As I was upstairs saying goodbye to students, walking the hallways on Tuesday, I said, "Goodbye X student and Y student." Both students stopped in their tracks and looked at me. One said to the other, "He got it right. He knows our names!" I shared how happy I was to learn their names as we continue to build community together. Slowly, but surely, we're becoming a cohesive group of students and educators at Boardwalk Upper Elementary School. It may take time, but we're getting to know each other and learning from one another.
The last few weeks
We've had a very busy few weeks at BWU. From Wild Hat Day to last week's all-school meeting honoring Veterans and sharing information about inclusion, students have had their share of fun and of course, academics. Thank you for the photos many of you shared of veterans provided students with a glimpse of the hard work of our men and women who served in the military. I've shared some pictures below.
Feedback
I know it's a large ask, but below are two surveys that promise to help shape our future. One of the surveys will shed some light on the future of the school as we work to envision our community. The other gives you a chance to share your thoughts on our community to date. Neither should take that long. I appreciate you taking the time to fill these out.
Survey on your family's experience at BWU
This short survey helps us understand your family's experience with our school. Your open and honest feedback is vital, and all responses remain strictly confidential. As valued partners in your child's education, your insights directly guide our staff and leadership in building strong, welcoming school communities. Checking in twice a year—with brief pulse checks for elementary families, staff, and students in November and June, alongside an expanded district-wide survey in March—allows us to gather timely feedback, track progress, and continuously strengthen family engagement throughout the school year.
Please note that families with children attending multiple schools should complete a separate survey for each school community. Please complete this survey by Wednesday, November 25. Thank you for partnering with us to help our schools grow!
The following questions were also asked of students in grades 3-6.
How well do people at your school understand you as a person?
How positive is the energy at school?
How connected do you feel to the adults at your school?
Overall, how much do you feel like you belong at school?
Envisioning our Community Survey
Whether it's traditions from other communities or something you'd love to see happen in our new school community, there is no shortage of ideas as to where we can go with a clear vision. As we work with staff to hear their aspirational hopes and dreams, we'd like you to share your vision. We'd appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to share your thoughts on your vision. Please fill out the survey by Wednesday, November 25th.Also, please be on the lookout for a paper version for you to fill out if that's easier.
Wednesday, November 18, 2026-Family(Parent/Guardian) Social Media Presentation (details below)
Please join us for this informative night on social media and your children. Note: This is a parent/guardian/caregiver event only.
Superintendent Finalists Information and Forums
The Acton-Boxborough Superintendent Search Screening Committee is pleased to announce that it has forwarded three finalists to the School Committee for consideration to serve as the next Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Brad Crozier, Mr. Ross Mulkerin, and Dr. Jessica Rose. Each candidate’s cover letter and resume can be accessed by clicking on their names below in the site visit schedule.
The screening committee received more than 40 applications from across the region and country. After conducting in-depth interviews with a slate of highly qualified candidates, the committee voted to advance these three educational leaders for final consideration.
Finalist Site Visits & Community Forums
Each finalist will participate in a comprehensive, full-day site visit to the district next week. The schedule for individual site visits is as follows:
On the day of each candidate’s visit, two forums will be held:
Staff Forum: 3:40 PM in the Admin Auditorium
Community Forum: 6:30 PM in the Admin Auditorium
All community members are encouraged to attend the evening sessions. For those unable to attend in person, each community forum will be videotaped and released to the public once the final forum concludes. Community members wishing to propose questions for the candidates may submit them in advance via this Google Form Link. After the site visits, participants are encouraged to provide feedback to the School Committee through an online feedback form that will be sent following the visits.
Finalist Biographies
Mr. Brad Crozier Brad Crozier brings more than 30 years of public education experience, including nine years as a superintendent. He currently serves as the Interim Superintendent of the Carlisle Public Schools, a position he assumed in July 2026. Prior to Carlisle, Mr. Crozier served for eight years (2018–2026) as Superintendent of the Sudbury Public Schools. His previous administrative experience includes 17 years in the Wayland Public Schools, where he served 11 years as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Human Resources (2007–2018) and six years as Principal of the Happy Hollow School (2001–2007). Earlier in his career, he served as an intermediate school principal, elementary assistant principal, and middle school science teacher in Arkansas. Mr. Crozier completed Advanced Graduate Studies in Education Administration and Policy at Boston College, graduate studies in school administration at the University of Arkansas, a Master of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Bridgeport, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Graceland University.
