Ware Public Schools

 July 24, 2018

Dear Ware Learning Community:

After five and a half years, it is with mixed emotions that I write to inform you of my resignation from the Principalship of Ware Junior Senior High School.

In my graduation remarks this year, I offered some thoughts on life’s transitions. As I prepare to transition to the next chapter of my own professional journey, and Ware Junior Senior High School prepares to welcome new leadership, let us all remember the formative experiences that have developed the foundation upon which our next chapters will be built.

I want to express my sincere and profound gratitude for your confidence and trust. Serving as your Principal has been a privilege, and I will always remember the dedication of the faculty and staff, the advocacy and involvement of parents, guardians and community stakeholders, and most importantly, the incredibly talented student body!

I wish you all the very best in teaching, learning and life!

Respectfully,

Darren C. Elwell

Dear Ware Learning Community:

As we continue to process images on the news and on social media of the horrific tragedy at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, we can’t help but think of our own daily lives here at Ware Junior Senior High School as students, faculty and staff. As we learn more about the lives lost, we recognize that we have a fundamental obligation to ensure that this type of tragedy never occurs here, in our own learning community.

Regardless of the many security measures that we currently employ, from locked interior and exterior doors, to security cameras and lockdown drills, there is nothing more important than human instinct and intuition. If you see or hear something, say something. If you feel something, say something. As we know, there are many ways in which we can share our thoughts and feelings, including on social media. An increased level of vigilance in all of these arenas is critical. Above all else, the most important thing that we can all do is remain cognizant of the all-too-common warning signs.

In addition, with regard to language and actions in the aftermath of such an incident, please understand that the level of scrutiny and sensitivity is incredibly high. Choose your words carefully; nothing of this nature will be taken lightly.

As we continue to send our thoughts to the families of loved ones affected in Parkland, Florida, please know that we will continue to work to safeguard our own school while developing the skills necessary to cope with tragedy of this magnitude.

In the time that remains during this morning’s extended homeroom, teachers will review lockdown protocol, and also discuss the resources available to you as you continue to process the week’s events.

Please honor the memory of those who were lost this week by engaging in a thoughtful, solemn dialogue at this time, and when it finally arrives, I wish you all an enjoyable, and safe winter break.

Of the many challenges that educators face in the context of providing a high quality 21^st century education, nothing is more consequential than the proliferation of technology and how it impacts students’ social and emotional development, which in turn, affects school climate at-large. There are many positive aspects of social media, gaming and other communication venues through which students interact. However, this changing landscape, often times lacking appropriate supervision and adult intervention, can lead to serious conflict and hardship. In addition, further compounding matters, students are exposed to a turbulent national discourse that seemingly does little to bridge differences and promote mutual respect for others. Thus, it is critically important, now more than ever, that all members of our learning community understand how to prevent and respond to incidents of bullying.

The Ware Public School District adheres to the following bullying definition:

“Bullying is defined as the victimization, intimidation or mistreatment by others in the school community, based on unequal physical, psychological or social power or perceived power. Bullying does include cyber-bullying and may constitute a crime.  Bullying includes behaviors that can cause physical and/or emotional harm, are unwelcome, intentional, and usually repeated.  Bullying can be verbal, physical, direct (face-to-face) and/or indirect (e.g. through another person, in writing, etc.).  Bullying generally involves a pattern of conduct that is directed at another person, rather than a single, isolated incident. Bullying does not include elements of bias (as defined under: Harassment).”

If bullying allegations are reported, school officials will begin an investigation by capturing as much information as possible, in a timely manner, through the Ware Public Schools Bullying Prevention and Intervention Incident Reporting Form (found online on the WJSHS website, or in hard copy in all school offices). After capturing information, an investigation is conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Ware Public Schools Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan (BPIP): http://www.wareps.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_1119747/File/Special%20ED/DESE%20WPS%20Bullying%20Plan%20Revised%20August%202017.pdf

I encourage all members of our learning community to review the BPIP to develop an understanding of the rights afforded all parties, and the gravity with which school personnel handle all allegations of bullying. In order to maintain a safe, productive learning environment, we all have an obligation to educate ourselves on what to recognize and how to intervene, and above all else, remain vigilant.

Please do not hesitate to contact the school should you have any questions regarding this critically important subject.

Respectfully,

Mr. Elwell

September 26, 2017 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

With the start and end of each day brings a multitude of cars to the campus along with thirteen buses to drop-off and pick-up students.  The layout of our campus is not ideal for traffic flow during these times and, for SMK, there is only one way in and one way out of campus if you are dropping off or picking up students.  These conditions makes it extremely difficult as you are navigating between students, parents, cars and buses in areas where there are parked cars everywhere. In the afternoons not only are there cars and buses of Ware Public School students moving through the campus there may also be buses from other districts delivering student athletes to athletic events taking place here on campus.  

