The meeting started with a presentation from Dave McManus of Littleton Youth Baseball and Softball, detailing the recently completed installation of a lighting system at Jet Softball Field. This project, funded by a donation valued at $160,825, aims to improve field usage by accommodating the increasing number of youth baseball and softball participants. McManus explained that the system features four light poles equipped with advanced ball tracker technology. The lights, operational since September 13th, have already enhanced the scheduling flexibility and quality of games, as evidenced by the positive feedback from both players and spectators who experienced an “enormous eruption” of excitement when the lights were first used.

The committee formally accepted the lighting donation, expressing gratitude to the community for their support, particularly through the Hitathon fundraising event. This initiative, years in the making, culminated in a successful project that benefits both the schools and the wider community. The committee plans to host a celebration event in the spring to acknowledge the contributions and achievements associated with this project.

Amidst these infrastructure improvements, the educational landscape in Littleton is also witnessing advancements. Superintendent Dr. Kelly R. Clenchy announced that both Littleton Middle School and Littleton High School have been recognized as schools of recognition, an acknowledgment of their strides in accountability status based on MCCAST scores.

As the meeting continued, the committee delved into the strategic goals of individual schools. Shaker Lane School is focusing on addressing behavioral challenges by equipping staff with strategies to understand the underlying messages of student behaviors. This initiative, prompted by professional development sessions, aims to create a log of effective strategies for addressing specific student needs.

Russell Street School’s goals include enhancing the Stripe program by increasing student leadership in various events. The school also seeks to refine the Whiten Wisdom curriculum to better meet student needs based on feedback from the previous year. Meanwhile, the middle school’s emphasis is on implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) practices, encouraging students to lead their own assessments and foster ownership of their learning. This shift from traditional teacher-driven assessments aims to empower students to demonstrate their knowledge in personally meaningful ways.

In addition to academic strategies, the schools are looking to revive community engagement initiatives that waned post-COVID. The middle school plans to reestablish itself as a community hub through events that strengthen connections among staff, students, and families. Such initiatives aim to cultivate a sense of belonging and community spirit within the school environment.

A significant component of the meeting was the ongoing development of the “portrait of a learner” framework, which outlines the skills and dispositions students should develop by graduation. This framework is designed to ensure consistency across all grade levels, fostering a continuous development of competencies that align with the school’s educational vision. The initiative includes phases such as defining skills, identifying learning experiences, and measuring student growth beyond traditional metrics like grades. The committee discussed the importance of engaging students in metacognitive thinking, encouraging them to reflect on their learning processes and skill development.

The committee acknowledged the challenges of balancing curriculum standards with student-led projects and assessments, recognizing the need for a structured framework that supports creativity while maintaining educational rigor.

As the meeting concluded, the committee highlighted the importance of community involvement in upcoming events, such as the Shaker Lane school project’s final forum and the town meeting. These events are designed to be accessible, with provisions for childcare and family-friendly environments, encouraging active participation from residents.