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Hill School outlines family-engagement, newcomer supports
Summary
Hill School principal Nancy Martell and staff described efforts to strengthen family–school partnerships, including a translated glossary, surveys of 67 families, new-student tours for midyear arrivals, and community resource connections; a newcomer parent praised staff support.
Hill Elementary School presented Feb. 10 to the Revere School Committee about efforts to deepen family engagement and support newcomer students.
Principal Nancy Martell said the school has focused on getting families into the school and strengthening communication as part of its school-improvement plan. "Everything works better when home and school is a true team," Martell said, and she introduced staff leading the work.
Aaron McNamera, a second-grade teacher and equity-team co-chair, described an initiative to clarify special-education and other school vocabulary for families: the school surveyed 67 families and is developing a translated glossary to be shared via ParentSquare, conferences and liaison outreach. "Our goal is that by the end of the 2025–26 school year, 90% of Hill School families will report a deeper understanding of the educational language and systems used in public education," McNamera said.
Family liaison Suhites Ryan described the new-student tour process for midyear arrivals—scheduling tours, reviewing arrival/dismissal procedures, introducing students to teachers, and connecting families to community supports such as clinics and food pantries. "My goal during this first interaction is to create a welcoming and supportive experience because I am the first person family needs," Ryan said.
Parent Joel Castillo, whose son is a newcomer, described rapid enrollment and communication that helped his son acclimate despite starting midyear: "Miss Ryan helped me out with a lot of information that I need and how the process could be accelerated to go in the right direction without wasting any time," he said.
The committee praised the work and encouraged continued engagement and surveying as part of the school improvement process.
