MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — Superintendent Pam Beaudoin has announced that Heather Leonard has been selected as the new Director of Curriculum and Instructional Technology for the Manchester Essex Regional School District.

Leonard comes to the district with deep knowledge and passion for supporting learning and teaching in both students and staff. She will begin her new role on July 1.

Leonard currently serves as the STEM Curriculum Coordinator for Reading Public Schools since 2018. She also worked as Grant Director and Title Facilitator and as Principal of Barrows Elementary School for the Reading School District.

“It is our responsibility as educators to consider access, experience, and outcome through many lenses so that we may ensure all students and members of our school community feel a sense of belonging and have equitable opportunities for success,” said Leonard. “I have come to understand that it is my responsibility as a leader to provide a vision for our schools, support teachers (our best resources!) in sharing their knowledge and skills with their peers, and create conditions that allow schools to focus on the primary tasks of teaching and learning. I strive to maintain a focus on learning and teaching while keeping the student at the center of every conversation and decision.”

Leonard holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She began her career as an educator at Gloucester Public Schools, where she worked as an after-school program coordinator, Grade 6 teacher, and then as the Middle School Assistant Principal until 2010. She then served as the Elementary School Assistant Principal at Triton Regional Schools until 2013 before transitioning to her roles in Reading.

“We are excited to bring Heather’s comprehensive experiences in education to this position with opportunities for cross-discipline and vertical integration,” said Superintendent Beaudoin. “All of us believe she will be a great addition to our community!”

MANCHESTER – Manchester Essex Middle School students participated in a dodgeball tournament and raised more than $2,000 for a local family that lost their home to a fire in early February.

The fundraiser took place onFeb. 16 at Manchester Essex Middle School to close out the school day and was open to all students.

On a frigid day in the beginning of February, an Essex family of seven was faced with the unimaginable, a sweeping fire blazing through their home.

With temperatures in the low 30’s and a wind speed of 14 mph, fire departments and mutual aid crews worked tirelessly to control the flames but were unable to salvage the property.

Ultimately, the family’s two-story home burned down. Thankfully no one was hurt, but the home was a total loss.

When the students and faculty at Manchester Essex Middle School heard that a fire left one of their classmates homeless, they jumped into action.

Students, teachers, and faculty worked to coordinate a school-wide dodgeball game to raise money to purchase clothing and personal items.

“This event served not only as a fundraiser, but as a much-needed opportunity for community building as well,” said teacher Janda Ricci-Munn, who facilitated the event with teacher Cori Krajewski. “We are extremely proud of our students. They showed compassion and embodied our core values here at Manchester Essex. They are consistently helping others every day and when they had an opportunity to help their classmate and her family on a larger scale they didn’t think twice about getting to work.”

The dodgeball games started with grade-level tournaments, and students teamed up and faced off on two courts. The winning teams advanced to the final round.

In the afternoon, a select group of students from the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades faced off against the middle school teaching staff for a full-court dodgeball game. The teachers were no match and students took home the title of champion.

Students and faculty raised $2,200 that went directly to the family, who have received an outpouring of support from the Manchester and Essex communities.

“We at Manchester Essex are committed to helping our community at large and we are proud of our students for coming together to make a difference,” said Principal Maino. “I would like to thank Ms. Krajewski and Mr. Ricci-Munn for their help in coordinating this supportive event. We are a strong community.”