~ EXCELLENCE IN THE EPS ~

Building momentum for a new high school

Everett advances to a critical phase of the MSBA process

Everett has taken an essential stride forward in its relentless pursuit of a new high school, as the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has notified the City of Everett that its Statement of Interest has advanced to the Eligibility Period.

“This is great news — a genuine lift for our district and our community as we head into the holiday season,” said Everett Public Schools (EPS) Superintendent William D. Hart. “A new high school has long been something we conceptualize. Now we can start to plan.”

The 270-day Eligibility Period marks the beginning of the MSBA’s grant approval process and benefits the City by providing school and city leaders with a streamlined and scheduled process that formalizes the community’s effort to build a new school for 9-12 graders. This includes a list of preliminary requirements, determination of financial and community readiness, and planning and budgeting. Successful completion of all activities in the Eligibility Period is required to join the next phase of the process: the Feasibility Study.

“By design, the process is carefully crafted and deliberate,” said Superintendent Hart. “The EPS and its Central Administration will be ready to lend every ounce of support as we take the steps required by the MSBA.”

The City’s Eligibility Period runs from July 1, 2024, to March 28, 2025, during which time the city and district will adhere to the following schedule:

 

“Last week’s vote by the MSBA Board of Directors is the critical next step that I have fought for in order for Everett to move forward with the only solution that will address our entire district’s needs,” said Mayor Carlo DeMaria.

Mayor DeMaria stressed that a new high school will alleviate space constraints across the district, as it would enable the district to use the current high school for middle school students. This would have a significant and positive ripple effect on every K-8 building in the city – leading to things like the reopening of school libraries and art and music classrooms.

Completion of the preliminary requirements within the 270 days does not guarantee an invitation into the MSBA Capital Pipeline. But failure to complete the process guarantees that an application will be removed from the process, requiring a community to start from the beginning and submit a Statement of Interest.

“Which is why this is such an important moment,” concluded Superintendent Hart. “My congratulations to Mayor Carlo DeMaria and everyone who has devoted the time and energy to get us to this point. I look forward to joining the process in the coming months and years.”

 

An Everett High holiday tradition

Holiday Gala Concert and Art Exhibit

There are few nights on the EPS calendar as joyous as the Everett High School (EHS) Holiday Gala Concert, which was held this year on Tuesday, December 19. Parents, students and members of the community were treated to a fantastic lineup of entertainment provided by the theatre company, dance ensemble, choir, rock band, jazz band, orchestra and alumni. Prior to the event, EHS art students displayed their work for everyone to enjoy. Thanks go to the dozens of musicians and teachers who worked so hard to develop, rehearse and stage this year’s concert!

 

SWEATERS:

From left: MaryBeth Benedetto, Deb Fallon and Joseph Faulstich from Portal To Hope, Madeline English Principal Theresa Tringale and Assistant Principal Tiffany Boyake.

 

SWEATERS_2:

Madeline English Festive Sweater Day, pictured clockwise from top: Ann Towle, Lisa Morello, Jennifer McCarthy, Maureen Ahearn, Janet Colameta, Allie Lea and MaryBeth Benedetto; Hope Johnson, Genevieve Goodman and Renee Heffron; Kim Colantuoni, Jennifer Cavalieri, Ann Towle and Angela Amico; Danielle Kennedy-Nadeau, Devin Bean, Jamie Cassidy, Elizabeth Curley and Kaila Mallard; and Angela Mattola, Allison Quinn and Briana Ricci.

 

Great sweaters (even better toys!)

Madeline English staff team up for Portal To Hope

  For the tenth consecutive year, the staff at the Madeline English School enthusiastically participated in a Festive Sweater Day and Toy Drive to benefit Portal To Hope. Thanks go to Literary Interventionist MaryBeth Benedetto and her colleagues for once again collecting dozens of new, unwrapped toys to directly benefit local families over the holidays. Portal To Hope is a nonprofit organization committed to helping victims of domestic violence.

 

 

GRATITUDE:

Pictured from left to right: music teachers Michael Castellano, Eric Holmes, Samantha Logan and Lyndsay Blauvelt, Music Coordinator Eugene O’Brien, School Committee Member-Elect Samantha Hurley, EHS graduate Alyssa Hurley, EPS Superintendent William Hart and music teachers Brian Spencer and Angela Amico.

 

A note of gratitude

EPS music teachers: take a bow

  Thanks go to the EPS Music Department for once again planning and holding a series of sensational holiday performances. The K-8 string nights and concerts give students the chance to showcase their skills, and they are always immensely popular with parents and relatives. It wouldn’t be a holiday season without music! The photo above was taken at the Madeline English School String Concert.

 

 

A soaring success

Whittier students enjoy science project

Whittier School second-graders recently completed a fun and engaging science project in which they investigated what foods attract different species of birds to a bird feeder. The project was planned and directed by teachers Kelly Nichols, Crystal Connors, Heather Mallett, Michelle Conklin and Taylor Woodbury.

The students designed their bird feeders after researching bird species and the food they eat. The students developed prototypes and built a model of their bird feeders using materials provided through the Mystery Science curriculum, including cups, paper plates, pipe cleaners, skewers and binder clips. The second-graders then brainstormed ideas on how to make an area more attractive to birds, including the addition of plants and a bird bath near the feeder.

Our thanks to the Whittier second-grade team for planning, preparing and leading such a creative and cooperative learning experience.

 

Learning by example

Sanchez discusses the history of flamenco with EHS students

Local flamenco artist Láura Sanchez gave a presentation to EHS students on Wednesday, December 20. She discussed the history of flamenco, its call-and-response format and its footwork, as well as the visual language of the rhythm of the dance. Following the presentation, EHS students performed their own flamenco with Sanchez.

Beginning in January of 2024, Sanchez will be a part of the Lafayette School STARS afterschool enrichment program, where she will serve as an Artist in Residence and work alongside EPS theater teacher Jordana Meltzer.

 

 

CONNECTING

From left: ePlus Account Executive Lisa Ovalles, EPS Superintendent William D. Hart, Assistant Superintendent Anu Jayanth and Michael Coffey of K+M Communications.

 

Connecting with our community

ePlus makes generous donation to EPS students

A huge “Thank You” to ePlus Technology Inc. for donating $3,000 worth of Target gift cards to the EPS. The cards were distributed to all 10 schools in the district, so principals could directly help our students and families this holiday season. Thanks go to the ePlus team for this amazing donation.