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Date: 10/12/2022
HAMPDEN/WILBRAHAM – The Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee approved a request from Wilbraham Middle School Principal John Derosia to conduct a field trip for the eighth-grade students from Wilbraham Middle and Green Meadows schools.
Derosia explained that before the coronavirus pandemic, the trip was run through the company EF Explore. When the trip was brought back last year, the district chose WorldStrides to organize the trip. This year, after considering travel companies, Derosia said, Nations Classroom was selected.
Derosia said that cost may be a factor in whether the trip happens. Even though Nations Classroom was moderately-priced compared to other companies, the principal told the committee that the trip would be $400 more expensive than last year.
Under the current plan, four students would room together, although for an additional $120, he said students may be able to room in pairs. Derosia said he was a little uncomfortable with four students in a room. When School Committee member Sherrill Caruana asked why, Derosia explained that last year, some students requested co-ed roommates, while others who did not know each other were forced to bunk together or share a bed.
Last year, 130 eighth graders participated in the trip, during which students visited museums, the White House and other historic and civically important sights. It is not yet known how many people will attend this year. Derosia said the parent-teacher organization has agreed to fundraise specifically for the trip. Additionally, Nations Classroom offers accounts for each student to which friends and family can add money to help fund the experience.
School Committee norms
When considering the School Committee norms, the topic of texting during meetings was broached. School Committee Clerk Sean Kennedy told his colleagues that he often receives text messages from constituents with comments or points regarding a subject under discussion. Vice Chair Maura Ryan told him if someone is looking at their phone, they may not be giving their full attention to the people in the room and could be considered rude. Kennedy insisted that it was helpful and insisted he would not vote to ban the practice.
The topic was tabled until a future meeting.
Positions filled
Superintendent John Provost presented new hires for two roles in the district. Mistie Parsons is the new principal at Soule Road School. Provost said Parsons had worked in Providence, RI, and served in leadership positions in Boston and Southbridge schools. He also said she had shown “vulnerability” in the interview process and it was a factor in the screening committee’s unanimous vote for her.
Parsons said that the first week in the district had been “amazing,” and that Soule Road and its students were “really special.”
The other individual Provost introduced is a known face within the district. Sara Wright, who has been a teacher in the district, specifically at Mile Tree Elementary School and Soule Road School, was hired as a math coach.
“It’s really been an exciting year to step out of the classroom,” Wright said, adding that the decision came when she saw how much support teachers need right now.
Other topics
Provost discussed the action steps that had been taken in pursuing the district’s strategic plan. One such step was the creation of a district Planning Commission, which will include members from both community Boards of Selectmen and two members of the School Committee.
Kennedy volunteered and said he was interested in the work, but also had recently been elected so would be available to serve for the next few years. Both Ryan and School Committee member Patrick Kiernan said they were not planning to run for reelection, so would not be appropriate choices. Eventually, School Committee Chair Michal Boudreau volunteered for the position.
Other bodies created to work on strategic plan goals include the Safety and Wellness Team and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusions Team. Provost said he had been made aware of the need for Hampden resident representation on that team and made a pitch for people to contact him for the role. He assured people that serving on the team is not a significant investment of time.
Provost also thanked Executive Assistant to Superintendent Erin Dowding, district Information Technology Director William Powers and Dave Sanders of Wilbraham Public Access for learning how to and facilitating a livestream of the School Committee meetings. He said Dowding and District Office staff member Mary Camerota, who records the School Committee minutes, worked to share them on the district’s website. Both efforts increased transparency and communication with the communities, Provost said.