June 17, 2022

Dear Staff and Families,

Today, I wish to share with you an announcement and a few exciting student events.

Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Juneteenth Art Contest

Kindergarten Oceans Day

First Grade Shivericks Pond Day

Fourth Grade Green Bus Tour

Elementary Family Math Night

Summer Programs/COVID Tests

Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. It is my pleasure to announce Mr. Henry St. Julien as our new Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging for FPS. Mr. St. Julien is currently the Assistant Principal at FHS. He received a BA at Gordon College, a master’s degree in Education at Framingham State University, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Educational Leadership and Management program at Fitchburg State University. He began his teaching career in 1994 at Wareham High School as a History teacher and then became the Assistant Principal at Falmouth High School in 2016. He also serves as Falmouth Career Vocational Technical Education Team Leader and Cultural Proficiency professional development instructor. We are very excited to have Henry in this new and important role.

Juneteenth Art Contest. In celebration of Juneteenth, the Falmouth Public Schools hosted the second annual Juneteenth Commemorative Poster Contest. We are excited to share with you a digital catalog recognizing student artwork across all grades. Students created art that represented key moments in history and/or celebrated what Juneteenth means to them. Student posters will be displayed June 17-21 at the following locations: Falmouth Art Center, West Falmouth Library, Woods Hole Historical Museum, The Gallery on Main, Waquoit Congregational Church, Falmouth Museums on the Green, and Falmouth Public Library. Posters will also be displayed at the first student-led Freedom Walk at FHS in honor of Juneteenth. We’re very proud of our Clippers!

Kindergarten Oceans Day. Falmouth Kindergarten students were introduced to the rich science and research community of Falmouth through Kindergarten Oceans Day hosted by Mullen-Hall School and Kindergarten Teacher Maureen Tichenor. During Oceans Day, Kindergarten students met NOAA Fisheries scientists and had the opportunity to investigate a variety of marine organisms that were collected during a recent survey. Students explored these organisms and had a chance to ask questions about observations they were making. In addition, students learned about ocean zones, sea turtles, and built a model of a scallop to explore its anatomy to further understand how they survive in our oceans.

First Grade Shivericks Pond Day. Falmouth students in first grade are learning about the environment around them and the structures and behaviors that plants and animals have that allow for survival. Hosted by Mullen-Hall School and First Grade Teacher Cristin Petisca, first graders from across the Falmouth district visited the dynamic Shivericks Pond environment. Students interacted with volunteers from Falmouth's 300 Committee where they explored the hidden microscopic world of pond water in a microscope lab investigation. They learned about pond life from seventh grade students and Lawrence Science Teacher Kristina Woods at the Lawrence School vernal pool and practiced mindfulness during a nature walk with volunteers from Calmer Choice. Students also had the opportunity to read the story Pond Circle by Betsy Franco and were sent home with a book to keep titled Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner.

Green Bus Tour. This week, North Falmouth and Mullen-Hall fourth graders participated in the Green Bus Tour field trip. In collaboration with the Coonamessett River Trust and Trash Shouldn’t Splash, students traveled to the Coonamessett River and local beaches to participate in activities related to stewardship and science in our community. At the Coonamessett River, students learned about local wildlife and plants and the river restoration efforts. Thanks to the Coonamessett River Trust, students were each able to adopt and name a herring! Trash Shouldn’t Splash facilitators engaged in discussions and activities with students regarding the use of single-use plastic items, and their influence on our environment and ocean creatures. So far, fourth grade students have collected a total of 66 pounds of trash at four Falmouth beaches! Teaticket and East Falmouth Schools will be participating in the Green Bus Tour next week.

Elementary Family Math Night. This year’s Falmouth Elementary Schools Family Math Night was held at our Mullen-Hall Elementary school on Wednesday, June 15.  It was so exciting to see so many of our students and their families playing games, solving puzzles, practicing math facts and working together to solve ST Math problems. JiJi the Penguin from ST Math posed for photo ops! Families played board games from a Falmouth Education Foundation grant: Prime Climb, Proof, Zeus on the Loose, Check the Oven, and Shut the Box.

Summer Programs. We will continue to offer COVID-19 Test Kits for staff and students participating in any of our summer programs (e.g., ESY, Camp Invention, Credit Recovery). Once your child is registered in the program you will receive an email to opt-in to receive a kit. If you have questions please contact the Office of Student Services at (774) 392-6477.

Summer is almost here and the end of the school year is near. Reflecting over one of the most difficult years in education, our students have experienced wonderful and unique opportunities with resilience and success.

Sincerely,
Lori S. Duerr, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools