Sippican School’s Budget

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To the Editor:

We are writing in response to statements quoted in a recent edition of The Wanderer regarding the Sippican School’s budget. We, as parents, are proud of Sippican School and the accomplishments of its students, staff and administration.

Misinformed statements, such as those made by Karen Kevelson at the January 28 finance committee meeting, succeed in making an impression; however, we do not feel it is the most effective way to solve problems and to resolve the issues that arise. The school is committed to working cooperatively with the stakeholders involved in the budget process. Over the next several months, the subcommittee will have a better handle on state funding and enrollment figures that will help them frame the budget to town officials. Representatives of the school will be in attendance at the next finance committee meeting which will take place on February 24.

It has been our observation that the school has consistently been committed to working with the town to devise a school budget that meets the needs of our school while being considerate of those of the other town departments. This has been evidenced in the last two years’ budgets which showed modest increases of 0.5% over the previous year’s budgets. We hardly feel that this was “out of control” as Karen Kevelson stated at the January finance committee meeting.

Since July, Sippican has received 44 new applications of students and has seen the demographic shift from years passed. In turn, Sippican has responded by adding classrooms/teachers where needed as well as putting a successful, self-funded breakfast program in place. Sippican continues to maintain its status as a Level 1 school. Additionally, in 2014, Sippican was one of just over 40 schools to be named a “Commendation School,” which is a high honor bestowed upon us by the state for closing achievement gaps. The school was also recently awarded one of 13 commendation/blue ribbon grants. Although proud of these accomplishments, we continue to look ahead to improving what we do in order to best address the needs of all our students.

Our children are growing up in a changing and more complicated world, and the school has a responsibility to help them to meet these demands. The data that was revealed from last spring’s “youth risk assessment survey” of our junior and senior high school students was frankly disturbing. Included in next year’s budget is a 0.3 health teacher position which came directly out of the work of the Healthy Tri-Town Coalition and their recommendations. The Sippican School is committed to responding in a proactive, rather than a reactive, way as we seek avenues to keep all of its students happy, healthy and safe.

We would like to also publicly thank and recognize the work of our vice principal, Sarah Goerges. As part of the discussion last year regarding shifting the assistant principal from part-time to full-time had nothing to do with the discipline and behavior of children in Marion. The days of the assistant principal only addressing behavioral issues have gone by the wayside. Today’s administrators have a far greater responsibility to ensure that the curriculum being delivered in the classroom is meeting the needs of all students. The additional administrator time is also necessary in order to meet the new teacher evaluation guidelines, to ensure we are in compliance with the teachers’ contract, but more importantly that administrators have time to address the educational need of all students.

We look forward to what the future holds for Sippican, its staff, students and administration.

Respectfully submitted,

Christine Marcolini, Marion

Kate Houdelette, Marion

 

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Thoroughly Modern and Sure To Please

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Observing the Tabor students as they prepare for the opening night of their annual musical production Thoroughly Modern Millie, one could feel the electricity in the air.

While Director John Heavey was pointing, calling out instructions, encouraging, correcting, and putting the actors and crew through their paces, it was easy to see that everyone was having a good time. And yet there was something else brewing in the Fireman Center for the Performing Arts as the students pranced across the stage or belted out a few bars from one of the songs: an obvious commitment to each other.

Heavey has been directing theater productions at Tabor for some time, and each time he is pleasantly pleased by how hard the students work and how much they want to do so – not only for a fine performance, but for each other. “We rehearse for hundreds of hours,” he said.

Since November when the call went out for auditions and up until days before the production opens, the students have been perfecting the show.

“We are together two hours every weekday and at least three hours on Saturday,” Heavey said. As for the students whose rigorous academic schedules can’t be set aside, allocating this much time to the show is a sacrifice they are all willing to make. Youthful exuberance aside, these students are pros.

Aurelia Reynolds of Sandwich, a junior this year, plays Millie.

