The meeting began by celebrating the Chelsea High School boys soccer team, which recently won the Greater Boston League (GBL) championship. The team’s success was highlighted through presentations that emphasized the players’ dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Dr. Jennings and Mr. Adam Deady praised the team for their resilience and unity, particularly noting a moment of solidarity during a game where the team knelt together on the field. Dr. Jennings described this as a display of “heart,” combining passion and motivation, while Mr. Deady expressed his admiration for the emotional investment shown by the players, acknowledging their recent loss and looking forward to their future performances.

Following the soccer team recognition, an award was presented to educator Jose Galves for his dedication beyond standard teaching duties. A committee member shared a personal experience, noting the academic improvement her son achieved thanks to Galves’ efforts.

The meeting also highlighted the contributions of the custodial and grounds teams from various school complexes through the Strength and Story Awards. The Early Learning Center custodial team, led by Manny Ventura, was particularly praised for their warmth and engagement with the community, while other teams were commended for maintaining safe and welcoming environments. The committee expressed gratitude for their hard work, often unnoticed, and emphasized their importance in the school community, particularly during weather-related decisions.

Security and student experience were key discussion points, with Assistant Superintendent Michelle Martinelloo providing an update on current security measures at Chelsea High School. The school employs 15 security guards, all trained in safety care, CPR, and sensitivity. Martinelloo outlined collaboration with the Chelsea Police Department to conduct “run, hide, fight” drills and provide staff training to enhance communication regarding police presence. A notable security implementation this year is the introduction of random student searches, which primarily uncovered cell phones not stored in designated pouches. This cell phone policy, using Yonder pouches, has reportedly led to increased social interactions among students, reducing phone distractions and encouraging face-to-face communication.

The meeting also delved into student experiences concerning the cell phone policy. Student representatives shared that the initial chaos of long entry lines has improved, leading to smoother school entry processes. They noted an increase in interpersonal interactions and discipline among students, with one representative describing the policy as a preparation for real-world responsibilities like punctuality. Despite initial discomfort, students reported broader acceptance of the policy, with staff adjustments contributing to faster lines.

Additionally, the meeting touched on academic performance metrics with data presented by Dr. Blake Kanty. The daily attendance rate for grades PreK through 8 is above 90%, with the high school maintaining an 85% attendance rate. The dropout rate remains low at 1.19%, reflecting effective student retention. Discussions also included student representatives’ updates on extracurricular activities, such as senior events and college application processes, highlighting both excitement and stress relief among peers once applications were completed.

Community engagement was emphasized with upcoming events like the CHS winter concert and Drama Club play, as well as community initiatives like the unified sports team, which promotes inclusivity by pairing special education students with peers in sports. The personnel report highlighted the demographics of newly hired staff, and various consent agenda items were approved, including grants and a proposed field trip.