A Treasure in Goulds

Before field day activities kicked off at the Carroll School, there were some special awards that went to a couple of longtime supporters and former parents at the elementary school.

PTO President Kristie DeLoreto invited Tom and Sharon Gould down for the morning -- their two children (Cortney and Michael) attended the Carroll 20 years ago -- and neither knew what it was all about, said Tom Gould.

DeLoreto presented the Goulds with a pair of plaques acknowledging their years of volunteerism and giving to the school community and unveiled a new banner that will hang in the school gym.

The Goulds may be best known for Treadwell's Ice Cream -- the gym full of youngsters shouted "ice cream" when asked what the Goulds were best known for at the school -- but Tom also started up the citywide Challenger League at the Carroll when his children were there as a way for kids with disabilities to compete in sports as well.

He said his son Michael then joined him as an adult in helping run the league.

The new banner declares the school to be the home of Challenger Sports and again gives special thanks to the Gould family.

The fifth-graders also had a special gift for Paul Guerrette, who spent the past year at the Carroll as the interim principal while the district searched for a permanent replacement for Cara Murtagh.

It was a surprise to Guerrette; the students converged on him in the middle of the gym for a flash mob dance.

Guerrette, who is retired, said that in his 48 years in education, his year in Peabody will remain a highlight.