The Brockton Public Schools Administrative Internship Program is a training ground for the administrators of tomorrow. Founded more than 35 years ago, the program has a proven track record of preparing teachers for leadership positions within the district.

“The Internship Program is an important part of our BPS Human Capital plan, in that we identify, recruit, train and retain qualified individuals with the vision and skill to carry us forward,” said Superintendent of Schools Matthew H. Malone, Ph.D. “No one understands our children and our unique challenges better than the teachers in the field; and we believe that the best leaders from tomorrow come from the ranks of our teachers today.”

Overseen by Dr. Kathleen Moran, Executive Director of Human Resources and Elizabeth Barry, Executive Director of Learning & Teaching K-8, the BPS Internship Program pairs interns with district administrators and principals, giving them a valuable day-to-day look at the functions of individual departments and schools. This year, seven highly-qualified people were chosen from a field of more than 30 applicants and placed in high-level administrative positions.

“The internship program gives aspiring administrators an opportunity to see firsthand the work that school and district administrators oversee each day,” Dr. Moran said. “It also provides participants with a mentor – both at the school and district level – who can help them determine how best their skills can be used in the Brockton Public Schools. It is a tremendous learning experience for the interns and often turns out to be an important stepping stone in their administrative careers.”

Kelly Cooper

Kelly Cooper has been employed as a 7th and 8th grade Reading teacher at West Middle School for the past 12 years. She has worked on the district’s ELA Curriculum Steering Committee for the past four years and has mentored a number of new teachers throughout her career. Ms. Cooper has served as a literacy coach for teachers in other content areas has conducted several reading workshops for the Bilingual Education Department. She holds a Master’s in Education from Fitchburg State College and a Master’s in Reading from Salem State College. Ms. Cooper will be working with South Middle School Principal Kevin Karo and Elizabeth Barry, Executive Director of Learning and Teaching K-8.

Kevin DaPonte

Kevin DaPonte has been teaching for 11 years, the last eight as a Social Science teacher at Brockton High School. A Suffolk University graduate, he holds Master’s in Education from UMass Dartmouth and will receive a Certificate of Graduate Studies from American International College in June 2012. Mr. DaPonte will serve his internship under West Middle School Principal Clifford Murray and Michael Thomas, Executive Director of Operations.

Scott Pearsons

Scott Pearsons’ has worked as a school adjustment counselor at the Edgar B. Davis K-8 School for the past eight years; prior to that, he spent seven years counseling students at Barnstable High School. He received a bachelor’s degree from UMass Dartmouth and earned a Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Salem State College. He will work under the direction of Dr. Salvatore Terrasi, Executive Director of Pupil Personnel Services, and North Middle School Principal Sean Ahern.

Christine Pugliese

Christine Pugliese began her career in the Brockton Public Schools as a long-term substitute at the Kennedy School. From 2001 to 2003, she served as a Monitor Teacher Assistant at the Downey School, before becoming a Grade 5 Teacher at the Huntington School. In 2009, she was named the Instructional Resource Specialist for East Middle School, working with teachers on lesson planning, curriculum development and strategies, and assisting in the school’s Redesign Plan. Ms. Pugliese earned a bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Early Childhood Education from Wheaton College, and a Masters in Elementary Education from Bridgewater State College. In May, she will receive a Certificate of Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Fitchburg State University. During her internship, Ms. Pugliese will be working with Heather Ronan, Coordinator of Mathematics and Science, PreK-5 and with Angelo School Principal Ryan Powers.

Shaina Squires

Shaina Squires was a teacher in Michigan and the United Kingdom before joining the Brockton Public Schools in 2006 as a teacher of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Biology at Brockton High School. In 2011, she was named one of the district’s first elementary/middle school science specialists, assisting teachers in the implementation of the Discovery Science TechBook. Ms Squires has a Masters in Education, holds certification in Biology and General Science and has recently completed her Certificate of Graduate Studies in school administration. She has been assigned to Mary E. Baker School Principal Donna Haymes and Michael Thomas, Executive Director of Operations

Fernanda Vera-Cruz

Fernanda Vera-Cruz joined the Brockton Public Schools in 1996 as an elementary school Bilingual teacher. In 2006, she became a districtwide English Language Coach, working intensely with SEI and ESL teachers to develop strategies and skills to meet the literacy and oral language development needs of English language learners. She also leads professional development workshops, providing training to other teachers districtwide. Ms. Vera-Cruz holds a bachelor’s of science from Southeastern Massachusetts University, Master’s in applied linguistics from UMass Boston, and a certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Administration. She is also certified as a Principal/Assistant Principal (PreK-6). During her internship, Ms. Vera-Cruz is assigned to work with Downey School Principal Diane Gosselin and Dr. Kathleen Moran, Executive Director of Human Resources.

