Norwell Middle School Celebrates Excellence with Student Showcase
Students demonstrate achievements in reading, math, and leadership while highlighting school's focus on engagement and academic growth
NORWELL - March 10 - Norwell Middle School students took center stage at the March 10 School Committee meeting, showcasing their achievements and experiences across various programs designed to enhance student engagement and academic performance.
Principal Jim Dupille opened the presentation by highlighting the school's focus on student voice and choice, as well as building strong family connections through expanded opportunities.
"The middle school has a great, excellent school, excellent staff. Students are phenomenal," Dupille says. "For the 24-25, we've been focused on student engagement, making sure we have student voice, student choice."
Sixth-grade students shared their experiences transitioning from elementary to middle school, emphasizing how having four content-area teachers has benefited their learning.
"One thing that really helped me was if you only had, like, one teacher or two blocks, you'd only be learning one perspective," explains one sixth-grade student. "I could go to science, and I'd say, 'Hey, I have a math problem I'm really stuck on,' and I've already finished my science homework. Do you think I could have some help?'"
The students also offered advice to incoming sixth graders about adjusting to middle school.
"One piece of advice I would give is to form good study habits and make sure you're doing your best work, because it matters a lot more in sixth grade," shares a student presenter.
Andrea Lewis, the middle school librarian, presented the school's new reading initiative designed to increase reading stamina and develop active reading skills. The program begins with students taking a survey to determine their preferred book genres.
"At the beginning of the year, we took a short survey to determine which genre of book we liked best," explains one sixth-grader. "Once we tallied up the results, we got a bookmark with that genre."
Students receive personalized book recommendations and dedicated reading time, with impressive results: 86% of students surveyed find the in-class reading helpful, and 94% report discovering good book titles.
"According to the National Literacy Trust, students who enjoy reading are three times more likely to have above-average academic performances," Lewis notes. "Not only are we developing positive attitudes towards reading, but also students are seizing that reading passion and bringing it into their own journeys as lifelong readers."
Math teachers Rick Wolbach and Cindy DeBendicitis showcased Desmos, a new digital learning platform used in grades 6-8 math classes. The interactive, problem-based platform helps students visualize math concepts and connect learning to real-world applications.
"What I like a lot about it is that it shows multiple ways of learning," explains DeBendicitis. "We can use it to introduce a new concept for them to learn about it that way. We can practice a concept."
Students demonstrated how they use Desmos to solve problems involving percentages and linear equations, showing how the platform allows them to try different approaches and receive immediate feedback.
Teacher Maeve Murphy presented the school's project-based geometry classes, which focus on measurement in seventh grade and transformations on a coordinate grid in eighth grade. Students work collaboratively on hands-on activities culminating in projects like designing business logos using geometric transformations and building model castles.
"In 7th grade we had a castle project for the end of term in project-based geometry," explains a student presenter. "The project required us to use our knowledge of 2 and 3 dimensional shapes to design and build a model castle in small groups."
The Math Counts team received recognition for their outstanding performance at the southeastern regional Math Counts competition, where they secured first place. Several students finished in the top 10 individually, with one student earning first place.
"Overall we were very successful this year in this year's competition," Wolbach says. "Our official team, our main team made up of Nolan, Pranjala, Joey and Chase they won first place in the southeastern regional. This is only the second time that we have won that competition."
Students also presented their work on a biweekly student newsletter, which includes sections on riddles, inspirational quotes, fun facts, horoscopes, and craft videos. The newsletter uses themes such as holidays and special events to engage readers.
"We realized Mr. Dupille is so supportive of new ideas and we really appreciate that," says Mrs. Murray, the newsletter advisor. "Over the summer it was like we're constantly talking about how to increase student voice and give students an opportunity to become more a part of the school in different ways."
Other highlights from the meeting included:
- School Council survey results showing the school ranking in the 80th to 99th percentile nationally in seven categories measuring student well-being and engagement
- Recognition of Tommy Wilson, the school's Project 351 representative, who will lead a clothing drive in April
- PTO report highlighting successful fundraising through the Turkey Trot, which netted $21,000 to support school initiatives
- Superintendent Keegan's update on the FY26 budget override, noting that the School Committee budget request of $2,481,480 has been approved by the Select Board
Keegan mentioned that at the March 31 meeting, when the open hearing on the budget takes place, there will be "a significant conversation on what the consequences of a non-override are" to ensure community members understand both scenarios before voting.
School Committee Chair Christina Kane concluded the student showcase portion of the meeting by thanking the students for their presentations.
"We're always so impressed by your skills to be able to get up and speak because public speaking is something that really is important for your whole life," Kane says. "So the fact that you do this in middle school and we do these outreaches at the elementary level as well that kids get to practice this—you guys nailed it."