New Principal at Sippican School

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As Superintendent of Old Rochester Regional School District and Massachusetts Superintendency Union # 55, I am pleased to announce that Marla Sirois will be the new Principal of Sippican Elementary School in Marion, Massachusetts. Sirois will be taking over for Lyn Rivet who has been Principal at Sippican Elementary School since 2010; we wish Rivet well as she prepares to retire in July of 2019.

            Sirois has been the Principal at Taft Early Learning Center in Uxbridge, Massachusetts since 2014. Prior to being the Principal at Taft Early Learning Center, Sirois held the following positions in the Uxbridge Public School District: Curriculum and Instruction Leader from 2005 to 2014, Literacy Coach from 2012 to 2014, Title 1 Reading Specialist from 2001 to 2012, and a Classroom Teacher position from 1999 to 2001. 

            Sirois has a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction degree from Lesley University. Sirois also has a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies degree in School Administration from American International College. Sirois currently lives in Plainville, Massachusetts.

            As an administrator, Sirois is a strong educational leader, who uses a collaborative leadership style to improve the teaching and learning of all students. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the area of literacy and reading, which will help lead the district as we continue to implement our Vision 2023 Strategic Plan. She supports the use of research and data to monitor student progress as well as teacher effectiveness. In addition, she has an extensive background in the area of teacher evaluations.

            As part of her teacher evaluation process, she has incorporated instructional learning walks, as well as modeled lessons, and provided ongoing feedback which has led to improved instruction. With her professional experiences, she has the skills to design and implement programming in the areas of curriculum and special education. Sirois is considered by her colleagues as a passionate, confident, intelligent, and competent educational leader – who always places the needs of the students as her first priority. Sirois will begin her role as principal at Sippican Elementary School in July of 2019.

Oysters & Bees: Cultivation & Innovation

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Join the Mattapoisett Museum and the Mattapoisett Land Trust for a seminar featuring two local producers. Bob Field will present oyster cultivation from seed to market. Kitty de Groot will share an overview of bees, their importance, and what’s in the hive. Come to 5 Church Street, Mattapoisett. Presentations will begin at 6:30 pm on Thursday, May 16. Free and open to the public. Questions: 508-758-2844 or info@mattapoisetthistoricalsociety.org. 

RHS Photo Contest

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The Rochester Historical Society along with the Rochester Land Trust are co-sponsoring a photo contest. The title for your photograph is “Fields, Forests or Bogs of Rochester”.  The contest is open to everyone, any age, any town, but the pictures must be taken in Rochester.

            Rules to enter: One photo per person, photo size should be 5×7, color or B&W, original photo – not photo shopped, not matted or framed. Please write the following on back of photo: name of person submitting, address, phone number, age bracket i.e. Youth, 18 and under, or Adult, 19 and over, and location of photograph.

            All photographs must be received by August 1. The photographs will be on display at the Rochester Historical Society and Land Trust booths at the Country Fair in August. Voting will be by Fair attendees and voting will end at 1:00 pm on Sunday, August 11.

            Prizes will be awarded for top 3 winners in each group (adult and youth). First place $75, second place $50, third place $25. All photos will remain property of the Rochester Historical Society/Rochester Land Trust.

            Mail your entries to RHS, P.O. Box 322, Rochester, MA 02770. Any questions, contact rochestermahistoricalsociety@gmail.com

Marion’s Memorial Day Remembrances and Procession

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The 2019 Memorial Day Remembrances and Procession will take place on Monday, May 27starting at 9:00 am in front of the Music Hall at 164 Front Street. In the event of rain, the event will be relocated to the Multipurpose Room of Sippican Elementary School. 

            The 2019 procession and remembrances will follow same route as last year, stepping off from the Music Hall northbound on Front Street, marching 0.6 miles up Front Street to the Veterans’ Memorial at Old Landing. Upon arrival at the Veterans’ Memorial the town will pay tribute to our military’s “honored dead” who “gave the last full measure of devotion”. 

