Voyager Magazine - The Mariner's Issue

July  2017

THE MARINER'S ISSUE

Plymouth Public Schools, Compass Edition 2016-2017

PUBLICATION STAFF Gary E. Maestas, Ed. D. Chief Program Director

Christopher Campbell, Ed. D. Managing Content Editor Nancy Dargie Executive Director Tara Woomer Senior Editor, Writer, Photographer Emily Goonan Photographer, Graphic Design

We welcome your comments and suggestions.

Please email The Voyager Magazine at communicate@plymouth.k12.ma.us. www.plymouth.k12.ma.us

Stay connected on social media! @PlymouthPublicSchoolsMA @PlymouthSch @plymouthpublicschools Plymouth Public Schools Plymouth Public Schools

CONTENTS 3 5

SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Jasmyne Fillippini and her fifth grade peers. Â How to Successfully Navigate Middle School as told by eighth graders.

9

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

11

STUDENT JOURNEY

17

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

21

NEWS AND NOTEWORTHY

33

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

35

INSPIRATION AWARD

A special message to our retired teachers.

Service Learning at our middle schools and a spectacular high-school production of Les Mis!

Healthy Plymouth's continued support for our schools.

The Success of our Full-Day Kindergarten. Coding at the Elementary Level!

A very special spotlight on some of our newly added alumni - Leanne Galanek, Michael Peterson, Christopher Nolan, Madelyn Sessler, and Benjamin Rivera-Concannon

Dennis Borsari

In partnership with parents and the community, the Plymouth Public Schools is committed to providing a comprehensive educational experience that is high quality, challenging, and enables each student to develop and maximize individual potential. Our schools will foster a positive and collaborative environment that encourages and affirms academic achievement and personal excellence and inspires all students to make a positive contribution to society.

A MESSAGE FROM THE

SUPERINTENDENT

of

SCHOOLS

What a year it has been for the Plymouth Public Schools! In this

edition, we’ve chosen a few highlights to share with you. We hope you notice when reading these articles the importance of adaptability at every stage of our lives.

This was the first year our district implemented full day kindergarten, and we recently spent some time in two full day classrooms at Manomet Elementary.

Students were reading books, building with LEGOS, working on computers, and engaging in one-on-one lessons. They were lively, happy, and full of enthusiasm for learning.

We hope you will catch a glimpse of this in our article and photographs about our full day program. The change to a full day program has been a great success, and we would like to thank families and their full day kindergarten students for adapting so well to the longer days in school.

We also spent some time at Plymouth Family Network (PFN) and Plymouth Early 3

Childhood Center (PECC). Both are now

housed at Plymouth Community Intermediate School (PCIS), and we commend the teachers and staff at PECC for their adaptability when they were faced with moving their classrooms, supplies, and entire mindset to a new version of Mt. Pleasant Preschool. We would like to thank them for adapting gracefully to this major move. We know they left a piece of their hearts behind on Whiting Street. We also chatted with fifth graders, eighth graders, and a few graduating seniors to learn not only how they succeeded but also how they plan to adapt to major change in their lives when they enter new schools and leave for various colleges.

Perhaps Jasmyne Fillippini, a fifth grader at West Elementary, said it best when she explained what lessons she has learned during elementary school which she will take with her to middle school: “I learned to respect other people’s materials.

I learned to use my indoor voice and to be

“The biggest lesson I learned from Les Miz is

quiet and respectful and not start stressing

that life is completely gray. There are no

out. I learned how to behave at recess.

black and white answers to life’s unresolved

Everyone gets a turn. Involve everybody so

disputes and debates. Les Miz taught me that

that no one feels left out. Always play fair. No

being good is much more than never doing

cheating. No pushing, and keep your hands

wrong.”

to yourself.”

Wise words indeed. We know Jasmyne and all the students we spoke with will take the lessons they have learned and adapt them to their new environments.

"...There are no black and white answers to life’s unresolved disputes and debates. Les Miz taught me that being good is much more than never doing wrong."

Students who attended our career fair also

We hope you enjoy reading this edition, and

learned the importance of how to adapt what

we have enjoyed showing you many

they have learned as students into the work

examples of a productive year in our schools.

world. Many of our students have been hired

May we all continue to adapt, grow, and

by local businesses whom they met at the

thrive in whatever situations life may bring

career fair, and they are thriving.

us.

We have written about this year’s Robotics Rally to show you a bit about what our district offers and that our students learn, starting in elementary school, how the

Gary E. Maestas, Ed. D. Superintendent of Schools

ability to adapt their thinking to whatever situation arises is crucial to coding and engineering.

Some of our theater students participated in this year’s combined high school production of Les Misérables. The performance stretched not only their creative abilities as performers but also their way of thinking. Andrea Sweeney, a North High student who performed in Les Miz, said the production taught her to see the world differently and that what is needed to adapt to life’s twists and turns is not always clear-cut:

4

STUDENT

SPOTLIGHT Farewell to elementary school Fifth grade students are usually very excited and a bit nervous about crossing the threshold from elementary school into the world of middle school.

Their lives will expand from their neighborhood elementary schools to a much larger school with lots of new faces. We asked eight current fifth graders what they will miss the most about elementary school, what they are looking forward to, and what words of wisdom they could offer to younger students. The fifth graders were eager to share their memories about grade school and their enthusiasm about this next big step in their lives. Good luck to all of our fifth graders! We know you will have a great three years in middle school!

Jasmyne Fillippini will miss her teachers and recess when she heads to middle school in the fall, but a program called Bus Buddies at West Elementary has taught her all about responsibility and how to look out for others.

“I’ll miss Bus Buddies. We walk the younger students to their buses and read them books while they wait. I have four Bus Buddies. We also take the gym kids and the Y kids and drop them off on the way. We bring the smaller kids where they need to go. It taught me responsibility and how to talk to people who aren’t in my grade.

5

I had to learn what they understand and what they don’t understand,” said Jasmyne.

She’s excited to meet students from other elementary schools when she goes to middle school, and she is looking forward to attending school with current friends who are already in middle school. Although she’s worried about getting to class on time and about finding where to go at her new school, she will bring with her many lessons she has learned in elementary school about how to be a good person.

“I learned how to stay quiet in the hallway and to have respect when other classrooms are taking tests. I learned to respect other people’s materials.

I learned to use my indoor voice and to be quiet and respectful and not start stressing out. I learned how to behave at recess.

Everyone gets a turn. Involve everybody so that no one feels left out. Always play fair. No cheating. No pushing, and keep your hands to yourself,” said Jasmyne.

S

T

U

D

E

N

T

S

P

O

T

L

I

G

H

T

Will miss: Her teachers. “If you need help, you don’t even have to ask for it. They just know to help you.”

Looks forward to: Making new friends, going to the different specialists, a bigger school.

