Latest news with #SouthbridgeMiddleSchool
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mass. 12-year-old who died after falling out window remembered as ‘a special little girl'
A Southbridge 12-year-old who died late last month after falling out a window is being remembered by friends and family as 'a special little girl.' Arya LeBeau died May 24 after falling out of a third-story window in Southbridge, the Worcester County District Attorney's Office said previously. Arya was born June 26, 2012, to Charlene Cabrera and Jeremy LeBeau, according to her obituary. She was a seventh grader at Southbridge Middle School. Read more: Child dies after reportedly falling out of window in Central Mass. Arya had a summer to-do list on the wall of her bedroom when she died, according to her obituary. It included activities she wanted to do with her friends, such as visit Six Flags New England, makeup lessons, getting their nails done, crafts and creating dance videos. Swimming and exploring the woods were among her favorite summer activities, according to her obituary. Her personality is described as 'vibrant and outgoing.' 'She was such a special little girl, everyone absolutely adored her. Her sassy and smart self is going to be greatly missed,' her obituary reads. Read more: ID released for child who died after falling out of window in Central Mass. Arya's online tribute wall is filled with dozens of posts from her friends and family showing silly photos she took with her friends, pictures of her as a young girl, expressions of sorrow at her death and condolences for her parents. Many photos are of Arya swimming or exploring the outdoors, and one shows her at a much younger age excitedly holding a snake. 'I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to be Arya's aunt for 8 years, getting to know her spunky, sassy personality. She was always such a ray of light and had me laughing,' Alex LeBeau wrote in her tribute post. 'Anywhere she saw me or her uncle Zach, she'd run up to us to say hi and give us a hug. Even down to her helping me get ready on my wedding day. 🩵 Her sweet soul will be seriously missed." Famous voice actor killed in Texas shooting at 59 Residential retrofitting program turns on high-speed internet for Bay Meadow Apts. in Springfield ICE defends arrest of Milford High School student, though teen was 'not the target' ICE director 'shocked' MA officials would rather release 'human traffickers, child rapists' back into neighborhoods A Pennsylvania Democrat and Republican come to Boston. Bipartisanship breaks out Read the original article on MassLive.
Boston Globe
16-04-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
Mass. schools that educate mostly students of color experience the highest teacher turnover
'I did not have the backing and the professional development at the school I needed to be successful,' said Mckeiver, who stayed in the profession but moved to Southbridge Middle School, where he says he now gets the training and support he needs. Related : Advertisement High teacher turnover rates cause 'Oftentimes the places that have the hardest time getting good staff and retaining them are the more challenged schools and school districts,' said Bob Bardwell, executive director of the Massachusetts School Counselors Association. In the 2024-25 school year, state data show in the top quartile of Massachusetts schools serving students of color, where about 30 percent or less of students are white, the teacher turnover rate was two-thirds greater than at those in the bottom quartile, where about 78 percent or more of students are white. The top quartile of schools lost 23 percent of their teachers, versus 14 percent at bottom quartile schools. Advertisement Brockton West Middle School Principal Carlton Campbell has struggled to retain educators. His campus, which largely serves high-needs students, including a majority from low-income households, has seen teacher retention rates decline in the last three years, with only 60 percent of his staff sticking around last school year. Campbell said student behavioral issues have been a leading cause for low teacher retention. Watching a turnstile of teachers has been disheartening, he said, and makes it difficult for school leadership to maintain normalcy for students. 'It's very discouraging because you invest time and work into those individuals,' he said. Related : Students said the high turnover leads to a lack of quality instruction, as most of the replacements are new to the profession. State numbers also show schools that both serve students of color and experienced high turnover often failed to meet state standards on the MCAS tests in math, science, and English. They said they're also less likely to pay attention to class content because adjusting to new faces in the classroom can be a distraction. Jamari Roberson, an eighth-grader at West Middle, said consistency is key for students to bond with their educators, providing them needed security in the classroom. Advertisement 'It makes the relationship stronger between the students and the teachers,' he said. 'Some students need that and don't have that when they go home.' Mckeiver, the Southbridge science teacher, agreed: 'Kids need predictability and consistency to do well.' Mckeiver lays blame for high teacher turnover on state and district leadership, saying they're not doing enough to supply educators with trainings that address cultural competency in working with students from diverse backgrounds. 'The way schools are set up, it's not the teachers' fault,' he said. 'The system has to be set up for you to be consistent.' better connect better with students of color and meet their social and emotional needs. They also want principals to advocate more for their needs with district and state leadership. 'If their heart's not in it, its hard to keep people,' Campbell said. Auzzy Byrdsell can be reached at
Boston Globe
07-02-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
Southbridge educator surprised with $25,000 Milken Educator Award
Southbridge Middle School teacher Jillian Lombardi high-fives her students after receiving the coveted 2025 Milken Educator Award and its $25,000 prize during a school assembly on Friday. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe More than 3,000 educators across the country have been given the award during the program's 40-year history. 'Ms. Lombardi brings her students a special blend of high expectations and strong support, all combined with humor,' Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler said in a statement. Known for her interactive classroom, Lombardi teaches Grade 6 science at Southbridge Middle. Her students consistently show up excited for her class, where they are encouraged to take their learning and discussions outside school walls, according to the foundation. The desks in her class form a horseshoe, allowing robust conversations with all her students. Her relationship goes beyond the classroom as she also serves as a coach for the girls' basketball and tennis teams and attends her students' extracurricular activities. At the rally, Massachusetts acting Education Commissioner Russell Johnston and Greg Gallagher, Milken Family Foundation senior program director, presented Lombardi the prize. 'Jillian Lombardi sparks curiosity, excitement and a genuine love of learning in her hands-on classroom,' Gallagher said in a statement Friday. 'Her enthusiastic approach to education is contagious, and it is just one of the many ways she will contribute to the national Milken Educator Network.' Related : Lombardi also dedicates her time mentoring her peers by leading weekly professional development sessions. She also serves as the science department head and on the school's Advertisement 'She is a wonderful representative of all the Southbridge and Massachusetts educators who believe in their students and work so hard for them every day,' Johnston said. The $25,000 prize can be spent however the recipients' see fit. Past recipients have used it for field trips and establishing scholarships. In April, honorees will attend a Milken Educator Awards Forum together in Los Angeles where they will collaborate on how to broaden their impact on K-12 education. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Auzzy Byrdsell can be reached at
