The Kingston School Committee kicked off the new year with a brisk session focusing on future planning and campus improvements. A second-grade teacher shared a warm update on the return to classrooms following the winter break, noting that we just started off our new year reviewing procedures and then starting right into our academic curriculum and our New Year’s resolutions and what goals we want to achieve for the new year. Vice Chair Megan Garrity Cannon shared a relatable sentiment on the post-holiday transition, remarking, God bless her. My second grader was definitely not ready to go back.

The primary item of business was the approval of the 2026-2027 school calendar. The schedule includes a student start date of September 2, 2026, with strategically placed in-service days on September 1 and November 3 to accommodate local elections and facilitate polling at school facilities. Jesse Keith appreciated the detailed planning, stating, I see all the dates for the back to school open house and curriculum nights... that's helpful to have so people can plan accordingly. Motion Made by Jesse Keith to approve the calendar as presented. Motion Passed 5-0 Jennifer Krowchun ensured the committee's records were accurate earlier in the night, noting that there were just a few spelling typos within the minutes from December 1st which have been provided to our secretary. Motion Made by Jeanne Coleman to approve the minutes just as amended. Motion Passed 5-0

Excitement is building for the "outdoor classroom" project at Kingston Elementary School. A representative from the school detailed new purchases funded by the Kingston Foundation for Education, including weather-resistant polywood seating, handicap-accessible tables, and a ten-foot wind sock pole. We’re ordering see-through planter boxes for the spring, the representative explained, adding that it’s like the kids can see the roots through the soil. Jeanne Coleman highlighted the success of recent community events, mentioning that the Winterfest was awesome. By the way, I volunteered and that was pretty darn amazing.

Looking ahead, the committee discussed upcoming field trips to Plymouth Patuxet and Gillette Stadium, as well as the return of Multicultural Night on January 22. Sheila Vaughn provided an update from the Pilgrim Area Collaborative, noting that Boston 25 News had a lot of great segments on special education and PAC was actually spotlighted which is pretty awesome. The committee also moved to update its relations with parent booster organizations. Motion Made by Jesse Keith that we wave the second reading of policy KBE. Motion Passed 5-0 Motion Made by Jeanne Coleman to adopt policy KBE. Motion Passed 5-0 Before closing, the committee reminded residents of the upcoming public budget hearing on February 2. The meeting was adjourned at 6:28 PM