Um, and thinking about um how systemic barriers are compounding things for our most complex learners. This is median typical growth. This says that while 79% of our students are medium typical growth is 79. That means half of our students are below that and half of our students are above that, maybe well above that by the middle of the year. But now we see what happens for these um students of higher need. And then we look down at our Hispanic Latino students, we see what appears to be good median and typical growth for these students. But as we look more closely at the performance levels now, we see that 60% of those students are one to two to three or more grade levels below. And something similar happens for our black and African-American students where they have 54% typical growth, but not enough to close those gaps when 58% of them are well below grade level in performance.
Yes. >> Um we as we talked about this morning um with adolescence in middle school the social emotional the body development the brain development how that plays into social emotional acceptance. um is that is there any information or studies how that correlates into these students who are already like at this point but then they all of a sudden really feel like they're not fitting in and that type of thing based on all the other changes that are happening and then how does that correlate? I mean well it ties back into the original statement about needs. So if their safety needs are not being met and they're not feeling that they're adequate, then the effort to want to achieve or learn drops. So how does that get played into numbers? >> So Tina's done this beautiful job of helping us circle back to how Dr. Z started safety and wellness and those kinds of things and bringing us back around to how we want to invest all of you in thinking how do we bring that all together with the kind of data that we have.
So um oh I'm sorry again. Yes please. How do you involve the parents in this information and ask for their help especially at home if possible to increase the the ability for reading opportunity to read etc. >> Thank you. That's a really important question. So, one of the things that we're we're pleased about with um the data platform that we've evolved over some years now is that we have family reports that are generated um in familyfriendly language that that we have in many many multiple languages that um on our elementary schools. Our teachers actually meet in fall conferences and explain those math and literacy family reports to families. And then in the middle of the year and the end of the year, they have access to those family reports and teachers are very happy to talk with uh families about them. Um we also have programs in our in our school system where we actually have family literacy events and family math events.
So we're able to share with families about ways that they can involve um and have materials from us to invest in supporting students at home too. Our math curriculum enables family to have access any day of the week to the learning that's going on. They can see the videos the children are learning. They have weekly letters about what's included in the curriculum and tips for families every week about how they can be involved in math learning at home as well. So, thank you. It's a really important question and Tanya is going to help us wrap up and solve all the problems. Quick question where she said there was weekly reports with families. Where is that happening? >> Um in thank you in many cases they're coming home in backpacks um but they're also available digitally on the on the family >> but for one I guess.
>> Oh thank you for asking >> K6. All right. So, Rita Pearson, now what? So, what? What happens next? Everyone I think here. Well, let me ask this question. Any of you were like, "Oh, I didn't know that. Was there that there were disparities in terms of academic?" Okay, excellent. That's a good place for us. I I need you all to know coming from a district where people are shocked that there are disparities in academics that is a good starting point. A very good starting point. How many of you know that we have excellent teachers? How many of you know we have excellent leaders and administrators? How many of you know we have excellent families and caring caregivers and community people? How many know that we have the best students? I mean simply the best students. Now with all of that, our system has to meet them where they are.
Our system has to get to that level where we our system as a whole has the best instruction, the best supports, the best and most rigorous opportunities for kids, postsecary opportunities. I used to tell my students when I was in that classroom, I'm not just teaching you calculus or algebra 2. I'm trying to make sure that no matter what opportunity you want after high school, you get to have because sometimes if kids don't take advantage and meet the needs, their academic needs, they then become limited in what options they do have. I might not be able to go to Ammerst College. I might not be able to go to because my academic progress and achievement doesn't allow it. Our job is to make sure that we make the possibilities endless for our kids. And you might be sitting here saying, "Well, I work at the bank.
Why aren't you telling me our students are going to be the economic drivers of this community of all of our communities? They're going to be the people leading governments and school committees and town councils and finance chairman. Those are our kids. We have to ensure that we provide them with a place, a space where they are seen, valued, known, but also educated. so that they can get there because at some point I'm going to retire. Sarah Marshall, you know I was going to get it in so that Leo and have my grandbaby can say, "Hey, Grandma, what'd you do?" And I can say, "I was a part of a town that got together and decided differences are not the thing that's going to drive us anymore. We're all going to row in the same direction, even if we have different beliefs of how we get there, to make sure that we do great by our kids because we deserve it.
