Early Fall Updates

Dear Parents and Families,

We hope this letter finds you well. At North Brookfield Public Schools, we are committed to providing the best possible education and support for your child's academic and personal growth. We believe that every student's success is of utmost importance, and we continuously strive to address any obstacles that may hinder their achievement.

One significant challenge we have identified is student absenteeism, including chronic absenteeism, which can have a lasting impact on a student's educational journey. We understand that there can be various reasons behind absenteeism, and we are dedicated to offering effective solutions to support our students.

To address this issue, we have implemented one strategy aimed at providing high-quality counseling services to our students during parts of their school day. We believe that by offering this support, we can help students overcome obstacles that may be contributing to their absenteeism and create a more positive and productive learning environment.

We are excited to announce that we are continuing our partnership with two organizations, New Hope Counseling and Behavioral Health Network, to provide these counseling services. These organizations have a proven track record of delivering exceptional counseling and support to students, and we are confident that their expertise will greatly benefit our school community.

Here is a brief overview of what our counseling services will entail:

1. Individual Counseling: Students will have the opportunity to meet with trained counselors on a one-on-one basis. These sessions will provide a safe and confidential space for students to discuss any issues or challenges they may be facing.

2. Group Counseling: In addition to individual sessions, we will also offer group counseling sessions to address common concerns and provide students with a supportive community. These sessions will be lead by each buildings adjustment counselor based on need and availability.

3. Supportive Environment: Our counseling services aim to create a nurturing and empathetic environment where students can openly express themselves and receive guidance.

We want to assure you that all counseling sessions will be conducted with the utmost professionalism and respect for your child's privacy. The well-being and success of your child are our top priorities.

If you have any questions or concerns about our counseling services, please do not hesitate to reach out to our school counselors or administrators. We are here to work collaboratively with you to ensure that your child receives the support they need to thrive academically and emotionally. For those who would like move the process forward, we have attached the parental consent forms from both Behavioral Health Network and New Hope Counseling Center.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's education. Together, we can make a positive difference in their lives and help them achieve their full potential.

NBHS Adjustment Counselor: Ms. Tova Margolis tmargolis@nbschools.org

NBES Adjustment Counselor: Ms. Anastasia Macutkiewicz amacutkiewicz@nbschools.org

Sincerely,

Tim McCormick

We have now completed two out of our three Strategic Planning sessions and are well on our way to finalizing a "road map" for the districts work the next three years.

This endeavor signifies a collaborative approach to envisioning our future and ensuring that our efforts are aligned with the aspirations of our community. Through the active participation of individuals like you – residents, community organizations, families, staff members, and students – we are confident that we will create a roadmap that leads to a thriving North Brookfield.

The strategic planning process will unfold through a series of thoughtful steps, each designed to harness the collective wisdom of our stakeholders:

• Preparation and Orientation: We will provide you with the necessary information and context to ensure a shared understanding of the strategic planning process and your invaluable role within it.

• Stakeholder Engagement: We are inviting representatives from various segments of our community to contribute their insights, ideas, and perspectives.

• Setting Our Direction: Together, we will refine our school district’s vision and mission, articulating the long-term aspirations and the values that drive us.

• Analyzing Our Landscape: A thorough analysis of our community's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats will help us gain a comprehensive understanding of our environment.

• Crafting Ambitious Goals: With a clear vision in mind, we will establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals that will guide our endeavors for the next three years.

• Mapping Strategies and Actions: Our strategies and action plans will provide a structured framework for achieving our goals, detailing the necessary steps, resources, and responsible parties.

• Ensuring Implementation: We will lay out a comprehensive plan to put our strategies into action, monitoring progress and ensuring that our efforts are well-coordinated.

• Evolving with the Future: As circumstances evolve, we will remain adaptable, ready to modify our plans and strategies to address emerging opportunities and challenges.

• Open Communication: Transparent and consistent communication will be at the heart of this process, keeping everyone informed and engaged as we progress together.

We are enthusiastic about the impact this strategic planning process can have on North Brookfield's trajectory. The final plan will be presented to the NB community sometime in late fall of this year.