Everett High School seniors who hit a grade-point threshold will be admitted to Worcester State University without an application fee, with other requirements waived and with preference for housing, under a partnership Superintendent William Hart announced at the School Committee’s meeting on Monday, June 1. It was signed four days earlier, “the first of its kind for Worcester State, first of its kind for Everett,” he said, and more such deals are in the works.
“Many of the issues with college admission isn’t just being admitted. It’s all those other things that often are obstacles to our students actually attending some of these fine universities,” Hart said. Vice Chair Marcony Almeida Barros called it “a huge deal” and credited Assistant Superintendent Dennis Lynch with nailing down the details.
Wellness policy and 20-minute lunches
The committee voted 10-0 to adopt a revised district wellness policy after a federally required three-year assessment. Health and wellness coordinator Julie Ann Whitson said a 25-member committee including parents, students and community agencies found the existing policy “pretty strong already” but added monitoring and accountability language, staff wellness, and goals such as gardening, taste tests and local food. Almeida Barros used the moment to press on space: “20 minutes is really not enough,” he said of high school lunch. “Overcrowding continues to be a huge issue here.” Turning to Mayor Robert Van Campen as he returned to the room, he added, “it’s not an issue that you will resolve by yourself, but it is an issue as you know well that really needs to be addressed.” Hart said the cafeteria committee is looking at food carts and a salad bar to move lines faster. Member Millie Cardello said the flow and the food have both improved.
Honors and the end of the year
- Dr. Anna Seiders of the science department was named Massachusetts STEM Teacher of the Year, presented by the lieutenant governor at a conference, with $5,000 for her department. She has taught in Everett since 2011.
- Scholarship night on May 28 awarded $126,300 in 134 scholarships to 77 seniors, including two in memory of former committee members Robert Carrero and Alan Panarisi. Fifty-six juniors and seniors were inducted into the honor society.
- Senior Kayshaun Eveillard won the Division 2 state outdoor title in the 400 meters at Merrimack College and placed second in the 200.
- The marching band was the first band after the U.S. Army bands in the Freedom 250 National Memorial Day Parade on May 25, in new uniforms.
- Graduation was set for Wednesday, June 3, at 6 p.m. at Everett Veterans Memorial Stadium, with more than 560 seniors. The committee approved late entry for grades 10 and 11 on June 2 and 3 for MCAS and accepted a $65,831 Title III grant for a five-week summer program for immigrant students entering grades 9 to 12, both 10-0.
Principal John Braga and a dozen students gave the year’s final school spotlight, a department-by-department tour of the high school: two student-run blood drives collected 62 pints, 200 seniors took the SAT, more than 600 AP exams were given to 350 students, the science department received $40,000 in equipment through MassBioEd, and a new check-in, check-out mentoring program pairs teachers with students to improve attendance. Student representative Emma Perry gave her last full report and said she will study political science at Hofstra University and hopes “to return to Everett after my time on Long Island and serve in local office.” Chair Samantha Hurley honored Perry and the senior TV crew, and Hart gave Perry a cord to wear at graduation.
The committee then voted 10-0 to adjourn into executive session on Janelle Ridley v. Everett Public Schools et al, a Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination matter with the name withheld, and potential litigation, with attorneys Smith, Galvin, Hatfield and Snyder Pearl invited.