I am asking for your due diligence as you move around campus to assure that everyone makes it home safely.  Your patience and understanding of this matter is greatly appreciated.

Thanking you,

Dr. Marlene A. DiLeo

• Implementation of MAP Testing in Grades 7 and 8
• Full utilization of TeachPoint
• Increased MCAS participation rates
• Expanded elective course offerings, once again, to include Family and Consumer Science
• Began a comprehensive curriculum review and revision process
• Inducted one of the largest groups of students into the National Honor Society in recent history
• Participated in PD relative to post-secondary transition planning (Special Educators) 
• Participated in PD relative to the impact of domestic violence and other trauma on learning
• Increased our music program's presence in the community
• Earned various athletic accolades, both for sportsmanship and winning records
• Afforded students the opportunity to secure employment through the Summer Jobs and Beyond Program
• Provided students work-based trainings at no-cost through the E2E Holyoke Community College Satellite Campus
• Examination of the "Anatomy of the Instructional Block" components
• Participated in DSAC Learning Walks for instructional feedback
• Contributed to the Red Cross's efforts to save lives by leading the way in blood drive donations

I am proud of our collective accomplishments, and I look forward to what we will accomplish together in the 2017-2018 school year. Best wishes for an enjoyable summer vacation!

Sincerely,
Mr. Elwell

Spring 2017 MCAS Information

Dear Ware Learning Community:

This message is to inform you of upcoming assessments at Ware Junior Senior High School. As you may already know, the Ware Public Schools will no longer be piloting the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC). Instead, students in grades seven and eight will be administered the Next Generation MCAS exam. Please note, grade seven will complete paper-based testing (PBT), and grade eight will participate in computer-based testing (CBT) for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. The Science and Technology exam will be paper-based.  

Presently, all grade ten students must still pass the Math, ELA, and Biology MCAS exams in order to graduate. For further clarification, please see the breakdown below, including testing dates, for each grade level:

Grade 7 – MCAS  

ELA:  April 4, 5, 6 (PBT)

Math:  May 4, 5 (PBT)

Grade 8 – MCAS

ELA:  April 25, 26, 27 (CBT)

Math:  May 2, 3 (CBT)

Science and Technology: May 9, 10 (PBT)

Grade 9 – MCAS Biology, if applicable

Biology:  June 5, 6 (PBT)

Grade 10 – MCAS Math and ELA, MCAS Biology, if applicable

ELA:  March 21, 22, 23 (PBT)

Math:  May 16, 17 (PBT)

Biology:  June 5, 6 (PBT)

As always, students should receive a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast prior to testing. A hot breakfast will be provided for all students prior to testing. In addition, it is imperative that students arrive on-time in order to begin the scheduled assessments promptly. MCAS sessions will begin shortly after homeroom, and at the conclusion of each day’s unit, students will resume a modified schedule of their regular courses. There will be no delayed start days for students in non-tested grades, as was the case in the past.

For more information, including a background of the Next Generation MCAS, as well as information pertaining to accessibility features and accommodations, please visit the Department’s website:  http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/nextgen/default.html.

Although the coming weeks will present a series of challenging assessments for students, we are confident that they will rise to the occasion. Please do not hesitate to contact the school should you have any questions regarding these upcoming, mandatory state assessments.

Sincerely,
Darren C. Elwell
Principal

Dear Ware Learning Community:

With the holiday break fast-approaching and the beginning of a new calendar year on the horizon, I wanted to take this opportunity to reiterate several school-wide expectations.

First, per the Ware Public Schools Handbook:

“Open beverage containers, and glass containers will not be allowed in classrooms or in the hallways. Any student may bring in factory sealed containers of water or juices, and the like for lunch. No soda, no coffee, no caffeinated drinks and no energy drinks of any kind will be permitted. Students may have water bottles in the classroom but they must be in a CLEAR PLASTIC container, so that the contents may be seen. Teachers will be able to remove containers if they are not in compliance. Containers may also be checked for contents if necessary.”

In addition, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of attending school on-time every day! After the accrual of ten (10) absences in the high school, students are subject to loss of credit and must write a letter of appeal to the Attendance Review Committee. In addition, any student who accrues eleven (11) or more unexcused tardies throughout the school year will be ineligible for all extra-curricular activities (i.e.: athletic participation, dances, student government, class-sponsored activities, etc.).

I thank you in advance for your cooperation as we all work to create a disciplined, productive learning environment.

