- Kindness – Anne Hurst (12/9/2025)
Anne Hurst Reflects on the Necessity of Common Courtesy and Kindness
During comments at the December 8th School Committee meeting, member Anne Hurst focused on the importance of kindness and appreciation in everyday interactions. Hurst recounted a personal anecdote where a store employee was rudely dismissed by a customer after offering assistance with finding a sewing kit. This incident prompts a reflection on the necessity of common courtesy, particularly during potentially stressful times like the holidays. Anne Hurst argues that people in service roles deserve to be treated with respect and appreciation, highlighting that a simple “thank you” or acknowledging a job well done can have a significant positive impact. Ultimately, Hurst advocates for a greater practice of kindness and consideration toward others. Listen to Anne Hurst’s comments on any device, CLICK PLAY
Anne Hurst on Kindness 12-8-25
- School Committee 12-8-25 (12/9/2025)
Gardner MA School Committee Holds Last Meeting of 2025
The Gardner School Committee Meeting on December 8, 2025 opened with recognitions for 53 recipients of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship and the acceptance of a $2,500 donation from Yen Yen Restaurant for school food programs. Subcommittee reports were heard on finance and policy, where members discuss financial health, out-of-district tuition increases, and the first and second readings of several policies, as well as the removal of redundant policies. There is an extensive School Improvement Plan presentation by Dr. Ann Berado for Gardner Academy that highlights student challenges, such as high rates of trauma and substance use history, and outlines innovative efforts like trauma-informed practices and career readiness programs. The meeting concludes with updates from various coordinators and heartfelt farewells to a departing committee member, Shannon Ward-Leighton who did not seek reelection to the School Committee. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.
School Committee 12-8-25 The infographic illustrates highlights from the Gardner Academy presentation.
- GHS – Pathways to Success (12/5/2025)
Auto Draft Gardner Public Schools Offering Multiple Pathways to Success
A student at Gardner High School might be interested in going to college or might be interested in a trade. Either option is available. With arrangements made with Mount Wachusett Community College, students take college courses while still in high school. A number of students are well on their way to graduating with not only a high school diploma, but also an Associates Degree. Those credits can be used to shave off a couple years from a 4 year degree. And for those interested in a high paying trade, the arrangement with Monty Tech comes in to play. Best of all, cost to students is FREE. Gardner Magazine has a “Deep Dive” discussing this. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.
DEEP DIVE – GHS Pathways to Success This information is from the School Committee meeting packet for December 8th, CLICK HERE.
The GHS Early College Academy continues to thrive. 89 students are enrolled in the program.
Although most of the students in the program take classes on the MWCC campus, many of them return
to GHS in the afternoons to take additional high school classes. This year there are 16
juniors who take two college classes at the high school, which are taught by MWCC professors. Those
students are also enrolled in three afternoon high school classes. Five current seniors are on track to graduate from the Academy with full associate’s degrees. All these classes continue to be free of charge for students. Recruiting efforts for the 2026-2027 school year will be starting in January.The Pathways and Gateway to College Programs are undergoing a bit of a change with the creation of
some new MOUs with other districts. Pathways currently has 41 students enrolled who will be
receiving GPS diplomas and all those students are on track to earn a full associate’s degree by their
graduation. Gateway to College currently has 37 students enrolled in the program and those students will be earning a Gardner Academy diploma. Those students are enrolled in college classes that are used towards earning their diplomas while covering all GPS graduation requirements.
MVP Academy: The MVP Academy, the partnership program with Monty Tech, currently has 15 students enrolled. There are 5 seniors (two in carpentry and three in electrical) and 10 juniors (five in carpentry and five in electrical) in the program. GHS is excited to be adding plumbing to the trades offered through this program for next year. Although GHS is waiting for official notification, all indications from DESE are that the application will be approved and then Gardner High School will be adding 10 additional students in this new trade (five juniors and five seniors) for the 2026-2027 school year. Recruitment for next year will be beginning in January.
- Rockwell Committee (11/18/2025)
Rockwell Meeting Held – Applications opening December 1st
Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Rockwell Committee 11-17-25 The Gardner William Rockwell Educational Gift Fund Committee meeting was held on November 17, 2025. Attendees reviewed the status of outstanding grants, noting that the vast majority of allocated funds had been spent effectively on items like new school furniture and band equipment. A significant portion of the discussion centered on the Raymond James investment update, which covered the fund’s overall performance, asset allocation (approximately 60-65% equities), and total investment gains for the year, showing strong performance despite market volatility. The trustees then voted to segregate 90% of the year-to-date investment gain*—totaling over $322,000—for the upcoming grant cycle and moved to extend the grant application period for teachers until the end of January to accommodate the holiday break. Applications for the school year open December 1st and will close January 30, 2026
- Hurst – Swartz on Election (11/11/2025)
Just under 25% of registered voters cast ballots in the recent Gardner Municipal Election. Here is a pdf of the unofficial results from the City Clerk’s office, CLICK HERE.
Anne Hurst and Robert Swartz Speak Out About Election
Listen to their comments on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Anne Hurst and Robert Swartz at School Committee Meeting November 10, 2025 School Committee Member Anne Hurst on the Contentious Election: “...It was a little contentious this year, and we really need to, as a society, just really think more about what we’re saying and doing, and really not making the problems worse by spreading false information, or even just passing, social media is so hard because it can make you depressed in, like, five seconds. And, you know, whether you’re for the left or for the right, it doesn’t matter. We don’t need to share it because we don’t need to be divided. And that’s all I have to say.”
