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Fitchburg Public Schools

Helping kids look their best going back to school

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LEOMINSTER – A special back-to-school event is being planned for children in need, to help them look and feel their best heading back to school this year.

A team of six stylists from Mnandi Salon and Spa will be on hand to provide 100 free haircuts, along with face-painting, and back-to-school supplies to the children in the area that could use it the most.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, at Mnandi Salon and Spa, located at 580 North Main St.

Amanda Barnett, hairstylist at Mnandi Salon and Spa, has purchased 100 backpacks to give out to the children, first-come, first-serve, and is asking help from the community to fill these backpacks with school supplies.

For more information, call the salon at 978-401-1428.

Fitchburg students win essay awards from American Legion

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FITCHBURG – The American Legion Post 10 Pensive Patriot Essay Awards took place last month at Longsjo Middle School, where several students were recognized at the June 15 event for their writing talents.

This is the fourth year the essay contest was open to 8th grade students, an effort that started at McKay Elementary School during the pandemic. Post 10 provides three award levels – Gold $75, Silver $50, and Bronze $25, with two students chosen for each level.

Forty-eight essays were generated this year and the prompt question was “What are three top attributes of our Democracy?” The VFW Patriot’s Pen judging rubric was used and completed by former Fitchburg High School (FHS) graduates in the area and beyond including from California, New York, Thailand, and Illinois.

Of the eight the award-winning Fitchburg students, this year’s Gold awards went to Prudence Dicato and Hnuchi Moua, Silver was awarded to Carlos Rodriguez Jr. and Derick Nartey, Kennisa Rotasayne and Madelyn Elkins took home Bronze and Honorable Mentions went to Hunter Raboin and Evan Buteau.

“This year’s prompt provided civic education and development of critical thinking skills,” Post 10 Youth Chair Richard Vaughn conveyed. “The judges were impressed with the prompt and thoughtful results.”

To date the essay contest has generated more than 160 essays with many students earning part of the $1,200 total awarded for their citizen efforts. According to a Post 10 press release “essay writing is valuable as part of a TEAMS educational program, and civic education is important to the future of America. American Legion Fitchburg Post 10 supports students.”

In addition, Post 10 supports the Massachusetts American Legion’s Boys and Girls State program, which has developed leaders and promoted the country’s democratic system for more than 70 years. Post 10 and other American Legion posts around the state select students to be a part of the prestigious program and offer scholarships to participants as part of the post’s STAR Mentoring program.

“There has been an increase in the success of the participants regarding college and scholarship applications and informal mentoring as part of the program,” Vaughn shared.

Rachel Lanni Poirier, a member of Girls State 2013, FHS 2014 graduate, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute 2018 graduate posted she passed the state bar exam in February and Simmons University graduate Alaina Valcourt Filiau, also a 2013 Girls State citizen, celebrated earning her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

Vaughn, who has been mentoring youth locally for 20 years, said this is the 15th year he has promoted the STAR Mentoring Program “and the results have been amazing,” a way “to try and get positive student accomplishments recognized.”

Fitchburg Public Schools holds second annual Community Brunch

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FITCHBURG – Staff, partners, and friends of Fitchburg Public Schools (FPS) gathered for the second annual Community Brunch last month, an event that drew more than 80 people from various organizations and entities to meet and collaborate with each other.

FPS Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Luisa Fernandez helped organize the inaugural brunch last year and was behind the effort this year. She said the goal of the meeting that took place on June 20 in the Legislative Building “is to give local programs an opportunity to collaborate and consider other ways we can support our community and families because Fitchburg rocks.”

“I want to start by thanking everyone for supporting FPS over the past year in our mission to not just educate students but support family systems,” Fernandez said afterwards. “Our partners have been providing our families with essential support and services that we simply cannot provide, for example, housing, food, utility assistance, additional mental health support, healthcare, leadership training, employment training, and opportunities.

