Monday, December 23, 2013

In the Holiday Spirit

Last week was a busy week as we concluded lots of activities before our holiday vacation break.

Students at all of our schools collected items for those less fortunate. Below is a photo of students from Chestnut Hill Community School with food items that were donated by the children. Our students are to be congratulated for their generous spirits!


On Thursday, December 19th, our first graders at SRE presented, "It's A Small World." This is the culmination of their study of the customs and cultures from across the globe. There were recitations, songs, and dances. Many of the children dressed in costume from the countries they represented. They did an outstanding job!
Students in costume, representing Sweden, share their country's holiday customs.

Children perform Nigun Atik, an Israeli dance.
On Friday, December 20th, BHS hosted our Senior Citizens for a concert and sing-a-long in the auditorium, followed by a brunch in the cafeteria. Musical selections were provided by the Women's and Mixed Choirs, the Percussion II Ensemble, and the Wind Ensemble. The food and beautiful cafeteria decorations were provided by the Student Council and National Art Honor Society students. The seniors thoroughly enjoyed both the music and the meal!
Seniors and students enjoy some time together over brunch.

Holiday Extravaganza! Concert Rescheduled

The BHS Holiday Extravaganza! concert was snowed out on December 17th and has been rescheduled to Friday, January 3, 2014 at 7:00 pm in the BHS auditorium. There are still tickets available for $5.00 per person and may be purchased at the door. We hope you will come and join us for an evening of holiday song!

Coffee and Conversation with the Superintendent


Our second quarter Coffee and Conversation with the Superintendent gatherings will take place on Thursday, January 9th, for parents/guardians of CSS, SRE, and CHCS at 6:30 pm in the CHCS Library (with thanks to the CHCS PTO for hosting). The gatherings for JBMS and BHS parents/guardians will take place on Thursday, January 16th, at 6:30 pm in the BHS Library. The topic of these gatherings will be school safety, with an opportunity for parents and guardians to learn about and give feedback to revisions to the district's Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy and Plan, as well as our Emergency Operations Plan. So we can be adequately prepared for you, please call my office at 413.323.0423 or send an email to superintendent@belchertown.org to let us know if you plan to attend. 

Holiday Vacation


Our schools are closed for the December holiday vacation, Monday, December 23, 2013 through Wednesday, January 1, 2014. We will reopen on Thursday, January 2, 2014. On behalf of the Belchertown Public Schools, I would like to wish everyone a happy holiday season and we will see you all in the new year!

As always, if you have any questions or comments about this blog post, please call my office at 413.323.0423 or send an email to superintendent@belchertown.org.

Best regards, Dr. Judith Houle, Superintendent of Schools


Sunday, December 15, 2013

Congratulations to the Boys' Soccer Team and a Remembrance

Belchertown Boys' Soccer Team Recognized as Division III State Champions


On Tuesday, December 10th, I had the pleasure of recognizing our Boys' Soccer Team and their coaches for winning the State Division III championship at a School Committee meeting! Over the past few years, the team has won the Western Mass championship, but this was a year where they won at the state level - quite an accomplishment! In addition to their athletic abilities, they have worked hard academically, and they are to be congratulated for their respect of their opponents, win or lose, and their great sportsmanship. Varsity Coach, Tony Almeida, and JV Coach, Zach Siano, are also to be congratulated on their leadership and work with the team.

The Boys' Soccer Team and their coaches pose for a congratulatory photo at the
December 10th School Committee meeting.


Remembering the Victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School


At the December 10th School Committee meeting, a moment was taken to remember the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. I read a piece I had written and read at a vigil held the weekend after that shooting at the Belchertown United Church of Christ, excerpts of which I share here:

On Friday December 14th, the day at Sandy Hook Elementary School began just like the day began in our schools in Belchertown. Teachers and administrators, ready to begin the day with the potential of sharing opportunities for new learning, greeted their students, who arrived full of expectation for what they might learn, coupled with the excitement that the holiday season brings to young children. then the unthinkable happened. Someone who was suffering from an indescribably amount of internal anguish and spiritual pain took out his rage on the lives of twenty-six innocents as darkness pierced its way into a bright and sunny day. Those of us who are educators form a kinship that transcends our individual school houses. We feel the pain of those left behind to pick up the pieces and move on....

