Peabody Education Council

RED SOX RAFFLE WINNER

2011-09-01T14:49:00.000-07:00

RED SOX RAFFLE WINNER
The Peabody Education Foundation (formerly the Peabody Education Council) recently held a raffle drawing for the chance to win Red Sox tickets donated by David McGeney, V.P. General Manager of Business Copy Associates in Saugus. Interim Superintendent Dr. Herb Levine pulled the winning ticket on Wednesday afternoon and Library Director Martha Holden was announced as the lucky winner. Mrs. Holden received four front-row tickets to see the Sox square off against the Texas Rangers this Saturday. All proceeds raised by the raffle will benefit the Peabody Education Foundation, a group dedicated to providing innovative programs and technology to Peabody's students. The Peabody Education Foundation would like to thank Business Copy Associates for their generous donation of the Red Sox tickets, as well as all those who participated in the raffle.

HIGGINS EXTRAVAGANZA FUN

2011-08-26T12:11:00.000-07:00

The PEF/Higgins Back to School Extravaganza was very successful. In addition to selling tickets to the PEF Red Sox Raffle, we raffled two baskets of school supplies donated by the Peabody Chamber of Commerce. Tom Gould of Treadwell's generously donated and scooped 825 ice cream sundaes. The Healthy Peabody Collaborative gave out more than 400 "Above the Influence" t-shirts and drawstring backpacks. The rain shower midway through the event did not dampen the fun. Many thanks to PEF members who were able to attend, assist and donate to the event. A special thanks to Cathy Gravel.

2nd Annual Higgins Welcome Back to School Extravaganza August 25

2011-08-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

Please join us as we celebrate the start of the school year and the posting of cluster assignments for grades 6, 7 and 8 on Thursday, August 25 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Higgins Middle School.

Featured Events:
- Cluster Assignment Posting
- Red Sox Ticket Raffle
- PTO Informational Table
- School Store
- Treadwell's Ice Cream
- Healthy Peabody Collaborative
- New Technology from the Peabody Education Foundation
- Tetrahedron Challenge (Grade 7)
Don't miss this fun kickoff to the new school year.

Red Sox Ticket Raffle

2011-08-21T08:20:00.001-07:00

Enter for a chance to win four (4) Red Sox Tickets to the Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers game on Saturday, September 3, 2011, 7:00 p.m. The tickets are for front row seats in the State Street Pavilion. Raffle tickets are $10. For tickets, contact Katrina at 978.538.9055. The winner will be announced Wednesday, August 31, 2011.

This raffle is made possible by a generous donation from Business Copy Associates, 28 Osprey Road, Saugus, Ma. 01906, 781.233.3500, www.businesscopy.com.

Raffle proceeds will benefit the Peabody Education Foundation (formerly Peabody Education Council), 24 Main Street, Peabody, Ma. 01960, www.peabodyedcouncil.org.

Different Name, Same Mission

2011-08-21T07:49:00.001-07:00

The Peabody Education Foundation, formerly known as the Peabody Education Council, is pleased to announce that the group is in the process of becoming a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, a move that will allow the Foundation to take on a greater role in assisting Peabody public schools. As a 501(c)(3), the Peabody Education Foundation will be eligible to apply for government and private grants previously unavailable to the group, which will then be directed toward programs for Peabody's students. The Peabody Education Foundation is hoping to have the application processed and approved by the end of September.

Founded in 1985 as the Peabody Education Council, the group has always promoted a collaboration of teachers, businesses, and citizens of Peabody working to provide supplementary activities and materials to students. The group, among the first of its kind in this area, is able to provide educational programs, materials, and technology to enhance the public school experience through fundraising activities and generous donations from the community. The mission and makeup of the group will remain the same once 501(c)(3) status has been established; the biggest difference will be an increase in available sources of funding. The Peabody Education Foundation is hopeful that the community will continue to show the generous support of years past.

As part of becoming a 501(c)(3), a decision was made to change the name from the Peabody Education Council to the Peabody Education Foundation, which is more consistent with similar organizations in surrounding cities. A new website will soon be launched and the Foundation will hold a contest among Peabody students to design a new logo for the group. The Peabody Education Foundation thanks all those who have supported them throughout the group's existence.

