N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 9 | Vo l u m e 2 , n u m b e r 1
T HE O FFICIAL P UBLICATION OF THE M ARBLEHEAD C OMMUNITY C HARTER P UBLIC S CHOOL
Trust and Confi-
dence Are Keys
to Peaceful Corps
BY DR. ALBERT F. ARGENZIANO
I
was walking through the school the other
day and it struck me: the work environ-
ment at MCCPS is somewhat like the
Peace Corps, combining professional expertise
with native ingenuity in an environment of
trust.
Some of you may remember that President
John F. Kennedy appointed Sargent Shriver as
the first executive director of the Peace Corps.
One of Shriver’s first appointments was
Nicholas Hobbs as director of selection for the
Peace Corps. Hobbs created the first set of
guidelines by which Peace Corps volunteers
would be chosen.
Hobbs considered an important question:
Do you look for individuals with technical and
professional training or prioritize native intelli-
gence? He believed in finding positive solu-
tions to difficult situations and in not dwelling
on the negative, and created his recruitment
guidelines based on those beliefs. The goal of
the Peace Corps was to promote peace and
friendship and improve the quality of life of
the people with whom the volunteers lived
and worked.
Thus, the perfect Peace Corps would be
made up of people who share a vision of pro-
moting peace and friendship. They would be
secure enough in themselves to be able to go
into an environment of hardship and continue
their entire tour of service. They would need
See PEACEFUL CORPS, page 4
2 New Faces
on the
Field
“Our school is small enough that we can experiment, which has been a lot of fun. We have cooked with baby bok choy, a variety
of interesting grains, purple and pink potatoes, and even ‘tie-dyed’ baby carrots!” — Chef Laura
Kay O’Dwyer works with Sophia. Corinne listens to instructions.
Helping Students Succeed
BY NINA CULLEN-HAMZEH lowing initiatives were implemented. • Some mathematically talented 7th
• For the struggling students (math, graders have been studying Algebra
“
M
CCPS fosters a commu-
reading and/or writing), additional I with the 8th grade. Mrs. Rebecca
nity that empowers chil-
time on learning has been created Perry, 8th Grade Math Teacher and
dren.” This is the open-
by exempting them from foreign Math/Science Department Chair, is
ing sentence of our mission statement,
language instruction. This is an excited by their progress, and she
and were I charged with synthesizing
unfortunate sacrifice (because we will consult with officials at
who we are and what we strive to do,
value foreign language for all), but Marblehead High School to deter-
those are the words I would choose.
this change has resulted in two or mine the level of math that these
Last year, we planted seeds of innova-
three (depending upon grade level) students will study next year.
tion to empower children, and the
additional 45-minute classes per • The strong 8th graders are also
benefits were such that an even more
week in the area of need. Specific experiencing accelerated math
extensive program has been designed.
enrichments have also been instruction. They are expected to
After a thorough review of MCAS
assigned to some students. It is complete Algebra I by April and will
and NWEA scores, the CUE
expected that via this support, these then study a combined introduction
Report, and teacher observations,
children will be better able to to Geometry and Algebra II. These
students needing specialized assis-
achieve at grade-level. See HELPING STUDENTS, page 3
tance were identified, and the fol-
3 Hitting the 4 Fifteen
High Notes Years...
 N av i g at o r S p o r t s
MAGNA CH RTER
Volume 1,Number 3,November 2009 New Faces on the Field
Soccer Club. He currently holds a
Magna Charter Staff United States Soccer Federation
& Contributors Level E License, is certified by the
Dr. Albert Argenziano National Soccer Coaches
Kathleen Cormier Association of America (NSCAA),
Nina Cullen-Hamzeh and obtained his State Goalkeeper’s
Michael Houlihan
License from the NSCAA.
Mary McRae
Coach Daly comes to us with a
Kay O'Dwyer
