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Ashby

Works of Joseph Cantor presented in Ashby

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ASHBY — Ashby-based photographer, Joseph Cantor, has had a camera in his hands since he “borrowed” his dad’s Canon AE back in the 1970s (a camera he still has some 45 years later).

After obtaining a degree in Technical Photography from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Cantor bega honing his technical skills and “photographic” eye – something that he will tell you is far more difficult, as he explains to his students.

Cantor teaches a photography class at the Ashby Free Public Library twice a month.

He is excited to share his work with the community through his exhibit titled “Impressions – An Ongoing Journey” on display now through the end of December at the Gallery of Art, located in the library at 812 Main St.

Cantor has spent the majority of his photographic years focused on capturing the natural world, specifically the interplay of light and shadow, and displaying the technical mastery he gained from his schooling and years behind the lens. Currently, he works as a photographic artist and as an event photographer, specializing in equine and pet photography, where he is the owner of Through the Lens Equine & Pet Photography.

Starting in 2020, Cantor began pursuing a passion project, to take his technical mastery of photographic exposure, composition, and lighting and venture out into a new way of not only seeing his subjects but also a new process of creating the final images. The results of this process, which is ongoing, are images that blur the lines between photograph and painting, between detail and softness, and between documentary and surreal visions.

Starting as an original photograph, and through various digital painting techniques, Canto gives each piece a painterly quality that retains some of the details and technical mastery of the original photograph, but also adds a softness and depth not typically seen in a photograph.

Printing onto gallery canvas adds a sense of depth and texture that mimics an impasto painting technique, Cantor said.

“I truly love working with the unpredictability, high energy and often challenging task of photographing animals and humans, in either natural or action settings,” said Cantor. “I love capturing those candid moments that happen when you simply let nature do its thing.”

For more information, visit the Ashby Free Public Library’s website at ashbylibrary.org or call 978-386-5377.

Digging into 2023 MCAS data

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LOWELL — The 2023 MCAS results were released last month and school officials from districts with high performing schools talked about the challenges they have to overcome after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on learning.

The results of the standardized tests for English/language arts, mathematics and science were largely mixed in comparison to last year’s, with many districts seeing increases in the percentage of students who were scored as “not meeting expectations.” The overall MCAS scores are graded on a rubric that determines whether students in a district are exceeding expectations, meeting expectations, partially meeting expectations and not meeting expectations.

In Lowell, the percentage of students who were not meeting expectations increased slightly in all three subjects for grades 3-8 from 2022 to 2023:

• ELA: 30% to 33%

• Math: 26% to 27%

• Science: 31% to 34%

While the percentage of students who were scored as either meeting or exceeding expectations remained roughly the same from last year for grades 3-8 in Lowell, with 26% in English and math and 22% in science, the percentage of students that partially met expectations decreased:

• ELA: 45% to 42%

• Math: 49% to 47%

• Science: 46% to 44%

While the grade 10 tests generally result in more students meeting or exceeding expectations, in Lowell that percentage also decreased slightly for the high school test:

• ELA: 42% to 41%

• Math: 30% to 28%

• Science: 34% to 20%

In addition to the general MCAS data, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released a list of the top 66 performing schools in the state, which included metrics like growth and achievement in MCAS scores, reductions in chronic absenteeism and progress of multilingual learners.

Though Lowell performed relatively poorly in overall MCAS scores, the city did have one school appear in the top 66: the Charles W. Morey Elementary School. Principal Kathleen McLaughlin said Morey students improved in just about all metrics.

“But most remarkably in mathematics, reduction in chronic attendance rates, and the MCAS growth percentiles of our fourth graders,” McLaughlin said in an Oct. 16 email.

McLaughlin said that the Morey, and just about every school, is still thinking about the impacts of the pandemic on learning.

“There were definite learning gaps that happened due to school closure which could be remediated through instruction. However, many other things happened during the pandemic that are not as simple as teaching something that someone missed,” said McLaughlin. “The amount of loss that our children experienced (a family’s loss of income, the severe illness or death of a loved one, a family’s loss of housing, the loss of the structure and socialization of school and activities) created trauma that requires time, support, and specialized instruction.”

