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Superintendent of SchoolsAnnual Town ReportThe Dracut Public Schools strives to provide quality education for all students in our school system. The fine educators in Dracut endeavor to prepare every child to be a life-long learner. Whether students are prepared for college or careers, every effort is made to meet the individual needs of each student. Every child’s journey through the school system, with its academic challenges, social challenges and athletic challenges, provide a wide variety of experiences that ensures that each student develops fully into a happy and productive citizen. Last year the citizens of Dracut approved our request to assess the structure of Dracut High School through a Feasibility Study. The study process is in full swing under the direction of the town’s Permanent Building Committee. The final report will reveal whether the existing building has the necessary space requirements for the programs that we offer now and what will be offered in the future. Despite an aging facility, our students continue to earn incredible recognition through their accomplishments in the classroom, on playing fields and through extracurricular activities. Dracut’s pride academically: our programs remain strong and many seniors are being accepted to world class colleges and universities. Currently, our high school is in the middle of a self-study in preparation for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges’ reaccreditation process. The faculty closely examines every aspect of the high school’s academic offerings, extra-curricular programs and building quality. This process ensures that every student receives a quality education. Dracut’s pride in the fine and performing arts: is exemplified by having the largest marching band in the Merrimack Valley. The Fine and Performing Arts Department has produced many Dracut High students who have been selected to perform in the Northeast District Junior Festival. In addition, students have been selected as award winners in the Boston Globe Scholastic Art Fair. Each year the Music Department produces stage productions such as Les Miserable and South Pacific. This year’s production is West Side Story . Each year it seems that our students are more talented than the year before. Many of our students go on to pursue careers in music, art and theatre. Dracut’s pride in athletics: is further exemplified through its incredible athletic programs. In 2008, the Dracut High School Football Team captured its second M.V.C. Championship in three years. On December 6th, 2008 the football team captured its first Division I Football Super Bowl championship in twenty years. This year the team successfully made it to the MVC playoffs. Our high school Cheerleaders deserve praise for capturing the state championship. Furthermore, Dracut High School students excelled in Merrimack Valley Championships in Boys’ Soccer, Girls’ Soccer, and Girls’ Cross Country. Over a third of the high school population participates in interscholastic sports activities. In an effort to meet the needs of all children, the school department has created in-house alternative education programs. These programs continue to allow students, who would otherwise be educated out of district, to receive their education and services in their home town. This has saved the district significant dollars. In addition to these programs, teachers are being trained in a nationally recognized reading program for students who require specialized instruction. Our efforts at the elementary level are no less aggressive. We have completed our preparation for the re-accreditation of our Kindergarten Programs and the team has completed its visit. All kindergartens will be scrutinized in the same manner in each school. MCAS camps and remediation programs are in place for students who need additional support in English Language Arts and Mathematics. As part of our plan to address the social and emotional needs of our younger students, the Second Step Program will slowly be integrated into the classrooms. This Department of Education approved program deals with issues such as bullying and socially appropriate behaviors. We have expanded our English Language Learner Programs so that students at all levels receive the support that they need to be academically successful as they learn English as a new language. Work in this program has been very successful. We are confident, that at the present time, we are in full compliance with all Special Education, Civil Rights, and English Language Learner requirements mandated by the Commonwealth. The Dracut Public Schools is a dynamic district that strives to meet the varied needs of its students by offering quality programs with a responsible eye on how taxpayer dollars are spent. Thanks to additional Federal Stimulus money, we are still able to provide students with teachers, maintain class sizes and provide quality programs. However, this additional funding will not last forever. As a district we need to be frugal, plan carefully for the future, and closely examine and prioritize the kind of educational experience that we want for our children in the years to come. We are proud to provide a healthy and safe learning environment. As we look to the years ahead, we will be faced with the challenges of shrinking funds, aging buildings, and outdated technology. We acknowledge that we may be asked to do more with less, but the professional staff of the Dracut Public Schools is committed to providing the highest quality educational experience for every student.
Respectfully
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