The Town of Halifax would like to welcome our new Fire Chief Mike Witham to the Halifax community. Mike brings 30 plus years of experience in fire service and most recently had been serving as a Captain for the Town of Pembroke. Mike is very familiar with Halifax and its fire crew as he has assisted out on countless mutual aid calls here in town over the years.

We would also like to take this time to thank Halifax Captain Jeff Cuozzo for stepping up and serving in the role of acting chief until Mike was brought onboard. Mike’s first day at the station was Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. Feel free to stop by and say hello.

We’re excited to have you, Mike. Welcome aboard!

The Halifax Elementary School Committee met on Monday, Aug. 30. They began by assigning liaisons to various subcommittees. James Keegan was named to Youth and Recreation, Karyn Townsend was named to PTO, and School Committee Chair Summer Schmaling remained on Bylaw though she noted that they had not met in her eight years on the School Committee.

Schmaling then brought up her wish to create a Curriculum Development subcommittee. She described the intent behind the subcommittee saying, “just keeping eyes on what’s happening in our classroom… just personally, I would like to keep closer eyes on what’s coming down from the State.” Committee member Lauren Laws asked Schmaling what kind of authority she saw the subcommittee having. Laws further said that she trusted Curriculum Director Melissa Farrell and felt that she should be involved in the subcommittee. “I don’t personally have education credentials, so I don’t suppose to have the expertise,” Laws said.

The topic turned into a heated debate with Keegan and Schmaling on one side and Laws and Townsend on the other. Laws said that she felt that the idea of the subcommittee seemed a bit redundant while Townsend said that an email had already been sent out on Parent Square with links to curriculum resources.

Schmaling said, “Curriculum is changing rapidly and a lot of times what’s presented to us is very surface as opposed to what is actually happening.” Townsend asked Schmaling for an example. “Perfect example is I had several concerned parents reach out to me last year and tell me that their child was told to write an essay about Christopher Columbus and why we should be canceling Columbus Day – that was a concern for me.” She also cited changes to the social and emotional learning curriculum. Laws said she didn’t hear any of those concerns last year and Schmaling noted that certain people would be more comfortable coming to her about those types of concerns as herself and Laws fall “on opposite sides of the spectrum.”

Superintendent Jill Proulx said, “We do have policies related to curriculum so we would want to make sure that whatever the objectives of the Committee, they do not violate the policies that are already in place and the authority of the educators and the State of Massachusetts.” “I’m not trying to change any curriculum,” Schmaling said. Laws pointed out that the curriculum framework comes down from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) saying, “our schools are some of the best in the nation.”

Townsend continued to press Schmaling for what exactly she saw the purpose of the subcommittee to be to which she responded, “The purpose is to examine and digest the curriculum and the changes that are ever flowing through it.” Townsend said she wasn’t clear on how something like that would be addressed within the subcommittee and pointed out that there is a process in place at the Middle School if parents were to express concern over the appropriateness of a book. Proulx rsponded, “we do have a reconsideration of materials policy.” “I have a lot of concern with what’s happening in our schools right now and I’ll tell you something right now, in neighboring communities they are much further down this hole than we are and I would like to prevent Halifax from going down that hole. I had a mom in Pembroke call me in tears because her sixth grader…” she then said to other committee members, “don’t smile at me like that,” before proceeding saying, “her sixth grader had to write an essay about abortion. That is disgusting in my opinion, and I want to make sure that that doesn’t happen in Halifax Elementary School.”

Laws said, “But what is stopping parents from talking to the teachers about their concerns? This is a problem in our society – we jump to conclusions, we go to the person we know is going to help us and then instead of having a conversation at the level where it should happen – with the teacher…” She was then cut off by Schmaling who said, “Right, so our job would be to guide that person.”

Schmaling argued for a limited committee of two while Townsend argued for a larger subcommittee of five. Keegan asked, in what appeared to be sarcasm, why don’t they just change all subcommittees to include all five members of the larger School Committee.

