Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Greater Lowell Tech Receives Grants to Support R.I.S.E. Program

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Greater Lowell Technical High School
Superintendent Joseph Mastrocola
250 Pawtucket Boulevard,
Tyngsborough, MA 01879

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Greater Lowell Tech Receives Grants to Support R.I.S.E. Program

Left to right: Assistant Superintendent/Principal Jill Davis, School Adjustment Counselor/R.I.S.E. Coordinator Lauren Friedman, Superintendent Joe Mastrocola, R.I.S.E. Program Clinician Felicia Lumbert and R.I.S.E. Program Teaching Assistant Allison Peluso. (Courtesy Photo Greater Lowell Tech)

TYNGSBOROUGH — Superintendent Joseph Mastrocola is pleased to announce that Greater Lowell Tech received two grants to support its Resilience in Student Effort (R.I.S.E.) program.

First implemented this year at Greater Lowell Tech, the program provides a short-term intervention to improve outcomes for students experiencing extended absences from school due to mental health conditions, medical treatment, concussions or birth/parenting leave.

To support these efforts, Greater Lowell received a $19,000 2018-2019 Health Initiatives grant from the Greater Lowell Health Alliance and most recently, a $92,000 Improving Student Access to Behavioral and Mental Health Services grant from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Students who access the R.I.S.E. program will receive up to eight weeks of counseling services plus on-site educational support to complete their academic and technical assignments.

“The goal of this program is to allow students the flexibility to obtain the help or services they need and then transition back to their regular schedule ready to learn and work while remaining on track for graduation,” Superintendent Mastrocola said. “We’re extremely thankful to the Greater Lowell Health Alliance and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for providing us with the needed funds to build and sustain this program. We are excited to be doing more to recognize and promote student well-being in school.”

The program wouldn’t be possible without the assistance of the Bridge for Resilient Youth in Transition program at the Brookline Center for Mental Health, which has assisted more than 100 schools across the state with establishing similar programs since 2004.

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Easton’s Oliver Ames High School Holds Future Teacher Signing Event

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Easton Public Schools
Dr. Lisha Cabral, Superintendent
50 Oliver St.
North Easton, MA 02356

For Immediate Release

Friday, May 3, 2019

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Easton’s Oliver Ames High School Holds Future Teacher Signing Event

EASTON — Superintendent Lisha Cabral is pleased to share that Oliver Ames High School held a Future Teacher Signing Day event today to recognize two students who plan to pursue careers in education.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) encouraged schools throughout the state earlier this year to hold “Teacher Signing Days” in an effort to recognize graduating seniors who have decided to pursue careers in education. “Teacher Signing Days” are also intended to recognize the teachers who taught the students who now aspire to work in education.

The “Teacher Signing Days” are modeled off “signing” events that are held when a high school student decides to play a sport at a college or university.

Oliver Ames High School seniors Jackson Stanley and Kayla Raleigh were recognized at today’s event, which was held at 2:30 p.m. in the school library. Stanley will attend the University of Cincinnati in the fall, and Raleigh will attend the University of Southern Maine.

“We decided to hold a Teacher Signing Day because we wanted to recognize these students for their decision to study the field of education,” Assistant Superintendent Christine Pruitt said. “It’s a challenging, rewarding profession that directly shapes and impacts us all, and these students deserve to be recognized as they begin this chapter of their lives.”

Superintendent Lisha Cabral, Assistant Superintendent Christine Pruitt, High School Principal Wesley Paul and members of the Easton School Committee attended the event, along with family members of the students. Principal Paul spoke on behalf of the students at the event and the importance of the field of education. A short reception followed the signing.

“As an educators, we know too well how important our field is, and its wonderful to see such driven, talented young people choosing to teach,” Superintendent Cabral said. “Congratulations Jackson and Kayla, you’ve chosen a wonderful and valuable career path to pursue.”

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Medfield Educator Named Finalist for Teacher of the Year Award

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Medfield Public Schools
Jeffrey J. Marsden, Superintendent
459 Main St., Unit 3,
Medfield, MA 02052

For Immediate Release

Thursday, May 2, 2019

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Medfield Educator Named Finalist for

Teacher of the Year Award

Marissa Gumas, a 7th grade math teacher at Black Middle School, works with students on a lesson. Gumas is a finalist for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Teacher of the Year award. (Courtesy Photo Medfield Public Schools)

MEDFIELD — Superintendent Jeffrey Marsden is pleased to share that a Medfield teacher is a finalist for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) Teacher of the Year award.

