New principal Jackie Francisco aims to transform middle school

In a recent government meeting, the appointment of Jackie Francisco as the new middle school principal was announced, generating excitement among the committee and community members. Francisco, who previously served as the K-12 Fine Arts Director in Fall River, was selected unanimously by a 14-member committee that included staff, parents, and administrators. Her strong background in education and commitment to fostering relationships and effective instruction were highlighted as key factors in her selection.

During the meeting, Francisco expressed her enthusiasm for joining the Freetown-Lakeville community and emphasized her dedication to supporting both students and staff. She acknowledged the thoroughness of the selection panel and conveyed her eagerness to contribute to the educational environment.

The meeting also celebrated recent achievements, including a unique graduation ceremony at Aponiquet, where class president Mason McCooch made headlines for his thoughtful gesture of placing personal letters under each graduate's chair. The graduation was noted as a special event, with a reminder of the upcoming middle school promotion scheduled for June 18.

Financially, the meeting reported that $114,000 was awarded to seniors during the recent awards night, a testament to the strong community partnerships that support local education. Additionally, updates on class sizes and school handbooks were provided, with most schools having completed their handbook revisions.

Significant funding was approved for Freetown Elementary School, totaling $284,000 for essential repairs, including fire safety upgrades and improvements to the entranceway. A stabilization fund was also established to ensure ongoing maintenance, funded by rental income from classrooms.

In addressing student support services, the administration proposed a restructuring of the social-emotional learning (SEL) program. Due to low enrollment numbers, a full-time adjustment counselor was deemed unnecessary. Instead, the plan includes hiring a part-time adjustment counselor for the middle school and enhancing the SEL program at the high school level, aiming to better meet the needs of students.

Overall, the meeting underscored a commitment to educational excellence, community collaboration, and proactive planning for the future.