Thursday, May 17, 2012
Cyclist and local shop owner Marty Miserandino offers this open letter to drivers to help keep everyone safe on the road.
Dear Drivers, As a cyclist, I am very aware of the dangers of riding on the open roads, but I am writing this letter in hope that you will save a life by being more aware of us while we share the streets. I understand that life is busy and that everyone seems to be in a hurry. All that we ask are a few simple things… I know cyclists have a responsibility too. All that we ask is that drivers try to be more aware of us. That person on a bike might just be someone in your way or holding you up, but that person is someone’s loved one. They are depended on, they are loved and it would be devastating to lose when you could have been just a bit more patient and aware. Thank you, Marty Miserandino, Cyclist, Co-owner, Fit Werx
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Parent thanks Dr. Herb Levine for listening to McCarthy community on its disappointment with decision to switch principals and allowing parents and students to have a voice in that process.
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Wednesday, May 16
[The following was submitted to Peabody Patch.] Dr. Levine, As one of the parents who sent you a note last week expressing my disappointment with your original decision to move Mr. Smoyer, I felt compelled to do the same to express how elated and excited we are with your decision to keep him. I believe that this decision, while obviously a very tough one, was the right choice for the kids of our school. From the very beginning, the McCarthy parents were not trying to disgrace Mrs. McNiff, however, we were merely trying to showcase how our kids have benefited from the leadership of Mr. Smoyer. I would like to also take this opportunity to personally thank you for teaching our kids a life lesson on Monday night. Your comments to them …
Sunday, May 13, 2012
More than 250 postal workers and volunteers came together to run the post office's annual "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive at the city's food pantry on Saturday.
[Yesterday] at Haven from Hunger, the post office conducted its annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive. Over 250 postal workers and volunteers on the North Shore collected and sorted over 25,000 pounds of food, canned goods and non-perishable items. There are many more families that need our help this year, we really appreciate all who generously donated. The Board of Directors and Executive Director Alyse Barbash wish to thank all of the post office workers and volunteers who helped make this event a huge success. Haven from Hunger provides food to over 400 families per week and serves hot meals once daily to over 200 children and adults four nights per week. For further information on Haven from Hunger, contact Alyse Barbash at 978-531-…
42.528643
-70.923745
71 Wallis St, Peabody, MA
/articles/letter-to-the-editor-haven-thanks-post-office-for-annual-food-drive
/locations/7000014
Thursday, May 10, 2012
McCarthy parent says school community has finally gelled and making great progress since Kiley School was closed eight years ago and students and staff dispersed.
[The following letter was submitted to Peabody Patch.] Dear Mayor Bettencourt, Interim Superintendent Dr. Levine and School Committee Members, I am a parent of three children; two presently attending the McCarthy School. I am writing to express my sadness and my concerns regarding the recent news that Ray Smoyer, the Principal of the McCarthy School, is to be transferred to the Burke School and the Burke School Principal, Judith McNiff, is to become the Principal of the McCarthy. In the midst of the last several years of uncertainty regarding the McCarthy’s future; I’m asking myself how this could be possible! We, the McCarthy families, wrote letters, made phone calls, and attending meetings with the children holding signs to keep the …
42.545921
-70.994554
City of Peabody School Dept
21 Johnson St, Peabody, MA
/articles/letter-to-the-editor-parent-revisits-school-history-from-kiley-to-mccarthy
775221
/locations/6984582
42.566061
-71.026183
John E. Burke School
127 Birch St, Peabody, MA
/articles/letter-to-the-editor-parent-revisits-school-history-from-kiley-to-mccarthy
1755159
/locations/6984583
42.539672
-71.003018
John E. McCarthy Memorial School
76 Lake St, Peabody, MA
/articles/letter-to-the-editor-parent-revisits-school-history-from-kiley-to-mccarthy
1756661
/locations/6984584
Faculty and staff at the Burke School rally behind their principal, saying she is being unfairly and inaccurately criticized as parents fight proposed swap of principals.
[The following was submitted to Peabody Patch.] To the Editor: We are writing in response to what can only be described as the character assassination of our principal, Judy McNiff. The comments made publicly about her at a recent School Committee meeting were unfair, inaccurate and damaging to her reputation. We have remained quiet in an attempt to respect the process, but this process has become a public circus that has resulted in attacks on a wonderful person who has given much to this city. Is this how we show gratitude to our leaders? Is this the message we want to send to our children? Mrs. McNiff has been our principal for the past four years. She is a tireless worker who consistently does what she perceives to be the best for the …
42.566061
-71.026183
John E. Burke School
127 Birch St, Peabody, MA
/articles/letter-to-the-editor-burke-staff-decries-character-assassination-of-mcniff
1755159
/locations/6982709
42.539672
-71.003018
John E. McCarthy Memorial School
76 Lake St, Peabody, MA
/articles/letter-to-the-editor-burke-staff-decries-character-assassination-of-mcniff
1756661
/locations/6982710
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
McCarthy School parents are protesting a plan to swap principals between the McCarthy and Burke elementary schools for the next school year.
