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Page 18 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, October 18, 2019 Fifty-two percent of MVRCS seniors receive Adams Scholarship SOUNDS | from page 17 pating on the sports teams of Saugus High School. The group’s fundraising efforts over more than half a century have made it possible to provide championship banners that hang on the gym walls, buy jackets to present to athletes and cheerleaders of varsity Division and State Champion teams and award scholarships to senior athletes who compete in varsity sports programs. “The Saugus Boosters Club raises money every year for scholarships for our senior athletes. This past year they gave out 16 scholarships totaling $9,000,” Elizabeth Marchese said. “Our goal this year is to raise even more money and to give out even more scholarships than we did last year. Thus we are beginning our most aggressive campaign year yet and need help to get it out there to as many Sachem alumni as possiThe 43 members of the Class of 2020 at Mystic Valley Regional Charter School who were recently selected as recipients of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. (Courtesy Photo) F orty-three members of Mystic Valley Regional Charter School’s (MVRCS) Class of 2020 received the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; it was announced recently by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The 43 students represents over half of MVRCS’ total graduating class, making the school one of a select few throughout the Commonwealth in which a majority of its graduating seniors received the scholarship award. The scholarship entitles the graduate to four years of tuition assistance at any Massachusetts state college or university. “I am proud to congratulate our ASKS| from page 13 ever, there is more to teach our children and prepare them for their future than just the MCAS test. So yes, it is important but not the only factor overall. Former School Committee Member John S. Hatch I think the MCAS results should be one of many components to a superintendent evaluation determining a pay increase in any given year. Other factors are the health, safety and well-being of the students and faculty. The overall performance of the district. The moral of each school, and the district. Community involvement and collaboration with other town leaders. These are just some criteria that could be assessed. This is a process that cannot be taken lightly and would take time and collaboration between the Superintendent and the school committee to develop. The process needs to clearly be defined, with clear goals, and objectives. I feel there could be many factors as to why a system may regress, and without having information, or the above-mentioned, clearly defined, I don’t feel I could answer the second question responsibly. School Committee Member Marc Charles Magliozzi The short answer is yes, but 43 seniors for receiving the Adams Scholarship,” Mystic Valley Director/Superintendent Alex Dan said. “Many of these young men and women have been a part of our school community since kindergarten and credit for this accomplishment goes to not only the students themselves but our faculty, staff and administration that has not only educated but nurtured these students during their formative years.” Because only 25 percent of any given district’s students are eligible for the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship (each city is capped at 25 percent regardless of where those students attend school), the fact that 52 percent of MVRCS’ Class of 2020 earned this designation firmly proves that the school delivers a far more rigorous education when compared to its sending districts. “This is a great proverbial feather in the caps of over half of the class of 2020,” Matthew Stone, MVRCS’ Assistant Director said. “This will assist them greatly in their ongoing college selection process and beyond. Looking at the numbers once again validates our academic offerings and rigor and makes everyone involved to want more.” Scholarship recipients from Saugus include Stacey Fabo, Emily Festa, Alexis Lariviere and Alfie Tsang. ble,” she said. “We cordially welcome you to kickoff this season of fundraising by joining us on Tuesday, October 29. All food and proceeds have been graciously donated by Angela’s Coal Fired Pizza and 100 percent of the proceeds raised will go back to our Sachem Students!” “Haunted Lighthouses” at the library on Oct. 29 New Friends of the Saugus Public Library are pleased to welcome Jeremy D’Entremont back to the Saugus Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. His program will be “New England’s Haunted Lighthouses.” D’Entremont is president and historian of the American Lighthouse Foundation. He has appeared on shows, such as “Haunted Lighthouses of America” on the Travel Channel, as well as having appeared on the History Channel, public television and National Public Radio. He has written more than 20 books and hundreds of articles on lighthouse history and other maritime topics. He has lectured and narrated cruises from Maine to California, and his photographs have appeared in many books and magazines. He is the editor of the website “New England