METCO graduate reaches out, 45 years later

BY SUPERINTENDENT JOHN BUCKEY

Good people of Marblehead: Morgan Freeman is quoted as saying, “Black history is American history.”

As we celebrated the second week of Black History Month, our METCO director, Caja Johnson, received a wonderful surprise in her email from Roberto Flores, a member of the Marblehead High School class of 1977.

The letter is shown at right and includes thoughtful reflections of his experiences as a METCO student in our community.

Last week, I had lunch with our METCO students at MHS to hear about their experiences in the program, at MHS and in our community. While we may have made progress in many ways, some of the joys and challenges that Mr. Fortes shared from 1977 remain 45 years later.

The lived experiences of all of our students are important. We always strive to provide them better, richer and more meaningful experiences.

St. John’s Prep loss

I want to acknowledge the horrific tragedy that occurred in Andover yesterday, and extend our deepest sympathy to that community and to all who are affected by the devastating news about the Robinson family. We offer our sincere condolences to our friends and are mourning the loss of sixthgrade student Sebastian. Knowing that there are many connections to the Prep here in Marblehead, our schools are prepared to provide support to students and families through their grief.

Marblehead Counseling Center

We have a wonderful working relationship with the Marblehead Counseling Center. Recently, the Social Services Coordinator, Teri

McDonough, shared some important information regarding significant changes to MassHealth and SNAP. See this column on the Current website for a link to a flier, which outlines the impending changes.

100 days and counting

There are even more reasons to “love school” this February. As the calendar falls this year, the 100th day of school and Valentine’s Day will coincide on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

As I have shared many times, one of the best parts of being the superintendent is getting out in schools and classrooms and engaging with our students. As we acknowledge the first 100 days of education for this academic year, I look forward to celebrating this academic-year milestone with our students and their teachers.

I hope our families will find creative ways to engage at home as well.

MHS artists recognized

Speaking of celebrating, students in the Marblehead High School Art Department once again achieved honorable and deserving accolades from the Regional Scholastic Art Awards!

The jury for these awards looks for work that demonstrates originality, technical skill and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. The attached pdf includes the work of the winners!

The Silver and Gold Key winners will have their artwork displayed in a gallery at Tufts University in March. Gold Key winners will also be entered into the National Scholastic Competition!

Please join us in congratulating and celebrating these talented artists.

MHS principal search update

Marblehead Educators Association selected their four representatives this week for the Search Committee. I am including a working draft of the timeline and complete Search Committee outline.

6:30

9 a.m., Mike Paige Doodle Club

9:30 a.m., What’s Cookin’

10 a.m., Valda’s Seeds of Life

10:30 a.m., Battleship Cove: Inside the History

11 a.m., The Garage with Steve Butler

11:30 a.m., Smart Boating Noon, ‘Headliner — The News of Marblehead

12:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners

1 p.m., MHS Sports on MHTV Replay Boys Basketball vs. Peabody

2:30

We have had robust interest in the parent and student representative positions. I will be making those appointments based on the interest statements provided next week and will announce the final committee next Friday in the Update. My goal is to have as diverse representation among parents and students as possible providing a voice to all stakeholders — academics, athletics, the arts and co-curriculars.

There are many reasons to love next week — Valentine’s Day and the week before our February vacation. We are not in session Feb. 20-24. Enjoy a much-needed break. We will not have an Update next Friday.

1

1:30

“Lucretia and Joseph Brown – The Real Story”

4:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners

5 p.m., Get Healthy with Holly

5:30 p.m., Valda’s Seeds of Life

6 p.m., IMAGINATION Artist Profiles

6:30 p.m., ‘Headliner — The News of Marblehead

7 p.m., Up For Discussion

7:30 p.m., MHS Sports on MHTV Girls Basketball vs. Swampscott

9 p.m., ‘Headliner — The News of Marblehead

9:30 p.m., Portrait Presentation to the Lucretia and Joseph Brown School

10:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners

TUESDAY, FEB. 21

8 a.m., Democracy Now!

9 a.m., ‘Headliner — The News of Marblehead

9:30 a.m., Public Safety Roundtable

10 a.m., Knowledgeable

Aging

10:30 a.m., Ooma’s Cookie

Jar

11 a.m., MHTV Community Partners

Noon, ‘Headliner — The News