Respectfully,

Mr. Elwell

Dear Ware Learning Community:

The 2015-2016 school year was another year of progress and positive momentum. This year…

• We persevered through an exhaustive self-study process and earned full accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges!

• The Domestic Violence Task Force Advisory held additional blood drives, with a running total of more than 750 units of blood collected over the past three years!

• We enhanced the safety of our learning environment by securing a School Resource Officer, and through additional trainings and exercises, coordinated by District Safety Coordinator Mr. Urban!

• Our Student Council continued to develop a presence locally and statewide at various events!

• We reconfigured departments to allow for more focused, professional learning!

• We completed a second round of PARCC testing!

• Our Music Department raised more than $10,000 to repair and purchase instruments!

• Our Athletic Department enjoyed success on the courts and fields while focusing on tenets of “The Ware Way!”

• We joined the River East School-to-Career Partnership, and secured federal funding for the Summer Jobs and Beyond Youth Employment Program!

• For the first time in years, we restored CAD and Performing Arts electives!

• We earned distinction with a U.S. News and World Report ranking of #65 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!

• We all worked to implement with fidelity the John Collins Writing System with a shared SMART goal!

• Together, many teachers completed SEI coursework!

• We developed and implemented District Determined Measures (DDMs) in an effort to focus on alternative measures of student growth!

• Our enrollment experienced a significant increase, resulting in the addition of a reading teacher in the junior high school!

All in all, it was another successful year of accomplishments. Best wishes for a safe and enjoyable summer vacation!

Sincerely,
Mr. Elwell

Dear Ware Learning Community:

It is hard to believe, but after April vacation, the end of the school year will be right around the corner! The coming weeks will include various rites of passage including prom, senior activities, and transition-related exercises for junior high school students, but I would be remiss if I did not mention the following, in the meantime:  

Assessments – The month of May involves many (16 days) assessments, including PARCC, MCAS, and AP exams. Parents/guardians of students in grades 7-10 should have received a letter regarding PARCC and MCAS. Click on the news article to the left to see the full testing calendar. It is imperative that students approach this testing window with the necessary effort and concentration.

Attendance – Instruction in all classes will continue until final exams, so it is imperative that students continue to attend school every day. It is also important that students not arrive tardy or be dismissed early, as both of these actions will result in missed instructional time. In addition, the accumulation of tardies and absences, in accordance with the policies outlined in the Ware Public Schools Student Handbook, will result in consequences. In the case of absences, high school students are especially at-risk of losing credit for coursework when they exceed the ten unexcused absences limit. Given that final exams are cumulative, it is crucial that students attend school every day.

Dress Code – With the transition from early spring to more summer-like temperatures, please be mindful of the Ware Public Schools Dress Code. The following is an excerpt from page 36 of the Ware Public Schools Student Handbook that describes the overarching purpose of the dress code:  

“Ware School District encourages the use of education to help students form their own identity, express themselves, and show their individuality. No uniforms are required in the Ware School District. Therefore, students currently enrolled at Ware are required to follow a dress code. This code will ensure safety and decency alike. An outfit should not cause a disturbance within the classroom and should never cause damage or harm to the building or another student…”

I encourage you to review the provisions set forth in the dress code for more specifics on pages 36 and 37. Here is the link: http://wareps.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_1119747/File/handbook/WPS_Student_Handbook.pdf

As fourth quarter progresses, I want to encourage all students to be mindful of our learning community’s academic, civic, and social expectations, so that we can all enjoy a successful conclusion to the 2015-2016 school year. Attend every day, dress appropriately, study hard, and finish strong!

Sincerely,
Mr. Elwell

Dear Ware Learning Community:

After much anticipation, I am pleased to announce that the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) has voted to continue Ware Junior Senior High School's accreditation! The visiting committee's report can be accessed in its entirety by clicking the link to the left of this message, under the school profile.

As we examine the report’s findings, it is helpful to provide some context. For approximately two years, the faculty completed a self-study process through which the school’s adherence to the seven standards was examined. The self-study process resulted in a comprehensive report of findings, authored by the faculty.

Ten years ago, when the last accreditation visit occurred in 2005, there were 37 commendations and 77 recommendations across the seven standards. In 2015, there were 42 commendations and 37 recommendations across the standards, many of which are resource dependent. Overall, the faculty, staff, and administration feel strongly that the report accurately reflects our strengths and has helped us to identify areas of focus moving forward. I am encouraged to report that our assessment of ourselves through the self-study strongly matches the visiting committee’s assessment.

Although we certainly have action items to address for continued improvement moving forward, it is my hope that this accreditation report will set the tone for a positive decade of growth and accomplishment!

Respectfully,

Mr. Elwell