Eric Wescott

Eric Westcott has been employed by the Brockton Public Schools for nine year, and currently serves as West Middle School Special Education teacher, where he teaches students on the autism spectrum and those who have emotional impairments. He holds a bachelor of science from Bridgewater State College and a Master of education from Fitchburg State College. He will be working with Kennedy School Principal Brian Rogan and Dr. Salvatore Terrasi, Executive Director of Pupil Personnel Services.

The “Kennedy Kids” returned from school vacation April 23^rd to find a newly-installed brightly-colored play structure in front of the John F. Kennedy Elementary School on Ash Street, thanks to the hard work and determination of students, staff and parents who made a long-held dream into a reality. The playground is the first new play equipment the school has seen since it opened in 1965.

The playground – which boasts three slides, two rock climbing walls, monkey bars and bouncing toad stools – was won in Miracle Playground Equipment’s first-ever online playground giveaway contest last fall.   Kennedy supporters from far and wide flooded Miracle’s Facebook balloting system, cheering a community-centered school that wanted nothing more than to give its children more opportunities to be active and at play.

“The Kennedy School Community is thrilled to have such a beautiful new playground through Miracle Recreation Equipment! We wish to thank all of the parents, alumni, friends and community members who took the time to help make this dream a reality,” said Principal Brian Rogan. “The Kennedy Kids are filled with anticipation of all the fun they will have on their own state-of-the-art playground!”

On April 13^th and 14^th, parents, administrators and community volunteers joined a trained crew in installing the structure on the school’s front lawn. The equipment, which is valued at $25,000, sits atop a rubber play surface that cost an additional $25,000, most of which was funded through donations of money, time and materials. Two coats of the safety surface will be poured tomorrow and Thursday, and the playground will be ready for play by the time school opens Monday, Rogan said.

“Our Kennedy kids cannot wait to take advantage of this great playground,” he said.

There are also plans for benches, picnic tables and plantings around the playground.

“It’s so exciting to have such a beautiful playground for our children to enjoy. Many, many people worked long and hard to make this happen,” Giannaros said. “Brockton has a big heart, and we are so thankful for all of the parents and volunteers and business partners who stepped forward to give their time, money and materials. Many of our biggest supporters don’t even have children in this school, but are people who care about making Brockton a great place for kids to grow up.”

Giannaros gave a special thank you to PAC President Lisa Sheehan and Playground Committee members who worked tirelessly to ensure that every detail was taken care of. Thanks are also in order for Mike DeChristopher of H&D Landscape (who donated an enormous amount of time energy to clearing the land and digging the post holes), Mark Roukos of New Heights Realty (who handled all of the clean-up after the project was complete), Ed O’Keefe and the BPS Facilities and Custodial Crews, J. Derenzo Company, Home Depot, Neube Rateau and Brockton Community Access, Cumberland Farms and Shaw’s Supermarkets.

The families of two very special Kennedy School teachers also donated in their memories: Mary (Balzotti) Valente and Timothy Delaney will always have a special place in the hearts of all Kennedy kids.

The playground will not only provide an outlet for children’s play and creativity, but will build upon the Kennedy School’s award-winning wellness program. In October, the Kennedy School won a 2011Massachusetts School Wellness Award from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for its efforts to promote health and wellness school-wide.

The Kennedy School is the district’s flagship elementary school in its comprehensive focus on wellness, working continuously to increase nutrition and fitness components throughout the day. Some of the school’s recent initiatives include switching recess to before lunch, so that students get their activity and then sit down to eat and digest; having healthy celebrations and snacks; organizing recess games and activities to increase movement; and adopting the Walk on Wednesday program.

Hancock School 4^th graders learned to fly – kites, that is – on April 5^th. The students and many of their parents gathered in the school’s gymnasium for a lesson on wind, weather and trajectory taught by the Seaside Kites. Then they got a chance to decorate and construct their own kites, before taking them out for a spin in the spring air.

“The joy and pride our students took in their creations was evident as they flew over the Hancock School playground,” said Principal Márcia Andrade Serpa. “They were limited only by their imagination!”

The Hull-based Seaside Kites gave a 90-minute lesson to the 4^th graders and their parents, incorporating science, flight, sport and creativity. The students then let their imaginations run wild, decorating the previously-unadorned kites with crayons, markers and wonderful ideas. And then they took their creations outside, let the strings out and flew their kites under a brilliant blue sky.

Brockton High School will soon be home to a statue of boxing great Rocky Marciano, a hometown hero who is the only undefeated heavyweight in history. On March 31^st, members of the Marciano family, boxing greats and city and school leaders broke ground on Champions Park, a piece of land adjacent to BHS’s Marciano Stadium, where a 20-foot statue to the Brockton Blockbuster will be unveiled in the fall.