What happened during that rampage is something we can only imagine. Administrators and a school psychologist did what any of us would do - they put themselves in harm's way in an effort to protect their students from danger. Dawn Hocksprung, principal, did what any principal would do - giving her all for her children - along with Mary Sherlach, the school psychologist.

Teachers, trained in lock-down techniques as is our staff in Belchertown, sprang into action. Children were tucked away in corners, bathrooms, and closets while heinous acts of killing were carried out upon 20 children - Charlotte, Daniel, Olivia, Josephine, Ana, Dylan, Madeline, Catherine, Chase, Jesse, James, Grace, Emilie, Jack, Noah, Caroline, Jessica, Avielle, Benjamin, Allison - and 6 adults - Dawn, Rachel, Ann Marie, Lauren, Mary, Victoria - who were the first to encounter the shooter without sufficient time to protect themselves and their students. Those who survived as well as those who lost their lives that day are heroes.

We ask how - we ask why. These are questions that will never be sufficiently answered. Was there enough security? What could be done differently? As we try to make sense of this tragedy, we realize there is no sense to be made. As Governor Daniel Malloy stated, evil came to visit that town that day. We wonder, could this happen in our small New England community? However, mental illness is on the rise in our society, fueled by the stresses of fractured families, economic decline, exposure to graphic violence on a daily basis, and a step away from a spiritual connection. Mental illness is a disease we don't like to talk about as a nation, but it is an issue that we all must confront if we are to put an end to acts of senseless violence, such as this. The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, but they also bring undue stress on those who are already at risk.

Our response as a school district is to become more vigilant, more aware of our surroundings. We are working with the Belchertown Police Department and our staff to do everything humanly possible to ensure the safety of our staff and students. We are trained to recognize warning signs in our students, staff, and other adults...However, we cannot, by ourselves, be the eyes and ears of every person in our community. This tragedy and others like it, serves as a wake-up call to communities across our country. We need to get back to knowing our neighbors and community members and be willing to speak up and take action when someone seems to be in distress. Robbie Parker, father of six-year-old Emilie Parker who lost her life that day, said it best, "Let this inspire us to be better, more compassionate, and caring toward other people." No school district, including ours, can do this alone. We need you, the community, to notice the hurting among us and to be proactive in reaching out to them. We readily share our lives on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, but what is required of us as a society is to reach out to one another face-to-face. No computer or smart phone can replace the power of human interaction: a smile, a nod to acknowledge someone who is experiencing spiritual pain, a gentle touch, a hug.

Life is precious - may we all be reminded...of what's really important - family, friends, and caring for one another. Thank you.


Unfortunately, almost a year to the day of this tragedy, another tragedy unfolded in a Colorado High School. Another reminder that we must be vigilant and aware of those who are struggling and not stand by, but stand up and seek out assistance. Our district is working to partner with other service and mental health organizations to meet the needs of struggling students and their families in our town. A School Safety Task Force has also been brought together, working over the past few months on an Emergency Operations Plan to address safety issues on a variety of fronts. The Healthy and Safer Schools Committee is also revising the district's bullying prevention and intervention plan. Both plans are due to be presented to the School Committee in February.

Parents and guardians are invited to join me for the second quarter Coffee & Conversation with the Superintendent gatherings to discuss both of these plans. A gathering for parents and guardians of students at CSS, SRE, and CHCS will be held in the CHCS Library on January 9th at 6:30 pm. A session for parents and guardians at JBMS and BHS will be held on January 16th at 6:30 pm in the BHS library. Please call my office at 413.323.0423 or email superintendent@belchertown.org by January 3rd to let us know if you plan to attend so we can be adequately prepared.


Our last day of school in December will be on Friday, December 20th. The holiday recess begins on Monday, December 23rd and lasts through January 1st. School will reopen on January 2nd. I wish everyone happy holidays as you gather with friends and family to celebrate the season.

