Voyager Magazine March 2017 by Plymouth Public Schools

March 2017

THE COMPASS ISSUE

Plymouth Public Schools, Compass Edition 2016-2017

PUBLICATION STAFF Gary E. Maestas, Ed. D. Chief Program Director Christopher Campbell, Ed. D. Managing Content Editor Nancy Dargie Executive Director Tara Woomer Senior Editor, Writer, Photographer Emily Goonan Photographer, Graphic Design

We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please email The Voyager Magazine at communicate@plymouth.k12.ma.us. www.plymouth.k12.ma.us

Stay connected on social media! @PlymouthPublicSchoolsMA @PlymouthSch @plymouthpublicschools Plymouth Public Schools Plymouth Public Schools

CONTENTS 3 5

SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

STUDENT JOURNEY

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

NEWS AND NOTEWORTHY

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

INSPIRATION AWARD

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Zoe Melody, Julianne Morse, Niko Duarte, Yaxsarie Velazquez, Sophie Kroeze

Maureen Kelleher, Alex Cardoso

Lillian Backlund, Sammi Cripps

Arthur Kirby, Womanade, A.D. Makepeace, Joe Truschelli, Emily's Fund

Plymouth Youth Development Collaborative, Plymouth Education Foundation, West Elementary's French Club, Tom Shay, Kids Voting

Diane Coon, Karen Corcoran-Lewis, Sean McNeil,

Maria da Silva

In partnership with parents and the community, the Plymouth Public Schools is committed to providing a comprehensive educational experience that is high quality, challenging, and enables each student to develop and maximize individual potential. Our schools will foster a positive and collaborative environment that encourages and affirms academic achievement and personal excellence and inspires all students to make a positive contribution to society.

A MESSAGE FROM THE

SUPERINTENDENT

SCHOOLS

In this edition of Voyager Magazine, we have tried to show you the interconnectedness of the American ideals of kindness, duty, generosity, acceptance, courage, love of one’s country, and humble service. Sometimes these ideals are revealed in great acts of valor such as going to war to defend one’s country. Other times these ideals are lived quietly and anonymously by helping other people who will never even know your name. How are these ideals lived in our community? Do you witness acts of kindness and courage in the daily life of our community? Do we as a community teach our children to embrace these ideals at all costs? We hope these stories will share our interpretation of these ideals and how we have found 3

them in all corners of our community in people of all ages and backgrounds. Time and again our country was referred to as “the greatest country on earth” while we were interviewing people for this edition. We wanted to show you how we as a school system try our best every day to help instill the ideals of our country in our students. Our schools are one of many institutions that aim to do this along with families, churches, Scouts, civic organizations, and other community groups. We are committed to working tirelessly to give your children the best this country has to offer. We think that can best be accomplished by passing along the ideals mentioned above: kindness, duty,

Other times these ideals are lived quietly and anonymously by helping other people who will never even know your name.

generosity, acceptance, courage, love ofÂ oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s country, and humble service. Thank you for letting us help you in your quest to make the children of our community grow up valuing and living these true American ideals.

Gary E. Maestas, Ed. D. Superintendent of Schools

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Zoe and the

Kindness Scouts

Imagine a playground where a group of youngsters patrol for any signs of sadness. Imagine a playground where these youngsters spend their recess spreading kindness, helping their fellow classmates, and finding ways to make people smile. You will find these youngsters at Cold Spring Elementary School led by the founder of the Kindness Scouts, Zoe Melody. “I love being kind to people. I thought it would be nice to have people be kind to other people and all work together. That’s why I started Kindness Scouts in the first place,” said Zoe. No teachers or program mandated the

Kindness Scouts. These students chose this mission on their own and run the group themselves. The group looks for signs of sadness among their peers such as sad facial expressions, heads down, or, according to Zoe, anyone “just sitting by their lonesome selves.” “We have a kindness bench on the playground. If we see people sitting there looking sad we go over to help them. They might be crying or hurt or just feeling blue. We try to help them in whatever way we can. I don’t like to see people sad.

"When people are sad it makes me sad. I’ve been in those conditions before,” said Zoe, “so I know what it feels like: not good!” The Kindness Scouts also handle “friendship problems” as Zoe calls them. “We also handle friendship problems. Half of our group talks to one person who was causing the problem, and the other half stays with the person who feels hurt. We try to talk it through, and they usually end up apologizing to each other. We also help out if someone is excluding someone or not giving somebody a turn,” said Zoe. Like any good leader, Zoe has developed a special method to handle the most difficult situations faced by the group. “If someone is really upset and crying, I have a special technique to cheer them up.

If you see someone who is sad, try to put a smile on their face! "I do the Chicken Dance! It can usually put a smile on anyone’s face,” declared Zoe. The Kindness Scouts keep their mission simple yet powerful, and Zoe has words of wisdom for anyone who wants to act like a Kindness Scout whether at school, at work, or at home. “If you see someone who is sad, try to put a smile on their face,” Zoe exclaimed. Joining Zoe in the Kindness Scouts are Molly Duffley, Yasminn Freitas, Isabelle Hall, Layla Papa, and Connor Ready (pictured is Kelsey Eugenio who has moved).

A Love for

Service Julianne Morse is a sophomore at

Plymouth South High School who is currently serving on the Alumni Leadership Team for Project 351 which is a “youth service non-profit organization that develops a rising generation of community-first citizen leaders. Convened by Governor Charlie Baker, Project 351 fosters unity and strengthens the ethic of service through the engagement and enrichment of an eighth grade Ambassador from every city and town in Massachusetts” according to the Project 351 website. Julianne served as an eighth grade Ambassador last year, and last October she applied to be on the Leadership Team. She is thrilled with her new appointment.

“I will still continue to do service, but now I help other students ‘Unite, Act, and Lead’ in their communities. I met the new Ambassador from Plymouth South Middle School, and I hope to work with him for spring service. In December, I went into Boston to meet my fellow Teammates and learn the skills needed to lead the Class of 2017 Ambassadors. January 14th was Launch Day in Boston, and I met the next class of Ambassadors. We worked together to impact over 10,000 lives in one day.

