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