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Date: 10/27/2021
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Federal pandemic relief funds will pay for a full-time Coburn School administrator and several other new hires in West Springfield schools.
The School Committee on Oct. 19 approved the equivalent of 11 full-time positions to be funded by ESSER III grants, which are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress and President Biden in March.
Superintendent Timothy Connor said the new full-time administrator at Coburn School would assist Principal Gina Martin-Ryan as she prepares to move out of the old school and into the new one under construction next door.
“We are getting closer and closer to the opening of the new Coburn, which we’re very excited for,” said Connor. “What we also have acknowledged, with everything else on the plate of our administrators, there [is] the need to free up some time for Mrs. Martin-Ryan to handle that transition and that scheduling process. … It’s quite the undertaking to move from one building to the other in a seamless fashion, so we’re going to use this person to help out with some of the lower-level management things that administrators do.”
The administrator would be funded through the end of this school year, said Kim Hunter, the school business manager.
Other positions to be funded by the third round of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief grants — ESSER III — include the equivalent of three full-time elementary math specialists; three full-time-equivalent substitute teachers for the elementary schools; a special education teacher; and two full-time-equivalent behavioral specialists.
“Many of these positions that we’re talking about this evening are identifications of some of the challenges and the gaps that we’re seeing upon re-entry of students back into school,” said Connor. “We have noticed students with [emotional] regulation issues; students who are needing additional support with behaviors.”
The two behavioral specialist positions, Connor said, will allow for paraprofessionals to advance their coursework and get certified in this position. The specialists will float between classrooms based on need. In the future, Connor said, he hopes to grow this program, because it helps and supports both students and teachers.
Another position to be supported by ESSER III is a floating school nurse, which had already been approved for one year, but will now be funded for three years, expiring in the 2023-24 school year. Connor said in the current labor market, nurses aren’t willing to take a new job with only a one-year term. He believes the schools may find more applicants if they change this position to a three-year term.
‘Amazing Shake’
Connor said West Springfield Middle School (WSMS) has brought back the “Amazing Shake.”
According to Peter Gillen, principal of WSMS, “The Amazing Shake is a national program specifically for middle school students that was established at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia.” He continued, “Its premise is to teach students social and professional skills before they get to high school,” such as public speaking, professional writing, video presentations, social discourse and thinking on your feet. Gillen explained that students learn this through embedded classroom feedback, direct teaching and experiential challenges.
At WSMS, they primarily focus on proper email and professional writing, public speaking and presentation, and video creation. Through the students’ work, Gillen said the teachers provide feedback and suggestions to everyone. Some students even participate in monthly challenges that involve these skills. As a result of these competitions, students have the opportunity to win prizes.
After the pandemic subsides, Gillen is hopeful to send the school-wide winners to compete in the national finals. In the meantime, he said, “It’s been a great way to build essential skills, and challenge and recognize some high-achieving students.”
High school news
Student representative Tacia Mazimpaka announced that West Springfield High School’s homecoming on Oct. 12 was a “major success,” with over 400 tickets sold, “a record turnout.”
Connor added that to his understanding, homecoming was a great evening and took place outside, with a bonfire.
“I’m glad we were able to get back to something that seems like normal,” he said.
Connor also said Logan Mulkerin is one of West Side’s National Merit Scholarship Letter of Commendation recipients. This means that Mulkerin’s score on the PSAT placed in the top 3 or 4 percent in the country. Connor recognized and congratulated Mulkerin for this achievement.
Connor said that COVID-19 data has been posted on the school’s website and is updated every Friday. Cases are posted for each individual school, encompassing all faculty, staff and students.
The next School Committee meeting is Nov. 9.