The Village School is rallying around a sixth-grade student who has been recovering at Boston Children’s Hospital and a rehabilitation facility after an acute medical crisis in April. I’Zayah is in sixth grade. To protect his privacy, the Current is not using his last name or identifying his illness.
“This is a situation that is serious, and people want to help,” said Village School Principal Scott Williams, who visited I’Zayah in the hospital.
“It was humbling and left an indelible mark,” Williams said about his hospital visit. “I knew we had to do more.”
Williams worked with METCO Director Caja Johnson and the district administration to establish a three-prong support effort. Principals at all five Marblehead schools have been involved.
First is what Williams calls a “feel good campaign,” encouraging people to create cards, notes and videos of support, and drop them at the Village School. They’ll be delivered to I’Zayah every week.
Second, the school is collecting gift cards, clothing, books and toys for I’Zayah.
Third, the Marblehead METCO Parent Teacher Organization has established a GoFundMe to help I’Zayah and his family with expenses during this time. For more information about the GoFundMe, visit https://loom.ly/lC_F_PY.
I’Zayah’s mother told the Current that her son loves to play soccer with his friends at Village. . He also loves Roblox and comic books.
“He’s a comedian, a jokester,” his mom said. “He’s always good for a good laugh.”
Johnson added, “I’Zayah is strong. His tenacity and his courage are inspirational. He has a way of uplifting his peers and supporting everyone around him.”
I’Zayah is a METCO student who has been in Marblehead schools since second grade. He has two siblings who also attend Marblehead schools.
“He is really looking forward to coming back to school,” said his mother.
“I’Zayah is a wonderful, hard working student,” said Glover teacher Sally Shevory. “The true beauty of Marblehead is that when someone is in need, our town gathers together and shows great support. We lift those up when they do not have the strength, and together our whole community rises. I’Zayah and his family have quite a fight in front of them, but with the community supporting him he will fight strong.”