“My Team of eight Ambassadors and I were able to serve at the Pine Street Inn which is a homeless shelter in Boston. We painted murals for rooms in their permanent housing facilities. It was a great feeling to be able to help others. “I’m grateful for my family, teachers, and friends who have helped me along the way. I am especially grateful to Principal Morgenweck for nominating me for Project 351 last year. It will continue to be an honor to serve with Project 351,” said Julianne. Mark Fornaciari, Principal of South High, praised Julianne for her generosity of spirit and willingness to pitch in and help. “Julianne always greets everyone with a smile and is willing to help at any time. I recently asked her to be on a student committee I was developing, and there was no hesitation to say yes. She cares about all types of people and is an asset to Plymouth South,” said Mr. Fornaciari. Steve Morgenweck, Principal of Plymouth South Middle School, praised Julianne for her willingness to go above and beyond expectations.

"In her role as a Project 351 Ambassador as part of Project 351, Julianne was expected to plan a school-wide clothing drive at South Middle to benefit Cradles to Crayons. As the kind of student leader who is always looking to take things to a higher level, Julianne decided that she could make a greater impact by getting more people involved. She expanded the drive to South Elementary and Indian Brook Schools and challenged the students,

staff, and administrators at those schools to participate. Her efforts resulted in our most successful Project 351 clothing drive to date,” said Mr. Morgenweck. Thank you, Julianne, for all of your service to others and for the wonderful role model you are to the students at South Middle School!

There are many people who don’t have one,” said Niko.

Giving Back to His Roots Plymouth South Middle School student Niko Duarte was adopted from Guatemala and has found a way to help out hundreds of children from his homeland. Niko organized a collection of toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes at South Middle to donate to a nonprofit organization called Worthy Village. “A lot of families in Guatemala don’t have the money to get toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes, so I thought I could help with that. I set up donation boxes at school. We collected over 1,000. I’m sure most kids don’t really believe that someone could be that impoverished that they wouldn’t even have a toothbrush, but it’s true.

Worthy Village, co-founded by CEO and Director Julia Rayberg, partners with impoverished female artisans and aims to provide “economic opportunity, health care, and education” according to their website. Niko’s mother heard about the group, and Niko decided to jump in and help. “Worthy Village raises money to help lots of families. I think it’s really cool to help people. My friends think it’s pretty cool and a nice thing to do. I was adopted from Guatemala, and I feel a special connection to the people there,” said Niko. Simple kindness towards others is Niko’s quiet way of helping, and he wants to encourage others to help if they are able to as well. “I help out to be kind, and I like the warm feeling I get inside because I made somebody else feel good, too. If you feel like you want to help people, then do it. That’s always a good 8 thing,” said Niko.

EMPOWERED

to make a

Difference Velazquez Yaxsarie grew up in

Puerto Rico and remembers the strawberries, clementines, and grape tomatoes that her grandmother used to grow. She is now a member of the Garden Club in the Algonquin housing development where she lives. She is saddened by the bad reputation that seems to follow anyone who lives at this address. “People from Algonquin are so easily stereotyped. Everyone says all the people who live there are drug addicts. If we consistently label someone, then that’s how they’re going to start acting. We shouldn’t label someone and stereotype them just by where they live. That’s not fair. I feel like there are so many hardworking people in Algonquin. Where they live is stopping them from rising up to the level they should be at. My mom’s friend from Algonquin was applying for a job. During her interview she told them she lives in Algonquin. After that it went downhill. They told her she needed more experience. 9

"She had five years of experience! It was all because of her address. There are so many stereotypes. We need to get together and spread love and peace. Why can’t we all just get along?” asked Yaxsarie. Yaxsarie is a sophomore at Plymouth North High School. She works at a YMCA afterschool program, is in the Leadership Club at North, and is a member of the a cappella group Girl Treble. She recently took part in Girls’ Leadership Worldwide for a week at Vassar College with young women from all over the world who were interested in developing their leadership skills. She was very impressed by the program and the friends she made. “It was an empowerment group for young women. I was so pumped! I went to Poughkeepsie, New York for a week in June.

"It was at Vassar College. I could imagine myself in college. It was an awesome experience! There were so many different girls there who are leaders in their own way. So many of them stood out in so many ways. It was very inspiring. I met a girl from Pakistan named Maria. We still keep in touch. Every 26 seconds in the U.S. someone drops out of school. Maria has to walk two hours to go to school! Her house was bombed twice, but she is still a ball of sunshine. She had to look through the ashes to find her school books,” she explained. Dr. Maestas invited Yaxsarie to speak on Opening Day, and she has found in him a kindred spirit. “Dr. Maestas’ and my topic were so closely related. I spoke about Maria and perseverance and never giving up. She’s got grit. It’s about making the impossible possible. If you want something, then you’re going to have to make it happen no matter what. You can’t let anyone stop you or put you down. I also spoke at North at Freshman Orientation. Teachers do so much for us. They motivate us and give us so many opportunities. They’re amazing role models. I could picture myself being a teacher. I want to make an impact,” she said. Whether Yaxsarie becomes a teacher, a politician, a government official, or a world

Opening Day: Yaxsarie Velasquez

leader, she is a young woman with the drive and heart to change lives.

We can benefit from all voices. “We see so many bad things happening in the world. We choose not to see them. We could all make such an impact if we work together. Take bullying. If you don’t like it, and you want this issue to stop, then you need to try to make it stop. Do something about it. I want to make an impact on the world. I want to make a change for the better. The more people who want to make an impact the merrier. Everyone can contribute to a group. Our world is so diverse, and every one of us can contribute an asset. We can benefit from all voices,” said Yaxsarie. 10

Making Her

Mark

Sophie Kroeze grew up in Holland

and moved to the United States two and a half years ago with her family. She is now a senior at Plymouth North High School and is headed to UMass Lowell on a full scholarship for field hockey. Sophie is thriving in her new life, but she fondly recalls her homeland and misses the simple pleasures.

“Everybody rides a bike in Holland. There are parking lots for bikes. No one drives a car to high school. I miss breakfast in the morning. We had good bread. Kind of like a flat bread. It was multigrain and healthy. We had cheese, fruit, jam, orange juice, and tea. In Holland there are fields full of tulips. For Christmas we celebrate for two days instead of one. My grandparents are still there. They are getting older,” said Sophie.

Sophie’s family owns Suns Furniture on Long Pond Road in Plymouth. She has three brothers named Jan, Pim, and Tijs. Her parents are Barbara and Gabriel. When her family first moved to Plymouth, there were four grades of Kroeze siblings at Plymouth North back to back. “It was good to have three brothers in the same high school. We helped each other out. We knew we had each other’s back,” said Sophie. Sophie said it was difficult at first to adjust to life in the U.S., but field hockey and tennis made it easy to make new friends. She learned to speak English by talking to people, listening to music, and watching television. She also takes an English Language Learners class at Plymouth North. When she first moved to the U.S., she wanted to go back home, but she has grown to love her new country and the opportunities she has found.