“I’ve been acting since I was six and dancing since I was four,” she shared while preparing for rehearsal. “It feels like a million hours of practice,” Reynolds said showing off a million dollar smile.

Reynolds plans to attend medical school after graduation, but believes that music and performing will continue to factor into her schedule. She said she is at home on stage. In this production, she’ll be able to showcase her singing and dancing skills perfected over what is already a long performance career.

Heavey said this production has about 50 students coming together as actors and stage crew. He made the point that anyone who comes out to audition is given a role, either on stage or off in one of the many supporting pieces from props, to lighting, to sound, to wardrobe. No one is left out.

Choreographer and dance team coach Danielle LaTullippe said, “There is a steep learning curve.” The students have labored long and hard to make the physicality of the play look smooth and seamless, she assured.

“If someone is a good dancer, we’ll place them up front,” Heavey shared. “If a student wants to dance, but isn’t as seasoned, we’ll let them dance without making them feel uncomfortable on stage.”

Another student actor, Penyyuan Zhai, said he finds the play is a lot like the story “The Bearable Lightness of Being.”

Zhai, from China, is a senior this year. Previously he acted in the school’s production of Legally Blonde.

“This play is about finding a balance in love, a comedy about coming of age, that’s important for teenagers,” Zhai explained. “When you are on stage, you can be anyone!” Zhai added enthusiastically. Zhai is also a cross-country runner, which is something he found beneficial given the amount of singing and dancing the show physically demands.

Heavey knows the importance of guiding all these moving parts to synchronized perfection but also appreciates that he is working with teenagers.

“They get to make their own discoveries during this process,” said Heavey. “That’s good because we want them to own it.”

And own it they will on February 18, 19 and 20 at 7:30 pm at the Fireman Performing Arts Center, Tabor Campus, Front Street, Marion. Admission is free. Performance is priceless.

By Marilou Newell

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Florence Eastman Post 280

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The monthly meeting of the Florence Eastman Post 280 will be held at the Post Hall at 7:00 pm on February 17. At this meeting, we will reschedule the Ham & Bean Supper and, hopefully, review an estimate on the Hall repairs we discussed last month.

Bring your ideas for these endeavors as we cannot function without our members’ support and, obviously, the support of the great folks in our area who always patronize our efforts. Please mention this meeting to members you may know as everyone should be involved with the subject matters. The Hall is always available for rental. Just contact one of our members or call Mike at 508-758-9311, www.florenceeastmanpost280.org or www.facebook.com/florence.eastman.280.

Gateway Youth Hockey

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Squirts: This week, the Gateway Gladiator Squirts faced YD Dolphins on Saturday. Gateway had trouble finding the net until later in the first with an unassisted goal from Ty David Ribeiro. In the second period, YD got on the board, but Matthew Paling soon countered with another unassisted goal for Gateway. In the third, Gateway just couldn’t get the shots off, despite the great effort from Lucy Murphy who was trying to keep her team’s spirits high while cheering them on from the bench. YD was able to slide in two more goals giving them the 3-2 win.

On Sunday morning, the Gateway Gladiators showed a different spirit and team play on the ice facing KP Walpole. In the first period, it was a hard-fought game with back and forth puck possession. Gateway’s Ty David Ribeiro had a goal called back due to an offsides call, making the Gladiators determined to get it back, and they did. In the second, Matthew Paling scored an unassisted goal making the score 1-0 Gateway. Ribeiro added two more goals, one unassisted and the other assisted from brothers Jacob and Benjamin Hebbel. Going into the third, both team’s goalies were denying goals. Paling tallied another with an assist from Thomas Clavell and Ribeiro. Ribeiro added another unassisted goal giving Gateway the win 5-0.

