NEARI School’s Commitment During Times of Change
11/22/2024
Dear NEARI Community,
As we navigate the ongoing changes in education policy at the federal level, I want to take a moment to directly address our staff, families, and supporters. At NEARI School, our mission to create a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for all our students will not change, regardless of the political climate. I know that many of you are concerned about how potential changes to the U.S. Department of Education or special education policies could affect our students. Please know that we are prepared and focused on ensuring that our school remains a strong and stable place for every member of our community.
While there is uncertainty about what the future may hold, I want to share that the law that protects students with disabilities—the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)—has been in place for decades, and it would continue to protect students, even if the Education Department were to change or be eliminated. The Department of Education plays an important role in supporting and enforcing these rights, but much of the responsibility for special education will continue to rest with states and local communities. The protections in IDEA will remain intact and we will continue to advocate for these essential rights.
Regardless here are some key steps we are already taking to ensure that NEARI stays strong and is prepared:
Diversifying Funding and Advocating for Resources: We are actively seeking new funding opportunities and building strong partnerships to ensure that our programs are well-supported, no matter what happens at the federal level. NEARI works closely with organizations like MAAPS and AISNE, and we are dedicated to making sure that our voices are heard, especially when it comes to advocating for the needs of students with disabilities.
Prioritizing Teacher Recruitment and Retention: We understand that having the right staff is critical to our students’ success. That's why we continue to improve our employee benefits, salaries, and professional development programs to attract and retain the best educators and staff. We also continue to ensure that all of our staff meet the high standards required to support our students effectively.
Strengthening Communication and Advocacy for Families: We are committed to keeping families informed and supported through any changes that may come. We will continue to provide regular updates, resources, and guidance to help families navigate the challenges ahead. You can always reach out to us if you have questions or need support.
While we don’t know exactly how things will unfold at the federal level, we are confident that NEARI’s core mission—ensuring a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment for our students—will remain unchanged. Our staff and families have always been resilient and together, we will continue to face whatever comes our way with strength and determination.
To our staff: Your dedication and commitment to our students makes NEARI a place of hope and opportunity.
To our families: Your trust and partnership are what drives our work every day.
Together, we will continue to provide the best possible school for our students to ensure their success. Please know that we are here to answer any questions and provide guidance as we move forward. Let’s continue working together to make NEARI School an even stronger community.
With gratitude,
Matthew Schibley LMHC
Executive Director
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09/06/2024
Dear NEARI Families and Community,
Welcome back to another exciting school year at the NEARI School! I hope this message finds you well and that your summer was restful and rejuvenating. As we launch into the 2024-2025 academic year, I am filled with gratitude and enthusiasm for the incredible journey we’re embarking on together.
Last year marked my first year as Executive Director, and it was a privilege to connect with so many of you—parents, guardians and community members. Over the past year, I’ve witnessed firsthand the remarkable resilience and growth in our students, fostered by NEARI's uniquely relational and trauma-informed approach. Our mission to nurture each student’s strengths, social-emotional development, and academic skills continues to be at the core of everything we do.
As we look ahead, I’m excited to share some updates:
Expanded Programming: NEARI is committed to delivering the most comprehensive and high quality education to our students. This summer we partnered with Landmark College Institute for Research and Training (LCIRT) for two full days of professional development on Neurodiversity and Executive Functioning in the classroom. Additionally, we are currently exploring reinvigorating our transition program for post secondary and life skill supports to further enhance our ability to support our students.
Staff Growth: Our team has been growing! I am excited to announce that we have increased support across many programs here at NEARI. This year we added an additional clinician in our Adolescent Program, an additional part time brain based specialist who will focus on supporting literacy skills and have augmented our teaching staff! So welcome to all our new and talented educators and support staff who share NEARI’s commitment to creating a safe, nurturing environment.
Community Engagement: We will continue to have opportunities for families to engage with our school community, starting with our PAC Meeting on October 17th (further details forthcoming). These sort of events are a wonderful way to connect, share insights, and strengthen our collaborative efforts to support our school.
To our returning families, I am grateful for your trust and continued partnership. To our new families, welcome! I look forward to getting to know you and your children as we navigate the school year together. NEARI is a place where every voice matters, and I’m excited for all the learning, connection, and growth ahead.
My first year was filled with such heartwarming traditions, from the Fall Festival and Chili Bake, Halloween, to our Thanksgiving Dinner, School Dances, Winter Holiday Celebrations and even the celebrations after successfully completing MCAS Testing! I look forward to experiencing these events again with our community and making new memories along the way.
I remain committed to rolling up my sleeves and getting involved wherever I can—whether it's in the classroom, at events, or even a friendly game of foosball with our students. There are many things that we hope to accomplish this year and I am excited to see what we can do!
Thank you for your ongoing support of NEARI School. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or just want to say hello. I look forward to another meaningful and transformative year together.
Warm regards,
Matt Schibley, MA LMHC
Executive Director