So, I thank you for your time. I apologize for going over and I'll see you in a second. So, you were supposed to take a break, >> but we're all adults. So, we're going to self-manage. So, we're going to in your folders, you have that wonderful personalized sheet that says your name and what group you belong in. Um, and so we're going to kind of mix us up a bit because you've been with your elbow partners, which you sat with for a while and you felt really good because you knew them. And now we're going to kind of put you in small groups to have a discussion around um the mix dialogue. So, there's also another handout with some questions around what stood out to
Thank you everybody. Um, we had our first round table on January 15th and boy it was fun. So, can you raise your hand if you were here on the 15th? It was awesome. We had 21 people and for h how many years did you have the house ant match? I never knew that Rafa had nails on the third floor to dry out the nets. like I grew up in that house and I never do. We learned so many stories that day and as Tom McCann said it was lightning in a bottle. I said we got to do it again. So we're doing it again today to share um a round table and to share the stories and memories that some of you have. Well, thank you very much for all coming. You're very welcome. Um, as you know from the flyer, we're here to record in this particular instance because we are so fortunate to have with us uh the Kate May Technical School.
Glory to >> Good morning and welcome to the 102nd commencement of Columbia High School. My name is Brian Reese, the principal of of the school. Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the presentation of colors presented by our Air Force ROTC. Remain standing for the singing of the national anthem performed by Charles Bass, Caroline Denny, Landon Holt, and Elena St. Clair. Oh, say can you [singing] see by the dawn's early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last [singing] gleaming, whose broad stripes and bright stars >> [singing] >> through the perilous fight, o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? [singing and music] And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting >> [singing] >> in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does [singing] that star-spangled banner yet wave o'er the land and the home of the brave?
[music] >> Hello everybody. Welcome to Clock Town Chronicles. My name is Michael Herbert. I'm town manager here. And um yeah, I would like to welcome you to I believe this is our eighth episode of Clock Town Chronicles. Um really want to thank the people here at WACA TV, Paul Bowden, Barbara Chisholm, um everybody behind the scenes who makes uh makes this production what it is. I have a really special episode today. Um traditionally, what I've done is I've brought in people in Ashland and we've talked about the history and how it really informs um a lot of the future. But today, we're going to do things a little bit different. I have three good friends from around the country here um to talk about local government um and their their experiences interviewing and getting to know city managers, town managers, uh public works directors, um you know, politicians, people uh who really really do the work of local government day in and day out um in cities and towns all across the country.
And this is the community arts group that puts on their own shows like a you know a weekly or bi-weekly uh telecast of events that are happening in Kate May County. uh they're very gracious to come here and we're trying to capture those stories from those of you who haven't been able to tell your stories yet or are gunshy. Uh it's just us girls here now today so we can all feel comfortable just uh letting letting loose. that time when the first uh flooding came, we were down at the low end of the island and we had three and a half ft of water inside our house and we lost everything except for what was in the attic, which was childhood photographs and my father's uh Marine Corps photographs and things like that, but we lost everything as far as all our clothing. All we had was what was on our backs.
>> [applause] >> You may be seated. It's great to have the wind, but we might have a few things blowing around up here. This is an important milestone for our graduating class of 2026 and for the families, friends, and loved ones who are joined with us today and who are watching at home. As principal of Columbia High School, I'd like to thank our graduates for the fond memories they provided our school and community over the years. I congratulate you on your success today. I want to wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. And as you leave our nest to begin your journey into adulthood, make your mark on the world. To begin, I'd like to recognize our top 10 graduates who are distinguished by their white stoles. Please stand as I call your name. And please hold applause till all names are read.
So, they've got such a great and diverse uh array of experience and wisdom that they've gleaned not only from these interviews, but uh in their own lives and in their own experiences. So, without further ado, I'm going to introduce them um in alphabetical order, gentlemen. I I had to do this fairly, right? You know, can't have can't have any fun >> First name or last name? Uh sorry, Chad. >> [laughter] >> Last name. So, um so we'll we will start and you will see why Chad uh said that. But uh Jonathan Mason, uh Jonathan is the founder and CEO of Gentry & Company. It's a government consulting firm focused on municipal innovation, housing strategy, and economic development. And he works with local governments and regional partners to design practical strategies that improve the operations, strengthen economic competitiveness, and move community priorities from planning to implementation.
