Superintendent's Weekly Update 10-22-21

 

“The Douglas Public Schools offer diverse learning experiences that meet the academic, social, physical, and emotional needs of all students. We provide a safe, supportive, and challenging learning environment in which students may achieve academic success and personal growth. Decisions are made in the best interest of students.” 


Hello,

Vacancies:

As many of you have seen in the news these last few months, employers are having difficulty filling positions. Sadly this is also the case here in Douglas. Over the past few months we have posted positions on School Spring, advertised on Social Media, put information on our front signs, and sent out information in newsletters. As of today we still have the following positions to fill across the district:


Substitute Classroom Teachers

Substitute Custodians

Substitute Cafeteria Workers

ParaProfessionals in each of the buildings

ABA’s in each of the buildings

Custodians

Long term substitute positions at the Primary School

We offer competitive salaries, benefits depending on the positions, family friendly hours, and a great work environment. If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact one of our building principals for more information.

Cindy Socha csocha@douglasps.net

Jon Bell         jbell@douglasps.net

Bob O’Brien bobrien@douglasps.net

Josh Romano jromano@douglasps.net

Student Council

The Student Council at the high school is offering a Haunted Hallways event on Friday, October 29th. The price is $5.00 for children 10 and under, and $7.00 for people over 11. There will be candy, crafts, and good Halloween fun for all who dare enter the hallway!


Family Engagement:

Students thrive when families and caregivers and school staff value each other and work together. The COVID-19 pandemic and events of 2020-2021 have shown how incredibly important this is! We are fortunate here in Douglas to have partnered with DESE and the School and Main Institute in order to increase our engagement levels with families.

We are hosting focus groups with families/caregivers, students, and school staff. We would love to have you participate. You can join from anywhere as all focus groups will be hosted online as Zoom meetings. Focus groups will be facilitated by the School and Main Institute, a non-profit organization based in Boston, who are helping us with this reflection project. All information you share in the focus group is confidential. We want to know what you really think in order to help us learn and grow! Your voice matters as we want to hear honest, authentic, and open feedback.

If you are interested in attending please send me an email and I will forward you the zoom link information.

COVID Dashboard:

Attached is a link to our COVID Dashboard that will be updated weekly. Unlike last year where I sent our letters every time we had a COVID positive case, I will not do that this year. This Dashboard will provide you with weekly numbers by building. We will continue to reach out to close contacts and also to families if they have been exposed to a presumptive positive student.


Respectfully,


Paul Vieira, Ed.D.

Superintendent


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