Mike Ruth wealth of running experience—
Laura Smith from cross-country, road racing and
Nancy Marland Wolinski track in Ireland to marathon run-
ning since his move to the USA
MCCPS Board of Trustees
in the ’90s. Coach Daly's favorite
Emil Ronchi, Chair event is the marathon, having
Cathy Vaucher, Vice Chair MCCPS students bond on the x-country team.
completed 10 including six Boston
Dr. John Sullivan, Treasurer The MCCPS athletics program continues to marathons. In 1998, he finished 313th overall at
John McEnaney, Clerk
expand under the direction of Athletic Director Boston with an official time of 2:46:01.
Nina Cullen-Hamzeh
Mike Ruth.This year, we have some wonderful
Cynthia Canavan
Matt Cronin additions to our coaching staff: Mr. George Teams Up!
Dr. Alice de Koning Shapiro, Mr. Alexander Eaton, and Mr. Seamus
Daly. With all this new help, the athletics depart-
Chris Fauci
Coach Shapiro is a graduate of the University ment is growing. New this year, we hope to offer
Bob Sousa
of Dayton. For the past six years, he has been a baseball, softball and golf, and we are even
MCCPS School Staff exploring the possibility of sailing and ski teams!
volunteer coach at the elementary and middle
Dr. Albert Argenziano On the field, varsity soccer has been off and
Interim Managing Director school levels and is a driving force behind
Marblehead Youth Softball. He has served as running with a 4-2-0 record. The team has been
Nina Cullen-Hamzeh playing and working hard. JV soccer had their
Academic Director assistant coach for girls’ soccer with the
Marblehead Youth Soccer Association and is a very first win against Salem Academy!
Eileen Perry Navigator Cross-Country has been going
Assistant to the Directors Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association Level
G certified coach. strong as well. The team has had a number of
Molly Wright meets involving multiple schools. We participat-
Student Services Coordinator Coach Eaton has served in multiple capacities
with Nahant Youth Soccer and Swampscott ed in the 1st Annual Massachusetts Middle
Jed O'Connor
Director of Special Education Youth Soccer. Eaton also is founder of the Impact School Meet in Devens.
Jeffrey Barry
Business Manager
Nutrition News
Our Mission
MCCPS fosters a community that empowers
children to become capable, self-determining, fully
Loco for Local Produce
engaged individuals who are critical and creative The MCCPS Nutrition Department had a and even ‘tie-dyed’ carrots!”
thinkers committed to achieving their highest busy summer that has continued into fall. MCCPS also recently took part in the annual
intellectual, artistic, social, emotional, and physical Chef Laura DeSantis has been working with Massachusetts Harvest for Students Week, a
potential. We are dedicated to involving, learning The Massachusetts Farm-to-School Project, an week-long celebration of fresh and local fruits
from, participating in, and serving our school initiative sponsored by the Department of and vegetables on our lunch menu, from both
community and the community at large. local farms and the school’s own vegetable
Agriculture and the Farm Bureau Agricultural
Preservation Corporation. She was put in garden, which was planted last spring. With
Magna Charter is the official touch with local farms and farmers who are continuing studies indicating that students
newsletter of MCCPS. served fresh, locally grown items tend to eat
now supplying fresh fruits, vegetables and
significantly more fruits and vegetables, the
MCCPS grains to our kitchen.
17 Lime Street Farm-to-School connection believes it is mak-
Chef Laura appreciates the range of avail-
Marblehead, MA 01945 ing a positive difference at a time of concern
able items.“Our school is small enough that
Phone: 781-631-0777 about childhood obesity, while simultaneously
we can experiment, which has been a lot fun.
Fax: 781-631-0500 improving the local economy, local food securi-
We have cooked with baby bok choy, a variety
www.marbleheadcharter.org ty and opportunities for Massachusetts farms.
of interesting grains, purple and pink potatoes,