“In Holland there were no school sports—only clubs. Here I can play sports and focus on the future,” she said. Sophie and her family have traveled extensively in Europe to Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, and in the U.S. they have traveled to Florida, California, New York, and Las Vegas, Nevada. Her favorite place in the U.S. is San Diego, and her favorite trip in Europe was to France. "France is my favorite. The food and desserts are so good. It’s so close to Holland, but it’s just so different. It’s only two hours from Holland,” said Sophie. Sophie is currently recovering from a torn ACL. She had surgery in October and still attends physical therapy sessions. She was selected to the Patriot League All-Star team numerous times for field hockey, and she was awarded MVP for tennis. Sophie loves her new life and is thankful for all of the opportunities the US offers.

“People in the U.S. are more friendly and more open. They’re always trying to help each other. In the U.S. everyone is happy for you when something goes well. There’s more teamwork here,” said Sophie.

Keeping

Traditions Alive

Paganis , a junior at Antonios

Plymouth North High School, has earned a Certificate of Proficiency in the Greek language from the Greek Ministry of Education. He told us a bit about this experience. “I am fluent in Greek. I can read, write, and understand it. I grew up hearing the language. A lot of English words have Greek roots. The Greek story of the Sirens from the Odyssey was on one of my standardized exams, and I was well aware of the story from studying it in Greek school. It’s a part of me,” said Antonios. His parents, Nitsa and Costa, both speak Greek fluently. Nitsa told us a bit about how her family retains their Greek heritage.

“We cook some Greek food. My family’s favorite is spanakopita and roasted lamb on a spit. We teach the kids Greek dancing at home and at church. They also listen to Greek songs. We celebrate some Greek holidays like the Greek Independence Day by participating in the parade in Boston. Our family is from Southern Greece: Sparta, Tripoli, and Filiatra. We have a lot of relatives in Athens.

“Greek culture is part of our lives, but it is hard to hold onto all the holidays and traditions as our schedule and time off is different than the schedule that the Greek people have in Greece. Our parents passed these traditions and heritage to us, so we in turn would like to pass them onto our children to enrich their lives with additional experiences and give them some insight and knowledge of how other people live in another country. “We are first and foremost American, and we lead a busy American life, but we try to hold onto some of the Greek traditions like food, songs, dances, and holidays. We also teach them Greece’s language, history, geography, and mythology. The kids seem to find the mythology the most interesting and intriguing,” said Nitsa. Antonios has three brothers named Philip, Fotis, and Anastasios.

Ready to Serve

Seniors share their plans to serve our country after graduation.

“I have a lot of excitement about it. I look forward to being appreciated for serving my country.” Rajannah Cutts,

Plymouth North High School, United States Air Force

“It’s something that I’m very willing to do. Not a lot of people take the chance. There are so many political differences in our country at the moment. We need to stop seeing the differences in each other and become united. Until we can look past our differences, we’ll never be the greatest country in the world. It’s about unification.” Devon Martin, Plymouth North High School, United States Army

“I want to serve America. I feel like it’s what I’ve always wanted to do. It will give me self pride and discipline. People respect you for it.” Nicholas Hunt, Plymouth South High School, United States Army National Guard

“I want to be an underwater welder in the Navy. I feel like someone has to go, and it might as well be me. It gives me a purpose and makes me happy. It’s my duty to go and serve my country.” Amanda Sullivan, Plymouth South High School, United States Navy

“I get to protect people who need protection. I like the honor that it gives you. I can give something to my country.” Andrew Beattie, Plymouth South High School, United States Air Force

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT Preparing Our Youth for the Future Maureen Kelleher

has come a long way from her high school days when she was voted Class Clown. She is now the Cooperative Education Coordinator / Worksite and Community Liaison at Plymouth South High School. She is also the proud mother of twin girls who teaches all of her students that the path to success can be found if you follow your passion. “I was Class Clown to my father’s dismay. I was an at home mother, a secretary, I worked in finance for Putnam Investments for fourteen years, and I was a Guidance Counselor in Duxbury. I went to college but not right out of high school. I didn’t do the straight route. I always tell my students that’s okay as long as they have a plan. When my kids were in first grade, I went back to school. I always had a gift to work with kids. I was 15 good at the counseling piece.

"I was like ‘Dear Abby.’ I’m very easy to talk to. I’ve always had a gift for that. I really love teenagers. I’m so happy I’ve found my passion. I was made for this role,” said Mrs. Kelleher. It took 14 years for Mrs. Kelleher to work her way from her Associate’s Degree to completion of her Master’s. Along the way, she took an Introduction to Guidance class which changed her life. “I knew that was my path,” she said. Now Mrs. Kelleher spends her days connecting students with local companies that offer internships. She teaches students about everything from how to write a cover letter and a resume to what not to wear on an interview. “It’s all about employability and career readiness. I teach them about the job search process, resumes, interviewing skills, cover letters, clothing, what not to wear, social media, thank you letters, eye contact, firm handshakes, the importance of body language, and how to sell themselves. I teach them the importance of having an attitude of gratitude and, most importantly, to do what they love and to love what they do. I teach them to find their passion,” she said.

I’m so happy I’ve found my passion. I was made for this role Students streamed in constantly to check in with Mrs. Kelleher, get some advice, and just say hello during a typical workday.

“I love coming here every day. I love the creativity and the flexibility. Everything is student specific and case specific. "The beauty of the program is that many students stay with their companies after graduations and have jobs. It’s all about growth and good outcomes. I have the best job in Plymouth. I really believe in karma and destiny. I truly do think I was put in Plymouth to be ‘the co-op lady.’ That’s what they call me. It’s my destiny,” said Mrs. Kelleher.

r A

d th n e ou

Wo rld

Name: Alex Cardoso

Hometown: Resende, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Occupation: Math teacher in the Freshman Academy at Plymouth North High SchoolÂ I moved to the U.S. on June 26, 2005. It was very exciting and scary at the same time. I was leaving behind all my family and friends, but I was ready to start a new phase in my life, meet new people, and discover their culture. 17

with

Mr. Cardoso

Favorite thing about teaching:

“I like making math easy and understandable for students who thought math was difficult. The most rewarding thing about this profession is when we hear from students how we inspired them to become teachers themselves.”

