About Us
Meet Our Administration Team
Ms. Claudia Castro Alves
Interim Principal
I am honored and grateful to serve as the Interim Principal at Hemenway Elementary School, supporting our students, teachers, staff, and the entire school community. I am originally from Brazil and bring over 25 years of experience in education. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Pedagogy from Universidade Paulista and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Framingham State University.
Before joining Framingham Public Schools, I lived in Ningbo, China, for seven years, where I served as an Early Years Principal. I also spent six months in Bangkok, Thailand, working as a Kindergarten teacher.
In Framingham, I began my journey as a Language Development Coach at Stapleton Elementary School, where I worked for a year and a half. I then served as Vice Principal at Harmony Grove for two years before joining the Hemenway community as Vice Principal. I am excited and deeply honored to now serve as Interim Principal at Hemenway.
I am the proud mother of two wonderful daughters, Leticia (20) and Barbara (16). Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, and shopping.
Matthew McDowell
Vice Principal
Mr. Matthew McDowell, Vice Principal
I am excited to be joining the Hemenway community as the new Vice Principal. While new to Hemenway School, I have been working as an assistant principal in a K-6 school in Acton, MA for the last fifteen years. So while the school setting has changed for me, many of the responsibilities are familiar as I learn what it looks like to be a VP here in Framingham. I am already impressed with the commitment of families and staff to supporting the growth of students here at Hemenway and have enjoyed my interactions with students these first few weeks as I try to learn names, routines, and everything that makes Hemenway special.
Prior to becoming an administrator, I worked as a general education classroom teacher for twelve years in Stow, MA for grades 2 and 5, so elementary students have always been my focus.
Personally, I am a proud father of two daughters, both now in college and am adjusting to life ina quieter house with just my wife and my dog. I enjoy reading, walking or hiking in the woods, and travel, as time allows.
Office Support Staff
School Information
Contact Information
Phone Number: 508-626-9149
Fax: 508-877-2262
School Hours
Breakfast: 9:00am – 9:15am
Full Day: 9:15am – 3:30pm
Early Release: 9:15am – 1:05pm (Lunch is served)
Nurse Information
Mary Zentis
Direct Line: 508-782-6302
About Hemenway
Hemenway is a school where student instruction is based upon the belief that all students can learn and achieve at high levels. Hemenway teachers work collaboratively to design lessons to ensure that all students, who possess a wide variety of learning styles and challenges, can access and master the curriculum standards. We are committed to the belief that all students can learn with high levels of achievement. We provide clearly defined, high expectations for student learning across all curriculum areas.
This year as a staff, we will continue to focus and to work together to develop teaching moves, routines and strategies that promote “making student thinking visible,” which will ensure that all students are engaged in meaningful learning across the curriculum. In addition to high academic standards, we have high standards for student behavior.
At Hemenway, we use Second Step, Code of Character and Conducts, and PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Supports) , which focuses on social-emotional learning [SEL] in grades kindergarten through grade five. Social and emotional learning is the process of developing essential social emotional skills, knowledge, and attitudes related to five key areas: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
Hemenway School’s PBIS team, in collaboration with staff and administration, has developed the HemenWAY Positive Behavior Matrix and implemented the Hemenway PAWsitive Behavioral Intervention Program. The PAWSitive Behavior Program is based upon a systemic approach to proactive, explicitly taught and practiced behavioral expectations for school-wide behavior and the Response to Intervention model. As a school we are continuing to focus on further developing our positive behavioral interventions and supports. Our goal is for all students to increase their academic performance, to improve school safety and to continue to build upon our positive school culture.
We strive to create a learning environment where students learn through real-life experiences. Students learn by integrating and connecting math concepts into their daily lives, experiencing hands-on science, and viewing themselves as life-long readers and writers. Our goal is to provide students with the necessary skills to be true world citizens, as well as to acquire twenty-first century skills to succeed in college and the workplace.
Hemenway Vision Statement
Our vision is to cultivate a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that prioritizes excellence in instruction and fosters a culture of collaboration among educators. We are committed to ensuring that every student feels a strong sense of belonging and is empowered to reach their fullest potential. Together, we strive to nurture a growth mindset in all members of our school community, embracing diversity and promoting mutual respect and understanding. Through our collective efforts, we aim to inspire lifelong learners who are prepared to contribute positively to the world.