Words of wisdom: “Give everyone respect. Treat others the way you want to be treated.”

Mollie Valm, West Elementary School Will miss: Recess and teachers “They’re always so nice to us.”

Looks forward to: Joining the middle school sports teams.

Words of wisdom: “If someone is fooling around, try not to be fooling around, too. Don’t get distracted by it.”

Brett McCormack, West Elementary School Will miss: Teachers and friends.

Looks forward to: A bigger cafeteria and having different gym teachers instead of only one.

Words of wisdom: “If you get upset, take deep breaths. Count to ten. Stay away from trouble. If you see any trouble, tell an adult.”

Nate Pina, West Elementary School Will miss: Close knit Federal Furnace community.

Looks forward to: Seeing friends from different schools all in the same school.

Words of wisdom: “Our teachers aren’t just teachers helping us with math and reading. They’re life teachers who teach us what will help us when we get to the real world. One of my teachers taught us that if a kid messes up, it’s a teaching opportunity. You can change so that you don’t do it again. You can learn from your mistake.”

Conor Weeks, Federal Furnace Elementary School

Will miss: Teachers.

Looks forward to: Being with friends from other schools.

Words of wisdom: “We have a Pride, Respect, Responsibility program, and if we show those in all settings, then we get an award. We get our picture taken with the Principal, the Vice Principal, and all the other kids who’ve won the award. I also learned not to start food fights.”

Elena Nardone, Federal Furnace Elementary School Favorite elementary memories: Daddy-Daughter Dance, science experiments, Plimoth Plantation field trip.

Looks forward to: Different teaching styles.

Words of wisdom: “We use a program called Second Step. We learned about bullying and how it’s not good. You should treat other people like you’re in their shoes. If anything happens, tell an adult. Don’t just stand there. You always want to help the other person.”

Emma Delorie, Federal Furnace Elementary School Will miss: Teachers.

Looks forward to: Having gym every day.

Words of wisdom: “We have a Pride, Respect, Responsibility assembly, and we learned to treat others with respect. We get rewarded if we have good behavior.”

Nicholas Peterson, Federal Furnace Elementary School

6

HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY

NAVIGATE

MIDDLE SCHOOL Middle school can be a difficult world to navigate. Students must juggle their studies, extracurricular activities, peer relationships, and family responsibilities at a time when they are just learning who they are. Steve Morgenweck, Principal of South Middle, stressed the importance of effort when asked what students who successfully navigate middle school have in common.

“Students do well when they understand that whether they win or lose, fail or succeed, putting forth effort to do their best will lead them in the right direction whether it’s academics, athletics, performing arts, or even friendships. It’s an important life lesson, perhaps the most important one learned during these formative years, that what you put into something determines what you get back especially as the stakes get higher and the tasks more difficult,” said Mr. Morgenweck.

7

Brian Palladino, Principal of Plymouth Community Intermediate School (PCIS), stressed the importance of getting involved

and focusing on schoolwork.

“Students who do well in middle school get involved. They look at what opportunities there are at PCIS, and they jump. These students take advantage of all the opportunities at PCIS whether it’s service learning, the arts, or sports. They’re all in.

These programs help the middle school student become well-rounded and sometimes spark a new interest. We have students who didn’t start singing until middle school and are now leads in their high school musicals.

Students who succeed in middle school are also dedicated to their studies. Successful middle school students make learning a priority. That’s important,” said Mr. Palladino.

We interviewed 11 current eighth grade students who were selected by their principals and guidance counselors as students who have successfully navigated middle school. They offered words of wisdom to younger students who haven’t started middle school yet. Thank you to all of these students for their thoughtful and intelligent responses!

Words of Wisdom to Incoming Middle Schoolers

HANNA COVELL, PSMS

S

BRIDGET CAMPBELL, PCIS

T

U

D

E

N

T

S

P

O

T

L

I

“Sleep is so important if you’re going to get good grades. Self reliance is a big thing. Trust yourself.”

TAYLA CAHOON, PCIS

OWEN MUZRIM, PSMS

"Keep your binders organized and don't spend too much time on social media."

"It’s very important to do what you want to do. It’s ok to be different. Don’t be afraid to embarrass yourself.”

“Don’t wait until the final date to do your work. Get it done early. and ask for help if you need it.”

TYLER FERRO, PCIS

JORDAN MCLOUD, PSMS

VICTOR MELENDEZ, PCIS

“I used to think it was ok to be on my phone all the time.

I can’t do that anymore. My grades were falling. It was a waste of time.”

ANTHONY ZACCHINI, PCIS

CAROLINE NICOLL, PSMS

“Don’t procrastinate and save stuff to the last minute. Pace yourself. Set deadlines for a project. Space it out.

Do a little bit each night.”

“Avoid the middle school drama. Find a good group of friends. It can be overwhelming at first, but you’ll get the hang of it.”

H

T

JACOB LACASSE, PSMS

“There are so many things to try. Try any activity that you’re interested in and put in as much effort as you can.”

“There’s no way you’ll get lost. The school is one big square. You’ll get used to it.

You’re all going through the same thing together.”

G

“Turn your projects in on time. Get help from teachers a lot if you need it. They are very helpful in middle school.”

MORGAN MAIORANO, PCIS

“Don’t be scared. Talk to your teachers about how you’re feeling and what you need to work on. They know how everyone feels.”

8

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

a lifelong love for teaching

9

There are no words to truly express our gratitude for our teachers and staff. This group of educators has dedicated many years to our school district. From all of us at the Plymouth Public Schools, it was a pleasure working alongside you.

Thank you for being wonderful teachers, colleagues, and mentors. You have changed the lives of many. Here's to a well deserved and happy retirement!

