LISBON — Math proficiency among Philip W. Sugg Middle School students in Lisbon has risen over the last three years following the switch to a new curriculum, according to Principal Ryan McKenney.
“Every single year (we’ve) seen a dramatic decrease from our students who are not meeting standards and (the number of those that) are below average at the national level, shrink and shrink and shrink,” he said. The percentage of students who are above or well above standards has similarly grown year over year.
In the 2020-21 school year, 50% of sixth grade students were below or far below standards for the NWEA standardized test, which all Maine students take annually. That proportion decreased to 37% when those same students took the standardized test a year later, then 24% this fall.
“Even through a pandemic, our kids were making progress and growth beyond their peers on a nationally standardized test, a test that was standardized prior to COVID,” he said.
Reading scores have remained relatively similar over the same period.
Also at the middle school, the girls and boys soccer team participated in Kicks for a Cure and raised more than $3,000 for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program through T-shirt sales, concessions and community sponsors.
The girls and boys soccer teams at Philip W. Sugg Middle School participated in Kicks for a Cure, raising more than $3,000 for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. Submitted photo
Instead of practice one day, students were brought into town where they requested donations from Lisbon businesses, said girls soccer coach Kerstin Kenney.
“I think it showed them that being part of a team is more than just playing a game, it’s about giving back,” she said.
Lisbon High School Principal Susan Magee told the School Committee that the dress code change has thus far been well received by students and staff, with minimal issues.
In a survey of staff, 60% reported a positive difference in interactions with students and 88% said students have been making appropriate choices in what they wear.
The dress code was recently changed at the high school to allow students to wear hats and relax the restrictions on shirt length.
Magee also recognized numerous groups for their support as the community continues to grieve the loss of a 15-year old student, who died unexpectedly last week.
She thanked high school guidance counselors Shari Jordan and Jill Piker for coordinating resources and supporting the school community, the multiple agencies and individuals who provided therapy dogs including Mission Working Dogs and Dean Willey of Lisbon, the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Maine and others.
Students, staff and community members are invited to a presentation from Greg Marley, the senior clinical director of suicide prevention at NAMI Maine, Thursday at 6 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.
The presentation will focus on protecting children and families after a suicide or traumatic death and acknowledge that “when a suicide or traumatic loss occurs within a community, the shock and grief make everyone feel unsafe.”
A candlelight vigil for the student was held Monday night at the MTM Community Center pavilion.
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