Signing day, art exhibit and Unsung Heroes

BY SCHOOLS SUPT.

JOHN BUCKEY

Good People of Marblehead

Public Schools:

Last week I wrote in the update about the importance of keeping a focus on the future.

This week I am happy to share two wonderful manifestations of that advice that have happened in the district. First, yesterday, Athletic Director Greg Ceglarski hosted a “signing day” for Marblehead High School student-athletes, who have committed to compete at the college or university level next year. Student-athletes, their families and coaches posed for pictures (by resident athletics photographer extraordinaire Muffy Paquette) in front of an MHS step-and-repeat while donning gear from the college or university where they have signed. It was such a tremendous testament to the dedication of these student-athletes and the experiences they had in our programs and with our coaches that they will have the opportunity to carry into the future the lessons learned from participating here.

Also, this week, the Office of Teaching and Learning announced our new literacy curriculum, Wit & Wisdom, which will be implemented next fall. It represents a significant step forward for MPS as for years there has not been a formal, aligned curriculum for English Language Arts kindergarten to grade six.

The adoption process, outlined at loom.ly/fB7mfVk, was inclusive, rigorous and thorough. It sets what I would call a gold standard for the future of curricula adoptions, which will now follow a cyclical five-year curriculum review process: Mathematics, English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science and Unified Arts. Similar to the mathematics adoption two years ago, we were able to move forward with Wit & Wisdom through grant funding. As we focus on the future, curriculum adoption work needs to be part of our normal operating budget, which has not been the case in the past. I want to thank all of the educators who participated in this process and look forward to sharing news about implementation of this exciting new curriculum, designed to help our youngest learners become outstanding readers, writers and communicators.

Friends Soiree

Mark your calendars! The Friends of Marblehead Public Schools Summer Soiree is back! On Saturday, June 17, join Friends to raise a glass and celebrate the innovative and inspiring grants they have funded for our schools this year. These grants and the enriching opportunities they bring to all our students are made possible only because of the overwhelming generosity of our Marblehead community. So come kick off the summer with them. Head to their website, to purchase tickets. See you on Saturday, June17 at 6:30 p.m. for what is sure to be a great time had by all!

National Anthem

The Village School Choruses will be singing our National Anthem at the Marblehead High School varsity baseball game for Youth Night at Seaside Park on Monday, May 22. The Village Choruses will sing at 3:50 p.m. and the game will begin at 4 p.m.

Unsung Heroes

The Board of Directors of the Marblehead Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) wants to recognize all the Unsung Heroes in our community who have made a difference in the lives of our children with special needs. Share the story of your Unsung Hero of the Special Education Community. Go to loom.ly/ Mlsyxc4 to nominate your

Unsung Hero.

Unsung Heroes can be anyone in the community or school — anyone who has shown exemplary work, made a significant contribution and/or impact beyond their expected responsibilities. Each nomination should highlight one person and include a brief story about how this person has impacted the special education community or a person within the special education community. The Marblehead SEPAC wants to collect your stories before June 2 so we can honor all heroes in June.

Annual Spring Marblehead High School Art Exhibit

The exhibit will run at Abbot Hall, May 22 through June 2. There will be an opening reception on Tuesday, May 24, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy the student artwork, food, drinks and live music performed by MHS students!

Current Events

Marblehead’s best bets, May 24-31

Welcome to our new feature, Current Events, spotlighting exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current associate editor/senior reporter Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org.

Leigh Blander

Downtown Walking Tours

May 25 & 26, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m and May 27, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

June is National Preservation Month and in celebration Judy Anderson of Marblehead Architecture Heritage and Tours will lead two-hour walking tours of the town’s historic areas. Meet at Abbot Hall, no reservations necessary. Donations are welcome. More information at MarbleheadTours.com.

MHS Spring Art Show

Through June 2

Marblehead High School has launched its annual spring art exhibit at Abbot Hall. The show features 400 works by students in grades 9-12, including drawings, paintings, sculptures, photography, graphic design, woodworking and architecture.

Hayley Reardon Concert

May 26, 7:30 p.m.

Marblehead’s own Hayley Reardon, a criticallyacclaimed folk pop artist, will perform a Homegrown House Concert on Friday, May 26, in town. The show will be held in a living room or outside if the weather cooperates. There is space for up to 35 people. There’s a suggested donation of $20 per person. For details and location, visit loom.ly/zF2ki0s.

Bird-watching Walk

May 26, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mass Audubon is hosting a free birdwatching walk at Marblehead Neck

COUNCIL ON aGING H a PPENINGS

Wildlife Sanctuary. Participants will learn about bird migration, breeding behavior and basic identification skills regardless of their skill levels. Although the event is free, registration is required at bit. ly/3Mnmtpy.

