NORTHFIELD — Enrollment increases, new professional development opportunities and new academic programs have Pioneer Valley Regional School District Superintendent Patricia Kinsella feeling optimistic for the 2025-2026 school year.
The district welcomed students in grades one through 12 on Wednesday, Aug. 27, and preschool and kindergarten students this week, including the largest freshman class to come through Pioneer Valley Regional School in four years at 36 students. Additionally, the school saw eight students choice into seventh grade from other districts, which Kinsella said is a sign of the district’s improvement in academics and the school environment.
“We are excited to observe this increased interest in enrollment at Pioneer, which will result in a larger secondary school a few years down the road,” Kinsella said, adding, “I think families are recognizing that Pioneer is a safe environment for their students.”
For academics, students last year took advantage of the environmental science program, which was established using a $75,000 Innovation Career Pathways grant. This grant allows students to participate in work-based, applied learning experiences in industries that have high demand, including environmental and life sciences. The school has partnered with local businesses to provide hands-on internships within the community. This school year, the program remains a popular choice, Kinsella said.
Students are also able to take advantage of some new classes at the high school. Wilderness engineering and technology is a class where students can apply engineering skills to outdoor situations, with an overnight stay at the high school requiring students to build their own shelter as part of the course taught by woodshop teacher Joshua Freund. The district also has some approved classes through Project Lead the Way’s STEM curriculum like green architecture, introduction to engineering design and principals of system engineering that will be offered in the coming semesters.
Extracurricular programs are also progressing, with nine new students joining the volleyball team this fall and 47% of students in grades seven through 12 participating in a fall sport, Kinsella said. Additionally, the Drama Club is getting a revitalization, with a new drama class being taught this semester by Danika Tyminski.
At the elementary schools in Northfield and Bernardston, a new math curriculum has been introduced for students that includes professional development for teaching staff. There are also new after-school programs, including the 100 Mile Club at both schools, dedicated to getting children to walk 100 miles in a school year. A LEGO Club will be starting for both schools, along with a Plants and Pollinators Club at Bernardston Elementary.
Additionally, Kinsella noted the ongoing no-cellphone policy in classrooms has been a success, with positive feedback from students themselves.
“Our feedback from students at the end of the year made clear that the new policy has been a resounding success,” she said. “Kids are focused in classrooms. There are fewer disciplinary incidents.”
She said this positive reception was picked up by the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, which asked staff from Pioneer and members of its School Committee to speak at the Safe and Healthy Schools Summit on Oct. 8 at Greenfield Community College.
Staffing and professional development
Vacant positions have been filled, with eight new hires in teaching and administrative roles, including special education at Bernardston Elementary and the middle school, a middle school counselor and a behavioral analyst. Kinsella said the salaries and school culture contribute to the addition of staff coming to the district.
“When people come interview and they interact with our principals, they’re realizing, ‘Well, these are really kind, smart, experienced professionals. I think this person could help me grow as a professional if I come here.'”
To help staff further, Kinsella said there are continued professional development opportunities ahead, including a no-cost collaboration with the nonprofit Enough Abuse. The group will train all teaching and non-teaching staff on the prevention and recognition of childhood sexual abuse. The staff will take online training, with counseling staff available to help if school employees have questions about the content. Administrative and guidance staff have already finished the training.
Noting that a number of schools have experienced complaints of sexual abuse by staff in recent years, she said, “We took that as an opportunity to say, ‘Why don’t we partner with a credible and experienced organization, and get support from them in learning about how we can make our school environments even more protective for students?'”
Other professional development opportunities include the continuation of the state Playful Learning Institute for preschool and kindergarten staff to learn how to develop and implement a curriculum that blends play and learning.
To Kinsella, this growth in academics, extracurriculars, staff and professional development is a sign of revitalization of the district as the new school year begins.
“You take that,” she said, “combine it with an even more positive school culture — that’s a winning combination.”
