DEDHAM — Governor Maura Healey and Education Secretary Pat Tutwiler visited DHS on Monday as part of their campaign to introduce a statewide framework for Massachusetts graduates. 

Healey and Tutwiler were joined by Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, DESE Commissioner Pedro Martinez, State Representative Paul McMurtry, Senator Mike Rush, Dedham Superintendent Nan Murphy, and President of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation Doug Howgate.

NHS members; DMS civics students; Shelley Terry, an ELA teacher at North Plymouth High School; and Maria Fenwick, a public school parent, were also in attendance. 

At approximately 9:40 AM, the governor was welcomed at the main entrance by a receiving line of DHS cheerleaders. Upon entering the main lobby, she and other state officials met with staff and students while posing for photos.  

Healey then made her way to the auditorium and began her speech with praise for public school workers, noting that her mother was a school nurse and her stepfather a history teacher. 

She continued to commend Dedham, citing its place in history as the first taxpayer-funded public school in the country and our Portrait of a Graduate, designed, in part, by DHS students, which has successfully helped our students transition into the real world. 

"As a part of this framework, we want to give students the opportunity to learn about things they are truly interested in," Martinez said during his speech.

DHS was chosen as the location for this event because of our success in utilizing MassCore, achieving the Seal of Biliteracy, and providing more opportunities for students to gain real-world job experience. 

Healey's vision for a Massachusetts graduate closely aligns with Dedham's and includes a mandate for financial literacy for all students. Her team has concluded that, based on feedback, financial literacy is the top concept parents want to instill in their children. 

Her vision will also incorporate a capstone/portfolio project for seniors.

Following the announcement, Healey and Tutwiler visited DHS math classes. 

“I enjoyed their visit to my classroom because they were able to communicate with the students and give them their insights about the importance of statistics!” said math teacher Jillian Edwards.