F

A

C

U

L

T

Y

S

P

O

T

L

I

G

H

T

! u o y k n a h t

TO OUR RETIRING TEACHERS & STAFF

KAREN BAKER, 30 years

Moderate Special Needs Teacher

MARILYN BORSARI, 17 years

LINDA HORGAN, 19 years Grade 2 Classroom Teacher

JEANNE NORTON-RYAN, 30 yrs 6 mnths

MARY HUMBERD, 30 years

Art Teacher KATHRYN PANZA, 17 yrs 7 mnths Security Receptionist

Grade 5 Classroom Teacher

Mathematics Teacher/Dept Head

SYLVIA BUNNELL, 31 yrs 5 mnths Elementary Classroom Teacher

KATHLEEN JONES, 18 years Grade 6 Classroom Teacher

CVTE Electrical Instructor/Dept Head

LAURIE CASH, 27 yrs 8 mnths Moderate Special Needs Teacher

CHERYL KMETZ, 20 years Grade 2 Classroom Teacher

NANCY POLLARD, 27 yrs 3 mnths Paraeducator

KATHY CHALAS, 17 years

NANCY LOFTUS, 20 years

KIMBERLY SIMONSEN, 25 years

KATHLEEN MCMINN, 32 years

RICHARD SMITH, JR., 10 years

RICHARD MEI, 5 years CVTE Facilities Management Instructor

PAMELA TURNER, 29 yrs, 4 mnths Kindergarten Paraeducator

JEANNE FRADETTE-SEBELL, 30 years

JOHN MORASH, 18 years

Speech Language Therapist

CVTE Metal Fabrication Instructor/Dept Head

MARGARET TURNER, 30 years

Grade 2 Classroom Teacher

KATHRYN DEMERS, 31 years

Moderate Special Needs Teacher JOANNE DENIETOLIS, 18 years Nurse Educator

Grade 5 Classroom Teacher

Elementary Music Teacher

KENNETH PEREIRA, 29 years

English Language Learner Teacher

CVTE Metal Fabrication Instructor

Physical Education/Health Teacher

Athletic Dept Bus Driver/Coordinator

Adaptive Physical Education Teacher

DARLENE VERZONE, 22 yrs 1 mnth Paraeducator

JOAN HALUNEN, 24 years

JOHN NADEAU, 29 years

MARGARET WARNER, 23 years

STEPHEN HAHN, 29 years

Moderate Special Needs Teacher

ANN MOTYKA, 29 years

CVTE Culinary Instructor

WISHING YOU A HAPPY RETIREMENT!

Paraeducator

10

STUDENT JOURNEY

learning to give back Middle school students at Plymouth South Middle School (PSMS) and Plymouth Community Intermediate School (PCIS) have tons of opportunities to participate in service-learning programs in order to learn the importance of serving their community.

Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator Kathy Babini said these opportunities teach students that they can make a difference in the world. The goal is also to empower students so that they will continue serving their community into adulthood.

“Service-learning provides students with authentic learning experiences. Students are able to see themselves as agents of change having a positive impact on their community whether locally or globally.

Research has shown that when students participate in these types of learning opportunities they continue into adult life as engaged citizens,” said Dr. Babini.

$21,562 11

amount raised by our middle school students for charity during the 2016-2017 school year

S

PSMS SERVICE LEARNING EFFORTS ● South Middle Cares Jeans Day - raised $600 for breast cancer research (They have raised over $11,000 in 17 years for this program). ● Thanksgiving Baskets for families in need ● South Middle Fun Run - raised $432 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association & the National Phenylketonuria Alliance ● Student auctions- raised $6,108 for food & gifts for Plymouth families ● Penny War - raised $2,565 for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (named a Gold Champion fundraising school) ● Student Council - raised $150 for the Lupus Foundation ● Sudan Water-Well Project ● Relay Recess - raised $2,790 for the American Cancer Society ● Teens for Jeans - collected 250 pairs of jeans for families in need ● Go Red for Women Day - raised $500 for the American Heart Association ● No Shave November - raised $945 for cancer research ● Hats for the Holidays - 132 hats/mittens for the Plymouth Coalition for the Homeless ● Pet supplies for the Plymouth Animal Shelter ● Grade Six Chorus - performed holiday music for elders ● Student Council - hosted spaghetti dinner at the Council on Aging’s Center for Active Living ● Grade Five students - valentine chocolates/cards for elders; made winter canvas paintings for elders ● Veterans’ Day ceremony - chorus members honored Vets ● Guatemala Toothbrush Project - plus toothpaste and dental floss ● Project 351 - ambassador at PSMS did Cradles to Crayons collecting clothing and shoes ● Project 351 - ambassador from PSMS serves on Alumni Advisory Council

T

U

D

E

N

T

J

O

U

R

N

E

Y

PCIS SERVICE LEARNING EFFORTS ● Seventh Grade Senators and Falcon Pride (eighth graders) - Thanksgiving Food Drive/Thanksgiving Food Baskets ● Seventh Grade Senators - beautification of school grounds ● Seventh Grade Senators - outreach to elementary students at the six PCIS feeder schools ● Falcon Pride (eighth graders) - BID Polar Plungeraised over $5,000 for Cancer Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center- Plymouth ● Falcon Pride - organized Bus Driver Appreciation Day ● Falcon Pride - nursing home visit for Valentine’s Day ● Falcon Pride - help out with events at PFN ● Falcon Pride and Sixth Grade Ambassadors - Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots campaign ● Play 60 Project - collected 12,000 cans of food, Devin McCourty Patriots visit ● Great American Milk Drive sponsored by the New England Dairy Council - raised $100 (equivalent to 20 gallons of milk); students wore hats on half days and donated money ● Jimmy Fund fundraiser - Scooper School, sold ice cream, raised $1,025.50 to the Jimmy Fund; students will be treated to the Scooper Bowl in Boston in June ● Myhre Syndrome Emoji Fundraiser - raised $567.50 in honor of PCIS student who has Myhre Syndrome. Only 55 people in the world have Myhre Syndrome. ● NuDay Syria Project - a PCIS student collected 12 sleeping bags and 30 bags of clothing, toys, blankets, school supplies from the PCIS community to donate to the refugee camps in Syria ● No Shave November - donated $225 to cancer awareness ● Students’ Night Out - $554.36 - This is half of the proceeds raised from the event. The funds are used for Falcon Pride service-learning projects. The other half goes to the athletic program.

12

A Profound Musical Success This year’s combined high school musical Les Misérables was performed in March by 48 students at the North High Performing Arts Center and was a huge success. Dave Grossman, Choral Director at North High, directed the show.

Jason Luciana, Choral Director at South High, produced it. Rehearsals began in December. Mr. Grossman spoke of the maturity the performers and crew needed to pull off a show of this magnitude.

“This show is a marathon. It’s long, emotionally draining, vocally challenging, and requires students to be constantly running around for props, costume changes, make-up changes, and more. I was pleased with what the students brought to the stage. There’s a level of maturity to be found in the control required to pace oneself through the show and still have voice left for the end of the second act, especially in a twoshow day,” said Mr. Grossman.

Les Mis would be a reach for any college theatrical troupe to pull off, but to think that this was a production of high school students, with a few elementary and middle school students sprinkled in, is a testament to the talent, maturity, and hard work of our students.

Mr. Luciana explained what it takes for students to succeed at this level.

“The skills needed are singing, acting, and the ability to stay cool, calm, and collected under 13 pressure. A certain amount of poise is needed to

perform when there are high stakes and high pressure,” said Mr. Luciana.

Performances like this are possible at the local high school level due in part to the facilities. A state of the art theater, sound, and lighting system at North High puts Plymouth at the local epicenter of high quality, high school performance possibilities. The new South High will have similar facilities once completed.

