October 18, 2024
Volume 4, Issue 9
From the Office of Human Resources
Basic Life Insurance
Basic Life Insurance
This communication is to notify you that the City of Everett has moved all Basic Life Coverages, to include any Voluntary Coverage you may have purchased, to The Standard Life Insurance Company effective as of October 1, 2024.
You will notice a slight decrease in your payroll deductions, but the benefits will remain the same as they were with Boston Mutual. This change benefits our employees by lowering your cost and adds administrative efficiencies for billing and when there is a claim. You do not need to do anything, and your deductions will continue as usual. If you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact Standard Life Insurance Company benefit counselor Ashley Skourtis at 833-310-0924.
You will notice a slight decrease in your payroll deductions, but the benefits will remain the same as they were with Boston Mutual. This change benefits our employees by lowering your cost and adds administrative efficiencies for billing and when there is a claim. You do not need to do anything, and your deductions will continue as usual. If you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact Standard Life Insurance Company benefit counselor Ashley Skourtis at 833-310-0924.
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From the Technology Team
Cybersecurity Awareness Month October 2024
Cybersecurity Awareness Month October 2024
Cybersecurity affects everyone — whether you are a student, teacher, or staff member. Let’s commit to practicing good cyber hygiene to protect personal data, maintain a safe learning environment, and keep our digital spaces secure.
Top Cybersecurity Tips for Students, Faculty, and Staff
1. Use School Email Responsibly
Top Cybersecurity Tips for Students, Faculty, and Staff
1. Use School Email Responsibly
- Faculty & Staff: Please use your EPS email account for school, work, and district-related communications only, as this helps reduce the risk of phishing or spam attacks.
2. Create Strong, Secure Passwords
- Use at least 12 characters with a combination of uppercase, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Never reuse passwords across multiple sites. Use a password manager to store and track them securely.
3. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- MFA provides an extra layer of security by requiring an additional verification step.
- Ensure all critical accounts—like email and school platforms—are protected with MFA whenever available.
4. Be Vigilant Against Phishing Attacks
- Look for red flags in emails, such as strange requests, suspicious links, or unknown attachments.
- Always verify the sender before clicking on links or opening files. If in doubt, report the message to the IT department immediately.
5. Keep Devices Locked and Updated
- Lock your screen when leaving your device unattended, even for a short time.
- Keep all school-issued devices—like Chromebooks—up to date with the latest security patches and software updates.
6. Use Social Media Wisely
- Avoid posting sensitive information—like student IDs, class schedules, or personal data—on public platforms.
- Set your profiles to private and be thoughtful about what you share.
7. Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Tasks
- Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured and can expose your data to attackers.
- Whenever possible, use a secure network when accessing important accounts or handling school-related activities.
8. Report Suspicious Activity Immediately
- If you notice any unusual activity—like unauthorized login attempts or suspicious emails—report it to the IT department without delay.
- Quick reporting helps prevent security breaches and protects the entire school community.
9. Protect Student Privacy and Follow Data Security Guidelines
- Faculty & Staff: Handle student data with care and follow FERPA guidelines to ensure compliance.
By following these essential cybersecurity practices, you play a critical role in keeping Everett Public Schools safe from digital threats. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to the IT department— we’re here to help!
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Your Presence is Powerful
A Call for Submissions
A Call for Submissions
There is still time to submit entries for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Power of Presence initiative, like this recent submission from Bridge Boston Charter School. Submissions are due by Friday, December 20. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education hopes to hear from a wide range of people: pre-K to high school students, adult students, families, school staff, educators, and administrators! Submissions could include a short story about a school community, a painting of a favorite teacher, a photo of classroom decorations, a video interview of a favorite teacher, a song that students have been practicing for the school play, or a testimonial about a new skill. Be creative and enter today!
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Induction and Mentoring Advisory Group
Induction and Mentoring Advisory Group
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is seeking to form an advisory group of PK-12 induction and mentoring program leaders, mentors, and mentees to support the development of guidance and resources for teacher induction and mentoring. The advisory group will meet virtually throughout the 2024-25 school year. For more information and to express interest in participating, please submit this form by Sunday, October 20, 2024, or email [email protected] with any questions.
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New Guidance and Resources for Students
with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education
New Guidance and Resources for Students
with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Office of Language Acquisition, in partnership with the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and the Region 1 Comprehensive Center, recently released comprehensive guidance and tools for supporting Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE). These resources include:
- Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE): Guidance for SLIFE Identification, Services, and Support: A comprehensive document providing educators with a holistic approach to identifying and supporting SLIFE
- Massachusetts SLIFE Toolkit: An interactive companion resource offering practical tools for educators.
The guidance and toolkit were informed by DESE’s work with the Massachusetts SLIFE Community of Practice, which includes about 60 participating districts.
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Turn the Question Around or Restating the Question
What is it?
Turn the Question around (TTQA) or restating the question is a strategy that can help students begin writing and oral responses by providing them a sentence stem. It guides the student in constructing their response based upon language from the question.
Below is an example of a question and a TTQA response.
Question: What is the main idea of the text?
TTQA: The main idea of the text is…
You might use this simple procedure to share the strategy with students.
Step 1: Read the question.
Step 2: Remove the question words (the five Ws and how).
Step 3: Answer the question by turning it around.
Why is it important?
For starters, students have a head start to begin writing or to orally respond. They can begin their response using the words in the question. For English learners, students can learn the strategy to create their own sentence stems to answer written and oral questions. The strategy can help all students independently begin their own writing or oral responses using the academic vocabulary and grammatical structure of the question.