Biggest hobby:

Traveling. “I enjoy sharing this passion with my students by telling them all the things I learned about the countries I visited.”

Next Trip:

Costa Rica with 22 students from North High.

Countries visited: Antigua, Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curacao, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Grand Cayman Islands, Greece, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Paraguay, Portugal, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Maarten, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

Favorite countries to visit: Thailand and Costa Rica. “The food in Thailand is amazing, and the country is so beautiful. I was able to play with tigers and elephants. It was such an incredible experience. Another country I loved visiting was Costa Rica. The strangest thing I tried there was live termites. They tasted just like black pepper!"

STUDENT JOURNEY A Future in Architecture Sammi Cripps

is a senior at Plymouth South High School in the AutoCAD (computer-aided design) vocational technical program, and she plans to become an architect. She hopes to attend the University of North Carolina in Charlotte to study urban design. At South High she is involved in a project with plans to build a bathhouse at White Horse Beach.

Her architectural mentor is Frank Lloyd Wright, and she was blown away with Wright’s genius after visiting his masterpiece Fallingwater in Pennsylvania and the perfectly proportioned Zimmerman House in New Hampshire. “I want to develop homes and put my creativity into architecture. I want to build specialized homes and not basic Cape houses. I love Fallingwater and how the architecture interacts with the environment. I love my CAD class. My teacher, Mr. Hart, is awesome! He loves to help kids learn. He’s a teacher and architect. I want to be able to create something that people admire,” said Sammi.

Vocational Technical Education

Exceptional Services for Hire! Need a special birthday cake, a new website, a shed for your tools, or a fancy new haircut? Then check out the great services our very own vocational and technical students at Plymouth South and North High Schools can provide at a very reasonable price! Over 50 services in 11 departments are available to Plymouth residents and the greater Plymouth community. Please call Vocational Technical Education Principal Jim Hanna at (508) 224-7512 with any questions. Mr. Hanna can also be reached at jhanna@plymouth.k12.ma.us. All materials are list price with a 20% service charge.

AUTOMOTIVE

Brakes, shocks, suspension alignments, tune-ups, rotate or balance tires, auto maintenance, exhaust repairs, small engine repairs

COSMETOLOGY

Hairstyling, hair coloring, nail care, waxing, facials, hand massages, scalp massages

Residential and commercial wiring, new construction or renovations

CULINARY

Small construction projects to be done on campus

Event luncheons, catering, special occasion cakes, holiday orders Southside Fare Restaurant and Bakery is located inside South High on the first CARPENTRY floor. Lunch is served Monday through New construction, remodeling, cabinets, Friday from 10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The furniture, sheds, decks restaurant is wheelchair accessible. AUTOMOTIVE COLLISION & REPAIR

Minor auto body repairs, painting and detailing

COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN (CAD)

EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE

Banners, posters, decals, signs, building Panther Clubhouse at South High is a plans, storefront lettering, vinyl lettering Massachusetts licensed preschool with a 1:1 preschooler to high school COMPUTER SCIENCE upperclassmen ratio. The preschool Website design follows a Pre-Kindergarten curriculum. MARKETING

Ad campaign and promotional design

ELECTRICAL

Stay connected!

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

GRAPHIC DESIGN / VISUAL COMMUNICATION

Graphic design and printing, logos, business cards, posters, public service announcements, videography PLUMBING

Residential plumbing and heating, new construction or renovations WOOD DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

Wood engraved plaques and signs

@PPSCVTE

A Modern Day

Lillian serves as the State Secretary for SkillsUSA. She said it’s a program for high schoolers to gain leadership skills and compete in their trade. She also attended a workshop

ROSIE THE RIVETER Backlund is a student in the Lillian

Electrical program at Plymouth South High School who plans to become an electrician after high school. She said many male students have not been supportive of her in their predominantly male domain. The experience has made her stronger. “I think it’s cool to make something light up. As a child, I didn’t get to see the process. I have an internship at Granite City Electric. I want to go right into the field after graduation and take business classes at night. I want to join the union. "There have been moments when I wonder why I studied this, but I pushed through them. It made me a stronger person. It will help me be more successful. I’ve gotten so much stronger and outgoing and gained so much inner strength. The boys don’t want girls in this field to make more money than them. I’ve encountered a lot of rudeness. It should be a level playing field based on the work. Freshman year I used to walk down the hall with my head down. Now I’m very confident. My friend said I was a real life Rosie the Riveter,” exclaimed Lillian.

for girls in the trades held at Worcester Technical High School. She’s captain of the lacrosse team, a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions, and a member of the Yearbook Committee. She has also won two Presidential Volunteer Service Awards. Despite the difficulties Lillian has experienced as one of the only females in a male area of study, she is happy she chose this path. “As a kid, I never would have seen myself doing this. I was into cutting hair. I was all about fitting in. This wasn’t seen as a normal thing for a girl to do. This made me step out of my comfort zone. I’m so glad I did it. It’s something I love to do. It’s something I’m going to love to do for the rest of my life. The guys say I’m too short to work as an electrician, but I can always get a ladder,” exclaimed Lillian.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

In Honor of Susan K. Agnew K. Agnew was a third grade Susan

teacher at Manomet Elementary School who knew that she was destined to become a teacher. Her love for teaching and books surfaced at a very early age, and her five younger siblings were her first pupils. Two of her brothers, Art and Joseph, along with her entire family donated 20 Chromebook computers, a Chromebook cart, and funding for numerous books for the Manomet

Elementary School library in Susan’s honor. A Kwanzan cherry tree was also planted years ago outside of Manomet Elementary in memory of Mrs. Agnew, and it stills stands to this day. Patrick Fraine, Principal of Manomet Elementary, is extremely grateful to the Kirby family for their generous tribute. “We are so appreciative of the fact that the Kirby family thought of us as a destination for this generous donation. Art had mentioned to me that