The statue, which is being crafted by renowned sculptors Mario Rendon and Víctor Gutiérrez. Mario Rendon and Víctor Gutiérrez.Mario Rendon and Victor Guiterrez, was commissioned by the World Boxing Council. Members of the Rocky Marciano Statue Committee, which is overseeing the installation locally, hope to unveil the figure around the fighter’s birthday on September 1^st, said Statue Committee Chair Larry Siskind.

Officials are working on the creation of “Champions Park,” a landscaped area that will surround the statue and provide access to the public. A plaque for Allie Colombo, Marciano’s longtime trainer, is included in the design, in addition to a walkway studded with flowering shrubs.

“It’s going to be beautiful. It will be fitting of a champion,” Siskind said.

Ashfield Middle School Teacher Peter Cyzmbor was surprised to learn Wednesday that he has been selected as one of 50 Horace Mann-Abraham Lincoln Fellows this year. The Social Studies and English Language Arts teacher has been awarded a fellowship to study the 16^th president Great Emancipator during an all-expenses-paid five-day symposium in Springfield, Ill.

“Lincoln is a big part of my classroom. I’m very grateful to have been selected. I’m just shocked,” said Cyzmbor, of Brockton. “I’m looking forward to taking whatever I learn and bringing it back to Brockton.”

The announcement was made March 21^st during a school staff meeting. Czymbor seemed stunned, and said he expected another teacher was being honored.

“Peter is a wonderful teacher who works very hard to connect with each student. It’s nice to see him rewarded for his hard work and dedication,” said Ashfield Middle School Principal Barbara Lovell.

Cyzmbor, who works as a professional juggler in his spare time, submitted an essay and photo to the Horace Mann company last July and learned this week of the honor. He said he uses examples from Lincoln’s presidency to demonstrate to students how important it is to stay focused.

“When a teacher loves something, the kids genuinely respond to that enthusiasm. I use Lincoln as an example, a role model, of how hard work and honesty can pay off,” he said.

Lincoln fellows will get behind-the-scenes knowledge of the library and museum and enjoy visits to other historical sites -- New Salem, Lincoln's home, Lincoln's tomb, and the Old State Capitol. Fellows will also hear from experts on Lincoln's life and the Civil War era. Past topics have included a look at Lincoln the lawyer, Lincoln as president, political cartoons in the classroom, Civil War medical practices, and "Ghosts of the Library."

Don McGrath, who represents Horace Mann in Brockton, said he was pleased that a local teacher was selected for the honor.

Horace Mann (Horace Mann Educators Corp. (NYSE: HMN) is the largest national multiline insurance company focusing on educators' financial needs. Horace Mann provides auto and homeowners insurance, retirement annuities, life insurance and other financial solutions. “Founded by Educators for Educators” in 1945, the company is headquartered in Springfield, Ill. For more information about the company, visit www.horacemann.com.

Ashfield Middle School students and staff have made community service a way of life this year, committing themselves to performing 10,000 hours of service. So far, they’ve logged more than 3,000 hours and are well on their way to meeting their goal. Along the way, they’ve made a lasting impact, helping elderly neighbors with yard work, raising funds for families whose homes have burned down, and even reopening the school’s library – all because they wanted to show their community that Ashfield Middle School cares.

Principal Barbara Lovell took part in a 1 million community service hours initiative for Emmanuel College, her alma mater, and was inspired to bring the project to the 520-student school as a way of teaching her students the value of giving back. It also shows young people how their efforts can and do make a difference, she said.

“I knew we had a lot of students who were giving back to the community and I wanted them to see that you don’t need a lot of money to help, you can donate time and have a big impact,” Lovell said. “The school is part of the community, and we need to give back to the city that does so much for us. This was a visible way for kids to give back.”

The front lobby of the Coe Road school is a testament to how students have embraced the project: the walls are papered with volunteer receipts, documenting the type of work and how many hours students performed. There is notice of leaf raking, of babysitting young cousins and coaching youth basketball teams; students are noted for giving their time to sell tickets to a school dance or running a bake sale for an Ashfield family whose house burned. One student is celebrated for donating 15 hours picking up trash around the school and the neighborhood, while another student gave time helping out at his church.

“We have students who have benefitted from other people’s giving – we have Haitian students who survived the earthquake, kids who have been homeless or victims of domestic violence – and it’s nice that we can empower them and show them that they can make a positive difference for other people,” Lovell said. “It’s an important lesson for them to learn.”

The teachers and staff are also leading by example, Lovell said. Teachers Nancy Williams and Cynthia Daly have led the effort, helping students identify needs and find ways to fill them.

“Children learn not just by instruction, but by observation, and a critical piece of this community service learning effort is for the students to see how much time and energy the faculty and staff give during their free time,” Lovell said. “We all believe strongly in helping others, and Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Daly have given their time to really empower the students, to show them that when they see a problem, they can work creatively to solve it for the benefit of all.”