Last week, Gateway Gladiator Squirts took to the ice on Sunday morning with the mindset to get a win, and they did. Facing Walpole Express, the Gladiators were able to give Walpole their first loss in the Yankee Conference by the score of 6-3. In the first period, Ty David Ribeiro scored, assisted by Matthew Paling putting the Gladiators on the board early. Paling later came in with an unassisted goal. In the second, Walpole scored a goal of its own, but Paling countered with his second goal of the game, assisted by Jacob Hebbel, and Ribeiro soon answered, making the score 3-1. Walpole heated things up later in the period, getting two back-to-back goals on goalie Thomas Leger. In the third period, Ribeiro added an unassisted goal and Paling scored his third goal of the game, giving him and Ribeiro hat tricks for the game.

Pee Wees: Gateway Pee Wees faced Walpole Express Red on Sunday and took the game with a respectable score of 5-2. Walpole kept it a tight game throughout the first with the score tied at one off of a goal by RJ Vickery, but as time went on and Gateway’s pressure increased, the Gladiators pulled away. The second and third resulted in two more goals for Vickery to earn a hat trick with an assist from Ben Demoranville and a pair of goals by Demoranville who was assisted by Sean Pollack. Goalie Ryker King was phenomenal in net and allowed Gateway to keep a comfortable lead with some key saves.

            Last week, the Gateway Pee Wee Gladiators played Walpole Express on Sunday. The team played well and after falling behind, Gateway got on the board in the second period off of an unassisted goal by RJ Vickery. Toward the end of the third period, Gateway was down by three when Stephen Old scored a goal with 31 seconds remaining, but the last effort was not enough to overcome the deficit and Gateway lost by a score of 4-2.

Bantams: The Bantam Gladiators dug deep last week and found a way to beat their season nemesis, Walpole Express, by the score of 6-2 on a tremendous team effort and a five-goal performance by Quirino doCanto. The Gladiators jumped ahead early in the first period when doCanto blocked a pass, went the other way on a break away, and beat the goalie with a quick wrist shot. For his second score of the day, doCanto deflected home a shot taken by Bryan Gallagher. Walpole would get back in the game quickly, cutting the deficit in half, just sneaking one by goalie Zachary Pateakos. They would tie it up late in the second period, but the Gladiators didn’t let it stay that way for long, as less than a minute later, James L’Heureux tipped home a shot from Jackson St. Don. doCanto would score his third goal later in the second on assists from brothers Tyler and Zack Lovendale. With the score 4-2 after two periods, the Gladiators kept up the intensity, which led to doCanto scoring his fourth goal of the game, with T. Lovendale and Bethany Davis getting assists. doCanto’s final goal was scored off a rebound from a shot taken by Gallagher. It was an overall team effort, completed by a great day in net for Pateakos.

Middle School: The MS Jr. Vikings took a tough 6-3 loss last week to Franklin. Franklin jumped ahead early scoring just four minutes into the game. They scored again, late in the first period, leaving the score at the end of the first period, 2-0. The Jr. Vikings would strike first in the second period, when Robert Ramsay went in by himself and beat the sprawling goalie to bring the Jr. Vikings within a goal. Franklin wouldn’t allow the tenacious Jr. Vikings get back in the game, though, scoring two more goals late in the second period as well as two early in the third period. Ramsay would add another goal in the third on an assist from RJ Vickery. Ben DeMoranville also chipped in with a goal off some nifty passing from Quirino doCanto and Tyler Lovendale, making it 6-3. Jacob DeMoranville and Alex DeMarco both played well in net, but just couldn’t stop all the shots.

