30 Providence Rd.
Grafton, MA 01519
Ph.  508.839.5421
Fax 508.839.7618

Dr. James Cummings, Superintendent
cummingsj@grafton.k12.ma.us

 Superintendent James Cummings made the following announcement Wednesday May 2, 2012.

I am confident that Mrs. Mannion is going to contribute greatly to the shaping and development of the new North Street School community. Her ability to bring people together, to foster collaboration, and to create meaningful learning environments for children will serve this community exceptionally well. Over the coming weeks, Mrs. Mannion will be working closely with the administrative team to get up to speed on the upcoming transitions. She will be spending time prior to her official start date meeting with parents, staff, and students and will play a role in student placements and hiring for North Street School. I am very excited about the future at the North Street School and hope that you will join me in welcoming Mrs. Mannion to the Grafton Public School System. " 

Principal Jim Pignataro and Assistant Principal Maureen Cohen announced the district's plan to launch a 1:1 mobile device initiative for high school students in the fall of 2012.  Each high school student will be issued an iPad2 for his/her use. 

Mr. Pignataro and Mrs. Cohen outlined the following 1:1 Learning Goals:

• To extend and expand learning beyond the school day—anytime, anywhere learning
• To support all learners to achieve at higher levels of learning through personalized learning and equal access to technology
• To provide authentic and relevant learning experiences
• To increase student engagement and productivity
• To increase 21^st century skill development in collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking and problem solving, digital literacy, and global awareness 

Timeline:

• May-June Teachers will receive laptops and iPads and participate in training.
• August - Teacher training continues
• August - Student deployment/training.  More details coming soon!!

At the April 9, 2012 Dr. Cummings presented his entry plan findings.  Since he began his work as the Superintendent of the Grafton Public Schools, he has spent a great deal of time learning about the school system. His developing understanding of the school district has come from observing classrooms and programs, speaking with staff, administrators, students, parents and community members, as well as an analysis of a wide range of documents. In addition Dr. Cummings also met with the School Committee, Selectmen, the Finance Committee, Grafton Teachers’ Association Leadership, the Town Manager, and the Assistant Town Manager

In his presentation, Dr. Cummings shared that his entry plan was designed to enable him  to take the lead in:

• Learning about the key events, issues and concerns that have influenced the school district
• Learning about the norms, values, expectations, and goals of the community
• Developing objectives with specific priorities and action steps that will guide future action

In sharing his findings Dr. Cummings made the following observation;
 

"I have been impressed since day one as superintendent by the high degree of interest and passion for the continued development and improvement of the Grafton Public Schools on the part of staff, administrators, parents, students and community members. The enthusiasm and belief in the schools, coupled with an optimism and belief in what the Grafton Public Schools can be, has been seen on a daily basis and has been demonstrated in the community’s overwhelming support of the creation of a new high school building. There is clear evidence that many things are being done exceptionally well within the district.  Defining collaboratively what we aspire to become as a district and together moving to achieve that end is the exciting work in front of us."

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