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Principal Message 26-27

August 2026

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to a new school year! I hope your summer provided opportunities for rest, fun, and quality time with family and friends.  As we open the doors to another exciting year at Howard B. Mattlin Middle School, I want to thank you for entrusting us with your children each day.  We are honored to partner with you in helping every student grow—not only as a learner, but as a compassionate, responsible, and confident young person.

At Mattlin, we believe that education extends beyond academics. While we remain deeply committed to ensuring that every student reaches their highest academic potential, we are equally committed to developing the character, habits, and interpersonal skills that will prepare our students for success in high school, college, careers, and life.

Our work is grounded in the belief that every student deserves to feel safe, valued, respected, and connected. When students experience a positive school climate where they feel they belong, they are better able to engage, persevere through challenges, and reach their full potential.

Building Character Together

One of our greatest priorities this year is being intentional in developing the character of our students. This important work cannot happen through school alone. It requires a strong partnership between home and school, where students receive consistent messages about responsibility, kindness, empathy, and respect.

Throughout the year, students will participate in social-emotional learning experiences and school-wide initiatives designed to help them become thoughtful decision-makers and positive contributors to our community.  We will begin the year with our expectation meetings and explore topics including: 

  • Dignity for All Students – recognizing that every individual deserves to be treated with respect, kindness, and fairness.
  • Making Good Decisions – understanding that our choices have consequences and learning to make responsible decisions, even when no one is watching.
  • The Power of Words – recognizing that words have the ability to encourage, inspire, and build others up—or to hurt and divide.  Students will learn the importance of speaking with kindness and integrity in-person, online, and through social media.
  • Identifying Future Goals – helping students discover their strengths, set meaningful goals, and understand how today's choices influence tomorrow's opportunities.

These conversations are not one-time lessons. They will be woven throughout the school year in classrooms, advisory experiences, principal chats, lunch-and-learn sessions, assemblies, and other opportunities for reflection and growth.

Establishing Clear Expectations

During the opening weeks of school, every student will participate in grade-level Student Expectations Meetings. These meetings are designed to ensure that every child clearly understands what is expected of them as a member of the Mattlin community.

Students will learn about our expectations for:

  • Respectful interactions with peers, teachers, substitute teachers, staff, and visitors.
  • Positive classroom behavior that supports learning for everyone.
  • Responsible decision-making both in school and online.
  • Taking ownership of their actions and contributing positively to our school community.

Our goal is not simply to enforce rules—it is to help students understand the why behind our expectations and to develop the habits and character that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Living Mattlin PRIDE

The foundation of our school culture continues to be Mattlin PRIDE, our common language for character and citizenship. Every day, we encourage students to demonstrate:

  • Personal Best – Strive for excellence and continuous growth.
  • Respect – Value yourself and others through your words and actions.
  • Impulse Control – Think before acting and make thoughtful choices.
  • Decision Making – Take responsibility by making positive, ethical decisions.
  • Empathy – Understand and care about the feelings and perspectives of others.

These values are far more than words on a poster. They guide our conversations, our expectations, our celebrations, and the relationships we build throughout our school community.

Your Partnership Matters

As you prepare for the school year by purchasing supplies, organizing schedules, and celebrating new beginnings, I ask you to add one more important conversation to your family's back-to-school traditions.

Please speak with your child about how they will treat others this year. Encourage them to be inclusive, to choose kindness even when it is difficult, to think carefully before they speak or post online, and to recognize that every interaction has the power to make someone feel valued—or excluded.

When students hear these messages consistently at both home and school, they develop the confidence, compassion, and integrity that define outstanding citizens and future leaders.

Together, we can help our children understand that success is measured not only by grades and achievements, but also by the choices they make, the character they demonstrate, and the positive impact they have on those around them.

Thank you for your continued trust, partnership, and support. I look forward to welcoming our students back and working together to make the 2026–2027 school year one filled with learning, growth, meaningful relationships, and countless opportunities for every child to thrive.

Warm regards,

Joseph Coladonato, Ed.D.
Principal
Howard B. Mattlin Middle School