What’s New at Seekonk High School

Lots of exciting changes are in the works at Seekonk High School.

Principal William Whalen gave a first-ever ‘State of the School’ address on January 23.

“We’re hoping to get some new positions for next year,” Whalen said. “An English teacher, a Special Education teacher, and another World Language teacher to teach Spanish and Portuguese.”

Whalen said there will be two additional STEM courses offered for the 2020-2021 school year, plus another course for the 2021-2022 school year.

The high school has also initiated a “shadow” program, which allow 8th grade students from Hurley Middle School to spend a day with a high school student. Whalen, who previously served as Hurley’s Principal, said this will help ease the transition from middle school to high school.

There will also be a “Senior Stroll” at the end of the school year.

“The seniors will have the opportunity to take a bus over to the middle school and see their old teachers,” Whalen said. “They will also have the chance to go to whichever elementary school they (attended).”

Whalen also discussed building upgrades for the next school year.

“We’re looking to put in a new professional development room for teachers in the district with existing space,” Whalen said.

There will also be a new classroom for one of the STEP courses.

New internship programs are also in the works, which will help seniors prepare for college and careers.

“We have an engineering pathway but we’re also looking at other pathways too,” Whalen noted. “They would be able to participate in a hands-on internship by the time they’re a senior.”

The “State of the School” event also featured performances by student musicians, including members of the high school band, and displays of student artwork.

There was also a slide show which featured activities the students participated in for the first half of the school year, Whalen added.