Woburn Public Schools

Updating our Web Site

mdonovan — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:43:54 +0000

As we look forward to a new school year, we are in the process of updating our web site. Some of our users have made suggestions that will help make navigating the site easier. You'll also notice a better integration of our individual school and department web sites.

Over the next few days, many parts of our web site will not be accessible as we migrate content to our new site. Thank you for your patience during this transition period.

--Mark Donovan, Superintendent of Schools

Goodyear Construction Pictures

mdonovan — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:16:59 +0000

As the construction of the new Goodyear School moves forward, we'll provide you with some pictures so you can watch the progress of the construction of this beautiful new facility. Admittedly, it doesn't look like much now--but keep checking our web site for new pictures. I want to thank Gilbane, our construction management company, for providing me with these pictures and their descriptions. (Note: These pictures were taken on July 1st. More recent pictures will be posted soon.)

Footing/Foundation Walls

Wire Mesh, Vapor Barrier, Insulation

Have a Happy and Safe Summer!

mdonovan — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:03:37 +0000

It is hard to believe that we have completed another school year. I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to our talented and hard-working staff, our diligent and respectful students, and our supportive and dedicated parents. I'm very proud to be associated with the Woburn Public Schools. As I complete my first year as Superintendent, I very much appreciate the support and cooperation I have received.

Please continue to check our web site for information during the summer. Soon, we will be setting up a blog that will provide you with updates and pictures from the construction of the new Goodyear School, which will open in September, 2011.

I hope that everyone has a great summer.

Mark Donovan, Superintendent

S.T.A.G.E. Helps Elementary Students Learn How to go “Green”

mdonovan — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:01:51 +0000

One of our high school groups, Students Together for a Greener Earth (S.T.A.G.E), is helping our elementary students learn about saving the environment. Under the direction of WMHS teacher Mrs. Tessier du Cros, elementary students visited the high school and engaged in activities related to environmental awareness. Elementary students went on a tour of the high school to learn about its "green" features. S.T.A.G.E students served as tour guide as they led students on a scavenger hunt around the school. The tour was based on the three "R's"--reduce, reuse, recycle. Students learned how the use of natural lighting saves energy, they saw many examples of items from the old high school that were reused, and they were shown the impressive recycling setup in the school cafeteria.

I want to express my thanks to the S.T.A.G.E. members for providing our students with an enjoyable educational experience.

S.T.A.G.E. members Sarah O'Brien, Gemma Fuller, and Francesca Malvarosa explain to Clapp-Goodyear students how design features in the gym help to save energy

June District Newsletter Published

mdonovan — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:46:56 +0000

The June edition of our district newsletter is now available. If you would like to read the newsletter, please visit woburnpublicschools.com and click on the "READ OUR NEWSLETTER" link on the right side of our home page. If you are not already a subscriber to our newsletter, please sign up by entering your email address below the "READ OUR NEWSLETTER" link. After you become a subscriber, the newsletter will arrive automatically in your inbox.

Best Buddies at the Joyce Middle School

mdonovan — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:03:10 +0000

The Best Buddies program matches students with different needs together to provide friendship and support for each other. The Best Buddies group at the Joyce Middle School held its end-of-the year celebration today. Students, parents, and staff members were treated to a slide show of activities the Best Buddies had during the school year. The music that accompanied the slide show captured the spirit of the Best Buddies program. Selections included "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" and "That's What Friends are For." After the show, everyone enjoyed ice cream in the cafeteria. While there's been a great deal of talk about bullying lately, the students involved in this project set a shining example of treating everyone with dignity and respect.

New Proposed Common Core Standards in Math and ELA Released

mdonovan — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:02:13 +0000

From Dr. Gary Reese, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) recently posted the K-12 Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics on their website at www.doe.mass.edu/candi/commoncore/. These standards represent the work of a variety of groups at the national level in an effort to develop consistency and rigor in academic standards across the states and to ensure students are exiting high school prepared to enter either college or the work force. DESE is encouraging input from our school community, including faculty, parents, and students. Please take some time over the next few weeks to review these standards and comment on them in the brief survey that is available on the website listed above. This survey will be available until July 2, 2010 and examines your opinion of the level of rigor of the common core standards in comparison to our current state frameworks. The purpose of this survey is to collect responses to inform the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, which will vote on whether to adopt the Common Core Standards at a Board meeting in July.

WMHS Graduation Postponed until Monday at 6:00

mdonovan — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 13:08:12 +0000

Message from Woburn Memorial High School Joe Finigan:

Due to the predicted rain and thunderstorms, the graduation ceremony today has been postponed until Monday night at 6:00. Seniors should report to the gymnastics room at 4:30. Seniors should be dropped off at WMHS due to limited parking.

The All-Night Party will go on as planned at the Woburn Country Club tonight, Sunday.

Work Site Incident Near the Joyce Middle School

mdonovan — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:42:27 +0000

Below is a phone message sent from Mr. Qualey to all parents of students at the Joyce Middle School regarding a incident at a work site near the school:

"I'm calling to inform parents of incident at school today. At 10:00, construction crews on Locust street ruptured a gas line. As a precaution we evacuated the building. The police and fire departments responded. All students were safe and accounted for. Measurements of the gas levels were taken inside the school by the gas company and the school was declared safe for students to reenter the building after about 25 minutes outside. Please call the school with any questions."

I want to thank Mr. Qualey and the staff at the Joyce Middle School for their skillful handling of this situation.

--Mark Donovan, Superintendent

Our New Clapp-Goodyear School Principal: Mr. Christopher Heath

mdonovan — Wed, 12 May 2010 14:35:27 +0000

The Clapp-Goodyear School welcomes Mr. Christopher Heath as their new principal. Mr. Heath is currently a grade 5 teacher and assistant principal at an elementary school in Reading. He has served on many district-wide committees, and recently played a large role in developing a wide-ranging plan to improve his current school. He has been directly involved in working with parents on a number of projects around his school, and he has a reputation for being a tireless worker. During our visit to his school, we discovered the deep respect parents, staff members, and students have for Mr. Heath. His ability to connect to students and staff members was evident when he visited classrooms at the Clapp-Goodyear last week.

We welcome Mr. Heath to the Clapp-Goodyear School and to the Woburn Public Schools community.