Monday, April 22, 2013
Superintendent Jay Cummings emailed community members this weekend; he said the schools will not be "speaking to the incidents," particularly at the younger grade levels.
The following is Grafton School Superintendent Jay Cummings' newsletter, which was sent out Sunday, April 21: Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community Members, This past week has been incredibly eventful in terms of the Boston Marathon tragedy and the ensuing search for the bombing suspects. Numerous students had connections to these events. As we ready for the return to school tomorrow, I want to brief everyone on our efforts to ensure that any and all individual student needs are met. Much like we did following the Newtown incident, our staff is prepared to speak with any student who requires additional support. Especially at the younger levels, we will not be speaking to the incidents that took place. We want to make sure that we are …
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Snow days have delayed the end of the Grafton school year.
With February school vacation following so closely on the heels of being snowed in, some parents may be getting a bit stir crazy with the kids. Or: all the extra time together could be making parents look that much more forward to when the kids will be out for the summer! Either way, we thought it was worth an update on how the district's four snow days so far this school year have affected the last scheduled day of school. We checked in with Superintendent Jay Cummings' office, and were informed that the last day of school is Wednesday, June 19. Any additional snow days would move the last day further into the month. For seniors, the last day is May 23: that doesn't change regardless of snow days.
Monday, January 28, 2013
The Tufts Neighborhood Service Fund recently gave money to Grafton's schools, senior center, and other nonprofit organizations.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
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Monday, January 28
Submitted by Katie Cinnamond, assistant director of public relations, Tufts University The Tufts Neighborhood Service Fund (TNSF) committee recently awarded grants to five organizations in Grafton. TNSF collects donations from university employees throughout the year and then awards grants to community-based, charitable organizations that serve Tufts' host communities (Somerville, Medford, Grafton and Boston's Chinatown) and that actively engage Tufts volunteers in their work. A committee comprised of Tufts administrators, faculty and staff meets annually to review proposals and select grant recipients. In 2012 there was a total of $20,380 available to distribute through TNSF. The committee received 49 proposals representing more than $74,…
Monday, April 23, 2012
His communication, energy and relationship-building skills are cited in his review.
Superintendent of Schools James Cummings received an excellent report card tonight from the School Committee. His work ethic, respectful manner, ability to communicate well and build a team were cited numerous times by School Committee members as they rated him in various areas during his job evaluation. He was judged in six categories: Relationship with the School Committee, educational leadership, general management, budget management, personnel management and communications/public relations. He earned all 3s and 4s on a scale of 4. The committee members in attendance unanimously agreed that communication is one of his greatest strengths. Committee member Donna Stock said she believed that everyone he deals with _ including town …
42.23789
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North Grafton Elementary School
46 Waterville St, North Grafton, MA
/articles/superintendent-gets-a-s-and-b-s-in-review
1014212
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42.211223
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Town of Grafton High School
24 Providence Rd, Grafton, MA
/articles/superintendent-gets-a-s-and-b-s-in-review
802513
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Finalist is selected for North Street School.
Two personnel changes were announced today by Superintendent of Schools James Cummings. A new principal may soon be hired while an assistant principal is leaving, Cummings has announced. Jennifer Mannion, a Grafton resident and assistant principal at the Florence Sawyer Elementary School in Bolton, has been named the sole finalist for the principal's position at the new North Street School Representatives from the search committee, which vetted candidates and chose Mannion as the single finalist, will go on a site visit to the Florence Sawyer School in Bolton this week. Mannion will visit the Grafton school district May 1. An announcement regarding the hiring for this position will be made next week, Cummings has announced. With one …
42.211443
-71.691912
Grafton Middle School
22 Providence Rd, Grafton, MA
/articles/gms-assistant-principal-leaving
802577
/locations/6861911
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
The work is already underway to prepare for changes at every grade, the superintendent said.
