Each month, the Suffield Board of Education shares information about its work supporting school district initiatives, promoting academic success, setting policy and adopting a budget. Please visit https://www.suffield.org/ to learn more about our school district.
Expanded Career and Technical Education Program
The Suffield Board of Education continues its support of the district Career and Technical Education (CTE) program aimed at enhancing students’ readiness for the workforce and providing them with valuable, hands-on learning opportunities.
Board members unanimously voted to expand the district’s CTE offerings at meetings held in January. Classes covering Advanced Manufacturing Design, Principles of Applied Robotics and Engineering (PARE), and Practical Home Repair will be offered at Suffield High School (SHS) for the 2025-26 school year. These new courses build upon the foundation established at Suffield Middle School, where students are currently gaining hands-on experience through the innovative Home Builders Institute (HBI) class. The HBI course introduces students to essential trade skills and real-world applications, preparing them for more advanced coursework at the high school level. Upon completion of the HBI program, high school students can earn a pre-apprenticeship recognized by the Department of Labor.
“Our goal is to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application,” said Board Chairperson Maureen Sattan. “This program will give students the tools they need to succeed in their chosen paths, whether they continue their education or step directly into the workforce after graduation.”
Earlier this year, the Board prioritized a capital project request to modernize the current SHS woodshop classroom to create an innovative STEAM room that supports the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. The space, if ultimately approved by the town, will feature advanced tools and technology, such as 3D printers, robotics kits, and digital design software as well as updated material workspaces.
The district is planning to begin the new slate of high school classes in the fall, with additional details to be shared with students and parents in the coming weeks and months. For more information about the new Career and Technical Education programming, please reach out to the SHS Administration or Guidance Department.
Extending Learning Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
The Suffield Board of Education continues to be supportive of academic opportunities that extend learning beyond the classroom setting. Two examples of this support involve the Board’s unanimous approval of field trips that will take place in Spring 2026 to Mexico and two countries in Europe.
The trip to Baja California Sur is for SHS Science students and takes place in March 2026. During the trip, students will explore coastal and desert ecosystems of the Baja peninsula while contributing to ongoing research and conservation efforts. Justin Kaput, the district’s K-12 Science Curriculum Coach, is leading the field trip.
The April 2026 tour of Germany and Austria is open to current and former SHS students in Concert Choir and AP Human Geography courses. It includes stops in Munich, Salzburg and Vienna. During the trip, choir students will have the opportunity to compose a Waltz in Vienna, visit sites where famous European composers lived, and perform in Vienna and Munich. Students from AP Human Geography will visit some of the earliest Western cities to experience the cultures and learn why each city was founded in each location. The trip is being organized by Anthony Ferreira, SHS Director of Vocal Music, and Kelly Blais, SHS AP Human Geography teacher.
The Board of Education is proud to support international learning opportunities as they provide students with once-in-a-lifetime immersive experiences that directly tie to the curriculum they are learning in high school courses. The trips also provide valuable opportunities for students to broaden their world views and perspectives about the historical and modern significance of various cultures and locations.
Suffield Board of Education members include Chairperson Maureen Sattan, Vice Chairperson Melissa Finnigan, Secretary Debra Dudack, Brian Fry, James Mol, Gianna Rossi, Michael Sepko, Greg Sparzo and Sam Toskin.