Jessica Page, Schmaling, and Keegan voted in favor of the formation of the subcommittee. Schmaling then named herself and Page to the subcommittee. When questioned by Townsend as to whether she could participate Schmaling said, “Nope. I as the Chair will appoint two people to the subcommittee.” Townsend was named as the alternate.

Asst. Superintendent Ryan Lynch read from some updates to school policies including a wellness policy update that stipulated that taking away physical activity should not be utilized as a punishment. He explained, “There’s a lot of research coming out of educational circles that says children need to move and exert physical energy that are having a hard time in the classroom; it is not recommended that making the student sort of like miss recess would be a good technique to use to help that student improve their behavior.”

Halifax Elementary School Principal Kayne Beaudry told the Committee that enrollment currently stands at 574 students. He also said that new faculty included a few new special education teachers and a long-term substitute for the adjustment counselor who is on maternity leave until December. Beaudry said that while the summer felt short, he was excited for the upcoming year.

Proulx began her update by introducing David Turcotte, the new Director of Human Resources. “He’s been doing a wonderful job; we really appreciate having him and some of the things he’s been doing to really streamline our processes,” Proulx said. She noted that the start of the school year tends to have a lot of “HR pieces to it.”

Proulx also told the Committee that universal free meals were extended through the 2022-2023 school year. She said that the Department of Education and Department of Public Health issued a joint statement regarding COVID guidelines for the new school year. She said, “the Commonwealth is not recommending universal masking requirements, surveillance and testing of asymptomatic individuals, contact tracing, or testing to stay/testing in schools.” She said that only the school health office would have a masking requirement. Proulx further said that those that continue to choose to mask will be supported in that choice.

Regarding District goals, Proulx said that the goal for all the schools is to have at least 70 percent of students meeting or exceeding MCAS standards. She called it a “challenging but realistic goal.” Currently the percentages for 2021 for all schools are 59 percent for ELA, 45 percent for math, and 52 percent for science. She acknowledged that testing is not the only measure of student success.

Proulx also said they are currently working on website updates to ensure that outdated information is discarded, and new information is added.

Before adjourning, Schmaling provided some dates to remember including that September 29 will be an early release. She noted that students will be provided lunches on half days this year.

PLYMPTON – The Plympton Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is currently accepting applications for fiscal year 2023 funding. The deadline for completed applications is October 15.

Projects funded in prior years include a safe in the Town Clerk’s office to archive important historical records; installation of a chairlift and new insulation for the “Old Town House” building at 189 Main St.; a comprehensive drainage system to solve a chronic wet basement in the Plympton Library; funds to acquire and improve the 11 acre parcel on Main Street now known as Churchill Park which offers access to the abutting 87 acre parcel known as Cato’s Ridge thereby forming a large natural preserve with walking trails;  improvements at Harry Jason Park to make it more accessible for family and recreational use; the installation of a chairlift in the Plympton Historical Society Building; renovation of the old Winnetuxet swimming hole into a recreational area; and facilitating the donation of O’Neil Marsh on Ring Road which offers additional access to Cato’s Ridge.

More recent projects include clapboard painting and window restoration and replacement at the “Old Town House”; repair and restoration of Town Green gazebo; creation of the 150 acre “Two Brooks Preserve” off Prospect Road; and funding for improvements to the playground at the Dennett Elementary School.

The CPC takes very seriously its responsibility to administer Community Preservation Act funds and is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve and improve the town through acquisition and protection of open space, historical preservation, community housing and increased recreational opportunities. New projects selected by the CPC for further consideration will be voted on for approval at the 2022 Annual Town Meeting.

Project guidelines and applications can be found on the Plympton town website at http://www.town.plympton.ma.us/community-preservation-committee. Click on “Documents” at the left hand side of the web page to bring up the Plympton Community Preservation Plan which includes the application and criteria.

