Each year, we say good-bye to our students who leave us to head into the next phase of their education at Indian Head. We know they are well prepared for the challenges they will face due to their hard work, and the dedication of each and every Maquan teacher. In September, it is time to welcome the new and returning students,  families and staff who join us. Over the summer, many of our staff moved or transferred to other positions in the district.

This may have been the quickest summer of my life!  At the close of school, I attended The Principal’s Institute/The Art of Leadership at Harvard.  I was able to attend this 10- day workshop with people from all over the world through a grant.  We were actively engaged with the most renowned experts from the field of education every day.  It was truly a once in a lifetime experience that allowed me to grow both professionally and personally.  My cohort group was made up of people from New Zealand, Australia, New York, Illinois and Texas.  It was so interesting to see how differently things are managed across the country and the world, but yet we all have the same concerns and goals- providing the best learning environment for our students every day.

Although this has been a “real summer,” complete with hot, humid weather, sunny days, and parched lawns, all around us are signs that a new school year is about to begin. The leaves on the trees show hints of gold and red. Local garden centers have replaced hanging baskets of petunias with large containers of autumn-colored hardy mums. Back-to-school shopping advertisements permeate the airwaves and dominate the inserts of newspapers.

Voters chose to re-elect incumbents Brian Bezanson and Margaret McGillivray to serve another three-year term on the Board of Selectmen. The incumbents were challenged by Joseph Balonis and Nicholas Stead.

What is the value of an education? This spring, we are once again faced with the uncertain fate of the operating budget for the upcoming school year (FY2011) for the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District. Both school and town officials are charged to present local citizens with responsible budgets that ensure quality services to children and adults.  While preparing an operational budget is an ongoing challenge, this year the challenge is greater than ever before for schools and towns because costs are up and revenue is down. 

Monday, July 13

10:10 a.m. Caller reported larceny at First Baptist Church, Main St. Report taken.

1:01 p.m. Caller reported a medical emergency at Southeastern Medical Center, Liberty Street. Patient transported to hospital.

Preparing for her retirement after this school year, Duval Elementary Principal Fran Botelho-Hoeg recalled fond memories of the time she spent in education as she prepares for her future after retiring.

More than 70 people, many of them educators in the Whitman-Hanson school district, traveled halfway around the world to experience a 10-day trip of a lifetime to China.

Karen Downey, the current assistant principal at Conley School, has been appointed to the principal’s position, which opened up after Principal Frank Kenney announced his retirement.

Julie Stimpson may be new to the role of principal, but she has experience as an assistant principal in two districts.