In January, the students operated a “Penny War” – which pitted the 6th, 7th and 8th grades against one another in a race to collect the most change. The students raised $800 and donated it to a Brockton family whose house had burned down. Then in March, a 6th grader and her family lost their house in a blaze and her classmates stepped up to the plate again, raising $850 through a Hat Day and a bake sale.

“We have a lot of big hearted kids and staff,” Lovell said.

The last period of the day at Ashfield Middle School is an elective block, when students can learn about things that interest them – nature, journalism, music, even juggling. Many students utilize the elective block time to create and undertake community service projects. All students take part – those in regular education, bilingual education and special education – and all are equally invested in making Brockton a better place.

In March, members of the Ashfield News and Student Government electives decided they wanted to reinvigorate the school’s library. They catalogued and shelved hundreds of books that had been donated to the school from other school buildings (because the Ashfield was converted to a middle school from an elementary school in 2009, it didn’t have its own stock of middle school library books). The students also organized and staffed a book fair with an outside vendor, selling new books and accessories during parent-teacher conferences. Proceeds from the sale were used to purchase new volumes, which the students chose themselves. Now, they are staffing the circulation desk during the elective block so that the Ashfield Middle School will have a functioning lending library for students to use.

Sixth grader Mary Sanon and eighth grader Brennen Rand are proud of their work to launch the school library, and gratified to see how their work – and the volunteerism of other students – is helping to change the perception of Brockton youth.

“I think it’s a good thing, because we have to help our community – we have to join hands and stand up and make it better,” said Mary. “The more you do, the better the city can be and we want (Ashfield Middle School) to be known for a being a good place where kids care.”

“We want to set a good example for other schools and other kids to follow,” said Brennen. “We want to make people outside Brockton know that it’s a good place, where people care about each other.”

South Middle School’s administrators and staff believe so strongly in the importance of community service that its part of the curriculum. Students perform hundreds of hours of service each year, helping neighbors, supporting community events and rolling up their sleeves to pitch in across the city. It’s a good thing that the staff not only supports, but takes part in, too.

On March 13th, South staffers adopted six homeless families and went shopping to meet their stated needs – buying sheets and towels for families newly installed in apartments, purchasing diapers and cleaning supplies for those living in hotels and getting donations of clothes, bus passes and other necessities for homeless families living in shelters in the city.

“If we expect the kids to give back, we need to set an example,” said 7th Grade English Teacher Beth Keane. “It’s important.”

When South first transitioned from a junior high to a middle school model, Principal Kevin Karo and Associate Principal Christina Olansen-Rilli worked hard to build a cohesive staff. They grouped teachers from different grades and content areas in teams to take part in citywide scavenger hunts, activities that got staffers out and about throughout the district and helped build a common cause among those who might not otherwise know or interact with one another. Each year, the administration dedicates two of its eight in-service half-days to team building efforts, and this was the first that was targeted toward helping the homeless in the city.

Sue Seigel, the district’s parent liaison to homeless families, said the number of homeless families in Brockton has spiked with the recession. Seigel worked with Karo and Olansen-Rilli on the project, identifying six families with children (none of whom attend South Middle School) who were in need of help. Two families are currently living in hotels, two are in homeless shelters and two have just transitioned to their own apartments.

“These families know the teachers are helping them, and they have expressed an outpouring of appreciation,” Seigel said. “The effort you make today can change a life.”

Science Teacher Michael Robinson addressed his colleagues in an impromptu speech in the cafeteria after all of the teams returned with their items. Raised in Boston, Robinson recalled how this type of effort aided him and his family when they were homeless.

“In 1990, that was me. We lived on the street – pretty much all of our possessions we carried in Hefty trash bags … when we moved into our place, we had nothing. But organizations, families, people like you helped us get beds, sheets, food, even. And it changed my life and how I looked at life,” he said. The March 13th activity “brought me back to why I do what I do. You see where (homeless families) are and what they can become.”

As they set out at noon on March 13th, the teachers were grouped in six teams – each dedicated to filling the wish list of one of the families Seigel identified. Many donated items from their own homes and bought items themselves. Some collected donations from family, friends and businesses. And the Student Council donated $300 they raised in a “Penny War” earlier in the year.

“This was important for a couple of reasons – it was a chance to work together for something we all believe in – helping people. This is what makes this place really special,” Karo said. “And it’s important for us to get out into the community and help out. As teachers, we solve a lot of problems for kids in the building, but we want to be a part of the city and that means helping people out in the community, too.”

Jayne Rodenbush is a 6th grade math teacher who transferred from the Kennedy Elementary School to South in 2006, accompanying the 6th grade class. She remembers the first scavenger hunt as a way to meet all of her new colleagues, and what a great bonding experience it was. This time, Rodenbush was paired with the school’s guidance counselor, Jennifer Guzikowski, English Teachers Keane (Gr. 7) and Kristyn Carroll (Gr. 8), Computer Math Lab Manager Peter Banis, Richard Starsiak – a health teacher, and Miguel Carlucci, who teaches Science. The team worked together to secure the supplies requested by a family of five – one parent and four children. They bought a microwave, sheets and comforters, diapers, BAT bus passes and other supplies for the family.