Susan’s time at Manomet Elementary School was some of the happiest in her whole life. After learning about her from her family over the course of this past year, as well as from previous colleagues of hers, it is clear that she was a special person in the lives of so many children! “Since we began incorporating the Chromebook computers at the elementary level about three years ago, they have been in heavy demand on a daily basis. Initially, teachers in grades three to five were sharing them between classrooms, but now we use them all the way down into kindergarten! Students are now able to complete many of their tasks in a more authentic and visual manner than what might have previously been the case,” said Dr. Fraine. Mrs. Agnew was born in Lima, Peru and lived in several Latin American countries. She appreciated diverse cultures and languages, and her immense love for learning that she passed down to her students grew from these experiences. “Susan was quite exceptional. Her love for learning came from traveling to different countries and gaining different experiences and learning from that. She developed an appreciation for other ways of thinking and doing things. Her background at an early

age prepared her well for getting into the profession of teaching. Our country is multiethnic with a large multicultural population. Plymouth has always had people who speak different languages and have their own customs. It was an ideal environment that my sister stepped into. “Unfortunately, a large percentage of our citizenry has not had the opportunity to travel overseas. My siblings and I were so lucky we received this while growing up. It’s something that is very challenging to understand if you haven’t been outside of the U.S. Part of Susan’s love for education was the opportunity to bring that into the classroom and teach her students about different backgrounds. She was the ideal candidate for conveying that to her students. Teaching was in her blood and her DNA from the start,” said Mr. Kirby.

Deb Etzel, Sandy Bledsoe, Ervene Pellegrini, Linda Gill

Womanade Provides at the Pinehills is a group Womanade

of kindhearted, generous, compassionate women who have donated almost $100,000 of their own money to students and families within the Plymouth Public Schools who have been faced with financial difficulties. Gioia Tango, an Adjustment Counselor at Plymouth South High School, facilitates the donation process in our schools with Womanade. Ervene Pellegrini, Chair of Womanade, said they hold events, socials, and teas at the Pinehills where each member brings a $20 donation.

Comfort to Many Members chip in to provide refreshments and goodies. Culinary students from South High recently whipped up some beautiful desserts for Womanade’s annual tea party. Womanade has donated gas cards, gift cards, utility bill payments, home repair costs, car repair costs, fuel, laptops, camp fees, eyeglasses, a car seat, bedding, EpiPens, medication, proper winter clothing, car insurance payments, therapy session bills,

A.D. Makepeace Brings a Field “The A.D. Makepeace Company was delighted to design and build the of Dreams to South Elementary South Elementary School field project

Students at South Elementary School will soon have beautiful new playing fields to enjoy thanks to A.D. Makepeace Company who donated this amazing gift to the Plymouth Public Schools. Michael Hogan, the President and CEO of A.D. Makepeace, said the company was thrilled to assist their neighbor.

on so many levels. The success of the Plymouth Public Schools is important to our employees and their families, to the families considering buying a home at Redbrook, and generally for the quality of life in ‘America’s Hometown.’ We consider South Elementary School to be our neighborhood school. We have enjoyed working with Principal Adam Blaisdell and

and a wig for a student suffering from alopecia to name a few of their generous donations.

Womanade are thrilled to be able to help out students and families in need.

Mrs. Tango said Womanade helps with clothing, heat, transportation, and food expenses for students in the middle of a financial crisis at home.

"We really want to help, and we try to relieve the family of one bill to make it easier for them. We really want to protect the anonymity of the families. That is very important to us,” said Mrs. Pellegrini. Kris Herrick, a member of the Outreach Committee of Womanade, is very pleased with the work of the group.

“They have assisted our families in crisis situations in numerous ways. They have been extremely generous to the Plymouth Public Schools. Womanade exemplifies community collaboration and humanitarianism,” said Mrs. Tango. Mrs. Pellegrini said the members of his team, and we look forward to seeing the children enjoying the new playing fields,” said Mr. Hogan. Dr. Adam Blaisdell, Principal of South Elementary, said the entire school community is thrilled about the new fields. “The students, staff, and families at South Elementary are very excited about the new fields that were built by Makepeace. The fields will be used during school for recess and physical education class as well as youth baseball and soccer. The fields will be fenced and include dugouts for players

“It’s very enriching. I’m so impressed by what Womanade has accomplished. I hope to stay with it for a long time. We’re here to help students and families in need,” said Mrs. Herrick. and bleachers for spectators. In order to maintain the fields and ensure continued growth, a separate well will provide water to the sprinkler system. We are very excited and cannot wait until it is ready for us to use it,” exclaimed Dr. Blaisdell.

Follow the field updates at fb.com/SouthElementarySchoolPlymouth

Reading Joe Truschelli

, the Director of Communications and Intergovernmental Relations in the Department of Veterans’ Services in Boston, is bringing a great new program to kindergarten students in the Plymouth Public Schools. Roxanne Whitbeck, Plymouth Veterans’ Agent, and Dr. Maestas will also participate in the program. Mr. Truschelli is an Air Force veteran and a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard 104th Fighter Wing. One of the goals of the program is to educate children about veterans and all of the sacrifices they have made to ensure our freedom.

with

Veterans "This initiative, started by Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans’ Services Francisco Urena, presents part of an ongoing campaign to increase awareness about our veterans. The statewide program is focused on educating children about what a veteran is and the sacrifices these men and women have made for our freedom. “The collaborative program will include reading the book Veterans: Heroes In Our Neighborhood , by Valerie Pfundstein to a number of kindergarten classes in Plymouth.

“After the readings, students can ask questions and talk about veterans they may know in the community. As a veteran and an advocate for our state’s veteran population, I believe the value of the program is far reaching. We need to let our children know what has been sacrificed to protect our way of life. It’s also a tool that we can use to educate children about military families, the stresses of having a family member in the armed services, and the need to welcome those who relocate to our community post military service. “Massachusetts is home to over 365,000 veterans. These men and women of multiple generations have raised their hand and sworn to protect our great nation, our freedoms, and our liberties.

My greatest hope for this program is that our children have a better understanding of the multiple generations of veterans in our community. "Our state has gained recognition nationally for the quality of care we provide to our veterans. My greatest hope for this program is that our children have a better understanding of the multiple generations of veterans in our community. It is also an opportunity for those who haven’t experienced a direct connection with a veteran to gain a greater insight into their experience,” said Mr. Truschelli. We look forward to this amazing new program that will benefit all of our kindergarten students and teach them about veterans in our community. Thank you, Mr. Truschelli, for bringing this program to Plymouth!

