Crocker School gets $90G grant from state

Fitchburg Public Schools recently learned that Crocker Elementary School has been awarded competitive grant funding to continue the 21st Century After School programming for three more years.

Crocker will receive $90,584 for the upcoming school year.

Superintendent of Schools Andre Ravenelle said the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education “has been a wonderful partner with the Fitchburg Public Schools over the years and together, we have been able to offer excellent after-school enrichment programs to multiple schools.”

“The awarding of this competitive grant for exemplary programs,” he added, “is a testimony to the quality of our 21st Century offerings and the teachers who deliver them.”

“The Crocker community is thrilled with not only the 21st Century grant, but also being named an exemplary site for the upcoming school year,” Crocker Principal Adam Renda said.

The 21st Century grants also fund the robust summer enrichment camp in which students across the district participate.

Read more: http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/community/ci_32038588/crocker-school-gets-40g-grant-from-state#ixzz5Mkk5YO9G

MWCC summer program pays high school students to get head start on college

Sarah Largenton, a rising junior at Fitchburg High School, works on a writing assignment Wednesday during the early college summer program at the Mount Wachusett Community College Campus in Leominster.

From the time it picks them up in the morning to when it drops them off at the end of the day, Mount Wachusett Community College’s early college summer program makes an uncommon effort to ensure its students are taken care of.

Two programs the college is offering at its Leominster campus this month – Project Healthcare and Career and College Exploration – go even beyond courtesy services, however, to test the idea: what if students were paid to go to class?

Simply by showing up each day, participants in those initiatives, which are open to Fitchburg, Gardner and Leominster high school students, earn a $600 stipend. On top of that benefit, students can also earn college credits they can use at Mount Wachusett or, in some cases, other higher education institutions.

“A lot of them are providing for their families,” Melissa Bourque-Silva, the Mount Wachusett administrator who oversees the programs, said. “With older students especially, we’re competing with summer jobs.”

Some other students, meanwhile, see the stipend simply as sweetening an already good deal to earn free college credit over the summer.

“It’s definitely a bonus,” said Megan Boivin, a rising junior at Gardner High School who is participating in the Career and College Exploration program this summer through Mount Wachusett’s Educational Talent Search initiative. “But I just wanted to make myself a better student.”

The CCE initiative, which is being offered for the first time this year, specifically allows participating students to earn institutional credit at Mount Wachusett in four courses or general college credit in two others. The program, which runs five days a week, began in late June and goes until August 9.

It is funded with a $22,000 grant from the Tri-City Anti-Gang Partnership. College officials pointed out the CCE program itself is not supposed to be an anti-gang initiative, however, although it did recruit students considered at-risk to take part in unsafe activities over the summer, according to Ms. Bourque-Silva.

Project Healthcare, meanwhile, began in 2015, although it only began offering the current stipend last year. The multi-year initiative, which is funded through a federal grant until 2020, is intended to help students looking to go into the health care field earn college credits during the summer. Some students have already earned enough credits to effectively earn a certificate before even finishing high school, Ms. Bourque-Silva said.

“I feel like I’m prepared for college now,” said Jayda Kolaco, a rising senior at Fitchburg High School who has participated in Project Healthcare since her sophomore year. “I feel like I actually know what to do now.”

While she, too, didn’t think the stipend was the difference-maker in her decision to attend the program, “the extra money is really helpful,” she added. “I pay for all of my stuff, I have a job.”

Read more: http://www.telegram.com/news/20180726/mwcc-summer-program-pays-high-school-students-to-get-head-start-on-college

Greater Fitchburg Track & Field Club still going strong

The Greater Fitchburg Track & Field Club is still going strong.

Entering its 14th summer, the club has been a proven program and a summer fixture in the city over the years.

This summer is no different, either. The club has seen 119 boys and girls, ranging in ages from 4-18, register this summer.

The goal of the program isn’t to create the most elite track & field athlete — if it happens over the years, then that’s outstanding — but it’s more about building a strong athletic foundation centered around dynamic warm-up, proper stretching exercises, running drills and tips, hydration and diet.

“We want our kids to walk away with skills that can last a lifetime, as well as being able to transfer their experiences to other sports,” said club president Chris Woods, a 1976 Fitchburg High School graduate who retired in 2016 after spending 32 years as head coach of the boys’ track program and 22 for the boys’ cross country program at the school.

Read more: http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/highschoolsports/ci_32035193/greater-fitchburg-track-amp-field-club-still-going#ixzz5MSAyDrzM

Schools eye more funding for safety

Area superintendents are hoping for additional funding from the state that could help their districts hire more staff to address student mental health and get schools safety equipment.

Funding from the state could help outfit schools with safety equipment like security cameras, said Fitchburg Superintendent Andre Ravenelle.

The district is pursuing grants that could help pay for outdoor lighting and a system for staff to contact police during an emergency, he said.

In addition to safety measures and working with law enforcement, Ravenelle said the district should develop a school culture in which students feel safe and comfortable speaking to school staff.

