, he could show visual solidarity with the people of the Ukraine. And so it grew (no pun intended). Soon he was thinking that a sunflower seedling project might benefit not only the Mattapoisett Land Trust’s community engagement strategies but also help to educate local grade school kids by giving them first-hand, from the ground up, experience.

            Cuddy suggested that the MLT’s education committee might somehow use the sunflower to further science-based education programming. But it was the height of COVID-19, when globally based education efforts were stymied.

            At Old Hammondtown School, where Center School children were temporarily relocated, an outdoor tent allowed some programing to move forward. Three years later, the program has expanded to include having the students plant the seeds themselves and when ready, planting the seedlings outdoors at the highly visible site, Dunseith Park at the corner of Route 6 and North Street.

            “They can see their own flower growing as they pass by in the family car,” Cuddy said, noting this would give the children a deeper sense of ownership.

            One of the main points the program strives to impart is the codependency of plants and animals. A statement made by the MLT education committee notes, “Animals need food and light, water, minerals and favorable temperatures – and animals or other mechanisms to disperse the seeds.” Cuddy can attest to that last point. “The rabbits got the seedlings last year.” He said he grows extra plants for this scientific reality.

            At first, Cuddy grew the seedlings for the children to plant. This year, expanding on the theme, the MLT in collaboration with Center School first-grade teachers Courtney Aarsheim, Jennifer Aguiar and Marissa Hughes worked with the students growing their very own seedlings in their classroom in a program known as The Life Cycle of the Sunflower (Part of the Massachusetts curriculum Framework for Science and Technology). The MLT education committee includes, along with Mary Cabral, Ellen Flynn as chairman, Wendy Copps, Marcia Waldron, Cindy Turse, Joann Porter and Barbara Tully.

By Marilou Newell

Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Early Childhood Coordinator Doreen Lopes are pleased to share that the first Old Rochester Regional High School Chapter 74 Early Childhood Education class has graduated from their program.

            The Class of 2024 Old Rochester Regional High School Graduation Ceremony was held on June 1. During the ceremony, eight students were recognized for being the first class to complete the Chapter 74 Early Childhood Education program.

            The graduating seniors from the program were Anna Pereira, Lila Bangs, Abigail Durr, Jaeleigh Black, Rylie Coughlin, Emily Borges, Nashajia Monteiro and Aubrey Heise.

            In 2020, Old Rochester Regional High School received approval for the Early Childhood and Care Chapter 74 Program from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

            With Chapter 74 approval status, high school students who enroll in the program have the opportunity to obtain the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Teacher certification and college credits in Child Growth and Development through Bristol Community College. Students typically enrolled in this Early Education and Care program are aspiring teachers, child development specialists, pediatric nurses, or doctors. Many EEC students continue to higher education with a leg up on practical experience and coursework requirements.

            During the program, students completed four full years of early childhood coursework including: a full-year class in Introduction to Early Childhood Education earning 5 credits, a full-year class in Child Growth & Development earning 5 credits, a full-year class in Early Childhood Education I earning 5 credits and a full-year class in Early Childhood Education II earning 5 credits.

            In addition, they obtained more than 150 hours of classroom experience. They completed this experience both at the onsite preschool laboratory classroom under the direction of a certified preschool teacher and in the community by serving as interns at local elementary schools and childcare centers.

            “I have had the pleasure of working with these eight outstanding students over the past four years,” said teacher Janet Gauvin. “They have demonstrated such strength, compassion, dedication and insight. I have no doubts about their ability to make a tremendous contribution, not only to their field of study but to the community at large. They each have such bright futures ahead of them. It brings me great joy to know they will be pursuing their dreams and passions.”

            Lila Bangs will be attending the University of Vermont to study Early Childhood Education with a minor in American Sign Language. Jaeleigh Black will be majoring in Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Emily Borges will be attending Bristol Community College to study Liberal Arts. Rylie Coughlin will be majoring in English at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with plans to pursue a master’s degree in Education. Abigail Durr will be joining the workforce immediately upon graduation. Aubrey Heise will be attending Regis College to study Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Nas’hajia Monteiro will be majoring in Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Anna Pereira will be attending Stonehill College to study Health Science with a Premedical concentration.

            “On behalf of the entire district, it is my pleasure to congratulate our first-ever Chapter 74 Early Childhood Education program graduates,” said Superintendent Nelson. “I would like to recognize the faculty and staff of the Early Childhood Program for their dedication.”

Marion Police Chief Richard Nighelli and Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Michael S. Nelson are pleased to welcome a new comfort dog to the Marion Police Department and Sippican Elementary School. Norman is a 13-week-old Labrador Retriever. He officially joined the department on June 7.

            Sippican Elementary School students voted between a total of three names, with Norman receiving the most votes. Murray came in second and Franklin came in third.

            “I am extremely grateful to District Attorney Timothy Cruz who helped identify grant funding that made this programming a possibility for the Marion community,” said Superintendent Nelson. “I’m also very appreciative of Chief Nighelli and SRO Tracy for their leadership and commitment on this initiative as well. Additionally, I’d like to thank Geoff Gorman, Marion’s town administrator who has been supportive each step of the way as we worked towards bringing a comfort dog to our school community. Sippican Elementary School is very fortunate to have such strong partnerships supporting education. To be blunt, the faculty, staff members and students are absolutely ecstatic and I am too.”

            Norman will spend most of his time on shift in the school district with School Resource Officer Jonathan Tracy. He will help with de-escalation and provide comfort to children and staff in need who may be experiencing or have experienced trauma.

            Once old enough, Norman and Officer Tracy will attend an 80-hour, 10-day training course which will consist of lessons in obedience, socialization, environmental training, auditory training, proprioceptive (motion) and unexpected stimulus training. The training will take place at Professional Canine Services in Middleborough.

            At the conclusion of the program, dogs should be confident, socialized and environmentally sound. All dogs must pass the American Kennel Club C.G.C. (Canine Good Citizen) and the A.K.C Temperament Test.

            A comfort dog is intended to help connect police with community members to spark conversation and build awareness. People who may be unsure of or uncomfortable with police may be more apt to approach a friendly comfort dog which will open up opportunities to make connections.

            Norman will also assist with difficult police calls, especially those involving children. He will also make routine visits to senior centers, nursing homes and community events.

            “We have been eagerly awaiting this day for some time now, and I am beyond thrilled that Norman has joined us,” said Marion School Committee Chair April G. Nye. “We know that research has shown that there are many benefits of having comfort dogs in elementary schools with children, like helping teach empathy, helping with developing stronger social skills, as well as helping build stronger bonds between students and the school community, just to name a few. This new addition will have ways to have a positive presence, and I can’t wait for our students to have this opportunity.”

            “We are very excited about this initiative,” said Chief Richard Nighelli. “There were several moving parts to this and so many people to thank, including our town officials, Superintendent Nelson, Sippican School faculty and students, DA Cruz, Marion Animal Hospital, and of course Officer Tracy. Our department continues to look for ways to have a positive presence in the community and this initiative is an example of that commitment.”