“We are extremely proud to share that some of our families have created their own businesses through the Fitchburg Public Market and the city of Fitchburg, another group has started daycares by working with Beth Robins, Maritas Mclean, Francisco Ramos, and NewVue, many families avoided eviction by working with NewVue, receive healthcare through Community Health Connections, a lot of families were able to pay utility bills and get shelters with the help and support of Colby O’Brien and Migdalia Velez from Making Opportunity Count and City Hall, and we created and continued great programs with the Fitchburg Art Museum like Fitchburg Families First, just to name a few,” she said. “All of these partnerships help the community of Fitchburg and families access the support they need in order to thrive.”

The second annual Fitchburg Public Schools Community Brunch held on June 20 brought together people from various organizations and entities to meet and network. (L. to r.) FPS Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning and future Interim Superintendent Jonathan Thompson, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Family Engagement Specialist Olga Lopez, FPS Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Luisa Fernandez, FPS Superintendent Robert Jokela, who recently announced his resignation, and FPS Director of ESL and Family Engagement Eva Kelly. (COURTESY LUISA FERNANDEZ)
The second annual Fitchburg Public Schools Community Brunch held on June 20 brought together people from various organizations and entities to meet and network. (L. to r.) FPS Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning and future Interim Superintendent Jonathan Thompson, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Family Engagement Specialist Olga Lopez, FPS Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Luisa Fernandez, FPS Superintendent Robert Jokela, who recently announced his resignation, and FPS Director of ESL and Family Engagement Eva Kelly. (COURTESY LUISA FERNANDEZ)

Fernandez thanked FPS staff including Superintendent Robert Jokela, who announced his resignation in June, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning and future Interim Superintendent Jonathan Thompson, and Director of ESL and Family Engagement Eva Kelly “because none of this would have been possible without their vision, support, and implementation.”

Jokela said the goal of the Community Brunch is to bring people from all over the city together “and have a conversation about our students’ and families’ needs.”

“From the conversations at our first Community Brunch we developed action plans and programming to meet the needs of the community,” he said. “This gathering was very well attended by many new people, and we hope the additional energy and voice will ultimately result in Fitchburg becoming a better place to live, learn, and work.”

Kelly echoed his sentiments, saying that the yearly gathering enables people to “create a networking opportunity” and that FPS looks “forward to working with all of you in the coming year.”

“Fitchburg Public Schools is committed to collaborating with our community partners to provide families with access to support and programs,” she said. “Over the past year, through our connections to the community, we were able to provide families access to housing support, food resources, employment opportunities, entrepreneur training, support with utilities, mental health counseling, and medical care.”

Thompson thanked everyone who attended the Community Brunch and said that he is looking forward to nurturing the connections between people and the organizations in his new upcoming role.

“I enjoyed meeting new community members and learning about how their organization can support the students and families of Fitchburg,” he said. “Fitchburg Public Schools appreciates all the support you provide to our community and looks forward to our continued collaboration.”

Groton Hill Music Center shows music is for everyone, especially children

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GROTON — Music is for everyone, especially children.

Groton Hill Music Center has thriving public school educational outreach programs in Fitchburg, Lowell, Lawrence, and Clinton as well as the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster, providing free music education to underserved young people from diverse backgrounds.

These programs provide free band, orchestral, string, percussion, and electronic music programs to students who might not otherwise have the chance to learn to play or experience music.

Pupils learn to read music, improvise, and fluently play their chosen instrument individually and together, with and without a conductor.

“We saw a disparity between what kids in affluent towns have for music programs in their schools, versus what kids in less affluent cities and towns have. We feel that this disparity is completely unacceptable, and decided that it aligned with our mission to partner with municipalities in our region — namely Fitchburg and Lowell — to bridge those gaps,” said Pete Robbins, director of education and performance programming.

New musicians practice the flute at Lowell's "Afternoon in the Arts" program offered by Groton Hill Music Center. (COURTESY GROTON HILL MUSIC CENTER)
New musicians practice the flute at Lowell’s “Afternoon in the Arts” program offered by Groton Hill Music Center. (COURTESY GROTON HILL MUSIC CENTER)

Groton Hill’s program in Lowell is part of the school district’s “Afternoons in the Arts” program, a collaboration with Groton Hill offering instruction for middle school band and string orchestra students from schools all around Lowell during school hours and after school as well as other programs like visual art, theater, dance, choir, and television production.

