Kindergarten - Grade 6 After School Program: ASPIRE Approved by Mahar Regional School Committee

On August 13, 2012 the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School Committee held a special meeting in which I presented plans to open a Kindergarten – Grade 6 after school program that was given the name, “ASPIRE.” The acronym stands for:


A = After
S = School
P = Program
I = Incorporationg
R = Recreation &
E = Education

In prior years approximately 75 children in the Orange Elementary Public Schools attended an after school program that was grant funded. The five year grant known as the “21st Century Learning Grant” expired at the end of the 2011 – 2012 school year, leaving area parents and students with no after school programming. Many families in the Orange-Athol region also utilize pricey private after school programs to which transportation must be arranged and in which there is little connection between classroom instruction and after school academic programming.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education posted grant applications for another 21st Century Additional Learning Time Grant for this academic year. We will be filing an application for funding, and it is due on September 20, 2012. Competitive priority in this grant fund is given to applications that are jointly developed between school districts and/or other partnering entities. Mahar and Orange Elementary will partner on this grant application, and invite some other after school programs to participate with us in the grant application process.

I informed the school committee that the ASPIRE program would be available for families in Orange and surrounding towns. The program will be housed at the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School because the nearly 200,000 square foot facility offers more opportunities for children to engage in sports, arts and crafts, cooking, and networked computer use. The Mahar facility also sits on more than 100 acres of land, offering students opportunities for outside play, nature walks, and even a low level ROPES course that is used for Mahar’s physical education program.

It is also our intention to work with area farmers and our partners at the Seeds of Solidarity to have a small farm on campus. The children will have the opportunity to have real hands on experiential learning with regard to agriculture. The opportunity to grow food that we can distribute on our campus is also very exciting!

Children who attend the ASPIRE program every day during the school year will be provided with an additional 290 hours of instruction in mathematics and language arts. I presented data from the Massachusetts Extended Learning Initiative that showed how the additional hours of instruction have paid huge academic dividends for children across the state.

The cost of the program is $10.50 per 3-hour day. Children will be provided with snacks, 90 minutes of instruction in mathematics and language arts, and 60 – 90 minutes of recreation daily. The adult to student ratio was set at 8.5 students per adult. This is because each group of 17 students is scheduled to be supervised by two adults at all times. At no point will a child be unaccompanied by an adult in this program. We have a huge facility and the safety of the children is our first priority.

Services will be available on the first day of school which is August 29, 2012. Applications are available for parents at the Ralph C. Mahar Regional Website (www.rcmahar.org) and in the Superintendent’s Office at the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School. Applications are also be available at the Fisher Hill, Dexter Park, Butterfield, and Petersham Center Schools.

Questions about the program can be directed to me at 978-544-2920 or via e-mail (mbaldassarre@rcmahar.org).

Education Connection Episode #6: A Conversation with School Resource Officer Softic

On June 7, 2012 Mrs. Samalis and I had the opportunity to sit down with Orange Elementary / Ralph C. Mahar School Resource Officer, Chad Softic.  Officer Softic provides us with insights related to his work in the area of juvenile justice and some interesting observations of student life in 2012.  I recommend that all parents view this episode. 

Click Here to Watch the Video:

http://www.schooltube.com/video/8ee2cbfe32e44d56ab28/Education%20Connection%20-%20School%20Resource%20Officer

Education Connection, Episode #5: Autism Awareness Center in Sterling, MA

On April 6, 2012, Jacki Samalis and I had the opportunity to visit the Autism Resource Center in Sterling, MA.  There we met with Executive Director, Sue Loring.  Please remember that April is Autism Awareness Month!

Questions and/or suggestions for future broadcasts can be E maild to:  edconnect@rcmahar.org

Click here to view Episode #5:

http://www.schooltube.com/video/5fa908b70f864045915b/Education%20Connection%20-%20Autism%20Awareness

Education Connection, Episode #4: Regionalization and Consolidation, Part II

Part II

On Friday, March 30, 2012 Mrs. Samalis and I had the opportunity to sit with Hadley Superintendent, and author of Creative Solutions to Contemporary Challenges in Small and Rural Schools Across America, Dr. Nicholas Young, and Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools Executive Director, Dr. Stephen Hemman. In this two part series we discuss District Consolidation and Regionalization.




Suggestions for future shows and questions with regard to content in this episode may be E-mailed to edconnect@rcmahar.org.