2 W H AT ’ S N EW ( S ) AT M CC PS — N OV E M B E R 2 0 0 9
Adria Smith:Hitting the High Notes
BY MARY MCRAE
W hen Adria Smith arrived at MCCPS seven
years ago to be the music teacher, all she had
was a piano. There were few music supplies or
instruments, which was lucky since there was no
music room to put them in. Undaunted, Ms. Smith
got a grant for a new drum set, and the music pro-
gram has been thriving ever since.
Thanks to her boundless energy and infectious
P TO N e w s
The school year is off to a great start and it’s
been terrific to get to know all the new names
and faces here at MCCPS.
Thanks to the following folks who have
already stepped up this year:
• Jim Nye, President of National Grand Bank,
Marblehead, for the donation to the gener-
al PTO fund. We greatly appreciate your
support and will use the money wisely (to
support enrichment week activities).
• Susan Conlin, who has stepped forth to be
PTO secretary for the year.
• Kristen Settelmeyer, who recently stepped
down as PTO secretary. Kristen, thanks for
all of your hard work!
• Holly Sullivan, who has stepped forth to
assist our Treasurer, Avery Russell. Thanks
to you both for keeping the accounts!
• Paula Gold, a parent new to the school
who dove head first into the waters and
enthusiasm, the school now has a music room, and
Ms. Smith has a different problem: where to put all
the music supplies. “Music is so enjoyable,” she said.
“I love sharing that with the students.”
With a degree in jazz arranging and composition
from the Berklee College of Music, Ms. Smith (who
earned four music credits at the University of
Madison, Wisconsin while a student at West High
School) also performs in a band called the Jazz
Navigators, and her compositions have been played
by greats such as James Brown’s drummer, Clyde
Stubblefield.
Ms. Smith understands that each student connects
with music differently. “Some students are more com-
fortable singing, others playing instruments, and still
others in composition. I want to be sure there’s some-
thing there for everyone,” she explains.
A Symphony of Choice
Music at MCCPS is fun and elaborate. Every grade
has music twice a week, for 45 minutes. Each student
learns how to sing, play keyboard, compose, analyze
and read music—and is graded in each of the cate-
gories. There is a full keyboard lab where students
may practice at their own level. During enrichment
period, there are often other courses offered such as
strings, choir, band, jazz music, MCCPS IDOL, musi-
cals and more.
At the end of grade 4, each child has the option to
learn a band instrument (flute, clarinet, oboe, saxo-
phone, trumpet, trombone or drums). The MCCPS
organized field day during School Spirit
Week. She did fabulous job! Thanks to
everyone who helped.
• Franny Poisson, who has graciously
stepped up to expand our Gift Book
Program.
The PTO will be sponsoring a Community
Service Day as part of the "Giving Thanks
Week" that will follow 1st Exhibition. This
afternoon of projects was well-received
by students, parents, teachers, and the
community last year, and we are looking
forward to positively impacting as many
people as possible this year. If you'd like
to help with this or any other PTO project,
please contact Kathy Cormier at
KMCormier@aol.com.
We look forward to another great year here
at MCCPS!
W H AT ’ S N EW ( S ) AT M CC PS — N OV E M B E R 2 0 0 9
Adria Smith
band is very popular, with 60 students meeting on
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30-8:15am to prac-
tice. The band performs many times each year, at
exhibitions and a year-end band competition, and
has won awards for excellence.
The music program is integrated with other cur-
riculum areas, with fourth graders learning songs in
French and Spanish, for example, and sixth graders
creating compositions to accompany their poetry
projects. Looking forward, Ms. Smith is excited to
expand the singing program at all grades. “We’ve got-
ten in a lot more actual chorus material this year, new
scores that we can work on at all grades.”
As if there isn’t enough to do, at the top of Smith’s
wish list is to take on another musical. “Last year, we
got funding to put on the musical Into the Woods,
which was an incredibly involved but rewarding
experience,” she says. “I’d love to raise enough money
to do another show – perhaps Peter Pan.”
HELPING STUDENTS
Continued from page 1
students will likely be placed in Geometry Honors as
freshmen.
One of my greatest joys as an instructional leader is
the opportunity to effectuate change that improves a
child’s educational experience. This is not an easy task,
but is a worthy endeavor and deserving of the time and
effort it requires. Elaine McEwan, in her book, 10 Traits
of Highly Effective Principals, states that: “Sometimes pro-
grams must be tailored to meet the needs of small
groups of students. Highly effective principals have the
courage it often takes to step out and meet those needs.”
At MCCPS, we have always chosen to do what we
believe is in the best interest of the children; addressing
the needs of the struggling and the gifted students within
our school is certainly in their best interest. The efficacy
