FARM-ily Fun Day – Saturday, May 14, 2022

Enrollment Fair – Saturday, April 22, 2022

For more information and to access the registration packets, please visit our website at:

https://www.fitchburg.k12.ma.us/departments/enrollment

Helping their Best Buddies

The Best Buddies classroom at the high school was bustling with activity on a recent weekday, full of the nearly four dozen students in the special education program and some of the Peer Buddies students who assist them, including seniors Collin Dudek and Connor Thomas. “ I felt the need to help these high schoolers with disabilities be included and have the ability to make friends and bonds that will last a lifetime,” Dudek, 18, said of what inspired him to get involved with Best Buddies his freshman year.

Both young men have been actively selling the annual calendar raffle that benefits the Best Buddies program, which is currently running through the end of April. They, along with other students, have set up a table in the cafeteria during lunchtime multiple times and asked students and staff to purchase the raffle fundraiser that has daily prizes such as gift cards, customized Best Buddies swag, an electric pizza maker and more. Winning tickets will be re-entered.

“ We will use this money to fund our members to go to Best Buddies prom, which is going to be hosted at Leominster High School,” said faculty adviser and special education teacher Shelby Searles. “We will use any remaining money to fund outings such as bowling, apple picking, movies, etc.”

Searles said Best Buddies is an international organization that Fitchburg High School “was lucky enough to adopt several years ago.”

“Best Buddies’ main goal is to create friendships with those with and without disabilities,” she said. “I enjoy seeing the natural friendships form in Best Buddies, nothing has to be forced or contrived when our chapter gets together. The way that the Fitchburg high community has encompassed the true meaning of inclusion is remarkable.”

Thomas, 17, said he got involved with Best Buddies his sophomore year because he has been friends with one of the students in the program, Cole Donelan, since they were 6 years old playing hockey together and “winning championships.”

“Cole is a great kid, my best friend I would say,” Thomas said. “He has Williams syndrome, but you wouldn’t even be able to notice with his athletic ability and his school smarts. We played hockey together when we were younger and won five championships in a row with him being the goalie. He was also a part of Unified Track and Unified Basketball where he was the top dog at both sports … I joined Best Buddies to meet more kids like Cole Donelan.”

He added he gets a lot out of being a part of Best Buddies, including enjoying the gym classes they participate in during school that make “ the day go by way faster” and the bowling events Searles set up that “were always fun to be a part of.”

Although Dudek joined Best Buddies his freshman year, he said it wasn’t until his junior year that he “ had time to dedicate to it” and “ got really involved with the program.”

“I enjoy seeing the smiles on the faces of these great friends,” he said.

Read more here.

Crocker School student wins ruff assignment

“ Love Your Dog – License Your Dog” was the theme of the city’s annual Dog License Poster Contest.

First prize was awarded to Isabela Davila Leon.

“ The dog looks happy to be home. If your dog has a license on, it will be easier to return him home,” said Todd Pickett of the Leominster-Fitchburg Animal Control, adding her poster was the clear champion.

Honorable mentions were awarded to Maria Uribe Calderon, Aaliyah Derr, Asia Warren, and Jaiden Bello Arroyo, who are all students Crocker Elementary School.

Each participant created their designs in Kelly Morrison’s art class at Crocker Elementary School.

The contest was open to all students in city’s Public Schools and was sponsored by Be PAWSitive Therapy Pets, Friends of Fitchburg Dogs Inc., the Fitchburg Police Department, the Leominster- Fitchburg Animal Control, and the city clerk.

The contest was judged by Police Chief Ernest Martineau, Lt. Jeffrey Howe, Fitchburg- Leominster Animal Control Officer Todd Pickett, and staff in the City Clerk’s Office.

Trophies were given to the winner and four honorable mentions, with Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale presenting a special citation to Isabela. 

“We were glad children had a chance to participate in this contest, which is designed to make our community more mindful of how essential it is to license your dog in the city,” said Be PAWSitive Director Sally Cragin, who also serves on the Fitchburg City Council.

“All the entries were colorful, imaginative and created by children who love dogs, and the winners were just outstanding,” Howe said. City Councilor Sam Squailia, president of Friends of Fitchburg Dogs Inc., converted the image into a poster that will be displayed at City Hall, the Police Department and in the city’s schools.

Read more here.