Acushnet Elementary one of two MA schools to earn national 'distinguished' status

Matthew Ferreira, Standard-Times
·3 min read

ACUSHNET — At Acushnet Elementary School, an assembly on Wednesday resembled a pep rally, as students, staff, and distinguished guests came together in celebration of the school being one of only two in Massachusetts to recently be recognized as a National ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) Distinguished School by the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators, or NAESPA.

"Only 55 schools in the whole country have been named a distinguished school, and we are one of them so give yourselves a big hand," said AES Principal Leah Chesney to a full gymnasium of excited students.

The ESEA Distinguished Schools Program, established in 1996, annually selects nominated schools around the country "that have successfully used their ESEA federal funds to improve the education for all students — including economically disadvantaged students," according to a press release.

Why Acushnet Elementary School?

In the case of Acushnet Elementary School — a Title I school with 49% of its students identified as "high needs," according to a presentation Wednesday — ESEA says the selection was made based on "exhibiting exceptional student performance and academic growth," one of three qualifying categories for the recognition.

Some of the "greatest contributing factors that promoted positive change" at the school listed on the ESEA Network website include new, high-quality reading and math curricula; "weekly support time" meetings between teachers, instructional coaches and administrators to discuss student data; and the "unique model of synchronous hybrid instruction" deployed during the COVID pandemic that allowed staff "to see their students every day."

"We decided not to settle for the status quo," said School Committee member Jennifer Downing on Wednesday as she recalled the district's approach to hybrid learning during the time when state officials had mandated a staggered approach to in-person student attendance. "Through the use of technology and new ways of teaching we created a synchronous learning environment for our students so that even though some students were at home, all of our students were together virtually with their teachers."

According to Superintendent Dr. Paula Bailey, Acushnet schools received $322,916 between fiscal years 2021 and 2023 in Title I funding, which was used to fund things such as a reading interventionist, an extra elementary classroom teacher in the current school year to reduce class size, an online reading intervention program and Chromebooks.

Emphasizing teamwork

But the theme of Wednesday's celebration wasn't about funding sources and smart spending. Rather, at the forefront of speakers' messages was an emphasis on teamwork and the district motto of "better together."

Students give themselves a standing ovation to celebrate the Acushnet Elementary School being designated a National ESEA Distinguished School.
Students give themselves a standing ovation to celebrate the Acushnet Elementary School being designated a National ESEA Distinguished School.

"So at the NASA Center in 1962, President John F. Kennedy noticed a janitor carrying a broom," said Jeffrey Riley, commissioner for Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which had nominated Acushnet Elementary School for the recognition. "He interrupted his tour, walked over to the man and said, hi, I’m President Kennedy. What’re you doing here? The janitor responded simply, I’m helping put a man on the moon.

“Everyone, every adult in this room, in this building, is responsible for the great thing that has happened today.”

Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffrey Riley is flanked by two volunteer students to celebrate the Acushnet Elementary School being designated a National ESEA Distinguished School.
Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffrey Riley is flanked by two volunteer students to celebrate the Acushnet Elementary School being designated a National ESEA Distinguished School.

“Dr. Bailey said we must work hard in order to achieve this great accomplishment," said Deputy Commissioner of Education Dr. Regina Robinson after leading students through a lively "good morning" chant-along. "I am so proud to join you this morning and say what a great job you all have done as a team."

"My daughter ... comes home happy every day and excited to learn in this school," said Acushnet Selectman Robert Hinckley. "I just want to say thank you to everyone that’s here and thank you for doing your best to showcase Acushnet."

The other Massachusetts school to be named a National ESEA Distinguished School was Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School in Haverhill.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Acushnet Elementary named a National ESEA Distinguished School