* * * STAFF SPOTLIGHT * * *

Mike Shammas

Food Service Instructor

Can you explain what you do at LPS?

I strive every day to teach students new skills that students can use in their daily lives, their school day and their professional career. Even if it’s not culinary related I hope they can use the skill or concept as a work tool.

Where were you before you came to LPS?

Directly before I was working full-time at Tomasso Trattoria. My last teaching assignment was at Bay Path Vocational and before that at Putnam Vocational in Springfield. I’ve also taught Adult Education classes at Keefe Tech and Assabet Vocational. As a chef, we are teaching our staff daily.

What do you love the most about your role within LPS?

I get to work with the great population here at LPS and feed them good food as well.

Why did you get into education?

I wanted to transfer my skill set from a daily grind to...

Read more...

* * * PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT * * *

Summer Program

Pretty soon after the Near Year, parents everywhere are starting to think, “Okay, what is my child going to do this summer?” For roughly a third of LPS students, they will attend our annual 3 week Summer Program which is held every July. And new this year, we are thrilled to open up the program to the public!

The LPS Summer Program (EYP) is designed to maintain progress and prevent substantial regression through structured educational and social experiences. The students benefit from the appropriate academic instruction, teacher directed interactive academic lessons, strategies and accommodations responding to students’ learning styles, skill reinforcement and social skills training through their classes.

For all students the program consists of reading, math, writing, essential speech and OT, social activities, electives and weekly field trips. Middle schools students additionally have social skills groups, and organizational support; while High School students develop transitional /independent living skills development via a volunteer-based work experience, twice a week.

This year, the LPS Summer Program will operate from...

Read more...

IMPORTANT DATES

Tuesday, February 8: Free Speaker Series event, 6:00-7:15 PM

Friday, February 11: All School Sports Day

Friday, February 11: PIE Virtual Bingo Night! 7-8 PM

Monday, February 14: All School Wear Red Day

Thursday, February 17: Parent Advisory Group (PAG) meeting, 9:00 AM

Monday, February 21 - Friday, February 25: February Vacation

Wednesday, March 9 & Thursday, March 10: MCAS ELA retest

Friday, March 11: All School Pajama Day

Tuesday, March 15 & Wednesday, March 16: MCAS Math retest

* * * LEADERSHIP BLOG * * *

10 tips for supporting your child with learning disabilities

By: Korina Martin, Director of Admissions

As the Director of Admissions, I talk to a lot of parents. Via email, phone and Zoom, many of my hours are spent listening to and talking with concerned mothers, inquisitive fathers, upset grandparents - all trying to understand why their child is struggling. As a parent, sometimes you just feel helpless. You don’t know what you don’t know, and while you may have all the right tools in place, most of the time, sometimes you can’t help but feel like you want to do more. 

As parents, the place we have the most control is usually at home. The Learning Disabilities Association of America is a fantastic resource for families whose children learn differently. They share strategies that can be used at home for children with learning disabilities. They describe trying to find a balance - of providing some, but not too much support. What is that balance? The truth is, it’s likely changing all the time. With time, maturity and new skills being acquired regularly, it’s a moving target. But the LDA has some suggestions you can use to help find that balance: 

Read more...