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Maynard Town Officials Meet with Developer to Learn Details of Proposed International School

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Town of Maynard, Massachusetts
Greg Johnson, Town Administrator
Municipal Building
195 Main St.
Maynard, MA 01754

For Immediate Release

Monday, June 24, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Maynard Town Officials Meet with Developer to Learn Details of Proposed International School

MAYNARD – Town Administrator Greg Johnson reports that town officials recently met with Dr. Wang Guangfa, the Chairman and President of the Beijing Royal School (BRS), who is planning to bring an international school to Maynard.

On Tuesday, June 18, town officials including Town Administrator Greg Johnson, Assistant Town Administrator Megan Zammuto, Economic Development Committee Chair Jack MacKeen, Town Planner Bill Nemser, Building Commissioner Rick Asmann and Conservation Agent Katie Young, met with Dr. Wang Guangfa and his team, to get an introduction of BRS’ vision for the site.

Beijing Royal School is based in China and is affiliated with several higher learning institutions world wide including the University of North Carolina.

This May, BRS purchased 111 Powder Mill Road, the former Stratus Technologies campus, with plans to create a campus for its students in kindergarten through grade 12 on the site. The school would also include a daycare for young children. Proposed curriculum at the school would include bilingual general education as well as medical and healthcare training.

The proposed school would host a student body of 300-500 students, and the student population would be comprised of 1/3 local students, 1/3 international students and 1/3 Chinese students. Dr. Wang noted that he plans to offer a number of local scholarships and is committed to creating a diverse learning environment.

BRS was attracted to the Maynard site because of its proximity to Boston metro-area colleges and universities, and their existing partnerships in the area and the talent pool of the region.

The organization plans to significantly renovate the existing 287,000 square foot building at 111 Powder Mill Road, and construct several new buildings on the property as well. The BRS vision also includes: hosting of joint educational conferences; establishment of a regular Maynard/Boston shuttle, development of working partnerships with Boston area institutions as well leasing space at the school for research and development. Dr. Wang also noted that amenities including the school gym and cultural programs will provide access for the public: he hopes to open the school in fall 2020.

“It was great to learn about the project Dr. Wang is hoping to build in Maynard, and we’re looking forward to continuing to discuss the school’s potential benefits as well as evaluating the impacts for our town,” Town Administrator Johnson said.

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Rockland’s Jefferson Elementary School Students Complete March Madness Reading Challenge

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Rockland Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. Alan Cron
34 MacKinlay Way,
Rockland, MA 02370

For Immediate Release

Friday, April 12, 2019

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

Rockland’s Jefferson Elementary School Students Complete March Madness Reading Challenge

ROCKLAND — Principal Michelle Scheufele is pleased to share that students at Jefferson Elementary School successfully completed their March Madness Reading Challenge.

During the challenge, students in grades kindergarten through fourth grade tallied up their points by counting three points for every 20 minutes of reading throughout the month of March with the goal of getting 10,000 points.

Meeting the challenge earned students a special visit on Wednesday, April 10, from Corey Jones of the Basketball Jones program in Ohio. In addition, on Thursday, April 11, Principal Scheufele allowed all the students who had turned in reading logs to duct tape her to the wall so that she could become a living basketball hoop.

On Wednesday, Jones, who played on the same basketball team as LeBron James at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, delivered motivational messages about kindness, teamwork and character to the Jefferson students.

In the Jefferson gym, Jones spoke to grades kindergarten through second grade in the morning and grades three through four in the afternoon. At both assemblies Jones energetically engaged all children, encouraging them to interact with him by having them repeat out loud many of the lessons he conveyed such as “read the directions twice,” “pause to think” and saying “thank you.”

Calling several children to the front, one at a time, he asked them to go outside of their comfort zones in performing tricks with a basketball while the rest of the audience clapped and cheered them on.

To illustrate a point about inclusion, Jones told a story about Lebron James in high school, and how James would not accept a pair of complimentary sneakers from Nike unless everyone on his team received them as well, which they did. The message: “Everyone matters to the success of the school.” Also, he said, “Everybody has to give their best and create an environment where everyone feels comfortable.”

At the end, Principal Schuefele said she was pleased with the assembly and Jones’s messages. In fact, a kindergarten teacher and third grade teacher both told her that they had never seen their students so engaged with a speaker as they were with Jones.

 

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Photos: Greater Lowell Tech Holds Go Red For Women Event

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

For Immediate Release

Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Greater Lowell Tech Holds Go Red For Women Event

TYNGSBOROUGH — To recognize women’s heart health, Greater Lowell Tech, in conjunction with the American Heart Association, held a Go Red For Women event on Friday focused on promoting healthy living and heart health wellness.