“As new high schools are being built over the last five to ten years, it’s becoming the trend to have them outfitted with professional stock theaters and fly systems. Some high schools are getting these things. It opens up the possibilities. Ten years ago you couldn’t imagine Les Mis being performed at the high school level. Some schools are doing Phantom. These are mega-musicals which are massive technical achievements,” said Mr. Luciana.

S

T

U

D

E

N

T

J

O

U

R

N

E

Y

no shortcuts. They’re putting it all out there on the stage,” said Mr. Luciana.

Mr. Grossman said performers learned not only teamwork and theatrical skills but also deeper lessons about humanity.

“I believe that students have made connections to the conflicts and situations from the past that are explored in the play to what they see in today’s society. In making those connections, students may learn compassion and empathy and maybe feel empowered to stand up and speak out towards social injustice. I think the depth of the themes of Les Misérables brought something more to the students involved on both the performance and technical sides.

The cast and crew exceeded all expectations, and Mr. Luciana said collaboration is key to putting together a successful production.

“As a director, I get to see the process from the beginning. The first thing you want to see is that the kids are having a good experience and that the show goes as smoothly as possible. I enjoy the fact that young people are performing theater at a high level. They’re telling a story to the audience. One of the coolest things we do, and one of the things I love about theater, is that it’s collaborative in a way that very few other activities or extracurriculars are. It asks students to perform at a high level and communicate emotionally on a level that they’re not asked to do frequently. They have to design, build, and create this as a team with a group of people. You don’t find this in other mediums. It’s an opportunity to collaborate, create, and express themselves in a different way. There are

On paper, the music in the show presents inherent vocal challenges, but emotionally honest performances can only come from a person either singing from their own experiences and exposing that in front of an audience or tapping deeply into empathy for their characters. Either way, achieving these types of performances means that the students have gone beyond notes and rhythms and explored humanity which, as corny as that may sound, is a pretty important skill for our students to learn,” said Mr. Grossman.

Thank you, Ladybug Photography for your beautiful photos and continued support! www.ladybugfoto.com

14

Dear Dr. Maestas,

"SPECTACULAR!"

A very special letter was sent by a community member following the Les Misérables production.

Spectacular! That is the only word to describe the Les Misérables production at your North High School. The show was more professional than the Boston version!

The students were so confident, accomplished and very engaged in their respective roles. Your director must be commended for his dedication and results.

My husband, as a drama coach, spent more than 25 years with the Mass High School Drama Guild, and I must say that this was the very best high school show that I have ever seen! He is looking forward to watching the video if it is produced!

Along with the performers, the orchestra was also superb. That is a difficult and exhausting score, but they rose to the occasion.

Thank you, the School Committee, and the Town of Plymouth for supporting the arts in our schools.

About the Cast

15

Sincerely, Carolyn Faria

Name: Andrea Sweeney School: North High, Sophomore Role in Les Mis: Fantine Age when first involved in theater: 6 Future plans: Attend college or a conservatory to study musical theater performance Showstopper in Les Mis: I Dreamed A Dream “The biggest lesson I learned from Les Mis is that life is completely gray. There are no black and white answers to life’s unresolved disputes and debates. Les Mis taught me that being good is much more than never doing wrong. It taught me that love is much more powerful than what we think it is. It taught me that being the best human you can be is working to find your most truthful, giving, loving self.”

S

T

U

D

E

N

T

J

O

U

R

N

E

Y

Name: Connor Smith School: South High, Sophomore Role in Les Mis: Marius Future plans: To continue with high school theater and possibly college theater “I thought it was great to have an important role in one of the greatest shows ever put on a Broadway stage. I liked connecting with people from the other school. I liked seeing how much I improved. I thought it was going to be kind of iffy if I got a part, and when I did I thought, ‘Wow. I can really do anything.’ The show changed how I think about everything. It gave me a lot of confidence.”

Name: Sydney Palmer School: PCIS, Grade 6 Role in Les Mis: Young Cosette Future plans: To spend her life involved in theater “I’m several years younger than most of the performers, and I still felt like I was one of them. I was quickly accepted in with all the other actors. I learned lots of important tips and lessons from being in Les Mis. We worked very hard for long hours. That really taught me how hard work and time investment are necessary if you want to put on a good show.”

Les Mis by the Numbers 48

15

CAST MEMBERS

STUDENTS IN THE ORCHESTRA PIT

34

TECH CREW & FRONT OF HOUSE ROLES

Special Thanks to the People Who Make These Opportunities Possible For Our Students Jason Luciana Rick Mei Dave Grossman Rosa D’Ambrosio Bonnie Holmes Caitlin Hanley Helen Morrow Mitchell Feinberg Natalie Colbert Rick Brooks Lauren Jezierski Mike Caple 16

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

HEALTHY PLYMOUTH'S OPPORTUNITY FAIRS Teenagers in the Plymouth Public Schools have been able to get a head start on job searching and volunteer opportunities in our community thanks to two annual career and volunteer fairs held at North High and South High. The fairs, held in March, typically boast more than 300 students attending. Judi Vigna, Ambassador of Healthy Plymouth, said the goal is for local businesses and organizations to connect with our teens who are searching for ways not only to volunteer in our community but also to acquire paid employment. This is the third year that the fairs have been held.

“We had two career fairs at North and South in March. We partnered with the YMCA, the Chamber of Commerce, the hospital, and the schools.

17

Students were able to walk around, fill out applications, and meet employers. It was amazing.

Some students were very shy, and it was their first experience meeting employers. We collected feedback, and most students who attended the fair said they were going to apply for at least one job. This program came out of community assessments that the hospital did.

We’re trying to prevent students from making unhealthy decisions, and our underlying focus is substance abuse prevention,” said Mrs. Vigna.

Another goal of the fairs is to help teenagers feel comfortable speaking with adults about employment and volunteer opportunities.

Danielle Nighelli, Director of Human Resources of Mirbeau Hospitality Services at Mirbeau Inn & Spa at The Pinehills, said Mirbeau has participated in the career fairs for three years.

C

Mirbeau has hired four students who interviewed at the fairs over the years, and one student in particular stands out.

“One student has been here since 2014 and is an outstanding employee for us,” said Ms. Nighelli. She mentioned Mirbeau has enjoyed participating in the career fairs and will continue to do so next year.

“I thought the fair was very well organized and a great opportunity for students to become comfortable with applying and interviewing in a less formal setting. The students that I met with were pleasant and eager to work. It was refreshing to see. We’ll be back next year,” said Ms. Nighelli.

Nancy Bailey, Retail Manager of Edaville Family Theme Park, was very pleased with the students Edaville has hired from the fair.

“This is the first year we participated in the fair.

We hired a few students, and they have been great. They came to the fair well-prepared with good questions,” said Ms. Bailey.

