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Principal’s Message
Happy New Year! - Welcome back and Happy New Year! We were all happy to be back at McT this week, and it was fun to see the students set goals for the new year.
As a staff, we shared a number to rate last year and a word for the coming year. The third graders also chose a word for the year. Some of their words are below.
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My word for the coming year is trust. Recently, I shared with our PTSO board that I am so grateful for the trust our community has in me, our staff, and each other. It's incredible to me to see that our school is embodying the values that were first set more than 50 years ago by the founding staff and leader (Parker Damon).
The gratitude and trust I feel for our community are the best ways I know to cope with all the change on the horizon. It's a comfort to me to know that I trust the McT families, staff, and all of the district-wide leaders, and that we are navigating this challenging time together. While I know it won't be without bumps, challenges, and difficult conversations, I feel confident we can do these things while embodying our value of respect. I trust that the approach we are taking will nurture opportunities and silver linings we may not yet be able to visualize. While I continue to be sad at some of the losses we are all experiencing, I trust that this incredible A-B community, which I have been a part of for 24 years, will rise through this incredibly challenging time.
The original values of McT, ones we still hold, include putting community first and showing respect for every member of our community. I see this value coming through in how our staff, families, and students are walking through AB Forward. Despite many of us experiencing sadness about the loss of our McT next year, many of you are also expressing trust that the AB Community will move forward in a way that connects all of us and supports all of our students. I can't thank you enough for this, as I know it is not easy, and I believe this value will support all of us as we move through a difficult time.
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Conversations with Students about AB Forward - In addition to trusting our community, we are also taking concrete steps to support students, families, and staff.
The staff and our PTSO board have had conversations about how, right now, some students are asking a few specific questions about AB Forward, but most of our students remain focused on their learning and day-to-day life at McT. We are aware this might change in the coming weeks.
In preparation, our leadership team and mental health staff, led by Heather Stouch, have shared resources with families and staff so they are prepared to answer questions by listening, validating, modeling positive coping and hope, while grounding students in routines.
We expect that, as families share more with their students and we approach the vote on January 22, more students will talk about this at school. Right now, our staff is taking a listening-first approach, addressing students' specific questions concretely while modeling hope and positive coping (if needed). These conversations are one-on-one with the student who asked the questions and are targeted to the student's developmental stage. Our staff are not facilitating whole-class conversations at this time.
However, we expect that after January 22nd, when the vote happens, more students will be talking about it, and we may reach a tipping point where we need to address the questions in larger classroom conversations. If this happens, staff will notify families about what was shared, stick to the facts of the situation, validate all feelings, model positive coping strategies and hope, and keep students grounded in the routines of the day and year.
It is important to know that our educators are incredible at this work, and it's not easy. I am amazed every day at their ability to manage their own emotions while putting students first and continuing to do their primary job: educating your children.
Families can help with this process by using the resources below when speaking with your child about AB Forward.
I will continue to update caregivers as we move through the stages of students becoming more aware of the changes. I want to take a moment to thank our PTSO board, who shared feedback with me about this process, and who are always a helpful partner in thinking about communication with families.
Please know I am happy to speak with you directly if you have questions or concerns about this process.
Upcoming Caregiver Coffees - I plan to host two caregiver coffees this month to offer families an opportunity to ask questions and hear updates about AB Forward. These will take place on Wednesday, 1/14, at 8:30 (Link) and Friday, 1/23, at 9 am (Link). We will also have time during these to answer and discuss any other topics.
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| From the Office |
MCAS Schedule - Please review the MCAS schedule below. While the first test days are not until late March, we hope sharing this with caregivers will help you all plan your children's appointments and potential absences around this schedule. Thank you for your help in ensuring your students are in school for these dates.  |
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| Around The Campus |
Support for Families, Students, and Staff -
 Acton-Boxborough Regional School District has partnered with Care Solace to help support the well-being of our community. Whether you or a family member needs support with mental health or substance use, Care Solace can connect you to care options that meet your needs—quickly, confidentially, and at no cost to you.
How to Access Support while school is not in session:
Call: 888-515-0595 (Multilingual support available 24/7/365) Visit: caresolace.com/abschools Search for providers independently or click “Book Appointment” to get assistance via video chat, phone, or email.
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Upcoming Events 1.14 Caregiver Coffee 8:30-9:15- Link
1.19 No School - MLK Jr. Day
1.22 - School Committee Meeting, when an AB Forward decision will be voted on by the School Committee.
1.23 Caregiver Coffee With Christy 9-10 am Link
1.27 - New PTSO Meeting Date (* This is a reschedule from the original date on 1.13).
2.16 - 2.20 - NO SCHOOL - February Vacation
3.10 NAEP Testing for 4th Graders
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