Canton Public Schools: November 4 School Committee Meeting Recap: Honoring Veterans, Rodman/JFK/Luce/Hansen School Improvement Plans, Dy ...

Press release from Canton Public Schools:

Matthew Reid

November 10, 2021

CANTON — Interim Superintendent Derek Folan would like to share with the school community several notable updates and information provided at the November 4 Canton School Committee meeting. 

A recording of the full meeting can be viewed here. 

Additional meeting materials, including the Interim Superintendent’s Report and all documents shared at the meeting are available here.

The District will honor veterans in many different ways leading up to Thursday, November 11 — the observance of Veterans Day. Everyone in the Canton Public Schools is thankful for their service, courage and commitment, and the freedoms that are upheld.

In particular, the District would like to honor three members of the staff who are veterans:

Dr. Nick Fitzgerald, CHS assistant principal – Dr. Fitzgerald attained the rank of Captain from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After completing college, he served four and a half years at the following bases: Fort Wainwright, Alaska; Camp Edwards, South Korea; and Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Katie Healey, CHS science teacher (engineering and robotics) – Healey graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and served active duty for 10 years and as a reservist for three years. Lt. Healey served as the Operations Officer on the Coast Guard cutter COWSLIP in Portsmouth, Virginia and the Executive Officer (second in command) on the Coast Guard cutter RED BEECH in New York City. She was also the Commanding Officer of her reserve unit, Vessels New Bedford, and she served on the Coast Guard cutter BITTERSWEET in Woods Hole.

Justyn Pelchat, GMS tech specialist – Pelchat served in the Army from 2009-2017 and attained the rank of Sergeant. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to the Combined Joint Task Forces with his Unit, 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion. He was the Battalion S6 Noncommissioned Officer in Charge.

The Canton Public Schools thanks Capt. Fitzgerald, Lt. Healey and Sgt. Pelchat for their service, and looks forward to honoring all veterans in recognition of Veterans Day on Nov. 11.

Two Senior Study meetings with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) were held, on October 22 and 26, to review the possibility of a new or renovated Grade 5-8 Galvin Middle School. 

As part of the MSBA Senior Study, CPS engaged in a Zoom call to discuss its submitted Statement of Interest, reviewed the town’s financial readiness for a building project and feasibility study, and assessed community readiness. 

On October 26, a tour of the building took place to identify the physical deficiencies and how they impact the district’s educational vision. The District thanks the School Committee and town officials for their support, and appreciates the attendance of Rep. Galvin and Sen. Timilty.

To view photos from the tour, click here. 

CPS continues to follow guidance and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) regarding face coverings in schools.

On October 26, 2021, DESE announced an extension of the mask mandate through at least January 15, 2022.  As a result, the School Committee reviewed and approved its Face Coverings Policy, EBCFA, to align with DESE. To view the updated CPS policy, click here. To read the full report on the DESE mask requirement extension, click here. 

This press release was produced by Canton Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.