Hello MPS community,
It's hard to believe we're already approaching November — the fall months are moving quickly! This month's issue is filled with important and timely updates. MPS is a happening place, no doubt!
As we move through November, it's also an excellent time to pause and reflect on the power of gratitude. I want to thank the many parents and community members who joined us for our recent Coffee and Conversations. Your partnership, feedback and support continue to strengthen our collective work and remind us what makes Marlborough such a special place. I am deeply grateful to be part of a community that consistently puts children's needs at the core.
At the same time, our district is embarking on an exciting new chapter — the development of our next Strategic Plan and Portrait of a Learner. This work, guided by our partners at Focused Schools, will shape our shared vision and priorities for the years ahead. Throughout November, we'll be finalizing community surveys to gather your direct feedback, reviewing key district documents and holding listening sessions and focus groups with staff, families, students and community members. These conversations are essential to ensuring the plan reflects the voices and values of our entire community.
In early December, our entire Leadership Team will formally launch this effort, followed by the establishment of a Steering Committee to guide the work through completion. Our goal is to have the Strategic Plan and Portrait of a Learner completed by spring 2026, with implementation beginning July 1, 2026.
As we enter this season of giving thanks, I am reminded daily of the dedication, compassion and care that define our schools. Thank you for being part of this incredible community and for your ongoing commitment to helping every Marlborough student thrive.
For any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me at jdefalco@mps-edu.org.
Warmly,
Jason DeFalco, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent
Super Saturday
Did you know that we have a monthly video series called Super Saturday, designed to help you stay informed about what’s happening in the Marlborough Public Schools?
Hosted by Interim Superintendent Jason DeFalco, the October 2025 episode of Super Saturday features essential insights into the middle school’s offerings from Whitcomb School Principal Angela House, as well as updates from Principal Lisa Richards and other project team members on the Richer School building project.
Be sure to subscribe to WMCT-TV on YouTube and follow them across all channels so you never miss an episode!
Transportation and Bus App Update
We hoped to have the bus tracking app available by now. However, it is not yet ready to launch. Over the past month, a select group of families has piloted the transportation app to help us test it and provide feedback. While we have received initial positive feedback on the app’s location accuracy and reliability, NRT and Beacon have not yet configured the app with all MPS routes. We are working closely with our transportation vendor and app provider to resolve these issues before making the app available on a larger scale.
More information will be released as soon as possible.
Grab and Go Food Bags
Due to the federal government shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are expected to lapse on Nov. 1, potentially delaying their distribution in November. SNAP provides monthly food benefits to qualifying households to help cover the cost of groceries.
We encourage all families to have their children take advantage of our free breakfast and lunch program—no registration is required. Additionally, starting Oct. 31, we will provide Grab-and-Go bags filled with healthy, kid-friendly food to support student nutrition over the weekend until SNAP benefits are restored.
These bags will be available for students as they leave the school buildings. Students who take the bus should keep their food in their backpacks while riding the bus.
Interim Superintendent Goals for the 2025-2026 School Year
Interim Superintendent Jason DeFalco, Ed.D., developed goals for the 2025-2026 school year in support of the strategic plan, based on current observations in the District, research, conversations and interviews conducted during the superintendent search, as well as his entry plan results. To view his goals, visit www.mps-edu.org/superintendent.
Akiruno Exchange Program
Our five student representatives from Whitcomb Middle School returned from an incredible cultural exchange with Marlborough's sister city, Akiruno-shi, Tokyo, Japan!
Under the guidance of Advisor Jen Smith, Co-advisor Andrew Thain and Teaching Assistant Andreia Pontes, student delegates — Logan H., Wyatt B., Lucy L., Brooke K., and Benjamin S. — lived with host families and experienced everyday life in Japan.
From practicing the language and enjoying authentic cuisine to learning local customs and participating in school, their days were filled with unforgettable cultural experiences. Highlights of their visit included a city tour of Akiruno, traditional papermaking and relaxing at the local hot springs—a true immersion in Japanese tradition and hospitality. They were also recognized by the mayor as honorary citizens of Akiruno.