The CPC Plan and application are also available at the Town House and at the Plympton Public Library. Questions can be addressed by contacting CPC Chair Mark Russo at Mrusso2@msn.com.

Beginning Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, a $50 late fee will be charged on all Dog License registrations. Residents can submit their dog license registration in-person, by mail or by using the drop-box located at the Town Hall parking lot entrance.

Please include cash or a check payable to the Town of Halifax, a completed Dog License Registration form, rabies vaccination certificate(s), and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Alternatively, residents may process their dog license registration online at (https://www.halifax-ma.org/pay). Online registrations are only valid if the Town Clerk’s Office has a current rabies vaccination certificate on-file.

It is highly recommended to verify that all required materials are on-file before proceeding with a dog license registration online. You can do so by calling (781) 293-7970 or e-mailing ClerksOffice@halifax-ma.org.

An owner who has not licensed their dog(s) by 4 pm on Wednesday, Sept. 14, will incur a late fee of $50 per dog plus the cost of the license(s). An owner who has not licensed their dog(s) by Nov. 1 will be issued a court citation of $25 per dog, plus the late fee of $50 per dog as well as the cost of the license(s). The cost of a dog license is $10 for neutered or spayed dogs and $15 for dogs that are not neutered or spayed. All dogs must be licensed in accordance with Massachusetts General Law.

The Town Clerk’s office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Plympton’s Conservation Commission is happy to announce that the Town’s new Two Brooks Preserve is open.

A band of hearty volunteers have been working tirelessly during the fall and winter months clearing trails, building boardwalks and installing a parking lot on Prospect Road to ready the Preserve for public use.  Our thanks again to them and to all the residents who have supported creating public access to this special area.

In order to protect the Preserve’s outstanding natural resources, including its significant groundwater and wildlife species, please remember that dogs must be leashed at all times; bicycles and motorized vehicles are not permitted.

Please respect neighboring properties as you travel the paths.

The Preserve’s boundaries have been professionally surveyed and legally verified by multiple entities to ensure their accuracy. No private property has been taken or infringed upon.

The Commission and the Open Space Committee look forward to welcoming everyone to this beautiful area in the Winnetuxet River Watershed.

BOSTON – Ava Mirisola of Kingston  has earned Dean’s List honors for the Spring 2022 semester at Emerson College.

The requirement to make Dean’s List is a grade point average of 3.7 or higher for that semester.

Mirisola is majoring in Business Creative Enterprises and is a member of the Class of 2025.

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, opposite the historic Boston Common and in the heart of the city’s Theatre District, Emerson College educates individuals who will solve problems and change the world through engaged leadership in communication and the arts, a mission informed by liberal learning.

The College has 3,780 undergraduates and 670 graduate students from across the United States and 50 countries. Supported by state-of-the-art facilities and a renowned faculty, students participate in more than 90 student organizations and performance groups.

Emerson is known for its experiential learning programs in the States and other countries in the world.

in Los Angeles, the District of Columbia, the Netherlands, London, China, and the Czech Republic as well as its new Global Portals, with the first program launching this fall in Paris. The College has an active network of 51,000+ alumni who hold leadership positions in communication and the arts. For more information, visit emerson.edu.

WEST HARTFORD, CT (07/08/2022)– The University of Hartford is pleased to announce Alexus Stanley of Plympton has been named to the Dean’s List for Spring 2022.

Spread across seven dynamic schools and colleges, the University of Hartford has been guiding the purpose and passion of students for over six decades. On our 350-acre campus alongside Connecticut’s capital city, approximately 4,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students representing 49 states and 44 countries come together for a common purpose: to collaborate across different disciplines, diversify perspectives, and broaden worldviews.

University of Hartfrd is a four-year private university focused on advancing the public good through meaningful connections within our communities. Our unique approach to comprehensive education gives us the critical perspectives that lead to impact change, regionally and beyond. With degree programs spanning the arts, humanities, business, engineering and technology, education, and health professions, we focus on doing the work that matters. Visit hartford.edu to learn more.