We are excited to be opening the new school year with some new faces and new programs and our consistent dedication to providing an education for the children of Webster that prepares them to live in an ever changing global society.

Carolyn Wallace has joined us as the new Principal of the Park Avenue School. Carrie bring a strong education background and successful experience as an elementary school principal to her new challenges. With a new Behavior Program for students coping with adjustments to life in school, and the second year of the highly effective Tools of the Mind curriculum to help children learn self-regulation, we are confident that all children will find at the school a safe, supportive and comfortable environment that allows them to encounter the pleasures of reading, the joy in numbers and the wonders of music, art and science.

At the middle school, teachers are focused on delving into the our newest student achievement data to plan targeted lessons, and create effective small groups of learners. The school's innovative Walk to Read and Walk to Math programs allows teams of teachers to regroup students based on current performance and to design lessons exactly suited to their needs.

Responding to the advice of parents, the work of the district's Grade Reconfiguration Study Group, and the results of a community survey, the high school has made significant changes in the program for 7th and 8th graders, leaning much more toward a middle school model and away from the traditional high school. With small teams of dedicated teachers, their own schedule separate from the high school, dedicated, separate classroom wings and their own lunch schedules, our Junior high students will have a two transitional years to learn, live and grow in a a more supportive, nurturing environment before confronting the demanding routines of the high school.

The new Park Avenue School Building Committee continues to work with the Massachusetts School Building Authority to repair or replace the aging Park Avenue School building and we expect to have the Feasibility Study and a plan in place before the next spring Town Meeting.

Like families and businesses, we have had to tighten our belts again this year and continue to search for ways to cut costs and save money without hurting the educational programs. We are happy to report that we were able to build a budget for this year that cut eight positions but did so through retirements and resignations and without involuntary lay offs.

Again, welcome to the new school year. I want to hear from you. Drop me a note or an email, call anytime, or come by the office.

Sincerely,

Gregory M. Ciardi
Superintendent of Schools