[The following letter was submitted to Peabody Patch.] Dear Mayor Bettencourt and Superintendent Levine, Why does it feel like the McCarthy School is always being picked on?! For the past couple of years, the McCarthy family has had to deal with the possibility of the school closing, now this year we are dealing with having to lose our principal to another school. Once again, our family will stand strong for what we believe in. I am writing this email in support of the teachers and other families at our school – it would be a shame to lose the leadership that Mr. Smoyer has provided over the last couple of years. Personally, I feel that he has had a genuine interest in the success of my children and I would be saddened and disappointed by …
42.539672
-71.003018
John E. McCarthy Memorial School
76 Lake St, Peabody, MA
/articles/letter-to-the-editor-parent-says-feels-like-mccarthy-school-being-picked-on
1756661
/locations/6968945
McCarthy School parents are protesting a plan to swap principals between the McCarthy and Burke elementary schools for the next school year.
[The following letter was submitted to Peabody Patch.] Dr. Levine, I am writing to you this morning to express the severe disappointment that my wife and I have in your decision to move Principal Smoyer from the McCarthy School to the Burke School. What forum will you be having to explain further your decisions for moving Mr. Smoyer and also, how Mrs. McNiff will continue the momentum and pride that the McCarthy School has gained under Mr. Smoyer in the past two years? I believe that a full explanation is owed to every parent from the McCarthy who have watched as Mr. Smoyer has brought our school back from on the verge of extinction to where it is today, a school full of thriving young students who love coming to school every day. The …
42.539672
-71.003018
John E. McCarthy Memorial School
76 Lake St, Peabody, MA
/articles/letter-to-the-editor-parent-considers-moving-to-stable-school-environment
1756661
/locations/6969897
42.566061
-71.026183
John E. Burke School
127 Birch St, Peabody, MA
/articles/letter-to-the-editor-parent-considers-moving-to-stable-school-environment
1755159
/locations/6969898
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Parents at the McCarthy School are protesting a plan to swap their principal with the principal at the Burke School.
[The following letter was submitted by Leanne Smaller.] Dear Dr. Levine, I am a parent at the McCarthy School of two beautiful, happy, well adjusted girls. My younger daughter is in second grade and my older daughter is in fourth grade. I owe this in part to the amazing staff at the McCarthy School. I can say this today, however, two short years ago, this was NOT the case. My oldest daughter suffers from anxiety. She had a miserable second grade at the McCarthy, she had a teacher just that did [not] understand or didn't know how to deal with her anxiety and a principal who would not do much about it. When we got the news that the previous principal was leaving the McCarthy, I can't lie, I was ECSTATIC. She was not the kind of principal you…
McCarthy Principal Ray Smoyer is slated to switch duties with Burke School Principal Judy McNiff effective July 1, but parents at the McCarthy are not fans of that change-up.
I'm writing to raise awareness about McCarthy School's fight as parents to keep our Principal Mr. Smoyer. McCarthy School has had to fight from closing for the last 2/3 years. This year we are not up for a fight to be closed, but we are up for a fight to keep our principal. The Peabody School Department has told our Principal he will be switching to the Burke School as of July 1. The Burke School's Principal Ms. McNiff will be transferring to McCarthy. WHY????? Why disrupt the groove that we at McCarthy have had for the last two years since Principal Smoyer stepped in as our principal. McCarthy placed third in the state for MCAS for our third grade. This is disheartening not only to me as a parent, but to my son and the children of …
42.539672
-71.003018
John E. McCarthy Memorial School
76 Lake St, Peabody, MA
/articles/letter-to-the-editor-mccarthy-parents-fighting-to-keep-principal-smoyer
1756661
/locations/6953319
42.566061
-71.026183
John E. Burke School
127 Birch St, Peabody, MA
/articles/letter-to-the-editor-mccarthy-parents-fighting-to-keep-principal-smoyer
1755159
/locations/6953320
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Chamber President Deanne Healey says thanks to local businesses and organizations that helped make the annual career day at Peabody High a success once again.
The Peabody Education Foundation (PEF), through its partnership with the Peabody school system, business community and residents, work together to bring unique opportunities to the children of Peabody that enhance learning and education both in and out of the classroom. On Friday, April 13 the PEF hosted the annual Career Day at PVMHS providing close to 500 sophomore students with an opportunity to ask questions related to fields of study, educational requirements and experience for different professions. About one third of the business professionals represented were graduates of Peabody Veterans Memorial High School themselves! This event would not be possible without the support of the local business community who took time out of their …
42.541929
-70.975004
Peabody Veterans Memorial High School
485 Lowell St, Peabody, MA
/articles/letter-to-the-editor-local-businesses-make-career-day-a-success
1733457
/locations/6919561
nancy
12:19 pm on Friday, May 11, 2012
very well put as I as well am a parent product of above, though with 4 children ....and need to point at an omission in the quote below.... "Then, a new principal; Jack Murtagh retired and Amy Sullivan was chosen to become the next principal of the McCarthy" In fact, yet another transition as in fact it was Sandi Dunning who took over as prinicpal at the Kiley when Mr Murtagh retired....and Ms … more ›