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Date: 3/23/2022
BELCHERTOWN – With the feasibility study for Jabish Brook Middle School and Swift River Elementary School approved, the Belchertown School Committee received an update about the next steps for the project while also awarding two staff members the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award.
After the Town Meeting approval, Superintendent Brian Cameron said the next step for the feasibility study was to file the certified town meeting vote and a feasibility study certification signed by Cameron, School Committee Chair Heidi Gutekenst and Select Board Chair Jen Turner with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). Once the documents are submitted, Cameron said the next step is to wait until the district hears back from the MSBA. As of the meeting, Cameron said he had not heard any official next steps for the feasibility study.
Jennifer Parker, a guidance counselor at Jabish Brook Middle School, was the first recipient for the award and Cameron said her peers spoke glowingly of her.
“She goes above and beyond every day making sure everyone is in a positive, safe and respectful environment. During lunchtime at Jabish Brook Middle School Jen offers her full lunch block to sit with students who do not eat lunch or are uncomfortable eating in the lunchroom, she makes them feel comfortable and checks in with how they are doing,” he said. “I saw that twice and there are certainly a number of students in that room who feel comfortable.”
On top of her schedule, Cameron said Parker also fills in as a substitute teacher, maintains constant communication with parents and calls home to check in on students who stay home to make sure they are okay.
Along with Parker, Debra Keefe, the district’s care coordinator attendance nurse was also honored for her work and Cameron spoke of what her colleagues had to say about her.
“Debra is an excellent collaborator and goes above and beyond to make sure students are connected with a healthcare provider, medical specialist or therapist. Debra continually tries to connect with parents when issues arise with a child’s attendance,” he said. “She will meet with parents in person, virtually or go into their homes to help educate parents on the importance of attendance, she will find the roots of the problem and help parents with appropriate plans for student success.”
In addition to her normal duties and helping resolve attendance issues, Cameron said Keefe is always one of the first volunteers to help with any of the district’s nursing initiatives.
After introducing the winners, Cameron along with the entire committee thanked them for their work helping students.
Parker and Keefe will be honored at a dinner along with the rest of the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award recipients in May at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.
During the meeting, the committee also approved a motion to purchase new Spanish textbooks because the previous ones were outdated.
The Belchertown School Committee next meets on March 29 and coverage of that meeting will appear in the April 7 edition of The Reminder.