The Village School Advisory Council Meeting shared updates on staffing, programs, and upcoming events, and reviewed the School Improvement Plan, which serves as the guiding framework for the academic year.
Principal Scott Williams opened the meeting by introducing new staff members, recognizing the energy and inspiration they bring to the school, and reflecting on the district leadership retreat held over the summer.
Several new educators and support staff have joined Village School, including a long-term substitute teacher covering sixth grade, a part-time counselor, and new instructional assistants.
Williams expressed optimism about the new hires, describing them as essential for the school’s continued growth.
“They’re very inspiring to me. I mean that,” he said.
The start of the academic year featured teacher professional development days, a well-attended 4th-grade ice cream social, and the launch of the “Dynamic Ducks” program, an initiative designed to promote safety, responsibility, and respect, Williams said.
Through this program, students are recognized for positive contributions and will participate in monthly luncheons to share their perspectives directly with school leadership, reflecting the district’s commitment to amplifying student voice, he said.
The school also continues to prioritize environmental stewardship through its composting efforts, initiated last year, as well as the school’s garden.
“I’m all about outdoor experiences and really teaching the practical application of curriculum. Photosynthesis, the water cycle, whatever that may be, pollination, plant life, plant cycle. So all good stuff,” Williams said.
He added, “But this is pretty impressive. I’ve done a lot of gardens at a lot of schools. This is, this is next level garden.”
The composting efforts have been expanded, with student “Rangers” playing a key role in maintaining composting standards in the cafeteria. While recycling remains on pause due to logistical issues, composting has become an embedded part of the school culture, Williams noted.
The school has also conducted multiple safety drills, including fire and evacuation drills, demonstrating staff and student preparedness, according to Williams.
Williams said students had to evacuate the building on Aug. 28 due to a gas odor.
“Always best to err on the side of caution. Students were supervised and safe at all times. It was a nice test, a testament to the staff on how well they handled it,” he said.
He added, “Fire responded, the police responded, students and staff were outside, I want to say, for about 45 minutes, which is a prolonged time. But everybody did very well. We communicated quickly with families to let everybody know.”
Williams said that Open House events for all grades were well attended, with particularly strong turnout at the 4th-grade level.
Village School continues to expand and refine its curriculum. The Wit & Wisdom literacy program is now in its third year, science instruction has been refreshed with a new program for fifth grade, and the social-emotional curriculum Wayfinder is being fully implemented.
According to Katie Frigon, music teacher and Allied Arts lead teacher said in world languages, students now experience both Spanish and French, helping them make more informed choices when they reach middle school.
A major focus of the meeting was the School Improvement Plan, the school’s “roadmap for success.” The plan aligns with district goals and emphasizes four key pillars.
According to the Village School 2025-26 school improvement plan, one segment, Teaching & Learning, aims to improve on data-driven literacy and math growth, using multiple measures, including IXL assessments and MCAS results, to track progress.
Another focus area, Professional Culture, aims to “Build, Strengthen, & Support educator capacity and well-being,” according to the document.
Another pillar of the plan is Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. This goal aims to “Promote equity and ensure inclusion by acknowledging and embedding all forms of diversity throughout the district,” the document states.
Williams stressed the importance of looking at trends over time rather than relying on single data points. He explained, “You can’t make a judgment call on one snapshot.”
The committee also discussed the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly on students’ social-emotional skills and some foundational academic areas.
Staff noted that while some gaps remain, students have shown resilience, and structured programs like Wayfinder and Morning Meeting are helping to rebuild those skills.
“Our children are going to be okay,” Williams assured parents, emphasizing the school’s commitment to meeting students where they are.
The next committee meeting is scheduled for Nov. 18.
