amber@northstarreporter.com
North Attleborough schools are putting students at the heart of decision-making and design, ensuring that their voices shape a more supportive and engaging learning environment.
The inclusion of student representatives on the school committee—Mary Rodgers (Class of 2025), Chisom Agbanari (Class of 2026), Sabrina Giuliano (Class of 2027), and Bhavishnu Mood (Class of 2026)—plays a pivotal role in North Attleborough’s initiative of listening to students. Their perspectives are given equal weight alongside those of the adult committee members, ensuring that students’ voices have a direct impact on school policies.
The committee frequently seeks input from these student representatives to gain valuable context and perspectives.
At Tuesday’s School Committee meeting, when Superintendent John Antonucci said the new student resource officers had “already been such a benefit,” he made sure to follow-up with the student representatives on how they were acclimating. To which Agbanari reaffirmed his sentiment, saying, “I’ve already seen multiple kids become friendly with the SROs.”
Student representatives are not the only way North Attleborough is charting a course toward happy and healthy students. Central to the plan is Social Emotional Learning (SEL). By incorporating SEL, North Attleboro aims to enhance students’ emotional well-being, helping them better manage their feelings, set personal goals and engage positively with their peers. This approach is intended to create a more supportive and empathetic school environment, where students feel understood and valued.
Alongside SEL, the district is rolling out Project-Based Learning (PBL). This method allows students to dive into real-world projects that require collaboration, problem-solving and critical thinking. Rather than traditional classroom instruction, PBL gives students the chance to work on meaningful assignments that foster creativity and teamwork, making learning more relevant and engaging.
The new high school being built in North Attleborough is being designed with these concepts in mind. Student feedback has been integral to the planning process, ensuring that the new facility will reflect the needs and ideas of its future students. The latest blueprints feature “classroom neighborhoods,” an idea brought up through multiple conversations with students.
The neighborhoods are groups of classrooms designed to encourage collaboration. Instead of isolated rooms, neighborhoods include flexible layouts and shared spaces, which are intended to foster a strong sense of community and make the school environment more connected and supportive.
The student-centered approach surrounding committee meetings, and the new high school, highlights North Attleborough’s dedication to creating an environment that supports both academic success and personal growth while ensuring that students are well-equipped to thrive.