Mrs. Vigna hopes to add even more employers to next year’s fair, and she said the fair helps students to feel comfortable with the steps it takes to get hired.

O

M

M

U

N

I

T

Y

C

O

N

N

E

C

T

I

O

N

S

“This brings engagement and helps them navigate the process. We encourage them to follow up with employers. Many of the businesses have hired our students. It’s been a great experience. This is the third year we have held the fairs, and we’re always looking for more volunteer and paid opportunities for our students. We want families to use the fairs and our website as resources. Our goal is to expand across all industry sectors,” said Mrs. Vigna.

For more information, please go to: healthyplymouth.org/youthengagement/healthy-plymouthopportunities-program.

Thank you very much to all of the fair’s community supporters: Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital- Plymouth, G&G Silkscreen and Embroidery, Healthy Plymouth Youth Engagement Team, Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce, Plymouth Public Schools, and the Old Colony YMCA.

Photos taken by PNHS student, Peter Jamison.

18

For more information, please go to

healthyplymouth.org Thank you very much to all of the fair’s community supporters: Beth Israel Deaconess HospitalPlymouth, G&G Silkscreen and Embroidery, Healthy Plymouth Youth Engagement Team, Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce, Plymouth Public Schools, and the Old Colony YMCA. The following businesses and organizations were at the fairs: Council on Aging’s Center for Active Living ● Double B Ranch ● Healthy Plymouth Plymouth 44, Inc. ● Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce ● Plymouth Area Coalition Plymouth Public Library ● Terra Cura, Inc. ● Whale and Dolphin Conservation Wildlands Trust ● Cape Cod Community College ● Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital - Plymouth Benchmark Senior Living at Plymouth Crossings ● Brewster Ambulance ● Edaville U.S.A. East Bay Grille at The Pinehills ● Farms to Forks ● Glynn Electric ● Golden Living Center Home Depot ● Mamma Mia’s ● Carmela’s ● Mirbeau Inn and Spa at The Pinehills Old Colony YMCA ● Old Navy ● Preferred Mechanical Services ● Quincy College ● Shaw's Regal Cinemas ● Sodexo at Plimoth Plantation ● Texas Roadhouse ● The Market at The Pinehills Town of Plymouth Recreation Department Healthy Plymouth takes a look at our WHAT IS HEALTHY PLYMOUTH? community from a number of perspectives with a single goal – enriching the quality of our lives through better health. From our homes to places of work to our schools and ultimately, ourselves, Healthy Plymouth is a resource. Someplace we can all turn to for ideas and updates on how to be at our best. From information on farmers markets, to a wide array of physical activities, to nutritional information, to keeping our streets safe and secure – Healthy Plymouth lets us all find our own pathway to enjoying our lives through better health.

When people think of their health, often it’s the challenges we face that come to mind. From broken bones to complex diseases, too often we focus only on treating our problems. But what if a community not only addressed the need for unparalleled care, but also adopted a proactive approach where people were 19 committed to living healthier lives. That’s what Healthy Plymouth is all about.

You can find volunteer opportunities at healthyplymouth.org

C

O

M

M

U

N

I

T

Y

C

O

N

N

E

C

T

I

O

N

S

20

NEWS & NOTEWORTHY

A Full Year of Full Day K Full day kindergarten without a fee was offered for the first time this year in the Plymouth Public Schools. It was offered in years past but at a cost. Now a full day program is offered in all of our elementary schools at no cost to families. We asked Dr. Christopher Campbell, Assistant Superintendent of Administration and Instruction, to explain how the full day kindergarten program was developed.

21

When did the district begin to consider a full day kindergarten program?

Dr. Campbell: The district had considered the possibilities of full day kindergarten well before I started working for the Plymouth Public Schools nine years ago. A few years ago, we started to put a greater focus on the possibilities as we saw a decline in student enrollment. The major barrier to offering full day kindergarten had always been the availability of space. As our enrollment declined over the years, we started taking a closer look at what it would take to sustain a full day kindergarten model across the district.

N

E

W

S

A

N

D

N

O

T

E

W

O

R

T

H

Y

Who initiated the plan to bring full day kindergarten to the Plymouth Public Schools?

Dr. Campbell: At one of our School Committee retreats a few years ago, full day kindergarten was placed on the Committee’s prioritization list. Dr. Maestas and I started to have conversations about conducting a feasibility study to get a true sense of projected enrollments and needs such as space, personnel, materials, training, and funding.

Was this a lengthy process?

Dr. Campbell: The feasibility study was conducted over the 2014-2015 school year. We analyzed enrollment information and staffing data, conducted a study of existing classroom space in the district, and initiated surveys in local preschools, at Plymouth Family Network, and at Head Start. We also surveyed parents of students in the Plymouth Public Schools.

We developed estimates of operational costs such as professional development, curriculum materials, furniture, staffing, classroom supplies, and equipment.

We wrote a report with all of our findings, and we presented it to Dr. Maestas for submission to the School Committee.

What are the benefits for students who attend a full day versus a half day kindergarten program?

Dr. Campbell: There are numerous benefits to a full day program such as increased time on learning, the development of positive social and emotional relationships because of increased opportunities for one to one interactions, a deeper curriculum at a less hurried pace, greater opportunities for child-initiated activities, and decreased amounts of daily transitions for students. The full day program also helps families who need a full day program and helps prepare students for first grade. Attendance is better, and literacy is improved.

Were we one of the last districts in the area or the state to implement full day kindergarten?

Dr. Campbell: As of 2014 when the feasibility study was completed, 88% of kindergarteners in Massachusetts were in full day kindergarten classes.

Please describe how the shift in state mandated curriculum standards has caused districts to implement full day kindergarten.

Dr. Campbell: Kindergarten teachers, like all teachers, are under a tremendous amount of pressure to help students reach high levels of academic competency.

The learning process takes time. With a half day program, this becomes a becomes a very daunting task. Kindergarten is a critical year for all children. It marks the start of a child’s long-term kindergarten through grade 12 experience in our schools. The full day program allows for longer blocks of instructional time without interruptions. There’s more time to progress through a curriculum and more opportunities to spend time engaged in active, child-initiated activities. Full day kindergarten best supports individualized pacing and offers more opportunities to build stronger relationships between teachers and students, teachers and parents, and students with 22 other students.

What was the biggest challenge or roadblock to implementation of full day kindergarten?

Dr. Campbell: I wouldn’t necessarily refer to it as a roadblock, but we knew that aside from adequate classroom space, our biggest challenge would be obtaining the initial funding for additional personnel.

I know I speak on behalf of Dr. Maestas and the entire administrative team when I say that we are so

appreciative of the overwhelming support that Town Meeting members showed the Plymouth Public Schools when they supported our budget increase this year to fund the full day kindergarten model. The students in the district have been given a great gift which will undoubtedly help them academically and socially. We are truly appreciative.

