SCHOOL COMMITTEE: Members welcome new Superintendent Dr. Sippel and receive ‘Back to School’ update

Malden Public Schools student population continues to grow; Supt. explains his participation in statewide induction plan

By Steve Freker

  The Malden Public Schools began a new school year two weeks ago, and according to the man who oversaw it, the MPS staff of over 700 strong and others around the community deserve a round of applause. That’s the message delivered at the first Malden School Committee meeting of the school year, held Monday night at Malden City Hall.

First-year Superintendent of Schools Dr. Timothy Sippel, who took over stewardship of the district on July 1, sat at the dais with the members of the Malden School Committee for the first time since he started and told them that this city’s more than 6,500 students are in good hands this school year. “On August 28th, the first day of school, that is when the magic really began,” Superintendent Sippel said. “It was the culmination of a lot of planning and commitment to making sure our students and staff were able to start the school year with everything they needed to be successful.”

Superintendent Sippel added, “I would like to thank our Mayor, Gary Christenson, Toni Mertz [MPS Business Manager], School Committee Vice Chair Jennifer Spadafora, all the members of the School Committee, President Deb Gesualdo and the members of the Malden Education Association [MEA] and all the Malden Public Schools staff who have worked so very hard to make this a successful school opening.”

The Superintendent said he and the Mayor were able to visit with the incoming freshman Class of 2028 at Malden High School on the first day of school, then he and Mayor Christenson visited every one of the city’s five K-8 schools. “It was a wonderful experience to be able to witness all the smiles and see the excitement on the faces of our students, educators and administrators,” Superintendent Sippel said.

  The Superintendent also relayed information on the new teachers day, Teachers Convocation for their first day of school and an update on the detailed leadership Entry Plan he formulated and presented to the Malden Public Schools staff and the community. The Entry Plan is the steps the Superintendent says he is undertaking to guide his entry into the leadership role for the Malden Public Schools. Supt. Sippel reiterated the “Core Values for Our Work,” which is the foundation of the Entry Plan: Include and Collaborate, Embrace Growth, and Do Right by All Kids.

He said he’s already gotten a head start on one key pledge that is part of his Entry Plan. “I intend to visit every classroom in our district and meet every one of our educators in my first year,” Superintendent Sippel said.

As part of his Entry Plan, the Superintendent also announced a schedule of individual, school-based Town Halls he is planning on hosting at each of the Malden Public Schools sites. Following is a listing of the Town Halls:

  (Town Halls will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.)

Beebe K-8 School: Tuesday, September 24.

Salemwood K-8 School: Tuesday, October 1.

Linden STEAM Academy: Wednesday, October 9.

Forestdale K-8 School: Wednesday, October 16.

Ferryway K-8 School: Wednesday, October 23.

Malden High School: Thursday, October 24.

Early Learning Center: Tuesday, October 29.

Special Education Parents Action Committee (held at Salemwood): Wednesday, October 30.