New Superintendent Outlines Vision for Marshfield Schools

MARSHFIELD, MA - August 27 - Dr. Patrick Sullivan, Marshfield's new superintendent, presented his leadership vision for the upcoming school year at a recent school committee meeting, focusing on student voice, family engagement, and data-driven decisions.

The superintendent emphasized the importance of collective teacher efficacy and adaptive change in improving student achievement.

"Everything that we'll do over the coming years will be an adaptive change," Sullivan said, describing it as a process where "a group of people get together, get their hands dirty, and keep reiterating things until they work."

Sullivan introduced the theme for the year as "through the eyes of the student," explaining that it was chosen because "what we all have in common is the students are the most important people in the equation."

The superintendent outlined a triangle of culture, communication, and collaboration as driving forces for teaching and learning. He stressed the importance of clear expectations for students.

"One of the best things our teachers and staff can do for the kids in making them feel connected is to be clear with their expectations," Sullivan said.

Family and community engagement is a major focus of Sullivan's plan. He referenced Joyce Epstein's six dimensions of family and community engagement, which include parenting, volunteering, decision-making, work at home, communicating, and engaging with the community.

Sullivan also emphasized the importance of data-driven decisions. "All of our decisions should have some data with them, whether it's qualitative or quantitative," he said.

He plans to create a data structure for the district that aligns with the vision for graduates. This structure will include data points from pre-K through 12th grade to measure student progress in areas such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication.

The superintendent highlighted ongoing efforts in rigorous curriculum development, including a new EL curriculum. He also mentioned the importance of financial stability and efficient protocols and procedures.

Sullivan reported on collaboration with police and fire departments on safety procedures, including meetings to discuss first-day procedures and ongoing protocol work.

Student engagement and leadership opportunities were also emphasized in Sullivan's presentation. He expressed a desire to push students towards activism and leadership roles.

The superintendent's plan also includes a focus on equity, belonging, and wellness. This encompasses culturally responsive teaching practices, social-emotional learning, and ensuring all students have a voice.

Sullivan discussed the implementation of a new traffic pattern for the start of the school year. He mentioned that detail officers will be present during the first week to ensure safety and smooth operations.

The superintendent concluded by expressing excitement for the upcoming school year. "It's been a really exciting summer. There's a lot more to do in the next few days, but we're in a really good spot," Sullivan said.