Stoughton Public Schools

Stoughton Superintendent Search Committee Identifies Finalists

⋅ Client News, School News ⋅ , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Stoughton Public Schools
Superintendent Marguerite Rizzi
232 Pearl St.,
Stoughton, MA 02072

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018

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

Stoughton Superintendent Search Committee Identifies Finalists

STOUGHTON — The Stoughton Schools Superintendent Search Committee is pleased to announce four finalists for the superintendent position, which will be vacated by Superintendent Marguerite Rizzi upon her retirement at the end of the school year.

The finalists are former East Haven, Connecticut Superintendent Portia Selene Bonner, Monomoy Regional High School Principal William E. Burkhead, Sharon Public Schools Assistant Superintendent for Information Systems and Administration John Marcus and Stoughton High School Principal Juliette Miller.

“Each of these individuals has a unique background and set of experiences that would serve the district well,” School Committee Chair Molly Cochran said. “I know the whole School Committee looks forward to evaluating and meeting with the candidates to determine which one would be the best fit for our district in the years to come.”

Bonner served as the superintendent of the East Haven Public Schools from 2013-2017, and previously served as superintendent in New Bedford. She has worked in education since 1990, serving as an adjunct professor, teacher and administrator. She currently works as an independent consultant. Bonner holds a bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College, a master’s degree in biology from Purdue University and a doctorate degree in philosophy, curriculum and instruction from the University of Connecticut.

Burkhead has served as the principal of Monomoy Regional High School in Harwich since 2014, and has previously served as an administrator and athletic director in Plymouth and New Bedford. He began his career as a physical education teacher in Franklin before serving in similar roles in Kingston and Canton. During his career in Plymouth, he also served as the district’s head football coach, and was named the 2018 Massachusetts High School Principal of the Year. Burkhead holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Springfield College, and a certificate of advanced graduate study in educational leadership from Bridgewater State University.

Marcus has worked as an administrator at the elementary and district levels in multiple districts, including Stoughton and Sharon. He gained his classroom teaching experience at the Milton Academy, Bridgewater State University, Camp Academy in Stoughton, Zervas School in Newton and the Martin Luther King Jr. Open School in Cambridge. Marcus holds a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University, a master’s degree from Harvard University and a doctorate degree from Lesley University.

Miller first worked in the Stoughton Public Schools beginning in 2001, when she started as a math teacher at Stoughton High School. Prior to starting that role, she worked as a math teacher and math, science and business director at St. Clare High School in Roslindale. She took on the role of high school mathematics director in 2003, in addition to her teaching duties, and departed to serve as an administrator at King Philip Regional High School and later Apponequet Regional High School. She returned to Stoughton in her current role in 2012. Miller holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Siena College, a master’s degree in secondary education from UMass Boston and a certificate of advanced graduate study from Bridgewater State University.

The Superintendent Search Committee consists of 11 members who represent a cross-section of the Stoughton school community, including current and former administrators, individual school council members and a representative from the Stoughton Teachers Association.

###

Stoughton Elementary School Deemed Safe After Brief Shelter in Place

⋅ Client News, Police News, School News ⋅ , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Stoughton Public Schools
Superintendent Marguerite Rizzi
232 Pearl St.,
Stoughton, MA 02072

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018

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

Stoughton Elementary School Deemed Safe After Brief Shelter in Place

 Unknown Man Mistakenly Entered School

STOUGHTON — Superintendent Marguerite Rizzi reports that the Stoughton Police Department has determined that there was no threat at the Wilkins Elementary School Wednesday morning after an unknown man walked into the school looking for a driving school.

At approximately 8 a.m., officials at Wilkins Elementary School notified the Stoughton Police Department that an unknown man had entered the building without their knowledge and it was unclear if he was still in the school or not.

The man had asked a school staff member if a driving school was located inside the school building but then walked away. Out of an abundance of caution, officials ordered the school to shelter in place.

Police responded and searched the school and were unable to locate the man. An on-scene investigation determined that the man walked out of the school shortly after the initial contact with the staff member. The man did not make any threats, and at this time, officials believe he simply was mistaken.

The Stoughton Police will have an increased presence at the school for the remainder of the day, as a precaution.

“While this appears to be a misunderstanding and miscommunication, we can never be too cautious these days,” Superintendent Rizzi said. “We are thankful to the Stoughton Police Department for their quick response and professionalism.”

