BMRHS benefits from carbon reduction incentive grant from IPA
New High Efficiency fuel burners will reduce energy costs.
Blackstone-Millville Regional School Superintendent Kimberly B. Shaver-Hood receives a $52,850 carbon reduction incentive grant from International Power Plant Manager Jeff Stewart. Also pictured from left to right are Chris Abbiuso of International Power, Charles Singleton District School Committee Chair, Richard Porter BMR Principal and Keith Ducharme Assistant [...]
Blackstone-Millville Regional High School has a new athletics website. Mr. Timothy Johnson was appointed as BMR’s new athletic director upon the retirement of long time AD Sharon Dupre.
Mr. Johnson spent many hours creating a new website for the athletic department that contains a lot of valuable information and is very viewer friendly. Mr. Johnson has [...]
New Drop-off / Pick-up procedures at the JFK/AFM Complex now in effect.
The drop-off and pick-up procedures have changed for the JFK and AFM Students. All students of the Complex (K-5) who are being driven by a parent will be dropped off and picked up in the back of JFK on Mendon Street.
Keep in mind that students can not be dropped off before 8:40 (there is no [...]
Twenty-five fourth and fifth grade students at the Augustine F. Maloney School have recently joined the after school Knitting Club. This club is being sponsored by the Blackstone-Millville Regional High School Cancer Fundraising Club and coordinated by fourth grade teacher/volunteer, Maureen Warren. The purpose for the knitting club is to create comfortable shawls for cancer patients while [...]
The Regional District School Committee held its’ annual Budget Hearing for the FY11 Budget on Thursday Evening March 11, 2010. Superintendent Shaver-Hood reviewed the work of the committee and administration over the past several months to construct a level-funded budget for the next Fiscal Year. Presently the District has not received word regarding anticipated [...]
Mr. Jonathan Keezing, representing Caravan Puppets, spent six days at the John F. Kennedy and Augustine F. Maloney Schools in Blackstone during the month of February. Caravan Puppets travel throughout New England putting on shows for children in various school communities. Due to a grant awarded to Mrs. Esther Cote (first grade teacher at JFK) by both the Blackstone-Millville Education Foundation and the Blackstone Elementary Parent Organization, Mr. Keezing was able to work with the 31 individual classes in grades kindergarten through grade five. Each child was given the opportunity to design their own puppets and bring them home. In addition, on the final day, Mr. Keezing and his traveling puppeteers put on 3 stage performances for various grade levels.
On Feb. 11th, a joint meeting of the School Committee, Boards of Selectmen and Finance from Blackstone and Millville, as well as Senator Moore was held at the Millville Town Hall. Minimum contribution is expected to increase for both towns, Millville’s by an additional $60,000 and Blackstone’s by $110,000. The Senator urged caution when developing the budgets for the next two years. The governor’s budget for FY11 uses federal stimulus money, which has not yet been appropriated and no stimulus money is expected to be available for FY12.
We are making great strides in keeping our budget transparent. The Open Hearing meeting for the District’s FY11 budget will be held on Thurs., March 11th at 7PM in the Molony-Sullivan Auditorium at the High School. We urge you to attend. The Superintendent will present a level services budget.
The Superintendent has worked to save money wherever possible. One way was to utilize the resources of other towns by job sharing with Bellingham in two key positions: the Directors of Food Service and Curriculum. Another idea being explored was the possibility of moving the 5th grade to the middle school. After initial investigation, there would be NO educational enhancement or savings, so the idea has been dropped. The 5th graders will remain housed at the A. F. Maloney and Millville Elementary Schools.
School Committee Meetings: March 11th and 25th at 7PM in the F. W. Hartnett Media Center
Students in Mr. DiFonso’s 5th grade class at Millville Elementary School participate in a role play activity centered on anti-bullying behaviors. Open Circle is a character education program founded on the belief that social and emotional learning are as important as academic learning in the classroom. This program has a strong emphasis on working to provide a climate to prevent bullying behavior, as well as teaching children the tools necessary to advocate for both themselves and others.