PEC/Rotary Raffle Calendar Winners, 6/11

2011-08-21T07:46:00.000-07:00

Winners of the PEC-Rotary Calendar Raffle for June 2011 are:
Terrie Dwyer, Treadwel's Ice Cream Gift Certificates
Karen Meagher, Petrillo's Gift Card
Barbara Kelly, Stop & Shop Gift Card
Mike Kinnaly, Latitude Sports Club 7 Days Pass

PEC/Rotary Raffle Calendar Winners, 5/11

2011-08-21T07:41:00.000-07:00

Winner from the PEC-Rotary Calendar for May, 2011 are:
Jane Erickson - Treadwell's Ice Cream Gift Certificates
Suzanne Freedman - Latitude Sports Club 7-Day Pass
Vicki Fursey - Qdoba Gift Card
Bill Kachinski - The Meadow at Peabody Gift Card
Ethelwyn Morrison - $100

PEC Receives Donations for Smart Carts

2011-06-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

Pictured: Arthur Holden, representing the Northeast Economic Development Corp., presents PEC Chairman David Gravel with a donation to go towards a Smart Cart similiar to the one shown here.

The Peabody Education Council (PEC) recently received two generous donations to go towards the purchase of a Smart Cart, a mobile unit featuring an ELMO digital document camera, a laptop computer and a projector. Smart Carts are one of the newest initiatives of the PEC; they are designed to provide technology to foster innovative teaching and learning in the classroom.

One of the donations came from the Northeast Massachusetts Economic Development Corporation, a philanthropic organization that focuses on Peabody causes. The other donation came from Suzanne Waite, owner of Su-Chang's Restaurant in Peabody. The Peabody Education Council thanks both the NMEDA and Su-Chang's for investing in advanced technology for Peabody schools.

The Peabody Education Council is a group of individuals dedicated to enriching the educational experiences of Peabody students. Through fundraising and donations, the PEC provides grants, programs, and materials not included in the school budget. None of this would be possible without the generosity and support of local businesses, community members, and educators. For more information on the Peabody Education Council, or to get involved, please visit peabodyedcouncil.org.

Salem Foundation Grant

2011-05-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

Foundation awards $30K to Salem teachers

PEC Celebrates 25 Years

2011-05-23T09:32:00.001-07:00

The Peabody Education Council marked its 25th anniversary with a birthday party at the Peabody Learning Academy on April 14. Supporters were treated to snacks and cake prepared by students in the Peabody Vocational High School culinary arts program.

Students from the PVMHS Chorus also performed the near 50 guests, including business supporters, school committee and city council members, principals, teachers and administrators.

PEC President Dave Gravel gave an overview of PEC plans for the future, including an effort to make the PEC a 503-C, non-profit organization. The PEC’S Partners in Education (PIE) program was also highlighted. PIE, an initiative to bring “Smart Cart” technology first to the Higgins Middle School and then to other city schools, is seeking corporate donations to fund purchases.

PEC/Rotary Raffle Calendar Winners, 4/11

2011-05-17T20:52:00.000-07:00

Kim Terenzoni – Nails & Lady Spa Gift Card
Kerri Bromberger – Jade’s Restaurant Gift Card
Kelly Simone – Latitude Sports Club 7-Day Pass
Kelvin Dos Santos – Treadwell’s Ice Cream Gift Card

Annual Career Day 2011

2011-04-11T14:22:00.000-07:00

PEC/Rotary Raffle Calendar Winners, March 2011

2011-04-11T08:37:00.001-07:00

New England Aquarium Tidepool Program Visits Carroll Kindergarten

2011-04-11T08:34:00.000-07:00

Author inspires students with life lessons on peace and respect.

2011-04-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

April 6, 2011

Something was amiss at Higgins Middle School today. The usual crowd of students in casual jeans and hoodies was speckled with boys wearing shirt and tie and girls decked out in dresses and heels! Other than for graduation, it is not often that students don dress-up attire voluntarily. What prompted this rare event? It was the annual visit of Massachusetts author Yoko Yawashima Watkins.

This diminutive, kimono-clad Japanese woman is a celebrity at the school. There were ten students waiting in the library this morning to greet her and ask for her autograph. “She’s my idol,” remarked one girl. When I ask Watkins how it feels to be a star, she answered, “I’m not a star. I’m their friend.”