            The procession and remembrances will feature the Sippican School Marching Band led by director Hannah Moore, The Portuguese American Band and a military veterans’ color guard. Our Guest Speaker is Professor James R. Holmes, Ph.D. of the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. The master of ceremonies for the event will be Captain Andrew Bonney of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. We encourage residents to join us for the remembrances as well along the procession route on Front Street between Cottage Street and Ryder Lane.

FinCom Resumes Article Recommendations

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            On April 24 during the Marion Finance Committee’s first television performance, the committee continued its Town Meeting Warrant article recommendations, beginning where they left off: Article 23 to appropriate $30,000 to replace the tank on the Fire Department’s brush breaker, which it voted to recommend.

            Article 26 would appropriate $582,090 to buy a new front-loading rubbish packer and rollout trash and recycling carts, should voters prefer keeping their trash collection provided by the Town as opposed to outsourcing to a trash collector. The committee took no action, still, because the amount for outsourcing curbside trash collection was not yet known, so no recommendation was made on Article 25, either. But the committee discussed the matter with soon-to-be Town Administrator Jay McGrail and Selectman John Waterman.

            The Town will put the amount $470,000 on Article 25 as a placeholder, only because, with the bids not due until that following Friday, that dollar amount on the warrant better be big enough to cover the cost, since sums can be reduced, but never increased, on the Town Meeting floor.

            The Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee hope to know by May 9 which article they will recommend ahead of Town Meeting on May 13.

            Also during the meeting, the committee couldn’t make any recommendation on Article 34, either, since no figure was yet available. The article would transfer an as yet unknown sum of free cash to the Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund.

            “It’s gonna have to be on the fly,” said FinCom member Alan Minard.

            After an explanation from the engineering firm Tata & Howard about Article 11, the Mill Street water main project to replace a six-inch water main with a 12-inch water main, the FinCom voted to recommend the $2.8 million appropriation.

            The committee did also recommend Article 17 to appropriate $105,000 for the engineering for the Point Road water main project to replace 6,300 linear feet of 12-inch pipe.

            The Annual Town Meeting is on Monday, May 13, at 6:45 pm at Sippican School.

            The next meeting of the Marion Finance Committee is tentatively scheduled for May 7 at 6:00 pm at the Atlantis Drive facility.

Marion Finance Committee

By Jean Perry

Eagle Scout Provides Arbor Day Donation

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            This year’s Arbor Day ceremony in Rochester was brought to the town courtesy of aspiring Eagle Scout Dominic Mattera, who for his Eagle Scout project planted two young magnolia trees at the entrance of the Dexter Lane ball field.

            Rochester’s Arbor Day representative Matt Monteiro assembled a small ceremony on Friday evening, April 26, to acknowledge Rochester Troop 31 ‘s Mattera and his contribution and to introduce the townspeople to some information about magnolia trees in general so they can appreciate Mattera’s gift that much more.

            There are 210 flowering species in the magnolia family, Monteiro said, with the earliest found in a fossil that dates back 95 million years. According to Monteiro, scientists say the first flower 140 million years ago looked much like the magnolias he stood before that day.

            “The magnolia flower meaning is attached with the symbols of nobility, perseverance, and love of nature,” said Monteiro. “Soft and subtle in color yet strong in appearance, the flower is representative of the beauty encompassing femininity and gentleness.”

            Monteiro said he has enjoyed acting as the town’s Arbor Day rep for the past few years, which included the dedication of the gingko biloba sapling from Hiroshima donated by former town administrator Mike McCue and planted at the Dexter Lane ball field, and last year’s ceremony during which he introduced the dogwood tree.

            “I hope everyone will consider planting a tree, whether a magnolia or another type, to enjoy the many benefits trees can provide,” said Monteiro.

By Jean Perry

FoMCOA Yard Sale

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The friends of the Mattapoisett Council on Aging, will be having a yard sale on Saturday, May 18, at the COA on Barstow Street from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Rain date is May 19. No furniture or electronics.

South Coast Children’s Chorus Spring Performance

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On Saturday, May 11, the South Coast Children’s Chorus (SCCC) will be performing at the First Congregational Church in Marion. Join this dynamic group as we wrap up our 2018-2019 season. The concert will include both the preparatory chorus (Grades 1-3), as well as the advanced chorus (Grades 3-12.) The cost of attending this performance is $10 for adults and $7 for students. Children under 5 are free.