“You feel good that you’re helping out, and you get a chance to get know each other – and we don’t always get a chance to really work together on a day-to-day basis,” she said.

Olansen- Rilli, the associate principal, thinks this type of activity benefits everyone – the teachers, the students and the community at large.

“Teaching can be a very isolating profession, because you come into your classroom, close the door and teach all day, and then you go home. At South, we work to create an environment where people want to come to work, because they believe in educating kids and because they want to work together to make this a better school,” she said.

The 2012-2013 BPS Calendar has one major change from years past: schools are closed on Election Day, November 6th. The School Committee voted unanimously at its March 6th meeting to adopt a calendar to shuttered schools during the President Election for traffic and safety reasons.

Thirteen Brockton Public Schools are utilized as polling places and the voting isn’t usually too much of a hassle. But during the Presidential Election – when voter turnout swells from 8-15% to more than 70% - it makes sense to close schools.

“Electing representation is the most important tenet of democracy as we know it. We understand that public buildings need to be used for public polling, and we want to help be part of this inalienable right,” said Superintendent of Schools Matthew H. Malone, Ph.D. “The School Committee was wise to make the presidential election a day off, because the members wanted to ensure that children and staff were not negatively impacted by the increased traffic flow and the high number of visitors to the buildings.”

Brockton Elections Commissioner John McGarry praised the School Committee for its wisdom.

“This will be a benefit to the schools and to the voters of Brockton,” McGarry said. “In a presidential election, there is always increased traffic, parking issues and the question of safety, as children walk to and from school and voters try to get in and out of polls. I think this is a wise idea – a presidential election can be very busy.”

The 2012-2013 calendar complies with state and federal education laws, calling for 180 school days. An additional five days are built into the calendar in case of snow cancellations. The first day of school will be Wednesday, September 5th and the last day will be June 21st, provided there are no cancellations. To offset the Election Day closure, schools will be open for a half-day November 21st, the day before Thanksgiving.

View the 2012-2013 BPS Calendar

January 19, 2012

Independence Academy, Southeastern Massachusetts’ first school for students in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse, held its grand opening January 19th. Operated by the North River Collaborative, the school provides a safe and supportive learning environment for students overcoming addiction.

“The school fills a need for families and communities struggling to meet the needs of students in recovery,” said Joanne Haley Sullivan, Executive Director of the North River Collaborative. “Schools have found that when students return to their high schools after substance abuse treatment, they often find themselves back in their peer groups where their ability to maintain their sobriety is compromised. Independence Academy will help overcome that by bringing students together with peers that are all committed to the same goal of sobriety, and in an environment that is supporting their education.”

The Grand Opening caps nearly two years of work by parents, school leaders, legislators and community partners who dedicated themselves to creating a school where students in recovery could continue their education away from the pressures of typical school settings. Each student who enrolls in the school must be at least 30 days sober and demonstrate a commitment to staying sober while pursuing a high school diploma.

In 2007, The Enterprise of Brockton published the first of its Wasted Youth series, chronicling the rise in drug addiction among youth in the region. The focus of the series was heroin use, but the paper and a strong cadre of parents of children with substance abuse issues began advocating for a South Shore recovery high school to help meet the needs of those students. Chief among the supporters was Ward 5 School Committee Member Bill Carpenter, who has advocated strongly for more services for students working to overcome addiction.

“Whether the kids live in a triple decker in Brockton or on beachfront property in Scituate, addiction is truly an urban-suburban problem. The kids have the same needs, and they are all welcome here,” Carpenter said. “This is going to be such a special school … (it’s) about caring and compassion and recovery and hope. And a second chance.”

Operated by the North River Collaborative and supported by sending school districts from across the South Shore, the school has adopted a rigorous course of study that follows the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Students must also pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment (MCAS) test to graduate.

“Independence Academy will provide a vital service for adolescents who are overcoming their addictions by allowing them to continue their education in a supportive environment,” said Brockton Public Schools Superintendent Matthew H. Malone, Ph.D. “The school is the result of the dedication of a coalition of school leaders, service providers, legislators and parents – from urban and suburban communities across Southeastern Massachusetts – who recognized the need for this program and fought to give students in a recovery a school where they could succeed.”

Modeled on similar programs in Boston, Beverly and Springfield, Independence Academy provides an academic opportunity for students in this region of the state to continue their education closer to home and near their familial and community support networks. The school, which is located at 500 Belmont Street in Brockton, will serve 30-50 students at a time. The school is funded with $500,000 per year in Massachusetts Department of Public Health grants and with tuitions from the students’ school districts.