Watkins has visited Higgins annually for eight years to address the 500 eighth grade students who have read her book So Far From the Bamboo Grove. She is an experience that has been shared with thousands of Peabody students. The first students who met her as eighth graders have now been out of high school for three years.

“Whenever I visit schools, I say that peace must start from each one of us. To do that, first, we must be kind to each other. If we all carry hatred and revenge inside us, then we will never achieve peace in the world.”

Recounting her harrowing experiences as a Japanese girl persecuted in Korea at the time of World War II , Watkins shares stories about her family life in Korea and her parents’ kindness and compassion in the face of adversity once the Japanese occupied Korea. She also describes the bullying she experienced at school. She shares lessons for life: don’t loose your temper, throw away your pride, forgive and show respect.

In addition to reading the novel, students study Japan’s history and culture and prepare signs, posters and artwork that is displayed in the library for Watkins’ five performances. She arrives early to sign each piece of student work and imprints the work with her traditional Japanese stamp.

Sponsored regularly by the Peabody Education Council and the Higgins PTO, the annual event is a highlight the grade 8 curriculum focusing on the Holocaust, genocide and tolerance.

Yoko Kawashima Watkins received The Courage of Conscience Award from the Peace Abbey in Sherborn, Massachusetts, which cited her as an "inspiration to young people throughout America and the world."

PEC Career Day April 8

2011-03-16T14:38:00.000-07:00

CAREER DAY is an annual, informal, non-threatening environment in which more than 50 local businesses set up exhibit booths, allow students to get informational materials and ask questions about possible future vocations. Roughly 500 sophomore students at PVMHS will participate as part of the PEC's annual Career Day program. Students in the PVMHS Athletic, Carpentry, Culinary, Cosmetology, Guidance, Electronics and Psychology also demonstrate their skills at the event. The event is held in the gymnasium at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School.
Watch last year's Career Day: PEC Career Day 2010, PVMHS

PEC/Rotary Raffle Calendar Winners Feb. 2011

2011-03-16T14:31:00.000-07:00

Maureen Pinardi - Hannaford Supermarket
Bruce Nelson - Sugar Cane Restaurant
Bill Kachinski - Treadwell's Ice Cream
Roseanne DeFillipo - Carrabba's Restaurant

PEC High Five: GraVoc Associates

2011-02-28T07:25:00.001-08:00

Higgins/PEC Spelling Bee

2011-02-11T08:18:00.000-08:00

PEC/Rotary Raffle Calendar Winners Jan. 2011

2011-02-04T14:00:00.000-08:00

Chris Votto - Sylvan Street Grille Gift Certificate
Donna DiGianfelice - Stop & Shop Gift Certificate
Diane Caproni - P.F. Chang's Gift Certificate
Karen McGovern - $100 cash

PEC High Five: Analogic Corporation

2011-01-27T14:15:00.000-08:00

Spelling Bee Practice Potluck Success

2011-01-21T09:03:00.000-08:00

Higgins Middle School, Home of the Hawks
The Higgins/PEC Spelling Bee Practice Potluck was well attended on January 20 in the Cullen Library. More than 50 people attended to watch 13 contestants practice for the Spelling Bee slated for February 10 at the Northshore Mall.

In addition to the exceptional 15 rounds of spelling that lasted with three contestants still standing, the event featured tasty foods, beverages and Treadwell's Ice Cream. Thank you to all who attended and helped make the practice a pleasurable, community event - especially, parent Toni Muldoon and PEC members Marlene Atkin, Donna Craven and Tom Gould. Kudos to "Bee Master", Todd Bucey. Also thank you to the Gravels and GraVoc Associates; they have volunteered to provide a sound system for the Big Bee as well as all other volunteer needs at the event. Can't wait to work with them again!

PEC Guest Reader Program Begins

2011-01-11T09:14:00.000-08:00

Volunteers of the Peabody Education Council turned out today in elementary school classrooms to kick off the PEC’s Guest Reader Program.

Thirty-eight classrooms have been matched with volunteers who will visit classrooms weekly to read quality literature aloud to students.

Readers include business leaders, city officials, and local citizens. All eight public elementary schools in Peabody participate in the Guest Reader program,

PEC/Higgins Spelling Bee February 10

2011-01-11T08:55:00.001-08:00

The Peabody Education Council/Higgins Middle School Spelling Bee is slated for Thursday, February 10 at the Northshore Mall at 6:00 p.m.

