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Administration
Dear Families and Friends,
We are thrilled to be able to begin school tomorrow, Thursday, September 1st. I wish to thank the Millis Police, Fire and DPW Departments for working so hard to clean up after the hurricane so that our students can safely get down to the business of learning. Our own staff has also done a fabulous job cleaning up, adjusting schedules and being flexible in the face of so many unknowns.
We have learned some valuable lessons during the storm and in its aftermath; most importantly that the support of friends, neighbors, and family are crucial to our well being. Perhaps you also learned, like I did, that my children rely too much on electronics for entertainment. We also realized that we all rely, on electronics for work and communication, and that texting, facebook and smart phones are now the best way to keep in touch. We will be collecting e-mails and cell phone numbers from all of you to increase our ability to communicate with you when other sources of information such as TV, house phones and the internet fail and to aid in our efforts to “go green and paperless”. We will also be developing a Millis Public Schools Facebook page on which we can post information.
The beginning of school is a time of mixed feelings for many—excitement for a new year, a bit of longing for a few more weeks of summer and, above all, a renewed sense of how quickly time passes. The school year is based on an agrarian calendar outdated for some, but the routines are comforting. And even Hurricane Irene cannot dampen our spirits. All our staff members have worked hard to make the 2011-2012 year a wonderful one for our students.
Perhaps, as Superintendent, it seems obvious to say I am proud of our school community. But it is still important. I am very proud of our schools, of our continued focus on engaging the whole child. I am proud that Millis has worked to emphasize grit and effort. And I am extremely proud that every single person in our school district is devoted to doing whatever it takes to help students reach their potentials. We have a wonderful, dedicated and caring staff and have been lucky enough to hire some wonderful new staff members who share our excitement and focus.
These new hires are joining the one of the finest faculties in the state. We are a school community with a low turnover rate and high loyalty. Our staff works to create a culture that is caring, collaborative and always focused on meeting the needs of and improving the educational experiences of our students. I am especially proud of what we have accomplished in light of having one of the lowest per pupil expenditures in the area. Last year, we received an award from the Center for American Progress for having a “high return on investment.” We also recently were named by the Washington Post as one of the Top High Schools in the United States, ranking in the top six percent due to the high percent of our students taking rigorous Advanced Placement courses. Our focus has always been on achievement for the individual student, but seeing the fruits of everyone’s labors in the news just confirms what we know: Millis is a special community.
The school year was scheduled to begin for teachers with Professional Development on Monday. This will be rescheduled. Clyde Brown staff will participate in training on our Positive Behavioral Support program that was kicked off last year with the selection of Clyde Brown Bear as our mascot. Teachers and teaching assistants also will work with consultants for the new Balanced Literacy program, Reading Street. At the Middle and High Schools, teachers will participate in training on incorporating higher order thinking skills into their curriculum. These skills enable critical and analytical thinking, creative problem solving, and applying of content knowledge and skills to real world situations. These skills are also emphasized in our new literacy series at Clyde Brown and through the engineering design process that most Clyde Brown teachers integrate into their Science and English Language Arts curricula.
Tuesday, Aug. 30th was our traditional Opening Day schedule for all staff and school will start for students on Thursday, September 1st!
Parents and guardians, you play a crucial role in the success of your child in school. We could not accomplish nearly as much without your involvement and support. Please stay involved and contact us with any ideas that you may have to improve your child’s experiences. Thank you for all you do to make the Millis Public Schools a “Small School, Big Family” and one of the best in Massachusetts and the U.S.!
Sincerely,
Nancy L. Gustafson