Peabody School Marks 125th Anniversary

From the St. John the Baptist School:

October 25 2019

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL’S 125TH ANNIVERSARY GALA DRAWS 260

Event Honored Long Time Teacher Carol Isles, Pastor Father John MacInnis and Peabody Mayor Edward Bettncourt Jr., all While Raising Over $55,000 for New STEAM Lab

Peabody, MA – On Friday, October 18th the board of directors and administration of St. John the Baptist School celebrated 125 years of catholic education. The event held at the Holy Ghost Society in Peabody was attended by over 260 supporters and honored three instrumental figures in the schools century plus history; Carol Isles, a kindergarten teacher at the school for forty-four years for excellence in education; Father John MacInnis, Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish and school for spirit and faith; and the Honorable Edward Bettencourt, Jr., Mayor of Peabody, with the Distinguished Alumni Award.

The Celebration and Awards Dinner raised over $55,000, which includes a $25,000 matching grant from the JB Thomas Foundation, to transform the current school library into a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math Makerspace Lab. This modern-day learning lab will meet the unique needs of today’s learner all while providing new educational opportunities and programs. The lead corporate sponsors for the event were Luso American Credit Union, Dinis Electric, and The JTS Foundation. In total the event was supported by forty generous sponsors.

Maureen Kelleher, Principal of St. John the Baptist School said “I am humbled and so very grateful for the outpouring support for our school. The generosity of those who made donations, sponsored, and attended the event for the benefit of our children affirms my belief in the mission of catholic education, which is dedicated to providing a quality Catholic education that encourages its community to be life-long learners and leaders, to live their faith with high moral standards, and to grow academically, spiritually, and socially.

Our school community is strong and vibrant and I look forward to seeing our students in their new STEAM Lab later this year.”

“I was the benefactor of the benevolence of prior generations of supporters of St. John’s School,” said alumnus and current school board president Sergio Costa. “To ensure the future vitality of our school is critical and doing so all while recognizing three special people in Mrs. Isles, Father John, and Mayor Bettencourt made it all the more special. I am excited to open the STEAM Lab and welcome all those who supported this event and our school so they can see firsthand, their support in action.”

This press release was produced by St. John the Baptist School . The views expressed here are the author’s own.