Join our Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher Conferences are an essential opportunity to connect, share and collaborate on your child’s progress. Families can meet with teachers to discuss their child's academic growth, classroom participation and set goals for the year. This is an opportunity to celebrate successes, address concerns and collaborate to support each student’s learning journey. Below are the conference dates for each school:
Nov. 3: Goodnow Elementary School
Nov. 6: Richer Elementary School
Nov. 10: Early Childhood Center
Nov. 12: Jaworek Elementary School
Nov. 12: Marlborough High School
Nov. 13: Kane Elementary School
Scheduling information and sign-up details will be provided in advance by your child's teacher. Please note that the Whitcomb School held its parent-teacher conferences on Oct. 29.
Public School Monitoring Review
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring will conduct an Integrated Monitoring Review of Marlborough Public Schools during the week of Dec. 1. Each school district undergoes this review every three years, focusing on areas such as special education student identification, eligibility timelines, IEP development and procedural requirements.
The review process includes interviews with staff, a review of student records and policies and school visits. Parent, student and teacher focus groups may also be held to gather additional insights. An orientation about the review will be hosted in collaboration with the Special Education Parent Advisory Council. Additionally, a parent survey will be distributed to gather information on special education processes.
Interested parents and stakeholders can contact Monitoring Review Chairperson Jessica McCloskey at (781) 338-3716 to arrange telephone interviews or discuss accommodation requests. A report with findings and required actions will be provided within 60 business days after the visit and will be accessible on the DESE website.
Meet Your New School Committee Member
Newly appointed school committee member Chris DeMeo is the son of a career teacher and comes from a family of educators. For Chris, finding and doing what's most important is what life is all about. Not only is he an active parent to a Marlborough Public Schools student, but he also serves as a PTO member and is involved with Marlborough Youth Soccer.
Now, as he takes on this new role on the Marlborough School Committee, his focus will be on ensuring that every Marlborough kid and family is served and educated with enthusiasm, integrity and authenticity, and nothing less. Chris will serve until December 2027.
To learn more about the Marlborough School Committee, visit www.mps-edu.org/MSC.
Student and School Safety
To further support safety, the district has established an anonymous school safety phone line and email address:
Phone: (508) 460-3520
Email: school-safety@mps-edu.org
You may call or email to report concerns at any time, including incidents of bullying.
Moments Matter, Attendance Counts
Strong attendance today creates brighter opportunities tomorrow. Here’s a look at student year-to-date attendance rates across all buildings. While some schools have shown improvement, others still have room to grow.
Early Childhood Center: 93.6%
Kane Elementary School: 95.4%
Goodnow Elementary School: 95.2%
Jaworek Elementary School: 95.3%
Richer Elementary School: 95.3%
Whitcomb Middle School: 94.9%
Marlborough High School: 93.2%
Let’s keep working together to ensure our students are present and ready to learn every day! Remember that tardies and early student pick-ups can cause students to miss critical instructional time. Visit www.mps-edu.org/events to view all observed holidays and breaks to help you plan your student’s schedule accordingly.
Mark Your Calendars
Nov. 4: No classes; Professional Development Day
Nov. 10: Marlborough School Committee meeting
Nov. 11: Closed for Veterans Day
Nov. 21: Special Education Parent Advisory Council meeting
Nov. 25: Marlborough School Committee meeting
Nov. 26-28: No school; Thanksgiving recess
For event details and a list of all district events, please visit www.mps-edu.org/events.
Stay Connected
The MPS app is where you can access the latest district news and alerts directly on your device. Download it on the App Store or get it on Google Play.
Don’t forget to follow Marlborough Public Schools on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X to see highlights from what’s happening in our buildings.
Visit our Virtual Backpack
Are you looking for tutoring sessions, after-school programs or family-friendly events? Check out our virtual backpack — our go-to spot for events and resources from local organizations that support our students and families — at www.mps-edu.org/flyers.