School Committee Newsletter

As winter break approaches, the School Committee extends our warmest wishes and gratitude for your continued support of learning. We hope you have had the chance to experience the joy of the season; we are especially grateful for the recent musical productions and events throughout the grade levels. Our wish is that the upcoming break provides you time for rest and renewal, and allows all to return refreshed and ready to embrace the opportunities that await in 2025.

Best,

Dianna Freehan, Chair, on behalf of the Ipswich School Committee:

Jen Donahue, Vice-Chair

Kate Eliot

Jenny Connolly

Mat Perry

Sasha Sopic

Haley Rist

We have exciting news to share: last week the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) voted to invite Ipswich into the Eligibility Period, the first of several steps in obtaining state funding assistance for a new elementary school building.

This is an incredible opportunity for Ipswich. Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to our town’s future. We look forward to your continued input as we partner with the MSBA to ensure the best outcome for our students.

Several of our teachers and students have recently been trained on Restorative Justice, a powerful approach to discipline that emphasizes healing and rebuilding relationships rather than punishment. Restorative Justice encourages students to understand the impact of their actions, take responsibility, and actively participate in the healing process.

We invite families to get involved; you can ask "What do you think happens when someone in school makes a mistake or hurts someone's feelings? How do you think they should make things right?"

To learn more about restorative justice and how it can benefit our community, please visit Suffolk University’s Center for Restorative Justice. We can work together to create a safer, more empathetic school environment for all.

Congratulations to all our student athletes and teams in a successful fall season

• CAL - Baker Division Champions: Volleyball

• CAL - Baker Division Sportsmanship: Girls Cross Country; Football

• MIAA D4 - Final Four Champions: Volleyball

• MIAA D4 - State Champions: Volleyball

• CAL - Baker Division Player of the Year: Abbie Allen - Field Hockey, Addison Pillis - Volleyball

• CAL - Baker Division Coach of the Year: Nikki Pignone - Field Hockey

• MIAA/MAVCA D4 Volleyball Tournament MVP: Alex Marino

• MIAA/MAVCA D4 Tournament All-Tournament Team: Frannie Hertz & Avery Brown

Girls Cross Country:

• 1st Team All-Star: Lucy Winthrop

Field Hockey:

• 1st Team All-Star: Abbie Allen

• 2nd Team All-Star: Bella Bruno, Maddie Hanson, Jayne Krause

Football:

• 1st Team All-Star: Massimo Pinsky

• 2nd Team All-Star: Will Gromko, Luke Wile

Golf:

• 1st Team All-Star: Connor Wright

• 2nd Team All-Star: Samir Harb

Boys Soccer:

• 1st Team All-Star: Ned Buletza, Spencer McDavitt

• 2nd Team All-Star: Zane Norton, Darwin Ramirez

Girls Soccer:

• 2nd Team All-Star: Lily Harper, Asuka Keough

Volleyball:

• 1st Team All-Star: Claire Buletza, Addison Pillis

• 2nd Team All-Star: Emily Hannibal, Alex Marino

• The School Committee approved additions to the Middle School Handbook.

• Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Group provided an update on potential safety improvement projects for students that walk or bike to school. They are prioritizing these projects in partnership with the school and town, and will pursue opportunities for state funding assistance.

• The School Committee toured Swampscott Elementary school as part of our research in advance of our own elementary school building project. We’ll share more information in our January newsletter.

• Monday, December 23rd to Wednesday, January 1st - No School - Winter Break

• Thursday, January 16th - School Committee Meeting - 7pm in the Middle/High School Ensemble Room and online

• Monday, January 20th - No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Continue to stay up to date on district events and school committee news by following Ipswich School Committee on Facebook and Instagram.