William “Bill” Kimmick

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William “Bill” Kimmick, 83, passed on February 14, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. Bill was a true lover of life, gadgets, and adventures. He’d never pass up an opportunity to go out, try or see something new, or fiddle with anything he could get his hands on. Bill was born to Dollye and Marion Kimmick in St. Louis, Missouri and lived his young life there spending much time near Hermann Missouri with his adoring grandparents. He proudly served in the U.S. Coast Guard where he was stationed in Boston and New Bedford which nurtured his love of the sea. He attended Washington University in St. Louis and enjoyed a long, successful career in the silicon manufacturing industry as a quality control engineer. His career took Bill and his family from St. Louis to: California; Medfield, Massachusetts; Milan, Italy; Cincinnati, Ohio and Salem, Oregon. Bill was an accomplished woodworker, painter, cook and tinkerer. There wasn’t any project or problem that he couldn’t figure out and “fix”. Bill spent his final years of life with his children. He traveled between Cincinnati, Florida, Massachusetts and Georgia. He eventually settled in Mattapoisett where he lived with his daughter, son-in-law and furry friend Guinness. He was dearly loved and his warm smile and kind heart will be missed by many. Bill was never heard to say an unkind word about anyone.

Bill is survived by his five children; Elaine Bancroft and her husband Jim, Lisa Geraghty and her husband Kevin, David Kimmick, James Kimmick, and Paul Kimmick and his wife Yukiko. He was Papa to grandchildren; Ben and Hannah Brauer, Conor and his wife Leslie, Joeseph, and Nora Geraghty, McKenzi Kimmick, and Ryo and Taiga Kimmick and great-grandson Colton William. Bill leaves his only brother and good friend Gary Kimmick and his wife Millie and his beloved nieces, nephew and their families; Rebecca, Anne, Matthew, Amy, and Missy. Bill is fondly remembered by his wife of 34 years Annette Kimmick. Bill will be missed everyday by his best friend and long time companion Jan Cyphers. Services will be held in Case, Missouri at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Meeting Street Schwartz Center for Children Communication Department, 1 Posa Place, Dartmouth, MA 02747 or St. Anthony’s Church c/o Harold Glow, 33048 Case Road, Hermann, MO 65041. Private arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Marion Moves Forward on Electric Car

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In the small front room of the Marion Music Hall, with a fireplace at their back and the members sprawled over comfortable chairs and couches, the February 9 meeting of the Marion Energy Management Committee resembled more of a cozy fireside chat than a political meeting.

Rob Fisher gave more information on the LED street lighting project he is working on for Marion. He noted that he has no access to the electricity invoices from Eversource to the town.

“If I can get access to the street light costs from the invoices, I can figure out what Marion is paying,” he said. “We don’t know if the town is double-paying for street lights which may be paid for by local companies, or even Tabor.”

Committee member Eileen Marum added, “The energy committee has been active on this, and we still need answers.”

“We really want to help, and this could save the town a lot of money,” said Jennifer Francis. “Any double paying could be a significant portion of the town budget. It’s been two years.”

Energy Committee Chairman David Pierce summed up the problem.

“You know the situation, you know what you want, you need a little info and you can run with it,” Pierce said.

The committee then moved on to an exciting development: the lease of an electric car by the Town of Marion.

“We’ve received two grants from the state for $7,500 each,” explained Francis. “One covers the installation of a charging station and the other an electric car.”

Currently, municipal employees drive old police cars, which Francis referred to as “gas guzzlers.”

“This car will replace an old Crown Vic,” said Pierce cheerfully. A grant from the town government enabled the committee to hire a UMass Dartmouth employee who had helped the university gain electric cars. He instructed the committee in applying for the electric car grants available from the state.

“What we’re trying to do now,” said Francis, “is get the best bid from electric-car producing companies, so that Marion doesn’t need to draw any more money from the budget for an electric car.”

The electric car will be made available to municipal employees on a need-to-use basis. Norm Hills noted that the Recreation Department would likely have primary use, as the charging station will be located near its Mill Street headquarters.

Francis expressed her disappointment at losing a bid from Nissan for the Nissan Leaf, which she said was the best bid the town had.

“They weren’t comfortable with offering the bid if it wasn’t going to be a closed bidding process,” she explained.

Pierce agreed.

“I would be concerned, too, if I had to do that,” said Pierce. “Is there any reason that the process isn’t closed?”

