The School Committee on Thursday learned the details of each school’s improvement plan, their common focus on student support and leadership, and an emphasis on the English language arts curriculum.

Before the series of presentations, Superintendent Evan Bishop thanked the principals for their dedication, noting that October is National Principals Month.

“Sitting in that seat before, I know how much goes into this work and how much is done beyond what people see, how much they carry with them every day,” said the former HHS principal. “We are very fortunate to have such a talented group that cares about kids. They care about this community.”

Elementary school principals united in support strategy

Principals Lauren Dubeau, David Brauninger and Matthew Cotter joined forces to present the elementary school plans as a team.

“I think working with similar goals in mind is something that we value,” said Brauninger, the  Elmwood School principal. “And so for us to come together and present this as a K-5 continuum feels like a good step for us for this current school year.”

The principals are working to expand the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), which was implemented during the previous school year. The goal is to meet every student’s academic and social-emotional needs daily.

One action step is to create an elementary school guide with “consistent language throughout the grades,” according to Dubeau, the Marathon School principal.

Developing a student support team (SST) framework that works across schools is part of this main goal. It will “proactively identify, monitor and respond to individual and building-wide needs,” she said.

The program previously was called the learning support team. The name change shifts the focus onto students.

Stressed Dubeau: “Something in Hopkinton that I think we do really well is we’re always looking to do better.”

A second major area of focus is the implementation of a pilot program stressing English language arts literacy. Cotter, the Hopkins principal, noted that each elementary school is piloting its own ELA program.

Teachers are working with literacy program leaders as they become accustomed to the curriculum at each level, he told the committee. Feedback will be collected at regular intervals to assess how well  program is working.

Added Cotter: “The most important thing is that we didn’t want any holes in standards.”

Implementing the program is “a heavy lift” for teachers, noted Dubeau.

“But what is fantastic is just their enthusiasm and passion to have something better for our students,” she said.

Middle school to expose students to technical education

HMS Principal Matthew Lefebvre explained that there is an emphasis on career and technical education this year.

A key focus area is preparing students for their education beyond middle school. To that end, there will be counseling and student assemblies to share career and vocational education opportunities with eighth graders.

A recent visit to Keefe Tech reinforced the importance of exposing this pathway to students, Lefebvre said.

“It was a good reminder to me that that learning experience is special and can meet the needs of our learners,” he shared.

There will be a field trip for all eighth graders to Keefe Tech in the near future, Lefebvre said. Staff will coordinate individual trips for students interested in Norfolk County Agricultural High School in Walpole.

Vice chair Jamie Wronka asked if there could be additional seats allocated at Keefe Tech for Hopkinton students, given the increased interest in vocational and technical education. Lefebvre said he has been advocating for it.

Lefebvre also said he is working with learning specialists to share best learning practices for students with special education needs.

High school lasers in on attendance

First-year HHS Principal Amy Davenport stressed that the school is implementing a two-year improvement plan so that she can build community relationships and focus on several key areas.

“We’re coming from a position of strength,” she stressed.

Because of the school’s positive reputation, a future challenge will be accommodating an increase of an estimated 100 students over the next few years.

“I think sometimes we forget about the high school when we talk about the re-invigoration of the schools,” said Davenport.

One of her goals is to develop students’ knowledge and perspective on life after graduation. Professional development for staff, she said, will help achieve this goal.

Challenges Davenport will face include changing legislation around graduation requirements, the influence of artificial intelligence and budgetary constraints.

Maintaining a school culture “feels most important in some ways,” Davenport said. Student attendance has arisen as an issue, particularly tardiness. The high school will be communicating with parents and students about the consequences of frequent tardiness and absenteeism.

Member Nancy Cavanaugh questioned why this is an issue so early in the school year.

Davenport said this is “complicated.” Differentiating between students who are tardy because of traffic or medical appointments and those with chronic tardiness and absenteeism is an area of focus.

A key part of a successful school culture is “making sure student leadership opportunities feel real and authentic,” according to Davenport.

Technology focuses on individualized engagement

Director of Technology, Digital Learning & Innovation Ashoke Ghosh gave a presentation on technology used throughout the system. He explained the efforts to use technology for a more personalized approach to student learning that adapts to individual learning speeds.

The district also is limiting student use of AI on district-issued devices, he said.

Students and families can track progress through PowerSchool software. Teachers will also be able to analyze digital learning time.

Student travel requests approved

The committee voted unanimously to approve the following requests:

• accepting a $5,000 grant from Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams for and approving 12 capstone students’ participation in the LMIT InvenTeam-MIT EurekaFest in March 2027;
• approving a request for students to travel to Boston in February 2027 to participate in the Model United Nations Conference;
• approving the Business Professionals of America student attendance at the National Leadership Conference in Denver from May 5-9, 2027;
• approving HHS Robotics travel to St. Louis to attend the Robotics World Championship between Apr. 25-May 7, 2027;
• approving travel to Springfield for students to attend the State Leadership Conference;
• approving travel for students to attend the National Invention Convention in Dearborn, Michigan, from June 9-11, 2027.

Residents reminded to avoid school property

Bishop reminded the public to stay off the turf fields and away from school buildings while classes are in session. He commented on an “uptick of families” walking dogs on school property.

“It’s a safety thing,” he explained. “We want to make sure that everybody is understanding the rules and expectations, and we appreciate everyone’s cooperation.”