Chariho presents Vision 2026 update; students and staff highlight gains, MTSS and civic engagement

The Chariho Regional School District showcased progress on its Vision 2026 strategic plan at the school committee meeting, with students and educators describing how district priorities look in classrooms.

Superintendent Gina Picard introduced a panel of staff and students and said the district has made "statistically significant gains across every single goal on the plan." Presenters included Jerry Orth, director of the Career and Technology Center, who introduced student Penelope Nicholas; Penelope described how performing arts and district programs fostered her development. Several students — including Brandon Thorpe, Kira Pierce, Morgan Allen and Ethan Tarsesian — spoke about academic excellence, school connectedness, graduation projects, internships and leadership opportunities.

Staff presentations detailed Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) work to monitor proficiency and attendance, described SMART goals for building-level improvement and cited a new MTSS handbook and tiered supports. The district highlighted STEM and CTE achievements (robotics Innovation Award, FBLA national qualifiers) and a Farm-to-School initiative that involved student interns and a district-wide waste-separation program.

Picard closed the segment by celebrating the student presentations and noting continued work on vision 2029 planning; she also announced that the budget had passed earlier in the meeting. Committee members praised the presentations and asked a few clarifying questions about timelines and program details.

What’s next: Staff and student presenters made themselves available for follow-up questions and committee members requested additional documentation and RIDE testing notes for future packets.