Schools

Medfield High School Academic Year in Review: Student Life

This is part three of an 11-part series that takes an in-depth look at Medfield High School's 2010-2011 academic year; goals for 2011-12 academic year; new curriculum offered in the fall; a pilot program; student life and the transition to a new principal

Editor's Note: Medfield Patch will take an individual look at each theme in Judy Noble’s end of year report at the high school and will also take an in-depth look at goals for the 2011-12 academic year, new curriculum being offered in the fall, an advisor-advisee pilot program taking place, student life and community involvement and the transition from Noble to Robert Parga as Medfield High School principal. This is part three of our 11-part Medfield High School series.

Student Life:

“In terms of student life, we had a speaker in the fall, by the name of Ed Gerety and Ed was a very positive influence on our school community,” Noble said. “He reiterated very much the message that Craig Scott brought to us a year ago with Rachel’s Challenge. So again, Ed Gerety’s message was expressing gratitude, being kind to one another, essentially providing or creating a bully free environment. That was a very positive opportunity for the students.”

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Noble said the school held two assemblies during Gerety’s visit, one during the day and one in the afternoon, to give multiple students across the grade levels an opportunity for leadership time to work with Gerety. In the spring, the school held another assembly, focusing on student stress.

“In the spring, we had another assembly, which was the ‘Race to Nowhere,’ which we provided the movie for the students and in the evening for the parents,” Noble said. “As a result of subsequent conversation about the ‘Race to Nowhere,’ we have established a goal for psych counsel for next year to study homework at the high school and sort of all of its different aspects: what is the type of homework, how much homework takes place, etc. and so forth. Taking a look at that and its many prongs.”

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Year Highlights:

  • Although not a perfect program, the in-school suspension kept students in school and working on schoolwork they probably would not have accomplished otherwise. The program still needs refinement but the plan is to continue it for at least one more year.
  • This year, the high school made an attempt to replace “stress recess” with “Fun Fridays.” This involved the same activities only on successive Fridays instead of all in one week. The goal was still to allow students to participate in various activities designed to reduce stress. These activities were to be offered during reading periods and most involved movement and physical activity. Although these days were advertised, subscription was “extremely low,” according to Noble. Since student stress is always a topic of interest, Noble suggested “Fun Fridays” be tried again next year.

To read part one of this series,

To read part two of this series,  


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