The district has more than 30 school support staff members who work as psychologists, guidance counselors, behavior analysts, and special education administrators, according to staffing numbers Ravenelle provided.

Read more: http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/news/ci_32028219/schools-eye-more-funding-safety#ixzz5MBH8xrM7

With more funding available, Central Mass. schools investing in security

As the tally of school shootings across the country continues to grow, districts here in Central Massachusetts are exploring untapped avenues in their efforts to prevent the next massacre. Some are fortifying the school buildings themselves, installing state-of-the-art cameras, door locks and lighting, while others are increasing police presence or, like Worcester, trying out a relatively new idea like the Go Buckets.

They’ve also found a more generous federal and state government willing to help them, with school officials reporting increased availability of funding for school security over the last couple of years. Last week, Gov. Charlie Baker announced his administration had filed a $150 million spending bill, around half of which would be dedicated specifically to school safety investments.

Fitchburg superintendent Andre Ravenelle, for instance, said he was “pleasantly pleased,” noting many of the specific funding uses included in the bill were things districts had been asking for.

“The response was very positive” at last week’s superintendents conference in Cape Cod, he said, where many of the state’s district leaders were congregated when Mr. Baker made his announcement last Friday. “I think it shows people (in the state government) are listening.”

Mr. Ravenelle said the school system is doubling its school resource officers to four this upcoming school year. District leaders would also like to invest in outdoor lighting around school facilities, improve the schools’ emergency communications capabilities to eliminate “dead spots” in the buildings, and possibly start an anonymous tip line, he said.

The increased attention paid to the vulnerability of schools – and the funding that has materialized along with it – has also introduced a glut of companies into the school security market, however, according to Mr. Ravenelle, who said schools like his need to be careful as a result.

“Before I spend money on something, I need to make sure it’s effective,” he said. “We’re being inundated with products, and they’re not cheap.”

Read more: http://www.telegram.com/news/20180721/with-more-funding-available-central-mass-schools-investing-in-security

Fundraiser gives fans a chance to etch their names at Crocker Field

      

There’s no doubt that historic Crocker Field is a gem in the city.

The beautiful complex, however, desperately needs restoration and upkeep.

That’s why the Crocker Field Restoration Committee was formed, and why raising money is so important to help preserve this historic landmark that means so much to the Fitchburg community.

“The Crocker Field Restoration Committee was formed 17 years ago with the sole goal being to raise money to restore and (maintain) this historic landmark,” said CFRC Vice President Ray Cosenza, who is also Fitchburg High School’s athletic director and head baseball coach. “The committee is made up of an extremely committed group of volunteers, many of which are (alumni), and they have dedicated themselves to improving Crocker Field so that it will be available to our youth for years to come.”

The committee’s latest fundraiser is the Crocker Field Brick Walkway project.

There are two options to consider when purchasing a brick.

There’s a 4×8-inch red brick for $50 that can feature three lines of letters (14 characters per line, which includes spaces and punctuation) for inscription, or an 8×8-inch gray granite for $100 that can feature up to six lines of lettering for inscription.

The brick walkway will be placed inside the main entrance to Crocker Field on Circle Street.

If you would like to purchase a red or gray granite brick, checks can be made payable to: Crocker Field Restoration Committee. They can be mailed to the Crocker Field Brick Project, 140 Arn How Farm Road, Fitchburg, MA, 01420.

Read more: http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/highschoolsports/ci_32023248/fundraiser-gives-fans-chance-etch-their-names-at#ixzz5MBCdszJG

Summer camps keep kids learning all year long

Learning never ends. Even in the summer.

The Fitchburg Public Schools’ 21st Century Elementary and Middle School Summer Camps have been keeping students engaged in learning by providing a variety of activities and opportunities to prevent learning loss.

“Our program promotes academic achievement, as well as developing social, emotional and behavioral skills,” said 21st Century District Coordinator Sue Tourigny.

The camps, which run until July 26, have been a tremendous success. There are 90 students in grades 2-4 and 45 in grades 5-8 participating.

“The camp is going very well,” Tourigny said. “I am amazed each day by the many different activities the students are participating in. The elementary students were introduced to 10 different activities on the first day of camp. They had to choose two of the activities and they attend those activities each day for the four weeks. By providing such a variety, students have the opportunity to explore new opportunities or stick with something they know and love.”

The 21st Century Summer Program is an extension to the after-school programs that are grant-funded during the school year.

The activities that are offered in the elementary summer camp are robust.

Those include: Magic of Music, Weaving Tales, Drama, Power Projects, LEGOS Alive, Claymation, Garden to Table, All About Me, Fitness Fun and Mr. Sam’s Science Class.

“This is the best science class ever,” said Tourigny. “Students began with the great egg-drop experiment. They built egg cages out of recycled materials and dropped the cages from 30 feet to see if the egg would break. Students also made electric circuits with lemons, solar ovens to cook S’mores, recycled cars, and mento bottle rockets.”

Drama, art, genius projects and sports are offered in the Middle School Summer Camp.

