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Date: 1/18/2023
LONGMEADOW – Three Longmeadow High School (LHS) seniors addressed the Longmeadow School Committee at its meeting on Jan. 9. Principal Thomas Landers introduced Daniel Shea, Murphy Haber and Jack Beliveau, each of whom described how they were living the Vision of the Graduate (VOG). The VOG is a series of six “competencies” that the district seeks to instill in students during their time in Longmeadow Public Schools – accountability, independence, problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration and communication.
Shea was in LHS’s Sport And Event Management class, which offered students a behind-the-scenes perspective on “putting together an event.” He said the students were given a look at the Big E’s protocols and put on an event to raise money for residents who had recently lost “loved ones.” He said the class “sparks creativity” and has made him better at teamwork.
Shea is also involved in an internship with the Springfield Police Department. There, he learned how to write reports and document crimes before moving to the forensics lab. The experience has surpassed his expectations he said and has allowed him to be hands on. Shea has learned fingerprinting weapons, crime scene photo analysis and how to organize evidence. He has learned “critical thinking skills” and said the internship gave him a “early idea” on what part of law enforcement he would like to pursue as a career.
Haber spoke about the Community Service Learning class. The project she has undertaken with three other students is focused on helping teachers at Center School. Haber said she has learned communication and collaboration skills with people of various ages. The class has helped her become more independent, she said, and improved her accountability through navigating scheduling conflicts. The experience has also changed her perception of people and made her less likely to believe assumptions. “It brings out the good in me,” she said.
Beliveau is enrolled in the Health Assisting Program through the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative Career Technical (CTEC) program. There, he learned basic anatomy and physiology, as well as about diseases and how to treat them. He said he has earned a “plethora of certifications” including first aid, CPR, feeding and nutrition, treating Alzheimer’s patients and will receive his certified nursing assistant (CNA) certification. CNAs are the “backbone of most long-term care facilities,” Beliveau said. The program has taught him empathy, leadership and respect and appreciation for those around him. He said it has helped him mature. Beliveau began the CTEC program in a carpentry track but found he was passionate about healthcare. He plans to become an emergency medical technician (EMT) and later, a firefighter.
All three seniors said the best way for students to get involved in these programs is to speak with a guidance counselor.
SEAL
Diane Porfilio and Megan Downey, co-chairs of Special Education Alliance of Longmeadow (SEAL) read a letter to the School Committee on behalf of the organization’s members. The letter highlighted “concerns and suggestions” regarding special education in Longmeadow Public Schools (LPS). Porfilio said the number of certified special education administrators had been reduced from seven – one for each school – in 2020 to four in 2022. Qualified professional support had also declined over the past two years, despite an increase in the number of evaluations.
The letter urged the district to consider a return to each school having its own certified special education leader, rather than the two temporary positions. Porfilio said the elementary years are the “most crucial” for “early intervention” and “social-emotional growth.”
Downey shared with the School Committee that she and Porfilio had met with School Committee Chair Nicole Choiniere, Superintendent M. Martin O’Shea and Interim Director of Special Education Nicole Paris-Crowe the prior evening and had a “very productive and collaborative” conversation. Downey had agreed to list positions that the district had added in that same time period. These include an additional school psychologist, an additional board-certified behavioral analyst, three registered behavior therapists, adjustment counselors, related service providers and an extra nurse. The district also expanded specialized programs.
O’Shea told Porfilio and Downey he is “happy” to attend an upcoming SEAL meeting to discuss the issue further.
Family fire
Choiniere shared that a family with ties to Center School had recently lost their belongings in a house fire. There is a “great need” for support and resources, she said. Members of the public who wish to help can contact the Center School PTO or the school’s front office.