• Ensuring the Safety and Support of All Students

      January 2025 Dear Families, I want to address concerns that have arisen in our community regarding the potential for new immigration policies under the new presidential administration. We understand that these changes may create uncertainty or fear for some families, particularly concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in schools. Please rest assured: our schools are, and will continue to be, safe and supportive spaces for all students and families, regardless of their citizenship status . The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office has made it clear that ICE recognizes schools as “sensitive locations”, where enforcement activities such as searches or arrests are not allowed. This includes school grounds, places where educational activities or events are taking place, and school bus stops during times when students are present. ICE can only conduct enforcement activities at these locations under special circumstances or with prior approval. The likelihood of ICE conducting enforcement activities at schools is extremely small. However, our school administration has reviewed guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and has taken proactive steps to ensure we are fully prepared to handle any scenario. What You Should Know: Schools Are Safe Spaces:  Our schools are committed to being safe and welcoming environments for all students and families, regardless of citizenship status. The politics of immigration will not be carried out in our school buildings. Support for Students:  If your child is feeling anxious or concerned, please encourage them to speak with their teacher, school counselor, or principal. We are here to listen, provide reassurance, and connect families with additional resources if needed. Resources and Guidance:  For those interested in learning more, DESE has provided detailed guidance regarding ICE activity and schools. You can find this information   here . If you have additional questions or concerns, please reach out to your school’s principal or directly to me. Handling ICE Requests:  If an ICE agent requests access to a student, the school will immediately contact the student’s parent or guardian, the superintendent, and the school’s legal counsel to discuss a plan of action. ICE agents will not be allowed to question or remove a student from school without a valid judicial warrant and parental consent. Any warrant presented will be carefully reviewed by legal counsel to ensure compliance with the law. While the likelihood of ICE activity in schools is minimal, we are steadfast in our commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment for every student. Regardless of your family's situation, you can trust that we are here to support you. Thank you for your partnership and for trusting us with your children’s education and well-being. Warm regards, Darius Modestow Superintendent

    Friday, Jan 17 2025

  • Family Night- come see Counted Out, a new documentar...

    The Frontier & Union 38 community is invited to a screening of the 2024 documentary,  Counted Out 6:00 PM January 28, 2025 Frontier Auditorium Free tickets are available through Eventbrite , linked HERE . This event is open to the public.  The film is 90 minutes. For families with children in grades K-5, there will be a presentation on the new math curriculum, Bridges in Mathematics, from 5:00-5:40, followed by pizza and conversation.  To register for the pre-film presentation, please sign up using this Google Form: https://forms.gle/tqa6duUMpdkGHgCu6 "In the 21st century, fueled by technology, data, and algorithms, math determines who has the power to shape our world...numeric literacy is a critical determinant of social and economic power. " Question?  Contact Lara.Ramsey@frsu38.org