The school was opened thanks to a partnership between North River Collaborative, a coalition of local school districts, parents, community partners and legislative leaders who committed to helping adolescents struggling to overcome addiction. The school, which is led by Program Director Richard Melillo, provides academic and substance abuse counseling services and in-school and distance learning opportunities.

The school’s Grand Opening drew dignitaries from across the state, including Lt. Governor Timothy Murray, US Rep. Stephen Lynch, Mayor Linda Balzotti of Brockton and Mayor Susan Kay of Weymouth, state Senators John Keenan of Quincy and Thomas Kennedy of Brockton, and a host of local school superintendents, state representatives and town and city councilors and school committee members. Local service providers from Massasoit Community College, the Old Colony YMCA, Brockton Area Workforce Investment Board, High Point Treatment Center, Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center and Signature Healthcare-Brockton Hospital, among others, were in attendance, along with leaders from the state’s other recovery high schools and members of the Department of Public Health. Speakers included Haley Sullivan, Lt. Gov. Murray, Rep. Lynch, Mayor Balzotti, Sen. Keenan, former Senator Steven Tolman of Brighton, and Brockton School Committee Member Bill Carpenter of Ward 5.

Christopher Watkins was getting ready to leave for the Army recruiter’s office to enlist one Saturday this fall, when a letter arrived in his mailbox and changed the course of his life. Watkins, a Brockton High School senior, received word he had earned a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, a merit-based scholarship that provides free tuition to any state college or university.

“It made a difference in my whole entire life. Without this, I wouldn’t be able to go to college,” Christopher said.

Christopher Watkins is among 264 Brockton High School seniors who earned the Adams scholarship this year, the largest group at any high school since the Commonwealth of Massachusetts instituted the program in 2004. The Adams Scholarship program provides free tuition to state colleges and universities to Massachusetts high school seniors who have tested among the top 25 percent of their class on the MCAS exam.

On November 22nd, the Brockton High School Auditorium was packed with Adams Scholars, their parents and teachers, and members of the class of 2014, which will be taking the MCAS test in the spring.

Michael Watkins, Christopher’s father, was in the audience to see his son walk across the stage to receive his scholarship. He said he was proud of his son, and was looking forward to meeting with state college and university recruiters, who were on hand in the lobby to provide materials and applications to students.

“When I opened the letter, I thought it was just another announcement from the school. It was a really exciting and proud moment,” he said. “This is based on his merit, his hard work and determination, and it has given him so many more opportunities.”

During the 90-minute assembly, the students were congratulated by Mayor Linda M. Balzotti, a Brockton High School graduate, Superintendent of Schools Matthew H. Malone, Ph.D., and by keynote speaker Dr. Dana Mohler-Faria, president of Bridgewater State University.

“You are the best of the best … you will do great things,” Mohler-Faria said. “Do not ever let anyone tell you you cannot achieve something.”

BHS Principal Dr. Susan Szachowicz opened the program by pointing out how Brockton High School and its students have consistently defied demographics and earned accolades for academic distinction: the school has twice been named one of the best high schools in America by US News & World Report; has been named a Model School by the International Center for Leadership in Education for the past eight years; won the National School Change Award in 2006 from the American Association of School Administration, Fordham University Graduation School of Education and Pearson Education; and last year was spotlighted on the front page of The New York Times for its success.

During the assembly, Dr. Szachowicz shared her own story – of a Brockton student who worked hard in high school and went to Bridgewater State College, where she applied herself in class and worked extra jobs to pay the tuition. Szachowicz, who went on to earn a Master’s in Education from Bridgewater and a doctorate from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, encouraged the students to make use of the scholarship.

“The state college and university system in Massachusetts is one of the best in the nation and it’s a bargain,” Szachowicz said. “It’s not about where you went to college; it’s about what you make of that education.”

BHS Guidance Counselor Teresa Mascarenhas said the cost of college can be overwhelming for many families, even with loans. The Adams Scholarship translates to a roughly $10,000 savings over a four-year college career.

“Every little bit helps. The cost of higher education is very high, and whatever students can get diminished from their bill can be a big, big help,” Mascarenhas said. “I believe that for many families, the Adams Scholarship can make the difference.”

For Rose Aris, the scholarship is a dream come true. Rose plans to become a pediatrician, and hopes to attend UMass Boston or UMass Dartmouth next year as a pre-med student. She said the scholarship was a huge motivator.

“I am so happy! I wanted to get it and worked very, very hard and I achieved my goal. This is going to be a lot of help for me,” she said. The scholarship program “gives you hope that when you work hard, you get rewarded and people notice.”

Christopher Watkins is now preparing his applications to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Fitchburg State College and Bridgewater State University. He plans to study business management and graphic design, thanks to the Adams Scholarship program.

“I’m very proud of this accomplishment. I’m so excited to go to college,” he said.

