By Barbara Taormina—For the North Star Reporter
The School Committee opened its meeting last week by recognizing two students for their academic success and extracurricular accomplishments.
North Attleborough High School seniors Lilya Fouda and Zach Lapointe received the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents’ Academic Achievement Award. The award is a statewide honor for top-performing high school seniors who have demonstrated exceptional academic excellence, leadership and community engagement. Recipients are selected by guidance counselors and school principals.
NAHS Head Counselor Judd Gavan said of Fouda, “With an outstanding 97.08 GPA, she has distinguished herself as a hardworking and persevering student who consistently strives for excellence.”
Fouda is founder and president of the Pulse Medical Club and the French Club, president of the World Language Honor Society and captain of both the tennis and swim teams. She has given more than 250 hours of volunteer service to Miriam Hospital and donated 200 hygiene kits in North Attleborough.
Lapointe was honored for a 97.27 GPA, four years as class vice president, his role as varsity soccer captain and a YMCA Youth Sports Facilitator, and membership in the National Honor Society, the National Spanish Honor Society and the Hockomock Leadership Executive Ambassador Program.
“Combined with his commitment to service, including traveling to Lewiston, Maine, to support the community following its tragic shooting, (Zach) has demonstrated that academic excellence is not simply about achievement, but about using his abilities to make a positive difference,” said Gavan.
High school construction update
Superintendent John Antonucci presented a brief update on the high school building project that included two terms that stakeholders in major construction projects enjoy hearing – “on schedule” and “under budget.”
“The project is going great,” said Antonucci. “It has exceeded my highest expectations.”
“They are pouring foundations as we speak,” Antonucci told the committee. “You’ll be seeing it going vertical soon.”
According to Antonucci, construction accounts for $227 million of the total project budget of $287 million. Antonucci said that, although it’s early, the project seems to be $5 million under budget, adding that this is a conservative estimate.
“The project could not be going any better,” said Antonucci. “The planning was well done and it shows.”
Support for the schools
The School Committee voted to accept the following donations totaling $36,000Â
- BDL Heating and Cooling — $7,500
- Priority One Plumbing and Heating — $7,500
- Paul Davis Restoration — $7,500
- Wealthbridge Legacy Partners — $7,500
- Statedia — $6,000
The money may be spent for a variety of purposes, such as the purchase of new uniforms or athletic and band program needs. Funds may also be used for the upkeep, maintenance and improvement of the high school athletic complex, or the continued operation and maintenance of the scoreboard and related technology.
In appreciation of the donors’ generosity, the district will recognize their support on the scoreboard at the Ray Beaupre Field.Â
Amvet and Community Schools
Committee member Francisco Palmarin participated in a recent tour of school buildings and shared his thoughts about what he saw with fellow committee members. Palmarin’s remarks focused on the Amvet Boulevard and Community schools.
“Educators are doing everything they can with what they have,” he told the committee. “Amvet needs real care and investment.”
Palmarin stressed that the Amvet and Community schools are serving students with the greatest needs.Â
“The schools are making do with spaces not meant for what they are being used for today,” he said.
Palmarin said he is not proposing a new tax, but added that it’s well known that Amvet school needs new windows and updated maintenance systems.Â
“Maybe the state can help,” he said adding no gift for either school is too small.
Concerns from bus drivers
Becky Dean has been a bus driver for 34 years.Â
During the public comment segment of the council meeting, Dean told the committee she and her fellow bus drivers love their jobs and the students, but have been struggling with afternoon driving and need help.Â
Dean explained that afternoon buses run into construction detours and traffic choked-roads that slow them down. At the high school, parents picking up students line up in the wrong lane and block the buses.
“We’re doing our best and trying to drive safely,” said Dean adding that the disruptions to the buses make it impossible to get to the elementary schools by 2:45 pm., making buses late and leading to complaints.Â
Dean went on to explain that drivers try to bring out-of-control students back to their schools and leave them with school principals, who are supposed to stay in their buildings until 4 p.m. Those trips slow down the bus routes even more. Dean said drivers are told to instead write up unruly students. Three written reports mean a student is no longer allowed on the bus. But Dean said that doesn’t happen.
“The complaints are all on us and it’s not fair to us,” said Dean.Â
Antonucci told Dean to bring the issues up with W. T. Holmes, the district’s school bus contractor.Â