Parent Perspective

Alison Thompson is the mother of three children: Ian (age 10), Sofia (age 9), and Lucy (age 5). Ian and Sofia attended the half day kindergarten program at Indian Brook Elementary School, and Lucy attends the full day kindergarten program at Indian Brook this year. Mrs. Thompson was not thrilled about putting Lucy into a full day program when she first heard about it, but she changed her mind after she saw how much Lucy blossomed in the full day program.

“When I first heard that the Plymouth Public Schools would be offering full day kindergarten I honestly wanted to cry! I was so upset and was one hundred percent against it. I’m a stay-at-home mom, so I didn’t need to send my five-year-old to school all day long. I also didn’t think Lucy would be happy because except for her preschool experience at Mount Pleasant, she knew only me as her caregiver.

I thought the half day program was better because it eased my other kids into going to school every day.

I am happy to admit I was so wrong!

23

I thought the half day program was better because it eased my other kids into going to school every day. I am happy to admit I was so wrong!

After the initial rough patch in the beginning of the year, we could not be happier with Lucy’s experience,” said Mrs. Thompson.

Lucy has been able to go to art class, which she enjoys very much, as a full day kindergarten student which was not available to students who participated in the half day program. She has also made many new friends and has grown in confidence. Mrs. Thompson said there are many advantages to attending the full day program, and she is very happy with Lucy’s experience this year.

“My youngest has just blossomed since starting kindergarten. She is very quiet when she is not at home, and she cried every morning for the first couple of weeks because she wanted to stay home with me. It was a rough start, but after talking with her teacher we came up with strategies to help her feel more comfortable, and once that happened, she has loved going ever since. She has made many new friends, she loves going to the specialists (especially art), and she is now more willing to try new things that before she would have been hesitant to do. There are so many added benefits to the full day program. Lucy now has gym, art, music, library, and computer lab. She has lunch and snack

at school plus recess. She is also going on a field trip to Plimoth Plantation. I am so happy I was wrong about going to the full day program,” said Mrs. Thompson.

Dr. Patrick Fraine, Principal of Manomet Elementary School, said the first year of full day kindergarten was an excellent opportunity for all students.

“The first year of full day kindergarten implementation for all was a smashing success. We no longer have ‘haves’ and ‘have nots.’ We saw the benefits of the additional time spent on early literacy for our full day kindergarten students over these past few years [when full day kindergarten was offered for a fee]. We knew that this same experience was desperately needed for ALL of our students. There is more time for work in all of the content areas that were previously only touched upon. Some areas weren’t touched upon at all.

Science and Social Studies can now be taught on a regular basis. Art, Music, Physical Education, Library, and Technology are all now regularly taught as well.

The biggest gift that we are giving students with the full day program is CONFIDENCE as they move from kindergarten into first grade. That confidence builds momentum which snowballs and should launch students into a greater position to succeed.

We now have daily access to computers for ALL of our kindergarten students on not only desktop computers but also Chromebooks that are used for skill development in programs such as Symphony Math and Lexia Reading. Both of these meet all learners where they are and push them to their individual next steps as learners,” said Dr. Fraine.

N

E

W

S

A

N

D

N

O

T

E

W

O

R

T

H

Y

same pace. This wasn’t possible before. We know as kindergarten teachers that the kids need time to explore, discover, talk, question, and think. Full day allows for this time. I don’t need to teach a lesson and move onto the next subject. I can give ample time for kids to practice and build stamina. One other huge piece is time to play. In addition to five specialists, kindergarten students are given two recess periods each day,” said Mrs. Hokanson.

She said students achieve tremendous academic growth in the full day program which is one of the many benefits of the extra time in class.

“It is unbelievable to watch the growth each year.

We have kids coming in who don’t recognize the letter R or know its sound. Here we are at the end of the school year assessing students, and they are reading full books. There seemed to be some push back that full day was too much, but even if a child was in the half day, expectations were the same.

Having students for the whole day allows teachers to cover what has always been required but with regard to how kindergarteners learn best. I strongly support the full day program and would encourage anyone who is hesitant to speak to their district kindergarten teacher to answer any questions. The quality of work is incomparable. The Plymouth Public Schools operates with a growth mindset. The effort and time put into any given task is shown in the results. Full day students are given the necessary time and opportunities to read and write, and we are seeing them reap the benefits of this in their academic successes,” said Mrs. Hokanson.

Megan Hokanson teaches full day kindergarten at Manomet Elementary School. She has previously taught half day kindergarten as well, and she said there are numerous benefits to a full day program.

“I am able to teach all core subject areas each day, but when I taught half day I had to choose two or three subjects to teach each day. Another big advantage is that now my one other grade partner and I are both full day. We are able to work on things collaboratively and keep our classes at the

24

Elementary

Engineers

They came from every elementary school in the district--230 fourth and fifth grade students--to participate in the 2017 Robotics Rally which was held this year at North High. The event had been held at South Elementary School in previous years. The larger venue at North High allowed students to have more opportunities for fun, hands-on activities in addition to the Robotics Challenge.

Teams participated in the Robotics Challenge as usual, but this year they were also given a passport card with the opportunity to have fun at different learning stations such as a wind tunnel, a coding station, a gaming station with the Zulama gaming program, and another coding station that included a mouse and cheese. Students were also able to visit the Robotics Lab run by Engineering teacher Mike Bastoni. Middle and high school students from a Technology Engineering class, the National Honor Society, and the Engineering program also helped out with the rally.

Elementary school Robotics teams, with names like Ice Dragons, McNuggets, Vanilla Spice, and The Mystical Mechanics of Doom and Donuts, were involved in challenges which allowed students to show what they had learned from ten weeks of enrichment classes in preparation for the rally.

25

Joe and Carol Ryan are the parents of two students who attend Nathaniel Morton.

Their daughter, Julia, participated in the rally, and they were very pleased with the event.

“The robotics program is such a sound use of time and resources. Kids were engaged in scientific thinking, working as a team, and having a blast at the same time. The public, collaborative demonstration of mastery without the element of competition was fantastic. My wife and I want our kids to explore robotics whenever possible,” said Mr. Ryan.

Julia Zangl Colby, Educational Technology Coordinator, said students learned many important skills such as perseverance, how to work collaboratively, and how to take part in the redesign cycle by participating in the robotics program and rally.

“It can be daunting to fail time and time again.

However, the students who excel with this type of experience are comfortable with the process of trial and error or become comfortable with it really fast. There is no specific way to reach the objective. There are several possibilities. Students just need to keep trying until they get it. The reward is knowing that there is a way, and it can be done. Students work within teams. They do not work individually. Students need to

identify strengths and weaknesses of teammates and capitalize on that. The idea of redesign is powerful for students and goes hand in hand with perseverance. Teasing out what is good about something and using that in conjunction with previous information that was collected along with research and opinions is engineering design in a nutshell,” said Mrs. Colby.

