Student announcements, principal award and career programs highlighted at Southbridge meeting
Summary
Student representative announced Victor Roman will teach Quinsigamond Community College dual-enrollment English; the committee congratulated the middle school principal on a principal-of-the-year award and heard updates about a new firefighter course, PBIS gains and the Aspen family portal.
At the Dec. 9 Southbridge School Committee meeting, students and committee members highlighted classroom-to-career pathways, technology for families and recognition for school leadership.
The student representative said Victor Roman has completed qualifications to teach Quinsigamond Community College English composition and literature through Southbridge High School's dual-enrollment partnership beginning next semester. The representative said the dual-enrollment option will help prepare students for college-level coursework.
Committee members and school officials congratulated the middle school principal (transcript lists both "Sarah Poole" and later "Sarah Hull"); the principal was named middle school principal of the year and the committee plans an in-person celebration in January.
The student representative also described a new firefighter course that provides hands-on exposure to career options and thanked staff members Miss Doucette and Mr. House for supporting career-pathway programming. Members also recommended parents use the Aspen family portal to view student report cards, assignments and attendance and noted that the portal supports multiple languages.
Member Torres reported on a recent parents academy night that emphasized PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports), noting the program has already shown improvements in attendance and school climate. Members encouraged family engagement and promoted upcoming events at the library and community center during the holiday season.
The committee discussed policy committee scheduling; staff said updated policy materials from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) representative Tracy Novak will be available in February and the policy committee will begin work then on updating policies that have not been fully modernized.
The meeting closed with holiday wishes and a reminder that the next School Committee meeting is scheduled for Jan. 13.
