Dear Staff, Parents, and Community Members,

As the Superintendent of the Southbridge Public Schools, I would like to share my vision for the school district over the next five years.

I am excited to be part of this school community.  There is great potential for us to improve, grow and evolve into a school district that is recognized for the quality of education and the programs we provide for our students.  We have a wonderful opportunity to work together in support of our children, the future residents and leaders of Southbridge.

In the next few years we will focus on improving our educational system by providing staff with the resources and professional development necessary to prepare our schools and students to enter and successfully compete in the twenty-first century.  Such training includes creating a standards-based classroom that supports the teaching and learning of a standards-based curriculum.

Every student has the right to learn and succeed at his or her highest potential.  We will push the envelope and set high expectations for every child.  Instruction will be differentiated to meet the needs of our diverse population, thus ensuring success for all.

Our principals and administrative staff will be trained in a research-based instructional leadership model.  This training contributes to the support of teachers and students through acquired skills and knowledge in the best practices of instruction.  Principals will be facilitators of instructional practices and knowledge as they work with the staff.

We will support our new teachers with the establishment of a mentor program so that they will meet with success in their first teaching assignments.

The Superintendent and School Committee will work collaboratively with town government to secure funding necessary to align our schools with neighboring communities through the infusion of technology within the classroom, the libraries and the curriculum.  We will work in partnership with the community, town government, parents, and staff to develop a school building proposal to meet the needs of all our students for the next fifty years.

This work will be difficult.  There will be obstacles we must overcome to realize our vision.  This vision sets excellence in education as our goal for the future.

I look forward to working with all of you in the next five years.  I believe in open and honest communication.  I welcome your input and encourage you to join our team and become part of our future for excellence in education for Southbridge.  If you have any suggestions or comments please email me at: dhanley@southbridge.k12.ma.us.

Sincerely,

Dr. Dale M. Hanley

Superintendent of Schools