JACKSON – During her latest report, School Superintendent Nicole Pormilli said the school district and its students would be giving more focus to issues of equity, equality and diversity this year.
“October is a busy month in the schools. We have had activities about anti-bullying and lots of different activities have occurred. Students were wearing different outfits each week in all of our buildings to recognize and to stomp out bullying. They wore blue shirts. Some wore tie-dye and peace signs to represent the importance of peace,” Pormilli said.
She added that videos were also made about stomping out bullying on the high school level. She also said a Twitter account was created to promote uniqueness and diversity and positive messages were shown during lunch periods around anti-bullying and showing respect.”
She added that literacy teacher Jen Connally of the Christa McAuliffe Middle School won the 2020 Anthony award for best young adult author. “I thought that was pretty exciting news that we have a staff member that is an author who won an award.”
Pormilli also spoke about “our lead groups and our nation to nation group in both of our high schools that currently have met and have set goals for the year in addressing diversity and equity issues in the school and uniting students.”
“I look forward to seeing the work that comes out of those two student organizations who also work with our administrative teams. They have some great things planned and I look forward to seeing that and participating in some of that,” Pormilli added.
The board also had two high school student liaisons to the board joining them. “We have Jade Bramwell from Jackson Liberty High School and Tiffany Duffy from Jackson Memorial High School. We’re definitely looking forward to the time when we are doing this in person and can see you,” Pormilli said.
The two students will provide an overview of their respective high school’s activities during the start of each board meeting. The board currently meets through a virtual format through its Jackson TV system through YouTube and on its website.
Jade reported that at Jackson Liberty High School said, “we are very excited to have our fields filled with athletes. We congratulate all our fall teams on their achievements and hope they have a safe and victorious season.”
“Band is usually at the heart of our school but this year our schedule looks very different. Jackson Liberty and Jackson Memorial bands got together last week to watch each other’s shows and to perform two songs together. With no competitions or parades this year parents got to watch their kids perform and it was truly a feel-good moment,” she added.
“We dressed up for themes of violence awareness week to bring attention to help solve a problem we want to solve together. We have red ribbon week on the last week of October to bring attention to the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse,” Jade added.
Tiffany reported that at Jackson Memorial High School “October has been very different month at Jackson Memorial with the hybrid learning schedule students have been working very hard to adjust to our new normal. Everyone has been nothing but flexible which helps the students during this odd time.”
She added, “we are making the best of a bad situation. I am happy with the board’s decision by the board to add more class time through piloting the new synchronous learning program and for the first time yesterday I was able to tune into real class time while being at home, allowing me to collaborate with the entirety of my class thus being exposed to more information from our curriculum.”
Tiffany added that students were also starting making applications to colleges noting the college deadline for applications. “Many students are eager to make their applications as best as they can possibly be. I am personally proud to say I took the initiative of making an early start filling out applications for six out of 16 schools I am applying to.”
Board member Gus Acevedo commended the two students and noted the important role they play in providing the board the news of their schools. “We take your positions and your role seriously. You are our connection to the school district. You are closest to the problems and the dreams and aspirations and please understand that what you say, we listen to.”
