March 14, 2025
Volume 4, Issue 28
STEPHEN PATENAUDE
The Everett Public Schools (EPS) extends its deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of Stephen Patenaude, who passed away on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the age of 41.
Mr. Patenaude was a fifth-grade teacher at the Lafayette School. He had been with the EPS since 2006 and taught at the Madeline English and Whittier schools before moving to the Lafayette. In the words of Lafayette Principal David Brady, “his commitment to nurturing young minds and fostering a positive learning environment touched the lives of so many.”
We will share information about any planned memorial activities or opportunities for students and families to express their condolences as soon as they are available.
Mr. Patenaude was a fifth-grade teacher at the Lafayette School. He had been with the EPS since 2006 and taught at the Madeline English and Whittier schools before moving to the Lafayette. In the words of Lafayette Principal David Brady, “his commitment to nurturing young minds and fostering a positive learning environment touched the lives of so many.”
We will share information about any planned memorial activities or opportunities for students and families to express their condolences as soon as they are available.
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Irish Night Celebration
Superintendent William D. Hart was honored as the Educator of the Year during the Saugus-Everett Elks Irish Night celebration on Thursday, March 13, 2025. During his remarks, Superintendent Hart talked about attending the original Lafayette School and his sixth-grade teacher, Bob Sansone, who was in attendance for Thursday’s festivities. The Superintendent is pictured above with Mr. Sansone, his wife Marguerite, and his son, Robert Sansone, who is a special education teacher at Everett High.
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Professional Development Reminder
As a reminder, all Unit A members and Paraprofessionals are required to complete 11 hours of Professional Development. If your hire date was January 1, 2025, or after, you are required to complete 6 hours. If you completed a PD outside of the PD catalog or an asynchronous course, please follow these instructions to upload your certificate on TeachPoint.
Two upcoming courses to consider should you need to complete your hours include Depth of Knowledge which is open to PreK-12 teachers and begins on April 29. A PreK course, Reducing Anxiety Through Art, Music, Dance and Drama Therapy, starts on March 18. A K-2 course, Make and Take Literacy Activities, begins on April 1. Sign up for any of the sessions on TechPoint.
Two upcoming courses to consider should you need to complete your hours include Depth of Knowledge which is open to PreK-12 teachers and begins on April 29. A PreK course, Reducing Anxiety Through Art, Music, Dance and Drama Therapy, starts on March 18. A K-2 course, Make and Take Literacy Activities, begins on April 1. Sign up for any of the sessions on TechPoint.
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World Down Syndrome Day
March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), a global day of celebration and awareness that has been observed by the United Nations since 2012. Its purpose is to educate the world on what Down syndrome is and how individuals with Down syndrome need to be valued in their communities. The date for WDSD symbolizes the 21st day of the 3rd month, which was selected to signify the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which is Down syndrome.
Click HERE for the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress for more information.
Click HERE for the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress for more information.
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CTE Program Advisory Committee Meeting
Thanks to Director Siobhan Araya members of Everett High School’s Career and Technical Education Department for hosting a successful Program Advisory Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. An impressive contingent of industry representatives joined teachers, students, and administrators for dinner and breakout sessions on how to offer the best curriculum and programming in the areas of Advanced Manufacturing, Carpentry, Culinary Arts, Health Assisting, Hospitality Management, Marketing, Medical Assisting, and Programming and Web Development.
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Professional Development for EPS Faculty
Seeking Input on Updates to DESE’s
Model Student Feedback Instruments
Model Student Feedback Instruments
DESE is seeking input to inform updates to the model student feedback instruments. Please find additional information below and complete this brief survey if interested to share your experiences and ideas.
This initiative support teachers, coaches, and evaluators to seek student perspectives and use them to inform educators’ professional growth and development. The model student feedback instruments include discussion prompts for students in kindergarten through 2nd grade, as well as surveys for students in grades 3-12. The instruments are used by pre-service teachers during their practicum, as well as in-service teachers for purposes of self-reflection and evaluation. Districts may adopt, adapt, or choose alternatives to these instruments. DESE plans to update the instruments to align with the revised Standards of Effective Teaching Practice, which were recently revised to center evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining teaching practices.
DESE is hoping to better understand how educators use these instruments, as well as perceptions of their strengths and challenges. They would like to hear from individuals with a range of experience with the instruments, including classroom teachers, instructional coaches, building leaders, and district administrators.
Questions: Please email [email protected]
This initiative support teachers, coaches, and evaluators to seek student perspectives and use them to inform educators’ professional growth and development. The model student feedback instruments include discussion prompts for students in kindergarten through 2nd grade, as well as surveys for students in grades 3-12. The instruments are used by pre-service teachers during their practicum, as well as in-service teachers for purposes of self-reflection and evaluation. Districts may adopt, adapt, or choose alternatives to these instruments. DESE plans to update the instruments to align with the revised Standards of Effective Teaching Practice, which were recently revised to center evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining teaching practices.
DESE is hoping to better understand how educators use these instruments, as well as perceptions of their strengths and challenges. They would like to hear from individuals with a range of experience with the instruments, including classroom teachers, instructional coaches, building leaders, and district administrators.
Questions: Please email [email protected]
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Summer 2025: Data Paths Professional Learning
Opportunities for Teachers and Leaders
Opportunities for Teachers and Leaders
The Data Paths project at the Education Development Center is offering free professional development opportunities featuring hands-on curriculum modules, instructional routines, and strategies for building students’ data literacy skills. Engage students in investigating real-world data, creating and interpreting graphs, communicating findings, and other key standards from the Massachusetts Frameworks. There are multiple PD opportunities in July and August described in these flyers for:
- Upper Elementary Teachers (Grades 3-5)
- Middle School Mathematics Teachers (Grades 6-8)
- High School Science Teachers (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics)
At the in-person PD sessions, you will try the activities yourselves and prepare to use them with students. Benefits include high-quality PD sessions, ready-to-use resources, PDPs, and stipends. Teachers, coaches, specialists, and leaders are invited to apply. The deadline to apply is March 24, 2025, so register now. Space is limited! You can also sign up for our mailing list to learn about future opportunities.