Schools

Lakeville could face $1 million lawsuit from former school superintendent Strauss

LAKEVILLE – Lakeville could owe former Superintendent of Schools Alan Strauss as much as $1 million after two Freetown-Lakeville School Committee members defamed him by questioning whether he was actually sick with leukemia, according to a letter...

‘North Woods Nonsense’ to be performed at Old Colony

ROCHESTER — The Old Colony Theater Company will present the comedy North Woods Nonsense, written by Andrew Ross, at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, 476 North St., Rochester. Opening night is Friday Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. Additional...
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‘Matilda the Musical Jr.’ comes to the Nichols Middle School stage

MIDDLEBORO — Unlike some plays, when teens and tweens are forced to play much older characters, “Matilda the Musical Jr.’’ involves parts right in and around their age range of Nichols Middle School Drama Club performers. “It’s nice to do a show...

Elks donate to support those with special needs

The Middleboro Elks recently presented $2,000 checks to two local organizations that provide support to individuals with special needs. The Heart in Art will be using their grant to help people that can not afford to attend classes or programs,...

Former superintendent Strauss to receive settlement of nearly $144,913

LAKEVILLE — Former Freetown-Lakeville Superintendent of Schools Alan Strauss will be paid just under $144,913 as part of his settlement agreement with the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District, according to the terms of the document. Strauss...

‘Matilda the Musical, Jr.’ to be performed at Nichols Middle School

MIDDLEBORO — The Nichols Middle School Drama Club will present “Matilda the Musical, Jr.,” based on the book by Roald Dahl, at 7 p.m. Friday Jan. 31 and 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday Feb. 1. This story follows Matilda, played by sixth grader Savannah Kelley...

Book about transgender boy read to class sparks debate

MIDDLEBORO — Reading a book about a transgender boy to a fifth grade class sparked debate at the Jan. 9 Middleboro School Committee meeting about whether the reading material was appropriate and whether parents should have been notified in advance...

Freelake Superintendent Strauss resigns, cites ‘toxic’ environment

LAKEVILLE — Freetown-Lakeville Superintendent of Schools Alan Strauss has resigned, citing "defamatory statements’’ made about his health by two School Committee members. Strauss was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in July 2023 and...

New dean named for Massasoit Community College Middleboro site

MIDDLEBORO — Massasoit Community College is reinvesting in its Middleboro instructional site through the appointment of Karyn Boutin as dean of its Middleboro campus, college officials have announced. The college also plans to offer more courses and...

Students explore the world without leaving Lakeville

LAKEVILLE — Students of Mullein Hill Christian Academy in Lakeville studied and prepared a presentation of different countries for their recent annual Multi-Cultural Day Celebration. Countries represented were Fiji, Japan, Portugal, Ireland, Italy,...

Students learn significance of folding flag

LAKEVILLE — Middle school students of Mullein Hill Christian Academy in Lakeville recently learned about the 13 folds of the American flag in preparation of Veterans Day. We were blessed to have four middle school students present the 13 folds of...

Students send sweet treats to soldiers

LAKEVILLE — Fourth grade students of Mullein Hill Christian Academy in Lakeville found a sweet use for Halloween candy. Under the direction of teacher Caitlyn Butler, the youngsters sorted through candy to be added to care packages shipped to...

Attorneys general from 18 states ask Supreme Court to hear ‘Two Genders’ case

MIDDLEBORO – Eighteen states and several organizations have filed “friend of the court’’ briefs asking the Supreme Court to review the case of a Middleboro student who was forbidden to wear a T-shirt to school with the words “There are only two...

Potential upgrades to Apponequet courtyard developed, presented by students

LAKEVILLE — The outdoor courtyard at Apponequet Regional High School may receive a bright new look, thanks to efforts led by the high school’s Student Council. New features could include a retaining wall structure with steps, a memorial fountain, a...