On Friday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., students, often dressed in red, set up informational booths to educate their peers and guests — including GLTHS Lowell School Committee member George W. O’Hare, state Rep. Sheila Harrington and Dunstable Selectman Leah D. Basbanes — about the importance of heart health, especially for women. This is the second year GLTHS has held a Go Red For Women event.

Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s campaign for females that aims to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women throughout the world.

The American Heart Association reports that cardiovascular diseases continue to be women’s greatest health threat, with nearly 80 percent of cardiac events able to be prevented.

“So many women aren’t as aware of the signs of a heart attack and heart health,” said American Heart Association representative Jamie Aspenson. “Go Red For Women is a way to promote heart health throughout February. I can’t say enough about how great of an event this is for the entire greater Lowell community.”

At one station, Culinary Arts juniors Olivia Reis and Jordan Cruz, both of Lowell, were giving out zucchini oat walnut chocolate chip cookies, comparing the nutrition level to that of a Nestle Tollhouse chocolate chip cookie. The latter contained more calories, sugar and saturated fat, while the zucchini cookie added more than double the amount of fiber.

“Walnuts and oats, they’re really good for your heart health because they help lower your cholesterol,” Culinary Arts instructor Janice Musko said. “Our goal with this project was to not only have students learn about nutrition, but to create something that was just as tasty as the Tollhouse cookie, and I think they did a great job of accomplishing that.”

At another booth, Medical Assisting students were demonstrating how to properly administer CPR in the event that someone with heart disease, a respiratory illness, or who experienced trauma lost consciousness.

“It’s such an important skill to be able to do to increase the chances of survival,” said junior Delaney Griffin, of Tyngsborough. “With healthy choices the hope is that you can prevent being in a situation, like cardiac arrest, where you need CPR.”

Programming and Web Development students demonstrated how to use BMI and blood pressure tracking apps, while Cosmetology students provided tips for stress relief while offering hand massages and Paraffin wax treatment. Attendees could also receive a yoga lesson, gain information about the opioid reversal drug Narcan by Trinity EMS and learn about services available through the CVS MinuteClinic.

“We’re excited to partner with the American Heart Association on this important initiative to ensure that both men and women understand the importance of cardiovascular health,” Superintendent Mastrocola said. “This was another great event and students did a great job presenting to their peers and guests on their topic.”

The event featured a collaboration with a number of industry representatives, showcasing the strong array of partnerships developed between GLTHS and private industry.

Internally, several students in different concentration areas were involved in the effort, including culinary students working with hospitality students to distribute healthy, portioned snacks in the cafeteria and health assisting students working with medical assisting students on presentations. SkillsUSA students were also working to welcome guests as they arrived.

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Officials Investigating after Anti-Semitic Graffiti Found at Melrose Middle School

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, Nov. 5 , 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Officials Investigating after Swastikas Found at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School

MELROSE — Chief Michael L. Lyle and Superintendent of Schools Cyndy S. Taymore report that Melrose Police and school officials are investigating after swastikas were found at the Veterans Memorial Middle School.

Officials are investigating two incidents of the hateful symbols in different bathrooms at the school.

Late Friday, Nov. 2, the Assistant Principal Michael L. McLaughlin reported finding swastika graffiti in the fourth floor boy’s bathroom sometime after dismissal. Then, at the start of school Monday, a second swastika was located on the back of the door to the second floor boy’s bathroom.

The Melrose Police Department was notified in both instances, and police are working with school administrators to review surveillance footage of the hallways.

Because of the timing — end of day Friday and start of the day Monday — it is unknown how many students or if any other students saw the graffiti. Superintendent Taymore strongly encourages families to discuss this issue with their children and to discuss the meaning of hateful words and symbols.

The Melrose Police Department photographed both scenes, and a Public Works crew removed the hateful graffiti from the bathrooms before they were re-opened to students.

“Erasing the graffiti does not erase the hate expressed and hurt caused to others,” Superintendent Taymore said. “This will not be tolerated in our community, and we are committed to a full and thorough investigation. Actions have consequences, and no member of our community should live in fear.”

Chief Lyle and Superintendent Taymore are deeply troubled by these acts of hate speech, and they have been moved by the recent tragic events in Pittsburgh. Chief Lyle last week attended a vigil with religious and civic leaders at Temple Beth Shalom.

“I am very troubled by the escalating pattern of Anti-Semitic messages and actions in our country right now, and there is no room for pleading ignorance,” Chief Lyle said. “Hateful symbols and words convey a universal message that certain groups of people should be afraid, and while that is not what Melrose is all about, we need to confront the reality in our community so that we can show our collective strength and solidarity.”

All Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students will be participating in a learning activity and restorative circle about discrimination and harassment including a discussion of hateful language and symbols and of bias and discrimination. These activities are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 13.

The incidents remain under investigation.

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