Lighthousit is not as easy as applying a raise in any given year, as the Superintendent has a contract which stipulates the pay scale over the term of the Contract. The annual evaluation is the mechanism used to annually review the performance of the Superintendent. What we learned this year is that the annual review can only include items and benchmarks that were previously agreed to between the School Committee and Superintendent. The Annual Goals need to have measurable tasks so that the review can either be supported or not supported. As far as MCAS is concerned, the Superintendent is ultimately responsible for the success or failure of a district. What we cannot lose sight of is that he/ she does not work in a vacuum. Similar to the CEO of a Company, there are people in place that need to work in concert to achieve the goals of the District. In our school District, that team under the Superintendent includes the Administration Team at Central Office, the building Principals, Teachers, support staff and families of the students. In order to be successful, what is the “ranking” that should be or have been achieved? Is it as simple as a year over year improvement? Do we, the families of students, want to see a 10% increase? These are questions that need to be laid out as goals prior to the implementation of a plan for the year. While the scores of the District as a whole are not where I want, or expect them to be, I do not believe that the scores should be the only measurement of the District. The scores are easy to target because the numbers are right in front of us. As I asked at the School Committee meeting on October 10, I want to see the comparison between the individual students’ scores and their classroom success. This correlation is going to be telling in that it will provide information to ascertain that the students are in the correct class and longer term, will provide insight into what teaching methods are working and helping students retain information. In summary, I do believe that the Superintendent salary should be tied to MCAS scores and performance. As the state has changed how the districts are measured and ranked, this needs to be agreed upon annually and in conjunction with the Contract of the Superintendent. The District did see improvements this year in many areas but also fell behind in others. The schools that did not perform well need to understand what went well in the strong areas and mirror/learn from those successes. es: A Virtual Guide” at www.newenglandlighthouses.net, and he offers tours to lighthouses via minivan – based in Portsmouth, N.H. Join us for this free adult program when Jeremy will tell some of the macabre tales of New England’s coastal beacons, including the piano-playing ghost of Maine’s Seguin Lighthouse and strange happenings at Boston Light. Reservations are not necessary; however, seating is limited. Fall curbside leaf collection begins Oct. 21 The Town of Saugus announces that fall curbside leaf collection will take place during the following weeks: October 21–26, November 18–22 and December 2–6. Residents should place leaves outside by 7 a.m. during their regularly scheduled collection day. Please ensure that leaf containers are physically separated from trash and recycling. Paper leaf bags are the preferred method of leaf disposal; however, if you are using barrels, they must be clearly marked with yard waste stickers. Stickers, which are free, may be obtained at Inspectional Services in the lower level of Town Hall at 298 Central St. in Saugus. Barrel covers must remain removed so that the leaves are visible. Plastic bags, cardboard boxes, branches and brush will not be accepted. Please note that separate trucks collect the rubbish, recycling and leaves, so the leaves may be collected at a different time of day. “Missed pick-ups” will not be conducted. Please contact Lorna Cerbone at 781-231-4036 with any questions. Cub Scout and Boy Scout recruitment Cub Scout Pack 62 and Boy Scout Troop 62 are still seeking new members after a successful recruitment effort on Founders Day. Cubs can sign up on Monday nights from 6:45 to 8 p.m. at the Cliftondale Congregational Church at 50 Essex St. in Saugus. Please use the door marked office in the front of the church. We are located in the basement. Cub Pack 62 welcomes boys from age five (kindergarten) to age 10 (Grade 5.) Boy Scouts can register on Tuesday nights from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. in the basement of the Cliftondale Congregational Church. Our Boy Scout program is for young men ages 10 1/2 to 17 (Grades 6-12) If you have any questions on our Cub Scout program, please contact Cubmaster Bill Ferringo at pack62saugus@gmail.com or bferringo@comcast.net. For Boy Scouts, please contact Scoutmaster John Kane at troop62saugus.org or 781-389-2708. Election workers needed! Feel like working the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5? Well, Saugus Town Clerk Ellen Schena is looking for you to help cover the local election. There will be two shifts working: from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. If interested, SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 19

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