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Date: 6/29/2021
AGAWAM – The Agawam School Committee met for its final meeting of the 2020-2021 academic year on June 22.
Mayor William Sapelli reconvened the meeting that took place before moving into executive session. He explained that during the executive session, they discussed the Junior High Team Modeling Program schedule. Sapelli entertained a motion to approve the MOU regarding the Team Model.
Superintendent Sheila Hoffman provided an overview of the schedule for the audience. “Right now, the junior high has a schedule with eight courses – courseload for a student with day one and day two. They are proposing, the Junior High scheduling committee has met this year and they are proposing, to change the daily schedule for students down to seven courses at a time, without a day one and day two – just five regular, straight days.”
When it came time to vote on the elimination of one course, the School Committee voted in approval with 5 yes, 0 no, 2 absent.
In regard to highlights on education, Sapelli introduced the The Clark School Eversource Challenge Program.
Hoffman shared some background. “The Eversource Challenge is a program offered to K-12 students in communities that are served by Eversourse. Hundreds of students participate in Western Mass and this challenge invites students to showcase their knowledge about energy saving, conservation, and sustainability.”
With this program, each grade level has a different challenge to fulfill. This year, kindergarten and fourth grade students from Clark and Granger had work that was entered into the contest.
Hoffman presented PowerPoint slides which read, “Students in kindergarten learned about Human Impact on Earth. They discussed conservation and learned about making better choices.” In addition, they designed energy saving posters.
“Grade 4 students designed billboards and wrote persuasive essays about saving energy, renewable energy sources, and pollution.” The PowerPoint highlighted some students' work – providing visuals for the audience.
Student winners will be honored with a virtual ceremony and they will receive Amazon gift cards as prizes.
The teachers involved in this program from James Clark School include Lisa Calderon, Kim Miarecki, Robyn Wayrynen, Jacqueline Dasilva, and Tammy Rumplick.
Sapelli said, “It’s so important to educate our students on the environment and how to save energy at this young age, so my hats off to that entire group.”
Next, Hoffman read superintendent notes. She shared that two new principals will be joining the district and are set to begin on July 1. Stephanie Harris has been appointed principal of Robinson Park School.
“Mrs. Harris who recently served as a LEAD teacher at Granger School, was an English-Language Arts Teacher at the Junior High School for many years. She will bring her experience and enthusiasm to her new position,” stated Hoffman.
James Blain will be principal at Agawam High School. “Mr. Blain has recently served as principal of Suffield High School and has a wealth of experience having previously served as an assistant principal, principal, and athletic director,” Hoffman continued.
Through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Guidance for Summer Programming, masking indoors and maintaining proper health and safety guidance isn’t required, but is encouraged.
Hoffman said, “At this time, all health and safety guidance including masking and social distancing are lifted for the fall.”
Sapelli shared Hoffman’s exemplary evaluation and comments from the committee members. All members recognized and applauded Hoffman for her hard work and determination throughout a difficult school year. From remote, to hybrid, to in-person learning, committee members believed she made the right decisions, even when faced with challenges.
Hoffman thanked everyone involved – the administrative team, along with all faculty and staff who worked to make this school year a success. Committee members said they look forward to the new school year in the fall and remain hopeful that everything will be back to normal. The first School Committee meeting of the fall 2021 academic year will take place on Sept. 14.