Marissa Gumas, a 7th grade math teacher at Blake Middle School, was nominated for the award by a community member earlier this school year. Gumas has worked at Medfield Public Schools since 2001, and is known for her dedication to her work as an educator, frequently developing new lesson plans and programming to best support students in the classroom.

DESE annually recognizes a Massachusetts educator for exemplary teaching with its Teacher of the Year award. The award is given to a teacher that is known for his or her work to support student success and growth, commitment to the field of education, leadership and innovative lesson plans, programs and teaching methods.

The educator who is chosen as Teacher of the Year will act as a liaison to DESE and an ambassador for teachers throughout the state.

“Marissa is a student-centered educator,” said Blake Middle School Principal Nathaniel Vaughn. “She consistently displays her knowledge of the adolescent learner, creating and establishing innovative experiences for the students. Marissa’s positive reinforcement encourages all students to reach their potential.”

Gumas has been selected as a finalist after submitting preliminary and semi-finalist applications, and after her classroom was observed by a team of DESE representatives in April.

The Teacher of the Year Award winner will be announced in the coming weeks ahead of the Celebration Honoring Excellence in Teaching at the Massachusetts Statehouse on June 20. Semi-finalists and finalists for the award will also be honored at the event.

“Marissa has a reputation as a dedicated educator, who continues to work hard to use innovative teaching practices to improve her lessons,” Superintendent Marsden said. “She has a knack for helping students challenge themselves, grow and succeed in the classroom, and we’re fortunate to have her here in Medfield.”

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Whittier’s Roxann Grover Named Semifinalist for DESE’s Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Award

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Whittier Tech
Maureen Lynch, Superintendent
115 Amesbury Line Road
Haverhill, MA 01830

For Immediate Release

Monday, April 15, 2019

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Whittier’s Roxann Grover Named Semifinalist for DESE’s Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Award

Whittier Physical Education and Health Teacher Roxann Grover was named a semifinalist for DESE’s Massachusetts Teacher of the Year award. (Courtesy Photo Whittier)

HAVERHILL — Superintendent Maureen Lynch is pleased to announce that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education named Whittier Physical Education and Health Teacher Roxann Grover a semifinalist for its Massachusetts Teacher of the Year award.

Each year, the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year program honors an educator who exemplifies excellent teaching in the Commonwealth. The program also looks at the work involved in educating all students through highlighting student achievement, commitment to the profession, innovations in education and teacher leadership.

Grover will be honored with other semifinalists and finalists at a banquet at the State House on June 20.

“It was such an honor to be nominated and then selected to the semifinalist round,” Grover said. “It validates the profession of health and physical education and the things we do as teachers everyday to make sure students understand that their well-being is the most important thing in their lives.”

Whittier’s Curriculum Coordinator Kelly Fay nominated Grover earlier this year, highlighting her dedication to students and wellness education for the last 40 years. She’s helped parents recognize the signs their children might be using drugs or alcohol through “Hidden in Plain Sight” events, organized walks for hunger to raise money for Project Bread and led food drives throughout the community to benefit Haverhill’s local food pantry, Our Neighbors Table.

Grover has also organized bullying prevention activities and walks to raise awareness for domestic violence, with proceeds going to a local women’s shelter. She even helped organize a Whittier Relay for Life team, where over a two-day period, students came together to remember their loved ones who lost the battle to cancer, honor survivors and raise money to help the Haverhill community.

Through her physical education and health classes, Grover educates the entire Whittier community on the value of activity, health, nutrition, recreation, teamwork, sportsmanship and social interaction. She also serves as a mentor for students, teachers and staff throughout the building, as well as in the community.

“Roxann is uncompromising in her quest for quality educational opportunities for the whole student and she never loses sight of her students and their needs,” Fay wrote. “Roxann is a true team player and she is a valued member of our school community, the Haverhill community and the entire Merrimack Valley overall with her combination of intelligence, commitment, perseverance, creativity and compassion for everyone she encounters.”

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