Continuing Emily's Passion for Art and Others Emily Swartz was a bright, happy

student at Indian Brook Elementary School who loved music, writing, the arts, cooking with her father, and walking on the beach with her mother. She also loved helping others. “Emily was passionate about people and her friends, and she always wanted to do something for other people all the time. She was very passionate about wanting to help other people,” said Emily’s father, Eric Swartz. Emily’s parents, Eric and Laura, created a very special way to honor their daughter by starting Emily’s Fund which has benefitted hundreds of children in the Plymouth Public Schools. The fund has provided field trips to the theater, scholarships for summer music camp, and scholarships for students who are members of the Plymouth International Choir. Emily's Fund has also enabled Plymouth’s Visual and Performing Arts Department to hire a composer who created a song that will be

Emily Sw artz sung by the Plymouth International Choir on each trip. The fund has also paid for the printing of a book called Reflections: Plymouth Anthology of Young People’s Writing, Volume II , which was a joint project of the Visual Arts and English Language Arts departments. “Eric and Laura have been great. Emily’s Fund has paid for so many extras for our students. It’s awesome,” exclaimed Mike Caple, who heads the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Emily’s love for poetry started way back in Nancy Loftus’ class at Indian Brook, and her love of music was nurtured by Indian Brook music teacher Brian Battles. Emily joined the chorus, performed a solo in a Christmas concert, and took violin lessons. Her love of the arts came from her mother who is an art teacher, and her love of cooking came from time spent in the kitchen with her dad.

“Emily’s Fund started because we wondered what we could do for Indian Brook and the arts in general. The whole idea is to follow Emily’s spirit to graduation. She would have graduated in 2021. We’re also going to give out scholarships to students from Emily’s class with similar interests. She was very creative. She loved to cook. She loved the ocean,” said Mr. Swartz. The kindness and generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Swartz continue to support our schools by giving our students opportunities and experiences that they would have not enjoyed if it weren't for Emily's Fund. “We just want to follow Emily’s spirit to graduation. Even though I’m her dad, we were buddies. She was my little buddy. Emily was cool,” said Mr. Swartz.

My Garden

My garden stands as tall as me Like trees with branches and leaves An acre of full gardening land with fine thick mulch and yellow sand It lets me plant my yellow peas But also I see my chickadees Flying high, I see them fly….. In my garden I feed my sappy oak trees I also feed on my happy trees. And I’m that happy tree. That started as a seed. By Emily Swartz

You can learn more about Emily's Fund, including how to donate towards the Emily A. Swartz Scholarship, at www.emilyaswartz.com.

NEWS & NOTEWORTHY The Plymouth Youth Development Collaborative We sat down recently with Sean Halpin, Director of Student Support Services for the Plymouth Public Schools, to learn about the Plymouth Youth Development Collaborative (PYDC), a community organization that aims to increase healthy living and positive decision making in our community.

Why was PYDC started? Sean Halpin: It was started around 2004 when a group of community stakeholders including personnel from the schools, Department of Children and Families (DCF), and other community resources held a local forum at Nathaniel Morton Elementary School. The concept was to come up with ideas around fostering healthy living and decision making in the lives of children and families through a community collaboration model.Â Gary Maestas and Bob Sherman (retired Director of Pupil Personnel Services) were significantly involved in establishing PYDC with a group of other interested school department personnel and community stakeholders.

What was the original mission of PYDC? SH: The work of PYDC was enhanced greatly in 2005 when Plymouth was awarded a five-year DrugFree Communities Grant. The group, through the grant and at that time led by Jen Pinto, tackled problems around alcohol and substance abuse. The mission of PYDC was to carry out the Five Promises of the America’s Promise Alliance (http://www.americaspromise.org/promises) to children and youth that form the conditions they need to achieve adult success: that children will grow up with the help and guidance of caring adult relationships, healthy childhoods, safe surroundings, effective education, and opportunities to help others. When at least four of these promises are at work in young people’s lives, they are more likely to succeed academically, socially and civically. There was a hiatus after 2010 when the grant ended. Gary Maestas and Peter Holden, then President and CEO of BID Hospital Plymouth, teamed up to re-engage the stakeholder group in 2011. I think the title PYDC - which stands for Plymouth Youth Development Collaborative - helps to affirm the mission of the group. Healthy youth development, although broad in scope, is the heart of PYDC, and the fact that the group is a collaborative highlights the method and means around how this work is accomplished.

What initiatives, groups, or programs have come out of PYDC? SH: PYDC has supported and utilized programs like Rachel’s Challenge, Hidden in Plain Sight, Social Host Liability, and The Herren Project just to name a few. PYDC has also hosted many substance use community awareness forums over the years. PYDC has also collected student perception data through the CTC (Communities That Care) Survey that helps to inform the ongoing work of the group through looking at substance use and at risk behaviors and protective factors as reported by our 7th through 12th graders.

How does information about meetings and initiatives get to families and students in the school district? SH: PYDC uses many different forms of communication (automated calls, social media, flyers, email, etc.) to let families and the community know about the different initiatives. A new PYDC website is currently under construction. We hope that this will be very user friendly and a way to inform families, students, and community members about all of the different PYDC happenings including meeting agendas/minutes and ways for people to get involved.

Is there a President / Board of Directors? SH: For the last few years Linda McCann, retired Assistant Principal of Plymouth North High School, has served as the PYDC Facilitator & Outreach Coordinator. There is an Executive Board which includes: • Linda McCann, PYDC Facilitator & Outreach Coordinator • Chris Campbell, Assistant Superintendent of Schools • Brian Palladino, Principal of PCIS • Amy LeFort, Director of the Substance Abuse Prevention Collaborative of Plymouth, Middleboro & Carver • Kevin O’Reilly, Executive Director of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce • Ed Jacoubs, Director of Grants & Sponsored Projects at Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office • Andrea Holleran, Vice President of External Affairs at BID Hospital Plymouth • Judi Vigna, Founder of Healthy Plymouth • Paul Jehle, Pastor of the New Testament Christian Church of Cedarville • Sean Halpin, Director of Student Support Services Plymouth Public Schools This group meets monthly to provide direction and set the broader monthly Steering Committee meeting agendas.

Any ideas / initiatives that you would like to see PYDC tackle? SH: Currently, we are working on a Child and Behavioral Health Subcommittee led by Trina Camarao who is the Principal of Federal Furnace Elementary School. We have had two meetings so far. The group is currently establishing priorities (i.e., resource mapping) to further guide the work moving forward. Judi Vigna is also organizing a group to plan for the 3rd Annual Healthy Plymouth Opportunity Program Career Fairs at both high schools in March. She is planning for a second year of student-centered activities for our younger students during the week of April vacation. There are also groups working on Social Norming and Social Marketing campaigns around alcohol use at the high schools. PYDC is also working on applying for another five-year DFC grant which is due in March. This will help to provide even more direction for PYDC in terms of strategies and initiatives moving forward.

