Dear Families of the Gardner Public Schools,

I would like to extend a warm welcome back to school.  We have been busy this summer preparing for the upcoming school year and have much to share!

As I reflect on our accomplishments this last year, I realize that they are all the result of the hard work of our teachers and staff!  All of our data,  including the latest preliminary MCAS performance, family and staff surveys, independent educational programming audits, and academic achievement scores, indicate that our schools are going in the right direction! 

The entire staff is making the district better every day.

I am truly excited to have exceptional, dedicated leaders in our administrative positions in every school.  Each familiar face is dedicated to Gardner and has committed to seeing through the positive changes we are implementing academically and culturally.  Mr. Earl Martin has moved into an administrative role this year - as a 19-year veteran of Gardner Public Schools, he has shown his dedication and we gladly welcome him as the new principal of Waterford Street School! Additionally, Andrew Bloch, will replace Ms. Chisholm as the Dean of Students at Gardner Middle School.  Ms. Chisholm accepted a guidance position at our own Gardner High School (so she didn’t go far).  

I also have to say how thrilled I am that our school committee, mayor, and city council have pledged to support our school funding to ensure we continue to grow and improve our educational and enrichment programs for all students. I would like to thank them all for their commitment to the children and families of Gardner!

Finally, a quick note that bus routes will be available soon after principals send out your welcome back to school letters; they will be posted on our website www.gardnerk12.org.  I wish you a happy time for the rest of your summer and look forward to seeing you in the near future!  We at the Superintendent’s office, wish everyone a productive 2018-2019 school year.

Warm Regards,

Mark J. Pellegrino 

To all of my students:

When you unload the dishwasher, don’t forget to load it afterwards.

When you take out the trash, remember to replace the bag.

When you mow the lawn, pick up the clippings.

I think you get the idea.  

However, most importantly, remember that your chores will be easy compared with the hard work we will expect in school.  So enjoy every minute of your summer, including your chores, because when you get to school, you’ll get to work! 

PS I hope you took the time to READ this summer!

Every Child, in Every Classroom, Every Day will: 

feel welcomed, safe, and included in our community;

• Adults will personally welcome each child as they enter the school and each classroom.
• The layout of the school and each classroom will be inviting and conducive to learning.
• Students will learn social/emotional skills through direct instruction, supports, and institutional practices.
• Disciplinary practices are restorative rather than punitive--repairing relationships.
• Schools will actively engage families in the education of their children and community.

have adults consistently interact in ways that foster positive, supportive relationships; 

• School expectations, practices, and rules will be informed by the chronological and actual developmental levels of the children we serve.
• Adult responses to children’s behaviors will be empathetic and caring, considering their comprehensive knowledge of the child’s development and any possible trauma or stressors.
• The school will work proactively and collaboratively with families to support the whole child.

and be engaged in relevant, academically rigorous instruction, informed by data.

• Each lesson will incorporate rigorous student tasks that engage all learners, provoke higher-order thinking, monitor each student’s progress, and provide feedback to students for improvement.
• The schools will monitor and adapt their instruction to ensure students learn the skills and knowledge to prepare them for their own future.