Superintendent Update 12-14-15
State Commendation for Pepin School
On December 10 the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released the names of
schools chosen as Commendation Schools for performance on state assessments. Easthampton’s
elementary schools took PARCC last spring and Pepin was one of 45 schools in the state named by the
Commissioner as Commendation Schools for high progress on state assessments.
Accountability levels for schools and districts were also released on December 10. Pepin, Center, and
Easthampton High School were all designated as Level 1 schools. Maple moved from Level 3 to Level 2.
White Brook Middle School remained at Level 3 but made good progress in moving towards Level 2.
Any district with one Level 3 school is classified as a Level 3 district, so despite the excellent results in
our schools and the progress that has been made, Easthampton remains a Level 3 district.
The progress our schools are making with improving student learning is due to the expertise of our
educators and to their dedication to their students. We have much to be proud of here in Easthampton
“Grease” and EHS Community Sock Hop
Tickets will not go on sale for “Grease” until after January 8, but community members can support the
upcoming production by attending the Sock Hop sponsored by the EHS Parents Council on Friday,
January 8. Follow this link to see a flyer for the event: http://www.epsd.us/districtSockHop.pdf. Tickets
are available at the door or email [email protected]. Information on how to get tickets for the musical
will be in the next update.
ELF Jazz Band to Perform for the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards Dinner
Mary Anne Herron of the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation came to White Brook last week to
audition the ELF Jazz Band for the performance portion of the awards dinner. Ms. Herron and I enjoyed
the band playing three remarkable numbers. She told the students after the performance how
impressed she was with their band and how excited she is to have our band play at the awards dinner
on April 28. Over 500 teachers, administrators, superintendents, and dignitaries will hear our band
perform. I know this will be an exciting event for all of us!
Grandparents Luncheon
White Brook 8th graders put on a luncheon for their grandparents last Thursday. The luncheon was
preceded by a performance in the auditorium by the White Brook Concert Band. Grandparents and
their students then went to the library to enjoy a turkey dinner prepared by Chartwells, the school’s
food service provider, and served by our students. The library was filled to capacity for this very festive
event.
High School Winter Concert
Those who attended the high school winter concert on Thursday evening were in for a real treat. Our
chorus and bands gave very professional performances to the large crowd who came for the event.
Warmest regards,
Nancy Follansbee
If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please email me at [email protected].
Superintendent Updates are also available on the Easthampton Public Schools Facebook page and at
www.epsd.us.
Upcoming Events
 December 17 – Band Concert at White Brook Middle School: 5th grade band at 5:30 and 6th - 8th
grade band at 7:15
 December 24 – January 1 – School Vacation
 January 8 – Sock Hop to support the upcoming production of “Grease”, 7:00-10:00 at EHS
 January 28, 29, 30, 31 – Easthampton High School musical “Grease”