***NOTE: For media members planning to attend this event, please RSVP to Taylor O’Neil at taylor@jgpr.net.***
TAUNTON — Superintendent John Cabral, Police Chief Edward J. Walsh and Parker Middle School Principal Mike Byron would like to invite the media to attend the last day of the PBIS/Newcomers Academy Ice Skating Program on Friday.
WHEN:
Friday, Dec. 16, beginning at 1 p.m.
WHERE:
Aleixo Arena, 150 Honorable Gordon M Owen Riverway, Taunton
WHO:
- Guidance and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Program Lead Counselor Britt Moore
- Assistant Principal and PBIS Lead Jay Pettengill
- Newcomers Academy Teacher Kayla Russell
- Parker Middle School Principal Byron
- Members of the Taunton Police Department
- Taunton Newcomers Academy students
WHAT:
Members of the media are invited to attend the last day of the PBIS/Newcomers Academy Ice Skating Program during which they can speak to members of the school and police department about the importance of the program and the positive effect it has on PBIS/Newcomers students who’ve recently joined the district. Media members may also get footage and photography of those skating.
Each month, Parker Middle School’s PBIS program hosts an event to build and promote school culture and climate. Every year since 2018, the PBIS program has hosted an ice skating program for students just before the holidays. On average, over 100 students participate over the span of the three days, including students enrolled in the Newcomers Program.
The Newcomers Program began in 2017 and is for students that have entered the country within the past 12 months and who are English-learning. This week’s ice skating program included students who were seeing snow for the first time and have never seen or skated on ice before.
The Ice Skating program is conducted in collaboration with members of the Taunton Police Department and members of the Taunton High School Varsity Hockey Team. As part of the program, students have the opportunity to recreationally skate on the ice rink with assistance from other students and staff, the hockey team and police officers.
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