NPS Superintendent Monthly
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“April is a gentle reminder that life's transformations are beautiful and inevitable.”
Ellen Lowell
"Our spring has come at last with the soft laughter of April suns and shadow of April showers"
Byron Caldwell Smith
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I hope you enjoyed spring break.
Thirty-two school days left. The last day of school is Monday, June 16, which is a half day for students.
Budget FY2026:
During their last meeting, the School Committee voted for a 12.43% increase over the current year’s operating budget equating to $46,610,000. This increase maintains the positions that are in the FY25 operating budget and includes new positions such as additional reading and math specialists, paraeducators, special education staff, and academic teachers. Also, it estimates a staff wage increase of 3% for cost of living allowance and step movements based upon years of service until a new contract is ratified.
Maintaining current staffing and the addition of new staffing will continue to assist us in meeting the goals of both the Strategic and District Improvement Plans.
Below are some budget highlights to illustrate the District's commitment to its goals. Please note that some goals are not necessarily singular line items but cross multiple lines throughout the budget.
Academics—Improve ELA and math outcomes for English learners, students with disabilities, low-income students, and students identifying as Hispanic or Latino.
Budget Highlight: As the education of all students is our purpose, the strong budget shows approximately (90%) is dedicated specifically to the classroom including general and special education teachers, school-based administrators and staff, central office administrators and staff, academic support staff and coaches, instructional materials and supplies, technology and student transportation.
- An increase in support staff for reading and math intervention will assist in addressing students performing below grade level.
- Training of paraeducators to assist in small group instruction.
- Professional development focusing on reading strategies.
SEL—Strengthen the sense of connection and belonging experienced by students, staff, and caregivers.
Budget Highlight: Maintain staffing to assist students in succeeding academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally within the school environment. This includes school psychologists, adjustment and guidance counselors, BCBAs, tiered support specialists, school nurses, and district-wide social workers.
- Keeping services in-house rather than contracting out to a third party.
- Sustaining highly-skilled, certified professionals who are training to assess student needs, serve as student advocates, and facilitate appropriate services.
Next Steps
News Break! The Mayor announced that the Northampton Public Schools (NPS) will receive a $43,894,984 direct contribution from the city for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026 budget,; this amounts to a 5.88% increase from the $41,455,340 allocated in Fiscal Year 2025. The Mayor will announce the entire city budget on May 16, 2025.
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With the new allocation, the school department will not have to layoff any staff members for the next school year. Please take a look at other areas for which we are reducing the budget.
Executive Order Updates:
Both the State’s Attorney General and DESE has been supporting the school districts in how to respond to the changing dynamics of the U.S. Department of Education and the executive orders coming out of Washington D.C.
What is brewing at the Federal level that affects schools:
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DEI – There is a nationwide temporary stay that prevents US DOE from enforcing any part of the executive order for District’s to certify compliance with the DEI guidance.
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FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and Students’ Gender Identity. This act gives privacy rights to parents and guardians of students who are under the age of 18 and enrolled in grades K-12. The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment gives parents the right to access education records related to the gender identity of their child. These changes are in conflict with Massachusetts Law and NPS policies.
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Funding – There are concerns about eliminating funding for the Title IIA grant; these funds support effective instruction. NPS relies on these funds to support staff professional development.
Additional Executive Orders
- Preparing Americans for High Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future by focusing on new programs, consolidation of programs and apprenticeships
- Reinstating “common sense” school discipline policies by moving away from using a “disparate impact” framework for determining disproportionate disciplinary rates via race-neutral policies. In other words, move away from restorative practices. States have been given new guidance to have policies that protect the safety and educational environment of students.
- AI – DOE wants to enhance AI Literacy and proficiency by integrating AI into education, training educators and fostering early exposure to AI concepts and technology in order to develop an AI-ready workforce. The NPS Director of Technology and Technology Integration Specialists are working on a policy for AI-usage in the district.
