News Release – Selection of Steering Committee Members

Melrose High School names steering committee for NEASC Accreditation

Principal Joseph Dillon of Melrose High School has announced the names of steering committee members who will direct the school's efforts during its self-study and the accreditation by the Commission on Public Secondary Schools of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.  The committee will be co-chaired by Guidance Director John Buxton and Paula Conis an English Teacher at Melrose High School.

 The other members of the committee are:

 Special Education Teacher Cari Berman, Assistant Principal Marianne Farrell, Wellness Teacher Suzanne Fogarty, Fine Arts Teacher Anna Maria Melito and Foreign Language Teacher Denise Wagstaff.

 NEASC membership requires that a school undergo a self-study and formal evaluation at least once every ten years.  The Steering Committee's responsibilities will include coordinating a schedule of events for the school's self-study, collecting reports from various subcommittees, and making necessary preparations for the evaluation committee's visit.

 According to John Buxton and Paula Conis, "The self-study will include the completion of a School and Community profile which will provide information about the City of Melrose as well as the school and the students it serves, and a comprehensive assessment of teaching and learning and the support of teaching and learning.  The focus of the evaluation visit will be to determine the extent to which our programs and services carry out the school's mission and expectations for student learning and meet the Commission's Standard for Accreditation."

COMMUNITY RESIDENTS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN ACCREDITATION OF MELROSE HIGH SCHOOL.

Principal Joseph Dillon of Melrose High School would like to invite parents of Melrose High School students and other interested community residents to assist in a self-study which is currently being conducted by the school professional staff.

 The self-study is a significant component in the evaluation process which will lead to the accreditation of Melrose High School by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

 Joseph Dillon noted that all aspects of the school will be evaluated during the self-study.  Volunteers are needed to serve on committees which will evaluate the areas of Mission and Expectations for Student Learning, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment of Student Learning.

 The New England Association of Schools and Colleges is a voluntary membership organization of more than 2000 public schools, colleges and universities, independent schools, and vocational/technical and career institutions.  Approximately 650 public schools throughout New England are currently accredited through the Association's Commission on Public Secondary Schools.  The Commission works with individual schools to improve the quality of their programs at all levels through a process of self-study, evaluation, and follow-up activities.

 Anyone interested in volunteering time or in learning more about the self-study should contact John Buxton/Paula Conis, who are coordinating the evaluation process at the school.  They may be reached at 781-979-2200 during school hours.

For more information contact:

Person:  John Buxton / Paula Conis

School:  Melrose High School

City/State/Zip:  Melrose, MA   02176

Telephone:  781-979-2200

Date:   September 25, 2008