While the number of students not meeting expectations remained roughly the same from last year to this year, Billerica Public Schools saw improvements in the number of students in grades 3-8 meeting or exceeding expectations on the MCAS test:

• ELA: 41% to 45%

• Math: 39% to 41%

• Science: 41% to 42%

For Billerica 10th-graders however, there was a noticeable decline in the number of students meeting or exceeding expectations from 2022 to 2023 in all three subjects:

• ELA: 65% to 58%

• Math: 60% to 50%

• Science: 68% to 66%

Billerica also had Dutile Elementary School appear on the list of top schools, which Assistant Superintendent Marian Dyer said is something that “takes the effort of everybody in the building.”

“We are proud of all the work they’ve done to achieve those targets. The data shows high percentages of points for all students, including the lowest performing students,” said Dyer.

Overall, Billerica schools are mostly in line with the statewide data, Dyer said.

“It indicates that our students aren’t facing bigger challenges than the state, but also are not outpacing its growth,” said Dyer.

When it comes to the impact of the pandemic on learning, Dyer said that has been most reflected in math scores.

“Math is so much practice, practice, practice, more so than other subjects,” said Dyer. “It shows the impact of the loss of instructional time, we try to make up for it.”

Fitchburg Public Schools saw more mixed results from its overall MCAS scores, with notable improvements in the average for grades 3-8:

• ELA: 28% to 30%

• Math: 21% to 25%

• Science: 22% to 24%

The percentage of Fitchburg students not meeting expectations also decreased or remained the same for those grade levels:

• ELA: 28% to 30%

• Math: 31% to 31%

• Science: 37% to 29%

For grade 10 Fitchburg students, however, the trend was in the opposite direction for English and math:

• ELA: 32% to 30%

• Math: 24% to 21%

• Science: 14% to 25%

Fitchburg Public Schools Interim Superintendent Jon Thompson said in an Oct. 20 email that the district is “dedicated to closing the achievement gap for all students.”

“While there were some areas where our students improved in achievement and growth, there were also areas that indicated a need for further support and attention. The district recognizes the significance of these results and the concerns they might raise regarding the education of students,” said Thompson. “It’s essential to understand that while MCAS scores provide valuable data, they are just one of many tools we use to measure our students’ success. The Fitchburg Public Schools believes in looking at the overall growth, well-being and capabilities of our students.”

The North Middlesex Regional School District saw some slight declines in the number of students in grades 3-8 meeting or exceeding expectations in math and science, while ELA stayed the same:

• ELA: 45% to 45%

• Math: 38% to 36%

• Science: 45% to 44%

For North Middlesex 10th-graders, the drop was slightly greater for meeting and exceeding expectations:

• ELA: 71% to 67%

• Math: 55% to 46%

• Science: 67% to 54%

Despite the overall decline, North Middlesex also had a school featured on the top 66 list with Ashby Elementary. Principal Anne Cromwell-Gapp said that in her two decades with the school, this is the third time it has been featured on the list of top schools in the state, the other two times being 2009 and 2010.

“It is a whole school effort, not just the third and fourth grade,” said Cromwell-Gapp. “We educate them starting in kindergarten. We teach kids to be critical thinkers, and we do a lot of collaborative work. It all goes back to mastery of knowledge and skills, and building character.”

Now that pandemic shutdowns are over, Cromwell-Gapp said elementary schools have had to contend with a population of kids that had never experienced a normal school year, but for Ashby Elementary, reversing the impact is trending positively.

“Things are definitely going upwards, and MCAS is only a piece of the puzzle,” said Cromwell-Gapp.

Littleton Public Schools had Littleton Middle School on the top 66 list, and showed growth from 2022 to 2023 overall for students meeting or exceeding expectations in grades 3-8:

• ELA: 56% to 63%

• Math: 49% to 54%

• Science: 59% to 64%

For 10th-graders in Littleton, the results were more mixed, though the district is high performing to begin with. While the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations declined for English and math, the number of students not meeting expectations also declined to among the lowest in the state for all three subjects.

