Marblehead Public Schools - Marblehead Current

‘Ave atque vale’: Former MHS Latin teacher dies after battle with ALS

29Sep

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Education, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Uncategorized

‘Ave atque vale’: Former MHS Latin teacher dies after battle with ALS

Jennifer Chavez, who taught Latin at Marblehead High School for years, has passed away after a battle with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Friends and former colleagues at MHS posted about her death on social media with the Latin phrase, “Ave atque vale,” which means “I salute you and goodbye.” The saying was used in eulogies to Roman heroes. “Jennifer was our rock,” Spanish teacher Candice Sliney told the Current. “Her kind and compassionate personality combined with her wit made her an absolute joy to be around. She was always teaching us, we turned to her for so much support.” Former MHS Latin teacher Jennifer Chavez, center, is surrounded by friends and teachers, left to right, Andrea West, Candice Sliney, Mary Francois, Elmer Magaña, Holly Grose and Laura Alvarez last Oc...

Affordable housing, a new school or something else? What’s next for the Coffin School?

29Sep

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Community resources, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Top Stories

Affordable housing, a new school or something else? What’s next for the Coffin School?

Town and school leaders are debating the fate of the Coffin School property on Turner Road. Built in 1948, Coffin closed in October 2021, and neighborhood students moved to the new Brown School on Baldwin Road. Initial discussions were that Coffin would be sold to a developer to create affordable housing. The Coffin School was built in 1948 with an annex added in 1962. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER It is the School Committee’s authority to determine if the Coffin property no longer has any educational use and should be handed over to the town. Until that happens, the town cannot move forward with plans to sell it. In recent meetings, School Committee Chair Sarah Fox spoke about demolishing the school and possibly holding onto the property. “Whether we sell it for afforda...

Two finalists for interim superintendent announced

28Sep

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Education, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories

Two finalists for interim superintendent announced

A familiar face is one two finalists for the interim superintendent position, the screening committee announced Thursday. Theresa McGuinness, former Village School principal, is one of two finalists for the interim superintendent position. COURTESY PHOTO “The Interim Superintendent Screening Committee, after reviewing several applications and performing interviews, has selected Dr. Theresa McGuinness and Dr. Jannell D. Pearson-Campbell as finalists to present to the Marblehead School Committee,” School Committee Chair Sarah Fox wrote in a press release Thursday morning. McGuinness served as the Village School principal from 2012 to 2016 and was a finalist the last time Marblehead hired a permanent superintendent. The job ultimately went to John Buckey. The School Committee came ...

A look at performing arts at MHS this year

28Sep

By Benji BoydNo Comments

Art, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories, Uncategorized

A look at performing arts at MHS this year

Marblehead High School students and teachers are gearing up for another year of performances. Andrew Scoglio — lead teacher of the performing arts department, choir teacher and a cappella director — is excited for the many concerts and shows that various singing and performing groups have in store. He’s also looking forward to working with new additions to the music staff. The cast of last spring's production of ‘Legally Blonde’ COURTESY PHOTO Though school only began for Marblehead's high schoolers a few weeks ago, rehearsals for upcoming performances are already in full swing. The choir is preparing for its annual appearance at the town Veterans of Foreign Wars ceremony in Abbott Hall on Nov. 11, where they will perform classic pieces such as "America the Beautiful," the national...

CLASS OF 1953: 70 years on, memories remain golden

25Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Culture, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories

CLASS OF 1953: 70 years on, memories remain golden

For the Marblehead High School Class of 1953, the memories of their formative years remain as vivid as ever. At the Corinthian Yacht Club, this close-knit class recently reunited, sharing laughs, banter and updates on life. Marblehead High's Class of 1953 reunited recently at the Corinthian Yacht Club. Seventy years later, they're still sharing stories and laughs over lunch. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD With around a dozen members in attendance, including some who traveled from as far as New York, stories flowed freely over a long lunch. Jan Barry, formerly Jan Buckley, said, “It was a friendly class because we had such a small group, just over 100.” Sports was a topic that resonated deeply with many. Several remembered their senior year football victory over Swampscott. Wi...

