District Newsletter | November 2025
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Important Dates
11/3-11/7: 5th Grade Nature's Classroom
11/7-11/9: TBHS Fall Play
11/13: Half Day (Parent/Teacher Conferences)
11/20: Half Day (Parent/Teacher Conferences)
11/26-11/28: Thanksgiving Break
HARVARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Dr. Linda Dwight, Superintendent
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Superintendent's Message
From the Superintendent’s Desk
Understanding Our Budget Process
The budget season began in October, as teachers and staff outlined the curriculum needs, classroom supplies, and other resources required for the 2026–27 school year. During this time, we also review current staffing to determine whether the same positions will be needed next year and calculate projected increases in both salaries and contracted services.
Some of our service costs—such as transportation, electricity, gas, snow removal, and software—rise significantly each year. Salaries also increase between 2% and 7%, depending on years of service, educational level, and negotiated cost-of-living adjustments.
Building a thoughtful, transparent, and balanced budget—from the ground up—is a complex process. Using a zero-based budgeting approach, we start from zero and carefully construct a $20 million plan that reflects our district’s priorities and needs.
Teachers first develop draft budgets at the grade or department level, which are reviewed and refined by principals or cost center managers. These are then brought to the central office, where the Director of Finance and Operations, Assistant Superintendent, Director of Pupil Services, and I review and adjust them further. Next, the School Committee’s Budget Subcommittee holds public sessions to examine the proposed budgets and make refinements before the full School Committee considers the complete budget.
This year, the full budget presentation will take place on December 8, 2025, likely in the Bromfield Library, with cost center managers present to answer questions from School Committee members. Following this meeting, there will be two weeks for final adjustments before the School Committee takes its vote.
Once approved, the School Committee submits the budget to the Town for further collaboration and review. Two additional public presentations are scheduled for January 12, 2026 and March 9, 2026 (location TBD). By the time the budget reaches Annual Town Meeting, it will have been reviewed and refined by many stakeholders to ensure that all needs and costs are clearly justified.
I share this overview so families can better understand how our district budget is developed and how you can take part in the process. Your attendance and input are always welcome during our public meetings.
Opportunities to Learn More:
December 8, 2025 at 6:15 p.m. – In-person at the Bromfield Library
January 12, 2026 – Time and location TBD
March 9, 2026 at 6:15 p.m. – Virtual via Zoom
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support as we plan for another year of excellence in teaching and learning.
Best regards,
Dr. Linda G. Dwight
Superintendent, Harvard Public Schools
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Central Office Updates:
Dana Labb, Assistant Superintendent
Student Support
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to enjoy Harvard’s beautiful natural surroundings by hiking the nearby nature trail with a fellow educator. Together, we built background knowledge for two fourth-grade classes as they began the EL Education module on animal habitats. During the hike, we explored animal characteristics, adaptations, predators, and survival strategies—using our local environment to create meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that engage all learners. Over the coming weeks, students will apply this knowledge as they read, write, and learn more deeply about how animals survive in their environments.
Community Engagement
Next week, I’ll be meeting with members of our local media team to prepare for an upcoming on-air interview highlighting the great work happening across Harvard Public Schools. I’m excited to share more about my role as Assistant Superintendent and to highlight our district’s priorities, current initiatives, and the many ways we’re working together to support our students, staff, and the broader Harvard community.
Save the Date!
Please join us for Harvard’s Festival of Cultures, hosted by the BIPOC Family Advisory Group, on Tuesday, March 24th, from 5:30–7:00 PM in the Hildreth gymnasium. This beloved family event returns to celebrate the rich diversity of our school community and offers a wonderful opportunity to connect and learn from one another. Families are invited to attend and/or host a table to showcase their culture through food, art, games, or artifacts, or to share a performance that highlights their cultural traditions, such as music, dance, or singing. More information on how to volunteer, host a table, or perform will be shared soon.
Best,
Dana Labb
Assistant Superintendent
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Pupil Services Updates:
Michelle DellaValle, Director of Pupil Services
The Pupil Services office supports learners with specialized needs. This includes students who receive special education services, those on 504 accommodation plans, English learners, and students who are experiencing housing instability.
***********************************************************Press Release:
During the week of December 8, 2025 the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s) Office of Language Acquisition (OLA) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of The Harvard Public Schools. The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district’s and charter school’s ELE program every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state English learner education laws and regulations. Areas of review will include English learners’ student assessments, identification of English learners; what programs English learners are placed in, parent and community involvement, curriculum and instruction, student support services, licensure requirements for faculty, staff and administration, program plans, and evaluation and recordkeeping.
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The district will send a survey to the parents of students whose records the review team examines with.The survey focuses on key areas of their child’s English learner education program. Survey results will be reviewed by OLA and they will contribute to the monitoring report.
Parents and other individuals may call David Parker, Office of Language Acquisition Review Chairperson, at (781)338-3466 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, DESE will make the necessary arrangements.
Within approximately 60 business days of the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the (district or charter school) with a report with information about areas in which the (district or charter school) meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the (district or charter school) requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The report will be available to the public at https://www.doe.mass.edu/ele/cpr/.