The program is aimed at improving student spelling skills, engaging students in learning through competition, facilitating community involvement in an academic event and raising funds for the Peabody Education Council (PEC).

In addition to the competition, the Bee will feature a Silent Auction of donated items from local merchants and original, framed artwork by Higgins students.

A school-wide spelling bee with preliminary and semi-final rounds was conducted in November and December 2010 and identified the top spellers at each grade level. These 32 finalists will receive “goody bags” from the Northshore Mall and compete in the final bee to identify the winner at each grade level. The three winners will receive a savings bond from Danversbank.The words used in the competition were culled from the Scripps Howard Everyday Word lists for grades 6, 7 and 8. (http://www.peabody.k12.ma.us/higgins/cullen/Library/spelling/spelling.html)

Preparation for the Spelling Bee included the use of audience response systems that were donated to Higgins by the PEC. “Word Roots” software to teach morphological awareness was also provided to the school as the result of a PEC Best Bet grant award.

Spellers have been practicing after school twice a week. A Potluck Practice Session for spellers and their families is scheduled for January 20, 2011.The “Bee Masters” for the February 10 event are Higgins Principal Todd Bucey and PEC member Tom Gould of Treadwell’s Ice Cream. Judges for the Bee are PEC members: Sudi Smoller, Jeri Terenzoni, Dave Gravel and Katrina Gravel.Higgins Middle School, the only middle school in Peabody, has 1450 pupils in grades 6, 7 and 8. (http://www.peabody.k12.ma.us/higgins/index.html)

The Peabody Education Council, a 25-year-old collaborative of business, teachers and government, supports teachers with grants to fund additional materials and programs; brings human resources into the classroom through a Guest Reader Program and Kids Voting; and introduces students to career opportunities via a Mentoring Program and Career Day for Peabody Veterans Memorial High School students. (www.peabodyedcouncil.org)

The newest initiative of the PEC is the Partners in Education (PIE) program that seeks to provide presentation equipment carts, or Smart Carts, for classrooms at Higgins Middle School. A Smart Cart includes a laptop computer, LCD video projector and ELMO image document camera on an electrified cart.

For further information, contact: Sudi Smoller, 978.535.3409, smollers@peabody.k12.ma.us.Todd Bucey, 978.536.4805, buceyt@peabody.k12.ma.us

Busy Bees at Higgins

2011-01-07T15:29:00.000-08:00

The 32 contestants who will participate in the PEC/Higgins Spelling Bee have been identified through a series of 15 semi-final bees. Higgins Principal Todd Bucey conducted the semi-final bees that were attended by clusters and involved all 1450 students.

After school practice sessions are Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in the Cullen Library; in-school practice sessions are also planned leading up to the Big Bee at the Northshore Mall on Thursday, February 10 at 6:00 p.m.

PEC members are invited to joins spellers and their families at a Potluck Practice Session on January 20 in the Cullen Library at 5:00 p.m.

The PEC/Higgins Spelling Bee is a silent auction fundraiser for the PEC. Auction items include: original framed artwork by Higgins Middle School students; donations from Northshore Mall merchants, and....donations are welcome!

PEC/Rotary Raffle Calendar Winners Dec. 2010

2011-01-07T15:25:00.000-08:00

Treadwell's - Vicki Riley
Latitude Sports Club 7 Day Pass - Patrick Floyd
Asia Taste Cafe & Grille - Brian & Kathy McLaughlin
Cheesecake Factory - Ed Sapienza

PEC/Rotary Raffle Calendar Winners Nov. 2010

2010-12-12T08:20:00.000-08:00

Liz Colitz: Treadwell's Ice Cream Gift Card
Tracy Forsythe: Latitude Sports Club 7-Day Pass Gift Card
Cindy Croughwell: Carrabba's Gift Card
Joanie Pennacchio:- Latitude Sports Club 7-Day Pass Gift Card
Michelle Soep - $100 Cash

PEC/Rotary Raffle Calendar Winners Oct.2010

2010-12-12T08:18:00.000-08:00

Jean Dawson: Treadwell's Ice Cream Gift Card
Rosemary Lawrence: Gallo Nero Restaurant Gift Card
Greg Griffin YMCA:The Meadow at Peabody Gift Card
Evelyn Rauseo: P.F. Chang's Restaurant Gift Card