Plymouth Education Foundation The Plymouth Education Foundation, Inc. (the “Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to education in the Town of Plymouth, with a vision for excellence in our schools and community. The Foundation provides grants for educational programs that generally align with the following criteria: • Display innovative/creative educational ideas and programs • Enrich or enhance existing educational programs • Provide for life-long learning opportunities • Coincide with curriculum goals of the school district • Include clearly defined goals, activities and outcomes • Foster school/community relationships • Impact a significant number of students/residents • Fall outside the regular municipal or school budgeting process Examples of recent grants include $1,000 to Plymouth’s Elementary Robotics Program, $3,000 to the Music Immersion Program, $3,000 for Kids Voting 2016, and $1,150 for the Cold Spring Garden. The Foundation has received many grant applications over the past year, which is encouraging, but unfortunately our funds are limited. For the upcoming year, the total amount available for grants is approximately $15,000.00, half of which is allocated to the Fall 2016 grant cycle and half of which is allocated to the Spring 2017 grant cycle. Consequently, the Foundation is forced to be selective in awarding grants, and for grants that are awarded, only partial funding may be available. Our Annual Grant Program accepts grant applications for programs or projects that reflect the vision of the Foundation’s purpose and goals. Applications for our Annual Grant Program are due by March 1st for the Spring grant cycle (with decisions to be rendered by May 1st), and by November 1st for the Fall grant cycle (with decisions to be rendered by January 1st). Our Mini-Grant Program is designed to provide funds for worthy educational programs or projects that may not have been apparent during our Annual Grant Program cycles. Grant criteria and eligibility requirements are identical to those listed for our Annual Grant Program, but grant requests in the Mini-Grant Program may not exceed $750.00. Details and Applications for both programs are available on our website.

www.plymoutheducationfoundation.org

Supporting Lifelong Learning

French Club at West Elementary West Elementary School teachers Deb Cormier and Doug Ozelius started a French Club at West last year for first and second graders in order to teach them about the French language and French culture. This year, the French Club has been Skyping with French students at Plymouth North High School who are teaching the youngsters about farm animals, songs in French, and December holidays. The teachers started the club to introduce their students to a foreign language. 35

“Both Doug and I have an interest in the French language and their culture. We felt it would be beneficial for elementary school children to begin exploring a second language because most schools don’t begin languages until middle school. We have set up a six-week curriculum based on language and culture. The students will be exploring basic conversation, colors, numbers, time, parts of the body, and objects found in the classroom. Cultural elements are music, French symbols, and art. There will also be a technology piece woven into our instruction. Children will create rainbows, play simple games in French, and create Monet-like paintings,” said Mrs. Cormier.

Plymouth North High School senior Curtis Sheppard is in the process of creating a Foreign Language Club at Plymouth Community Intermediate School. He plans to connect with Mrs. Cormier and Mr. Ozelius for guidance about how he should proceed to get his club up and running. One of Curtis’ goals is to expand the thinking of students. “I feel as though the American people today are less accepting of other cultures than they should be. I wish to open the minds of the youth to see that the world is larger than the U.S. We may be called the U.S., but it’s not just ‘US’ here. I hope students learn that there are more people and ideas out there than those found in the English-speaking U.S.A. and that these ideas are not wrong,” said Curtis. Curtis plans to become a Foreign Language teacher at either the high school or college level. Thank you Mrs. Cormier, Mr. Ozelius, and Curtis for bringing foreign language, culture, and new ideas to your students!

Watch the EDTV Kids story on French Club

French Club - West Elementary School 36

WHAT IT'S LIKE TO

Serve our Country Tom Shay is a custodian at Plymouth

Community Intermediate School and a former United States Marine who served in Iraq in 2003. He joined the service for the challenge of the experience and followed his older brother who, before him, was also in the Marine Corps. Two of Mr. Shay’s uncles were also Marines, and two other uncles were in the United States Navy. He shared with us what his military experience was like. “After training, my first duty station was in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. From there I went to Camp Pendleton in California. In January of 2003, I was sent to Iraq.” Describing some of the very challenging conditions he faced while serving, this former Marine said Iraq is certainly nothing close to being like America and is happy to live here. “I was in Iraq from January of 2003 to July 2003. My unit was one of the first to cross the border from Kuwait into Iraq. No one can imagine correctly what war is like. Everyone who has been through it handles it differently. 37

"I can tell any kids who are thinking of enlisting that you have to want it no matter the branch you choose. It’s a commitment and one of the toughest challenges you’ll face. It’s an amazing experience that stays with you forever.” Mr. Shay went on to say, “You’ll meet amazing people and see and do things most people don’t or can’t. Some of the best people I’ve met in my life served with me.” Mr. Shay spoke of all the training involved for a crazy, unconventional job, and reminisced about his time in the service. “I’m very proud to have served my country as a U.S. Marine. Semper Fi,” exclaimed Mr. Shay.

We thank you for your service.

20 Years of

Kids Voting in Plymouth

The Plymouth Board of Selectmen recently named November 8, 2016, Kids Voting Day, and Plymouth Community Intermediate School (PCIS) student D. J. Proctor served as the student representative who accepted the decree. D.J. is no stranger to politics. He attended Governor Charlie Baker’s inaugural a few years ago and questioned him about standardized testing at a function in Boston. D.J. wants to encourage citizens of all ages to get out and vote whenever possible. “I’ve always been involved with civic happenings in the district. Kids Voting Day is important for people of all ages because it encourages them to get involved with their local government because it impacts our lives every day. I think students should vote when they get older because the government makes impactful decisions on their lives. People of all ages should participate in government so their interests are represented better. I’d like to encourage student involvement and engagement,” said D.J. The Kids Voting program was started twenty years ago to encourage students to vote. Dr. Kathy Babini, Social Studies Coordinator for the Plymouth Public Schools, has been crucial to the program’s success. The program aims to encourage civic involvement and to teach children from an early age that voting is their duty and right.

