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Learning Never Stops at FPS!

Posted Date: 08/12/26 (12:00 PM)


Learning Never Stops at Framingham Public Schools!

August 12, 2026

Summer Learning in Action

While our classrooms are quiet for the summer, our staff’s dedication to learning hasn't slowed down! Across all 15 schools and central offices, FPS educators and staff are spending their break attending workshops, earning certifications, and bringing fresh, innovative ideas back for our students this fall. We are so proud of their hard work behind the scenes and are excited to highlight their commitment to continuous growth—read on to see how our staff is preparing for a fantastic school year ahead!
Logo for the Center for Relational Learning with three circular symbols and text.

Relational Leadership Intensive

Idalis Irizarry (Music Teacher & School Leader Apprentice, Brophy Elementary School) attended a three-day intensive in Wethersfield, CT. The workshop focused on a "Relationships-First Approach" to build relational cultures that strengthen learning, belonging, and community through authentic family and community engagement.
A woman stands on the deck of an aircraft carrier, with the ship's island and American flag in the background.

Breaking the Cold War: From Détente to Desert Storm

Shane Galvin (History Teacher, Framingham High School) spent a week studying late Cold War history aboard the USS Midway in San Diego, CA. She toured the ship with veterans and attended lectures by historians to bring fresh perspectives to her high school history classes.  One of the most eye-opening talks was from the former Curator of the International Spy Museum on why 1983 was the most dangerous year in history!   
A diverse group of ten people stand on stone steps in front of a brick building.

Public Education Leadership Project (PELP) at Harvard Graduate School of Education

Members of the FPS Leadership Team—Robert Tremblay, Anne Ludes, Courtney Balacco, Evanggelia Diamantopoulos, Vanessa Acheampong, Lori Bruce, Shavonne Lord, and Marybeth O'Brien—participated in this prestigious institute at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. As one of only 9 Massachusetts districts selected, the team worked directly with Harvard scholars to strengthen leadership and management practices across all Framingham schools.
A person walks on a leaf-covered path through a lush, green rainforest.

Academy in the Amazon (Morpho Institute)

Rebecca Maynard (AP Environmental Science & Honors Biology Teacher, Framingham High School) traveled to the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest through a National Education Association grant. She practiced inquiry-based learning in the world's most biodiverse environment and is designing a new lesson for students to analyze environmental and cultural impacts on protected rainforest lands.
A smiling person holds a small, orange, gel-like object on a paper towel in a laboratory setting.

Bite-Sized Science: Science and Cooking (Harvard University)

Noa HaLevi (Chemistry Teacher, Framingham High School) completed a two-week program learning how to teach chemistry concepts through food and cooking, giving students hands-on ways to connect science to everyday life.
The SciC16 logo, "SCIENCE IS COOL," with "A VIRTUAL UNCONFERENCE FOR COOL TEACHERS" below.

ScIC 16 - Science is Cool Virtual Workshop

Rachel Mark (7th Grade Science Teacher, Cameron Middle School) participated in a virtual science conference featuring live sessions with active volcanologists, marine biologists, NOAA experts, and astronomers. The workshop highlighted real-world phenomena and cutting-edge discoveries to spark student curiosity. Equipped with an extensive new resource guide, Rachel is excited to share these fresh ideas and tools across her department!
A speaker presents at a conference, with slides showing 'Practice Improvement' and 'multilingual communities'.

11th Doctoral Research Conference (University of Málaga, Spain)

Bernardo Llorente (Manager of Translation and Interpretation Services) presented his ongoing research on Institutional Translation Practices in Education. His work focuses on improving accuracy, readability, and communication access for multilingual families.
A large whiteboard displays a colorful infographic titled 'Importance of Data' with hand-drawn illustrations and text.

National Association of School Nurses Annual Conference

Aurelia Medina (Coordinator of Health Services) joined over 1,000 school nurse leaders to collaborate on strategies for care coordination, root-cause wellness, and supporting safe, healthy learning environments for all students.
Two attendees, Dani and Juliette, smile at a conference table with a sign reading 'Nuts and Bolts of School Nutrition Programs Summer Conference'.

Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition Summer Conference

School Nutrition leaders Dario Nardi and Juliene Lelis connected with state educational specialists at the 2026 Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition Programs Conference. The sessions focused on the future of school meals, regulatory updates, and new resources to ensure our National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs run efficiently. Our team returned with fresh tools to keep providing healthy, high-quality, and fully compliant meals to our students every day!
A woman named Natasha, wearing a name tag, is seated at a table with a water bottle and papers.

Landmark Outreach Workshops

Natasha Moshinsky (Special Education Math Teacher, Framingham High School) completed training focused on translating assessment data into student learning profiles, supporting underlying cognitive processes in mathematics, and strengthening executive functioning skills for student success.
Logo for The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition at Framingham State University.

Nutrition Managers Complete 2026 Management Institute

School Nutrition Managers Morena Martinez Mejia (Hemenway), Claudia Pinto de Figueroa (Walsh), Deanna Gannon (Potter Rd), Yeisi Revolorio Buendia (Brophy), Marshele Sharpe (Farley), and Assistant Director Juliene Lelis attended the 2026 Management Institute hosted by the John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition. Over three intensive days, our cafeteria leaders completed up to 21 hours of training focused on chef-guided cost and portion control, standardized recipes, effective communication, and team leadership. Our team returned with fresh ideas to market school meals, optimize cafeteria operations, and serve high-quality, delicious food to our students every day!
A diverse group of nine people stand together in front of a whiteboard with writing.

MTA Summer Conference: Community Schools in Framingham: A Whole-School Transformation Strategy

The McCarthy Community School team—Vice Principal Sara Machkowsky, 5th Grade Teacher Lori Brockway, Kindergarten Teacher Shawna Graham, Reading Teacher Meghan Surprise, Community School Coordinator Rosanne Ackerman, and Education Association of Framingham (EAF) President Chris Mulroney—recently represented Framingham Public Schools at the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) Conference. As Framingham’s first designated Community School and an official pilot program for the MTA, the team presented on their pioneering work showcasing innovative strategies for full community integration and comprehensive, wraparound family support.