In reporting to the Old Rochester Regional School Committee on September 5, ORR Junior High School Principal Silas Coellner said the climate in the junior high is the most positive he has seen in a long time.
“We live and breathe transition at the junior high school. … It all happens very fast, and there’s a tremendous amount of work,” said Coellner, who told the committee he’s already thinking about sixth graders who will be coming to the school. “We do a lot of great work, but we want to articulate it, codify it if you will.”
All the while, said Coellner, ownership and sense of belonging will be kept at the forefront of student life in the junior high school.
In order to relax “the jitters,” the junior high school opened its building to parents on opening day and gave out 228 ice creams, more than the number of seventh graders.
Coellner’s remarks came from separate agenda topics on September 5, but his principal’s report easily could have been part of his rollout of the 2024-26 (two-year) School Improvement Plan that he and ORRHS Vice Principal Vanessa Harvey both discussed.
Before the committee’s vote approves the 2024-26 School Improvement Plans for the junior high and high school, Coellner pointed out that the plan aligns with Vision 2028, the ORR District’s overarching, five-year plan. The two-year program will get the junior high three years into ORR’s five-year plan. New components will include “getting our feet wet in ‘Portrait of a Graduate’ work,” he said.
ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson pointed out that the school improvement plans now reflect the core values, mission and vision, and each element finds a common language with the overall district vision.
Addressing the committee on behalf of ORR High School Principal Mike Devoll, Harvey said most of the work in teaching and learning will take place in the high school’s Instructional Council. She identified the council as “a very strong group” including administrators and coordinators.
“We’ll be examining the curriculum as part of the curriculum cycle,” said Harvey, giving the floor to ORR Director of Guidance Lauren Millette to review several progress points. Millette said a committee will be formed to identify all points of support and will look to grow Project 351.
The school committee recognized recent retiree Melanie Kellum, a longtime math teacher and coordinator, and Dr. Jaime Curley was welcomed to the committee as the new assistant superintendent of Student Services. Curley spent 18 years in the Dennis-Yarmouth school district as a special education teacher and school psychologist.
The two were part of a wave of acknowledgements of new staff members, also including: Anita Faath (instructional assistant – paraprofessional); Susan Harrison (Computer Science teacher); Elizabeth Kennedy (PreK teacher – vocational); David McCarthy (World Language teacher); Pedro Silva (Music teacher); Ava Novakoski (Physical Education teacher); Danya Bischel (instructional assistant); Michael Bowen (Instructional assistant – paraprofessional); Rebecca Kearney (School Adjustment counselor/social worker); Angela Weiss (custodian); Luis Nolasco (custodian night supervisor) and Edward Pimentel (custodian).
Kris Lincoln, the former director of Student Services, is now a Special Education teacher.
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Shari Fedorowicz recognized Kim Reed for her role in helping make August 22 a successful new teacher orientation day.
Nelson publicly thanked the community for its support as schools opened, including the parents and police and fire departments. “It is a big deal,” said, crediting the community support systems for making ORR special. He said parking spots are hard to come by at Open House, which means the schools have strong partnerships with their families.
Likewise, Harvey said ORRHS freshman have acclimated well to their new school surroundings. Student ambassadors helped the new students find their way.
Committee member Margaret McSweeny asked if the 643-student enrollment at the high school includes the 95 School Choice students, and Millette confirmed that the 95 are among the 643 total.
Meeting early, the committee took a tour of the school buildings under the guidance of Facilities Director Gene Jones, and Chairperson Michelle Smith opened the meeting by thanking Jones, called the buildings “fresh and clean and inviting.”
In her Chairperson’s Report, Smith had executive secretary Melissa Wilcox share a YouTube video titled, “Kid President’s Pep Talk to Teachers and Students!”
“Remember to look for the awesome, see the awesome,” said Smith.
Smith was a unanimous choice to remain in her role as ORR School Committee chairperson, and April Nye was unanimously voted to become vice chairperson, a vacant role as the 2024-25 school year began.
Christina Gagnon was reappointed as treasurer and Melissa Wilcox as secretary.
As the committee went about establishing subcommittees for the 2024-25 school year, Nelson noted that member Jim Muse has indicated his willingness to serve where needed.
Muse will return to the budget subcommittee alongside Nye, Smith and Matthew Monteiro. Frances-Feliz Kearns volunteered to serve as an alternate on the budget subcommittee.
Among other actions taken, the School Committee unanimously voted to approve Ocean Cliff in Newport, Rhode Island, as the prom location on May 27, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
The venue, as explained by senior class student leaders, will cost $18,620 and accommodate approximately 200 students. Tickets will be $40, but the class will provide tickets for students who cannot afford them. Likewise, while students will provide their own transportation to the venue, those who cannot do so will be able to ride to the event in a school bus.
In his report to the committee, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber said he is working with the treasurer to wrap up FY24.
Of the approximate $22,600,000 operating budget for FY25, Barber estimated that $9,300,000 is encumbered. He told the committee that it typically takes until well into October before all the budget’s encumbrances are identified.
“That’s when you see a little bit more of a true value of what remains,” he said.
With a capital stabilization fund approved at the town meetings, the committee will be asked at its next regular meeting to approve a transfer of funds.
Smith reminded parents and guardians to fill out the online lunch form, noting that although lunch is free to students, it is funded with money that comes into the school. Monteiro added that the documentation will not only help the school recover money from the state but will help bring benefits to needy families.
Barber credited Jones and the maintenance and custodial staffs for getting ORR’s athletic fields ready for the rush of activity that accompanies the new academic year.
The committee entered executive session and returned only to adjourn.
The next meeting of the ORR School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, October 10, and the next meeting of the Joint School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, September 26. Both meetings are to begin at 6:30 pm and be held at the ORR Junior High Media Room, also accessible via Zoom.
ORR School Committee
By Mick Colageo