2011 Brockton High School John & Abigail Adams Scholars list

MARCIANO STADIUM REFURBISHMENT RECOGNITION

The City of Champions will celebrate students and community this Friday with a Marciano Stadium Refurbishment Recognition ceremony beginning at 6:15 p.m.

Members of Boxer nation are invited to an opening reception at 6:15 p.m. at Marciano Stadium, where they can enjoy refreshments, music and see the recently refurbished stadium, which underwent $1.2 million in improvements, including:

• New artificial turf
• A new track, which will allow BHS to host its first track meet in four years
• Lighting & fencing upgrades
• New goal posts and soccer goals
• Freshly painted Field House, Concession Stands and Ticket Booths
• Security cameras
• Sealcoating throughout.

Mayor Linda Balzotti, Superintendent Matthew Malone and BHS Principal Dr. Susan Szachowicz will cut the ribbon on the new field before the 7 p.m. coin toss. The games pits the Boxers against the Hilltoppers of Durfee High School on the new Armond Colombo Field.

At half-time, Maestro Vincent Macrina and the BHS Marching Band will debut their new uniforms – the first in 20 years – and a new “Rocky”-themed halftime show.

The Marciano Stadium Refurbishment Project was funded with local monies committed by the City Council and approved by the School Committee. The stadium, which is often the first place visitors see when they come to Brockton, is a world-class facility, said Superintendent of Schools Matthew H. Malone, Ph.D.

“The stadium is the first impression we make on many out-of-towners – it is the venue we use to showcase the talents of our athletes, musicians and performers,” Malone said. “Our city leaders have shown that they believe in our students and are willing to support them in their academic, athletic and artistic endeavors.”

Brockton Public Schools PreK and Kindergarten teachers and students participated in Jumpstart's 5th annual Read for the Record campaign this fall, helping to break the Guinness World Record for the number of adults and children reading the same book on the same day.

On Thursday, October 7th, 1,519 Brockton PreK and Kindergarten students were among 2,057,513 students nationwide who read The Snowy Day, the Caldecott-winning story by Ezra Jack Keats.

"The Read for the Record event showcases the importance of reading to young children and its fun too!" said Dr. Julianne Andrade, Coordinator of Elementary Literacy K-5 and Social Studies K-8. "Reading to young children promotes vocabulary development, provides exposure to print, and fosters high order thinking. Reading researchers agree that the single most important activity for reading success is reading aloud to our young children. Most importantly, parents and adults who read to children are reinforcing the value of books and spending time together. "

The non-profit Pearson Foundation, which sponsors Jumpstart Read for the Record, is donating new copies of the 1963 story to every participating teacher in the Brockton Public Schools as part of the campaign. Pearson and Jumpstart, its early education arm, also provided literacy development activities.

October 7th was an exciting day at Gilmore School Early Childhood Center, where more than 250 students took part in Read for the Record. Principal Helen Virga, Ed.D. said the day was a wonderful way to celebrate reading with students.

"Reading is a fundamental part of every child's educational development, and we are always looking for ways to show children how important reading is as a lifelong activity. When they see that adults love to read and make it part of their lives, they learn by example," Virga said. "We look forward to Read for the Record every year, the love of literacy is contagious."

Read for the Record was launched in 2006 as a means of promoting early literacy. Last year, the campaign shattered the world record when teachers, parents and caring adults read Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar to 2,019,752 children around the globe. Organizers hope this year will break that record, and plan to kick-off the daylong event on NBC's TODAY show with Matt Lauer and Meredith Viera.

In October 2010, Superintendent of Matthew H. Malone, Ph.D. presented a report, Strategy Development in the Brockton Public Schools, to the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.  The report outlines how Dr. Malone and a cross-functional team of stakeholders from across the Brockton Public Schools developed "R3: Realigning Resources for Results, A Five-Year Plan."

Brockton Public Schools parents will be able to manage their child's school lunch purchases online through a partnership with Mealpay Plus, an online prepayment system that offers parents a safe, easy and convenient way to prepay for students' school meals.

"We see this as a convenience for parents, and also a way for them to monitor their child's purchases and help them make healthy food choices," said Superintendent of Schools Matthew H. Malone, Ph.D.

Chartwells School Dining Services, the international school food corporation that operates Brockton Public Schools cafeterias, has been working to improve food choices, cafeteria operations and convenience since it became the district's food service vendor in 2006. Chartwells commitment to nutrition is evidenced through its exhaustive menu options, use of fresh and local produce, and its use of trained chefs and nutritionists that plan and execute the healthiest meals for our students.

Last year, Chartwells introduced a new point-of-sale system district-wide, whereby students use their ID numbers or ID cards to expedite meal service in the cafeterias.

"We are always looking for new ways to improve our meal choices, our service delivery and convenience for students and families," said Tom Burke, Chartwells Brockton District Manager. "We often hear from parents wondering why their child is spending a certain amount of money, now those parents can view their child's account and see how much their student is spending on meals versus ala carte items."

