District prepares for school opening following busy summer

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The Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District has obvious changes underway on the outside as the David Prouty High School construction project continues. But there have also been several things happening this summer and in anticipation of the new school year opening later this month.

During a recent interview with the Spencer Journal, Superintendent of Schools Paul Haughey highlighted what families, students and residents can expect in terms of offerings and initiatives.

Haughey praised the grounds and custodial staff for “doubling down” with project work around renovations in preparation for the Fall. He said the buildings were deep cleaned this summer and numerous improvements were made to the heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems as well as the air filters to provide better air quality.

“They are master jugglers and taskmasters,” Haughey said of the staff. “They are a great group of employees who just hustle and get things done so everything is ship shape and ready to go.”

Over the past couple of months, the district ran its Accelerated Academy for children in elementary grades through high school and the Extended School Year program. Haughey noted that its Robotics Camp, led by STEM teacher Pam Gunsalus, was a success, attracting 18-20 student participants.

He also spoke about the Summer Eat Free program where free breakfasts and lunches are available at the following sites: East Brookfield Elementary; Powder Mill Park; Richard Sugden Library; Knox Trail Middle; Wire Village Elementary; and Bixby Road Apartments’ Common Room from Monday-Thursday. (Friday meals are handed out at East Brookfield Elementary’s lunch service on Thursdays).

The superintendent noted that there has been growth at the `Cubs Corner’ Preschool and said “it has come a long way,” in providing exceptional programs and flexible scheduling including half-day, full-day, and three- four-and five-day options.

At this point, the preschool is fully enrolled with children ages 3-5, has a waiting list and the goal of making kids “Kindergarten ready.”

Haughey is also excited that the district is bringing back a choral program to younger grades after having to cut it back in 2011-2012.

“It’s great to see community support for extracurriculars—sports—but also our music program—which is highly competitive at the state level—year in and year out,” he said. “I’m proud of our teachers and to have chorus come online into elementary years,” Haughey said.

For older students, grades 8 and higher, there is an opportunity to enroll in Early College courses in conjunction with Worcester State University. The superintendent explained that the district is working to have the high school achieve designation as an Early College. Toward that end, an important part is to have students experience classes at a college campus.

For the last few years, Haughey said, the courses were offered online or within the district site.

He said the district purchased vans to transport students enrolled in the Career Tech Education program to vocational sites for internships and work experiences.

This year, those vans will also be used to take students to Worcester State or potentially other college campuses down the line.

“It helps students get acclimated and to take that next step,” he said of Early College. “They can get core courses knocked out in preparation for college,” adding math, social sciences, English/language arts, science and electives are examples.

Haughey also discussed the aftermath of the pandemic, which he believes has significantly impacted the schools – even currently.

He noted that Massachusetts has high expectations for its schools with its Curriculum Frameworks that are more rigorous than elsewhere in the country.

Although the schools have made strides rebounding from the disruption from COVID-19, Haughey said “we’re still not where we need to be.”

He noted that the effects on the workforce are felt not only in schools, but also healthcare, businesses and across industries.

“Teachers, nurses, principals…there’s a shift in the workforce and resetting, reloading going on,” Haughey said. “When you take a hit, it hurts. But we will get there.”

There is more turnover, a greater number of retirements since the pandemic, he added.

The impact on students comes with “learning loss,” on the academic side and behavioral changes in terms of the emotional aspects.

“I’m proud of the community for affording more resources to support students with mental health (issues),” the superintendent said.

He said the needs are “not so extreme,” now and starting to settle down and expressed appreciation to the police, fire and EMT services in town that work in partnership with the district and families to address the challenges.

The schedule for the new school year is as follows: August 26-faculty first day/convocation; August 27-students in grades 1-12 begin; and Sept. 3 – first day for preschool and Kindergarten.

Schools will be closed on August 30 for the Spencer Fair and again on Labor Day, Sept. 2.