East Bridgewater Schools Approve New Digital Sign, Update Graduation Requirements
Mental health service usage sees dramatic increase as district enhances student support initiatives
EAST BRIDGEWATER - February 18 - The East Bridgewater School Committee has approved the installation of a new digital sign at the Gordon W. Mitchell School, funded through ARPA money. The sign will replace the existing brick structure and match the design of the town hall sign.
The wireless-enabled digital display will allow school officials to update messages remotely, with power supplied from a nearby utility pole. The project includes demolition of the current brick wall and white sign structure.
The committee voted 4-1 to approve the design, with committee member Peter Furia voting against due to concerns about long-term durability. Business Administrator John Shea notes that while LED boards may need replacement after several years, the cost is "not that expensive."
In other business, East Bridgewater High School Principal Bill Silva presented updated graduation requirements following recent changes that removed MCAS testing as a graduation criterion. The new requirements focus on course completion rather than standardized test scores.
"There are two things that have to happen for students to graduate this year," Silva explains. "The first is they have to meet the requirements of every school district - a set of courses they need to take over a four-year window aligned with Common Core Standards."
Under the new system, students must pass English 9 and English 10, two mathematics courses in ninth and tenth grade (either algebra 1 and geometry or geometry and algebra 2), and either biology, chemistry or physics.
Silva emphasizes that no current students are in jeopardy of not graduating under the new requirements. The school identifies students who may need additional support early in their junior year and offers credit recovery options.
The high school is also considering raising graduation credit requirements from 110 to 115 credits, with potential future increases to 120 credits. The current seven-period schedule allows students to earn up to 140 credits over four years.
"We have to do it incrementally," Silva notes. "We can't change it this year for our juniors. We would need to look at maybe our incoming freshmen and say we're going to go from 110 to 115."
Assistant Superintendent Gina Williams presented data showing significant growth in usage of Care Solace, the district's mental health support service. From July 2023 through Feb. 6, 2024, the service recorded 4,971 total communications, compared to 1,770 for the entire previous school year.
Care Solace connects families and staff with mental health providers through various methods, including direct referrals from guidance counselors and anonymous requests. The service operates outside school hours, with peak usage at 5 p.m. for phone calls.
"With Care Solace, it has actually freed up [counselors'] time because they're not serving as outside therapy supports for families. They're not spending hours trying to help families connect," Williams says.
The data shows anxiety (55%), depression (41%), and trauma (33%) as the most common concerns. The service connects users with providers across the region, including in Brockton, Middleborough, Mansfield, East Bridgewater, and other locations.
Williams notes the district is in its second year of a five-year contract with Care Solace, funded through a grant. Committee member Rebecca Fidler, who works as a provider, praised the system's effectiveness.
"If local people ask me at any point for a recommendation or what to do, I actually typically now refer to saying, reach out to Care Solace or talk to guidance about a referral to Care Solace," Fidler says.
The committee also received updates on the Mitchell School accelerated repair project through the MSBA, with project manager GreenerU Inc. and architect firm Dietz and Company Architects conducting recent walkthroughs. The schematic design and feasibility phase is underway, with construction planned for summer 2026.