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To Our Educators and the Community,

 

I am excited to announce the appointments of three highly-qualified professionals and exceptional individuals to separate leadership positions within our district. 

 

The first appointment is in Central Administration, as Francesse J. Canty, Esq. is stepping into the role of Human Resources Director. Francesse comes to Everett from the Boston Public Schools, where she gained invaluable experience in all facets of HR as it relates to a large and dynamic public school system. She will be an asset to each and every one of our employees.

 

We are also thrilled to announce the hiring of two new principals, both of whom are familiar to our students and staff: Dennis Lynch is the new principal at the Albert N. Parlin School, while Christopher Barrett is moving from Everett High to the Webster School. Both Dennis and Chris have distinguished themselves as dedicated and compassionate leaders, and it is a pleasure to see them ascend to new roles within our district.

 

You can read more about Francesse, Chris, and Dennis in the attachment included at the bottom of this message.

 

And please join me in congratulating these talented individuals on their new roles within the EPS!

 

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To Our Incredible EPS Staff:

 

Friday, June 19 marked the last day of the 2020-2021 school year, one that was unlike any that preceded it and, hopefully, one that won't resemble any year that follows. To describe the magnitude of the past four months, or summarize what we've experienced individually and as a community, are impossible. If COVID-19 and recent national events have taught us anything, it's that certain things are, indeed, bigger than ourselves.

 

As a community, however, we can meet any challenge. The collective strength of our students, teachers, city leaders, community partners, businesses and civic organizations is awe-inspiring. It has been on display each and every day, with gestures both large and small, from food distribution to Chromebook deliveries to donated gifts for our Class of 2020.  And I am fully confident that we will continue to meet every challenge we face.  

 

So to you, the incredible community of the Everett Public Schools, I have three final messages as we culminate this school year:  

 

First and foremost — thank you, thank you, thank you. As educators, planning is second nature to us. We plan at monthly, weekly, and daily intervals. We plan for whole classes and the needs of individual students. But Coronavirus created a situation without a single precedent, or even a vague blueprint to reference.

 

Still, you managed to find the light and help guide our students through a crisis wrought with physical, emotional, financial, and logistical perils. You adapted and improvised. Our students may not have experienced the kind of school year we would have originally aspired to, but the efforts you put in and what you ultimately produced for them was utterly inspiring.

 

Secondly, the last week or so has seen the district make excruciating layoffs due to harsh budget constraints directly resulting from COVID-19's economic fallout. Five months ago, districts across the state were considering the hope and possibility of funds being delivered via the Student Opportunity Act. Today, I'm devastated to be writing to teachers and staff members for whom the end of the year is bringing uncertainty instead of eagerness for 2020-2021.

 

Words can't comfort those who are affected by the staff changes prompted by these unprecedented times.  And while it's no consolation, I want all of you to know that the district will be posting several jobs in the coming days and weeks. We will hire staff as the budget process dictates, and we encourage any current EPS employee to apply for openings.  Like every other city, district, organization and company in the country, we are losing amazing employees who have been a valued part of our community.  We will continue to consider them a part of our community, and we honor and thank them for their contributions.      

 

Finally, Friday was Juneteenth, a national day of liberation. It marks the day 155 years ago when enslaved Black Americans in Texas learned they were free — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and before slavery was abolished in every border Union state.

 

This infuriating piece of history is especially instructive today. Juneteenth reminds us that slavery did not end when the history books say it did, just as recent tragedies are forcing us to confront uncomfortable truths and harsh realities about matters of injustice, equal access, inclusivity, and enlightenment.

 

The EPS has already begun to develop a framework for comprehensive policies and strategies designed to meet these challenges head on. Our educators are ready for it, our stakeholders are asking for it, and our students are ready to help actively lead it.  We will carry out this critical initiative in phases, details which will be shared with the community in the coming weeks and months.

 

Meaningful and lasting change takes time. It has to be built into every component of our district, from curriculum and professional development to how we meet the social and emotional needs of our students. One thing is for certain: Our teachers and staff will be crucial to ensuring that our efforts are a sustained success.

 

I look forward to being back in touch with you as information becomes available about the 2020-2021 school year.

 

In the meantime, have a great weekend and a sensational summer. You deserve it! 

 

 

Happy Summer,