Francis said she did not know why the bids can’t be completely closed.

“It’s unfortunate, because the grant would have covered the car entirely, without drawing any more money from the town,” said Francis.

“What would the lease fee per year be?” asked Pierce.

“Well, that depends on the winning bid,” said Francis. “But we’re trying to keep the costs down so that the grant will cover the entire cost of the car.”

The next meeting of the Marion Energy Management Committee has not yet been scheduled.

By Andrea Ray

 

Academic Achievements

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The University of Maine recognized 2,216 students for achieving Dean’s List honors in the fall 2015 semester. Benjamin DeMello of Rochester received Dean’s List honors for fall 2015, completing 12 or more credit hours in the semester and earning a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Northeastern University is pleased to recognize those students who distinguish themselves academically during the course of the school year. The following local residents were recently named to the University’s dean’s list for the fall semester, which ended in December 2015.

– Mattapoisett resident Amanda Carreiro, majoring in Health Science

– Mattapoisett resident Madison Durr, majoring in Nursing

– Mattapoisett resident Isatu Malekani, majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience

Phillips Exeter Academy is delighted to share that the following Tri-Town student has achieved academic honors during the fall 2015 term. Ty A. Deery, grade 10, of Mattapoisett earned Honors for the fall 2015 term.

Greg Sethares, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Bristol Community College, has announced the Dean’s List for fall 2015. Tri-Town students named are:

– Haley M. Dickerson of Marion

– Tiffany Faria of Marion

– Brett M. Rudolph of Marion

– Nalini Sharma Paredes of Marion

– Samantha J. Clements of Mattapoisett

– John A. Devlin of Mattapoisett

– Kylie L. Faison of Mattapoisett

– Jonathan R. Medeiros of Mattapoisett

– Kimberley A. Remick of Mattapoisett

– Marcus O. Schroder of Mattapoisett

– Collin R. Stellato of Mattapoisett

Regis School of Arts and Sciences has announced the Dean’s List for academic achievement for the fall semester 2015. Katelyn Kiernan, class of 2017, of Mattapoisett, is among the students who made the Dean’s List.

A Welcome Home

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The congregation of Mattapoisett Congregational Church overwhelmingly approved proceeding with “A Welcome Home” capital campaign to raise $600,000 in pledges over the next few months to make major upgrades and improvements to this historic meeting house.

Objectives include improving accessibility throughout the meeting house and its facilities, including two new lifts, and to assure compliance with the latest ADA codes. These improvements will provide a welcome and inclusive environment for everyone regardless of age or physical ability.

Additionally, much needed capital improvements and repairs will provide the required upkeep necessary to keep everyone warm, dry and safe now and in the future. Certain areas require new roofing, new gutters, better insulation, and new windows, as well as new fire alarm and communication systems. Enhancing kitchen safety and improving the heating system will also be addressed.

Further, in keeping with the historic character of the Sanctuary, upgrades will provide much needed space to better accommodate the Senior Choir, Bell Choir, Junior Choir, the Praise Band, children’s time, acolytes, flowers, special events and more. The new openness will clearly enhance the connection between Pastor and Congregation.

Finally, a Building Maintenance Fund will be set up to meet the needs of unanticipated repairs and address any further improvements that might be needed in the future and thus reducing the need to draw down the church endowment.

Girls’ Track Wins, Boys’ Hockey Continues to Roll

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The Old Rochester Girls’ Track team showed why they’re a juggernaut in the Massachusetts high school track scene as they crushed all competition at Saturday’s SCC Championship meet at GNB Voc-Tech. It marked their sixth straight SCC title. Meanwhile, both boys’ hockey and boys’ basketball captured a pair of victories as the hockey team in particular has played excellent of late. Girls and boys’ swimming both wrapped up their seasons, and the girls’ team will have swimmers moving on to sectionals this week.