of this initiative will be monitored closely, and it is our
hope that these steps will result in even greater levels of
academic achievement.
3
Fifteen Years...
BY KAY O’DWYER
O ne of the first charter schools in Massachu-
setts, MCCPS opened its doors in 1995 with
grades 5, 6, and 7. The following year, grade 8
was added, and in 2004 the school expanded to
include grade 4.
As with any “road less traveled,” the journey of
charter schools has had twists and turns, and
MCCPS has not been exempt. However, as we
Founding Faculty: Nina Cullen-Hamzeh, Jeff Barry, Bob Erbetta,
Katie Sullivan, Ann Chandler, Pam Miller
E x h i b i t i o n O v e r v i e w — C o m m u n i c at i o n
Grade 4 Grade
Grade 4
students
embraced the
overarching
theme of
Communi-
cation and
assumed
roles as
immigrants.
They wrote narratives about their journey to
America and hopes for the future, and created col-
lages.They dressed in national costume,
researched and recorded recipes, prepared pass-
ports and constructed family trees using French
and Spanish terms.They entered the bridge-
building business. As Project Directors, Architects,
Carpenters and Accountants, they worked
together to build a successful structure and com-
pany, reflecting on their progress in journals.
Students also explored communication through
the study of American Sign Language and will
perform a song on Exhibition night.
4 W H AT ’ S N EW ( S ) AT M CC PS — N OV E M B E R 2 0 0 9
mark our fifteenth anniversary and anticipate the
renewal of our charter for the next five years, we
have much to celebrate.
Our recently revamped mission statement con-
tinues to emphasize community both within our
walls and in the greater community. We actively
encourage and promote family involvement in all
areas, from participation in MAPs (My
Achievement Plans) to leading enrichments and
volunteering in the kitchen. Parents were instru-
mental in founding our school and are
an integral part of our community. They
can log onto Parents’ Corner to check
their children’s grades and status of
work. At each Exhibition, parents see
their children grow as critical-thinking,
self-motivated learners.
As our student body has expanded,
so too has our facility, with the addition
of a gym, new classrooms, a computer
lab, and music and art rooms. Students
have myriad opportunities, including a
sports program with cross country, soc-
cer, basketball and track; a vibrant
music program (see story, page 3); two
foreign languages; a nutrition program
that has received state-wide recognition;
an organic vegetable garden; an
aquaponics component; a newly-created
5 Grade
Grade 5 students are studying communication
through culture. Using learned math and science
skills, students acted as architects and builders as
they created scale model representations of his-
toric buildings from the cultures studied. They
researched and represented artifacts chosen from
a culture and became curators and guides in their
“museum.”
outdoor experience program; and so much more.
The Department of Education charged charter
schools to be innovative leaders in the field of
education, and MCCPS exemplifies that innova-
tion and reform.
PEACEFUL CORPS
Continued from page 1
to be able to adapt their individual skills while working
with other volunteers and locals. They would be able to
integrate themselves into their host community and the
culture of the people they are helping. The perfect Peace
Corps would be made up of both individuals with tech-
nical and professional training as well as local people
who show intelligence and ingenuity.
At MCCPS, the strategies and skills needed are simi-
lar. People need to trust and have confidence in the
working relationships of all involved. They need to be
flexible and they need to be able to adapt their skills
while blending those skills with the skills of others. They
need to conduct themselves in a respectful and profes-
sional manner. Finally, they need to work within the
rules and regulations of the workplace in order to
achieve common goals and outcomes.
With this in mind, it’s no wonder that the building is
a vibrant, peaceful place.
6
Grade 6 students are poets and will share
their work at a Poetry Café. Their poems
include Cinquians, Quatrains, Haikus and “I
Can’t Write a Poem” Poems. They illustrated
their poems. They became transportation
engineers as they designed and built work-
ing battery-powered cars. Students will dis-
play their cars
and share their
knowledge of
subsystems and
forces. They
worked as pit
crews, learning
and imple-
menting strate-
gies as a team.
Plotting a New Chapter
BY EMIL RONCHI, CHAIR OF MCCPS BOARD OF TRUSTEES
T he best laid plans “of mice and men” may
often go awry, but the MCCPS Board of
Trustees understands that no success is possible
without a plan to begin with. The overarching
vision of our strategic plan guided us in setting
goals for this year:
Secure Charter Renewal
This is a primary function of the Board. Every
five years, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
authorizes—or not—renewal of the charter that
allows MCCPS to operate. As the first charter
school to open its doors in Massachusetts, this is
