No damage reported after student lights small fire in Jacobs classroom

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Hull police and school officials are investigating after a Jacobs Elementary School student allegedly lit a small fire in a classroom Tuesday afternoon.
Principal Christine Cappadona and Hull School Resource Officer Leanne Marshalsea were informed that, around 2 p.m., a fifth grade student had used a box of matches to light a stack of tissues on fire in the corner of one the school's technology classrooms.
Between periods, the student allegedly entered an empty classroom. When he was determined to be missing, a teacher went to investigate and saw the student exiting the classroom. Moments later, another teacher went into the classroom and discovered the fire. The teacher was able to grab the stack of tissues and put the fire out in the classroom sink.
The fire was very small and was contained to just the stack of tissues, according to a joint press statement issued by schools Superintendent Michael Devine and Police Chief John Dunn.
Because the blaze was so small, the fire alarms did not sound and school maintenance staff were able to quickly vent and clean the classroom.
Administrators retrieved the matches from the student, who has been removed from the school on an emergency basis. The Hull Police Department is investigating, but because of the student's age, criminal charges are not possible. Police are advising and offering resources to the school district.
No one was injured, and there was no damage to the building or any school materials.
"I want to commend teachers and staff at the Jacobs Elementary School for their swift actions that led to a quick resolution without injury or damage to school property," the superintendent said.

Student threatens firearms use at Hull High, but no weapon found

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Superintendent Michael F. Devine and Hull High School Principal Nicole Nosek report that Hull Public Schools leaders acted swiftly after a student reportedly uttered threats against the school.
On Wednesday at approximately 9 a.m., it was reported to the high school main office that a student had made a threat to harm others with a firearm. The studentwas identified, and the Hull Police Department was called immediately.
A search revealed no weapons, and the police department took over from there. The administration will take the proper actions with regard to this student, according to a statement issued by the school district this morning, but there was no immediate threat and no danger to the high school. At no point was there a direct threat to students or staff. The school day is continuing without interruption.
"What matters most in this unfortunate situation is that our students, faculty and staff are not in danger," Devine said. "The policies and procedures we have in place for these kinds of situations were followed correctly, and the situation was resolved without further escalation or disruption to our school community."

No school – or after-school events – Tuesday

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Superintendent Michael Devine issued the following post on the Hull Emergency Management page on Facebook:

Good afternoon. Due to the intense storm forecast to affect the entire region, Hull Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday March 13th. This also means that there will be no Kidscare or after-school activities tomorrow.

I sincerely hope that this is the last one of these calls that I have to make to you this year. I am also hopeful that our students will take advantage of the snow day tomorrow to read and study. Also – if you are old enough and have the opportunity – tomorrow would be a great day to show a random act of kindness by shoveling out a neighbor who may be unable to do so themselves. Just an idea.

Have a good night and a safe day tomorrow.

Michael Devine named new school superintendent

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By Susan Ovans

The Hull School Committee voted Monday evening to promote Hull High School Principal Michael Devine to the helm of the town's three public schools.

The original school board vote was 3-2 in favor of Devine. Chairman Eric Hipp and board members Kelley Huxtable and Jennifer Fleming voted for him.

SchoolCom members Stephanie Peters and David Twombly cast their votes for Assistant Superintendent Judith Kuehn. When it became clear that she could not win a board majority, Peters and Twombly made the vote for Devine unanimous.

During the course of four hours of interviews and deliberations, board members repeatedly spoke of how conflicted they were in having to choose between two stellar in-house candidates, agreeing among themselves that they could not make a bad choice.

Board members credited current Superintendent Kathleen Tyrell for having successfully mentored two colleagues to prepare them to lead school districts of their own.

After 10 years as Hull's superintendent, Tyrell will retire next month.

A full account of Monday's meeting will be published in Thursday's Hull Times.

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT TYRELL WILL RETIRE AUG. 1

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By Susan Ovans

Dr. Kathleen Tyrell has given notice of her intention to retire as of Aug. 1.

Tyrell, who has led the schools for a decade, submitted her resignation to Hull School Committee Chairman Eric Hipp Thursday morning.

The superintendent said she wanted to wait until the end of town meeting before announcing her decision so that it wouldn’t be a distraction.

Town meeting ended late Wednesday night, after three sessions.

She informed Hull Public Schools’ staff in an intraschool message this afternoon that ended with a link to the '60s anthem by The Byrds, "Turn, Turn, Turn." Here's her message and the link:

Dear Colleagues,

I send this email with much appreciation for all you do for our children.  I have had the honor of being your superintendent for the past ten years, and I have had the privilege of working with many, many kind and dedicated people. Thank you for taking this journey of continuous progress with me.  I wish the entire staff, all students, and the School Committee every good fortune as I move into retirement mid-summer.  I want you to know that I am committed to working to ensure a smooth transition.  Please take a few minutes to enjoy one of my favorite songs. With appreciation and admiration, Kathleen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKP4cfU28vM

A complete story about Tyrell’s retirement and what it may portend for Hull’s three public schools will be published in the May 11 Hull Times.