Author Simon Sinek has extensively written and spoken that true leaders must start with why, i.e., being explicit about our beliefs, motives, purpose, etc. to lead a successful organization.  I think of this and Will Richardson's call to our MURSD community that we reflect upon what we believe how kids learn most deeply and powerfully.   I have several beliefs that I hold deeply, and all of them have been confirmed at multiple points in my 28 years as an educator.  So what do I believe?

The MURSD and Santa Teresa student exchange planning teams

in the San Sebastián City Council Chambers w/San Sebastián

Mayor Eneko Goia (center).

Last week I had the incredible pleasure of traveling with a small team of MURSD educators and students to San Sebastián, Spain for the purpose of investigating a two-way student exchange program for Nipmuc students and their counterparts at the Santa Teresa Ikastetxea,  a PK-12 school in the beautiful coastal city in the heart of Spain's Basque Region.  After a great deal of dialogue and planning with our Santa Teresa colleagues, we are poised to start this exchange during the 2018-19 school year.  To say the least, I am very excited about this new opportunity for our students!  We will have more specific information to share for students interested in the exchange in the coming months.

It has been an exciting first week!

It's always great to reconnect with colleagues on that very first day, Teacher Orientation Day.  When we meet in the Nipmuc Auditorium as a district in the morning, I first introduce all of the new staff, then I deliver some comments regarding big ideas/themes that the district will be working toward in the coming school year.

Earlier this month I gave a presentation to the Regional School Committee on the proposed field test this spring of a new state assessment known as the PARCC (Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for Colleges and Careers).  This new assessment, which will be administered in 18 states plus the District of Columbia, will be taking the place of the MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) tests in English language arts and mathematics.  The reason for this change is the conversion to the Common Core State Standards, a new, national set of standards that is replacing our state's existing curriculum frameworks in ELA and math.  The PARCC Assessment is aligned to the Common Core State Standards.

Last Monday night our new Director of Curriculum Maureen Cohen and I delivered the annual presentation on the latest round of MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) tests and each school's accountability rating to the Regional School Committee.  Here is the "10,000 foot view" in a screencast below:

Not to digress, but I hope you like the format of the "screencast," which was created completely on an iPad using the app Explain Everything.  It really is a nice way to add video, audio, and even animation to something like a PowerPoint presentation.

Fall is definitely in the air... and there isn't a better time of the year for the harvest of fresh fruits and vegetables.  Hence, the Massachusetts Farm to School Project, which the MURSD just joined, is sponsoring its 7th annual Harvest for Students Week 2013.  The week kicks off the larger National Farm to School month (October).  Both the national and state projects have the same mission:  to encourage healthy food choices by increasing students' exposure to seasonal fruits and vegetables while also supporting local farmers and heightening interest in school meals.

Patriots All-Pro Safety Devin McCourty

high fives all 464 Clough students! We learn some of our habits at a very early age.  That simple fact is the premise of a 6-year old joint venture from the National Dairy Council and the NFL, Fuel Up to Play 60.  The program aims to promote students to take charge in making small, everyday changes at both home and school.  The changes are in the areas of healthy food choices and getting exercise, specifically committing to being physically active for at least 60 minutes everyday.