By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Incoming Principal Patricia Puglisi is looking to prioritize “student-centered learning” as the next leader of Lynnfield High School.
Next LHS Principal
Puglisi, who has been Manchester-Essex Regional High School’s principal for the past decade, will be succeeding retiring LHS Principal Bob Cleary on July 1. She was appointed as Lynnfield High’s next principal in early February.
“Thank you for having me here,” said Puglisi during the School Committee’s April 25 meeting. “I appreciate getting the opportunity to meet with you. I am really looking forward to becoming Lynnfield High School’s principal on July 1. Lynnfield has such a great reputation, and is going in the direction that connects with me philosophically. I am really happy to be part of the movement that the school has been transitioning to.”
Superintendent Kristen Vogel said Puglisi has begun working with Cleary and LHS Assistant Principal Brian Bates as part of the transition process.
“Bob and Brian will continue to do that as we get closer to July 1,” said Vogel.
Vogel recalled that Puglisi has served as Manchester-Essex Regional High School’s principal since July 2013. She worked as Reading Memorial High School’s assistant principal for curriculum and instruction from July 2009 through June 2013.
Puglisi was the Social Studies Department chair at Masconomet Regional High School from September 2006-July 2009. She taught history at Masco from September 2000 through June 2006.
“Ms. Puglisi has had a long career working in education at the secondary level,” said Vogel. “The interview committee was incredibly impressed with Ms. Puglisi’s emphasis and focus on student voice and choice, and having high standards for all students academically and socially-emotionally.”
School Committee member Jamie Hayman said he has heard “great things” about Puglisi from School Committee member Phil McQueen, who served as the school board’s representative on the interview committee. He also said Vogel has “raved” about the incoming principal.
Hayman asked Puglisi where she wants to take Lynnfield High in the future.
“I truly believe in the idea of student-centered learning,” said Puglisi. “It’s not about having students do group work. What we are talking about is meeting students where they are at and addressing their distinct needs, their distinct aspirations, their interests and their cultural differences. We have to make sure we address all of those things in the classroom. Teachers like to talk about initiatives such as DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), SEL (social-emotional learning) and high standards. That is the umbrella for all of it. If you have a student-centered focus, you are meeting all of those things and you are going to create high achievement for all students.”
McQueen recalled that the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) will be making its decennial visit to LHS for its reaccreditation this fall. He asked how Manchester-Essex has begun implementing NEASC’s new Vision of a Graduate requirement.
Puglisi said she is pleased that NEASC has made changes to the accreditation process for schools.
“There was a time four or five years ago where schools were saying, ‘I think we are done with (NEASC) because what you are doing is actually not helpful for students or achievement,’” said Puglisi. “They heard that from principals and superintendents, and they have adjusted how they are going about their accreditation process. It’s really about improvement as opposed to being accredited, not accredited or receiving a warning. It’s about showing improvement over time. The Vision of a Graduate is the cornerstone for what they are doing.”
Puglisi noted that the Vision of a Graduate initiative will be requiring students to compile a portfolio over the course of their four years in high school that they will have to defend during their senior year. She said Manchester-Essex Regional High School formed a committee comprised of students, educators, parents, business representatives, community representatives and school board members to work on the initiative.
“We wanted to identify the skills and dispositions students should have achieved by the time they graduate from our district,” said Puglisi. “I see that in the Vision of a Graduate that has been developed for Lynnfield High School. The skills and dispositions are very clearly defined in Lynnfield. I see that as being a springboard for being able to move that forward with the portfolio project at the high school and really embedding it into all things that we do at the high school to ensure by graduation day all students have achieved those skills.”
School Committee member Kate DePrizio said Puglisi’s emphasis on student-centered learning aligns with the district strategy. She inquired if LHS students will have a chance to meet her at events this spring such as sporting events or the upcoming Lynnfield Pride Celebration on Sunday, May 21.
“We are eager to see you around,” said DePrizio.
Puglisi said she will be attending Manchester-Essex versus Lynnfield sporting events this spring. She went to the Lynnfield versus Rockport-Manchester-Essex boys’ hockey game this past winter.
“I was hoping to attend Senior Week activities in Lynnfield, which is what I did when I came to Manchester-Essex,” said Puglisi. “Unfortunately, all of the Lynnfield events are happening at the same time as Manchester-Essex’s events. I owe it to our current students to be there because we have spent a lot of time together. May is pretty busy for high school principals. Graduation week is like the Super Bowl, the NBA Championship and the Stanley Cup all in one week. May really gears up to that in terms of preparations.”
School Committee Vice Chair Stacy Dahlstedt said she was “thrilled” to have Puglisi joining Lynnfield High. She recently compared Lynnfield High’s Program of Studies with Manchester-Essex’s for next year. Dahlstedt said she is looking forward to having Puglisi take a “deeper dive” and making changes at LHS in order to help it “grow and improve.”
Puglisi said she has reviewed LHS’ Program of Studies for the 2023-2024 academic year.
“I really need to learn more about the culture of the school to really have any significant comments about it,” said Puglisi. “There are opportunities for evolution in every school in terms of moving forward. If you are not doing that, you are going to become a stagnant school. That’s not great for kids. I am a process person and a relationship person, and I really believe in bringing people together. It’s all about the students. It’s not about the adults.”
School Committee Chair Rich Sjoberg welcomed Puglisi to LHS.
“I am looking forward to having you work closely with the superintendent and the committee to help improve what is already a great high school in Lynnfield,” said Sjoberg.
Puglisi thanked the School Committee for giving her a warm welcome.
“I love working at the high school level,” said Puglisi. “My dream job is being a high school principal, and I am really looking forward to becoming part of the Lynnfield community.”