Four students representing grades 4 and 5 at the Augustine F. Maloney School approached their principal, Everett Campbell, about the concept of collecting change for the people of Haiti. The students came prepared with ideas; a flyer and other suggestions on how to make a small difference in the lives of those who suffered from the earthquake in Haiti several weeks ago. The students, Lauren Bouvier (grade 5), Christopher Breault, Matthew Messier, Owen Pickering (all grade 4), called their fundraiser, “Change for Haiti”. Matthew brought in two large canisters he designed at home and placed one on each office counter. Just nine days later, the students had raised a total of $719. A check was mailed to the Worcester Office of the American Red Cross over the February vacation period. Please note the attached photograph. Photographed from left to right: Matthew Messier, Christopher Breault, Lauren Bouvier and Owen Pickering
The Blackstone and Millville Boards of Selectmen and Finance Committees met with the Regional District School Committee on Thursday February 11th in the Longfellow Municipal Center. Also in attendance was State Senator Richard T. Moore of Uxbridge. This group meets on a regular basis throughout the year to discuss issues of common interest. This meetings focus was preparation for the upcoming budget sessions planned all during the spring, culminating with the Annual Town Meetings (May 10 in Millville- May 25 in Blackstone) where the Fiscal 2011 budget will be voted on by each town.
Once again the District and Towns are faced with difficult decisions regarding operational budgets for all town departments as well as the Regional School District. Thursday Evening the District provided an overview of our concerns for this budget cycle. Attached you will find details of the presentation. Senator Moore addressed the meeting echoing his concerns over what the Local and School Aid will be for the coming year. While the Legislature will make every effort to meet the level of funding proposed by Governor Patrick. Hopefully the Legislature will produce what is known as a “Local Aid Resolution” some time in March. This will give each community more data to work with as we prepare the budgets for next year.
Congratulations to Mrs. Edie Faulkner and members of the MES AoK (Acts of Kindness) Club on their successful 9th Annual Toys for Tots drive in December. Through the generosity of students, families and staff, nearly four hundred toys were collected at MES for children in need. This is just another example of the kindness and compassion that epitomize our school and community.
Students in Miss Kimberly Dubuc’s preschool class celebrate their first Valentine’s Day Party at school. Pictured are four and five year old students from Blackstone and Millville who attend the district-wide preschool program at the Millville Elementary School .
Front row: Donovan Williams, Hunter Lockwood-Letourneau, and Matthew Lalonde Back row: Amanda Thrul, Mason Baldini, Kyra Johnson, Anastatia Archambault, Randi Richards, and Keely Falardeau
This is the 12th year Millville Elementary School has sponsored Jump Rope for Heart. The event, for students in grades 3 through 5, allows students the opportunity to raise money for the American Heart Association’s efforts to fund lifesaving research into heart and blood vessel diseases. This year the students raised over $3,500, with 64% of students contributing.
In addition to raising money for the American Heart Association, Jump Rope for Heart is also an opportunity to educate and encourage each student to establish a healthy lifestyle. That includes regular physical activity to keep a healthy heart. Many parents participated in this event by volunteering and/or donating nutritious snacks for the students. Ask any MES third grader and you’ll be sure to hear that Jump Rope for Heart is an event to remember.
Congressman Neal Presents Appointment, and answers student questions
United States Congressman Richard Neal presents BMR Senior Steven Tata his letter of appointment to West Point. Also pictured left to right are Derek Tata, Scott Tata, Kathryn Tata, Congressman Richard Neal, Steven Tata, Superintendent Kim Shaver-Hood, Principal Richard Porter, Guidance director Maureen Tessier, Science teacher Ellie Conrad, Guidance counselor Kevin Maloney, 2nd row Social Studies teacher John McCormick.
Blackstone-Millville Regional Senior Steven Tata received his letter of appointment to West Point recently. United States Congressman Richard Neal visited BMR High School to personally present the appointment and to meet Steven and his family. Steven will report to his military assignment on June 28th. Members of BMR High School who advocated for Steven were also present at the ceremony. At the conclusion of the ceremony Congressman Neal visited Ms. Stefanie Anderson’s Advanced United States History II class. Congressman Neal answered many student questions on current politics and described his role in Washington.
This past weekend (February 6-7, 2010) 37 7th and 8th graders from our school (8 chorus and 29 band) went up to North Middlesex Regional High School to audition for select ensembles made up of the top musicians from across Central Massachusetts. 71 different schools sent students to audition.
We had 13 students from our school who were accepted!
Photographed from left to right:
BACK: David Gudaitis, Michael Mantoni, Benjamin Lodge, Timothy Chartier, Thomas Gallagher, Daniel Manning, Spencer Kosior
