Each year, our District, schools, and staff take time to set goals. We look at measurable indicators, including test scores, attendance, chronic absenteeism, and MassCore completion, as well as survey results. As we settle into the school year, we’re grateful for the many ways our community supports our schools and students. Your questions, ideas, and engagement help shape our priorities and keep us moving forward together. With that shared commitment in mind, I’d like to share three goals guiding our collective work this year:
GOAL 1: Improving District and Professional Culture
Build trust, transparency, and shared accountability among all stakeholders through consistent communication, visible leadership, and collaborative decision-making.
GOAL 2: High Quality Instructional Materials & Collective Effort Toward Student Mastery
Ensure all classrooms use coherent, standards-aligned curriculum with shared assessments, supported by professional learning cycles and authentic data use.
GOAL 3: Structured Vertical Alignment and Coherent Systems of Support
Create intentional, facilitated vertical conversations across grades and buildings; establish clear MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) intervention structures which emphasize providing different levels of academic and behavioral support based on students’ individual needs ; and amplify student voice district-wide.
Throughout the year, these goals help guide our work and take stock of the progress we’re making and where we may need to do more.
Updates on how we are doing in each school are integral to this process. We recently shared this report at the October 8th School Committee meeting; among the FY27 Assessment Data, highlights include the following: sustained high achievement and growth at Muddy Brook; rising ELA performance levels at Du Bois that now surpass the Massachusetts average; and a bump in English scores at Monument. We’re proud that 93.5% of students earned a 3, 4, or 5 on AP exams (following 95% the previous year), while participation continues to grow over time. Our graduates also continue to find success in their postsecondary pursuits, whether in college, the workforce, or the military.
Earlier this month, 24 high school students were inducted into the National Honor Society. What was most striking were the introductions, written by senior peers, about each honoree. These individuals excelled in academics, arts, music and athletics. Perhaps more importantly, they excelled in both character and service—volunteering on campus at our own Muddy Brook Elementary; in the community at Fairview Hospital, local churches and synagogues; and dozens of other places beyond. With our young people learning, growing, and impacting our community in such meaningful ways, we have much to be hopeful about.
As the year progresses, we encourage you to join us in the work of meeting our goals— by raising questions and concerns, helping us track our successes and identify areas for growth. Thanks for your partnership.
