Saludos familias. As Thanksgiving approaches, I am reminded daily how grateful I am to be part of this very special school community, and the great things our students and staff continue to do together. Before we enter the weekend and a shortened holiday week, I want to share some important updates and reminders:
- As you know, earlier this week DESE Commissioner Pedro Martinez shared his most recent letter to the Lawrence Alliance for Education, in which he confirmed that the LPS Turnaround Plan would be renewed for up to three years. That does not necessarily mean that the district will be in receivership for another three years; the commissioner has the authority to decide that the district is ready to exit receivership at any point. He and DESE will be working closely with the new School Committee – currently expected to be seated by the City in January – to prepare for self-governance. In the meantime, please know that everyone here at LPS remains focused on delivering a great school experience for your children, in alignment with the LPS strategic plan so many of you helped create over the past year.
- Thanksgiving begins after a full day of school this Tuesday, November 25. There is no school starting Wednesday, November 26, and we return on Monday, December 1. As always you can find the full student calendar on the LPS website.
- I want to take this opportunity to recognize your role in the steady success we are seeing in our districtwide focus on student attendance. We know the incredible heights our students can reach when they come to school each and every day, and that commitment begins at home – thank you for your partnership!
- It is already starting to feel like winter, and you can find everything you need to know about what happens if we cancel, delay or do an early dismissal from school this winter on the website at Weather Delays and Early Dismissal Policies. Schools have also sent these home and can provide copies at the main office.
- Finally, we have some incredible opportunities coming up at Lawrence High School:
- Tonight and tomorrow are your last chances to the nationally recognized Lancer Theater program perform A Bronx Tale: The Musical, in the LHS Performing Arts Center at 6pm. Tickets are an absolute steal at $5 and can be bought at the door or online at GoFan here.
- Lancer football will finish the season on Thanksgiving with the annual rivalry Turkey Bowl game against Central Catholic, at Veterans Memorial Stadium at 10am. Tickets are available online at GoFan now.
- For all our eighth-grade families, I hope we will see you at the LHS Open House on the morning of Saturday, December 6 (10am-12pm). The work happening at LHS campus is truly impressive – from one of the biggest early college programs in the state to newly expanded career pathways – and if you haven’t checked it out recently I think you'll be amazed.
Thank you all again, and please have a wonderful Thanksgiving break with your families and loved ones.
Respectfully,
Ralph Carrero
Superintendent
Lawrence Public Schools