Only in its second year, the music afterschool program has had a 35% student growth rate. The string orchestra program currently serves 35 students and the band program serves 30 students. Students in Lowell play a string, wind, brass, or percussion instrument.

The Fitchburg middle school string program has grown to 37 students that play a string instrument, mostly the violin, in a program that’s been running for over three years. They worked with acclaimed guest musicians to learn a tune that they performed In May with world-renowned Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser and cellist Natalie Haas on Groton Hill’s Concert Hall stage.

“Being in these programs gives students a chance to express themselves musically,” said Holly Johnston, the Program Director for Lowell’s Afternoons in the Arts.

Chloe Rivera Rodriguez and Cedaine Decosma receive violin instruction during Lowell's "Afternoon in the Arts" program. (COURTESY GROTON HILL MUSIC CENTER)
Chloe Rivera Rodriguez and Cedaine Decosma receive violin instruction during Lowell’s “Afternoon in the Arts” program. (COURTESY GROTON HILL MUSIC CENTER)

“Our students feel a sense of belonging that they wouldn’t feel without it,” agreed Fallyn Fournier, band director at the Memorial Middle School in Fitchburg.

The year-round afterschool programs at the Fitchburg, Leominster, and Gardner Boys & Girls Clubs teach kids bucket drumming and ukulele as well as music theory, rhythm, and ear training. Many of the participants there don’t get a chance to have music classes or band options at school.

In Lawrence High School and Clinton’s middle and high schools, brass and wind sectionals are held, providing support to band teachers; sectionals are rehearsals for instrument sections in an orchestra.

“After school programs provide a sense of community and belonging to students who don’t have a sport and special activity outside of music that they identify with. A lot of students who join these programs are students who have found a love for music that they get the chance to expand upon in their own time,” said Laura Altenor, community engagement and summer programs manager.

She added, “They learn responsibility, accountability, how to work with people from different backgrounds, and music fundamentals they don’t get to experience in school. A lot of students come from different financial backgrounds as well and these programs are of no cost to families.”

Groton Hill instructor Peter Hughes leads Fitchburg students in the string orchestra at their May performance in the Concert Hall. (COURTESY GROTON HILL MUSIC CENTER)
Groton Hill instructor Peter Hughes leads Fitchburg students in the string orchestra at their May performance in the Concert Hall. (COURTESY GROTON HILL MUSIC CENTER)

For many students, this is their second or third year with most continuing, and tons of new additions joining the increasingly popular programs each year. Last year Groton Hill served about 246 students and this year they served 922.

They’re also adding additional instrument options in the Fitchburg program next year and anticipate increased enrollment across the board.

Currently, eight Groton Hill faculty members work with the community partner schools and a number of other instructors teach strings, percussion, band, and brass to the students there.

Part of Groton Hill’s mission is to “share the transformative power of music” and access to education and professional musicians in the communities it serves through “music philanthropy.”

“We feel that all students deserve access to high quality music education and performance as part of their growth and development, and we want to do whatever we can to provide it wherever it’s needed,” Robbins said.

Fitchburg and Lowell students practice performance etiquette by performing for each other at the midpoint of each semester and then get to perform at themed winter and spring performances where students play pieces for their family, friends, and classmates in the world-class Concert Hall at Groton Hill. They also get field trips to places like Six Flags for competitions and masterclasses with guest artists throughout the year.

“The kids have come from just picking up their instruments and holding their hands backwards, to playing Beethoven, and concert marches, and the growth has been exponential … It’s the result of a great team and really good attitudes from the students. They’re always willing to learn, and it’s been the thrill of a lifetime,” said David Mañuel García, band instructor for Lowell Afternoon in the Arts.

The plan is for the middle school program to become a “feeder program” for there to be an orchestra at the high school levels in Fitchburg and Lowell.

Even if students choose not to continue playing music in the long-term, Robbins said, “Being a performer and being an audience member are two sides of the same coin, and a quality music education provides the foundation for a lifetime of enjoyment and growth through both experiencing and making music.”

