As I reflect on my first year as Superintendent of Suffield Public Schools, I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone for the warm welcome and support. From my very first day, I have been impressed with the strong sense of community and pride in the town, the commitment of teachers and staff, and the partnership with families. Suffield is a special place, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of it. I look forward to continuing our work together to build on the district’s strengths, improve learning and create even more opportunities for our students in the years ahead.
A Great Year
We are proud of the many accomplishments of our students and staff this year. While there are far too many to list, here are just a few highlights:
Suffield High School was named to the 2024 College Board AP School Honor Roll.
Kelly Blais (SHS Social Studies) was named a 2024-25 fellow by the American Geography Society.
Jennifer Plourde (SMS Science) earned an award from Ecology Project International.
Dom Casolari (SHS Math) was named CIAC State Cross-Country Coach of the Year.
Suffield earned the distinction as a Best Community for Music Education for the third year in a row. This national recognition honors school districts that demonstrate exceptional commitment to music education. Suffield is one of only 35 districts in Connecticut and just 935 across the country to receive this award.
Suffield High School’s Fall and Winter Student-Athlete Awards recognized 33 All-Conference athletes, 10 All-State athletes, two All-American athletes, and 100 Scholar-Athletes.
Class of 2025 Graduation
On Saturday, June 14, we will proudly celebrate the graduation of 152 Suffield High School seniors. This milestone is a testament to the collective support of parents, educators, staff and the broader community. Thank you for the important role you play in preparing our students for success beyond high school.
Expanding Place-Based Learning
Place-based learning is an approach that uses the local environment and community as a foundation for instruction across subject areas. By connecting academic content to real-world settings such as neighborhoods, parks and historic landmarks, students develop a deeper understanding of their learning. Outdoor experiences also foster curiosity, physical activity and well-being. Suffield offers a wealth of opportunities for this kind of learning, and we are committed to expanding place-based education across all grade levels, with a goal of becoming a state leader in this approach over the next five years.
New Elementary Literacy and Math Programs
This year, McAlister Intermediate School launched a new mathematics program, while Spaulding Elementary implemented a new reading program. These changes represent a significant investment in professional learning for our teachers, and the positive impact is already being felt. Teachers, students and families have shared encouraging feedback, and we are seeing measurable growth in student performance. Both programs will be fully implemented across the elementary level next year.
SHS STEAM Lab Opening This Fall
We’re excited to plan for the opening of a newly renovated STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) lab at Suffield High School this fall, made possible by the support of our town. Work on the new lab will take place this summer. The transformation of the former woodshop into a modern, hands-on learning space will include 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, robotics, and more. By combining cutting-edge technology with traditional tools, the lab will support new career and technical education courses and provide all students with access to a dynamic, future-ready learning environment.
Middle School Building Update
The Permanent Building Commission has recently confirmed that Suffield Middle School requires significant upgrades due to various challenges with its current infrastructure. These needs are pressing and must be addressed to ensure a proper learning environment for our students. In response, the Board of Selectmen will engage a consultant to assess the costs and feasibility of either constructing a new building or renovating the existing facility. We remain committed to collaborating closely with town officials and the community throughout this process. Our shared goal is to arrive at a long-term solution that will serve our students, staff, and families well into the future.
I wish everyone a wonderful summer with family and friends. The new school year will be here before we know it. Enjoy!