BECKET, Mass. — The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recognized Becket Washington Elementary School as one of its 2024 schools of recognition. 

 

The state recognized the school for demonstrating significant student growth and achievement. Administrators accredited this to the collaborative efforts of the entire community, including teachers, staff, students, families, and community partnerships.

 

"We are really lucky that we have all that, and we're proud of the fact that we did exceed so many of our goals," said Principal Mary Kay McCloskey. 

 

The state sets targets for schools based on the previous year's accountability reporting. The targets are on various metrics, including English language arts, math, science, chronic absenteeism, and more. 

 

"When you receive your classification as a school, the state sets targets, and the targets are set by achievement and growth, but it's kind of a measure against yourself," Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said. 

 

"So, really, it's about the progress you made in relation to those targets that the state set for us, and so we're just really super proud of the progress that we've made in those targets."

 

Only 56 other schools across the commonwealth, including traditional high schools, middle, elementary, charter, and technical schools received this honor.

 

School officials are particularly proud that their high-needs students performed just as well as the rest of the student body. High-need students include those with disabilities, who are economically disadvantaged, and English language learners. 

 

"The district has been great in providing free breakfast and lunch for all our students. It doesn't matter who you are or who your family is; you can have a free meal. So, I feel like our kids come into the building ready to work, they're fed, and they have the tools they need to work, and I think that's a big deal," McCloskey said. 

 

"Across the board, we have to make it available for every student … that's why I was especially pleased that our high-needs students performed just as well as the rest of the building. So, that was exciting."

 

The school teaches students based on their individualized needs, integrating various learning styles, including visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and more. 

 

McCloskey highlighted the school's partnerships with Jacob's Pillow, Berkshire Theater Group and Becket Outdoor Center. The school is in the process of looking for another community partner for outdoor education. 

 

Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival has come every year for two weeks to do a workshop during which students are taught something in the curriculum through dance. One year it was fractions, and another year it was the sun and the Earth-moon system, she said. 

 

"There are children who learn that way through the music and the kinesthetic…and the kids, by the time I was ready to teach it, they got it, they knew it,"

 

"That's been really helpful, and then they present it to the whole school, so the rest of the school sees it and internalizes it. So, those community partnerships are invaluable."

 

Students commended the school for its ability to make learning engaging and fun. 

 

"They teach you the things that you need to learn pretty fast and we stay on topic with it. And also [they bring in] a bunch of little fun things to do while you're learning them," said fifth-grader Aria. 

 

"So [there will be a] lot of fun activities and stuff, and little after-school programs and things. It just kind of just adds [to] the whole experience. At least for me, it helps me stay focused too."

 

Fourth-graders Tanner and Kai said their teacher made their lesson more engaging when she integrated their love of football into their math lesson. 

 

Their teacher, Marisa Hoag, allowed them to build their own National Football League, having them look up the salaries and calculate how much they would need to take out of their account to pay the players. 

 

"We did a great job. We had the best players in the league. We just took all of the best players, and then put them all on one team. It was like the god team of 2024," Kai said. 

 

Second-grader Veda said the school helps its students be self-sufficient and independent, using the example of a builder to illustrate the point that individuals should not expect others to do everything for them as they grow older.

 

Fifth-grader Sophia highlighted how the teachers can see when their students are "zoning out" and shift the teaching style into a more engaging and fun learning method. 

 

The school does not only teach the curriculum but also teaches the students social-emotional skills, students said. 

 

Sophia highlighted the chain of kindness and the kindness chips they receive in class. Tanner and Kai highlighted the school's two learning software programs, Eureka Math and ST Math, which help them learn math in a fun way. 

 

"I love randomly making a massive number and then just solving for a long time. It's fun. I love doing it," Kai said. 

 

Aria agreed that she liked the learning software and said ST Math helped her prepare for her long division test, which she previously struggled with.