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Schools

2011-12 School Profile: Gibbons Middle School

Ten new teachers join the staff at Gibbons Middle School for the new school year.

Susan Smith, Neighbor
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School Population:

  • Number of students:  500
  • Number of teachers:   50 Full-time Staff with additional Part-time Staff

New Teachers:

  • Stacy Cohen – Special Education Paraprofessional
  • Heather Dooley – Spanish Teacher
  • Kevin Hoffman- 7th Grade Guidance Counselor
  • Megan Leclair – 8th Grade Math Teacher
  • Ana Palladino – Spanish Teacher
  • Heather Patrick – 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher
  • Megan Ruttenbeck – ELL Tutor
  • Kaitlyn Salem - Special Education Lifeskills Teacher
  • Tammy Stott – Book keeper/Main Office Assistant
  • Li Xie – Mandarin Teacher

Teachers and staff who have volunteered to take on new roles this year or are transferring to GMS:

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  • Carol Alcusky – 7th Grade Reading Teacher
  • Jane Collins – Special Education, PDD Program
  • Kathy Dargan – Paraprofessional
  • Katie Kircher – Paraprofessional
  • Eric Knight – Special Education Paraprofessional
  • Chris Lopes – School Psychologist
  • Jeff St. John – Custodian

Building and Curriculum Changes:

The curricular changes at  this year including the following:

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  • Similar to , the grading system will rotate on a trimester. Students will receive a formal report card approximately every 60 school days and a ‘progress report’ at the mid point of each trimester. Unlike Mill Pond School, Gibbons will still use the traditional “secondary school” alphabetical grading system. e.g. A-B-C-D-F
  • All students, unless enrolled in a specialized program, will study a foreign language.
  • Additionally, Gibbons is offering one class of Mandarin for 7th graders.
  • The “specials” program has been revamped for the 2011-2012 school year
  • All students will study reading in both grades 7 and 8.
  • 7th grade students will study art and general music, (as well as tech ed. during 7th period for students not enrolled in band/chorus/orchestra).
  • 8th grade students will study tech and health, (as well as art during 7th period for students not enrolled in band/chorus/orchestra).
  • Students will still alternate their “specials” class with physical education throughout the school year. ( e.g. PE, art, art, PE, art, art)
  • During 7th period, students who are not enrolled in band/chorus/orchestra, will rotate between their team teachers to study department specific study skills and receive academic support from one of their team teachers.
  • The curriculum for the bi-weekly advisory program as been formalized this year thanks to Mrs. Benbenek, Mrs. Greenwald, Ms. Johnson and Mrs. Paquin. The 7th grade program will mirror Mill Pond School’s character education format while the 8th grade will mirror Westborough High Schools’ wellness model.
  • To better support the advisory program, two additional homerooms will be added to each academic team.
  • The academic teams have been reorganized and renamed as follows:

7th Grade

  • Red Team:  Ann Benbeneck, English; Denise Casale, Science; Sandy Denny, Math; Mark Kennedy, Social Studies.
  • Orange Team:  Lisa Greenwald, Science; Lisa Marcotte, Math; Mark McNeil, Social Studies; Jeanine Weiss, English.
  • Yellow Team:  Santina Carr, English; Heather Patrick, Social Studies; Pryia Ragounath, Science; Jen Thomas, Math.

8th Grade

  • Green Team:  Megan Leclair, Math; Brian Paulhus, Social Studies; Darrin Richard, Science; Maryan Ryan, English.
  • Blue Team:  Joe Barca, English; Jane Borden, Science; Tim Brennan, Social Studies; Megan Gerstenzang, Math.                       
  • Purple Team:  Sara Fillmore, Science; Deb Lamothe, English; Bruce Powers, Social Studies; Lynn Sullivan, Math.

Upcoming Open Door or Parent Open House Dates:

Open Door Days:

  • Tuesday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Thursday, Aug. 25, 9 to 11 a.m.

Open House: 

  • Wednesday, Sept. 21, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Important Names and Contact Information:

Main Number:  (508) 836-7740

Attendance phone number: 508-836-7740

Principal: Jack Foley, foleyjack@westborough.k12.ma.us

Assistant Principal: Christopher Fournier, fourniec@westborough.k12.ma.us

Nurse: Betsy Southard, southarb@westborough.k12.ma.us

Guidance Counselors: 

 

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