Dear UHS Community,

As we wrap up an incredible day, I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who made today’s Real World Learning Symposium event a resounding success. Hosting a major gathering while school is in session is no small feat, and it is a testament to this community’s dedication that we didn't just "make it work" — we shined.

A Team Effort

This success was truly a collective lift. I want to extend a special thank you to:

• Our Families: For your ongoing support and for trusting us with your children’s growth every day.

• Our Educators: For your professionalism and for maintaining a high-quality learning environment amidst the extra "buzz" in the building.

• Mr. Moura, our Internship Coordinator: Whose tireless logistical work behind the scenes kept everything moving seamlessly and helped the student associates demonstrate such passion for their placements.

• Our Partners at Big Picture Learning: Specifically Pam Gordon and Lexi Ortiz, whose expertise and collaboration were instrumental in bringing this vision to life, and who helped us facilitate several breakout sessions.

Observations from the Hallway

Midday, I had the pleasure of walking our halls with visiting educators from Georgetown High School. They were struck by the culture of our building: the sight of students deeply engaged in their classrooms, the lack of distractions, and the visible pride our staff takes in their work. Among the schools in attendance today were leaders and educators from Blackstone-Millville, Hopedale, Wachuset, Fitchburg, Douglas, Georgetown, Dennis-Yarmouth, Sandwich, Northboro-Southboro (Algonquin), Claremont Academy-Worcester, Leominster…and business partners and leaders from nonprofits, thinktanks, educational partners, workforce investment boards, and MassHire - not to mention many of our parents, our own students, and local business partners. 

To quote one of the business partners: “I had an awesome student with me this year, and I could see any of those students fitting in. They are articulate, mature, impressive - Uxbridge is doing it right.” Years ago, I said at my first faculty meeting in Uxbridge that one of my most important tasks and responsibilities as a principal is to allow good people to do great work. Today, seeing our staff treated as the professionals they are, and seeing our students rise to that occasion, remains the highlight of my job. Many of our educators led sessions, and the exceptional and articulate testimonials of the students about their journeys throughout their time at UHS has me confident and validated all at once.

During our final breakout session, a visitor asked who was "responsible" for our school culture and how we all managed to stay so focused on the same mission. There isn’t a "magic" leadership answer—the answer is everyone. From our School Council members, who have helped set ambitious School Improvement Goals, to central office leaders who support, endorse, and allow the work to happen, to the School Committee which provides us with resources and policies that allow us to make the operation possible, to the taxpayers whose resources who are trying to maximize and whose investment we are trying to validate: we hope you know that people well being UHS noticing the consistency, the shared passion, and the way our students speak about their learning. It is a rare and beautiful thing.

I am immensely grateful, proud, and humbled to lead this school. As Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” Today was the embodiment of that success, and I will do my absolute best to capture this energy and share our story when I speak on our behalf at the Town Meeting this Tuesday.

With gratitude,

Dr. Michael Rubin

Principal, Uxbridge High School