SAUGUS — The principals from the local schools all came to the school committee meeting on Thursday to discuss their School Improvement Plans. All focused heavily on growth, belonging, and learning, along with the District Improvement Plan.
Michael Mondello, principal of Veterans Early Learning Center (VELC), explained his goals for the school and what they have achieved so far.
“Something that I once read that drives me is, ‘Goals are made for winning once, but systems are made for creating a winning culture,'” Mondello said.
He said this year while revising his plan, he focused on systems that will support the school, teachers, and especially the students.
“I feel this year I was fortunate to have the opportunity to add valuable staff members to support critical needs in our learning organization,” he said.
Mondello added that they were focused on developing a work culture to ensure educators are valued, offer students in all grades the opportunity to showcase their talents, and provide all students with standard-aligned, outstanding instruction.
“I’m tremendously proud of our school and our staff for continuously improving. We took on a big lift three years ago, implementing three brand new high-quality instructional materials, and we’ve just continued to each year get better and better at delivering them so that they’re not just words on this paper, but we’re actually living and doing the work in the building,” Mondello said.
School Committee Chair Vincent Serino said he really liked the plan for the VELC, but wanted to know what they would need from the committee to help put it into action.
“As we go through budget season, really lean on us because we want to help you with solutions,” he said.
Mondello agreed with Serino and said the most important thing right now would be consistency for the school.
Belmonte STEAM Academy Principal Dr. Maureen Lueke was next to speak to the committee.
“One of the main things we’re talking about is providing a safe and welcoming learning environment,” she said.
Lueke said the impact of the aforementioned learning environment is that teachers can focus on instruction and students to engage in learning.
“Some of the things around this really focus on discipline policies, safety protocols, addressing student management swiftly, and communicating with parents and teachers and being collaborative,” Lueke said.
Lueke hopes to encourage the growth of teachers and give constructive and positive feedback to them.
Belmonte’s belonging plan used enrichment programs, including an academic support system and the recognition of student accomplishments. The learning plan involves ensuring that help is provided for students and creating supportive learning environments for all of the kids.
Last to speak was Saugus Middle High School Principal Carla Scuzzarella, who said, “Similar to my colleagues our plan is based on the District Improvement Plan with more focused areas at the high school middle school complex that we felt we needed to address.”
Scuzzarella said they’ve been expanding and implementing a number of curriculums that were purchased by the district.
“I think if you walk through any of the classrooms … you’ll see that there is a lot of use of this curriculum … you saw at the last meeting it’s definitely showing up in some good places. Like I said, there’s a lot of good work to do at the middle high school, but we’re making those progressive, positive steps,” she said.
The school is also focusing heavily on providing access to enrichment activities for students in all grades. They’re also providing support academically and continuing to strengthen communication and engagement with students, staff, and families.
Scuzzarella lastly touched on the school’s culture and the hope to reinforce positive behavior and to enhance the positive culture within the school.
“Thank you for the progress we’ve made at the complex,” Serino said. “Just listening to you talking to people, we’re going in the right direction and I thank you for that.”
Committee member John Hatch also commented on the amazing job all of the schools have been doing with the district plan and implementing it into the student body,
Committee member Stephanie Mastrocola said she has heard positive feedback from parents on what Scuzzarella has been implementing for the school. Both her and committee member Ryan Fischer also thanked the principals for their work.
“I do feel positive about the direction we’re going and I do want you guys to challenge us with your needs … At the end of the day we need to be part of the solution so please challenge us,” Serino said.
