Marshfield School Committee Approves Elementary Handbooks, Discusses Student Representation
Committee reviews school improvement plans, explores enhanced student voice in governance
MARSHFIELD - May 27 - The Marshfield School Committee unanimously approves elementary school handbooks and reviews school improvement plans during their May 27 meeting, while also discussing plans to enhance student representation on the committee.
Chair Sean Costello and the committee express enthusiasm about revamping the student representative role to provide more meaningful input on committee decisions.
"We talk about student voice a lot, and this is the population that we're elected to serve, the students," Costello says. "So we want to hear from the students about what they think."
Committee member Lauren Dargan reports on her work with student councils to develop a more robust student representation model.
"We did start the process with the student council, so I think we have some more work to do on it and figure out how to roll that out," Dargan says. "In general, I think it really ties in with what we saw from the elementary surveys, too, is how do we communicate what's happening in the district?"
Superintendent Patrick Sullivan presents the elementary school handbooks for approval, noting there are no substantive changes from the previous version. The committee votes unanimously to approve the handbooks.
The meeting features presentations from all five elementary school principals on their school improvement plans and survey results. Each school's plan aligns with the district's strategic pillars while addressing specific needs of their buildings.
The first two goals are consistent across all elementary schools: strengthening the culture of belonging and implementing the district's new reading program.
"Our first goal was about strengthening the culture of belonging in our school community," one principal explains. "This was really to follow up on the work that was started this year district-wide."
For the reading program implementation, schools focus on "making sure we're strengthening that and also adding that all block in there," another principal notes. "And using our GLC time to make sure that we're looking at data, we're problem solving, finding where the problems are, how to fix them."
Individual schools also present unique goals based on their specific needs and community feedback. South River School highlights plans to enhance accessibility, noting they received a ramp last year but still need improvements to bathrooms and other areas to become fully accessible.
School surveys reveal high levels of family satisfaction, with South River reporting "100% of families feel extremely welcome or very welcome at school." Martinson Elementary similarly reports "100% of parents felt that their cultural background and values were respected by the school community."
Several schools identify opportunities for improvement in communication methods and family engagement. Principals note the desire for more consistent communication platforms and additional family events.
Governor Winslow School reports that "96% of our families feel Governor Winslow meets the social-emotional needs of their child," while Daniel Webster School sees "the greatest increase in families' feelings in the areas of family involvement in teaching and learning since 2022."
The committee also hears from the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), which presents on their work supporting families of children with special needs. SEPAC representatives highlight their efforts to provide information, training, and emotional support to families.
Committee members praise SEPAC's effectiveness, with Costello noting, "I have yet to see a SEPAC perform the way that you all perform. The fact that you contribute so effectively to moving the district forward, that you tie in the district's mission, and that you make special education a centerpiece of what we do here in Marshfield."
Other business addressed during the meeting includes:
* Approval of the 2025-2026 district conference calendar
* First reading of the 2026-2027 academic calendar
* Reappointment of committee representatives to local collaboratives
* Updates on end-of-year activities, including senior events and graduation preparations
* Discussion of the upcoming Wall of Honor ceremony recognizing outstanding retired educators and community members
The meeting begins with a spotlight on excellence featuring Martinson Elementary's English Language (EL) program. Students share their experiences learning English, with three students celebrating their graduation from the program.
"When I first moved here, I didn't know a single word in English, but I kept trying and I had a lot of help to learn how to read, write, speak, and understand a new language," one student shares.
The committee also hears from a high school senior who shares how his second-grade reading teacher, Caroline Braudis, changed his life by helping him overcome dyslexia.
"Mrs. Braudis didn't just teach me how to read. She taught me how to not give up," the student says. "She helped me believe that struggling doesn't make you weak. It makes you stronger."
The next regular School Committee meeting is scheduled for June 2.