By Carol Britton Meyer

Hull Public Schools students, administrators, teachers, and staff are gearing up for the new school year, the first under the reconfiguration plan that places preK through grade 7 students at the Jacobs School and grades 8-12 at the high school.

**IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN.** The Hull Public Schools’ opening day is Tuesday, September 3. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique offered shopping for school supplies for all of Hull students’ back-to-school needs last week. Displaying some of the donated items at The Anchor of Hull are Quincy Koloba, Lily Lynch, Addie Mahan, and school committee member Liliana Hedrick. [Skip Tull photo]

The first day of school is Tuesday, September 3. The Jacobs School will host open houses for the sixth- and -seventh grades on Tuesday, September 17 and on Wednesday, September 18, for preK through grade 5. The high school open house is scheduled for Thursday, September 19.

Thirteen new teachers will join the staff for the 2024-25 school year, along with new Hull Family Network Coordinator Kristen Chalifoux.

The new teachers, who all are enthusiastic about joining the HPS staff, are Stephanie Bongarzone, Lisa Carter, Barbara DelGallo, Mark Ewell, Samantha Ferrari, Julie Galluzzo, Jennifer Gibbons, Dylan Hall, Anne Kearley, Rebecca Lewis, Faith Martin, Drew Menice, and Heather Swimm.

New Superintendent of Schools Michael Jette, who started in Hull on July 1, told The Hull Times that he has “thoroughly enjoyed” meeting with staff, families and students throughout the summer as the school department prepares for the start of the new school year.

“The buildings look great thanks to our custodial and grounds staff, and the positive energy in the room during new staff orientation was incredible,” Jette said. “It takes many hands to prepare for a school year, and I have seen dedicated staff members all doing their part. Everything will pay off once our students return after Labor Day to kick off another great school year.”

‘Looking, listening, and learning’

As Jette mentioned during the hiring process last winter, he remains committed to “Looking, listening, and learning” throughout the fall.

“I will be a frequent visitor to our schools and will [stop by] every classroom at both the Jacobs School and Hull High School before the end of September,” he said. “My goal is to be visible, available, and to become aware of what the school and broader community value while also identifying opportunities for growth and improvement.”

Jette and his family have found Hull to be very welcoming.

“I have learned that this is an extremely proud community that values physical and emotional safety,” he said. “Our daughters will be attending both schools this fall, and they have met some wonderful new friends over the summer. I will always approach the role of superintendent as a parent first and expect all students in Hull to feel a sense of belonging through strong relationships and a broad horizon of opportunities.”

‘I couldn’t be more excited’

Jacobs School Principal Kyle Shaw told The Hull Times he “couldn’t be more excited” for the upcoming school year.

“A tremendous amount of time and effort has been put into the reconfiguration process by all school stakeholders. Last year, during phase one, we operated in somewhat of a hybrid model, sharing staff with Memorial and piecing together a schedule to accommodate for this,” he said. “This year, we are fully staffed and eager to implement and house both our elementary and middle school programs under one roof, embracing the many opportunities that reconfiguration has provided.”

As examples, fourth- and fifth-grade students now have the option to participate in chorus or band, a choice that wasn’t available to them in years past. In addition, Spanish will be offered to fifth- and sixth-grade students, a language option that previously wasn’t introduced until seventh grade.

After-school offerings – including a new theater program and an intramural sports program – have been greatly expanded.

“This year will certainly come with challenges as we embark on our first year with this new model,” Shaw said. “However, I am confident that there is no staff more prepared for the task, nor a community more gracious and forthcoming with solution-based recommendations to ensure our success. Together, I’m certain this reconfiguration process will be a success for the Hull community, and I feel honored to be a part of it.”

‘Sense of excitement and anticipation’

For newly-hired Hull High School Principal Robert Shaw, the beginning of any school year “arrives with a sense of excitement and anticipation, and each year brings its own new opportunities and challenges.”

He told The Hull Times that he is looking forward to engaging with students, families, and staff at the high school and getting to know them. Coming into his first year, Shaw has had the benefit of a head start by working through July and August.

“This has given me some time to meet just about every member of the staff and many students and parents. From these conversations I have learned so much about the school and community and feel ready to get started on September 3,” he said. “We are very fortunate that Anthony Hrivnak began as the high school assistant principal on the same day I started as principal. As the former middle school principal, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team, including familiarity with the two newest classes to Hull High School – the eighth and ninth grades. This will help in the transition to the new grade configuration and in ensuring that our eighth-grade students receive all of the support and resources they need.”

Sustaining a positive environment

Shaw’s top priority is to sustain “a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment in which everyone feels connected, everyone can engage, and everyone can be successful. And I mean everyone – students first, but also parents, families, and staff. It’s going to be a fantastic year.”

Hrivnak also shared his thoughts about the new school year.

“Integrating eighth-graders into Hull High School is an exciting challenge, and as their former principal, I feel a special commitment to ensuring that they feel welcomed, supported, and ready to thrive in this new environment,” he said. “I have been with our incoming grade eight and nine students throughout middle school, so I know where they are coming from and look forward to seeing how they will grow over the next several years.”

This year is about building a stronger community “where every student feels like they belong,” Hrivnak said. “I am confident that with our dedicated staff we will make this a truly remarkable year for Hull High School.”

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.