the third time that we are seeking renewal of our
charter. We expect that we have earned the privi-
lege, not without some bumps along the way, and
look forward to demonstrating and communicat-
ing our success during the state’s official site visits
coming up.
Add Two New Members to the Board of Trustees
Along with developing an orientation program
for Trustees and a succession plan for Trustee lead-
ership, we have set a goal of adding two new
Members. Our Governance Committee is tasked
with meeting these goals, but the volunteer spirit
of the MCCPS community must ultimately deliver.
Are YOU ready to step up? Consider participating
Grade 7 Grade
Grade 7 students developed their own civi-
lizations based on historical evidence, and
will attempt to sell plots of land on Exhibi-
tion night. In Foreign Language, students
wrote “I Am” Poems in the voice of an
ancient citizen of Mesopotamia and
designed travel posters. In science, they
created a simile of a cell’s structure using
mixed media and studied the human body,
including the nervous, digestive and excre-
tory systems. Students learned about nutri-
tion. In math, they surveyed
a sample popu-
lation on their
nutritional
knowledge
and habits, and
will share their
conclusions in a
corresponding
graph.
in one of the Board Committees or any Task Force
to make contributions and gain valuable insight.
Hire a Managing Director
Over the last three years, the Board has devel-
oped an understanding of the management model
most desirable for MCCPS. We decided on a bifur-
cated administration with one Academic Director
and one Managing Director, each reporting equally
to the Board of Trustees. We modified our bylaws
to allow for the new structure. We developed job
descriptions and contracted an Interim Managing
Director, Dr. Argenziano, on a part-time basis. This
year, we are prepared to move forward with the
hiring of a full-time Managing Director for the
coming school year.
Create a Detailed Project Plan Regarding the
Expansion
We intend to add two third-grade classrooms
and additional instructional space for existing
grades in the portion of our building that we do
not yet occupy. We have launched an Expansion
Task Force to deliver on this goal, and expect to
open our doors to third-graders in the 2012-2013
school year. Perhaps we will then be prepared to
formulate plans for expansion into a full pre-K
through 12 program…
It’s an exciting time in the life of MCCPS!
8 tions such as "Where do I fit in? What am I good at?
Grade 8 students wrote essays on the book
Animal Farm that presented arguments for
which animals were most responsible for
the utopia becoming a dystopia. Students
also wrote essays on Chew on This. They cre-
ated propaganda posters based on their
essays and Revolutionary American History.
Students used their knowledge of slope to
determine if access ramps in their communi-
ties meet code; they compiled data and
evidence to determine such and then wrote
letters to officials with their findings. They
built their own ramps to code.
W H AT ’ S N EW ( S ) AT M CC PS — N OV E M B E R 2 0 0 9
Counselor’s
Corner
B Y M IKE H OULIHAN
We welcome Mr.
Houlihan, our new
guidance counselor, as
a regular columnist.
ach MCCPS student
E has unique interests,
strengths and needs.The
staff and students work together to develop good
habits for a healthy body, sound mind, and safe sur-
roundings while overcoming challenges and foster-
ing opportunities.
Until good nutrition comes in a pill, a well-bal-
anced diet is the best fuel for energetic and focused
students. Combining a good night's sleep with a
healthy breakfast ensures that students are ready
to learn.Visit www.MyPyramid.gov for resources.
Without a release valve, the well-fed and well-
rested student can be the hyper-energetic student.
Exercise helps students stay on task and builds
strength, coordination and stamina. Organized
sports and individual activities (biking or walking)
offer young people a way to make friends, chal-
lenge themselves, and become well-rounded indi-
viduals. Go to www.healthierUS.gov for more
ideas.
Relationships are often a challenge during
middle school, and young people reflect on ques-
Who shares my interests?" The answers can lead to
happy days and sad times as students become
more self-aware.
The creative, informational, and social power
of the Internet is generally positive and people can
now create and post content at websites like
Facebook and YouTube. However, it can also mean
that the bullying behavior of the school yard now
follows young people home.When messages
intended to hurt other people are posted or texted,
hundreds of peers can read gossip or view poten-
tially embarrassing images.What can parents do?
Locate a home computer in a public place (kitchen
or family room). Set strict time boundaries for
schoolwork or play on the computer. Be aware of
the sites your child is visiting. Change privacy set-
tings as you see fit.Visit www.NetSmartz.org or
www.safekids.com.
By teaching proven habits and learning about
modern pitfalls, the MCCPS community offers stu-
dents a chance to be healthy, happy, and successful
individuals. Be well!
— Mr. Houli
5
MAGNA CH RTER
SOON-TO-BE HAPPEN I NGS

