A meeting of the Joint School Committee took place on Thursday, January 23 for their first meeting of 2025. The meeting focused on mid-school year updates as well as ongoing and future initiatives. The meeting began with Chair Michelle Smith recognizing new members from Rochester and Mattapoisett.
Superintendent Mike Nelson then began his report by expressing appreciation for the efforts of the school committee, administrators, and staff. He highlighted the significance of collaboration, saying, “It’s nice to see all of you in one place. I feel like I see so many of you at different meetings at different times, but it is nice to all come together and talk about all the great things that are happening here in our schools.” He acknowledged the contributions of the administrative team, many of whom were present at the meeting to support discussions on the agenda items, and he expressed gratitude for their dedication to the district’s goals.
The superintendent also provided a mid-year update on the progress of the current school year and connected this work to the district’s Vision 2028 plan. He noted the importance of the monthly newsletters sent from his office to help keep committee members informed in real time. “Tonight’s meeting has a lot of important work on the agenda, and it’ll help set the stage for a successful second part of the school year.” He also teased further updates on Vision 2028, specifically mentioning its relevance to improving outcomes for students and staff in the district. The five-year strategy sets to inspire students to “think, learn, and care.” Nelson expressed enthusiasm about the plans ahead and the joint efforts that would ensure their success.
Following the superintendent’s comments, Project 351 presentations from acclaimed students commenced. The state-wide initiative sets out to encourage youth leadership and community service. A standout feature mentioned was the “Playbook Initiative.” This component of Project 351 was developed in partnership with the Boston Celtics. It focuses on building leadership skills and promoting inclusivity. Students from the meeting shared how the initiative has shaped them into better leaders, with one mentioning it teaches participants to “be energy givers” in their communities rather than “bad apples.” Through peer-led discussions and partnerships with other schools like Dartmouth, the committee excitedly claimed Project 351 continues to expand its reach and influence in empowering young leaders – skills they will carry into adulthood and community betterment.
Following these presentations came more updates on Vision 2028, the five-year guideline for schools going forward. Successes from the guidelines first year, 2024, included the “portrait of a graduate” framework to better define skills students should have by graduation. This was informed by surveys to both students and parents, as well as local business leaders. Professional development (PD) and curriculum review was also touched on, highlighting the focus on collaborative curriculum development as well as new PD strategies to better align with the aforementioned district goals.
Going forward, the district will be focusing on refining and honing these programs in order to better integrate them into schools. Nelson stressed Vision 2028 is a “living document,” meaning the initiative will be changed and adapted through data accumulation and feedback.
The next meeting of the Join School Committee will take place midway through the summer, on June 12, following the end of the current school year.
Joint School Committee
By: Sam Bishop