From left to right: Sovanreach Ly, Alissa Kim, and Ari Valera learn to play string instruments together at Lowell's "Afternoon in the Arts" program. (COURTESY GROTON HILL MUSIC CENTER)
From left to right: Sovanreach Ly, Alissa Kim, and Ari Valera learn to play string instruments together at Lowell’s “Afternoon in the Arts” program. (COURTESY GROTON HILL MUSIC CENTER)

But many young people do get the spark to continue with music.

“This program has really changed how I think about violin. I used to not like it as much. I was starting to lose love for my favorite instrument. But ever since we were able to take the trip to Groton Hill to work with the musicians and play in a concert there, I have found my love for violin again. I plan to take lessons at Groton Hill next year when I go to high school,” said Fitchburg Memorial Middle School eighth-grader Eileen Johnson.

Many students in the public school and club programs have expressed interest in additional lessons at Groton Hill’s campus, which serves 1,700 private students across lessons, classes, and ensembles teaching 35 instruments and voice by over 80 faculty members. They’ve also expressed a desire to take part in Groton Hill summer camps and programs.

Transportation is an issue for many, with driving back and forth from Groton every day or even once a week an impossibility for many parents. Groton Hill is looking for a way to “bridge that gap” to get more students from the community schools to their programming at Groton Hill, Altenor said.

For more information or to donate to these programs, go to grotonhill.org.

Robert Jokela announces resignation from Fitchburg Public Schools

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FITCHBURG — Robert Jokela has announced his resignation as superintendent of Fitchburg Public Schools and will not be returning next school year.

After being named to the position in July 2019, Jokela was tasked with leading the district through several challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic. While the job has not always been easy, Jokela offered thanks to his staff, students, and parents instead of himself in a letter addressed to families.

“If you look at some of the progress made during the most difficult time, the pandemic, the teachers and staff and the kids made some advances that were pleasantly surprising. We improved MCAS scores, we moved up in school rankings, we were succeeding in very difficult times. Like I’ve said we are a small urban district that has challenges and opportunities, none of which are not noteworthy. He and his staff did an outstanding job keeping the school district on an even keel,” Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale said.

“A successful school department consists of staff, students, and parents. You have played a big role in making progress in the district,” Jokela said in his letter.

At press time, Jokela had not responded to a request for an interview.

Jokela has spent time working within Fitchburg Public Schools before he was superintendent as well. In his former role as assistant superintendent of finance and operations, he oversaw the implementation of $10 million of facilities upgrades.

“Bob’s been around for quite a few years, he knows the process and he knows the system, that will be difficult to duplicate. But we’ll be fine. I wish him the best of luck, I think that he was a great addition to our system,” DiNatale said.

“Fitchburg is my hometown, and having had the opportunity and honor to lead Fitchburg Public Schools has been the greatest professional experience of my life.” Jokela said in his letter.

DiNatale had nothing but kind words in regards to Jokela. Although surprised by the resignation it was understood by DiNatale. It is clear that Jokela will be missed.

“These kinds of things never come about without sitting back and saying, I didn’t see that coming. After speaking with Bob, I see that it was an opportunity, after all they spotted him. And I have to respect his decision,” DiNatale said.

Stated in his farewell message, Jokela has accepted a new position at the Crest Collaborative in Andover as the executive director. Crest Collaborative is a regional educational organization with aims to “create a lasting positive impact” on their learners as noted in their mission statement.

Campaign ongoing for Crocker Field renovations

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FITCHBURG — Thirty-five interested community members, including local business and city and school leaders, recently attended an informational breakfast held at the Fitchburg City Hall Legislative Building to hear about the capital campaign now underway to renovate 105-year-old Crocker Field.

“We held a very productive meeting of community partners and it was clear that the critical nature of bringing the Crocker Field restoration project to completion is very important and those in attendance agreed,” said Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale. “The expanded use of our beloved facility will benefit our schools, as well as our community in total.”

The project funding is over 90% funded.

“As Alvah Crocker said over 100 years ago, the children of Fitchburg deserve a top-notch recreational space,” said Alan Crocker. “I trust through our efforts we will be able to provide one of the finest facilities in the commonwealth. The Crocker’s are proud to continue to support the revitalization of Crocker Field.”

Josh Kraft, the President of the Kraft Foundation for Charitable Giving, was the guest speaker.

