STRANGER DANGER SAFETY ALERT AT VETERANS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TODAY

Important Message from Superintendent Richard Safiere

Dear Parents and Guardians,

There was an incident this morning, Thursday, October 25, when a driver of a green Subaru asked a Grade 5 Veterans Elementary School student whether he would like a ride to school. The student refused, twice, and ran into the school.

The police were contacted. They provided security at dismissal today and an investigation is actively underway. I have spoken with Chief McCarthy of the Gloucester Police Department and he has indicated that they will be increasing their presence at all of the schools.

I am writing to remind parents and guardians, that both at school and at home, we need to continue to remind our children about personal safety and “stranger danger”. We, for our part, will continue to do so, and we will take every step to ensure the safety of your children. I ask that you do the same.

Thank you.

Richard Safier, Superintendent

BUOY PAINTING SEASON HAS BEGUN!

Art Haven was filled with the joyful sounds of happy painters. Today, Veterans and East Gloucester Elementary School kids participated in Gloucester’s traditional buoy painting. Tomorrow, Plum Cove and Beeman students:)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcGNv4KFOBG/

East Gloucester Elementary: Wednesday 11/29 – 3:30-5:00pm
Veterans Memorial: Wednesday 11/29 – 3:30-5:00pm
Plum Cove Elemenary: Thursday 11/30 – 3:30-5:00pm
Beeman Elementary: Thursday 11/30 – 3:30-5:00pm
West Parish Elementary: Friday – 12/1 – 3:30-5:00pm
Open Day for Everyone: Saturday – 12/2 – 10:0am – 1:00pm
Rockport Elemenary School:  Monday 12/4 – 3:30-5:00pm
O’ Maley Middle School:  Wednesday – 12/6 – 3:30-5:00pm
Open Day for Everyone: Wednesday – 12/6 – 3:30-5:00pm
Manchester/Essex Elementary:  Wednesday – 12/6 – 3:30-5:00pm
Lobster Trap Tree LIghting and Party at Art Haven after
December 9th, 4:30 pm, Main St at Lobster Trap Tree
Buoy Auction
January 26, 5-8pm, Cruiseport

Building in Gloucester, MSBA School Committee consolidation update, and MAPC City Housing forum

20161027_081154-1

Three meetings with some items in common were held at the same time this past Wednesday, October 26, 2016: the standing School Committee meeting (including updates on new building) which include members Mayor Romeo Theken and Councilor Favazza; the Housing Building/Production Plan Public Forum #2 at City Hall which includes Councilor Lundberg; and a Forum to Focus on Building in the City held at the Magnolia library and community center with 3 Councilors LeBlanc, Orlando and Nolan.

Cape Ann TV filmed the first two.  (I will add them into the post.)

 

School Committee Meeting

“We’re on a path right now.”  “Nobody said we can’t pay.”   “We’re in Phase II of a 3-phase plan. We may need to convince the community to vote for a debt exclusion to pay for it.”

The MSBA toured East Gloucester Elementary School earlier in the week to corroborate the condition related to the School Committee Statement of Interest to consolidate East Gloucester Elementary and Veterans Memorial. The School Committee relayed that the community is united in expressing a need for new schools, moving forward and not changing course. The MSBA ascertains the community’s readiness and ability to pay. Gloucester is still in the running for MSBA aid. The pool of applicants was whittled down to 30 from 89 and sometime December or January, Gloucester will learn if MSBA accepts the plan, rejects it or places it on hold. “Up, down, maybe the plan is for the East Gloucester/Veterans only.”

20161026_19341820161026_192647

20161026_19245820161026_192556-1

 

Housing Production Forum at City Hall (I’ll add links to the presentation and feedback from the Magnolia forum):

20161026_182436

20161026_182852

20161026_181330-1
Citizens waiting in line to vote just after 6pm

Cape Ann TV video: City Council & School Committee Joint Meeting School Consolidation

20161018_211515

Thanks Lisa Smith! Here is the direct link to Dave’s film of the October 18th Joint Meeting of the City Council & School Committee:

http://vp.telvue.com/preview?id=T01896&video=292415

Next school committee meeting is October 26.