Committee approves Galvin Middle School 2025–26 program of studies with targeted language and music updates

Principal Mulhern presented the Galvin Middle School (GMS) program of studies for 2025–26 and the committee approved it unanimously.

Mulhern said the document contained few edits from the prior year but highlighted two substantive update areas: clarifications and pathway language in world languages under the guidance of new world-language coordinator Vanessa Harvey, and a new eighth-grade soundtrack/music-production unit added to the music curriculum.

Mulhern and committee members discussed the experience of incoming eighth graders with no previous language exposure and departmental work to create more meaningful onboarding pathways so those students can access high-school language pathways later. Committee members asked whether Italian might be introduced earlier as a feeder; Mulhern said Italian at the high school currently exists but that adding a new feeder course would require schedule capacity and careful planning. He and Vanessa Harvey indicated the world-language department is exploring options but had not settled on a final approach.

Mulhern also reported that applied-learning visits and an 1 8 Foundation grant had informed planning and that more substantial program updates are possible as the district moves toward the new Galvin building. The committee voted 5–0 to approve the program of studies as presented.