    Monday, Jan 06 2025

  • Annual Letter for Weather Delays or Closures

      Hello, Frontier & Union #38 Elementary School Families, The Annual Weather Letter!   As the temperatures drop and snowflakes make their debut (this is the latest I’ve ever sent this letter), I wanted to take a moment to share our approach for weather-related delays and closures. Over the years, families have found this information helpful in understanding how and when decisions are made that greatly affect our personal and community schedules.    Below are my guidelines and an explanation of how weather-related decisions are made.   Guidelines for weather delays or closures: School closure decisions will be made as early as possible. On the morning of a weather closure or delay, I will do my best to have the decision made by 5:15 am with a robocall and email sent out by 5:30 am. I will also continue the practice of notifying our community the night before a day that we know will have at least a two-hour delayed opening with the understanding that there may be a morning update that leads to closure.  I have heard a lot of positive feedback on this practice as it allows families to begin planning on an interrupted schedule. If a school opening delay occurs, it will be a  2-hour  delayed opening.  All school closure days are made up at the end of the school year.  So, for each day the district closes school, we add a day of school in June.   How school closure decisions are made:   The Superintendent of Schools ultimately makes the decision to close or delay school due to inclement weather.  However, I consult with others, including the town road crews, to make the most informed decision possible.   During a storm, I will be in direct contact with each Highway Superintendent of the four towns to learn about the current conditions of the road and their capacity to keep roads safe for bus and car travel. I review the weather using multiple weather websites and news outlets and confer with other area superintendents on their analysis of the weather and the impact on travel to the schools. Our four towns and extended community of teacher residents and school choice families cover hundreds of miles of roads with large elevation ranges and a variety of surfaces from asphalt to graded dirt.  I will do my best to make the appropriate decision for school delay or closure,  However, if your situation conflicts with the district decision, please rely on your own judgment to keep you and your family safe.  Cold Weather Days: To stay consistent in cold weather decisions, I reference the following scale: Using NORA’s  wind chill safety chart  for cold weather. Cold Weather Advisory  At -15 to -24 degrees, including windchill.   The school will open as normal or delayed school opening if on the colder end of the scale, with warmer temperatures expected by mid-morning. Cold Weather Warning  At -25 degrees, including windchill  That's when we would close schools or delay if conditions are to improve drastically in the AM. Additional thoughts for families on weather events: Families should prepare a contingency plan in the event that there may be a need for a sudden early dismissal after the students are already at school. This doesn’t happen often, but it is best to have a plan for how your family will handle this situation. Parents of high school drivers or soon-to-be drivers:  Please talk to your children about driving in winter conditions.   School delays are designed to create time to properly clean cars of snow and ice and drive with more caution.   It is also a common practice among families not to allow younger drivers to have car privileges during or after winter weather events. Additionally, the high school suspends senior lunch driving privileges if road conditions are poor during lunch periods.   I wish everyone a safe and wonderful winter season! -Darius Modestow,   Superintendent 

    Monday, Dec 02 2024

  • Reminder, "Coffee and Conversation" Sessions

      There was an error on the sign-up sheet for the Coffee Dates in Conway and Sunderland, but the issue has now been corrected on the Google form. My apologies for any confusion this may have caused. I’ve reached out to those who had already signed up to address the mistake.  Thank you for your understanding. Darius   October 21, 2024 Reminder: "Coffee and Conversation" Sessions - We Want to Hear From You! Dear Frontier & Union #38 Community, This is a friendly reminder about our upcoming  "Coffee and Conversation" sessions  taking place from  October 28th to November 4th  as part of the District Strategic Plan development process. These informal gatherings are a great opportunity for you to share your thoughts, ask questions, and provide valuable input on the future direction of our schools. Below are the session dates and locations: Oct 28 : Sunderland Elementary, 8:30-9:00 am Oct 30 : Conway Grammar, 8:30-9:00 am Oct 31 : Deerfield Elementary, 8:30-9:00 am Nov 1 : Frontier, 7:45-8:15 am Nov 4 : Whately Elementary, 8:30-9:00 am Virtual Meeting : Oct 30, 6:00-7:00 pm (open to all stakeholders) – Click here to join the meeting To help us prepare the space for the number of attendees, please take a moment to  RSVP  for your preferred session by clicking the link below: RSVP for Coffee and Conversation Sessions Also, our  Family/Community   Survey is coming your way soon . It’s currently in the final draft stage and will be sent out in the coming weeks. We encourage everyone to take a few moments to share your thoughts and priorities for our district’s future. We look forward to hearing from you! Warm regards, Darius Modestow Superintendent

    Monday, Oct 21 2024

  • Bridge Closure Alert!

      May 29, 2024 Hello Frontier and Deerfield families, (and I added everyone else as you may drive this road in Deerfield)  This is a notice from the Town of Deerfield. MassDOT has closed the dry bridge on North Main Street ( over the railroad tracks just north of Hillside Road ) until further notice.  Please plan accordingly if you access Frontier from the north using the 5 & 10 route to N. Main route.     Darius Modestow, Superintendent 

    Wednesday, May 29 2024

  • Work Permits and Teen Employment Protection

      May 20th, 2024  Dear Families of High School Students,  As summer approaches and many of our teenagers prepare for summer jobs, please find the attached letter from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office regarding our roles in keeping students safe at their workplaces. Work permits required by all employers for workers under 18 years of age, may be obtained  online  and processed at my office, located at the entrance to the middle school at Frontier.   Setting the stage for a safe and fun summer! Sincerely, Darius Modestow, Superintendent   

    Monday, May 20 2024

  • The Annual Weather Letter.

