HULL - October 6 - The Hull School Committee unanimously approved two significant music field trips that will give middle school students opportunities to perform at a Providence Bruins hockey game and compete at a regional music festival at Canobie Lake Park, marking the return of beloved traditions suspended since the pandemic.
The Full Story
Music teacher Andrew St. George presented two field trip proposals that had been staples of the Hull music program before COVID-19 disrupted school activities in 2020. The committee approved both trips enthusiastically, recognizing their educational value and the excitement they generate among students.
The first approved trip will send 6th and 7th grade chorus students to perform the national anthem at a Providence Bruins game on January 14th at the Amica Pavilion. The trip involves 41 students who will depart shortly after school at 4:15 p.m., arrive an hour before the 7 p.m. game, and return around 10:30 p.m. St. George explained that students will be featured on the Jumbotron and receive commemorative caps for their performance. The ticket cost is $25 per student, with approximately five chaperones maintaining an 8-to-9 student ratio. Students will stay together throughout the event, with adult supervision required for any movement to concessions or restrooms.
The second approved field trip is the “Trills and Thrills Music Festival” at Canobie Lake Park on June 5th, involving 56 students from 6th and 7th grade band. This all-day excursion combines academic competition with recreation. Students will perform at Nashua High School at 11:40 a.m., where retired music teachers and collegiate professors will judge their performance using a detailed rubric assessing intonation, tone quality, balance, and blend. After receiving written and verbal feedback, students will spend the afternoon at Canobie Lake Park, which closes at 4 p.m. on festival days. The trip requires two buses, possibly additional vehicles for instruments, and at least 10 chaperones to maintain a 5-to-6 student ratio.
St. George reminisced about past successes, noting that Hull bands had achieved “superior” ratings in previous years at similar festivals. “The first time we went from that high C up to a superior rating was really just... You should have heard the bus when I announced it on the way to the Canobie,” he said.
The ticket cost for the Canobie Lake trip is currently $63 per student and $42 per chaperone, though St. George plans to reduce these costs through fundraising. Beginning this Friday, students will sell cookie dough and cupcake packages from Guilty Bakery in Hanover, with sales running through November 3rd. The fundraiser is tied to the school’s house challenge system, with gift card incentives for top sellers. The goal is to cover bus fees and reduce ticket costs for families.
School Committee member Liliana Hedrick inquired about meals for the Canobie Lake trip, suggesting the district could provide bagged lunches rather than requiring students to bring $25 for food. Superintendent Mike Jette agreed this was “a great idea” that could be arranged. School Committee member Aleeza Hagerty raised concerns about check-in requirements, referencing past 8th grade trips where hourly check-ins prevented students from enjoying rides. St. George assured the committee that the plan includes only a midpoint check-in with small chaperoned groups, avoiding the problematic hourly system.
Multiple committee members praised the return of these opportunities. “I’m just really excited that you’ve taken the initiative to bring these back. I think it’s such a fun, memorable opportunity for the students,” Hagerty said. Committee member Brendan Kilroe asked about total costs, estimating approximately $4,000 for both trips combined, and emphasized finding ways to offset expenses so families could participate without financial barriers.
St. George stressed that both trips are optional and has repeatedly communicated this to students. Chair Kyle Conley confirmed that financial assistance would be available for any student who wants to participate but faces cost barriers.
The meeting also featured significant celebration of academic achievement at the Jacobs School, which was recently recognized by the state as one of only 22 schools out of 1,817 in Massachusetts to return to pre-pandemic achievement levels in English Language Arts. Principal Shaw and Director of Curriculum Christine Cappadona attended a ceremony with the Commissioner to accept this honor. Hull Teachers Association representative Maura Jones attributed this success to improved communication between administration and staff through monthly building-level meetings. “HTA strongly believes that the excellent communication that has been developed in the building between the administration and staff directly correlates to these amazing scores,” Jones said.
The committee welcomed newly elected member Aleeza Hagerty, who officially joined the five-member board. Hagerty thanked community members who encouraged her candidacy and voters who elected her, expressing excitement to begin her service.
In other business, the committee unanimously ratified a three-year contract with the custodial union. Superintendent Jette and Director of Finance and Operations Diane Saniuk explained that the agreement, negotiated over four sessions, includes wage increases consistent with other bargaining groups and retroactive pay back to July 1st. The contract covers custodians at all three school buildings and aims to retain quality staff who maintain school facilities.