Alison Riordan, Science Curriculum Coordinator, said interconnectedness is one of the benefits of the robotics program and the rally.

“It is connected to the curricula in both Technology and Science. Students can see the connections between what they are doing in the classroom with Engineering Design and coding and apply it to solving a problem and reaching an objective. It’s great that so many different stakeholders are involved across several departments such as Technology, Science, and Career Vocational Technical Education and from almost every school and every level,” said Mrs. Riordan.

N

E

W

S

A

N

D

N

O

T

E

W

O

R

T

H

Y

Linda Gigliotti, a special needs teacher at Cold Spring who has coached Robotics teams for years, loved the redesign of this year’s rally.

“I think this year was smoother than last year with the activities in the cafeteria which were interesting, well spaced out, and easy for us to move from one to another. The tour of the North High Robotics Lab, the computer lab where students showed their work on CAD [computer-aided design], and building with the 3D printer made an impression on my teams which was great,” said Mrs. Gigliotti.

Coding is crucial to robotics, and students were able to become well-acquainted with it as they prepared for the rally.

“The LEGO Robotics systems we use utilize simple drag and drop coding options.

Students code a program by choosing specific directions, movements, and times for their design to follow in a specific order. This, in conjunction with gear ratios and traction, allows the robot to move a certain way. All robots need to be coded. Coding includes

26

the instructions that tell any robot what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. Coding requires you to think ahead and to plan out the necessary steps to accomplish something. Kids have a passion for this. They understand the point of it so early on because they are immersed with it in their lives. Coding is the real-world application of the devices that they use on a daily, hourly, and minute-to-minute basis,” said Mrs. Colby.

She also discussed some ideas about what we may see at a Robotics Rally in the near future.

“We would love to continue to offer critical thinking activities focused on Science, Technology, and Engineering. You will

27

continue to see coding activities, and in the future you may see more robot devices or perhaps some virtual reality. We’re seeking an upgrade in equipment, and with this upgrade will come some advanced motion possibilities for us to choose from when developing tasks for the annual event,” said Mrs. Colby.

Mike Bastoni, an Engineering teacher at North High, offered the following observation about this year’s Robotics Rally.

“There are languages that are recognized, written, and understood worldwide. These are computer coding languages. They are the communication tool shared by makers and creators from every country on earth.

N

Programming is one of the common denominators shared by the students who participated in the Robotics Rally. Many expect that programming, in short time, will become a required skill set for 21st century learning. It’s inspiring to see so many Plymouth students deeply engaged in their future success. We are grateful to the educators in the district who provide this opportunity for our children,” said Mr. Bastoni.

th u o m y l P t Check ou the n o y r o t EDTV's s tary n e m e l E 2017 ! y l l a R s c Roboti

E

W

S

A

N

D

N

O

T

E

W

O

R

T

H

Y

Follow along on Twitter!

@PPS_Science @jzcolby #PPSEDTECH

Elementary Robotics Rally 2017 28

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

UATE D A R G 2017 N EDITIO

We chose to write about five brand new alumni of our two high schools. One student is headed to MIT. One is taking a gap year in India. One is headed to Columbia University. One is headed to University of HawaiiManoa. One is headed to Commonwealth Honors College at UMass Amherst. We hope you enjoy reading about their plans for next year. Congratulations to these five graduates and to all of our graduates!

LEANNE GALANEK Leanne Galanek brightens every room she enters.

She’s the Salutatorian of the Class of 2017 at North High who will enter Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the fall where she will major in Nuclear Engineering. Friendly and welcoming to everyone, Leanne is the youngest of five children who credits her family with giving her a strong and confident personality.

“Being the youngest of five has given me a unique perspective. It makes me who I am. I’m

29

definitely outgoing and sometimes too loud. It’s a product of growing up in my family. I wanted to make sure my voice was heard. Being the youngest of five is a nice spot to be in. I’m very lucky to have the family I have,” said Leanne.

Although Leanne’s siblings all attended private high schools, Leanne knew when she was in Ranger House at Plymouth Community Intermediate School (PCIS) that she would head to North for high school.

“The teaching at PCIS solidified that I wanted to go to North. I knew I’d be successful no matter what. I had awesome teachers at PCIS who were so passionate about what they taught. My brothers and sisters went to BC High and Notre Dame for high school, but I didn’t want to go to an all-girls school. I was interested in math and science, and I knew that wouldn’t be the focus at an all-girls school.

I chose to stay at North. The engineering program with Mr. Bastoni seemed exciting, so I decided to stay in Plymouth,” said Leanne.

While at North, Leanne was the captain of the Math Team, Student Council co-president, a

A

member of the National Honor Society, and a captain of the cross country, basketball, and track and field teams. During high school she also had an internship at Draper Labs in Cambridge where she was introduced to computer programming. She credits Mike Bastoni, her Engineering teacher at North, with pushing her to try new things which ultimately earned her an acceptance at one of the best colleges in the country.

“I definitely wouldn’t be going to MIT if it weren’t for Mr. B. I’ve learned so many different, interesting things in his class. He pushes us to try things,” said Leanne. After Leanne graduates from MIT, she plans to work abroad in the nuclear industry to gain a

L

U

M

N

I

S

P

O

T

L

I

G

H

T

global perspective on the industry. She will certainly miss her family.

“My mom is the best mom in the world. She always encourages me. She’s always there for me. My dad has always pushed all of us to be better and never be satisfied. He’s taught us to always try to improve ourselves and improve everything around us. The two of them together have taught me not to settle for things and to go out and push myself. They’ve taught me the importance of eye contact and the importance of saying hello and not to look at my shoes. My family taught me people skills,” said Leanne.

Good luck at MIT and in all that you do, Leanne!

MICHAEL PETERSON

North High senior Mikey Peterson will head to India after he graduates to spend a gap year living in a hostel and volunteering with an organization called International Volunteer Headquarters.

He’ll teach English in New Delhi, and he will set out on his journey with nothing in tow but a sleeping bag, hiking boots, some light clothing, a refillable water bottle, some books for the children in India, and the desire to change lives.

“At the beginning of senior year, all my friends were talking about college. I didn’t want to go into debt. I want to do something to change my life and change the lives of other people. I’ve been to Costa Rica and Spain. They were life-changing trips. They opened my eyes to how big the world is. My day and all its little problems used to irk me. I realized my homework and work problems are little problems. I dug deep online and learned that India has 300 million street children. That’s

30

the same as the population of the U.S. That’s when I knew I had to go. I’m more than excited. All my life I’ve wanted to travel. As a little kid I set up a world map at home. My dream was to go through South America to Alaska and take a boat over there and make my way back home. That was the dream. I’m getting to start that. I’m excited to start building a new life,” said Mikey. Good luck in India, Mikey!

