The School Committee unanimously approved a cedar bench to be placed outside the Veterans School in memory of student Savanah Gatchell, who was killed in an alleged drunk driving crash in August. She was 13. A 16-year-old Marblehead boy, who was driving, is charged. Gatchell’s teenage sister, Allysa, was at the Dec. 4 School Committee meeting and cried softly after the vote. A bench honoring Savanah Gatchell will be placed outside Veterans School, where she was a student. The 13-year-old was killed in an alleged…
Marblehead Superintendent John Robidoux sent a message to families today, announcing that schedules at MHS and Veterans School are changing back to what they were last year. "At the beginning of the school year, our community was notified about some adjustments to the school schedules. These changes were intended to address the need for extended recess time in grades K-6," Robidoux wrote Tuesday. "It became apparent, however, that further discussion regarding the impact of the time change at the secondary level needed to occur. In…
The Marblehead Public Schools are exploring the possibility of developing an early childhood center at the old Eveleth School. Assistant Superintendent of Student Services LisaMarie Ippolito is sending out a survey to get input from the community. Ippolito writes: "For context, an early childhood center is a specialized educational and care facility designed to support the development of young children, typically from infancy through age 5... This early childhood center would play a crucial role in laying the foundation for lifelong learning, social skills and…
This Saturday morning at 10 a.m., the Marblehead–Swampscott Powderpuff rivalry returns as 87 Marblehead High School senior girls take to Blocksidge Field in Swampscott. The Magicians have beaten Big Blue the past two years. Marblehead and Swampscott high school seniors face off in a recent Powderpuff game. CURRENT PHOTO “Powderpuff is the heart of senior year for the girls,” said longtime coach Jacqui Bouchard, who came out of a one-year retirement to lead the team again this fall. “They look forward to this experience from…
Tuesday afternoon, the Marblehead High School roof replacement subcommittee voted unanimously to recommend the School Committee accept an $8.9 million general contracting bid from Homer Contracting to handle the roof project — $2.1 million under budget. The subcommittee also voted to move forward with a roof recovering, rather than liquid-applied repairs. The MHS roof has been leaking for years, leading to mold and even ceiling tiles falling on students. CURRENT PHOTO In a surprise, the costs to recover the roof came in substantially lower than…
Contract and other salary increases in Marblehead schools would add $1.54 million to the district’s fiscal year 2027 budget, according to Assistant Superintendent Mike Pfifferling. Meanwhile, the town has asked all departments to submit level-funded budgets. The MPS FY 26 budget is $49.1 million, which was 5% higher than the year before. The school department also faces hikes in utility, transportation and other costs, pushing the total increase in salaries, services and supplies to $2.4 million, Pfifferling said. Pfiffering and Superintendent John Robidoux are meeting…
Submitted by Marblehead School Committee members Melissa Clucas and Henry Gwazda. The Marblehead School Committee and the district administration are working closely to ensure a strong and forward-looking 2025-26 school year. Our priority remains putting students at the center of every decision. We are so grateful to our teachers, staff, administrators, families, and the entire Marblehead community for your engagement, partnership, and trust. Below is a snapshot of what we’ve achieved so far—and what’s on the horizon! ~Melissa Clucas & Henry Gwazda, Communications Subcommittee QuickLinks…
Things looked a little topsy-turvy at the Brown and Glover schools Thursday morning, Nov. 13. That’s when Colston Sterio took over as Principal for a Day at Brown and Eamon Hickey did the same at Glover. Principal for a Day is sponsored by the Friends of the Marblehead Public Schools. The nonprofit, which raises money for school programs and events, hosts a raffle each year to pick the aspiring principals. Colston Sterio arrives for "work" at the Brown School as a Principal for the Day.…
Assistant Superintendent for Learning Julia Ferreira updated the School Committee on the spring of 2025 MCAS results, saying, “There are definitely some really positive spots to celebrate.” Ferreira did acknowledge, however, some significant drops over last year, particularly in high school math and English language arts. The number of MHS students meeting or exceeding expectations in math fell from 76% to 57%. The number of MHS students meeting or exceeding expectations in English language arts dropped from 76% to 54%. MHS Principal Michele Carlson cited…
Nearly 200 Village School sixth graders showed off their vocabulary skills and creativity at the 18th vocabulary parade, organized by teacher Natalie Belli. “I loved the energy,” Belli said. “The kids also loved it, and we were really excited with the turnout.” Students picked their favorite homonyms, homophones, idioms, puns and other words and created a costume to match. They lined up along the school’s track Oct. 29 while parents and teachers walked by enjoying the cleverness. Belli is already looking forward to next year’s…
