MARSHFIELD - September 23 - The Marshfield School Committee celebrated innovative programming September 23, spotlighting the district’s Unified Sports program and a new middle school wellness curriculum designed to build stronger connections among students and the broader community.
The Full Story
Two groundbreaking initiatives took center stage at Tuesday’s meeting, demonstrating the district’s commitment to student belonging and inclusion. High school teachers Alyssa Gage and Yvonne O’Brien presented updates on the Unified Sports program, which brings together students with and without intellectual disabilities as teammates in track and field and basketball. The program completed its first track season in spring 2025 and has just begun its basketball season with 31 registered students.
“Unified brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together as teammates, creating friendships, confidence, and true school spirit,” Gage explained to the committee. “This program is about women’s sport and it’s about belonging.”
The basketball season will feature five games total, including three home games where organizers are working with the dance team, cheerleaders, and pep band to create a full school experience. Athletic Director William Battis praised the teachers’ dedication, noting they “really took it last year” when asked to lead the program and have brought “an energy, a vibe” that is “contagious” throughout the school.
The program represents part of Marshfield High School’s journey toward becoming a Unified Champion School through the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA), requiring unified sports, student leadership programs, and full school engagement activities.
Meanwhile, at Furnace Brook Middle School, health teachers Kate and Meredith introduced the HIVE (Health, Identity, Values, Empowerment) Journal program. This comprehensive wellness curriculum was created specifically for all sixth-grade students to address concerning data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey showing many students don’t feel they have a trusted adult to turn to for help.
The program uses a beehive metaphor to emphasize community interdependence, with Kate and Meredith explaining that “everybody has an important role” and “the success of the HIVE depends on everyone supporting each other.” The curriculum is divided into three main sections: “Bee-ing” focuses on self-reflection and personal strengths; “Bee-Longing” emphasizes building friendships and practicing kindness; and “Bee-Connected” puts lessons into action through community service projects.
What makes the program especially notable is its grassroots development. Kate “created this entire journal” independently, working on her own time to develop content specifically tailored to FDMS and Marshfield, including references to local landmarks and school traditions.
Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan opened the meeting by highlighting the district’s annual convocation, which featured student performances and a panel discussion on belonging with seven students providing direct feedback to staff about inclusive practices. This student-centered approach aligns with the district’s strategic plan focus on student voice and engagement.
Dr. Sullivan also announced the district’s participation in the state’s EdTech cohort to enhance digital learning capabilities and revealed new state mandates requiring middle school Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway policies by November 1st. The district will likely request an extension to properly develop these policies, which must include collaboration with regional technical schools and mandatory student tours during school hours.
The superintendent noted additional challenges with the rollout of the new MCAS parent portal, which will allow parents to access three years of testing data but currently has security concerns that are delaying implementation.
Why It Matters
These programs directly address student mental health and belonging at critical developmental stages. The Unified Sports program breaks down barriers between students with different abilities while the HIVE Journal provides incoming middle schoolers with concrete tools for building relationships and community connections. Both initiatives reflect the district’s strategic plan emphasis on ensuring all students feel welcomed and supported, with potential lasting impacts on school culture and student wellbeing.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: No formal votes were taken during this meeting.
Public Comment
Marshfield Education Association President spoke briefly, highlighting the association’s $1,500 in scholarships awarded to seniors and expressing eagerness to work with the school committee on upcoming initiatives.
What’s Next
The superintendent will finalize his evaluation document to present to the committee, which will inform district goals for the year. The district will seek an extension for the November 1st CTE pathway policy deadline. Subcommittee meetings are scheduled for tomorrow night to discuss equitable programming opportunities.