~ The Advocate Asks ~

School officials talk about their top priorities and expectations for the beginning of a new school year

  Editor’s Note: Classes begin for the new 2024-25 academic school year next Tuesday, Aug. 27. For this week, we reached out to Saugus Public Schools Superintendent Michael Hashem and members of the School Committee to ask them what their top priorities are as they approach the new year, what their expectations are and what they are most looking forward to. Email responses to our questions follow.

Schools Superintendent Michael Hashem

Q: What are your top priorities or concerns as the School Superintendent facing the new school year? What are you most looking forward to in the new year? Is there a program or a few programs that give you great expectations for the new year?

  A: The Saugus Public Schools are committed to putting our students first by committing to ensure all students are held to high standards and graduate from the Saugus Public Schools future ready. For the 2024-2025 school year, the district has selected three focus areas and objectives from our five-year strategic plan. Those include

• Developing a work culture and environment to ensure Saugus is a district where educators are valued, appreciated and motivated.
• Offering students in all grades access to opportunities that match their talents and interests.
• Supporting teachers through coaching and professional development to create the learning environments needed to effectively support all students.

We will also be committed to keep addressing the objectives from last year, which include:

• Supporting teachers through coaching and professional development to create the learning environments needed to effectively support all students.
• Strengthening communication and engagement efforts so that students, staff, parents & caregivers are seen, heard, and feel connected to the Saugus Public Schools.

What that looks like in practice is for our teachers and staff to continue to implement aligned curriculum using high quality instructional materials. It is working to support the teaching staff and providing support staff to address the needs of all students. We are also developing an afterschool Enrichment Program in each building to expand our students’ opportunities and give them offerings that will extend their school day. This enrichment program will include offerings that are both academic and allow for our students to participate in activities that do not occur during the traditional school day. The enrichment coordinators are working to develop these programs and will be reaching out to students and parents/guardians/caregivers once our schools open. Details will be messaged out by newsletter, student assemblies, and discussed at our School Committee meetings. We thank the Town of Saugus, the Town Manager, the Finance Committee, and the Town Meeting for financially supporting this initiative.

In all, we are working to create a culture that supports growth, a sense of belonging, and supports a safe and positive learning environment. Our students are the priority and we are working to enhance opportunities for student success.

School Committee Chair Vincent Serino

  Q: What are your top priorities or concerns as a School Committee member facing the new school year?

  A: As always, our top priority is student achievement. We have focused on student engagement and the learning environment. The changes we put in place should be instrumental in moving us forward, educationally, socially, and in student health and wellness. Dr. Scuzzarella is a great addition to a good team. Mr. Serino will add much value to our athletics and wellness programs. In addition, we added a great group of new teachers with experience to join our current educators.

There are some concerns, education is always changing, and we are trying to stay ahead of that with our administrative leaders. We have the best teachers, para’s, clerks, admin, and support staff. I look forward to a great year full of challenges and achievements.

  Q: What are you most looking forward to in the new year? Is there a program or a few programs that give you great expectations for the new year?

  A: I am looking forward to our new enrichment program. The town, fincom, town meeting, and the manager are allowing us to get our students more learning and recreational skills. We have a robust learning environment set up for our student enrichment program. I can’t wait to see the results from this program. I am also looking forward to our Athletic teams and student clubs this year. We are working to get more students involved with athletics, drama, band, and all other programs. We would also like to get the community more involved in the education of our students. We have a beautiful complex, it should be used and enjoyed by all.

School Committee Vice Chair Tom Whittredge

  Q: What are your top priorities or concerns as a School Committee member facing the new school year?

  A: My top priority as a School Committee member is to make sure we create a safe, engaging, and inclusive environment for every student and staff member as well.

  Q: What are you most looking forward to in the new year? Is there a program or a few programs that give you great expectations for the new year?

  A: I am looking forward to the past and newly-created policies that will help nurture a successful learning environment.

We’ve had some great additions to the incredible teaching staff that we already have and I’m excited to see it all come together.

What I am most looking forward to is seeing all of the enrichment programs come to fruition after a few years of trying to get it together. I am also looking forward to the fresh and experienced perspective that Dr. Scuzzarella brings to the High School.

Oh, and of course I am excited to see all of the happy faces walking through the doors!

School Committee Member Ryan Fisher

  Q: What are your top priorities or concerns as a School Committee member facing the new school year?

  A: My top priority for the new school year is continued focus on student achievement. Many of the investments we’ve made into classrooms, in terms of teaching methods and new high quality curriculum, needed time to show results, and that time is now. Families are going to be very pleased by the results they’ll see this year, but there’s always more work to do. We have several new administrators, amazing teachers, and great students. We owe them a lot and we’re going to have a great year.

  Q: What are you most looking forward to in the new year? Is there a program or a few programs that give you great expectations for the new year?

  A: I’m most excited to see the after school enrichment program that had such a successful pilot last year be sized up and expanded to all buildings. The programs are academic oriented, and help kids break out of their molds with new activities and new friend groups. Students learned entire skill sets without feeling like they were at school and were so proud of themselves.

School Committee Member Stephanie Mastrocola

  Q: What are your top priorities or concerns as a School Committee member facing the new school year?

  A: My top priorities for this school year are the new policies we spent hours on revamping. Such as dress code and the use of the cell phones. We have to start somewhere. I know it will not be easy, but we have to take these steps to try and get back on track with learning and not being distracted. The teachers and all of the staff have to feel supported. They can no longer do this alone. There will be pushback I’m sure, but we have to work together on these issues. We can talk about things until we are blue in the face but it’s the actions and follow through that parents and guardians want to see. I want to instill these policies at an early age so when the students reach the complex, they know what to expect. We have to focus on bringing back RESPECT. Not just for one another but also for the students themselves. We are living in a social media world, which we can no longer fight. We need to reflect and focus in the moment. What we can do is strengthen how our kids view themselves and how they treat each other. My priorities of course will be increased MCAS scores but also making sure the students feel challenged enough. Taking small steps in the right direction is my main goal. If we work together as a team, I know we can accomplish great things. Teaching kids the value of their success comes in all different ways. I say to my son more than once a day “Follow through with what you start. It may not always be the result or outcome you want but it will always teach you something”.

  Q: What are you most looking forward to in the new year? Is there a program or a few programs that give you great expectations for the new year?

  A: I am looking forward to some of the new staff that have joined us. Their energy and what they will bring to this district has been exciting to see. I am looking forward to working with the leadership and bringing a new sense of pride back to Saugus. I know things will take time, but I am hopeful and will always work to do better for our community and our children.