What’s new with the Hastings PTO

The School Committee met via Zoom/Lex Media on Tuesday November 10, 2020. With a full agenda, the committee jumped in. On Tuesday, November 3, over 1K staff members attended 90+ professional development sessions during the 7^th Annual Lexington Learns Together (LLT). LPS continues to make diversity, equity and inclusion a major focus of professional learning and our LLT agenda was no exception. Workshops included topics ranging from support to our LGBTQ+ students to the cultural significance of names. This exciting day of learning aligns with the LPS Strategic Plan. For a detailed description of these sessions offered, please click here.

As many of you know, our very own Maria Hastings Elementary School was selected as a 2020 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence! LPS Superintendent Dr. Julie Hackett and Hastings Principal Louise Lipsitz were invited to a two-day virtual ceremony on November 12 and 13. For those interested, a detailed agenda of the two days is provided here. If you would like to watch the ceremony, there are two ways to view the Recognition of Hastings School for our National Blue Ribbon Award. Schools are recognized in order by state after 11:00 on Friday, November 13. Facebook Premiere: https://www.facebook.com/ED.gov/ or you can watch in the afternoon/beyond on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/user/usedgov.  Many congratulations to Principal Lipsitz and our terrific Hastings students, staff and families!

Dr. Hackett stressed the importance of early outreach and ongoing communication from members of our school community as we have moved into a new virtual environment. Dr. Hackett will be holding “Superintendent Chats” with parents and staff every few months as a forum to obtain feedback. Future chat dates forthcoming.

Few Reminders, the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is providing Lexington with funding that allows every student to receive a free breakfast and lunch, regardless of their family’s income status. This program runs through June 2021. Please click here for more information. In addition, all members of LPS is reminded to have their flu vaccination by December 31.

The evening’s key presentation focus was on Lexington’s Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunities (METCO) program presented by Barbara Hamilton, K-12 METCO Academic Director. METCO is the oldest and largest voluntary desegretation program that provides a suburban public school education for African-American, Hispanic and Asian students from Boston. The Lexington Public Schools have participated in the program since 1968. The program provides Lexington students and staff an opportunity to interact with many minority students and to benefit from a culturally diverse learning environment. In 2020, 14 students were placed in the district of which 8 were siblings of current students. Of the 33 districts, Lexington is the 3rd largest METCO program. For more information regarding this wonderful program, click here.