Resources:
Turn the Question around (TTQA) or restating the question is a strategy that can help students begin writing and oral responses by providing them a sentence stem. It guides the student in constructing their response based upon language from the question.
Below is an example of a question and a TTQA response.
Question: What is the main idea of the text?
TTQA: The main idea of the text is…
You might use this simple procedure to share the strategy with students.
Step 1: Read the question.
Step 2: Remove the question words (the five Ws and how).
Step 3: Answer the question by turning it around.
Why is it important?
For starters, students have a head start to begin writing or to orally respond. They can begin their response using the words in the question. For English learners, students can learn the strategy to create their own sentence stems to answer written and oral questions. The strategy can help all students independently begin their own writing or oral responses using the academic vocabulary and grammatical structure of the question.
Resources:
- How to use the TTQA Method to Differentiate in Your Middle School or High School Classroom
- Watch a video or see this one too explaining the concept to students.
- Sample anchor charts.
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Everett High School Clubs and Organizations
Everett High School (EHS) is seeking advisors for the 2024-2025 school year, across a wide range of clubs and organizations. If you are interested in any of the openings below, please send a letter of interest to EHS Administrative Assistant Gina Gennette as soon as possible.
THEATRE COMPANY
EHS Theatre Company Advisor Fall
EHS Theatre Company Advisor Fall
EHS Theatre Company Assistant Advisor Fall
EHS Theatre Company Advisor Winter
EHS Theatre Company Artistic Assistant Winter
EHS Theatre Company Assistant Advisor Winter
EHS Theatre Company Advisor Spring
EHS Theatre Company Artistic Assistant Spring
EHS Theatre Company Assistant Advisor Spring
CLUBS
Meteorological Society
Yearbook
Assistant Yearbook Advisor
Poetry Club
American Red Cross
STEM Club Advisor
STEM Club Assistant Advisor – 2 positions to be filled
Mock Trial
Student Ambassador – 2 positions to be filled
Special Olympics Head Coach
Newspaper Club
Anime Club/Gaming Club
Chess Club
Senior Class Advisor
Junior Class Advisor
Dance Club Advisor
Step Dance Team
Science Club
Memorial Day Coordinator – 2 positions to be filled
Latin Club
Robotics Club
Gender Sexuality Alliance Club
Music Club
Computer Club
Crimson Fashion Club
Future Educators
National Honor Society
Italian Club
Billiards Club
Billiards Club Assistant Advisor
Asian Club
Green Monster
Hispanic Honor Society
Philosophy Club
National History Club
Key Club – 2 positions to be filled
National History Club
The Wave Club
Spanish Debate Club – 2 positions to be filled
Italian Honor Society
Marine Biology
Math Club
MCAS Club
Special Olympics Assistant Coach
E Sports Club
Haitian Club
Photography Club
Art Club
Culinary Club – 2 positions to be filled
Marketing Club
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HUMAN RESOURCES
A big “Thank You” to Everett High School graduate and former Boston College football standout Jason Maitre for serving as the guest speaker during a special Kiwanis Luncheon held on Thursday, October 17, 2024, inside the Crimson Café. Maitre is pictured above with Everett Public Schools Director of Human Resources Elaine Monge, who is a longtime Kiwanian. Maitre, who spent the preseason with the Miami Dolphins, is pursuing his dream of playing in the National Football League. He implored Everett High’s senior football players to lean on the people close to them, to plan for the future, and to be prepared for the unexpected. Thanks to the Kiwanis for continuing the long tradition of hosting a luncheon for Everett High’s senior football players and cheerleaders.
A big “Thank You” to Everett High School graduate and former Boston College football standout Jason Maitre for serving as the guest speaker during a special Kiwanis Luncheon held on Thursday, October 17, 2024, inside the Crimson Café. Maitre is pictured above with Everett Public Schools Director of Human Resources Elaine Monge, who is a longtime Kiwanian. Maitre, who spent the preseason with the Miami Dolphins, is pursuing his dream of playing in the National Football League. He implored Everett High’s senior football players to lean on the people close to them, to plan for the future, and to be prepared for the unexpected. Thanks to the Kiwanis for continuing the long tradition of hosting a luncheon for Everett High’s senior football players and cheerleaders.
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BREAKFAST READING
The Everett Public Schools (EPS) has been hosting informational sessions for parents and guardians at every elementary school in the district. The discussions, entitled “Growing Readers: Supporting Literacy at Home,” are being led by Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Student Success Dr. Margaret Adams and the EPS curriculum team. In addition to receiving great advice on how to help their children, parents leave the sessions with a free book to take home. The Madeline English School and Lafayette School hosted breakfasts this week, with the Whittier, Parlin, Keverian, and Webster scheduled between October 21-28.
The Everett Public Schools (EPS) has been hosting informational sessions for parents and guardians at every elementary school in the district. The discussions, entitled “Growing Readers: Supporting Literacy at Home,” are being led by Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Student Success Dr. Margaret Adams and the EPS curriculum team. In addition to receiving great advice on how to help their children, parents leave the sessions with a free book to take home. The Madeline English School and Lafayette School hosted breakfasts this week, with the Whittier, Parlin, Keverian, and Webster scheduled between October 21-28.
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Professional Development Opportunities
Two (2) Offerings Led by Lindsay Lyons and Kara Pranikoff
FREE
MTEL Vouchers
The Everett Public Schools (EPS) has free vouchers for staff members who are planning on taking an MTEL test in 2024-2025. To obtain one, simply email Michael Minucci with the name and cost of the MTEL you are scheduled to take.
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