November 14, 2025
Every Voice, Every Story, Every Day!
FOLLOW THE EPS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: everett_schools • Facebook: Everett Public Schools, Massachusetts •
Linkedin: Everett Public Schools MA
Instagram: everett_schools • Facebook: Everett Public Schools, Massachusetts •
Linkedin: Everett Public Schools MA
* * * *
A Message from the Superintendent
Attendance Update
Attendance Update
I am pleased to report that the Everett Public Schools continues to make gains in the fundamental and critical area of daily attendance. It is simple but essential to say: Accountability starts with presence. Our students need to be with you — our teachers, paraprofessionals, specialists, and counselors — every day.
Our latest figures were released on November 12, 2025. Our district-wide daily attendance rate is 92.8 percent, which is up from the same date in 2024 (92.1) and up further still from 2023 (91.3). Similarly, our chronic absenteeism numbers are inching downward. It currently stands at 21.5 percent, which represents a big swing in momentum. At the same point in the 2024-25 school year, our chronic absenteeism stood at 32.1 percent. The year before that, it was 36 percent. It was 37.6 percent in 2022-2023 and 42.7 percent in 2021-2021.
As always, I want to credit Whittier School Principal Mike McLucas and the Attendance Committee for keeping attendance squarely on our radar, and for refining our approach to successfully tackle this issue. We are looking at all areas for improvement, right down to individual classrooms in specific schools that have been identified as needing assistance.
Likewise, we continue to positively stress the important of daily attendance and recognize our students for coming to school every day. Above, Whittier School students proudly display certificates for perfect attendance in September and October.
Let’s keep the momentum going and have a great weekend!
William D. Hart
Superintendent
Everett Public Schools
Free Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
The Everett Public Schools (EPS) is partnering with the Cambridge Health Alliance to offer free professional development training in Youth Mental Health First Aid.
This nationally recognized program teaches adults how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among youth ages 12–18. Participants are eligible to earn up to 15 PDPs upon completion of the full course, including asynchronous assignments.
The training will be offered in two weekday sessions from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., or one Saturday session, beginning in early 2026.
This nationally recognized program teaches adults how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among youth ages 12–18. Participants are eligible to earn up to 15 PDPs upon completion of the full course, including asynchronous assignments.
The training will be offered in two weekday sessions from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., or one Saturday session, beginning in early 2026.
If you are interested in participating, please complete this interest form. Responses will help determine how many sessions will be offered offer, and what dates and format work best for our staff.
Winter 2026 Professional Development Courses
This winter, EPS is offering after school professional development courses for educators. All courses are facilitated by district educators, award 10 PDPs, and are free to EPS staff.
The following options are available. View the full course catalog for detailed descriptions, dates, format, and facilitators:
The following options are available. View the full course catalog for detailed descriptions, dates, format, and facilitators:
- America Like Me: Starts December 1, register by November 24.
- Teaching K-5 iReady Math with a Language Lens: Effective Instruction for English Learners: Register by December 15.
- Everyday Executive Functioning: How to Support Neurodivergent Learners: Register by December 15.
- Incorporating Writing with Mystery Science: Register by December 15.
- Developing Foundational Reading Skills: Reading Above The Fray: Register by December 15
- Therapeutic Crisis Intervention in Schools: Behavior Support Techniques: Register by December 15.
- Transforming Reading Practice: 7 Mighty Moves: Register by December 15.
Ready to Enroll? Register via TeachPoint by the deadlines listed above following these directions.
Questions? Contact Kerri O’Donnell at [email protected].
National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
November is National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. Education World offers 12 lessons to help students learn about Native American history and cultures. Included: Activities that involve students in dramatizing folktales, learning new words, preparing
traditional foods, and much more!
Local Massachusetts Native American Heritage Resources, K-6
This website includes several quick and project ideas for students during Native American History Month. Once again, these projects are not required but could be used as a PBL assignment for students who finish early or as a "bell ringer" in the morning or afternoon. These activities are specific to Indigenous People of the Northeast region of North America, including current-day Massachusetts.
PBS Lesson Plan Ideas, Grade 6-12
This is a great site for quick and easy lesson plans to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. There's a link to add it to your Google Classroom! TWENTY-FOUR VIDEOS!
Thanksgiving Resources
With Thanksgiving fast approaching, use these resources to give students an accurate portrayal of the holiday that also honors the voices of Indigenous Peoples.
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 12