For meeting and exceeding expectations among Littleton 10th-graders from 2022 to 2023:

• ELA: 81% to 77%

• Math: 74% to 71%

• Science: 76% to 77%

For 10th-graders not meeting expectations:

• ELA: 3% to 1%

• Math: 7% to 1%

• Science: 6% to 3%

Littleton Public Schools Superintendent Kelly Clenchy said in a Sept. 22 statement that Littleton Middle School being recognized as a top school in the state is “extremely appreciated” by the whole district.

“Littleton Middle School’s success and high performance is a result of the determination, passion, and commitment of the staff, students, and community members who work every day to make LMS a great place to learn,” said Clenchy.

Ashby Elementary recognized as top performing school

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PEPPERELL — School Superintendent Brad Morgan is pleased to announce that Ashby Elementary School has been recognized as one of the 66 strongest performing schools in Massachusetts by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

DESE released its list of the 66 strongest performing schools in the state on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

Ashby Elementary School was recognized among the top performers for demonstrating high achievement and strong growth under the state’s accountability system, which takes into account MCAS scores and other measures, including chronic absenteeism and graduation rates.

The list of schools recognized includes elementary, middle and high schools statewide.

“This is a well-deserved recognition that can be attributed to the efforts of the students and staff of AES who work every day to ensure the school is a wonderful place to grow and learn,” said Morgan, who is superintendent for the North Middlesex Regional School District serving Ashby, Pepperell and Townsend. “The staff’s commitment to implementing high-quality instructional materials and practices has definitely paid off, and we cannot wait to see what else Ashby Elementary accomplishes in the future.”

(Courtesy of the North Middlesex Regional School District)

State trooper from Ashby seriously injured by suspected drunk driver in Utah

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A state trooper from Ashby continues to recover from the serious injuries he sustained on vacation in Utah when a suspected drunk driver crashed into the ride-share vehicle he was traveling in during the early morning hours Friday.

Trooper Matthew McRae, 28, experienced several broken bones, including a broken neck, and a spinal injury during the wreck, which took place in Salt Lake City, according to a GoFundMe account organized by his family.

State Police Colonel John Mawn Jr. released a statement on Tuesday morning stating McRae was still in the intensive care unit at the University of Utah Hospital, in Salt Lake City.

“Trooper McRae’s family is with him at the hospital, as is a member of the Executive Board of the State Police Association of Massachusetts (SPAM),” Mawn said. “SPAM is spearheading efforts, along with our Employee Assistance Unit, to support Trooper McRae and his family.”

As of their latest post on the GoFundMe account on Monday, McRae’s family said he “makes small improvements every day.”

“Matthew is a fighter and continues to battle on,” they stated.

A press release from the Salt Lake City Police Department said emergency responders received multiple calls about the crash just after 1 a.m. Friday. Crews arrived on scene to find two cars with heavy damage.

Police said a preliminary investigation determined 19-year-old Liam Kavanagh, operating a Mini Cooper, was traveling at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a Kia.

According to police, officers determined Kavanagh was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the wreck.

Kavanagh suffered serious injuries, which police described as not life threatening. He was arrested on felony driving under the influence, unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor, and a traffic infraction.

“Additional charges may be filed upon a case review with the district attorney’s office,” police said in the release.

Three people were inside the Kia, including McRae, who was in the backseat with another passenger. Police said the other passenger had serious, but not life-threatening injuries. The ride-share operator endured minor injuries.

“The sad irony of this tragic situation is not lost [on] anyone who knows Trooper McRae,” Mawn said in Tuesday’s statement. “A graduate of the 85th Recruit Training Troop currently assigned to the State Police-Belchertown Barracks, as well as a former local police officer, he has dedicated his life to protecting others and making the Commonwealth’s roads safer.”

A close friend of McRae, Keegan Ezzio, described McRae as “truly a one of a kind person.” McRae is set to be the best man in Ezzio’s wedding, which is slated to take place in October.

“You seldom meet a person that everyone likes and Matty is one of those people,” Ezzio said.

Learning about the crash was the scariest phone call Ezzio said he has ever received.

“We are just thankful he is making small improvements day to day since he is the fighter I’ve always known him to be,” Ezzio added. “We have so many people to thank for the support for Matty.”

Mawn thanked the emergency crews in Utah, and reminded the community of “the tragic consequences” of drunk driving.