Click Here to View Education Connection Episode #4


http://www.schooltube.com/video/2ba4fe2a1b4544bdbab8/Education%20Connection%20-%20Regionalization%20part%201

Parent Workshop Series: May 2012

Programs Sponsored By:  The Mahar Regional School District with funding provided through a Department of Secondary and Elementary Education School Improvement Grant on Drop Out Prevention

Understanding Eating Disorders and Body Image

When:  Wednesday, May 9, 6 to 7:30 pm with time after for informal talk and questions
Where:  Charlotte Ryan Theatre
Presenters:  Carol Nolin; Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator at Heywood Hospital, Gardner.

Body image refers to how people see themselves. A distorted body image refers to an unrealistic view of how someone sees their body. Today, millions of Americans possess a negative body image, or at the very least, body dissatisfaction. The way a person sees their own body is rarely based on reality. Come learn the facts about dieting, eating disorders and how body image relates to both.

New Strategies for the Care of Children with ADHD

When:  Wednesday, May 16, 6 to 7:30 pm; with time after for informal talk and questions
Where:  Room H08
Presenters:  Catherine Sickles LMHC and Grace Leger LICSW; Staff clinicians at CHD-Outpatient Behavioral Health Services

Presentation will help to untangle some of the myths and mysteries of this common disorder among school-aged children and adults. Details about the necessary steps for a good screening will be discussed. Learn what other types of problems are "look-alikes" for ADHD. How parents and teachers can come together to create a healing and supportive environment for each child.

Your Responsible Child:
Chores-Homework-Cooperation, No Problem!

When:  Monday, May 21, 9:15 to 10:45 am; with time after for informal talk and questions
Where:  Mahar Teacher’s Dining Room
Presenters:  Catherine Sickles LMHC, Staff clinician at CHD-Outpatient Behavioral Health Services

What are the secrets to parenting children who actually WANT to help out around the house, finish their homework, and cooperate with adults?  The answers are found in understanding the child's stage of development and what can be expected of the child in each stage, TTT (taking time for training), building self esteem, and rewarding the right kinds of attitudes and actions.

Organizing the Disorganized Student

When:  Tuesday, May 29: 6 to 7:30 pm with time after for informal talk and questions
Where:  Mahar Media Center
Presenters:  Victoria Elliott; School Adjustment Counselor, Mahar Regional

Participants of the workshop will learn the organizational style of their child; learn how to choose school supplies most compatible with your child’s organizational style; learn how to effectively organize a school locker; and learn how to get homework home, back to school and into the teacher’s hand.

Mindfulness for School Success

When:  Thursday, May 31, 3 to 4:30 pm; Mahar Media Center
Presenters:  Paula Swenson; LMHC, Guidance Counselor, Mahar Regional

Learn how studies have shown that mindfulness can help reduce stress, increase focus and concentration and help with emotional regulation.   Through various forms of mindfulness practice such as eating, sitting and walking, participants will discover/rediscover the capacity to mindfully pay attention in the present moment, without judgment.  In addition, a bibliography and list of area resources will be available to help participants who wish to continue to explore mindfulness in their lives.

Light refreshments will be served
during each program

For information contact: 978-544-2535

Education Connection, Episode #3: Regionalization and Consolidation

On Friday, March 30, 2012 Mrs. Samalis and I had the opportunity to sit with Hadley Superintendent, and author of Creative Solutions to Contemporary Challenges in Small and Rural Schools Across America, Dr. Nicholas Young, and Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools Executive Director, Dr. Stephen Hemman.  In this two part series we discuss District Consolidation and Regionalization. 

Suggestions for future shows and questions with regard to content in this episode may be E-mailed to edconnect@rcmahar.org.

Click Here to View Education Connection Episode #3

http://www.schooltube.com/video/2ba4fe2a1b4544bdbab8/Education%20Connection%20-%20Regionalization%20part%201

Education Connection Episode #2: Educational Collaboratives

Education Connection is a show that is airing on Athol-Orange Television. I am working closely with CAPS Educational Collaborative Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities, Jackie Samalis to share information about our school community on a larger scale than can be offered by this blog. The show also airs on a popular website known as SchoolTube.


Thank you to Mrs. Samalis for making this opportunity to communicate with our community possible.

Episode #2: Educational Collaboratives
Guest: Dr. Edward McCaul, Executive Director of CAPS Educational Collaborative

May be viewed by clicking below:

http://www.schooltube.com/video/80f3a913e3bb468c84b0/Education%20Connection%20-%20Education%20Collaboratives