THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 26, 2022 Page 3 Back to School Saugus Public School principals have high expectations as the district begins the second year of scholastic improvement goals By Mark E. Vogler T hirty-three Saugus High School students will truly be getting an early jump on their college education plans when they return to classes for the start of the 2022-23 academic school year on Tuesday. “They can get college credits and it will not cost them anything,” Saugus Middle High School Principal Brendon Sullivan said in an interview this week as he spoke enthusiastically about new programs and new educational opportunities that will be available to students. As the new school year begins, 18 students are registered for an introduction to college course and 15 will be taking a collegiate level public speaking course. “We have been meeting with North Shore Community College regularly and have hired an early college director,” Sullivan said. Professors from the college will be teaching a few select college courses in the fall and spring at the Saugus Middle High School Complex, according to Sullivan. The goal is to give them a head start on college and better prepare them for life after college. Saugus Public Schools is one of five school districts in the state to obtain a $500,000 grant from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to make early college programs accessible locally. It is one of the programs that will be featured this year as School Superintendent Erin McMahon embarks on the second of a five-year program to improve scholastic excellence in the school district. “We have three areas of focus this year,” Supt. McMahon said in an interview this week. She noted that the top priorities are student-driven instruction, supporting the professional growth of teachers and developing high-quality curriculum. On Wednesday, during a break in administrative planning sessions, the superintendent made arrangements for her three principals to meet with The Saugus Advocate and highlight the major new programs within their respective schools. Here’s what going on at a glance: The Saugus Middle High School Complex “In addition to early college, we’ll be implementing PBIS [Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports],” Sullivan said. “We’re doing this schoolwide. We’re creating a conducive, unified culture all the way through,” Sullivan Put Your Success To Work. said. The Veterans Early Learning Center Michael Mondello, who is principal of the Learning Center, said he’s excited about the implementation of the “Wit and Wisdom” curriculum to ensure that students have access to high-quality literature. Mondello will be overseeing the curriculum for children registered in preschool, kindergarten and the first grade. “Our ability to focus on BACK TO SCHOOL | SEE PAGE 12 Pictured from left to right: The three principals of Saugus Public School – Saugus Middle High School Principal Brendon Sullivan, Belmonte STEAM Academy Principal Dr. Rebecca Long and Veterans Early Learning Center Principal Michael Mondello look forward to next Tuesday’s (Aug. 30) opening of classes with big plans. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) Your next smart decision is what to do with your success. Easy choice, multiply it. 1.50%APY* Business Money Market Ask about our in-office business concierge service. *New Money Only. Minimum Deposit to earn interest is $50,000. For existing Everett Bank Business customers, an additional deposit of $10,000 is required.
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