Mansfield’s SAT Scores Rank in Top 10 Percent of Region

Mansfield recorded a 1596 in combined SAT scores, according to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

With a combined SAT score of 1596, Mansfield ranks just inside the top 10 percent of 48 schools South of Boston, according to data released by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education published by the Boston Globe. Mansfield ranked 10th out of the 48 schools, just one point head of Foxborough (1595) for a spot in the top 10. Sharon ranked first among the 48 schools with a score of 1775 while Brockton ranked last with a score of 1289. Other combined scores of neighboring towns include: Walpole (1590), Easton (1601), Norton (1530) and Norwood (1464). Here’s a complete list of combined SAT scores: Note: Total SAT scores from 2011-2012 The data also compared average home values of the 48 towns with Mansfield coming in at No. 19 …

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Mansfield Schools Prepare for New State Mandates on Absences and Discipline

The school district is preparing to be compliant with a new mandate from the state concerning absences and suspended students.

In anticipation of stricter rules on absences from the state, students in Mansfield can expect tighter rules on taking days off from school and a larger effort to educate suspended and expelled students thanks to a new mandate from the State House. Under the state’s guidelines set to take effect starting with the 2014-15 school year, excused absences will be limited to court dates, religious holidays, and illnesses with a doctor’s note. Anything else will count as an unexcused absence. Seniors will be allowed five college visits during school. At Mansfield High School, the amount of absences allowed per a trimester is five but it will be decreased to three in anticipation of the new regulations. Students will be allowed seven absences over…

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Search For New Robinson School Principal Down to 7 Candidates

Superintendent Brenda Hodges said she hopes to start interview candidates next week.

With the time to submit applications for the principal position at the Robinson School now passed, Superintendent Brenda Hodges said she is almost ready to start interviewing candidates for the job. According Hodges, seven of the 53 applicants met the criteria for the job and will be considered candidates for the top post at the Robinson School. Requirements listed in the job posting included a strong background in literacy, mathematics and response to intervention, certification as an elementary school principal, a Master's degree, and five years as an elementary school teacher. Prior administrative experience was also deemed a plus. Teachers at the Robinson School have been asked to submit their name if they want to be apart of the …

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Mansfield's Robinson Principal Kristenson Announces Retirement

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…

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Mansfield Selectmen Blasts Beacon Hill for Budget Problems

Mansfield selectmen debate the necessity of unfunded mandates.

The Mansfield Board of Selectmen continued to debate on unfunded mandates last Wednesday in response to the hanging fiscal cliff and Gov. Deval Patrick’s responsive cuts. Selectman Kevin Moran said that it is a problem that is continuing to spiral more and more out of the local governments’ ability to handle it. “We’re managing a budget problem not solving it,” said Moran. “Since I’ve joined the board, the unrestricted aide has dropped 32 percent. The state is continuing to give us unfunded mandates. The truth of the matter is when there’s a one party state, constituents don’t really make politicians uncomfortable. You have to let them know that this can’t continue.” Moran added that the Massachusetts economy in general is not doing so …

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Mansfield School Superintendent Hodges Reaches Out to Community After Newtown Tragedy

Counselors will be available Monday to talk to students at the Mansfield schools. Superintendent of Schools Brenda Hodges will be meeting Mansfield police chief Arthur O'Neil to go over emergency plan.

  Mansfield Superintendent of Schools Brenda Hodges issued the following message to Mansfield partners and the school committee on the department's website. To the Parents and Community of Mansfield:   In light of the recent and horrific tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, I am reaching out to you with a heavy heart.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the staff, students, and families of that community, as they deal with this unimaginable and unspeakable tragedy.   It is important for you to be aware that the Mansfield School Department has an Emergency Plan with very specific protocols in place. This Emergency Plan was developed, jointly, by the Mansfield Police, Fire, School Department and area emergency first responders.  Police Chief O'…

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Mansfield Schools' Next Step Program Teaching Life Skills to Students with Disabilities

Program teaches Mansfield students valuable life skills through volunteering.

The Next Steps program in Mansfield is dedicated to teaching students with disabilities life skills they need. Heidi Egan, M. Ed, Special Education Teacher, runs the program for Mansfield, which places students in volunteer positions for job preparation. The program deals with students aged 18-22. "Currently, we are volunteering at Aunt Aleda's Bakery, Grogan's, Stefano's Pizza, Curves, Magic Pizza, Mansfield Deli and the Our Daily Bread Food Pantry," she said. "We also do mailing jobs for different businesses throughout the year." Once the students receive their certificate of Attendance, they enter into the Next Steps Program, which provides instruction in the areas of academics, daily living skills, social skills, and vocational …

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Mansfield Growth Gets Over $100K for this Year's Budget

Mansfield finding extra money in many places.

Mansfield town officials stated last week that Mansfield’s growth estimates during the 2012-2013 budget estimates were nearly accurate. During the budget process, growth estimates factor in any additional income the town may receive from increases in property values, residents, businesses, etc. Town manager William Ross said that, in most cases their estimates [made in conjunction with town accountant John Stanbroke, superintendent of schools Brenda Hodges and schools director of finance Edward Vozzella] were completely correct. John, Ed, Brenda and I estimated 600,000 growth,” he said. “We received certification and our new growth in $778,000. John pointed out that we estimated for local revenues were in fact spot-on, a little …

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Mansfield School District Policy Updates

The following is from the Mansfield School Department.

Mansfield Full-Day Kindergarten Moving Along

Mansfield's Full-day Kindergarten program to begin in the fall.

Superintendent of Mansfield Schools Brenda Hodges said that there have been 126 students enrolled in the new full-day kindergarten program at Roland Green. “There parents have done what they need to do for making sure they’ve completed the process,” she said. The student body for the class will have six full-day classes, and Hodges said that there are currently no parents on the waiting list. The cost projections for the program have held true as well, which means with tuition, the program will be breaking even in the budget. The program started in late winter when Mansfield received a “start up grant” from the state that would allow the schools to set up the classrooms and purchase materials necessary to ready classes. Two new teaching …

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