PEC/Rotary Raffle Calendar Winners - Sept.2010

2010-12-12T08:16:00.000-08:00

Ethelwyn Morrison: Shaw's Gift Card
Danielle Defreitas: WestSide Family Restaurant Gift Card
Marie Story : Cheesecake Factory Gift Card
Patti Ellis: $100 cash

PEC High Five: Lyon Waugh Auto Group

2010-11-18T10:04:00.000-08:00

Peabody Kids Cast Their Ballots

2010-11-09T08:31:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, November 2nd was an exciting day for kids in Peabody, and not just because they had the day off from school for professional development. This past Election Day offered them the chance to participate in the voting process as part of the Peabody Education Council’s KidsVoting program, in affiliation with the national KidsVoting USA initiative. Nearly 950 Peabody students accompanied their parents to the polls and made their choices for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, US Representative, State Representative, and Sheriff.
The results are in, and for the most part it appears that kids agreed with their parents when it came to political leadership. 414 students voted for Charlie Baker and Richard Tisei for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor spots, versus the 336 votes that incumbents Deval Patrick and Timothy Murray received; Baker won the race in Peabody but ultimately lost to Patrick in statewide results. For the position of Representative in Congress, Peabody’s youth gave Democrat John Tierney a landslide victory, casting 500 votes in his favor. Frank Cousins won the election for Sheriff with 431 votes. For State Representative, Joyce Spiliotis won the kids’ approval in the 12th district, with 416 votes going to the state representative, while the 92 votes from kids in the 13th district would have put Daniel Bennett in office over Ted Speliotis, who won the real election by a narrow margin. Kids also disagreed with adults about the Massachusetts Secretary of State race: though Bill Galvin captured the actual spot, Bill Campbell garnered 445 kids’ votes to beat out Galvin’s 345. Peabody Access Telecommunications (PAT) has posted the full results of KidsVoting on their website: http://www.peabodytv.com/news/stories/028.html.
Although kids can’t participate in the real elections, the KidsVoting program invites them to still have their opinions heard. Through school curriculum leading up to Election Day, they learn about our government and the election process. The Peabody Education Council is proud to support this program because it teaches students the value and importance of voting, and encourages good citizenship among Peabody’s youth. The PEC would like to thank the volunteers, including many PVMHS students, who manned the polls and assisted all the young voters, and would like to thank all the kids who came to the polls and cast their ballots.
KidsVoting is just one of several programs offered by the Peabody Education Council to improve the quality of education for Peabody children; for more information on the Peabody Education Council, please visit our website: www.peabodyedcouncil.com.

Lyon-Waugh Auto Group Supports PEC's Partners in Education Program

2010-10-22T16:30:00.001-07:00

PEABODY - Lyon-Waugh Auto Group’s opening of the Mini of Peabody dealership on Route 114 was a grand affair on October 21. It included the presentation of $25,000 to the Peabody Education Council’s Partners in Education (PIE) initiative to place a Smart Cart outfitted with a laptop computer, LCD projector, ELMO digital document camera and assorted accessories in each of the 60+ classrooms at Higgins Middle School.

“Smart Carts will allow our teachers to reach out to an endless storehouse of educational resources from our libraries, from our school system, and from the internet, thereby providing our students with a world of information. It will also allow our students to prepare for their High School experiences by giving them a platform to present their information in the classroom,” said Dave Gravel, Chairperson of the PEC.

At the event, PIE subcommittee chairperson Marlene Atkin shared a quote from Benjamin Franklin: “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” She said, “The Lyon-Waugh Auto Group has invested wisely, and the benefits that will be received from their investment in our children will be realized for many years to come.”

Lyon-Waugh Auto Group has proudly supported the City of Peabody on several previous occasions. A major contributor to the establishment of the Peabody YMCA, Lyon-Waugh also gifted the school district with $100,000 for technology. Exhibiting its dedication, commitment and experience, Lyon-Waugh was the primary advertiser in the Peabody Education Council and Rotary Club of Peabody's “Now and Then Peabody” calendar fundraiser. The calendar is on sale now and features 16 months (Sept. 2010-Dec. 2011) and the Peabody Public School district calendar events.

PEC Supports Red Ribbon Week

2010-10-21T03:40:00.000-07:00

October 2010 - Each day of Red Ribbon Week, October 25-29, the Peabody Public Schools will feature drug and alcohol information that promotes making healthy decisions.

