Teaching and Learning Highlight: M.A.S.S. Certificate of Achievement, Professional Development

The following was submitted by Amy Berdos, Assistant Superintendent of Foxborough Schools.

Foxborough High School Senior was presented with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents’ Certificate of Achievement at Monday night’s School Committee meeting. Each Superintendent across the Commonwealth chooses one deserving student to honor with the certificate, based on academic excellence and achievement. An easy choice, Alana ranks first in her class and is both a scholar and an elite athlete. If she is not working on school work chances are you can find her volunteering at one of the elementary schools, babysitting, helping out at the Foxborough Food Pantry or polishing her backhand on the tennis court.  Nationally ranked, Alana is undefeated in her high school career and is currently listed 7th in New England and 366th nationally for girls 18 and under division.  

The second Teaching and Learning Highlight presented at this week’s meeting was an overview of the recent professional development day. Parents and students may ask, what happens when teachers go to school and students have the day off?  The answer....adult teaching and learning. Teachers and staff had the opportunity to learn from some of their own resident experts on October 7th's professional development day.  Most staff were trained in comprehension strategies that teach students to think through text in all subject areas. These workshops were led by Foxborough's school Superintendent Debra Spinelli and school literacy specialists. Other workshops focused on integrating technology, a music clinic and training for mental health teams in partnership with the YMCA. It was a day filled with teaching and learning to benefit all Foxborough students.