Lynnfield Public Schools began its school year Wednesday, Aug. 28 with smiles across the district.
“Overall, the first day was fantastic,” Superintendent Thomas Geary said. “There was a lot of energy and excitement at all four schools. I had many positive conversations with teachers and principals throughout the day, and there was great enthusiasm welcoming our students back in the buildings.”
He said he was at arrivals for Lynnfield High School and both elementary schools — Huckleberry Hill Elementary and Summer Street School — in the mornings, at dismissal for LHS, Summer Street, and Lynnfield Middle School, attended lunches at Huckleberry Hill and LMS, and went to athletic practices after school at LHS.
“Everywhere I went, the mood was upbeat,” Geary said.
He said the staff discussed its commitment to positive culture on Monday, Aug. 26.
“I feel like that was really reflected in our schools on Wednesday. It was a terrific day,” he said.
Principals, curriculum directors, teachers, special-services staff, technology department, the Department of Public Works, and other departments around the town “worked cohesively to ensure that we would have a great start to the new school year,” Geary said.
“Much of our preparation occurs over the summer, and I am grateful for the collaboration and dedication of our entire staff as we readied our district to welcome back students,” he said.
At the elementary schools, the district reestablished “interventionist positions” at the elementary-school level.
“Interventionists are crucial, as these staff members provide early, often, and intense interventions for students in math and English throughout the year as needed based on student-performance assessment data,” Geary said.
The middle-school student schedule has been revamped, allowing for more time for interventions and exploratory classes, and 14 new electives were added at the high school, he said.
Additionally, the district has introduced a new assistant superintendent, Adam Federico; a new principal, Lauren King, at Huckleberry Hill; a new assistant principal, Dana Courtney, at LMS; and 19 new teachers.
“All of these impactful changes ensure that we are able to continue to provide excellence in education pre-K-12, and are vital, as they reflect our continued commitment to hiring the highest quality educators in the field in order to provide the best possible education,” he said.
Geary said it’s important for students of all ages to prepare themselves for the school year by setting up healthy routines at home. He also advised parents to open conversations about their student’s school days and to allow them to have free time.
“Over the summer the School Committee, Superintendent Geary, curriculum directors, teachers, and our custodial staff worked incredibly hard to ensure that right from the start, the 2024-25 school year is amazing,” School Committee Chair Kate DePrizio said.
The School Committee has also changed many district policies over the summer.
“We greatly appreciate the feedback that our principals, teachers, and the community have shared with us thus far, regarding our policies,” DePrizio said. “I believe many in our community find these policy changes appropriate and overdue.”
She said the School Committee plans to review each of these policies annually to “assess their effectiveness” and solicit feedback from the community.
At the new teacher and new staff orientation on Wednesday, Aug. 21, DePrizio said she was “struck by the enthusiasm and eagerness” the new hires had to join LPS.
“Superintendent Geary said it best, ‘We have high expectations but there is no better place to work than Lynnfield Public Schools. It is an honor to work here every day,’” she said.
She said she attended and spoke at the welcome-back meeting for all teachers and staff on Monday, Aug. 26, during which Geary, Lynnfield Teachers Association President and teacher Alex Cellucci, and Federico all spoke.
“The dedication of our district is unparalleled, truly awe-inspiring,” she said.
DePrizio, a mother of four students ranging in age from pre-K to sixth grade, said her children were all excited to return to school.
“Each of them came home abuzz with stories about the day, but thoroughly exhausted,” she said. “It’s remarkable to see the growth and confidence that sixth grade brings.”
She said her students at Huckleberry Hill were “greeted with the warmest welcome” by the new staff and new principal, King.
“All of my children truly love their schools and were excited to go back,” she said.