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¡Únase a nosotros e invite a sus familias a unirse a nosotros para una presentación solo en español sobre cómo funciona DDS! |
Please join us, and invite your families to join us, for a Spanish only presentation on how DDS works! |
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Descripción General De Los Servicios De DDS |
Como familiar de un niño con una discapacidad del desarrollo, quizás se pregunte sobre los apoyos que ofrece el Departamento de Servicios del Desarrollo.
Acompañe a Joemary Rodriguez De Jesus y Leilani Paniagua, para abordar preguntas como:
• ¿Cómo se califica para el DDS?
• ¿Qué tipo de recursos hay disponibles a través del Apoyo Familiar?
• ¿Cómo es la transición a los servicios para adultos?
¡Todos los padres, tutores, cuidadores u otros familiares son bienvenidos a asistir, en cualquier momento de su proceso!
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Virtual location
You will receive a confirmation email with a URL.
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DDS | 1000 Washington St | Boston, MA 02118 US |
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  COMPASS 101
HOSTED BY CASE COLLABORATIVE WITH NAMI
DATE AND TIME: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 6:00 - 7:00
NAMI (namimass.org) provides a wide range of services and supports for individuals experiencing mental health conditions and for their families. NAMI recognizes that the challenges for family members of those living with mental health issues are numerous and that getting information, finding resources to help, navigating through various agencies and finding personal support are not often straightforward processes.
Compass Helpline was developed to help with the processes of locating resources and actually obtaining assistance. Compass is staffed by people with first-hand experience navigating the mental health system for themselves or a family member. This presentation will give an overview of the Compass Helpline, explain who can reach out to Compass (a very wide range of people), what the Helpline can and cannot do, and how to contact Compass.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW
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Digital Signature:
Harvard uses Digital Signature through the PowerSchool Special Programs application to obtain parental consent for Special Education and Section 504 documents. When a document is ready for signature, you will receive a notice through PowerSchool Special Programs. You will first be asked to agree to the use of a Digital Signature, which is non-binding to any portion of the IEP or 504. Use of Digital Signature is completely voluntary. If you wish to receive paper or PDF copies of documents, please let your child’s special education liaison or the designated 504 coordinator know.
PARENT/CAREGIVER RESOURCES:
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HELPLINE:
Please see the links below to access information about the Behavioral Health Helpline and related services available.
Information Letter
New Mass Literacy for Families and Communities resource: The Mass Literacy Guide has been empowering educators since 2020 with practical strategies and resources for pre-K -3 literacy. Now, this hub of early literacy information includes a section designed specifically for families and communities . Families and community members can use the site to learn more about reading and writing instruction and how to support it at home. Educators can use the site to provide caregivers with information about evidence-based early literacy.
Mass Partnerships for Youth Parent and Caregiver Resource Library:
Mass Partnerships for Youth offers a library of quick videos and handouts with information and strategies for common challenges that parents and caregivers encounter.
https://peaceathomeparenting.com/mpy-solution-libraries/
MassHealth
Children with disabilities may be eligible for MassHealth Child Disability Supplement. More information and forms are found at: https://www.mass.gov/doc/masshealth-child-disability-supplement/download
Children's Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI)
Children who qualify for MassHealth and have Emotional, Behavioral, or Mental Health needs may be eligible for integrated services through CBHI.
Information can be found at: https://www.mass.gov/childrens-behavioral-health-initiative-cbhi
ARICA (An Act Relative to Insurance Coverage for Autism)
ARICA is a law that requires private health insurers in Massachusetts to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). More information is available through the Insurance Resource Center: https://massairc.org/factsheets/arica-faq/#page-content
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In This Issue...
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The Harvard Press needs you!
Take the Reader Survey to have your voice heard. So far, we've had a pretty good response rate, but we would love to get a larger cross-section of respondents that includes parents with kids in the schools so we can learn what they care about and in turn what they would like to see featured in the paper.
Addiction Abatement Fund Proposals:
The Town of Harvard Addiction Abatement Fund Working Group is seeking proposals for appropriate expenditure of the town’s Opioid Settlement Funds. The Group is seeking projects including harm reduction, treatment, education, etc that address issues across the life span. The Group will assess proposals from citizens of Harvard and surrounding towns and make recommendations to the Harvard Select Board for final decision-making. Proposals must limit funding requests to <$10000. Proposals will be considered on an ongoing basis. The application and evaluation criteria can be found at: https://www.harvard-ma.gov/444/Opioid-Abatement-Funds-Mini-Grant-Propos
More information about the Working Group tasks and make-up can be found at https://www.harvard-ma.gov/198/Addiction-Abatement-Fund-Working-Group
LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES and FOOD INSECURITY RESOURCES:
Harvard Public Schools acknowledges the potential impact of a disruption to SNAP benefits, which could affect families nationwide and within our own community.
We recognize that this situation could increase food insecurity for families, seniors, and children. Our schools remain committed to supporting students and families through this uncertainty.
Families in need of food assistance can access local resources, including:
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry:
Need Food? We’re Here for You! Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry in Devens helps families in Ayer, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley. With no income requirements, easy drive-thru pickup, and an online ordering option, we make it easy to provide nutritious food to keep your family happy and healthy. Everyone is welcome! Please visit our website, loavesfishespantry.org/need-help/, or call 978-772-4627 x312 for more information.
Additional Local Community Resources:
Food Insecurity Resources
Alphabest is Hiring:
Please see the details in this flyer .
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| 27A Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard MA, 01451 | (978) 456-4140 |
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