Neither Trump nor Harris: Students choose “Piggie” for president

LAKEVILLE — In a mock election at Assawompsett Elementary School, students selected their top choice for president— and neither Donald Trump nor Kamala Harris were on the ballot. Students elected fictional book character Piggie from the series “...

Children ring bell, play instruments in visit to Kingston church

LAKEVILLE — The first and second grades of Mullein Hill Christian Academy, 25 Staples Shore Road, Lakeville recently visited Mayflower Church in Kingston for a field trip. They were welcomed by Pastor Anton Brown and his wife Amy, who explained the...

Oak Point raises record amount of $72,500 for scholarships

MIDDLEBORO — The Oak Point Homeowners Scholarship Fund has designated a record $72,500 in scholarships and toolships to Middleboro students through money raised through yard sales and other fund-raisers, scholarship fund officers have reported...

Gaining confidence with dyslexia

DARTMOUTH — At 8 years old, Lakeville’s Dylan Chagnon was diagnosed with dyslexia, which is a language-learning difference that primarily affects a person’s reading. His mother, Anna Chagnon, said she noticed him struggling with his reading fluency...

Task force to look at exit interviews to explore why teachers leave district

MIDDLEBORO — Middleboro School Committee members agreed to form a task force to consider how exit interviews might be used to learn why educators are leaving the district. The discussion included a call by two committee members for the schools to...

Christian Academy honors local religious leaders with breakfast

Lakeville — Students at Mullein Hill Christian Academy in Lakeville recently took a moment to show their gratitude for local pastors. In celebration of Pastor Appreciation Month in October, area pastors were asked by students and their families to...

Getting handle on number of riders could ease school bus concerns, committee told

MIDDLEBORO — Determining how many students will actually use the school bus to travel to and from class could change the way transportation routes are created and potentially ease problems, Superintendent of Schools Carolyn Lyons told School...

Ng should have been notified prior to censure, School Committee rep says

LAKEVILLE — A representative from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees told the Freetown Lakeville school committee that all confidential information must be redacted from material related to a superintendent’s evaluation. Executive...

Accusations continue to fly on Freetown Lakeville School Committee

LAKEVILLE — Strong words were exchanged between members of the Freetown Lakeville School Committee at the committee’s Sept. 25 meeting, the latest in a series of tumultuous interactions involving sexism and racism accusations directed at some...

Lakeville educator nominated for fire safety award

LAKEVILLE — Becky Saucier of Mullein Hill Christian Academy, 25 Staples Shore Road in Lakeville was one of eight nominees for the Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year Award. She was nominated for her work at the academy teaching the students...

MCAS scores a mixed bag in area

Burkland Elementary School in Middleboro and Apponequet Regional High School were both named Schools of Recognition on Tuesday in tandem with the release of 2024 MCAS results. They and the 55 other schools on the list were selected from among all...

MBTA zoning Special Town Meeting article sparks discussion

MIDDLEBORO — The Middleboro Select Board voted at their Sept. 23 meeting to take no action on a proposed Special Town Meeting article allowing for multi-family housing near the MBTA station. But that didn’t stop strong opinions from flying during a...

Grant supports anti-hate programs in Middleboro schools

MIDDLEBORO — A state grant of $19,000 has funded the formation of a group “to make sure all students feel they’re safe,’’ according to Kevin Avitabile, director of student services for the Middleboro schools. Middleboro was one of eight school...

Free community college opens doors to area students, educators say

A new plan to make community college free for any Massachusetts resident looking to get a first-time degree could be a game changer for students, Middleboro High School Principal Paul Branagan said. The MassEducate program, approved as part of the...

Concerns about Middleboro bus arrivals lead to subcommittee formation

MIDDLEBORO — Issues with bus transportation on the first days of school have led to the formation of a transportation subcommittee to explore the situation, Middleboro School Committee members agreed at their Sept. 12 meeting. Some buses arrived...

Girl scouts help beautify Freetown Lakeville Middle School

LAKEVILLE — With the help of members of the Parent Teacher Organization, local girl scout troops and faculty, grounds at Freetown Lakeville Middleboro School received some tender loving care the weekend of Sept. 7 and 8. Members of the Parent...

