Another aspect of the meeting was the detailed presentation by Sarah Manion, executive director of Calmer Choice, and her colleague, the mindfulness coach. They provided an engaging overview of the mindfulness education program implemented in the schools. The program, which began in 2010, has expanded to include all K-5 programming and has been met with positive feedback from teachers who have reported its effectiveness in the classroom. The presentation highlighted the program’s success in fostering a mindful culture within the school district and its positive impact on both students and educators.

Calmer Choice’s long-standing relationship with the district was further emphasized by the presentation’s mention of research collaborations with Tufts and Yale Universities and a pilot course designed for educators. The mindfulness coach pilot, having run for the last two years, received commendation from educators for the professional development and strategies provided. The committee expressed its support for the program, with a focus on its expansion and continuous improvement based on feedback from surveys and curriculum revisions.

The meeting also included discussions on upcoming student events, such as SATs for juniors, senior week activities, and various celebrations and field trips. The committee heard updates from students, including a report on the Senior Last Assembly and Sports Signing Day. The committee recognized the contributions of Rosanna Zashin, who received a certificate of appreciation for her dedication as a student, athlete, scholar, and community servant.

Subcommittee updates were another focus of the meeting, covering the progress of ongoing projects like the turf field and the need for a capital and facilities planning subcommittee. The superintendent acknowledged a generous donation from a community member, which supported the high school’s living skills program. The committee contemplated a summer retreat for goal setting and strategic planning, and discussed the alignment of the Capital Planning Subcommittee with the finance subcommittee for better fiscal management.

Public comments addressed the committee’s budget approval and transportation concerns related to new school start times. A fifth-grade teacher thanked the community and the Massachusetts Teachers Association for their support, while a parent voiced the need for timely communication regarding transportation to assist in family and staff planning.

The meeting concluded with a vote to enter into executive session to discuss strategy for collective bargaining or litigation, specifically the DYRSAA collective bargaining agreement and unrelated litigation. The decision to move into executive session was made following a roll call vote.