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Hudson principals report academic gains, strong extracurricular participation and community engagement
Summary
Principals from Rivercrest Elementary, Hudson Middle School, EP Rock, North Hudson and Holton presented year-end highlights showing improved test results, high participation in athletics and clubs, and expanded family and community programs.
Rivercrest Elementary Principal Paula Blattner; Hudson Middle School Principal Jim DeLune; EP Rock Elementary Principal Dolph Schmidt; North Hudson and Holton Principal Shannon (last name not specified); and Holton principal Colton (last name not specified) reported school-year highlights to the Hudson School District Board of Education.
“I’m Paula Blattner, principal at Rivercrest Elementary, and I’m really excited to be here tonight to share some highlights from our last school year,” Blattner said, kicking off a summary of student engagement, school events and climate measures. She reported that in end-of-year “minute meetings” 98% of Rivercrest students said they felt safe “always or almost always” at school and 99.7% could name two trusted adults in the building. Blattner also listed participation counts: 80 students in a storybook theater production, 33 students in Battle of the Books, 116 in keyboard-typing instruction, and 52 participants in a first annual talent show. She noted two English-learners met English proficiency on the ACCESS assessment and were dismissed from the program.
Hudson Middle School Principal Jim DeLune told the board the middle school showed “significant achievement gains in all phases, ELA, math, science, and social studies” for grades 6–8, and listed extracurricular successes including state-level choir and band awards, 19 medals at the State Science Olympiad meet and multiple MathCounts qualifiers. DeLune said 501 students participated in athletics and 497 in competitive or noncompetitive clubs; 58 eighth-graders took part in a leadership training program and 99% of students reported feeling connected to at least one adult in the building.
EP Rock Principal Dolph Schmidt said his school implemented the Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) curriculum for grades 3–5 and continued phonics-based instruction in K–2 aligned with the science of reading. He cited increased family engagement events, a mentoring program that expanded to 53 mentors, and regular community outreach that included visits to nursing homes.
North Hudson and Holton Principal Shannon summarized results from both buildings, noting the return of DARE to fifth grade, more than 70 students participating in Battle of the Books at one site, and measurable gains on Forward Exam results (an increase of 17% in ELA and 15% in math at one building she highlighted). She described construction-related relocations during the year and credited staff and custodial teams for managing multiple phases without major disruption to instruction.
Holton Principal Colton highlighted schoolwide reading initiatives including a “One Book, One School” program, multiple community service projects (Meals on Wheels, valentines for veterans, Feed My Starving Children), and tradition-based events such as the Holton Bazaar, all-school skate and garden club.
Board members Maria, Megan and Erin responded with brief commendations for staff and students. The reports collectively emphasized academic improvement, high student participation in extracurriculars, increased family engagement events and ongoing attention to student mental-health supports and restorative practices.
The principals provided counts and program details as their presentations; the board did not take formal action on the reports during the meeting but acknowledged them for the record.