Read more: http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/news/ci_32025907/summer-camps-keep-kids-learning-all-year-long#ixzz5MBBQq6FD

Summer camp out of this world in Fitchburg

What a journey at South Street Elementary School. This summer, the Journeys Summer Camp — for students entering kindergarten to third grade — is based around the theme “Around Town and into Outer Space.”

Coordinator Kelly Morrison says the camp has been a smashing success.

“So far the camp has been fun,” she said. “By creating engaging activities around this theme, our campers are able to alleviate summer regression in reading and writing. Also, campers are having engaging experiences that will benefit them by building background experiences that will help them with future academic situations.”

The camp runs for three weeks, which started July 9, and ends July 26. Roughly 73 kids are enrolled.

Each group in the camp is participating in different activities.

One group has studied gravity and density through reading about it and then completing a science experiment using water and oil to show what happens.

Kids are learning vocabulary related to outer space daily through games and picture books.

The kids are creating healthy snacks related to the topic, as well. Last week, the kids made fruit rockets using strawberries, watermelon and marshmallows.

“There was a smile on each child’s face that day,” Morrison said.

This week they will be making alien space ships out of crackers, hummus and tomatoes. The kids are also taking time to use FootSteps2Brilliance to support their personal reading skills on tablets.

“The kids are enjoying the different stories offered through this app,” Morrison said.

Each week they take a field trip on Thursday.

“Last week we went on a trip to Coggshall Park, (this week) we will be visiting downtown Fitchburg,” Morrison said. “During this trip our camp will be divided into three groups. One group will visit the library, one the art museum and another the police station.”

The idea, says Morrison, is to create experiences for the campers to share with each other, so they are not only learning through their particular experience but also learning about their peers’ experiences, too.

“We want to create an environment where the campers are all sharing all their knowledge with each other,” Morrison said.

The camp will culminate with a field trip to The EcoTarium in Worcester.

“We will be watching a movie in the Planetarium about space called ‘The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket,'” she said.

Gaining more knowledge is the key for this camp.

“I hope these campers learn something they may not have known about space or Fitchburg, and then sometime during the school year when they are writing or reading something they have that experience help them,” Morrison said. “I want our students in Fitchburg to have experiences that they may not have had otherwise and have those experiences benefit them in the future.”

Morrison says she simply loves this camp.

“Seeing the smiling faces of each child and their excitement to learn is so fun,” she said. “During the summer we can take the time to get to know the campers, do fun, messy projects and laugh. Life as a teacher does not get any better than that. I love books, and having a summer camp based about what we learn from books is phenomenal.”

Read more: http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/news/ci_32018492/summer-camp-out-this-world-fitchburg

Space Camp Hall of Fame inductees become role models

     

This year the Rocket City is breaking down barriers. For the first time every inductee to the Space Camp Hall of Fame is a woman.

The inductees say Space Camp is what changed the course of their lives and every career decision they’ve made goes back to the first time they put on those blue Space Camp uniforms.

“It’s amazing that a decision I made when I was 14 years old now, 31 years later, I am representing the Space and Rocket Center in a way that I never conceived, never conceived was possible,” said (1991 FHS graduate) Tara Sweeney, president and chief scientific officer of Servamer Corporation.

Sweeney is the president of an advanced technology test and evaluation company. What brought her to the camp that would change her life? Space Camp, the movie.

“At the very top of those credits it said ‘filmed on location at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama,'” she said. “And I turned to my parents and said, ‘This is real? This is some place that I can go?'”

You may wonder how many women characters are in this movie. It turns out some of are in starring roles.

“So it was easy to see myself as a pilot, astronaut, and someone who had to think through problems,” Sweeney said.

Read more: https://www.rocketcitynow.com/news/all-women-space-camp-hall-of-fame-inductees-become-role-models/1301705164?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WZDX_Huntsville

Fitchburg High’s Class of 1953 comes together for 65-year reunion

     

Ellen DiGeronimo can describe her alma mater, the former B.F. Brown Junior High School, with fondness and very specific detail.

“In the center of the building were the stairs where you could see everyone every day. There was so much light coming in and you could say hello to everyone on your way to class,” she recalled.

Her treasured memories of the school made the fire that burned through much of the building two years ago all the more painful for DiGeronimo and her fellow alumni.

“We were in Maine on vacation when my daughter called to tell me. I couldn’t even respond,” she said.

The building still stands two years later. Stand on the sidewalk outside and you can glimpse the sky through some of the school’s smoke-stained windows due to the collapsed roof.

To hold the 65-year reunion for Fitchburg High School’s 1953 graduating class across the street from what remains of one of their beloved schools may seem like a sad idea, but it proved to be anything but.

The reunion, held at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, featured a presentation to graduates of the ongoing plans by NewVue Communities to restore B.F. Brown to its former glory by converting it into affordable housing. Renderings of the finished building were on display for alumni, as well as the plans for proposed renovations of other downtown anchors like Fitchburg City Hall and the Theater Block.

Read more: http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/news/ci_32009258/its-like-were-still-same-group