“We believe that sports unites communities,” said Kraft. “Our family has been involved in Central Massachusetts for a long time. We understand the passion that has existed for sports in Fitchburg and the importance of the Fitchburg-Leominster rivalry. We are pleased to play a part in perpetuating this for the next generation by supporting the restoration of Crocker Field.”

Fitchburg High alumnus Jeff Bennett, who was a key benefactor of the capital campaign and was instrumental in securing Fitchburg’s NFL Grassroots grant, introduced Mr. Kraft.

Josh Kraft, President of the Kraft Foundation for Charitable Giving, addresses the audience during the Crocker Field capital campaign held at the Fitchburg City Hall Legislative Building recently. (Courtesy Chad Garner)
Josh Kraft, President of the Kraft Foundation for Charitable Giving, addresses the audience during the Crocker Field capital campaign held at the Fitchburg City Hall Legislative Building recently. (Courtesy Chad Garner)

“We pursued the NFL Foundation Grassroots Grant for Crocker Field because we felt that Fitchburg was perhaps the most perfect fit for this grant across the entire country — football tradition, financial need and pursuing equity and access for all students for all sports,” Bennett said. “We are thankful that the Kraft family was so supportive.”

The major construction project, which is expected to begin in the spring of 2024, will provide a new synthetic turf field that can dramatically improve the access to the field by both girls’ and boys’ athletic teams and make the field available during the summer months when it is now closed.

The project will include new field lighting, replacing the old wooden poles with aluminum poles and the bulbs will be updated to current high-efficiency standards. The track will be completely removed and resurfaced.

“My family founded Aubuchon Hardware in Fitchburg in 1908,” said William Aubuchon. “The Fitchburg community has always been an important community for our family and company.   We understand the importance of Crocker Field to this community and are delighted to help fund its restoration.”

Added Jeff Crowley of Polar Beverages: “Crocker Field is a beautiful place. Polar Beverage is proud to be part of the renovation of this historic and iconic facility.”

Tom Lamey, treasurer for the Crocker Field Restoration Committee, made it clear that, “the field is the heart of Crocker Field – nothing else matters if the field is not more useable. Our plan is to increase its use, but sports in addition to football raise the number of spectators visiting the downtown area and make Crocker Field come alive.”

Lamey said the four key events that have made the project viable were the receipt of a state budget earmark of $50,000 from Representative Michael Kushmerek and Senator John Cronin,  the awarding of the NFL’s Grassroots grant of $250,000, the school department funding the design and engineering plans, and Mayor DiNatale’s recommendation and City Council unanimous approval of $2,000,000 in ARPA funding.  It is the convergence of these collaborators that has made this dream a reality.

Each attendee listened to a presentation, which included a video of former student-athletes and adults who lobbied for the NFL grant. The $3.1 million necessary to begin the work is expected to be reached by July.

The achievement of this goal has been a pursuit for 18 years by the Crocker Field Restoration Committee that was incorporated in 2005 by Lenny Laakso and Ray Cosenza, who recognized the need for a dedicated group focused solely on preserving this historic field and its facilities.  Over those years, gifts from individuals and foundations, grants, and corporations have funded over $2 million in renovations and repairs.

While there is still work to be done on the perimeter fencing, fieldhouse and other components, this project will be the leverage needed to continue the restoration.

“The renovations to historic Crocker Field will restore the shine to this gem in the heart of the City of Fitchburg,” FPS Superintendent Robert Jokela said. “The new Crocker Field will allow our students to exhibit their athletic skills at our home field. Having a home field as good, or better, than our competitors is an equity issue. We’re thankful for the community support, which is bringing the vision of a restored Crocker Field closer to reality.”

Three smaller projects are also underway:  the replacement of some of the grandstand seating where the 105-year-old cypress plank has rotted; the installation of new doors for the toilet facilities, and constructing of a ticket booth for the Water Street entrance.

Rick Kazanjian, president of the Crocker Field Restoration Committee, directed those interested in contributing to the fundraising goal to visit the website www.crockerfield.org or make contributions by mail to Crocker Field Restoration Committee, 140 Arn-How Farm Rd, Fitchburg, MA  01420.