Painting & Pottery

May 28, noon

Marblehead artist Mark MacKay will display his painting and pottery at the Marblehead Unitarian Universalist Church.

MacKay is a graduate of the Mass College of Art, where he studied graphic design and worked in multimedia.

Mark MacKay

Before moving to Marblehead in 2022, he had his own studio in Newburyport, where he worked in acrylics, clay dishes and sculpture. His paintings are inspired by his time in the woods and living by the ocean.

Spring & summer programs, classes, events for seniors

All programs are held at the Judy and Gene Jacobi Community Center, 10 Humphrey St., unless otherwise stated. For more information or to RSVP for programs, call 781-631-6225 or email councilonaging@marblehead.org

Calling all veterans

Celebrate veterans at this breakfast hosted by the COA and the Masons on Friday, May 26, at 9 a.m..

Juneteenth

The COA is closed on June 19 to mark this federal holiday.

Election day June 20

All COA classes are canceled on election day. Transportation to polling places is available.

Speaker Series

The COA Speaker series continues Friday, June 21, at 12:30 p.m., with Mike Michaud, fleet captain at the Boston Yacht Club. Michaud will discuss the history and importance of Marblehead’s sailing tradition. RSVP by June 16.

Are you an artist?

If you need help with the online registration for exhibits at the Marblehead Festival of Arts, come to the COA on Thursdays,

June 1, 10 a.m. to noon; and June 15, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and Festival representatives will help you. Bring information about your artwork and a credit card to pay for entry. Visit marbleheadfestival.org/ artistapplication to review what is required to register. Do not bring your artwork to the COA. Festival reps will also discuss volunteer opportunities.

Movie days

Enjoy movies at the COA. On Friday, June 9 at 10 a.m., watch “23 Walks,” the heartwarming comedy drama about finding love later in life.

Then on Friday, June 23, at 10 a.m., watch “Young@Heart,” a documentary based on the Young@Heart Chorus, a group of New England senior citizens who perform worldwide. RSVP.

June Book Club

This month, the COA is reading “Fellowship Point” by Alice Elliott Dark. This is a longer book, so the plan is to split the book into thirds and meet three Wednesdays, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The dates are June 7 and 21, and July 5.

Need a laugh?

Come hear comedian Johnny Pizzi on June 27, at 1 p.m. Pizzi has been entertaining audiences for more than 30 years around the country and overseas. RSVP by June 21. iPhone photos

KevTech returns on June 7 at 11 a.m. with his popular class, “Taking & Organizing Photos on Your iPhone.” You’ll learn more about your iPhone’s camera app and explore the types of photos you can take. You’ll also discuss how to organize photos in favorites and albums. $20. Register ahead.

Support group

Have you lost a loved one or partner recently? Come to the COA support group on Friday, June 16, 10 a.m.

Guess who’s coming to dinner

Join COA Outreach Coordinator Sharon Doliber and Stacey McCarthy on Wednesady, June 21, at 5:30 p.m. The group may meet at the picnic bench at Devereux if the weather cooperates. RSVP.

Flying solo

Join Sharon and this caregiver support group on Tuesday, June 27, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

RSVP by June 23.

Lunch at the COA

Lunch is offered on Tuesdays at noon for $3. The meals are prepared in the Council on Aging’s commercial kitchen. These lunches are supported by The Friends of the Council on Aging.

Grab-n-go lunches

Grab-n-go lunches are offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at the Council on Aging. Pick-up time is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Reservations must be made the Thursday before.

It’s Bocce season

The season has started. Games are played at the COA on Mondays and Thursdays at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The Friday Travel Team plays 10 a.m. and noon. Cost is $15 for the season. Sign up at the front office. Contact pbibbo@aol.com for more information.

Boat and water safety

Harbormaster Mark Souza will come speak about boat and water safety on June 14, at 11:30 a.m. Register ahead.

Traveling Chef

Enjoy a special lunch by the Traveling Chef on Friday, June 23 at noon. There will be no grab-n-go lunch that day. RSVP by June 6.

Trips & Tours

The COA is planning several trips and tours this spring and summer, including a luncheon and Texas Tenors concert at the Danversport Yacht Club on Tuesday, June 23; and a Montreal-Quebec trip July 18-21. For more information and to sign up, call Janice at 781-631-6225.

Coffee with a Cop

Join Chief Dennis King or someone else from the Marblehead Police Department to discuss community concerns. Fridays at 8:30 a.m.

Blood Pressure Clinic

Drop-in blood pressure clinic on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon.

Fitness Center is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Passes can be purchased for $10 for five visits.