Johnny Appleseed principals outline enrollment, PBIS and goals as third grade shows outlier performance
March 09, 2026 | Leominster Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts
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Johnny Appleseed Elementary School leaders presented a broad update on March 2 to the Leominster School Committee, highlighting enrollment, instruction, behavior supports and attendance initiatives.
Principal Bevan Tapley and Assistant Principal Katie Gingras said the school enrolls roughly 685 students in grades K–5, with classroom sizes that vary by grade. Tapley provided demographic figures: 23% of students are identified for special education services, about 17% are English learners and 55% of students have 504 plans. Tapley said the school uses Wonders (ELA), Illustrative Math and Mystery Science as core instructional materials and is focused on “purposeful student engagement” as a 2025–27 school improvement goal.
Tapley described building upgrades (locker replacements, staff lounge renovation and fresh paint) and highlighted extracurricular achievements reported earlier by the student representative, including theater and cheer accolades. On behavior and culture, the school runs PBIS (Apple code: acceptance, persistence, patience, leadership, excellence, safety) with incentives such as Apple tickets, VIP lunch and student leader recognition.
On a point of concern, the principals said third grade is an outlier this year. Tapley said the school is reviewing classroom composition and supports, noting cases where close friend groups and bus cohorts created management challenges; she described steps taken with the school psychologist and guidance counselors to adjust classroom placements and to reduce behavioral incidents.
On attendance, staff described weekly family communications and incentives (a monthly perfect-attendance wheel with prizes and VIP lunch), and reported an uptick in attendance rates compared with the previous year.
What happens next: principals said they will continue targeted interventions for third grade, continue data cycles to monitor student progress and encouraged community members to join the school council.
Principal Bevan Tapley and Assistant Principal Katie Gingras said the school enrolls roughly 685 students in grades K–5, with classroom sizes that vary by grade. Tapley provided demographic figures: 23% of students are identified for special education services, about 17% are English learners and 55% of students have 504 plans. Tapley said the school uses Wonders (ELA), Illustrative Math and Mystery Science as core instructional materials and is focused on “purposeful student engagement” as a 2025–27 school improvement goal.
Tapley described building upgrades (locker replacements, staff lounge renovation and fresh paint) and highlighted extracurricular achievements reported earlier by the student representative, including theater and cheer accolades. On behavior and culture, the school runs PBIS (Apple code: acceptance, persistence, patience, leadership, excellence, safety) with incentives such as Apple tickets, VIP lunch and student leader recognition.
On a point of concern, the principals said third grade is an outlier this year. Tapley said the school is reviewing classroom composition and supports, noting cases where close friend groups and bus cohorts created management challenges; she described steps taken with the school psychologist and guidance counselors to adjust classroom placements and to reduce behavioral incidents.
On attendance, staff described weekly family communications and incentives (a monthly perfect-attendance wheel with prizes and VIP lunch), and reported an uptick in attendance rates compared with the previous year.
What happens next: principals said they will continue targeted interventions for third grade, continue data cycles to monitor student progress and encouraged community members to join the school council.
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