Strategic Plan Working Groups:
Northampton Public Schools has created working groups to support the implementation of the district's strategic plan.
The Secondary Literacy Working Group will meet on the second Tuesday of the month between 8:30 AM and 10 AM. This group's spring meeting dates are May 13 and June 10.
The Elementary Literacy Working Group will meet on the second Tuesday of the month between 1 PM and 2 PM. This group's spring meeting dates are May 13 and June 10.
The Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Working Group will meet on the second Friday of the month from 1:15 PM to 2:15 PM. This group's spring meeting dates are May 9 and June 13.
The Net Zero/Sustainability Work Group will meet virtually on Monday, May 19, from 6 to 7 PM.
The Consolidation Work Group will meet virtually on Tuesday, May 13, from 5 to 6 PM.
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District's Reading Challenge (Grades K-8)
Spring Literacy Challenge
Encourage your child to join in the reading challenge! The District’s goal is to read 10,000 books by June 1, 2025. We have reached our goal; let's add to the number! This challenge is in partnership with Forbes Library to encourage Northampton children to read. The purpose is to build:
- A community of readers
- Students’ fluency
- Students’ vocabulary
- Students’ background knowledge
- Students’ comprehension
- Students’ skills in understanding complex text
- A love for reading
Students have been asked to keep a log of the books they have read and deliver their logs to their school library. All class read-alouds also count! Students, classes and schools can participate. To be included in the chance for prizes, a log must be submitted.
Current Numbers:
Spring Challenge counts for March:
- Leeds - 560 books
- Ryan Rd - 252 books
- Jackson Street - 488 books
Fall Challenge total: 9,954
Prizes for the spring semester (February 1, to May 31, 2025) are as follows:
- All students participating in the challenge receive a certificate of participation.
- Student who reads the most in the district -- $50 gift card to Broadside Bookshop
- Student who reads the most at the Primary Level (PreK-2) - $10 gift card
- Student who reads the most at the Intermediate Level (3-5) - $10 gift card
- Student who reads the most at the Middle School Level - $15 gift card
- School that reads the most -- Bragging rights for the 2025-26 school year
- Class that reads the most at the Primary Level (PreK-2) -- Teacher will receive a gift card to purchase something for their room
- Class that reads the most at the Intermediate Level (3-5) -- Teacher will receive a gift card to purchase something for their classroom
- Class that reads the most at the Middle School Level -- Teacher will receive a gift card to purchase something for their classroom
Did you know that reading aloud stimulates different areas of the brain? Reading out loud helps to create a more meaningful experience with the words on the page, improves retention and creates distinctive memories. Reading is multisensory! Add reading to your family time and encourage your child(ren) to read aloud to you. Take the challenge!
Keep Reading! We hope that all students will join the challenge.
Peace, Unity and Joy
Dr. Portia S. Bonner
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HALF DAY:
May 8 - Professional Development for staff
May 28 - Work Day
Schools dismiss according to the following schedule:
- Elementary -- 8:00-11:30AM
- Middle School -- 8:30AM-12:25PM
- High School -- 9:00AM-12:50PM
NO SCHOOL:
May 26 - Memorial Day
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL:
The last day of school has changed from Friday, June 13 to Monday, June 16 . June 13 will be a full day of school and June 16 will be a half day of school for Students.
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Honored to Highlight Northampton Public Schools at the New England Summit:
We were honored to be invited by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to plan, lead, and present a workshop at the Northeast Farm to Institution Summit in Portland, Maine last week about the great work our Freshampton School Meals team has been doing for the Northampton Schools. We presented to a packed house of educators, nonprofit leaders, researchers, CEOs, farmers, local business owners, and foundations about our farm to school programming, taste tests, local sourcing for school meals, successes, challenges, and more.