                                        The Annual Weather Letter Hello, Frontier & Union #38 Elementary School Families, As I felt the chill in the air today and heard the forecast for possible snow on Tuesday night, it reminded me that it's time for The Annual Weather Letter. Below are my guidelines and an explanation of how weather-related decisions are made.   Feedback on this now annual announcement has been very positive as families find it helpful to understand the decision-making process. Guidelines for weather delays or closures: School closure decisions will be made as early as possible. On the morning of a weather closure or delay, I will do my best to have the decision made by 5:15 am with a robocall and email sent out by 5:30 am. I will also continue the practice of notifying our community the night before a day that we know will have at least a two-hour delayed opening with the understanding that there may be a morning update that leads to closure.  I have heard a lot of positive feedback on this practice as it allows families to begin planning on an interrupted schedule. If a school opening delay occurs, it will be a  2-hour  delayed opening.  How school closure decisions are made:   The Superintendent of Schools ultimately makes the decision to close or delay school due to inclement weather.  However, I consult with others, including the town road crews, to make the most informed decision possible.   During a storm, I will be in direct contact with each Highway Superintendent of the four towns to learn about the current conditions of the road and their capacity to keep roads safe for bus and car travel. I review the weather using multiple weather websites and news outlets and confer with other area superintendents on their analysis of the weather and the impact on travel to the schools. Our four towns and extended community of teacher residents and school choice families cover hundreds of miles of roads with large elevation ranges and a variety of surfaces from asphalt to graded dirt.  I will do my best to make the appropriate decision for school delay or closure, However, if your situation conflicts with the district decision, please rely on your own judgment to keep you and your family safe.  Cold Weather Days: How are ‘cold days' determined, or when is it too cold to go to school? To stay consistent in cold weather decisions, I reference the following scale: Using NORA’s  wind chill safety chart  for cold weather. Cold Weather Advisory  At -15 to -24 degrees, including windchill.   The school will open as normal or delayed school opening if on the colder end of the scale, with warmer temperatures expected by mid-morning. Cold Weather Warning  At -25 degrees, including windchill  That's when we would close schools or delay if conditions are to improve drastically in the AM. Note other districts may not follow a set of guidelines for cold weather decisions. ​  Additional thoughts for families on weather events: Families should prepare a contingency plan in the event that there may be a need for a sudden early dismissal after the students are already at school. This doesn’t happen often, but it is best to have a plan for how your family will handle this situation. Parents of high school drivers or soon-to-be drivers:  Please talk to your children about driving in winter conditions.   School delays are designed to create time to properly clean cars of snow and ice and drive with more caution.   It is also a common practice among families not to allow younger drivers to have car privileges during or after winter weather events. Additionally, the high school suspends senior lunch driving privileges if road conditions are poor during lunch periods.   I wish everyone a safe and wonderful winter season! -Darius Modestow,   Superintendent 

    Monday, Nov 20 2023

  • CMSi Equity Audit

      January 2023  Dear Frontier and Union #38 Families,  Just as the new year is a time for individuals to reflect and to plan ways to improve themselves, self-examination and goal-setting for continued improvement are valuable for organizations, including school districts. A key goal for the Frontier Regional/Union 38 school district is to provide every one of our students with equitable access to a high quality education. To help us achieve this goal, we are beginning a comprehensive study of equity in our schools to determine what is or isn’t working in order to better serve our students.   We have invited Curriculum Management Solutions, Inc. (CMSi), an organization with more than 40 years' experience, to perform an audit of equity in our schools. This spring, CMSi auditors will evaluate how our school district defines expectations to ensure equity and equality in our treatment of, and services to, students. The audit report will provide an independent, unbiased and objective review of what systems we have in place to support equity in our schools. The auditors' findings will give us valuable feedback regarding the status of equity and equal access for students in our district. The audit process involves data collection and analysis, surveys, interviews, and site visits to all five of our schools during the third week in March. Families will be invited to participate in the audit process by completing a survey that I will send to you in the coming weeks and/or meeting with a member of the audit team for an interview. Upon completion, the audit findings and recommendations will be shared publicly and used to improve our practices.    I am looking forward to the audit process and welcome the findings and recommendations it will produce. I will be in contact with you soon to share the family survey and let you know how to request an interview with an auditor. I hope that you will be able to make the time to respond to the survey questions so that we can hear what is important to you.  Wishing all of you a healthy and happy 2023. Darius Modestow, Superintendent 

    Sunday, Jan 08 2023

  • free, virtual speaker series for parents and caregiv...

