Dear NPS Community,

Happy last day of school! It's been a great year to be a Clipper. We've had tremendous student success throughout the district. I've witnessed so many of our students achieve academically, athletically, and creatively. To our students, we could not be prouder of you for all your hard work this year...

Dear NPS Community,

This week was one for the books for the Class of 2026. With graduation coming up Sunday, this week's Around the District highlights some senior traditions including Scholarship Night, Senior Clap-Out, and the Ivy Day ceremony.

Dear NPS Community,

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, we pause to honor and recognize the Americans who lost their lives serving our nation. This holiday gives us an opportunity to remember those who gave so much for our country, and reflect on their service.

Dear NPS Community,

As we move further into May, there have been a variety of events and accomplishments taking place across the district. Below are just a few highlights from events I attended over the past few weeks.

Dear NPS Community,
April was a busy month in our schools. At the District level we are working on a budget for the 2026-27 school year. For an overview of our presentations to the School Committee, see our Budget website page. Beyond the work that is happening daily in classrooms, we also had a few opportunities to celebrate student excellence and enjoy some playful math fun.

Dear NPS Community,

I hope the start of April brings warmer days and the continuation of many exciting school events. While this week’s surprising flurry makes me question the former, I take comfort in knowing that our NPS students and staff continue to bring energy and enthusiasm to everything they do.

Dear NPS Community,

Our students and staff are always participating in exciting events, and with March coming to a close, I want to share with you some of the great occasions I was able to attend this...

Dear NPS Community,

As we move through the spring semester, there is a lot of great work happening at our schools. It is exciting to see the many ways our students and staff continue to collaborate and...

Dear NPS Community,

As a superintendent, one of my greatest joys is hearing the stories of students and staff around the district. The energy of young people is infectious and the diversity of their ideas inspiring...

Dear NPS Families,

As we head into the Thanksgiving break, I’d like to reflect on the incredible work happening across our schools and express my gratitude for the people who make this district a remarkable place.

Congratulations to all of our fall sports teams on an outstanding season. Many teams made the playoffs, and all showed heart, determination, and true Clipper pride...

Dear NPS Families,

Every year on the 11th day of the 11th month, our nation comes together to recognize and thank our nation’s veterans. Across the district, students and staff pay tribute to our veterans through special projects, classroom lessons, and guest speakers...

Dear NPS Families,

Tomorrow, we will pause to remember the nearly three thousand people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 in Lower Manhattan, Shanksville, Pennsylvania, & Arlington County, Virginia. Though more than two decades have passed, the weight of that day is still felt by families, communities, and our country as a whole...

Dear NPS Community,

I am excited to welcome you back to another school year.

Today, each school hosted a meet-and-greet event to welcome students and their families prior to the first day of school tomorrow...

Dear NPS Community,

As we enter the final weeks of the school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the celebrations behind us and the exciting events still ahead.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

Last week, our seniors took part in an action-packed Senior Week, which concluded with Sunday's memorable graduation ceremony. It was a joyful celebration of everything they have accomplished, and we couldn't be prouder...

Dear NPS Community,

As we approach Memorial Day on Monday, we take time to honor and remember the Americans who gave their lives in service to our nation and the values we hold dear.

Please read Superintendent Gallagher's letter to the community. "As we begin the final stretch of this school year, I want to take a moment and reflect on the many exciting events and initiatives taking place across our schools. The spring always brings celebrations, achievements, and well-earned milestones, and this year is no exception."

Please read Superintendent Gallagher's letter to the community. "In January, our 2025 Portrait of a Graduate Ambassadors reflected on their journey towards graduation through a presentation to the NPS staff (see video below). Their stories were powerful and touching, and challenged us as educators to create more opportunities for inspiring learning."

Please read Superintendent Gallagher's letter to the community. "As educators, it is our duty to create a learning environment that is free from hate and safe for all. We stand strongly against any discriminatory practices that may impact any child’s sense of belonging."

As we enter into 2025, I want to take a moment to celebrate the achievement and positivity of our school community. The hard work, dedication, and support of our staff, students and faculty are what makes Newburyport so special.

As Thanksgiving break approaches, I wanted to acknowledge some of the great initiatives, achievements, and activities happening around the district. Being the “port where tradition and innovation converge,” I am not surprised to see the many NPS traditions surrounding Thanksgiving break.

I am pleased to share our 2023-24 Strategic Plan Year in Review. With the support of the Newburyport community, the dedication and commitment of our 400+ faculty and staff, and the energy and curiosity of our students, our schools have moved forward on many of our strategic goals.

Today, Americans will pause to honor the service of our nation’s veterans. Throughout the past week, NPS students participated in programs to help them learn the history of Veterans Day and, more importantly, begin to understand the sacrifices American veterans have made for our country.

What a great first few months of the school year! As I take a moment to reflect, I am truly struck by the sense of community and connection within our Newburyport Public Schools. It is inspiring to see students, families, and staff coming together to create a culture of belonging.

With over 2200 students and 450 faculty and staff in our buildings daily, a number of systems are in place to address safety and security. This newsletter provides an overview of our multi-faceted safety approach.

We are pleased to inform you of Newburyport Public School’s participation in the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy for the 2024-2025 School Year. 

Monday evening, NPD was made aware of a potential threat to our school community posted on social media. I want to emphasize that law enforcement and the schools take all such reports extremely seriously and, upon learning of this information, NPD immediately launched an investigation.

Many of us have very clear recollections of where we were and what happened on 9-11-01, but for our students this day is less personal, having happened many years before they were born. 

The first day of school brings a special kind of energy - a mix of excitement and anticipation for both staff and students. I am excited for this positive momentum to carry us forward through the school year.

A special thank you to our faculty and support staff, your commitment and dedication to our community is incredible.

I am excited to welcome you back to another school year! The first day of school for grades 1-12 is Thursday, September 5th and preschool and kindergarten return on Monday, September 9th.