Mr. Ross Mulkerin Ross Mulkerin has worked in public education for 24 years, with senior administrative leadership spanning district finance, operations, school-level leadership, and special education. He currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Finance, Operations, and Safety for the Nashoba Regional School District, a role he has held since July 2024 following two years as the district’s Director of Finance and Operations (2022–2024). Prior to central office leadership, Mr. Mulkerin was an elementary principal for nine years, serving seven years as Principal of The Center School in Stow (Nashoba Regional School District, 2015–2022) and two years as Principal of Whittemore Elementary School in Waltham (2013–2015). He also served as Assistant Director of Special Services (2010–2013), District Committee on Special Education Chair (2008–2009), and a special education teacher in Binghamton, NY, after beginning his teaching career in Framingham Public Schools (2002–2005). Mr. Mulkerin holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from the State University of New York at Cortland, a Master of Education in Special Education from Framingham State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Financial Economics from Saint Anselm College.
Dr. Jessica Rose Dr. Jessica Rose brings two decades of experience in PK–12 public education, district central office leadership, and educational philanthropy. Since 2023, she has served as Senior Program Officer in Education at the Barr Foundation, leading the Catalyze New Models portfolio supporting high school and central office transformation across New England. Prior to her work at the foundation, Dr. Rose served for six years (2017–2023) as Assistant Superintendent of the Lincoln Public Schools. Her career also includes serving as a Superintendent Resident in Framingham Public Schools (2016–2017), an Education Specialist in Educator Quality for the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (2012–2014), and a middle/high school English department chair, reading teacher, and arts teacher at Boston Preparatory Charter Public School (2007–2011). Dr. Rose holds a Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) and a Master of Education (Ed.M.) in Arts in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Education Studies from Brown University.
School Council
Please meet our School Council. They're working to help us define our new school community and focus on our School Improvement Plan. See the goals of our School Improvement Team below.
My name is Maggie Saar, and my son is a 6th grader at Boardwalk Upper School. I also have a 2nd grader at the Lower School and an 8th grader at RJ Grey. Pre-Covid I worked in executive search, recruiting senior leaders for colleges and universities, foundations, and environmental organizations. Since then I have mostly been a stay-at-home parent, and I have recently been enjoying a second career as a part-time preschool teacher. I am excited to work with the School Council in helping to build a strong new community at Boardwalk Upper.
Jeanne Joliat
I'm an Acton resident and mom of three Boardwalk students, including a fourth grader at the Upper School. I work full time in biotech program management, and I'm passionate about reading and literacy. I'm excited to bring that passion and my program management experience to the school council as we help shape our new school's mission, values, and identity.
Social Media Awareness Presentations
Dear Families,
On November 18, 2026, Boardwalk Upper Elementary will host the Organization for Social Media Safety for a parent presentation (6:30 PM – 8:00 PM) and age-appropriate student assemblies focused on social media safety will occur during the school day.
These student presentations are designed to educate young people on how to navigate online platforms safely, avoid common risks, and practice positive digital citizenship. The topics covered during the assemblies include:
Cyberbullying (All grades)
Hate speech (All grades)
Social media addiction/habit formation (5th-6th)
Privacy invasion (5th-6th)
Online violence (5th-6th)
Sexual Harassment (6th grade only)
We encourage all students to participate in this valuable assembly. However, if you prefer that your child does not attend the student assembly, please complete the opt-out form by Friday, November 13th.
The Organization for Social Media Safety is the first consumer protection organization focused exclusively on social media. They provide their social media safety presentations at schools all across the country, advocate for public policies that improve social media safety, and develop technology to provide real-time protection against any and all social media-related dangers. They are advised by a panel of experts that include educators, psychologists, physicians, and technologists. If you would like to learn more about them, you can refer to their website at www.ofsms.org or contact them directly at contact@ofsms.org or 855-446-3767.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our Assistant Principal, Nelia Patrick at npatrick@abschools.org.
Thanks
Larry
ABRC Gift Drive
If you or your family needs some help this holiday season, please see this linked in flyer.for more information.
Spotlight On
Music classes at BWU meet once per week for 45 minutes and are taught by either Brendan Ferrari (Dr./he/him/his) or Peter Broggi(he/him/his). All our music classes are carefully designed to have something musical in them for all the different styles of learners. Through our Conversational Solfege curriculum, students develop foundational musicianship by cultivating three essential qualities: becoming tuneful (thinking and singing melodies), beatful (feeling and understanding rhythm), and artful (expressing emotion and creativity through music).
To build these skills, our daily "musical workout" immerses students in a wide variety of interactive, hands-on experiences. Students practice rhythm and pitch patterns, play simple instruments, sing canons, play musical games, and express themselves through movement and dance. Additionally, our Modern Band program expands their creative repertoire by introducing ukulele, piano, and percussion -giving every student an opportunity to explore their musical potential.
