Fifth graders from South Memorial Elementary School opened the April 29 School Committee meeting with a confident, carefully rehearsed presentation about respect, responsibility, and academic rigor — the three Rs that form the foundation of the school’s culture.
“We want to lead by example,” said one student, noting the council’s efforts to promote kindness and community through posters, peer support, and behavior-based reward systems. Another added, “We learned that leadership means listening to others and trying to make a difference.”
Committee members praised the student council for setting a positive tone. “You gave us all a reminder of what we’re really here for,” said Chair Ted Bettencourt, who also serves as Peabody’s mayor. “Your poise and dedication speak volumes about your school and our district.”
The student council’s appearance kicked off a meeting that included approval of two Holocaust education-related field trips, discussion of school choice policy, an update on the reopening of Center Elementary, and introduction of a $300 college essay bootcamp for rising seniors.
The first of the field trips will take students to Washington, D.C. for a one-day experience at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, while the second — a multi-day international trip — will bring participants to key sites in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic to learn about the Holocaust and African American history. The committee voted unanimously in favor of both trips.
Superintendent Dr. Josh Vadala praised the travel opportunities, emphasizing their value in helping students “understand history not just from textbooks, but from being in the places where history happened.”
Also receiving strong support from the committee was a proposed $300 summer boot camp for college essay writing. Designed for rising seniors, the program will provide structured writing support and feedback from certified English teachers.
“This is a one-time, four-day bootcamp,” Vadala explained. “We’ll limit it to around 12 to 15 students per session, and we’re hoping to offer it twice in the summer depending on demand.”
Committee members agreed that the offering could help students feel more confident during the stressful college application process. “It’s a small investment with potentially big returns,” said member Jarrod Hochman.
In other business, the committee reaffirmed Peabody’s participation in the school choice program. Vadala noted that while a relatively small number of students transfer into Peabody each year, the district also has a consistent outflow of students to vocational, charter, and private schools.
“Continuing to support school choice doesn’t hurt us,” Vadala said. “It gives families options, and we want to keep our doors open.”
Committee members approved a contract extension through June 2027 with For Kids Only (FKO), the nonprofit that operates after-school programs in several Peabody elementary schools. The continuation ensures service stability for families who rely on FKO’s extended-day programming.
The meeting also included an enrollment update for the re-opening of Center School. Assistant Superintendent Carrie Butterworth reported strong early interest, especially from families in the area who previously had to send their children to other schools due to capacity limits. Center School is expected to welcome 241 students in grades K–5 this fall.
Finally, Vadala gave a brief update on the ongoing feasibility study for a potential new high school building, which remains in the design phase under the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process. “We’re still working with our consultants and stakeholders,” he said. “More information will be shared as we move through the next stages.”
Before adjourning, the committee approved six warrants totaling $5.6 million for general operating expenses.
