Peabody Schools To Launch Mental Wellness Program With $30K Donation

PEABODY, MA — Peabody Public Schools will launch a new mental health initiative through the Peabody Education Foundation and a $30,000 donation from North Shore Bank.

This innovative program is designed to provide students with essential tools to support their mental health, build resilience, and foster a strong sense of belonging.

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Through the work of Peabody PROMISE, parents, staff, and community members identified the Wayfinder curriculum as a comprehensive PreK–12 curriculum for students, staff, and families.

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"We believe that every child deserves to feel supported, connected, and empowered to thrive, both in and out of the classroom," said David Gravel, President & Chairman of the Peabody Education Foundation. "Wayfinder is a research-backed program that aligns perfectly with our mission to nurture the whole child."

Wayfinder is a PreK–12 curriculum developed at Stanford University's K12 Lab that equips students with durable, future-ready skills such as self-awareness, empathy, collaboration, adaptability, and purpose.

Through engaging lessons and activities, Wayfinder is geared to help students:

• Build a sense of belonging and community
• Develop self-confidence and emotional intelligence
• Strengthen communication and conflict resolution skills
• Learn strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and social challenges
• Foster leadership and agency for lifelong success

Wayfinder's curriculum includes:

• Core lessons tailored by grade level, with 20 lessons per year for elementary students (15–20 minutes each), 26 lessons per year for middle school students (30 minutes each), and 21 lessons per year for high school students (30 minutes each)
• Activity libraries and collections on topics like anti-bullying, digital citizenship, and mental health
• Assessment tools for tracking student well-being and growth
• Support for all students, including small group and individual interventions for those who need extra help

Wayfinder is used in hundreds of school districts globally and says it has demonstrated positive outcomes:

• 88% of educators report more meaningful conversations with students about their futures
• 85% see improved classroom behavior
• 3 in 4 notice increased positive collaboration among students

“On behalf of the Peabody Public Schools community, we are extremely grateful for the generosity of North Shore Bank and the unwavering support and advocacy from the Peabody Education Foundation," said Peabody Superintendent Josh Vadala.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)