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Showing posts from October, 2022

STAR Assessments

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Gr. K-8 STAR Beginning of Year Benchmark Test Results Parents/guardians of students in Grades K-8 are now able to view their child’s Beginning of Year Benchmark STAR scores in Powerschool.  Gr. 1-8 students were tested in September, and our Kindergartners were assessed in October.  STAR test results are used by Gr. K-8 teachers to identify student’s strengths and challenges in Early Literacy/Reading and Mathematics. Parents will be able to view both the “Unified Scale Score” and the “Percentile Rank”.  Please  link here  for directions on  How to View MCAS and Star Assessment Scores in Powerschool .  If parents/guardians have questions about his/her child’s results, they should consider meeting with the principal, counselor, or teacher to discuss areas where improvement may be needed and/or ways that parent/guardian may support their child’s learning at home.  Information on this year's MCAS scores can be found in the October 21st Superintendent's Blog Post.

Spring 2022 MCAS Parent/Guardian Reports

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The district has just mailed home the Spring 2022 MCAS Parent/Guardian Reports .  These reports provide results for last year’s Grades 3-8 and 10th grade students. The Parent/Guardian report presents your child’s scores.  MCAS scores are also now available online, please link here for directions on How to View MCAS and Star Assessment Scores in Powerschool (we will notify families when this Fall’s STAR results are also available for viewing).  MCAS scores are one data point to provide information on your child’s learning.  Your teacher reviews and considers multiple data to monitor your child’s understanding of state standards throughout the school year, and then works to target those important skills and concepts they need to know.  The bottom of each parent/guardian report includes information specifically designed for families to help you support your child's learning in their current grade. Visit the links on the reports to view the Family Guides to review the grade-specif

Power Outages in Holden

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  Good Morning Wachusett School Community, The Town of Holden lost power briefly this morning, and between approximately 8:15 and 8:45 AM, power was intermittent at our Holden schools.  The power is back on at all of our schools.  We are assessing connectivity issues with the internet and telephones.  Thank you to all town responders who worked to rectify the situation as soon as possible.  We will keep you informed if there are any updates.

WRHS Students Making a Difference

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I made note during the most recent School Committee meeting of how impressed I have been with students actively making a difference in our communities.  Another great example of this work will be coming to fruition at the Holden Town Meeting this Monday, October 17, 2022 at 7:00 pm.  In 2019 students in Ms. Jasiekiewicz CP Civics in the 21st Century class began a project in conjunction with the Holden Recreation Director, members of the Board of Selectmen, and the Holden Town Manager to build an inclusive playground at the Holden Municipal Light Department.   As a result of their work, the project has been able to advance at warp speed and the committee is now looking to secure funding from the town for the design and engineering study essential to move the project forward.  The original student presentation ( link here to view ) as well as three potential designs ( link here to view ) were presented to the Board of Selectman on October 4th.  The crucial next step for the project will

DESE Comprehensive Review Visit May 1-5

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. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has selected the Wachusett Regional School District for a Comprehensive District Accountability Review by the Office of District Review and Monitoring (ODRM) during the 2022-2023 school year.  DESE selects a variety of districts to undergo these reviews each year A Comprehensive District Accountability Review will include looking at the district’s status on the DESE District Standards and Indicators:  Leadership and Governance, Curriculum and Instruction, Assessment, Human Resources and Professional Development, Student Support, and Financial and Asset Management.   The review will be conducted by an extensive document review and a week-long site visit during the week of May 1-5 that will include individual interviews of district leaders, and focus group interviews of school leaders, instructional staff, school committee members, WREA leadership, family members, and middle and high school students.  During the site visit, t

INTERFACE Referral Service for all WRSD Community Members

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WRSD is pleased to continue to work with the Interface referral service again this school year.  Wachusett has partnered with William James College to help facilitate outpatient counseling referrals.  To obtain an outside therapist, families typically have to make multiple phone calls, sort through health insurance requirements, and are often placed on long waitlists.  With William James College's Interface service, families only have to make a phone call to start the referral process, and the wait is often significantly shorter than it would be through other means.  This service is free and available to all residents of our five member towns.  No direct affiliation with our schools is required for community members. INTERFACE HELPLINE 888-244-6843 (toll free);   617-332-3666 (local) Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm What to Expect When You Call