CHRISTOPHER NOLAN North High senior Chris Nolan is ranked third in his class and had his pick of top colleges. He was accepted at College of William & Mary, Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Rochester, and the Commonwealth Honors College at UMass Amherst. Although he fell hard for William & Mary, he made his decision about what college to attend with wisdom beyond his years.

“William & Mary struck a chord. The buildings are absolutely beautiful. Thomas Jefferson and other historical figures went there. It’s the second oldest college in the country after Harvard. It comes down to money. William & Mary is my dream school, but I want to avoid crippling student debt,” said Chris.

In the end, Chris chose the Commonwealth Honors College at UMass Amherst.

"My family left the decision to me. They can foot the bill for UMass. If I chose William & Mary, I’d have a hefty chunk of student debt,” said Chris.

At North, Chris is a member of the marching band, jazz band, Model United Nations, musicals, and local ensembles in the community. He also reinstated PRIDE at North which is a group that strives to promote acceptance of all people.

31

“My two moms are my inspiration. One of my moms is a teacher at a school that has a Gay-Straight Alliance. Sophomore year I asked my guidance counselor how I could get the PRIDE program going again at North,” said Chris.

Chris is considering joining the marching band at UMass, and he plans to major in Political Science and minor in Music. He is excited with the next chapter of his life, and he is also thrilled that he won’t graduate college with a crushing load of student loans.

“This is a great opportunity to branch out and explore who I am. I’m excited for a newfound sense of freedom. That’s the nature of leaving home.

There’s so much to explore.

I’m going to take advantage of whatever opportunities I find,” said Chris.

Good luck at UMass, Chris!

A

L

U

M

N

I

S

P

O

T

L

I

G

H

T

MADELYN SESSLER South High senior Maddie Sessler will head to Columbia University in the fall where she will become a member of the track and field team. Her favorite event is the hurdles. Madelyn’s grandfather was also a hurdler on the Columbia track and field team years ago. Madelyn has considered majoring in Psychology at Columbia. She has taken five Advanced Placement classes during her years at South High, and she will miss the academic community at her beloved high school.

“There’s such a supportive community at Plymouth South. It’s pretty unique.

It feels like a big family. My teachers and coaches are like my extended family,” said Maddie.

Good luck at Columbia, Madelyn! Don’t forget to pack your lucky Nike headbands, and keep triple knotting your track spikes!

BENJAMIN RIVERA-CONCANNON Benjamin Rivera-Concannon will head to Manoa, Hawaii after he graduates from South High. He will attend the University of Hawaii- Manoa where he will double major in Political Science and Government. Ben was born in Oahu, Hawaii, so his college years will be a homecoming of sorts. He still has family in Hawaii and looks forward to spending more time with them during his college years.

Ben will enter the Honors Program at UHawaii. He loves art and music and plans to continue pursuing these interests in college. Ben is extremely grateful to the Plymouth Public Schools for providing him with a great education.

“I’ll never forget the whole school system. It’s an experience all parents wish their kids could experience. It champions success for the students. The teachers work so hard. Every single one of my teachers helped me to succeed. They have all made an impact on my life. There’s a lot of care and connection between the students and the teachers. I’ve had an amazing time. It’s an incredible thing to be a part of. I thank everyone involved for it,” said Ben. Good luck in Hawaii, Ben!

32

INSPIRATION AWARD 2016 Inspiration Award Recipient

Dennis

Borsari

Dennis Borsari, Cold Spring Elementary School custodian, received an Inspiration Award this year. Cold Spring second grade teacher Catherine “Katie” Staier and 20 other Cold Spring staff members nominated him. Mrs. Staier referred to Mr. Borsari as the “rock solid foundation and heartbeat” of Cold Spring.

“Denny is so much more than a custodian to the students and staff at Cold Spring. His presence affects the entire building in a positive way. He cares about the school, and more importantly, he cares FOR the people in the school. He’s a caretaker for us all. I have worked in numerous schools throughout our country, and I have never encountered a custodian as quietly powerful as Denny. I have seen him cut food for a kindergartener during lunch. He willingly takes students under his wing who need some extra TLC or need to feel important.

33

Denny has a personal relationship with all students and staff. He makes you feel like you’re the most important person in the world.

He knows the kids by name, jokes around with them, shakes hands, and offers advice and encouragement through words and high fives.

Denny built a special structure for a physically disabled student. He built a shelf to hold items for my easel. I’m sure you could ask every teacher, and they would tell you that Denny has built something special for them just because he cares,” said Mrs. Staier.

Before he became a custodian at Cold Spring, Mr. Borsari worked as a maintenance man at South High. He also had his own construction company for 30 years. Mr. Borsari was very surprised when he won an Inspiration Award.

He credits his father and grandfather with showing him the value of hard work. “By working and being around them, I learned how to work hard. They taught me that if I knew how to work with my hands, I’d never be out of work. Their influence was their way of life.

Simple and happy,” said Mr. Borsari.

I

He finds ways great and small to help the students and staff members at Cold Spring.

“He goes well above and beyond for Cold Spring because he has a caring spirit and an incredibly strong work ethic. He went into third grade and taught a lesson about simple machines. He showed students the ways he uses simple machines every day. He checks in with teachers every single day asking, ‘How’s the temperature? Is it ok for you? I fixed that chair and that window shade. Are they working better now?’ He greets kids in the car line. He helps out with dismissal. He stays in the cafeteria for every lunch talking with the kids.

What makes him stand out so much is that he cares, he notices, and he does something about it,” said Mrs. Staier.

Mr. Borsari’s positive attitude and kind gestures do not go unnoticed at Cold Spring.

He stands at the entrance to Cold Spring every morning and greets each student with a big hello, a cheery laugh, and a wide grin.

N

S

P

I

R

A

T

I

O

N

A

W

A

R

D

“Denny embodies the saying, ‘don’t worry, be happy.’ He never complains and never speaks a bad word about anyone or anything. He happily drops whatever he’s doing to help someone out. He does it all with a smile. He takes pride in the building and everyone in it.

He puts a smile on everyone’s face,” said Mrs. Staier.

Outside of school, Mr. Borsari enjoys spending time with his wife, Kimberly, his sons Doug and Greg, his daughter-in-law Tiffany, and his grandson Luca. He also enjoys boating and fishing. His plans for the future are to keep it simple and be happy like his father and grandfather before him.

“I’ll retire maybe in five years. I want to enjoy life somewhere warm. I want to enjoy my sons and their families,” said Mr. Borsari

34

The Voyager Magazine is a publication of the Plymouth Public Schools.