As always, if you have any questions about this blog post, please feel free to call me at 413.323.0423 or email superintendent@belchertown.org.

Best regards, Dr. Judith Houle, Superintendent of Schools





Monday, December 9, 2013

Giving Back This Holiday Season

Our students are focusing on giving back this holiday season. Our CSS students will be bringing in non-perishable food items for distribution to local pantries. First grade students at SRE are donating hats, scarves, and mittens for children in need. At CHCS, the students are bringing in non-perishable food items and socks for distribution. The running club at JBMS ran in the Hot Chocolate run in Northampton on Sunday, December 8th, for Safe Passage and to raise awareness about domestic violence. BHS students are encouraged to donate $1.00 at lunch to help those who are in need. These activities represent one of the basic tenets of our PeaceBuilders program, which is to build peace at home, at school, and in the community.

I am also pleased to announce that my superintendent colleagues across the valley have also stepped to the plate to join in. The Connecticut Valley Superintendents' Roundtable met on Friday, December 6th. I am serving as the Roundtable president this year. The group was treated to some performances by the BHS music department: a saxophone quartet and the Women's Choir. The students did a fantastic job! Thanks go to Ms. Boysen and Ms. Comstock for coordinating and preparing their musicians. This is one of two traditions the group has. The second is to collect toys and non-perishable food items or to give a cash donation to families in need in the president's school district. I will be distributing food items and $195.00 in donations to Belchertown CAN and the toys will be distributed to families in need in Belchertown.

Owl Release Photos


As I mentioned in last week's blog post, Jean Brunelle, JBMS Science Teacher, released an owl that had been sprayed by a skunk she rescued this summer. After going through some rehab, the owl was ready to be released at Lake Wallace. As promised, pictures are posted here.
Jean Brunelle describes how she came to the aid of the owl in the carrier prior to its release.

The owl takes flight! Photo courtesy of Aimee Henderson, Belchertown Sentinel.

Holiday Extravaganza!


The BHS music department will cap off this season's musical performances with the Holiday Extravaganza! Concert on Tuesday, December 17th at 7:00 pm in the BHS auditorium. Come join us for some holiday cheer and be sure to bring your singing voices for the "Super Sing-a-Long"! Tickets are $5.00 each. Call the school at 323.9419 to reserve your seats as this concert tends to sell out!

As always, if you have any questions or comments about this blog post, please call me at 413.323.0423 or send an email to: superintendent@belchertown.org.

Best regards, Dr. Judith Houle, Superintendent of Schools

Monday, December 2, 2013

Where did November go?

Wow! Between parent-teacher conferences, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving, November flew by in a flash! December is upon us and many activities are in full swing in our schools.

Concert season began on November 21st with the BHS Music Department fall concert. The students, under the direction of Lyndsay Boysen and Susan Comstock, did a fabulous job as always! Our middle schoolers will be performing on Thursday, December 5th, at 7:00 pm in Veterans' Memorial Auditorium at BHS. Topping off the concerts of this season will be the Holiday Extravaganza concert, performed by the BHS music department on December 17th at 7:00 pm. There is a $5.00 admission charge to this one, so be sure to contact the school for tickets. This one usually sells out!

If you really want to get into the holiday spirit, the BHS Drama Department is performing King Wencelas on Friday, December 13th, at 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 14th, at 3:30 pm. This production will feature the Belchertown Youth Singers, a group of almost 50-strong elementary students who work with Ms. Comstock during the evening hours to sing and be a part of this play!

There are a host of other events going on in our schools this month. Check the district calendar for more information on the when and where!


Owl Release


Jean Brunelle, a seventh grade science teacher at JBMS, was contacted by construction workers at the new Easthampton Savings Bank this summer to retrieve an injured Great Horned Owl. After taking it to be rehabbed, she brought it to Lake Wallace on the old State School property to release it back to the wild today. More information and photos will appear on my next blog - stay tuned!

As always, if you have any questions or comments about this blog post, call me at 413.323.0423 or send an email to: superintendent@belchertown.org.

Best regards, Dr. Judith Houle, Superintendent of Schools