~ Excellence in the EPS ~

McCourty gives priceless advice to EHS students – Patriots great takes part in 2024 Financial Literacy Fair

When former New England Patriots great Devin McCourty served as the featured speaker at Everett High School’s Financial Literacy Fair, he proved as adept at delivering an important message to students as he had been at intercepting errant passes. “I could not have been more impressed with Mr. McCourty’s message, communication skills, and relatability,” said Superintendent William Hart. “He spoke with passion and intelligence in helping us emphasize financial literacy among our high school students.”

The fair was a collaborative effort between Everett High School (EHS) and Stickball, a technology platform that fosters financial literacy and workforce readiness. The event, which was held on April 24, 2024, showcased the school’s dedication to empowering students by providing them with crucial financial skills.

McCourty spoke to EHS students inside the Center for the Performing Arts. State Senator Sal DiDomenico and State Representative Joseph McGonagle joined Superintendent Hart and EHS Principal Dennis Lynch in welcoming McCourty to Everett. EHS Math Department Chair David Babineau organized the Financial Literacy Fair; EHS Social Studies Teacher Carolynn MacWilliam had the honor of introducing McCourty, a three-time Super Bowl winner bound for the Patriots Hall of Fame.

McCourty’s address and question-and-answer session helped hammer home important financial concepts and skills, such as budgeting, saving and investing. The current NBC Sports personality is an advisor to Stickball, which offers its users innovative and interactive financial literacy tools and lessons.

“Financial literacy is crucial for our youth to succeed in today’s economy,” said Sen. DiDomenico. “I am proud to see Everett High School partnering with Stickball to educate their students on these important skills.”

McCourty spoke candidly about the time and effort he devoted to learning how to make smart, long-term financial decisions. He implored the students to seek good advice and ask questions. He wisely cautioned the students that “good intentions are not necessarily the same as good financial planning.”

He added, “I wish I had somebody come to me in 2010 when I got drafted talking about financial literacy…when I was growing up, we didn’t have classes for financial literacy or tools like Stickball.”

Beginning in April, EHS students received access to the Stickball financial literacy app, which has interactive lessons and personalized guidance that boost financial literacy. As the students complete modules on the Stickball app, they are entered into a raffle to win items signed by McCourty on April 24.

At the Parlin School seventh-graders go green for Earth Day

Thanks to Parlin School seventh-grade Science Teacher Madison Murphy for sharing these photos from Earth Day on April 22, 2024. Students were given a small planter and seeds with the aim of doing something “Green” for the planet. During class, the students learned about how to plant the seeds and why planting is so important for our community and Earth!

World Autism Acceptance Month – T-shirt fundraiser a huge success

EPS recently completed a T-shirt fundraiser on behalf of The Wicked AUsome Project in recognition of World Autism Acceptance Month. EHS Athletic Director Tammy Turner led the effort, and EPS staff members enthusiastically showed their support by buying the T-shirts and wearing them on Friday, April 26. Pictured above are members of the Vine Street team and teachers and administrators from the Whittier School.

According to The Wicked AUsome Project’s website, it “aims to make the world a better place by encouraging all to Embrace Their AUsome!! Our goal is to provide and support social and recreational opportunities for individuals on the Autism Spectrum within the community of Woburn, MA. We also support the Best Buddies program at our schools. This is a peer-buddy program that promotes acceptance, understanding and inclusion. The program helps students … develop new friendships, enhance personal growth and [have] a deeper understanding that each and every one of us is AUsome in our own way.”

EHS Theatre Company students and staff recognized by the School Committee

EHS Theatre Company members were publicly recognized by Ward 5 School Committee Member Marcony Barros and his colleagues during the April 23 School Committee Meeting. Under the direction of Artistic Director Evan DeMarzo, the Company reached the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild (METG) Drama Festival Finals for the first time in more than 70 years, earning accolades and awards for their performance of “Augusta and Noble.”

Director DeMarzo and student-actors Gabriellie DeGouveia and Gianna Rodriguez-Sanchez all spoke with eloquence and passion about the play. Written by Carlos Murillo, “Augusta and Noble” is the coming-of-age story of Gabi Castillo, who lives in a vibrant Latino community in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago. Gabi is a new student at Northside College Prep, where she is quickly exposed to new people and possibilities.

EPS receives national recognition for music education; district honored by NAMM for the third time

EPS has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation by the NAMM Foundation (a supporting organization of the National Association of Music Merchants) for its outstanding commitment to music education. Now in its 25th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, the EPS Music Department provided answers to detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

“This is the third time the EPS has received this designation, which is a testament to the consistently high level of excellence our music educators and students display in the classroom, during performances, in competitions, and at community events,” said Superintendent Hart. “It is an honor to be recognized by NAMM, and to fulfill the promise and potential a comprehensive music program offers to students.”

Reportedly, research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. After two years of music education, researchers found, participants showed substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and in reading scores and that students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate from high school but also to attend college. Social benefits include teamwork skills and how to give and receive constructive criticism.

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 15,000 global member companies and individual professionals worldwide. The foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more information about the NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.