Goodyear Elementary School Adopts Responsive Classroom Program, Welcomes New Staff to Bolster Sense of Student Belonging 

WOBURN – Principal Ken Kessaris is pleased to share that Goodyear Elementary School is adapting to its evolving student population this school year by adopting the Responsive Classroom Program and welcoming new staff in efforts to bolster students’ sense of belonging.

Goodyear Elementary School has welcomed 37 new students and a large incoming kindergarten class for the 2023-2024 school year, bringing its total enrollment to 353 students. 

To welcome new families and students, Goodyear has adopted the Responsive Classroom Program to ensure that all students feel safe and accepted within the classroom and throughout the school. 

Responsive Classroom is a student-centered, social and emotional learning approach to teaching and discipline. It is comprised of a set of research, and evidence-based practices designed to create safe, joyful, and engaging classrooms and school communities for both students and teachers.

As part of the program, Goodyear will implement daily morning meetings in classrooms, promote positive behavior modeling, and use common languages and routines. 

Goodyear Elementary has also hired multiple new staff members to aid in its efforts to welcome new students and meet their needs, including a full-time special education teacher, multilingual learner teacher, psychologist, behavior analyst, and reading specialist. 

“Together with our PTO and School Council, we strive to engage all families to feel a sense of belonging in our Goodyear School community,” said Principal Kessaris. “Through the collaboration of our staff and working together with families, we are determined to support every student to become the best they can be.”