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Superintendent to launch monthly newsletter; district confirms start dates for 2026-27 school year
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Balch announced a new monthly newsletter to improve district communications and outlined the 2026–27 school start schedule: Aug. 24 new-educator mentorship, Aug. 25–26 teacher PD, Aug. 27 first day for grades 1–12, Aug. 27–28 K/pre-K screening, Sept. 1 closed for voting, Sept. 2 first day for pre-K/K.
Superintendent Dr. Balch told the Easthampton School Committee the district will begin a monthly superintendent newsletter to provide ongoing updates on policy, family engagement and district priorities. "I plan on sending the first one out in a week or so," Dr. Balch said, noting the assistant superintendent would have a regular section and the newsletter would cover both routine and major district items.
Dr. Balch also reviewed the upcoming school calendar: "August 24 is new educator mentorship day," she said, followed by teacher professional development on Aug. 25–26 and a delayed high-school start on Aug. 27 for grades 9–12. The committee confirmed Aug. 27 is the first student day for grades 1–12, with K/pre-K screening Aug. 27–28 and pre-K/K beginning Sept. 2; Tuesday, Sept. 1 will be a professional development day and schools will be closed for voting/primary. Committee members discussed calendar constraints created by Labor Day and snow-day carryover, explaining the timing choices were necessary to meet instructional requirements.
