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Superintendent and principal report greenhouse project, Green Team, music grant and staff hires at Johnson Elementary
Summary
At the Sept. 23 meeting, Superintendent Rob and the principal described a greenhouse walkway project, a 25-student Green Team, a new 'Top 10' values banner, a grant from the Nahant Education Foundation for instruments and sheet music, and several recent hires; enrollment rose from 169 to 175.
At the Johnson Elementary School Committee meeting on Sept. 23, the superintendent and principal described ongoing student programs, a facilities project and several staffing additions.
Rob, the superintendent, reported that the greenhouse walkway project is slated to begin with 170 bricks installed by Edgar Lopez Landscaping (weather permitting) and that the Green Team currently has 25 students signed up across kindergarten–sixth grade. He also read a class-generated list of the school’s top 10 values and said teachers have signed a banner to make the values visible throughout the school: "Number one is be kind. Number two is believe in yourself. Number three is be respectful. Number four is try your best and have fun. Number five is be honest. Number six is be safe. Number seven is be accepting. Number eight is be helpful. Number nine is be responsible. Number 10 is be unique and creative." The superintendent said the school will advertise a stipend for a coordinator to support the Green Team.
The principal reported staff development activities including teacher-evaluation support, new PLC data-analysis meetings led by interventionist Katie Pastor to identify students for intervention, and a continuing focus on small-group instruction during 45-minute wing-walks. The principal also said she and staff submitted a grant proposal to the Nahant Education Foundation to fund instruments and sheet music for the new band program and expanded vocal offerings; the foundation indicated it will award funds for music this year.
On staffing, the principal announced hires including Sean Gallagher as the new physical-education teacher, occupational therapist Nicole Brown and ESP Ally Mitchell for second grade. She noted other positions remain open, including a director position and a part-time special-education teacher, and that administrators are recruiting to fill those roles.
Committee members reviewed enrollment figures showing a rise from 169 total students in 2024 (including preschool) to 175 in 2025. Administrators characterized the change as a modest overall increase with several cohorts remaining stable and a notable rise in grade six enrollment compared with recent years.
What happens next: staff will move forward with the greenhouse work as weather and scheduling allow, finalize grant paperwork with the Nahant Education Foundation if awarded, continue hiring to fill open roles and monitor enrollment trends.