Parents can log onto the student's account any time at www.MealpayPlus.com and view what their child has purchased on a specific day. The software allows parents to view the balance at any time, as well as to check payment history. In addition, parents can choose to have email confirmations of payments and low balance reminders sent, and payments can be made quickly and easily using a credit card or check online or via telephone. Optional Wallet and Auto-Replenish features enable parents to set a low balance amount that will automatically replenish the account when it drops to a specified balance, if they choose.

For additional information about MealpayPlus, please visit www.MealpayPlus.com.

Chartwells, a division of Charlotte, NC-based Compass Group, provides dining services to more than 500 public school districts and private schools, comprising over 4,000 separate elementary, middle and high schools nationwide. For more information about Chartwells School Dining Services, visit www.eatlearnlive.com. Based in Charlotte NC, Compass Group North America is the leading foodservice and support services company with more than $9 billion in revenues in 2008. With 388,000 associates worldwide, its parent company, UK-based Compass Group PLC had revenues of ₤11 billion in the year to September 30, 2008. For more information about Compass Group, visit www.cgnad.com.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/education/28school.html

Brockton High School is being heralded as a model of public school success in a Page 1 feature in the New York Times. The September 27, 2010 story outlines how Principal Dr. Susan Szachowicz and the faculty and staff of New England’s largest high school radically changed the school’s culture and turned it into one of the nation’s top performing high schools.

“Ours is a story that proves that with determination, hard work and a focus on literacy, all students can and will achieve at high levels,” Szachowicz said. “I am so proud of our students for how they have defied the demographics, of our faculty who teach with great skill and passion, and of our administrative leadership team for their commitment to excellence. Our success has truly been a team effort!”

The story follows a recently-published Harvard University research report, “How High Schools Become Exemplary,” by Ronald F. Ferguson. In that report, Ferguson, an economist, identifies BHS as the counterpoint to arguments that large high schools, particularly those in low income and minority communities, cannot compete with wealthier suburban communities. BHS was one of 15 public high schools in the country that were featured at the 5th annual Conference of the Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard, and BHS students are featured in a photo on the cover.

“Brockton High School is the flagship of our school system, and it has proven to the critics that public schools are providing the highest quality education available,” said Superintendent of Schools Matthew H. Malone, Ph.D. “Our students have shown impressive academic performance, and that is because Brockton is a community that values education. Brockton students – from PreK through adulthood – benefit from an experienced, dedicated and professional faculty and staff who are always looking for new and better ways to motivate students to help them succeed.”

Mayor Linda M. Balzotti, a Brockton High School graduate who chairs the School Committee, praised students and staff alike for their tremendous success.

“The success we are seeing in our schools didn’t happen overnight; it has taken years of hard work. Our parents, faculty and staff, our city leaders and our business community have all committed to supporting our schools, and our children are demonstrating that they can compete on a national stage,” Balzotti said.

The largest high school in New England with more than 4,400 students, Brockton High School is known nationally as a leader in urban education. The International Center for Leadership in Education, which each year recognizes 30 schools nationally that have met or exceeded the demands of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, has named BHS a Model School for seven straight years. US News & World Report has twice identified BHS as one of America’s Best High Schools (2007 and 2009) and last year, 252 seniors scored in the top 25 percent of the district on the MCAS and were awarded John and Abigail Adams Scholarships, which provide free tuition to in-state colleges and universities.

Brockton High School is the state’s largest high school with 4,400 students, and it is also one of the most diverse schools – 70 percent of students are classified as low income, and more than a third speak a language other than English at home. What sets it apart is high expectations and a keen academic focus, a strong sense of school spirit and community pride, and a tradition of excellence in academics, arts and athletics.

The Brockton Public Schools website provides up-to-the-minute information about academics, enrichment and athletic programs throughout the school and calendar year. Since its redesign in September 2007, www.brocktonpublicschools.com  has continued to grow and evolve in an effort to serve the needs of students, staff, parents and community members.

“The BPS website is an incredible resource: it provides information on academic programs, school-sponsored activities, upcoming meetings and enrichment programs,” said Superintendent of Schools Matthew H. Malone, Ph.D. “We are constantly updating and retooling our site to make it a better communication tool and we’re always looking to find areas to expound upon so that we can provide as much information as possible.”

Interested parties are invited to sign up for the site’s News and Calendar Feed options, which send updates directly to your inbox electronically. Simply click on the orange “Rss Feed” icon next to the News & Information and Calendar sections on the BPS homepage, and enter your contact information. The next time a new story or calendar event is posted, you’ll know immediately.

“Whatever vehicle you use to get your information – email, Google, Yahoo, Facebook – we can interface with and send you the latest news, including school cancellations and meeting dates,” said Webmaster Kathy Ettinger. “It’s a wonderful feature that we hope more and more people will take advantage of.”