Grant Award:
We're excited and thankful to receive an MA FRESH CORP grant from the state of Massachusetts. Due to the political climate, we unfortunately only received partial funding, but we're on the waitlist for the remainder of our funding request for next year. This funding is to establish the Freshampton Collaborative in partnership with Grow Food Northampton and School Sprouts, that represent each of the 3 C’s (Classroom -- School Sprouts Winter Cooking Program; Cafeteria -- Freshampton School Meals Program; Community -- Grow Food Northampton Farm Field Trips). Our goal is to strategically plan, refine, create, and coordinate programs that are cohesive and sustainable. In addition, we will promote these programs so the community is fully aware and proud of this work.
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Thank you to BSS staff, caregivers, administration and School Committee Member who participated in parts of the selection process for the next BSS Principal.
Daniel Stern was selected to serve Bridge Street Elementary School beginning July 1, 2025, following Carol Ruyffelaert's retirement.
Daniel holds a Masters of Special Education from Westfield State University. Daniel possesses 14 years of experience as a special education teacher, elementary special education coordinator, associate principal of special education, and assistant principal. Currently, Daniel is the program coordinator for special education programming at Collaborative for Educational Services.
Bridge Street staff and community members had an opportunity to meet each of the finalists at a Meet and Greet on April 16.
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The student leadership team at RKFRR, made up of 4th and 5th graders, has started composting lunch waste on Wednesdays. |
Under the direction of Josh Seamon-Ingalls, 5 amazing students (Avery, Henri, Zoanna, Joe, and Atticus) spent the day at Deerfield Academy competing in the 7th annual Deerfield Math Competition. 80 students spanning 15 teams from 8 schools competed. The event was for students in 9th grade and below, the JFK team was competing against lots of 9th grade students!
There were two individual rounds and two teams rounds, with the overall team rankings coming together from the team’s performance on the individual and team rounds.
Avery finished 4th overall among all 80 competitors, and our team finished 5th out of the 15 teams.
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On April 15th, members of the Amherst Area Gospel Choir spent the morning in the JFK rehearsal room working with all of the students in the chorus program on a gospel version of "We Shall Overcome." Students learned the background and history of gospel music and how it has impacted the popular music they listen to today. This was an interactive event where students were invited to ask questions, sing, and listen to performances by the AAGC led by JFK paraeducator Mareatha Wallace (Assistant Director of the AAGC). Though, students learned multiple songs that morning, the chorus will perform "We Shall Overcome," in their spring concert (June 4th) with any available members of the AAGC. |
On Friday, April 18th, the Northamptones and Chamber Choir, led by Susan Dillard came to visit the students at JFK. As part of a recruitment event, they introduced themselves, described each group, and explained how the chorus program works at the high school. Both groups performed several songs to a packed JFK rehearsal room of 7th and 8th grade chorus students. |
Members of the youth commission recently attended an event at the State House seeking appropriate funding for schools. |
Bridge Street School participated in the Stick to Reading Challenge sponsored by the Springfield Thunderbirds. Students were encouraged to read daily to meet a personal or classroom goal. Students who participated and met the goal received a free ticket to the ThunderBirds game on April 18 AND had the special opportunity to go down on the ice to hold the big flag during open ceremonies! With over 320 tickets awarded, Bridge Street's attendance spanned across 3 sections as students and families shouted and cheered on the ThunderBirds! |
Leeds elementary students in grades 3 through 5 hosted their annual science fair on April 17. |
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Things are growing at the Leeds Elementary hydroponic lab funded by Northampton Education Foundation (NEF). |
The April FSE & ELE update is below. Just copy and paste into your staff weeklies for the month. Thanks T
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The April engagement and English Learner Education update from Lauren Barry is linked below.
