LYNNFIELD — New high school Principal Patricia Puglisi made her first appearance before the School Committee since being hired in February at the most recent meeting. The current principal at Manchester Essex Regional High School, Puglisi succeeds Bob Cleary, a Lynnfield native and Lynnfield High School graduate who is retiring in June.
Superintendent of Schools Kristen Vogel introduced Puglisi, saying she has already been working with Cleary and Assistant Principal Brian Bates “on transition and will continue to do that as we move closer to July 1,” which is Puglisi’s start date.
“I know, as I’ve said before at (her) interview, everybody was so incredibly impressed with Ms. Puglisi’s emphasis and focus on students’ voice and choice and having high standards for all students academically and socially and emotionally, so, welcome,” Vogel said.
“I really appreciate getting the opportunity to meet you and I’m really looking forward to July 1,” Puglisi said. “Lynnfield has such a great reputation and is going in the direction that connects with me philosophically so I am just really happy to be part of, really, the movement forward that the school has been transitioning to.”
Committee member Jamie Hayman asked Puglisi about her philosophy of inclusion and her vision for the school.
Puglisi said she believes in “student-centered learning” and that she learned “early on” that while people talk about students and their learning all the time, “they don’t really know what they’re talking about. They say, ‘oh yeah, my kid does group work’ that’s not what we’re talking about … What we’re talking about is meeting students where they are at, addressing their distinct needs, their distinct aspirations, their interests, their cultural differences and really making sure that we address all of those things in the classroom.”
Committee member Phil McQueen noted that the high school is “working through its NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation” and that Puglisi has worked on the Vision of the Graduates initiative and asked her to share her experience with both.
Puglisi explained that she is pleased with the “transformation of NEASC” and how it has adjusted the way it is going about the accreditation process.
“It’s really about improvement … It’s not about being on warning. It’s about showing improvement over time,” she said. “The Vision of the Graduates is the cornerstone of what they’re doing. The thought process is what are the skills that students should have achieved by the time they graduate.”
Puglisi said she believes that, in Lynnfield, the Vision of the Graduates goals are “very clearly defined,” which she sees as a “springboard” moving forward and that “we’re sure that by graduation day, all students have achieved those skills.”
Committee member Kate DeProzio said she believes that Puglisi’s student-centered approach “really echoes our district strategy for long-term growth” and asked if she plans to attend school events this spring.
Puglisi said she checked out the athletic schedule and has already penciled in a few Manchester Essex games and had hoped to attend Senior Week events, but they conflict with Manchester Essex senior events.
“I do owe it to our current students to attend their events as we’ve spent a lot of time together,” she said. “May does become pretty busy for high school principals.”
Committee Vice Chair Stacy Dahlstedt said she is looking forward to hearing Puglisi’s thoughts on potential areas for future growth.
“I need to learn more about the culture of the school to really have any significant comments,” she said. “I think with any school, there’s always opportunities for evolution,” adding that she believes “it’s all about the kids, it’s not about the adults.”
Chair Rich Sjoberg said he looks forward to working with Puglisi “to improve what’s already a great high school here in Lynnfield. What’s going to be great is, as you progress through the school year and you see those things through your eyes for the first time, we’ll get to see those things through your eyes and hear from you about those new things.”
Puglisi responded by saying she loves working at the high school level.
“My dream job is being a high school principal. I know that sounds corny, but it really is,” she said. “I’m just really looking forward to becoming part of the Lynnfield community.”