School Committee Member Robert Swartz on Low Voter Turnout: “Relative to the election last Tuesday, I’m a warden for a 3A, and then what I say could be multiplied to all the other precincts throughout the city. I just find it amazing that in 3A there are 1,706 registered voters, and there is only 362 people that voted. I know some of the attitudes are, it’s not important. Every election, whether it be local, state, or federal, is important. It’s essential that we exercise our privilege to vote, or otherwise that privilege will be taken away if we vote for the wrong person. Sorry to get on the soapbox, but I thought it was important.” And then Anne Hurst stated: “I already did that, so…”
- School Committee 11-10-25 (11/11/2025)
Gardner School Committee Honors High School Nurses, Votes to Dispose of Surplus Kitchen Equipment, and Discusses MCAS Scores
At the meeting of November 10, 2025, Gardner Superintendent of Schools Mark Pellegrino recognized two high school nurses for their life-saving response during an emergency. In October, Bethany Harunkiewicz, RN and Ben Blake, LPN administered CPR and used an AED to save the life of a staff member who had gone in to ventricular fibrillation, a life threatening heart rhythm. FYI: GPS nurses renew their CPR/AED certification through the American Heart Association every 2 years. And as far as with students, the health offices are busy as shown in the graphic. GES is shown at left. GMS and GHS are shown below. Listen to the entire meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY.
Gardner MA School Committee 11-10-25 Here is the complete packet for the November 10, 2025 Gardner MA School Committee meeting, CLICK HERE.
School Committee 11-10-25 Key actions included the approval of the consent agenda and authorizing the sale of surplus kitchen equipment including pizza ovens, convection ovens, a 60 gallon steam jacketed kettle, a range, and an air purifier – following a reports from the facilities subcommittee by Robert Swartz.
Dr. Pellegrino gave a presentation regarding MCAS Trends. English and Math were down slightly. Science was up. Further details are in the packet, CLICK HERE
Significant discussion focused on an update regarding MCAS standardized test results, noting that while the district generally aligns with the state in English and math (despite a slight dip due to new curriculum implementation), it saw an increase in science scores. The superintendent outlined several initiatives to improve academic outcomes, particularly for students with disabilities and English language learners, through changes to instructional practices and the implementation of robust common planning time. The meeting included subcommittee reports on finance and policy, a vote on the second reading of several policies, and closing comments from committee members, including congratulations on recent elections and updates on city repairs.
- GHS Band 10-21-25 (10/21/2025)
School Committee Chair Nicholson and Vice Chair Cormier Observe GHS Marching Band Practice
The Gardner High School Marching Band held an evening rehearsal on October 21, 2025 and Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson and Vice Chair of the School Committee Rachael Cormier were on hand to view the progress the band has made. The GHS Marching Band is on its way to the State Finals this weekend.
Mayor Nicholson stated, “Congratulations to the Gardner High School Wildcat Marching Band on a great last night rehearsal of the season! They have certainly come a long way from where they started at Band Camp to now! School Committee Vice Chair Rachel Cormier and I got a selfie with all of the Band’s seniors at the end! At the Mayor of the City and the Chair of its School Committee, I couldn’t be prouder of these students. Best of luck at your state finals competition this weekend!“
- School Committee 10-14-25 (10/15/2025)
School Committee Hears from New Student Representative at October Meeting
Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.
School Committee 10-14-25 View the complete agenda and packet, CLICK HERE.
The Committee heard from new Student Representative Aiden Lospennato, formally accepted a $16,000 donation to the GHS Music Program, and her from Anne Hurst on various policies. Superintendent goals the the District Improvement Plan were approved.
- School Committee 6-9-25 (6/10/2025)
School Committee Meets, Terri Hillman Retires after 30 Years
The Gardner MA School Committee met on June 9,2025. Following a positive Superintendent evaluation, the Gardner Superintendent was granted a 5% raise. However, Dr. Pellegrino said he would only accept a 2% raise, same as the teachers.
Superintendent Pellegrino reviewed the District Improvement Plan Related Goals of 2024 to 2027 and spoke of the complete details including specifics on student behavior. The superintendent went through each section and commented on progress. The video of the meeting shows various charts. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.
School Committee 6-9-25 There was about 8 minutes of School Committee comments at the end of the meeting from all of the members. Recording Secretary Terri Hillman is retiring after 3 decades. It was her last meeting. This is what she said. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Terri Hillman 6-9-25 The School Committee meets next in September.
- School 5-12-25 (5/13/2025)
Recognitions – Achievements – Future: Topics of Gardner MA School Committee Meeting
The Gardner Massachusetts School Committee met on May 12, 2025. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.
School Committee 5-12-25 One of the highlights of the meeting came at the very beginning as the 4th Grade Student Council was recognized followed by a report from and recognition of the student representative Nora Morris. The bottom of our graphic shows the 4th grade group.
Robert Swartz gave an extensive facilities report which focused on an extensive list of repairs, projects, and concerns which are being addressed now and over the summer break and involve both the Gardner High School and Gardner Middle School Buildings.
Anne Hurst went over a list of policies under consideration for the next meeting and other policies on the agenda for 2nd reading were adopted. In addition, the Program of Studies was accepted as presented.
The College Readiness Coordinator Melissa Paine gave a report on the applications for early college and touched on comprehensive college and career readiness plans.
School Committee Chair and Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson noted the Gardner Academy graduation will be May 30th at Perry Auditorium. The Gardner High School graduation is May 31st. School Superintendent Mark Pellegrino said during the meeting that he couldn’t remember another Gardner graduation occurring in May.