Thursday, December 3 at 7:00 PM

MCCPS Board Meeting

Saturday, December 5
Artisans’ Craft Fair

Monday, December 7 at 4:15 PM

MCCPS at My Brother’s Table

Wednesday, December 16 at 8:00 AM

Dialogue with the Directors

MAGNA CHARTER November 2009

What’s New(s) at MCCPS

“Arne Duncan, Dear MCCPS Families and Friends,
Secretary of Edu-
As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, we must
cation, stated that remember that MCCPS exists because a group of
‘When schools courageous parents and educators converted an old
Elks Lodge into a school, created an engaging, stan-
become the center dards-driven, performance-based curriculum, and
of the community, then welcomed community members to participate
great things hap- in the education of the children. This was revolu-
tionary in 1995, and since then, MCCPS has
pen.’ MCCPS has become a successful and replicable example of
always believed innovation and educational reform.
this.” Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, stated that
— Nina Cullen-Hamzeh
“When schools become the center of the communi-
ty, great things happen.” MCCPS has always believ-
ed this. The Secretary says that schools should offer
a longer day and a longer year, enriching programs,
after school activities, and opportunities for parents
to become involved at school. We do all of these
things, and are continually looking for ways to do
them better.
President Obama encouraged students to set
goals for their education and to do everything they
can to meet those goals. He said, “whatever you
resolve to do, I want you to commit to it. I want
you to really work at it.” We support the President’s
call to action; this pedagogy has always been
embraced by MCCPS. Since 1995, every student
has created, worked toward, and been supported in
achieving his/her own goals.
So much has been accomplished in 15 years.
Thank you for being a part of this remarkable jour-
ney.
Nina Cullen-Hamzeh
Academic Director