>> The March 1962 storm, you have to remember a couple things. And what you need to remember totally is it was not a hurricane. It was a big northeast. And it was a three-dayer plus. And after the three days, it went away just like most northeers do. But it totally wiped out the community, the town. It really, really did some serious damage. And we were younger, so our parents really did the brunt of it. And it it it was it took a lot of courage on their part. >> First tide, the first morning when we woke up, uh I'm one of seven. My older brother was at Notre Dame. My sister was a Catholic. I was a freshman at Wildwood Catholic getting ready to dress, get dressed, and go to school, catch the bus. The telephone rings. Odd. 7 o'clock in the morning. My dad answers the phone and he later tells me it was Teddy Vincy calling dad to see if everybody called my dad Bud.
And these are in alphabetical order. Harvey Albers, Lillian Arnold, Casey Bernard, Caleb Blair, Skyler Durden, Grace Lubbers, Addison Muren, Hannah Noah, Jonah Vilnoski, and Emily Webb, the 2026 top 10. >> [applause] >> You may be seated. We will have three speeches today. The first is by our senior class president, Abby Menke. Abby, please join me on the stage. Good afternoon. Thank you all for being here to support the wonderful CHS graduates of 2026. My name is Abby Menke, and I am beyond honored to be speaking before you today on behalf of my peers. As I gathered my thoughts for such an important speech, it was extremely vital to me that every graduate felt included because although I am representing the class of 2026, each student behind me has their own voice, their own goals, and their own story. To my fellow graduates, today is a day that you should all be so proud of.
Um and through the Gentry podcast, which that's how I got to know Jonathan. He's interviewed over 100 public officials on municipal best practices, housing delivery, economic development strategy. It's given him a national perspective on the challenges facing cities, counties, and public leaders, again, across the country. Next, we have Seth Winterhalter. Um Seth is the president of Halting Winter Municipal Solutions, and he's also the host of the Halting Winter podcast. Um Seth, he's a keynote speaker, executive coach, and the host of the Halting Winter podcast, which is where I got to know him. Uh where he has interviewed hundreds of city managers, county administrators, department heads, uh public service leaders from all across North America. Um and through those conversations, Seth explores the fascinating journeys into municipal leadership, the realities of serving in these high-pressure public roles, and the inspiring work happening every day to build stronger, more thriving communities.
Bud, do you think the buses will run today? And my dad's about as tast turn as you can get, very hard to excite, said deary, the buses always run. And with that, he said, "What? Why wouldn't they?" And Teddy said, "Well, there's a lot of flooding in town." And Bud said, "We've had the flooding before. The bus is around. Don't worry." At this point in time, he had not bothered to look out the window. He hangs up, walks over to the back kitchen window, turns around, calls up Teddy. Deary, the buses will not run today.
A day to reflect and cherish the old memories, and a day to celebrate fresh and new opportunities. Without a doubt, your futures have so much in store for them, and now is the time to make your life what you want it to be. Break barriers, accomplish lifelong goals, and be the change you want to see in the world because I know [laughter] you can. In fact, your hard work has led you to this very moment, and will will continue to lead you through whatever you set your heart to. You all have a purpose and a reason to be here. As you step into this new journey of life, stay true to yourself. Always remember that you are seen, you are worthy, and your voice matters. There's no dream that is too big, no idea that is too extraordinary, and no passion that is too much.
And as the president of Halting Winter Municipal Solutions, he speaks nationally on leadership, organizational culture, and communication specifically for the world of local government. And Chad, Chad Wright, last but not least. >> Last but not least. Listen. >> Now, Seth Seth shares my pain with the W name. >> I was about to say, guys, we're neck Neck >> um Neck and neck. >> [laughter] >> Chad is a a founder and coach of Forward Partners and he's the host of the Leader Lab and Leading Thriving Cities. Um I got to know Chad when he came to a Mass Managers Association conference back in the spring and uh just had the fortune of sitting at the same table with some pre-work that we were doing before the conference and got to know each other and uh was on his podcast later and um just really gotten to know him over the over the last year.