Previous updates below
Interested in learning more about family engagement and ELE learning opportunities? Please reach out to:
Lauren-Lee Barry
Family-Student Engagement
& English Learner Education Coordinator
Northampton Public Schools
Phone: 413.587.1481
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Early Childhood Center staff along with Children's Advocacy Center, members of the City and Commonwealth dignitaries raised the flag at the police department in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention month. |
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The annual NAEYC Week of the Young Child gives us the opportunity to focus and enjoy the unique importance, creativity, and interests of young children. This year, WOYC is was celebrated from April 6-12. In Northampton and Hadley, Northampton celebrates WOYC every year. |
Parents/Guardians/Caregivers who have applied or plan to apply for Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) (aka vouchers or subsidies): You may be able to earn $50 for every 30 minutes (up to $150 for 90 minutes) of conversation about their experience.
The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is in the process of developing an online system that will make the process of applying for CCFA easier and they want to hear from families. Free interpretation is available. We've attached a flyer describing the request in five languages. There's an email in the flyer which connects you with Kristyn and Amanda on the EEC team. If you have questions, you can reach out to them or to NPS' Preschool & Partnership Coordinator, Laura Frogameni at 413-341-9158 call/text or email lfrogameni@northampton-k12.us
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There are new play opportunities for families with young children! Register for these and more at www.bit.ly/ECCpresents
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We are grateful to the Pyramid Model Consortium for generously funding a Pyramid Model series for our community. This one will be geared to participants with some proficiency in Spanish and English. Deepen your language skills while learning about the impact of implementing the Pyramid Model's Big 5 foundational practices! |
Are you looking for a family outing that is free, fun, and supportive for both the children and adults in your family? This one's for you! Pizza, childcare and adult conversation for families with children ages 0-8/9 years of age is held monthly at the NPS Early Childhood Center at Jackson Street School. |
Are you seeking Cultural experiences for you and your children? Wahoo - this one's for you! Guided play and gallery tours meet the needs of young children and the family. Sign up for the Caregiver Cafes, Play Dates at Smith College, and so much more at: Family FREE Workshops and Events
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On April 11 and April 16, School Committee Members and City Councilors visited the schools. Thank you to the students who conducted the tours and to Tammy Lieber who provided bus transportation. |
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Broadside Books invites you to
Join us at the Florence Civic Center
Friday, May 2, 4:30-6:30 pm
for a book party celebrating
Gwen Agna's new book "Community-Centered School Leadership"
For over two decades, Gwen Agna has been a force for good both at Jackson Street and in the Northampton community at large. In Community-Centered School Leadership, Gwen chronicles her formative years and her 24 years’ experience as a principal at Jackson Street School. Gwen describes her early efforts to build trust at the school, listening to and acknowledging the concerns of her students, and narrates her efforts to make the school more responsive to their backgrounds and needs. The task was often difficult, but her innovations made an indelible positive mark on the school. Gwen's book is the fruit of her experience and is useful for all elementary educators and administrators.
BROADSIDE BOOKSHOP
247 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060
413-586-4235
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For over forty years, hundreds of Northampton community members have been volunteering their time supporting education in city public schools through Volunteers in Northampton Schools (VINS). These volunteers are active in each of the schools and help out in many different ways. They read and play math games with elementary students, join classes for field trips or weekly outdoor nature studies, decorate hallways with student art, and visit classes to share a particular interest, expertise, or cultural background.
The program is managed by Coordinator, Andres Cucalon Molina, who recruits, interviews, and places volunteers to match requests from teachers and school staff. Andres is available to support volunteers and staff to ensure an enjoyable collaboration.
Volunteers and teachers report that their presence in our schools enhances learning in a unique way and is often a highpoint of their week.
You are invited to join this effort in any of the following ways:
Become a VINS Volunteer or encourage a friend, neighbor or family member to volunteer. Contact Andres to fill out a form their indicates your own interests and availability. Some volunteers contribute weekly or even daily while others come in once a year.
If you expect to join a class for a field trip, classroom activity, or field day, plan ahead by completing the state required CORI check. You can obtain a form from the VINS Coordinator or through your school office. The CORI is in effect for three years, and each school office maintains a list of eligible volunteers.