    Dear Parents and Caregivers, We wanted to share this free, virtual speaker series with our parent and caregiver community.  The district has been working with bryt for two years now, and in the past, these resources have been useful. Happy New Year, Sarah Mitchell & Lara Ramsey Curriculum Directors Parents Learning with Parents (PLP) FREE   Virtual Speaker Series for ALL CAREGIVERS of students in K-12 The bryt Family Engagement Team warmly invites you to participate in our Live Monthly Caregiver Speaker Series Learn from community members with expertise in areas most requested by parents. IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW: Parents/caregivers are  not on camera  -- only the speaker is  Parents/caregivers have the option of typing questions into chat Need additional supports? check out our Family Support Resources  and  free weekly virtual support groups Parents Learning with Parents (PLP) FREE Virtual Speaker Series for ALL CAREGIVERS of students in K-12 2022-2023 SCHEDULE. All events will be recorded, each link wil take you to the recording of that event.  January 18th, 7pm           Parenting While Grieving. Helping yourself and                                 your child cope with grief and the grieving process. Speaker: Dr. Jessica Griffin, PysD. Executive Director of   the UMASS Children Trauma Training Center                     Link:  https://youtu.be/QyLQyZhYs0c    February 8th, 7pm      Adolescent Substance use- what every parent needs to know about substances, use, and how to support kids.  Speakers:  Lisa Blanchard, Chief Clinical Officer of Spectrum Health services                     Link:  https://youtu.be/dme0495hwtU   March 15th, 7pm       Ready [or not] to Launch:  Preparing for your Child’s  post-high school chapter Speakers:  TBD                     Link:  https://youtu.be/8zCDIg18V6k   April 26th, 7pm           Parenting Kids and Teens on the Spectrum                     Speakers: TBD                     Link:  https://youtu.be/lE_vNaSXJ2k   May 10th, 7pm           What Your LGBTQIA++ child most needs from you Speakers:  TBD                     Link:  https://youtu.be/IVyEldgzLXU  

    Tuesday, Jan 03 2023

  • Join Our Antiracism & Equity Committee

      Parent, Faculty & Community Invitation to Join the Antiracism and Equity Committee  September 16,  2022 Dear Frontier Families and Community, This year we are beginning our third year of focused antiracism and equity work to make our schools an inclusive space for all students. Our Antiracism and Equity Committee (A&E Committee), which began in the fall of 2020, is a central part of this work. The A&E Committee comes together during the school year to learn about curriculum; engage our community; assist in the design of policy; and propose ideas related to school culture.  The committee is always interested in adding new members to the group and hearing the voices of our community. In order to increase participation and representation this year, our A & E committee has two participation options.  The first option is to become a full working group member. In this role, you will work with other committee members and serve on one of our sub-committees. There are four full committee meetings scheduled for this year, as well as some smaller meetings based on which subcommittee you join. The second option is to become a supporting member. Committee members who choose this option will receive A&E committee updates and can attend meetings when their schedule allows. Each A&E committee meeting is broken into two parts: the full committee meets for 45 minutes, followed by a 45-minute subcommittee meeting; as a supporting member, you would attend the first 45 minutes. I am pleased to announce our continued partnership with Romney Associates. They will continue to help guide us in our work and provide leadership coaching to the administrative team. The first meeting of the A & E committee will take place on  Wednesday, October 12th, at 3:30 pm.  The meetings will continue to be virtual to accommodate the schedules of our members.  Please sign up if you are interested in participating this year.  If you served last year, please also sign up and forward this note to others who may be interested.  You may click on the link below to sign up or email  jennifer.shumway@frsu38.org .  We will send a confirmation email next week to those who have signed up.  Sincerely, Darius Modestow, Superintendent

    Friday, Sep 16 2022