FITCHBURG — On Friday, Dec. 12 Sizer School welcomed the mayor as part of the 7th grade’s ongoing Compelling Q&A Speaker Series.
Fitchburg Mayor Sam Squailia spent an hour with students and staff Friday morning talking about what it is like to be a mayor, a mother and a business owner.
What are the best parts? The hardest parts? What do you like most? What inspires you?
Students wanted to know about the day she found out she’d won the election to be Mayor and what her life was like growing up.
“I had a good childhood. I grew up in Fitchburg, born and raised here. My house is right off of Rindge Road so this is my neighborhood. I think that contributes a lot… I love this city. I love this community. I love this area. I want to see it succeed. So that’s really why I do what I do,” said Squailia. “That’s why I work so hard, because I want to make this city as amazing as I can for everyone that works here, or lives here, or comes to visit.”
“Do I like being the mayor? Well, I love being the mayor! I like to tell people it’s the best worst job I’ve ever had because people often go to the mayor when they have major problems that they have not been able to fix,” she said.
“You have to think about it like: ‘they’re not angry at me, they’re angry with the frustration that they have over their environment or with their road, or with a city service.’ You have to think, when someone’s really angry at something you can’t take it personal. You gotta say, ‘ok, I understand, I respect that. What is the problem and how can I fix it?’”
This Q&A Series is part of Sizer’s overall philosophy of teaching students by having them actively engage in their learning and in the world around them. As participants in the series, students practice exceptional listening skills while asking questions. Through the series, Sizer brings in speakers from our local communities who connect to the school’s “Sizer Six Values” — community, purpose, responsibility, voice, integrity and safety.
By building critical thinking, speaking, and listening skills, students become better learners and future leaders.
This fall, Sizer School was recognized as one of only 13 schools/districts in Massachusetts to reclaim pre-pandemic MCAS levels in both English and Math. Sizer School also partnered with Fitchburg State University (FSU) to offer a special program in which all Fitchburg residents who graduate from Sizer with a GPA of 2.25 or higher will receive guaranteed admission to FSU. Students will receive free tuition at FSU for four years as long as they remain in good academic standing with the University.
Discover for yourself what drives student success at Sizer, the free public charter school right in your backyard. We personalize education to build curiosity, engagement and independence. Find out more at www.sizerschool.org. Apply now to transfer this school year, or join us next year in grades 7, 8 and 9 at https://forms.rediker.com/sizerschool
-Sizer School
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