Support VINS through a donation or by attending our popular March Dog Show. VINS is a non-profit organization separate from the school district with a modest yearly budget that covers coordination activities. Donations of any amount are welcome. Sends check to:
Volunteers in Northampton Schools, Inc.
c/o RK Finn Ryan Road School
498 Ryan Road, Florence, MA 01062
Volunteer to join the VINS Board of Directors. The Board meets once a month to advise and plan fund-raising like the ever-popular fun, free, and not entirely serious Dog Show the first Saturday in March. Your ideas are always welcome.
Contact VINS at
Andres Cucalon Molina, Coordinator 917-530-4911
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On April 7, Dr. Allie Baker facilitated an engaging discussion on how smartphones and social media affect youth mental health. |
On Sunday, April 13, the Northampton Rotary Club sponsored a Day of Service Tree
Planting Project at JFK Middle School. This project was a collaborative effort amongthe City of Northampton Department of Public Works, Tree Warden Richard Parasiliti, Jr., the Urban Forestry Commission, the non-profit, Tree Northampton, and the Northampton Public Schools.
Volunteers planted about 30 trees representing six different species. As they grow, these
trees will help shade the school and grounds, purify the air and water, provide oxygen, and
help curb climate change.
Participants included Rotary members. JFK students and family members, Tree
Northampton representatives, and city and school officials, including Mayor Gina-Louise
Sciarra, City Council Vice Chair and Ward 7 Councilor Rachel Maiore, At-Large School
Committee Member Aline Davis, Ward 3 School Committee Member Emily Serafy-Cox,
and JFK Middle School Principal Keddie Loughrey also participated. Volunteers called it a “great day” and a “wonderful experience for both young and old!”
For more information about the Northampton Rotary Club, go to https://northamptonrotaryclub.org/.
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Please refer to Friday's Community Events Post for more local events. |
For information about Summer Camps, click here.
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The Massachusetts Attorney General recently released a new Flyer on the Rights of Immigrant Students to Attend School for Parents & Families, in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, and Mandarin (translations are linked at the bottom).
This information accompanies the previously issued Guidance for K-12 Schools on Protecting Students and Their Information. This flyer was created in response to requests for a document specifically tailored for families and translated into multiple languages.
- Open PDF file, 312.61 KB, Immigrant Students’ Right to Attend School A Guide for Families
- Open PDF file, 350.54 KB, Derecho de los alumnos inmigrantes a asistir a la escuela Guía para las familias
- Open PDF file, 175.45 KB, Dwa Elèv Imigran yo pou Ale Lekòl Yon Gid pou Fanmi yo
- Open PDF file, 223.01 KB, Direito dos Estudantes Imigrantes de Frequentar a Escola Um Guia para as Famílias
- Open PDF file, 280.97 KB, 移民学生入学权 家庭手册
- Open PDF file, 311.55 KB, Quyền Được Đến Trường của Học Sinh Nhập Cư Hướng Dẫn cho Gia Đình
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The United States Attorney’s Office will be hosting a virtual internet safety presentation for all adults who wish to keep children safe online. Assistant United States Attorney Luke Goldworm and Victim Witness Specialist Lauryn Mackey will be joined by Special Agent Andrew Kelleher from Homeland Security Investigations Child Exploitation and Digital Forensics Unit to present a Webex Webinar.
Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents
Wednesday, June 4th from 6:30 – 7:30 pm.
A Q & A session will follow the presentation. The presentation will bring awareness to how predators are sexually exploiting children online and offer guidance for keeping children safe.
Advanced registration is required. You may register for the webinar at the link below:
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To report an incident, navigate to the Northampton Public Schools website (www.northamptonschools.org), under the "District Information" drop down, select "Report an Incident." This page has the forms to report a bullying, discrimination, or harassment incident. |
Northampton Public Schools is currently hiring for the following positions:
- Paraprofessionals
- Substitutes
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