Wednesday, June 5, 2013
The committee voted 5-0 not to approve a French foreign exchange program for the 2012-13 school year.
If a Mansfield High School student wants to go abroad, they’re most likely on their own for now. Unable to find a way to protect the school from any potential liabilities or concerns raised by parents, the school committee voted 5-0 not to support an effort to conduct a French foreign exchange during the 2013-14 school year. The vote is a blow for the effort to bring back a program that has not existed in Mansfield since the 2011-12 school year. The unanimous decision was made after Superintendent Brenda Hodges recommended not bringing back the exchange program. “I do not believe the school needs to take on this liability. If parents want this experience to their children, they need to go to the companies themselves,” Hodges said. During a…
Thursday, May 23, 2013
After a one year absence, Mansfield High School could restart their foreign exchange program if approved by the school committee.
After putting the Mansfield High School foreign exchange programs on hold due to reports of student misbehavior during a 2012 exchange in Spain, the Mansfield School Committee is discussing the possibility of allowing a French exchange during the 2013-14 school year. With a request to restart the French exchange from MHS foreign language chair Leslie Gildersleeve , the committee hopes to allow students to live abroad for a short period during the school year, but not with the rules and standards used in previous years. “When I was a (Mansfield High School) principal I said if I would let my children go I would let others go. I would not feel comfortable sending my children on this,” Superintendent Brenda Hodges said. While parents did not…
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Kiera O'Neil and Wayne Smith were named the new chair and vice chair of the Mansfield School Committee.
With two new members and a new chair and vice chair, the May 21 meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was one for adjustments Initially, newcomer Lynn Cavicci nominated chair Michael Townbridge for another year in the position, citing the need for experience with the recent loss of two experienced members. "We lost a lot of experience, we need someone who can lead the board this year," Cavicci said. Townbridge found a challenger to the position when Wayne Smith nominated vice-chair Kiera O'Neil. Ready to pass the torch, Townbridge removed his name from nomination to give O'Neil a chance to run the committee. "If Kiera feels she is ready to be chair and has the time, I’ll withdraw," Townbridge said. O'Neill was named the new chair with …
Thursday, May 9, 2013
At the annual town meeting, both Lisa Losiewicz and Jean Miller were honored for their time as members of the Mansfield School Committee.
When the Mansfield School Committee holds their next meeting on May 21, two familiar faces will be missing. Choosing not to run for reelection, both Lisa Losiewicz and Jean Miller, will leave the school committee once two new members are elected in the May 14 town election. Prior to the annual town meeting, the two school committee members were commended for their dedication to the Mansfield school district and the town. Losiewicz leaves the committee after serving for six years while Miller retires after 18 years of service. On hand to deliver proclamations from the Massachusetts State House were State Senator James Timilty, State Rep. Jay Barrows, and State Rep. Elizabeth Poirier who all had kind words for Miller and Losiewicz. "I know …
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The Mansfield School committee voted 5-0 to approve a calender that does not give students the day off for the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
When Mansfield students head to class during the 2013-14 school year, they will not get the Jewish High Holidays off for the first time in seven years. With a vote of 5-0, the Mansfield School Committee approved next year’s calendar which does not give students the day off for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. With input from the school district’s legal council, the holidays were removed since it didn't fit the legal criteria for an off-day. Legally, the school district can give a day off if it serves a secular purpose, meaning it is believed having school on the day in question will result in low attendance by students or teachers. according to Mansfield Superintendent Brenda Hodges. This year only one of the holidays will be observed on a …
Monday, February 25, 2013
A look at some of the meetings and events happening around town during the week.
Editor’s note: Want to promote an event or share an announcement on Mansfield Patch? Click here to add your event to our calendar or here to publish an announcement! The following meetings and events will be held in Mansfield this week: Mansfield Conservation Commission, 7:00 p.m., Room 3 a/b at Town Hall The Mansfield Conservation Commission will meet to discuss the following items: To see the full agenda, click here. Mansfield School Committee, 7:30 p.m., Room 3 a/b at Town Hall The Mansfield School Committee will meet to discuss the following business: The full agenda can be seen here. Mansfield Board of Selectmen, 7:00 p.m., Room 3 a/b at Town Hall The selectmen will have a pair of public hearings when they meet this week. The …
Monday, February 4, 2013
Superintendent Brenda Hodges said the budget situation in Mansfield is starting to come together.
Mansfield School Committee Chairman Michael Trowbridge said that the fiscal situation in Mansfield may be improving. “Not to be real optimistic, but we’re $1.1 million above what we were expecting,” he said. “Realize it’s still early in the process and there are a lot of things we need to shake out.” Mansfield Schools Superintendent Brenda Hodges said that to maintain level services, the district still needs $500,000 for what the current projections are. She said that everyone in the joint budget subcommittee strongly believe that chapter 70 state funding will be level funded at 2.5 percent for 2013, since Gov. Deval Patrick’s budget did not cut into state funding for schools. “It’s a moving target really until you get to May,” she said. …
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Robinson Kate Kristenson announces that she's retiring.
Mansfield School superintendent Brenda Hodges and the entire School Committee said a heartfelt goodbye to retiring Robinson principal Kate Kristenson. “It has been a privilege to work with professionals at both schools,” she said. “I would to send a special thank you to the parents for your support and trust.” Kristenson has been working for the Mansfield school system for more than 35 years. She started her career in 1976 in a variety of different roles. She is retiring from her position as principal for the Robinson School, but has also been the principal for the Jordan Jackson school. “Being part of the Mansfield school community has been very rewarding,” she said in a letter to the school committee. “I have strived to make a difference…
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Holiday play moved this year in response to complaints.
The Mansfield elementary holiday play will not be playing this year after complaints were lodged against the religious nature of some of the songs. Principal Teresa Murphy said that about half a dozen residents complained last year and that the play will instead occur later and will have a Martin Luther King Day theme. Mansfield school committee chair Michael Trowbridge said that it’s a shame and he loved the plays every year, and commented that six complaints usually don’t phase him. “I get more than that every day,” he said. Murphy said this may not be permanent. “That’s not to say it won’t come back next year,” she said.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Mansfield Schools looking into better ways to achieve state mandates.
The Mansfield School Committee is already looking into requirements for the Race to the Top school mandate concerning school goals and goal evaluation. While Mansfield is not yet required to adhere to the program’s initiatives, Mansfield is pushing forward and starting early to get in gear before the fall of 2013. “Not in a race to the top district but we’re starting early,” superintendent of Mansfield schools Brenda Hodges. Michael Gilbert, of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, presented the initiative plans for goal evaluation to adhere to MCAS requirements and other state and federal education mandates. The first thing he talked about was instituting “smart goals” which have a process of evaluation that requires …
Tina Mqs
5:34 pm on Thursday, June 6, 2013
-cont- When are kids and parents going to take responsibility for themselves? If they don't, the schools have to protect themselves. I can't blame them on this one. Where are the kids who misbehaved on the trip in question? Are they still in school? What were the ramifications of their actions, other than their causing the SC to come to this decision? While i understand they're minors, perhaps if… more ›