New school year has students and parents excited

MIDDLEBORO — Summer was officially over for Middleboro students as they hopped out of cars or strolled across the elementary school parking lots on Wednesday, Sept. 4, touting backpacks that, in some cases, were larger than they were. It was the...

Freetown Lakeville Superintendent rated as 'proficient' in evaluation

LAKEVILLE — Freetown Lakeville Superintendent Alan Strauss wrapped up year two of his contract with good grades, as articulated by the School Committee during his evaluation at the committee’s Sept. 4 meeting. With the exception of one school...

Ng censured by School Committee after leaking confidential student information

LAKEVILLE — The Freetown Lakeville School Committee voted to publicly censure member Crystal Ng for sending confidential information about a student to a member of the general public. “I don’t know how I can go into negotiations with teachers and...

School Committee member denies allegations of harassment

LAKEVILLE — The Freetown-Lakeville School Committee will address “serious allegations” brought against four committee members by way of an Open Meeting Law Violation at the committee’s next meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 4, said School Committee Chair...

Middleboro Public Schools staff makes heartfelt donation to food pantry

MIDDLEBORO — Middleboro faculty and staff started off the new year on the right foot. Among the briefcases, bins and portfolios they already carried in on convocation day, they found room on their forearms for grocery bags filled with food to donate...

Subcommittee charts next steps for Freelake budget audit

LAKEVILLE — The Regional Finance Subcommittee has decided more guidance is needed before the group can determine more specifics on how to conduct an audit of the Freetown Lakeville School district. Freetown Lakeville School Committee members and...

School committee members accused of 'harrassment,' asked to resign

This article has been updated to include comment from Freetown-Lakeville School Committee Chair John Burke. LAKEVILLE — A Freetown-Lakeville School Committee member has called for the resignation of four other committee members for...

Superintendent’s evaluation stunted by potential confidentiality breaches

LAKEVILLE — The process for completing Freetown-Lakeville School District Superintendent Alan Strauss’ two-year evaluation has encountered yet another obstacle. Due to two potential breaches of confidentiality, allegedly caused by both Strauss and...

Middleboro schools to feature 3D printers and PFAS-ridding water filters

MIDDLEBORO — While Middleboro students have been away for the summer, the school district has been busy with facility updates that include improvements to the high school’s Innovation Lab, classroom carpet removal and the installation of filters...

Improvements to Lakeville schools 'serve students of today,' staff says

LAKEVILLE — New elective courses, libraries outfitted with green screens and expanded STEM programs are just some of the changes that Freetown Lakeville students will see in the coming school year. The majority of students will return to school on...

Staff surveys can be used to evaluate school superintendents, committee told

MIDDLEBORO — Feedback from surveys, including staff input, can be used in future superintendent of schools evaluations, Middleboro School Ccmmittee member Susan Pennini has learned. Pennini told committee members at their Aug. 15 meeting that,...

Staff resignations a ‘concern,’ Middleboro school superintendent says

MIDDLEBORO — Superintendent of Schools Carolyn Lyons told School Committee members at their Aug. 15 meeting that 14 recent staff resignations were a “concern for me,’’ although she said the numbers were not much different than previous years, The 14...

READS Collaborative celebrates 50 years

MIDDLEBORO– Fifty years since it was founded, the READS Collaborative, a regional academy with an office in Middleboro that offers academic programs for students with special needs, remains true to its mission. The program was created with the goal...

Strauss highlights improved district rating in year two review

LAKEVILLE — The number of Freetown Lakeville students who regularly miss school has significantly dropped since 2022, according to Superintendent Alan Strauss. This was one of the accomplishments of the district he highlighted during a Wednesday,...

Middleboro resident graduates Summa Cum Laude

MIDDLEBORO — Middleboro resident Megan M. Morrissey recently graduated from Western New England University, in Springfield Massachusetts, at the top of her class. Morrissey graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. She...