25Sep

By Joe McConnellNo Comments

Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Sports

Magicians Roundup

Girls cross-country edges rival Swampscott The Marblehead High girls cross-country team edged rival Swampscott to remain undefeated on Sept. 20, 27-28. “It was a very exciting and competitive meet,” said coach Will Herlihy. Sophomore Mari O’Connell and senior captain Cat Piper topped the ticket to finish first and second overall, respectively. The Big Blue then took third, fourth and fifth to keep things close. Shannon Hitscherich finished sixth. Jesslyn Roemer ended up eighth. Abbie Goodwin rounded out the top five in 10th place. The Marblehead girls took part in the annual Ocean State Invitational in Warwick, Rhode Island. on Sept. 23 after press deadline. They are now prepping for the annual Frank Kelley Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Wrentham Developmenta...

Magicians begin NEC season at Peabody Friday hoping for quick turnaround

25Sep

By Joe McConnellNo Comments

Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Sports

Magicians begin NEC season at Peabody Friday hoping for quick turnaround

The Marblehead Football Magicians (0-3) were beating visiting North Andover at halftime last Friday night, 7-3. But then, just like the opener against Bishop Fenwick, the second half unfortunately belonged to the opposition. The Scarlet Knights went on to score 19 unanswered points in the second half to beat the struggling Magicians, 22-7. Coach Jim Rudloff has never lost three in a row since taking over the program in 2009, but he knows it’s pretty much a transition year with many first-year varsity starters dotting the roster. Senior Ryan Commoss celebrates his 10-yard touchdown reception from junior quarterback Colt Wales, one of his five catches on the day. But bright spots were few and far between for the Magicians who fell to 0-3 on the season after a 22-7 loss to North Andov...

School Committee discusses demolishing the old Coffin School, fixing Brown School roof and more

22Sep

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Education, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories

School Committee discusses demolishing the old Coffin School, fixing Brown School roof and more

**This story was updated to reflect that additional money from the Brown School project (that might be used to demolish the Coffin School) was appropriated by Town Meeting, but was not borrowed. The School Committee and acting Superintendent Michelle Cresta spoke about possibly demolishing the old Coffin School at a meeting on Sept 21. The elementary school closed in October of 2021. It has been discussed as a potential site for affordable housing. “The building on the property is not only a nuisance, if they go to sell it… it will devalue the property,” said School Committee Chair Sarah Fox. Cresta said that Town Finance Dir. Asleesha Benjamin told her money to demolish the Coffin School might come from surplus funds, appropriated but never borrowed, for the Brown School project...

MHS girls soccer shuts down Peabody, gears up for Melrose

22Sep

By Joe McConnellNo Comments

Marblehead Public Schools, Sports, Uncategorized

MHS girls soccer shuts down Peabody, gears up for Melrose

The Marblehead High girls soccer team (4-2) started last week with a satisfying 2-0 win over hostPeabody in the rain on Sept. 18. Sadie Halpern ignited the attack with a goal early on from Ava Larco on a corner kick. The Magiciansthen sealed the deal with an insurance tally late in the second half. Ashley Mortensen was credited withthe goal assisted by Liv Carlson. Marblehead High girls soccer player Ava Machado is shown setting up a play against Swampscott recently. COURTESY PHOTO / COLETTE RODRIGUEZ Marblehead High girls soccer player Sydney Ball (16) boots the ball toward the Swampscott net during a recent game, with teammate Kate Twomey (17) close by looking for a rebound opportunity. COURTESY PHOTO / COLETTE RODRIGUEZ Kate Burns and Rachael Albert split the time in ne...

MHS boys soccer jumps out to early leads to secure first two wins of the season

22Sep

By Joe McConnellNo Comments

Marblehead Public Schools, Sports

MHS boys soccer jumps out to early leads to secure first two wins of the season

The Marblehead High boys soccer team (2-2-2) displayed a renewed intensity after grabbing two close wins over rivals Peabody (2-2-1) and Saugus (0-2-2) during just the third week of the season. In both games, the Magicians jumped out to early leads, before displaying stout defensive tactics to keep their opponents at bay. On Sept. 18, the Tanners came to Piper Field for what has become an annual showdown. Marblehead High boys soccer center-midfielder London McDonald is shown sending the ball downfield against Peabody last week. The Magicians ended up winning this game, 2-1 to secure their first win of the year. COURTESY PHOTO / RICH BIBBINS Peabody had given the Magicians headaches, but on this day the home team gained the upper hand. Marblehead seized an opportunity early ...