Simply moving one family from one house to another can send blood pressure rates soaring. Now imagine moving students, staff and supplies from every school in the district into a new one. That is what the Grafton school system is facing this spring and summer, as it prepares for a new, and very different, school year starting in September. During two weeks in July, boxes filled with items will move from one building to another. This transition has been worked on by school buildings and grounds director Anthony LeMay. But well before that, the staff has been working to reduce anxiety and alleviate fears about the changes, Superintendent of Schools Jay Cummings told the School Committee Monday night. He has developed a number of approaches…
42.19921
-71.71091
Grafton Elementary School
105 Millbury St, Grafton, MA
/articles/schools-prepare-for-a-moving-transition
802563
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42.23789
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North Grafton Elementary School
46 Waterville St, North Grafton, MA
/articles/schools-prepare-for-a-moving-transition
1014212
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42.17835
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South Grafton Elementary School
90 Main St, South Grafton, MA
/articles/schools-prepare-for-a-moving-transition
1014160
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42.211443
-71.691912
Grafton Middle School
22 Providence Rd, Grafton, MA
/articles/schools-prepare-for-a-moving-transition
802577
/locations/6671772
42.211223
-71.692055
Town of Grafton High School
24 Providence Rd, Grafton, MA
/articles/schools-prepare-for-a-moving-transition
802513
/locations/6671773
Sunday, January 15, 2012
School Committee salutes veteran educators.
The Grafton School Committee saluted two teachers this week who recently retired after years of service to the school department. Sue Brown was hired as a grade 3 teacher in 1972 and worked at the former Fisherville School for two years. She has taught at the former Center School on North Street, South Grafton Elementary School, North Grafton Elementary School and, since 1986 at the Grafton Elementary School. Paula Grzelecki was hired as a special education teacher in pre-K in 1977 and worked at the former Center School for two years. She has worked at North Grafton Elementary School since. Both teachers retired last month.
42.23789
-71.70509
North Grafton Elementary School
46 Waterville St, North Grafton, MA
/articles/newly-retired-teachers-honored
1014212
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42.17835
-71.69574
South Grafton Elementary School
90 Main St, South Grafton, MA
/articles/newly-retired-teachers-honored
1014160
/locations/6183495
42.19921
-71.71091
Grafton Elementary School
105 Millbury St, Grafton, MA
/articles/newly-retired-teachers-honored
802563
/locations/6183496
Monday, December 5, 2011
The change was made in light of the loss of three school days already.
The school year has been reduced from 183 to 181 days this years, School Committee members voted unanimously tonight. Committee members agreed with Superintendent of Schools Jay Cummings' recommendation to reduce the days to help ensure that the school year will not end any later than Friday, June 22. Running the school year into the next week woud be cumbersome, he said. The state mandates 180 days so Grafton will have one extra day.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Power has been restored to all schools.
School is back on tomorrow, Superintendent of Schools Jay Cummings has announced. All schools now have power restored. School will begin at the usual time. He stressed that student safety is crucial and urged all youngsters to avoid debris and downed lines. Most roads will be passable for buses, he said. If there are roads that cannot accommodate the buses, Cummings will ensure that all students, even those whose households have no power, will receive the word about the bus route. Cummings said if it comes to it, he will personally deliver the message. He spent part of the afternoon assessing road conditions. He said that he understands that some families are out of town because they have no power and that circumstances might not be ideal…
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Visitors read to the youngsters at North Grafton Elementary School.
On Tuesday, Oct. 11, North Grafton Elementary School hosted a Community Reading Day. The purpose of this day was twofold; it kicked off the 24th year of Books and Beyond and celebrated reading and its value in our everyday lives. The event is also significant in that it actively engages NGES students with community members. Many community members graciously accepted an invitation to come to NGES to read a book to a class of preschoolers, kindergartners, first or second graders. In addition they shared a bit about their role in our community. The students and staff of NGES would like to thank this year’s visiting community members: Dr. James Cummings, Superintendent of the Grafton Public Schools, Lucille Boutiette, Assistant …
42.23789
-71.70509
North Grafton Elementary School
46 Waterville St, North Grafton, MA
/articles/community-readers-add-a-happy-chapter
1014212
/locations/5666501
Howard A Hight
7:47 am on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Dr. Cummings is an exemplary Superintendent. As a retired textbook publisher with over 40 years working with educators, I feel very confident in entrusting my 2 granddaughters to this man's educational guidence. more ›