Student government representatives Tessa Shoker and a fellow freshman vice president reported on a successful homecoming week featuring themed spirit days including “Me Monday,” “Twin Tuesday,” “Jersey vs. Jersey Shore Wednesday,” “Outrageous Outfit Thursday,” and “Pirate Pride Friday.” The homecoming dance with a Hawaiian theme sold 160 tickets, and students wore pink at the football game for breast cancer awareness. Student government is planning Halloween activities and preparing for November events including spirit weeks, powder puff games, and a Thanksgiving rally.
The Jacobs School also hosted Hull Hill Farmers, with grades 1-3 students planting radishes, cilantro, kale, and lettuce while harvesting mint and potatoes. The elementary school introduced two new monthly awards: the Golden Plunger and Golden Bus Award, presented by Custodian Griffin and Bus Driver Mike.
Jette announced that representatives from the South Shore Educational Collaborative will soon present to the committee about the collaborative’s services. Hull is a member district that both sends students to collaborative programs and hosts programs in Hull buildings, receiving rental revenue for the space provided. The collaborative provides intensive educational services for students with specialized needs that cannot be met in traditional school settings.
The committee approved the meeting agenda and minutes from September 22nd and September 24th meetings. Jette presented a comprehensive report on student clubs and activities at both schools, compiled from surveys completed by club advisors detailing goals, meeting schedules, and parameters. Hedrick noted strong student excitement about middle school offerings, praising communication between teachers and students. Hagerty appreciated that information was provided to parents at open house to encourage student participation.
When Conley asked whether club offerings connect to academic priorities or are purely recreational, Jette explained these are co-curricular activities bargained with the teachers association, with a fluid approval process allowing new clubs when student and advisor interest emerges. He cited writing club as an example of how activities evolve—it replaced a newspaper club as student interests and formats changed while maintaining academic connections.
The committee accepted donations totaling several hundred dollars for the music program.
The committee scheduled a six-to-nine evening retreat to complete summer planning work that was postponed when the committee had only four members. Conley will send a poll to identify an available date in the coming weeks. Topics will include finalizing the district strategic framework, which Jette is keeping intentionally brief to make it actionable for staff rather than an unwieldy 38-page document.
Why It Matters
The approval of these music field trips represents a significant investment in experiential learning and demonstrates the district’s commitment to providing enriching opportunities beyond the classroom. For the 97 middle school students potentially participating, these trips offer real-world performance experience, competitive evaluation from professionals, and memorable bonding experiences with peers. The return of these traditions signals the school district’s emergence from pandemic-era limitations and its renewed focus on the co-curricular activities that make education engaging and meaningful. For families, the fundraising efforts and potential financial assistance ensure that cost will not prevent any interested student from participating, reinforcing Hull’s commitment to equitable access to educational opportunities.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Approve the meeting agenda as amended. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:00:40)
Motion: Approve September 22nd regular meeting minutes and September 24th joint meeting minutes. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:10:31)
Motion: Approve 6th and 7th grade chorus field trip to Providence Bruins game on January 14th. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:26:08)
Motion: Approve 6th and 7th grade band field trip to Trills and Thrills Music Festival at Canobie Lake Park on June 5th. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:29:04)
Motion: Ratify three-year collective bargaining agreement with custodial union. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:49:41)
Motion: Accept donations. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:59:26)
Motion: Adjourn meeting at 7:31 p.m. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 01:00:23)
Public Comment
No public comment was offered during the designated time for input on agenda items.
What’s Next
Music teacher Andrew St. George will launch fundraising campaign beginning October 11th, selling cookie dough and cupcake packages through November 3rd to offset field trip costs.
School committee will schedule evening retreat (6-9 p.m.) in coming weeks to complete strategic planning work, with date to be determined via poll.
South Shore Educational Collaborative representatives will present to school committee at upcoming meeting to provide overview of services and quarterly updates.
Superintendent will provide presentation on MCAS test score improvements at next meeting, including detailed data from Jacobs School recognition.
Student government meeting scheduled for October 7th to plan Halloween activities and November events including spirit weeks, powder puff games, and Thanksgiving rally.
Fire prevention week activities continue through October 10th with Captain Roy Ahlquist visiting all classes at Jacobs School; poster contest submissions due October 14th with winners receiving fire truck ride to school.