Education - Marblehead Current

16 Jun

Superintendent: Now is not the time for raise or contract extension

Leigh Blander0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Top Stories

Superintendent John Buckey started the June 15 School Committee meeting saying he would not accept a contract extension or raise, if offered, because his focus is on Tuesday's $2.5 million override vote that will help fund the schools and other town departments. Superintendent John Buckey says his focus is on the tax override vote. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER "I want to state unequivocally that all of us — the School Committee, the superintendent and the people of Marblehead — have a far more pressing…

15 Jun

Music, poetry, passion at Juneteenth celebration

Leigh Blander0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Nonprofit corner, Top Stories

Marblehead High School students of color shared their visions of a "world with justice" at the town's third annual Juneteenth celebration and flag raising on June 14. More than 100 people gathered on the Abbot Hall lawn for the event. Marblehead resident Maeve Hargrove listens with her five-year-old twins Luna and A.J. at the town's Juneteenth celebration. CURRENT PHOTOS / NICOLE GOODUE-BOYD "A world with justice looks like being able to check social media without seeing another article about a victim of police brutality," said…

14 Jun

Parents, businesses support preschool after church removes pride flags

Leigh Blander0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Religion, Top Stories

The Marblehead Pride Committee along with some parents and local businesses are rallying to support the Pleasant Street Preschool after members of Grace Community Church removed gay pride flags put up by the preschool’s owner Michael Richmond, who is gay and rents classroom space in the church. Richmond’s partner is a teacher in the preschool. They say the church has been trying to kick them out for months. “We see discrimination, violence and hate directed toward the LGBTQ community on the news every day. Sadly,…

13 Jun

Teacher faces ‘personal attack’ on social media over gender/sexuality vocabulary lesson

Leigh Blander0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories

Veterans School Principal Matt Fox sent an email to parents today alerting them to what he called a "personal attack" on a teacher who was named and tagged in an anonymous post on a local social media page over a lesson on sexuality identity. Veterans School Principal Matt Fox says a teacher has been subject to a "personal attack" on social media. "This post and many very hurtful comments were linked directly to the teacher's social media accounts and included her name within many of…

13 Jun

Abbot Library hosts Summer Reading Kickoff

Leigh Blander0 CommentsCommunity Resources, Education, Entertainment, Local News, Municipal Matters, Nonprofit corner

The Abbot Public Library hosted its first Summer Reading Kickoff on Saturday, June 10, featuring live music, ice cream, community partners and a book sale. People browse the book sale sponsored by Friends of Abbot Public Library. CURRENT PHOTOS / CLAIRE TIPS Folk singer Dan Blakeslee plays his guitar for children at the Abbot Public Library’s Summer Reading Kickoff. “The Summer Reading Kickoff is all about sharing the love of reading with kids,” Library Dir. Kimberly Grad told the Marblehead Current at the event. “We…

11 Jun

SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE: Safe Routes to School honors Glover

Kris Olson0 CommentsEducation, Opinion, Views & Reviews

Good people of Marblehead Public Schools: Tonight [Friday, June 9] is graduation! This is our opportunity to honor the Marblehead High School Class of 2023 and to celebrate the culmination of the Marblehead Public Schools experience. Tonight at commencement, I will talk about MPS aspiring to be the gold standard in public education and how the Class of 2023 has exemplified this through their numerous contributions and achievements academically; athletically; in the fine, applied and performing arts; and in service to our community. This week…

10 Jun

In Marblehead, diplomas conferred on Class of 2023, town bids Bauer farewell

Will Dowd0 CommentsCulture, Education, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories, Uncategorized

Sometimes, it’s for the best. Class President Lucy Sabin “broke up” with Marblehead High School before a sea of hundreds of families, teachers and friends in the school’s field house during commencement exercises on Friday evening. Members of the Class of 2023 exit the Marblehead High School fieldhouse after their graduation on June 9. CURRENT PHOTOS / NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD "I've had these feelings for a while now, and I think it's time I tell you, dear Marblehead High School: It’s not me; it's you.…

09 Jun

CLASS OF 2023: See what’s next for Marblehead’s graduates

Will Dowd0 CommentsEducation, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories

Where are Marblehead’s 2023 graduates headed after receiving their diplomas? The Marblehead Current posed that question to Marblehead High School guidance counselor Christine Chaykowski, and her answer was eclectic. Some students have decided to take a gap year, enter the military and/or employment. Others are going on to receive on-the-job training or trade-school training. A majority, however, will seek higher education. The Current turned Chaykowski’s list of colleges and universities that members of the Class of 2023 will be headed to next fall into a…

09 Jun

CLASS OF 2023: The valedictory address

Will Dowd0 CommentsCulture, Education, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Opinion, Uncategorized

The following is the full text of the Class of 2023's valedictory address written and delivered by Yasen Kadiyski Colón. Ladies and gentlemen, faculty, family and friends, School Committee, and members of the Class of 2023: Today, we stand at the pinnacle of our academic journey, the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and relentless pursuit of knowledge. As we gather here, I am filled with a mixture of emotions — pride, gratitude, excitement and perhaps a tinge of apprehension. But most of all,…

08 Jun

School Committee evaluates superintendent, will discuss contract right before election

Leigh Blander0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Top Stories

***This story has been updated to remove the word "extension" from the characterization of the discussion about Superintendent Buckey's contract discussion planned for June 15. The School Committee may discuss extending Buckey's contract, giving him a raise or changing terms of the package. The story is also updated to include comments from School Committee Vice Chair Tom Mathers on the typical protocol for setting School Committee agendas. Just days before the June 20 election when Marblehead voters will decide whether to raise their taxes to…