            For more information contact: SCCCsings@gmail.com, visit our website at www.singsouthcoast.org, or visit us on Facebook: southcoastchildrenschorus

Elizabeth Taber Library Bridge Tournament

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The Elizabeth Taber Library is getting ready for its third semi-annual Bridge Tournament in August. Proceeds from the tournament will directly benefit the library and will help enhance programs and services for all patrons. For more information please contact Elizabeth Sherry at the library at 508-748-1252 or email esherry@sailsinc.org.

Molly Lankowski Scores Goal No. 100

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            Old Colony girls lacrosse took Upper Cape to task in Monday’s 16-1 blowout, but that wasn’t the Cougars’ biggest victory of the day. Junior Molly Lankowskireached the 100 career goals mark in the victory, only needing three seasons to achieve the milestone.

            “That was exciting,” Old Colony coach Kerstin Lindrooth said. “She was really excited. She knew it was coming. She only needed two.”

            Lankowski needed two goals: she scored three. Furthermore, she spread the wealth in the big win, finishing with five assists. It came as no surprise to Lindrooth, who is quick to describe Lankowski as an unselfish player.

            Savanna Halleled the Cougars in the win over Upper Cape, burying six goals to go with three assists.Raquel Rodrigueshad a strong showing, as well. She scored four goals for the Cougars against the Rams.

            Old Colony (7-1, 6-0 Mayflower Small Vocational) hits the road for their next two matchups. The Cougars play Dighton-Rehoboth on Monday at 4:00 pm, and then face Sacred Heart on Wednesday at 4:00 pm.

            Old Colony baseball’s ace pitcher Jacob Wordenhad himself a game he’ll never forget in the Cougars 16-0 win over Upper Cape on Monday. The righty went the distance and struck out nine. But Worden didn’t simply have a complete game shutout. He threw a perfect game.

            “He threw a gem,” Old Colony baseball coach Craig Lincoln said.

            Worden’s ERA now sits at 1.59 through four starts. He has 28 strikeouts over 22 innings and has only walked eight. Opponents are hitting a bleak .162 against him.

            But Worden wasn’t the only Cougar to bring his A-game against the Rams. Old Colony’s offense erupted for 17 hits.

            Ryan McGuigganand Chris Hedlundled the hit parade with three hits apiece. Matt Bumpusknocked in two runs and had two hits. Reese Vandallaced a double and legged out a triple in his three-RBI performance. Nick Hedlundalso had two hits and knocked in three runs.

            Bumpus leads the Cougars with a .567 average, 1.561 OPS, and 11 RBI through eight games. He also has the most hits (17) and triples (four) for Old Colony. McGuiggan bumped his average up to .444 and Worden leads the Cougars with six doubles.

            Old Colony softball continues to produce offensively, but cannot get their defensive game together, losing 18-11 to Upper Cape on Monday.

            “I think they’re so confident at the plate and the lack of confidence in the field is pretty evident,” Old Colony softball coach Brandon Mendez said. “Keeping that confidence at the play and moving past the lack of confidence in the defense and trying to bring those together will be huge. I think the confidence is the key.”

            Hannah H’Leureuxwent 3-for-3 in the loss to bring her average to .750. She also leads Old Colony with two home runs and triples, and is tied for the team lead in doubles (three) with Taylor Haskell.Lauren Patnaudeknocked in four runs despite going 1-for-1. She now leads the Cougars with 18 RBI.

Old Rochester Regional

            Old Rochester Regional baseball continued its strong season on Monday with a 5-4 win over longtime South Coast Conference rival Dighton-Rehoboth.

            Nate Kvilhaugearned his second win of the season in as many starts. He managed to scatter nine hits over 5 2/3 in large part because he only walked one Falcon.

            “He was challenging hitters and had good control,” ORR coach Steve Carvalho said.

            Adam Breaultdoubled in his 2-for-4. Jack Meehan,John Farrell, and Thomas Couccieach knocked in one run for the Bulldogs.

High School Sports Update

By Nick Friar