Peabody Back To School Guide For 2018-19

PEABODY, MA -- Kids in grades 1-12 return to school in Peabody on Wednesday, Sept. 5, with kindergarteners and preschoolers starting on Tuesday, Sept. 11. Schools will be closed on Monday, Sept. 10 in observance of Rosh Hashanah.

There's a new superintendent heading the school system, but she offers a familiar face. Cara Murtagh, who was selected over four other candidates in November, was previously the assistant superintendent. Her father, John "Jack" Murtagh, was principal of the Kiley School for 23 years. Previously, she had spent eight years as an elementary school principal.

The district has an enrollment of 5.976 students. In addition the Peabody Veterans Memorial High School and the Higgins Middle School, there are eight elementary schools in the district.

Peabody Public Schools will hold screening for incoming kindergarteners on Sept. 5 and 6 at the elementary schools. Contact your child's school for exact times and locations. The screening also gives parents a chance to meet PTO members and sign-up for school events.

The district has plenty of information available on its Website for students and parents, including:

• Elementary School supply lists
• Bus schedules and routes
• Lunch menus on the food services section of the Website.

There are no major changes in the physical facilities of the school district this year, but the high school did get some new signage over the summer:

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Patch file photo via Shutterstock.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).