Top "50" School Districts in Massachusetts

Every year in its September issue, Boston Magazine ranks the top "50" school districts in the state. Again this year, Hanover Public Schools is ranked in the top 50 of all the school districts in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The rankings are arrived at by examining 19 criteria some of which are student - to - teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, MCAS scores, number of Advanced Placement classes, and graduation rate, to name a few. What is an interesting fact is that the districts that rank first through tenth have per pupil expenditures that range from a little under $14,000 to over $18,000. Hanover spends $10,561.  We should all be proud about the quality of educational programs and services that are provided to students in the Hanover Public Schools!

New High School Dedication

On behalf of the town of Hanover, the School Building Committee and the Hanover School Committee, I would like to invite you to attend the dedication ceremony this Sunday, September 18, 2011, at 1:00 P.M. in the auditorium.  The ceremony will be followed by building tours from 2:00 - 5:00 P.M. We hope to see you there to take a tour of our new high school designed for  21st teaching and learning.

Victory!

Congratulations to Coach Brian King and the HHS football team for its opening season victory against Abington this past Friday night. If you were't there then you missed something special! The new athletic complex was packed" with fans of all ages! You felt like you were at a Thanksgiving Day game, just under the lights! The Hanover community is proud, and rightly so, of its team and facilties!  What a way to "kick-off" the football season, a new high school and athletic complex!

Opening Night "Under the Lights"

Tonight marks the "kick off" of another football season that is especially welcomed as the Hanover High School Indians open under the lights in their great new athletic complex! It also marks the time to rededicate the field in the name of the late Harry E. Gerrish, lifelong Hanover resident and former Hanover Athletic Director, head football, baseball and golf coach.  Hope to see you there!

Opening of School

With the exception of rain on the first day and the new high school traffic pattern, opening day went smoothly. At the high school, we are working to ameliorate the traffic flow issues which are due to the fact that the rest of the roadway (completing the loop) cannot be done until the demolition of the old high school is finished. The contractor anticipates having that work done by the end of October. However, Dr. Rabb has made some immediate changes to help improve the A.M. and P.M. traffic congestion.  Today when I was there in the afternoon, the traffic stream moved more smoothly. Please bear with us as we will continue to make adjustments as warranted. However, the permanent fix will not come until the construction company can complete their work! Otherwise, it was a great first day!

Music, Music, Music!

Last weekend I got a chance to attend the Taunton Christmas Parade on Sunday specifically to see the Hanover High School band march in their brand new navy and gold uniforms. Yes! We finally have new uniforms for the band! Thanks to a generous donation from the band parents' (HPMC) combined with the remaining monies from the school department budget, we have purchased 70 new uniforms replete with  plumed headdresses. Over sixty high school musicians marched proudly on a cold day last Sunday to mark the holiday spirit feeling good that Santa had come early for the Hanover High School marching band!  

Randume Axe7

I had the opportunity this past Saturday night to attend Randume Axe7, a "variety" production of sorts that featured well over 100 students singing, dancing, playing instruments, and performing in skits...not to mention all of those who worked the "front end" as well as behind the scenes to "pull off" this two night production.  This was no small task to undertake...all of which was directed superbly for the seventh time by MS music educator, John Schumacher. I particularly enjoyed the nostalgic, but often humorous, look back at the history of Hanover High School that was artfully woven throughtout the performances with video vignettes, impeccably performed by four students, and shown on large screens. The evening was a glowing display that the arts are alive and well in Hanover! I can only imagine what magic will be made next year in our new state of the art auditorium. Thanks to all!!