The Peabody Education Council made an annual contribution to support the health initiative. Students are invited to take an anti-drug pledge and will receive a bracelet or sticker.

Each day during the week, age appropriate drug and alcohol education will take place. A Mock Accident at the high school and celebrating a daily theme at each of the district's elementary schools. Announcements regarding drug and alcohol will be made and Halloween safety promoted.

Parents are encuraged to sit with their children to discuss the importance of being safe and always talking to parents/guardians about any drug or alcohol questions.

PEC & Danversbank complete new lab

2010-10-04T15:41:00.000-07:00

Pictured here in the newly completed lab, left to right: Danversbank Peabody Branch Manager, Glenn Boutchie; Danversbank Business Development Officer, Nancy Furnari, Higgins Middle School Principal, Todd Bucey.

October 5 - Danversbank (https://www.danversbank.com), recently donated nine flatscreen monitors to the Higgins Middle School to complete a twenty-one station computer lab adjacent to the school’s library. Danversbank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Danvers Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:DNBK).

The bank’s donation increased the number of available computer stations from twelve to twenty-one in a small, converted reading room next to the school library, also home to an additional 30 computers. The contribution was organized through the Peabody Education Council, which works to match Peabody schools’ technology needs with local businesses interested in supporting the communities they serve.

“Danversbank’s donation has helped us to provide additional opportunities for students to utilize technology in their everyday learning,” said Higgins Middle School Principal, Todd Bucey. “Prior to receiving the bank’s generous gift, we had nine PC’s without monitors and no real plan for what to do with them. Now we have a complete second lab, allowing two groups of students simultaneous access to this great technology.”

About Danversbank
Danversbank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Danvers Bancorp, Inc., a holding company with
approximately $2.5 billion in total assets. Danvers Bancorp, Inc., through Danversbank, offers a wide range of commercial and retail banking services, including commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, owner-occupied residential mortgages and consumer loans, treasury management, debit and credit card products, online banking, and investment management services. Danversbank operates a total of 28 branches in the following communities: Andover, Beverly, Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Danvers, Hamilton, Malden, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Middleton, Needham, Peabody, Reading, Revere, Salem, Saugus, Topsfield, Waltham, Wilmington, and Woburn, Massachusetts. As a member of
both the FDIC and the Depositors Insurance Fund, Danversbank has 100% deposit insurance coverage, regardless of account balance. For more information, visit the bank’s website at
https://www.danversbank.com, find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/danversbank or call the Customer Support Center at 1-800-771-8200.
Main Office: One Conant Street, Danvers, MA 01923
978-777-2200 • www.danversbank.com

PEC Red Sox Dream Raffle Drawing

2010-09-27T04:09:00.000-07:00

September 25, 2010 - The PEC's 25th anniversary fundraiser at the Torigian Life Center featured a Fenway Park theme. "Take Me out the Ballpark" art created by Higgins Middle School students was auctioned. Franks, popcorn, nuts, ice cream, drinks and DJ services were provided with in-kind contributions from Treadwells Ice Cream and GraVoc Associates.
Roughly $8,000 was raised at the event. The winning ticket was presented to Anna Kulakowski of Danvers Bank. Thank you!

Welcome Back Higgins Extravaganza

2010-08-27T11:07:00.001-07:00

It was a gorgeous day and a tremendous turnout yesterday for the Peabody Education Council's first Welcome Back event at Higgins Middle School. Students in grades 6 through 8 were excited to discover their classroom assignments and were able to visit with many of the teachers who were preparing classrooms for the opening of school on Monday.

Treadwell's tantalizing ice cream sundaes added to the festive environment that included balloons, decorative plants and a free raffle featuring three baskets filled with school supplies provided by the Chamber of Commerce and GraVoc Associates. The school store was open and the Higgins PTO hosted an information table. Grade 8 Student Mentors were available to assist incoming sixth grade students.

The event was the first opportunity to purchase the PEC/Rotary "Now & Then" school calendar. Red Sox Dream Day raffle tickets were also sold and visitors had the opportunity to play a Red Sox Trivia game using an audience response system that the PEC purchased for Higgins last year.

The afternoon event capped a positive opening day that began with a district-wide staff meeting where PEC President Dave Gravel explained the history and role of the PEC and enthusiastically announced our various 25th anniversary events and our plans to expand our efforts in order to support 21st century education in our classrooms.