“As first responders, we are too well-versed in the fragility of life,” Mawn said. “The tragic consequences of motor vehicle crashes and impaired drivers that we see in the course of our work in no way dulls the emotions we feel when one of our own is so harmed.”

According to his family, McRae has served as a trooper for four years. Before that, he served with the Berlin Police Department for three years.

As of late Tuesday afternoon, the GoFundMe account had raised just over $100,000.

According to a post, the family met their financial goal to cover McRae’s medical transport back to Massachusetts within the first 24 hours, but they are still accepting donations for ongoing medical care and any other unforeseen expenses.

“He has already defied the odds and continues to fight this very minute here in this hospital for his life,” McRae’s family stated. “For now, we ask for privacy and your continued prayers as we navigate the next steps in this process. Thank you all again for your love and support during this difficult time.”

To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/help-us-to-raise-money-on-behalf-of-matthew-mcrae.

Follow Aaron Curtis on X @aselahcurtis

Local beaches close due to bacteria, algae contamination

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In the peak of summer, a number of local beaches are closing due to spikes in bacteria levels, as well as harmful algae blooms.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health monitors the state’s public beaches, curating a list of beaches deemed unsafe for swimming.

A total of 60 Massachusetts beaches are currently closed, the vast majority of which are caused by “bacterial exceedance,” including the Littleton Town Beach, Townsend’s Pearl Hill Pond, Ashby’s Damon Pond Beach and Westminster’s Crow Hill Pond Beach, the last three of which are state Department of Conservation and Recreation properties.

Chelmsford’s Health Department announced Heart Pond would be closed indefinitely, starting Monday morning, due to a “harmful algal bloom,” according to a notice posted on the town’s website.

Mark Masiello, Chelmsford’s environmental health inspector, said the state now has to visit to test the water and determine when they’ll reopen it. Heart Pond will be closed for about seven days, Masiello said, but that could become longer or shorter, depending on the state’s findings.

The town typically closes Heart Pond based on visible algae inlet, Masiello said, but the DPH will need to test the pond again next week, as algae can be hidden below the surface.

“A swimmer did say to the lifeguard [Monday] morning that when they were outside the swimming area, that when they got out of water, there was green all over their arms,” Masiello said.

Most common in the late summer and early fall months, algae blooms can be toxic and “release harmful gases,” according to the DPH’s website. Signs are now posted around Heart Pond forbidding people and their pets from swimming, wading or boating in the water, and those who do come in contact are asked to rinse off.

Lowell’s Rynne Beach was closed Friday for “high bacteria levels,” according to an alert on the city’s website. The Lowell Health Department stated the beach would reopen when those levels dropped, and the water would be tested every 48 hours. It’s unclear whether the beach is still closed, and Director of Health and Human Services Lisa Golden did not respond to requests for comment Monday.

Nashoba Associated Boards of Health, which oversees, in part, Littleton and Townsend, did not respond to requests for comment.

Around this time last summer, the Tewksbury Health Department found three times the state limit of cyanobacteria in Long Pond.

Ashby PD honors retiring admin

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ASHBY —The Ashby Police Department marked the retirement of a longtime police administrator who has been referred to as “the face” of the Ashby Police Department for nearly 20 years. Acting police chief Derek Pepple and others congratulated administrative assistant to the police chief Katherine Bezanson after 18 years with the the police department.

Bezanson began working as a dispatcher with Ashby Police in 2005. In 2020, she was promoted to administrative assistant to the police chief, and took on responsibilities involving payroll, bills and public records requests, and assisted with the department’s budget.

Bezanson was usually the first person anyone would speak with if they called or visited the station. She was also known around the station for being an excellent cook who enjoyed feeding coworkers and Ashby police officers, and who made a particularly good hamburgers and stuffed shells.

“Kathy was instrumental in the recent leadership changes within the department. Her knowledge of the budget and the day-to-day administrative operations kept this department moving forward,” said Pepple. “I couldn’t have done it without her help.”

Bezanson said the police department has been like a second family to her for the past 18 years and that she will miss coming to work. She plans to split time in retirement between Ashby and relaxing at a cottage in Canada.