Winchester launches yearlong elementary literacy pilot, names new literacy coordinator; town meeting funded $455,000

Winchester Public Schools has begun a yearlong pilot of two elementary literacy curricula and appointed a new literacy coordinator after Town Meeting approved $455,000 to fund curriculum and embedded professional development.

Superintendent Dr. Hackett and district leaders described a kickoff event attended by elementary teachers where district literacy leadership presented on the “science of reading” and explained that the initiative is about building teacher knowledge and instructional practice rather than selecting a single program. The district will pilot two programs across grades and schools so both curricula are represented within each school and teachers can observe vertical alignment across grade levels.

Miss Kirby and district staff opened a volunteer form the morning of the meeting and reported representation from all five elementary schools by mid-day. The pilot is planned as a full-year implementation; vendors are prepared to support that timeline and the district emphasized that the purchased packages include both materials and professional development. Dr. Hackett said the district expects to use the full $455,000 allocated at Town Meeting for pilot implementation and associated PD.

Superintendent Dr. Hackett also announced the appointment of Melissa Newell as the new literacy coordinator, currently coming from Lowell, and said the district hopes to have her on board before the end of the school year for committee introduction. District leaders said they will present a fuller update, including progress and next steps, at the June 12 school committee meeting.

District officials encouraged ongoing communication with parents about how instruction will be consistent across classrooms whether or not a child’s teacher is in the pilot and said additional professional development beyond publisher training will be provided.