Great comments were heard all around. Thanks to all who added to the event: Higgins custodians who spruced up the school courtyard; Higgins administrators; Dave Gravel, Tom Gould, Kathy Gravel, Katrina Gravel, Dan Vasallo, Phil Richardson, Patti Schaffer, Natalie Maga, Martha Holden, Deanne Healey, Penny Nelson, Debbie Gigante.

August 11, 2010

2010-08-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

Celebrating 25 years of supporting Peabody Public School teachers and bringing human resources into classrooms, the Peabody Education Council (PEC) has undertaken a series of fundraisers for a new “Partners in Education” (PIE) program that will provide presentation equipment for Higgins Middle School. In addition to the PEC/Peabody Rotary “Peabody Now & Then” Calendar, the PEC is conducting a Red Sox Dream Day Raffle and Drawing event, sponsoring a Spelling Bee and Silent Auction at the Northshore Mall and invites the Higgins community to a Welcome Back to School event.

25th Anniversary Events begin August 26

2010-08-10T12:27:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Events

2010-08-02T14:23:00.001-07:00

Red Sox Dream Raffle

2010-07-23T05:30:00.000-07:00

Tune Tech

2010-06-30T07:02:00.001-07:00

Interesting video on social media... Tune Tech

Technology Wish List Donations = New Library Lab at Higgins

2010-06-29T09:24:00.000-07:00

Great news! The monitors donated to Higgins by Danversbank and the Dell computers donated by Brattle Communication will have a new home in September. A reading room located off of the Cullen Library will become a computer lab featuring the donated equipment and existing reading room computers. The lab will be managed by the school library teacher and available for check out by small groups. We are aiming for this new computer room to be available for use in September. Updates to follow...

Collecting memories for the Calendar via facebook

2010-06-23T18:28:00.000-07:00

Katrina Gravel has created some Facebook pages to collect information and images that support the themes of the 2010-2011 School Calendar. Please invite your Peabody facebook friends to go to:http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Peabody-Massachusetts-Remember-When/104275806289974?ref=ts

Dream Game Red Sox Raffle, June 19

2010-06-19T09:26:00.001-07:00

Middle-schoolers clicking their way to knowledge

2010-06-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

Middle-schoolers clicking their way to knowledge
Salem Evening News, June 17, 2010

Peabody's Draft Technology Plan

2010-06-11T10:49:00.000-07:00

Since we are preparing a program (PIE) to match specific technology requests with business donors, the district's draft Technology Plan makes for interesting reading.

A look at the technology culture divide

2010-06-04T12:50:00.000-07:00

A look at the technology culture divide

The Funding Cliff: Schools brace for more budget cuts

2010-05-23T10:21:00.000-07:00

Technology News for Today's K-20 Educator: eSchoolNews
eShoolNews.com - Volume 13, No. 5 May 2010

Since we’re developing a PPS Technology Wish List ….

2010-05-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

I’ve been following school budget discussions and attended the Higgins and PVMHS presentations to the School Committee. The dramatic imbalance in available technology at the city’s secondary schools was jarring. I expected differences, but not the size of the existing digital divide.

Although PVMHS has 384 more students than Higgins, there is an inequity of equipment and supplies. For example, at PVMHS, there are 80 LCD image projectors compared to 15 at Higgins. PVMHS has 21 Smart Boards while the Higgins has three. There is one Elmo Image Document Camera (the digital upgrade of an overhead projector) at Higgins, compared to six document cameras available at PVMHS. The number of laptops for staff at each school is also noticeably disparate.

Unequal access to information and communication technology, and unequal acquisition of related skills, is reflected by inequitable per pupil expenditures. Superintendent Milton Burnett remarked at budget sessions on April 20 that “he has worked with the principals over the years and has spoken to them regarding supplies, books, equipment and their own needs regarding budget issues….He explained the reasoning behind each line item and explained that each school has a different need. He broke it down to each school and each student, suggesting that $102.78 is spent on an Elementary School student, $88.69 is spent on a Middle School student and $213.45 is spent on a High School student.”

The Massachusetts Department of Education’s most recent per pupil expenditure database reveals that Peabody spends $599 less per student than the average community in Massachusetts. (6,000+ students x $600 each = $3.6 million per year.)