Boys’ Basketball: The boys began their home stand on Tuesday against GNB Voc-Tech. In a physical game, the Bulldogs were able to distance themselves from Voc in a 73-53 victory, powered by junior Russell Noonan’s well-balanced performance: 15 points, 7 boards, and 6 assists. Senior Will Santos added 13 and junior center Matt Valles scored 10 as he came back from an illness that held him out of the Apponequet game last week. On Saturday, the team took on Wareham High. The Dogs controlled the first half as they scored 27 in the first quarter and led 44-27 at halftime. Wareham played well in the second half, but ORR held on for the 70-62 victory over their rivals. Valles finished with 14 points and 9 rebounds while Noonan had 14 and senior guard Evan Santos scored 9 and dished out 5 assists. They will head to the road for both of their games next week: against Dighton-Rehoboth on Tuesday and Bishop Stang on Friday, which is their first non-conference game.

            Girls’ Basketball: The Lady Bulldogs were away for both of their games this week, starting off on Tuesday against GNB Voc-Tech. The team lost 65-39 to a tough Voc team that is undefeated in conference play. The leading scorers were juniors Katelyn Bindas, Sophie Church, and Emma Collings, with 9, 8, and 7 points, respectively. The girls took on the Lady Vikings of Wareham on Friday. It was a very close game throughout, and Wareham held a 24-23 lead at the half. However, ORR’s girls put it together in the second half and played well to capture a much-needed 47-41 victory. Freshman Maddie Demanche made a clutch steal and assist down the stretch, and junior Olivia Labbe led the team with 12 points. Collings and Church both added 10 in the big win that keeps the team’s playoff hopes alive. This week, they’ll be back at home to play the D-R Lady Falcons on Tuesday and non-conference Bishop Stang on Friday.

            Boys’ Track: This week, the boys competed in the SCC Championship at GNB Voc-Tech on Saturday morning. Junior Danny Renwick earned a personal-best high jump of 6-3 that was the best in the SCC. Fellow juniors Will Hopkins and Eli Spevack went 1-2 in the 55m hurdles with times of 8.19 and 8.22 seconds. To cap off a second-place finish with 73 points (Dighton-Rehoboth was the winner), freshman Adam Sylvia fended off some veteran racers in the 2-mile with an exciting finish and an excellent time of 10:49. This upcoming week, top athletes will participate in the D-5 State Meet at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston.

            Girls’ Track: The girls were at GNB Voc-Tech on Saturday morning to run in the SCC Championship. They cruised to another victory, scoring 134.3 points to Seekonk’s second-place 50 points. Among the big winners were senior Nina Bourgeois in the 1000m (3:22) and senior Emily Josephson in the mile (5:48.85). To keep up the distance running success, senior Madeline Meyer won the 2 mile with a time of 12:04. Also, senior Zoe Smith continued her big season with wins in the 55m hurdles (8.78) and the high jump (5 feet.) Many of the team’s leading athletes will be at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston to run in the D-5 State Meet on Saturday.

Boys’ Swimming: The boys wrapped up their season by finishing fourth at the SCC Championship at Seekonk High on Thursday, scoring 78 points. Congrats to the boys for a solid season and good luck to Bulldog swimmers in the future.

            Girls’ Swimming: The Lady Bulldogs competed at the SCC Championship at Seekonk High on Thursday. They finished second to Apponequet by scoring 360 points and will move on to swim in the South Sectionals Meet at MIT in Cambridge on Saturday, February 13.

