SPS Weekly Newsletter

We are excited to share the latest edition of the SPS Weekly Newsletter with our families, students, staff, and community members! A new edition will be sent each Friday when school is in session, sharing updates, previewing upcoming events, and showcasing the amazing work being done in our schools. This week we feature Dr. Baeta's weekly message, exciting news about the new elementary school building project, a recap of the marching band festival at Stoughton High, and more!

A few years ago I gave a graduation speech and told the story of how in Maasai culture every conversation starts with the following, “and how are the children?” Imagine our daily life starting with such a question. So, going forward I will seek to do so in my weekly communication. And so, how are the children?

This week I started school visits and have spent time at the Gibbons, South, and Dawe Schools. Staff have met with me and provided their views and thoughts. I can assure you that the conversations have been student-centered. If it takes a village, SPS is doing it. If it takes out-of-the-box thinking to come up with solutions, we are well on our way.

I have also visited classrooms and met our students. Being introduced as Dr. Baeta or Dr. B and as the “big boss” causes many questions. Yet, the smiles, laughs, and even a request to play a game or get a hug have simply made me continue to realize, “and how are the children?” They are doing well.

Joseph F. Baeta, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Stoughton Public Schools

At its board meeting on October 25, 2023, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) unanimously voted to move the new elementary school building project forward into the schematic design phase.

This is exciting news for the district, as it allows the project team to continue developing a detailed design for a new elementary school. Click here for more information.

It was an incredible night at Stoughton High last Saturday! Stoughton High/POPS hosted a USBands Marching Band Festival at SHS on October 21, and while the weather was far from ideal, it was still a highly successful night with several schools competing from around the state, capped by a fantastic performance by our very own SHS Marching Black Knights in their home stadium! The band and color guard is pictured here with their award, celebrating on the field after the competition.

This season's show for the Marching Black Knights is titled “Dawn to Dusk”, featuring the music of The Beatles (“Here Comes the Sun”), Max Richter (“On the Nature of Daylight”), Henry Mancini (“Moon River”), and Van Morrison (“Moondance”). Click here to watch the video of their performance last Saturday. And, click here to see a photo gallery.

There was a great turnout at the Stoughton High Higher Education/College Fair on Wednesday. SHS students in all grades and their families were invited to attend the fair where 40 public/private colleges and universities representing 4-year colleges, community colleges, technical institutes and the trades were present.

Dr. Baeta will be providing the following office hours at the Superintendent’s Office, located at 31 Pierce Street in Stoughton:

• Thursday, November 2nd from 9:00-10:00am

• Tuesday, November 14th from 8:30-9:30am

• Thursday, November 16th from 5:00-6:00pm

Looking to get a head start on holiday shopping? Visit this online store for some Black Knight swag: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/HOLIDAY261

Don't wait! This exclusive shop closes soon!

The Stoughton High School Theatre program will be presenting "Into the Woods" November 17-19 at the SHS Auditorium! Can't wait for this show! Click here for tickets and for more information.

The O’Donnell Middle School PTSO Craft & Vendor Fair will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023. The OMS PTSO is looking for student crafters who are interested in having a vendor table. There is no cost for students to have a table!

Fill out this form by November 15 if you are interested (this form MUST be filled out by a parent/guardian; high school students may fill out their own information).

*If you are using the QR code on the flyer to access the form, be sure to hit the skip advertisement button to be taken to the form.

Stoughton Public Schools students ages 5-17 have the opportunity to take part in a free Futsal academy at Stoughton High School gymnasium Monday nights in November and December. Futsal is a soccer-based game played indoors on a hard court.

SESSION DATES

Mondays - November 13, 20, 27 & December 4, 11, 18

LOCATION

Stoughton High School gymnasium, 232 Pearl St.

TRAINING TIMES & AGE GROUPS

• 6:50-7:40pm - 5-8 years old
• 7:40 - 8:30pm - 9-12 years old
• 8:30pm - 9:20pm - 13-17 years old

There is no charge for Stoughton Public Schools families. Space is limited and is filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information and to register, click here.

Are you or someone you know looking for part-time work? Our school bus transportation provider, First Student, is hiring school bus drivers for Stoughton. For more information and to apply, click here.

The O'Donnell Middle School's annual Veterans Day Assembly is one of the most anticipated events of the school year. 8th grade students interview local veterans and then honor them by presenting their service story with the 8th grade class at the assembly. This year's assembly takes place Thursday, November 9, 2023 (brunch at 8am, followed by the assembly at 9:30am). The OMS is currently looking for local veterans to participate in this tradition. If you are interested in participating, please contact Caitlin Valair, OMS Social Studies Teacher, by November 1 at c_valair@stoughtonschools.org or 781-344-7002.

The Stoughton Public Schools will be holding the Annual Title 1 Family Orientation Meeting on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 3:15pm at the Wilkins School (1322 Central St.). Please click here for more information. This meeting is open to all members of the Stoughton Public Schools community and Stoughton residents.

Over the past several weeks there have been horrific and violent events, both internationally and locally, that have had a significant impact on many students, families, and staff in our SPS community. With this in mind, the District Wide Crisis Team wanted to share some resources that may be helpful in discussing difficult topics like these with children.

• How to Talk With Kids About Tragedies & Other Traumatic News Events
• Crisis and School Safety - Talking to Children about Violence
• Tips for Parents and Educators - Talking to Children about Violence
• How to Talk to Children About Conflict and War

These resources, and others, are available on the school safety page of the website.

Another friendly reminder that with the school year underway, we want to make sure we have accurate and updated emergency contact information and health information for your child. Please log into your PowerSchool Parent Portal account, click on the forms link in the left navigation menu and update any information that is not accurate in the two forms - Current Student Information/Emergency Form and Current Student Health Information. When you have updated the information, please click on submit at the bottom of each of the forms. If your child's information is accurate, please click on submit at the bottom of each form to indicate that you have reviewed the data and it is accurate.

For updates throughout the week, be sure to follow Stoughton Public Schools on social media: