Swampscott Public Schools roll out K–12 improvement plans emphasizing behavior, targeted instruction and family engagement

SWAMPSCOTT, Mass. — At a Sept. 25 Swampscott School Committee meeting at Swampscott High School, district principals described aligned school improvement plans that prioritize student behavior supports, a new targeted-instruction block for reading and math and increased family and community engagement across the elementary, middle and high schools.

The plans are intended to reduce behavior incidents, raise academic performance in reading and math and boost students’ sense of belonging, principals said. Laurie Samborn, principal of Swampscott Elementary School, said the elementary’s plan centers on a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) rollout with a schoolwide recognition system and cross-grade “houses.” “This year, we're really excited excited about the 3 areas of focus that we're gonna put in towards the elementary school,” Samborn said. She described a house-based reward system (pelicans, pipers, flamingos, puffins and gulls) and a Lobstar token bucket visible in the hallway for tracking team progress.

Why it matters: district leaders tied the behavior work to measurable goals — a 15% reduction in major behavior referrals and a target of 90% teacher…