            Boys’ Ice Hockey: On Monday, the boys traveled to the Driscoll Skating Arena in Fall River to take on D-R. Senior Kam Silvia notched a goal and three assists as the ‘Dogs also got goals from juniors Landon Gougen, Sam Henrie, and Ryan Labonte (Fairhaven). Ryan’s brothers, ORR students Zak Labonte and Tayber Labonte (both sophomores) had big nights as well, contributing a goal and two assists, respectively. The Bulldogs/Blue Devils continued their week at home (The Travis Roy Rink at Tabor Academy) on Wednesday against conference rival Wareham. Silvia pushed three goals through the net and was flanked by Gougen, R. Labonte, ORR freshman Owen Powers and Fairhaven sophomore Ryan Raphael chipping in with a goal apiece. Junior Chase Cunningham made his third-consecutive shutout with 13 saves. This Wednesday, the Bulldogs/Blue Devils play GNB Voc-Tech at home before traveling to Driscoll Skating Arena in Fall River to face Apponequet on Saturday.

            Girls’ Ice Hockey: The Bourne, Mashpee, Wareham, and ORR team began their week by taking on conference foe Marshfield at home (The John Gallo Ice Arena in Bourne). They lost 5-2 with goals coming from Bourne sophomore Carly LaCasse and ORR freshman Kaitlyn Kelley. Assists were made by Bourne sophomore Leah Hidenfelter and ORR freshman Elsie Buckley. On Saturday night, the girls faced off against Sandwich in another game that was played at the Gallo as part of the Canal Cup. Unfortunately, they lost that match 3-0. The girls will travel to Martha’s Vineyard this week on Wednesday, then return home to play Bishop Stang on Saturday night.

Below are the overall winter team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of February 8.

            Boys’ Basketball: (14-1-0)(14-1-0); Girls’ Basketball: (5-10-0)(5-9-0); Boys’ Track: (8-1-0)(8-1-0); Girls’ Track: (9-0-0)(9-0-0); Boys’ Swimming: (0-8-0)(0-6-0); Girls’ Swimming: (3-5-0)(1-5-0); Boys’ Ice Hockey: (10-3-4)(7-0-1); Girls’ Ice Hockey: (2-12-0)(2-11-0).

By Patrick Briand

 

Rochester Won’t Budge on Good Friday

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Members of the Rochester School Committee on February 4 were adamant that their stance on keeping Good Friday as a school day would not change this year as it discussed the proposed draft of the 2016/2017 school year calendar.

When Assistant Superintendent Elise Frangos brought up the topic, asking if the committee felt it would be a meaningful school day given last year’s significant absenteeism of students and staff, there was little discussion.

“Speaking for the group, I think that our group has been pretty steady on that Good Friday as a day of school,” said School Committee Chairman Tina Rood. ”I don’t want to have another discussion about that because I think we have voted.”

Committee member Jennifer Kulak agreed.

“It’s a school day,” stated Kulak. “I don’t want to have that discussion again.”

Rood said Superintendent Doug White could take that consensus back to the meeting of ‘The Joint’ school committees for a vote on March 24.

White had asked members at The Joint meeting back on January 21 to bring up the discussion amongst the three local school committees before the March 24 meeting to minimize further discussion and hopefully take a vote.

Good Friday will fall on April 14, 2017, the Friday before April vacation.

“I don’t think that we need to have a discussion that isn’t a discussion for us,” Rood said. “So you can bring that back to the group,” she said to White. “We were strong on that last year, and I think we’ve been pretty strong that that is a day of school.”

The committee discussed other aspects of the calendar, including the month of March, a full month with no half days or days off.

Kulak was concerned by that time students would need a break in between seven straight, unbroken weeks of school.

Administration and other School Committee members consider unbroken weeks of learning to be positive, but Kulak found seven weeks excessive.

“From the School Committee and as a teacher, yeah, I can see that,” said Kulak. “I can see your position as to having that consistency and it’s great. As a parent…” Not so much, she said.

White said the 2016 Christmas break was slated to be “the shortest Christmas break that we could possibly have.”

Christmas will fall on Sunday, and students would return on January 3. The committee suggested perhaps giving students Friday, December 23 off in addition to vacation week. White noted the suggestion for The Joint meeting.

The next meeting of the Rochester School Committee is scheduled for March 3 at 6:30 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

By Jean Perry