D.J. is one student who understands the importance of teaching children early that involvement in government is the only way to make change happen. “If I feel closely acquainted with my government, I can have a profound effect on my country. If I want change, I need to instigate change. I think I can have a close relationship to my country by promoting Kids Voting,” said D.J. A proud American, D.J. believes the American Dream is alive and well. One way students can realize their dreams is to stay involved and engaged in their government. “This might sound like a Utopian prophecy, but I think anything is possible. I have so many ideas about what I want to be. A lawyer, a doctor; I’m not sure. Set a steady course, and find the resources to find your dreams. You can do anything! Everyone has so much potential!” said D.J. 38

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT DIANE COON Education: Plymouth South High School, 2010 Lasell College, 2014, B.A. in Communications with a concentration in Sports Communications and a minor in Psychology Peace Corps: entered in 2015; stationed in Himara, Albania Impetus for joining the Peace Corps: a service trip to Uganda with nine students from Lasell Duties: teaching English, teaching private courses Leisure activities: travel, spending time with local friends Recent travel destinations: Rome, Athens, Thessaloniki, Meteora, Skopje Peace Corps service closing: 2017 Plans after Peace Corps service: higher education opportunities, tourism promotion

“Peace Corps has taught me many things. People everywhere have great hearts. It doesn’t matter what language you speak. If you have good intentions and an open mind, then others who have the same will find you. I have been incredibly lucky in my service to encounter so many individuals who have shown me a kind of hospitality that I never expected.

People everywhere have great hearts. It doesn’t matter what language you speak. “I have dreams of seeing new places and lists of countries and cities that I plan to visit. I can’t wait for my next opportunity to integrate into new surroundings and truly understand another aspect of a new culture. The most important thing that Americans should know about Peace Corps service is that it’s never what you expect. Just when you think you have established a regular day, something will surprise you. “I find this exciting and at times intimidating, but it’s the true meaning of service. It’s about constantly changing and learning from those changes,” said Ms. Coon.

KARYN CORCORAN-LEWIS Education: Plymouth Carver High School, Class of 1983; Fisher College, Travel & Tourism Occupation: Flight Attendant for 32 years (7 years with Continental Airlines, 25 years with Delta Airlines) Countries traveled in: Amsterdam, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Scotland, Senegal, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom Favorite country: “USA is my favorite place! It’s always nice to come back home!” Favorite travel memory: “We met an English speaking monk while in Thailand. We were invited to accompany him while he blessed the locals and collected his gifts. It was surreal!” Strangest food eaten during travels: chocolate covered insects Spouse: Jeff Lewis, Airbus 319 / 320 Captain for Delta Airlines Dream destination: India “While traveling as a child with my family, I found it to be exciting and knew at a young age that I wanted to see the world. People are the same all over the world. They have different customs and religions that make them seem so different. I think I am more accepting and able to embrace the cultural differences of the world due to my travels. I would encourage everyone to get out and explore!”

SEAN MCNEIL Education: Plymouth South High School, Class of 1994 Military enlistment: United States Marine Corps, 8th & I Occupation: Fire Lieutenant out of Central Fire Station Hobbies: meditation, yoga, veganism, silent retreats Goal: to become a Fire Captain in the Plymouth Fire Department A few years ago, Sean and his wife Beth became the legal guardians of Kyle, Lexi, and Faith. They already had two children of their own named Sean and Grace. Overnight, their family grew from four to seven. Their family had a decision to make, and they chose to open their hearts and their home. “If we didn’t take the kids, they would have been split up. We decided we were going to fight for them. Nobody else was stepping up to the plate. If we didn’t take them they would have been split up, and they would just be in the wind. We decided that we would take them. Now we’re just waiting for the judge to rubber stamp it to make it official. That’s just semantics. It already is official to us,” said Mr. McNeil.

INSPIRATION AWARD 2016 Inspiration Award Recipient

Maria

da Silva

Maria da Silva was nominated for an Inspiration Award by Kim Simonsen who is an English Language Learners (ELL) teacher at Nathaniel Morton Elementary School. Ms. da Silva is also an ELL teacher and the Foreign Language Department Head for the Plymouth Public Schools. Ms. da Silva moved to the United States from the Azores when she was nine years old. She is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish and also speaks French and Italian. She has been teaching in Plymouth for 25 years. Mrs. Simonsen called Ms. da Silva a “colleague, supervisor, mentor, and friend.” “I met Maria 17 years ago at PCIS when she held a class for Plymouth teachers. 43

"I believe this was her first mini-course provided to enlighten fellow educators about ELL students and her program. Maria has dedicated her professional life to assisting students, their families, fellow educators, and the community. “Maria exemplifies a woman with unparalleled inner strength. She has taught me that despite life’s challenges, one can forge ahead and overcome the obstacles. She has made a difference in every life she has touched. “Maria’s commitment and devotion to education has promoted the success of hundreds of ELL students in the Plymouth Public Schools. She has trained and educated fellow colleagues across the district and state so that they can better serve the unique population of ELL students.

“She is a pillar in the community. She has served individuals and families as a resource, advocate, and friend for decades. I am most inspired by Maria’s genuine compassion and commitment to her students. She reverently provides them with courage, confidence, and hope from the moment they arrive. As each student succeeds, Maria is sure to recognize every academic and personal accomplishment along the way. She goes beyond to celebrate birthdays and is often invited to share in family festivities outside of school. Her commitment is both personal and professional,” said Mrs. Simonsen. Ms. da Silva was completely surprised when her name was announced as an Inspiration Award winner. “I was so proud of that moment. I felt great pride. I was quite surprised. What is most rewarding is watching the growth of my students and helping them transition to a new life. Academic classes are an extremely difficult reach for them at the high school level. What is most special to me is to see them graduate. Some of them start knowing zero English. To see them graduate is the most rewarding feeling. My students can sense that I’m here to support and encourage them. It transcends language,” said Ms. da Silva.

Ms. da Silva has traveled extensively to Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, England, Greece, Mexico, Bahamas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Hong Kong, and China to name a few countries she has visited. Travel has taught her that people are the same all over the world. “Travel is a great equalizer. People are the same. We all want the same things. We want to be happy and productive and feel connected. We are essentially the same,” she said. Ms. da Silva has cherished her years spent connecting her students with their new lives. “I’m very proud of what I’ve witnessed: young people becoming the best version of themselves. It’s been truly an honor to be a part of that,” said Ms. da Silva.

The Voyager Magazine is a publication of the Plymouth Public Schools.