As I complete my second year as Superintendent of Suffield Public Schools, I continue to feel grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such dedicated students, staff, families and community members. This school year brought both challenges and accomplishments, and I am proud of the commitment our schools show each day to supporting students academically, socially, and emotionally.
Sharing Highlights
While there are too many to share, here are a few notable accomplishments from the 25-26 school year:
- McAlister Intermediate School was named a School of Distinction by the Connecticut State Department of Education in recognition of outstanding student growth in mathematics.
- Spaulding School Preschool achieved accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
- Suffield High School was named a “2025 Best High School” by U.S. News & World Report.
- New mathematics and reading programs have been implemented at Spaulding School and McAlister School, ensuring alignment to inquiry-based mathematics instruction and the Science of Reading.
• For the fourth consecutive year, Suffield was named a Best Community for Music Education, an honor earned by only 35 towns in Connecticut. - Eleven Suffield High School graduates earned the American FFA Degree honor. This represents 42% of the students recognized in Connecticut.
Graduation
We are incredibly proud of the Suffield High School Class of 2026 and look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our 140 seniors at graduation on Saturday, June 13.
Middle School Building Project
In the coming months, the town will continue important discussions regarding how to address critical infrastructure needs at Suffield Middle School. Options include constructing a new school, renovating the current school as new, or making repairs to the existing building. A significant investment will be required under any circumstances. This project is not simply about a new building. It is about creating a learning environment that best supports students for decades to come.
Students Commemorate America 250
We are excited to unveil an exhibit at the Hatheway Barn on June 5 at 6 -7:30 p.m. to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This is a credit to the partnership between Suffield Public Schools, Suffield Historical Society and Connecticut Landmarks. The exhibit will feature student artwork, poetry, biographies of Suffield colonists, a historical timeline and much more! This event reflects the hard work and collaboration of students, teachers, and community partners who helped bring local history to life. We look forward to seeing everyone at this family-friendly event to discover Suffield’s revolutionary past. This exhibit will be displayed throughout the summer at Academy Hall.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the world our students will enter, and our schools must approach it thoughtfully and responsibly. Our district has established an AI committee of teachers, students, and administrators to help guide this work. While we acknowledge concerns related to academic integrity, privacy, and overreliance on technology, we also recognize that AI cannot be ignored. Our focus is on helping students and staff use AI ethically and productively without replacing meaningful learning. This includes supporting teachers in designing engaging, “durable” lessons and performance tasks that emphasize critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, and authentic application of knowledge. Work in this area will be a continued focus next year.