###

Stoughton School District Featured in School Administrator Magazine

⋅ Client News, School News ⋅ , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Stoughton Public Schools
Superintendent Marguerite Rizzi
232 Pearl St.,
Stoughton, MA 02072

For Immediate Release

Friday, May 11, 2018

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

Stoughton School District Featured in School Administrator Magazine

Article Highlights Stoughton’s Enrichment and Remediation Programs

STOUGHTON — Superintendent Marguerite Rizzi is pleased to announce that the Stoughton school district was featured in the May issue of School Administrator Magazine for its innovative remediation and enrichment programs.

The three-page article entitled, “Beating the Achievement Gap One Vacation at a Time: A Suburban District Also Uses Formal Before- and After-School Programs for Remediation and Enrichment,” was penned by Superintendent Rizzi, Stoughton High School Principal Juliette Miller and Lynda Feeney, the district’s extended school year, data and extended learning time specialist.

The article focuses on how the district provides programs to students who may be falling behind in their classes by providing extra classroom time during school vacations and before and after school.

“Unless they teach in a homogeneous, high-income school setting, most educators struggle with the achievement gap. When distilled to its essence, the student learning gap can be attributed to the lack of academic readiness,” the article begins. “To make up the deficit, students must have more time — more time for reading, more time for the cultural and artistic experiences that upper-middle-class students have regularly, more exposure to meaningful material and more time working with teachers who can help them understand what they don’t know.”

Stoughton offers learning camps for students during each school vacation, including during the summer. The students learn about wellness, art, literacy, pre-engineering, geography and astronomy. They also take part in book clubs, math games, acting, jewelry making, creative writing, yoga and LEGO building projects.

“If a student attends our camps from 2nd grade to 5th grade, that child will have attended almost one year more of school than the average 6th grader, the precious extra time he or she needs to beat the achievement gap,” the article reads.

In addition, they have support, enrichment and transitional programs held before and after the regular school day.

The programs target the neediest students and those who are English language learners, beginning with preschool and continuing into high school.

The response to the programs has been overwhelmingly positive and prevented students from repeating grades.

“I am very proud to share the success we have had with these programs, and I hope the article is helpful to other school systems,” Superintendent Rizzi said. “It doesn’t take long for a student who is falling behind to feel like they cannot catch up. Our faculty and staff have put forth so much effort and care into supporting our students who need it the most.”

About School Administrator Magazine

School Administrator, a publication of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), highlights remarkable and pioneering actions by schools working to serve their students. Founded in 1865, it produces monthly magazines distributed to every AASA public school member. The articles are aimed at informing superintendents across the country on successful ideas put in place by other schools.

To read the article click here

###

Stoughton Middle School Principal Named Principal of the Year

⋅ Client News, School News ⋅ , , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Stoughton Public Schools
Superintendent Marguerite Rizzi
232 Pearl St.,
Stoughton, MA 02072

For Immediate Release

Friday, May 4, 2018

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

Stoughton Middle School Principal Named Principal of the Year

STOUGHTON — Superintendent Marguerite Rizzi proudly announces that Dr. Robert G. O’Donnell Middle School Principal Matthew Colantonio has been named the 2018 Principal of the Year by the Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators’ Association (MSSAA).

Each year, a middle school principal and a high school principal in the state are honored by the MSSAA for their outstanding leadership and service.

School staff members nominated Principal Colantonio for the award. The thorough nomination process included an a lengthy questionnaire with essay questions, an interview, a parent interview, a student interview and another colleague’s recommendation. This was Principal Colantonio’s first time being nominated and winning the award.

“It’s really quite a feeling to be recognized for doing something you love to do. I have just been lucky enough to work in a community with wonderful kids, parents, teachers, staff, and school administration,” he said.

Principal Colantonio has been the principal of the O’Donnell Middle School for six years. He has implemented and improved numerous programs at the school so that all students feel supported and included. In his time as the school’s leader he has implemented a number of programs in a variety of areas including: arts, sports, science, tutoring labs, school spirit days, parent nights and school safety initiatives.

“We are all very proud of Matt. His school is a safe and welcoming place with a strong school culture that embraces and supports students academically, socially and emotionally,” Superintendent Rizzi said. “Every student in OMS is noticed, known, and cared for. Matt has ensured that the education provided to our students is well rounded and rich, with a lot of ways to explore a wide variety of subjects. Students understand that failure is not an option, because there are programs in place to support all students.”

Principal Colantonio has spent his entire teaching career in Stoughton. He began as a member of the English Department at Stoughton High School before entering a leadership role at O’Donnell Middle School. After, he became the principal of Stoughton High School and was later named the O’Donnell Middle School principal. Principal Colantonio has created a positive school-wide culture and works to make impactful changes in the school community.

A ceremony to honor Principal Colantonio for his accomplishment is being planned.

 

###

1 2 3 4