I’m curious about inventory and the accessibility of technology at our elementary schools. How can we better assess what we have and address the larger issue of equity?

PEC Donates Audience Response Systems to Higgins

2010-04-29T08:55:00.001-07:00

As a result of the generous gift of the Peabody Education Council, students at the Higgins Middle School now have access to five Turning Technology Audience Response Systems.

PEC Career Day 2010, PVMHS

2010-04-29T08:50:00.000-07:00

2010-03-31T16:15:00.000-07:00

Calendar Raffle

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Local Business Community Supports PEC Career Opportunities for Peabody High School Students

2010-03-31T12:58:00.000-07:00

PEC's Annual Career Day is April 9, 2010 at PVMHS,
8:15 -11:30 a.m
Roughly 500 sophomore students at PVMHS will have the opportunity to ask questions related to fields of study, educational requirements and experience as part of the PEC's annual Career Day program. Students in the PVMHS Athletic, Carpentry, Culinary, Cosmetology, Guidance, Electronics and Psychology also demonstrate their skills at the event.

POPULARITY of PEC CAREER MENTORING PROGRAM DOUBLES
The number of PVMHS students who have pledged participation in the Peabody Education Council's Career Mentoring Program has nearly doubled over last year. The program provides 73 high school juniors with an opportunity to experience the environment of a real-life work day and potential career. Students are paired with local business people and meet with their mentors after school during the spring. Observing the daily operations and activities of local professionals allows students to obtain firsthand knowledge of the rigors, pressures and rewards of the career he/she may be considering. Students also gain insight from their mentors on college pre-requisites, earning potential and career advancement opportunities.

Career Mentoring participants include: Peabody Public Schools, Merrimack College, GraVoc Associates, Adventourous Affairs, Endicott College, Pasos Avantos, Veronis Dentistry, Weston and Sampson, City of Peabody, Analogic, Salem News, Beverly Hospital, Salem State Nursing, Lahay Clinic, the National Guard,. Peabody Police, Peabody Access Telecommunications, and others.

Re-Imagining Learning in the 21st Century

2010-03-15T13:55:00.001-07:00

The MacArthur Foundation has put together a great website on innovative 21st century learning.

What technology to buy?

2010-03-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

Charged by the PEC with the task of creating a technology wish list for Peabody schools, specifically the Higgins Middle School, I set my thoughts to preparing a list of desired presentation technology when I received this e-mail from my principal, Todd Bucey, with the subject line “What I’d buy Instead of an Interactive Whiteboard” from the blog The Tempered Radical by Bam Bam Bigelow (2/28/10).

I like the approach Bigelow takes, especially the recommended netbook purchases. I’m pleased to note we already have a subscription to Brainpop and we use an earlier version of Camtasia for screen captures. I’ve heard a lot about Voicethread but am not familiar with using it.

That’s one big question: projection equipment vs. netbook computers ? - especially at the Higgins, where we can expect to undertake major remodeling.

What do you think?

PEC Wordle

2009-12-14T10:05:00.000-08:00

Some examples of innovation

2009-11-07T06:12:00.000-08:00

eSchool News is a great resource for a variety of information on education, including a film series profiling visionaries in 21st century education.

The Importance of Inquisitiveness

2009-10-29T08:46:00.001-07:00

The PEC invites teachers to apply for Best Bet grants to fund innovative and creative projects. What does it mean to encourage innovation? What can teachers do to encourage the next generation of big thinkers?

Those are the questions Suzie Boss raised in a post to edutop
ia's blog .

A six-year study surveying three thousand creative executives attempted to uncover how innovators' DNA works. The study results indicate that five "discovery skills" distinguish innovators and promote creative confidence.

1. Associating, a cognitive skill that allows creative people to make connections across seemingly unrelated questions, problems, or ideas.

2. Questioning — an ability to ask "what if", "why", and "why not" questions.

3. An ability to observe details, particularly the details of people's behavior

4. A willingness to experiment

5. Adept at networking with smart people

The U.S. Department of Education's Investing in Innovation Fund provides competitive grants that expand the implementation of, and investment in, innovative and evidence-based practices, programs and strategies that significantly:

improve K-12 achievement and close achievement gaps;
decrease dropout rates;
increase high school graduation rates; and
improve teacher and school leader effectiveness.

The preferred outcomes are nothing new. How do we really innovate?