Essex Elementary Students All Smiles at 16th Annual Happy As A Clam Fun Dash and 5K

The annual Happy As A Clam Fun Dash and 5K kicks off its 16th year at Essex Elementary. (Photo Courtesy Manchester Essex Regional School District via Friends of Essex Elementary)

 

Superintendent Pam Beaudoin and Principal Kimberly Provost are pleased to share that Essex Elementary students recently participated in the 16th annual Happy As A Clam Fun Dash and 5K, kicking off the first month of the new school year with fitness and fun.

The Friends of Essex Elementary School recently hosted this year's event on Friday, Sept. 12. More than 100 students took part in either the fun dashes or 5K, with support from staff and parents who lined the course to cheer them on.

The event featured the Shucky the Clam mascot and a variety of food trucks, including The Lunch Lady and Whoo(pie) Wagon. Bay State Race Services assisted with course organization and timing.

Each student received a commemorative T-shirt and had the opportunity to run either the 5K or the fun run. Prizes were awarded to the female and male first-place finishers of the 5K as well as the overall winning team. Winners included Michael Watson of North Andover and Kimberly Fitzgerald of Fairbanks, who each received a $100 gift card, and Team Notch North, Michael Watson, Alex Trotsky and Dan Chruniak, that received a $200 gift card.

First-grade students in Mrs. Dwyer's class also proudly earned the coveted Clam Cup for having the highest participation in the Fun Dash.

The purpose of the event is to bring students, families, and staff together while promoting wellness, school spirit, and outdoor activity.

This year's event was made possible thanks to support from local sponsors, including Buckley Tree Care, Beauport Ambulance Service Inc., Trionic Group, Jungle, Red Barn Architecture, Coating Systems Inc., Ashley Fuel Inc., Body Builders Inc., Lahey Health, Pediatric Health Care Associates, Boston Children's Primary Alliance, Downriver Ice Cream, Ramsey Marine & Dock, Essex County OB/GYN, C.K. Pearl, The James Pub & Provisions, Barn Dog, YMCA, and Crockers Boat Yard.

"Thank you to the Friends of Essex Elementary School for organizing such a fantastic event and to everyone who came out to run, dash, or cheer — we’re already looking forward to next year," said Principal Provost.

 

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Essex Elementary students, parents, and volunteers participate in the District's 16th Annual Happy As A Clam 5K. (Photo Courtesy Manchester Essex Regional School District via Friends of Essex Elementary)

Essex Elementary students give the event mascot, Shucky the Clam, a hug during this year's Happy As A Clam Fun Dash and 5K. (Photo Courtesy Manchester Essex Regional School District via Friends of Essex Elementary)

Students start their fun dash at the 16th Annual Happy As A Clam race. (Photo Courtesy Manchester Essex Regional School District via Friends of Essex Elementary)

Two elementary students head to the starting line of the Essex Elementary Happy As A Clam Fun Dash. (Photo Courtesy Manchester Essex Regional School District via Friends of Essex Elementary)

JCJ Architecture Selected to Design Essex Elementary School Project

The Manchester Essex Regional School District shares that JCJ Architecture has been selected as designer for the Essex Elementary School project.

JCJ has an extensive portfolio of K-12 and higher education projects from across the country and it designed Manchester Memorial Elementary School, which opened in 2023.

The  Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Designer Selection Panel interviewed three firms on Aug. 12. The panel includes design and construction experts, as well as local district representation, and it is charged with ensuring new schools are well-designed and encourage 21st century teaching and student learning.

JCJ emerged as the top-ranked firm.

“The collaborative vision created for Manchester Memorial resulted in a school that our entire community is proud of,” said Superintendent Pam Beaudoin. “JCJ brings strong knowledge of the Manchester Essex District, and we look forward to continuing this partnership while  reimagining an Essex Elementary School that fully meets the needs of students and staff.”

Consultants Habeeb & Associates developed a needs assessment of both Essex Elementary and Manchester Essex Middle High School in 2022. The study identified that Essex Elementary, which opened in 1957, has passed its functional life and requires about $9 million in capital investment.

MSBA oversees school construction projects. It admitted Essex Elementary into its building program in 2023, identifying the school as nearly out of options to address long-term structural and operational issues.

JCJ will work with Dore + Whittier, the Owner’s Project Manager, to study areas including Essex Elementary’s existing conditions and site layout, wetlands delineation, environmental impact, and traffic impact. It also will assist in identifying other potential building sites and developing preliminary cost estimates.

Information gathered will be used to develop options for consideration, including whether to build a new school or renovate/expand the existing building. The District, School Building Committee, JCJ, and Dore + Whittier will work with the MSBA team to ensure the project is fiscally and educationally sound, meets the needs of students and staff, and reflects the school community’s wishes for equity, adaptability, and sustainability.

For more information, visit the Essex Elementary School Building Project website.

For a full overview of phases as part of the MSBA process, click here.

Welcome Back To School 2025-2026!

MERSD Newsletter End of Year 2025

MERMS Grade 8 Civics Students Present Projects at State Civics Showcase

Superintendent Pam Beaudoin and Principal Joanne Maino are pleased to share that two groups of Grade 8 students from Manchester Essex Regional Middle School (MERMS) attended and presented projects at the State Civics Showcase at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston on June 6.

Each spring, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) celebrates the work of civics students in Grades 8-12 across the state. Through "science fair-style" showcases, students have the opportunity to share their civics projects with local community advisors and each other, receive feedback on their work, and be recognized for their civic engagement.

MERMS students Kaitelin Aloi, Kendall Shanks, and Erika Kozyrev — who have been working on their projects since the spring — attended the event.

Aloi's project focused on loneliness in the senior population and the subsequent negative emotional and health effects. As part of her project, she reached out to the Manchester Council on Aging and organized an event at her church where young people colored seashells with seniors.

Shanks and Kozyrev researched the detrimental effects of fast fashion on our environment.  They raised awareness of the issue through social media and created a petition to show support for their policy goal of getting sustainable fashion companies tax incentives. They also reached out to Rep. Tram T. Nguyen to support her work to pass legislation to reduce fast fashion in our society.

Keynote speakers at the event included Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler and former state legislator Adam Hines. 

All students had the opportunity to present their Student-Led Civics Projects at MERMS’s Local Civics Fair on June 12th, which was hosted by their Civics Teacher, Joan McWhorter.

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From left, MERMS Civics Teacher Joan McWhorter, and Grade 8 students Katelin Aloi, Erika Kozyrev and Kendall Shanks. (Photo Courtesy Manchester Essex Regional School District)

Manchester Essex Regional Middle School students present their Civics Action Projects during the State Civics Showcase. (Photo Courtesy Manchester Essex Regional School District)

Grade 8 students Erika Kozyrev (left) and Kendall Shanks present their Civics Action Project on the detrimental effects of fast fashion on our environment. (Photo Courtesy Manchester Essex Regional School District)

Grade 8 student Kaitelin Aloi presents her project on loneliness in the senior population and the subsequent negative emotional and health effects. (Photo Courtesy Manchester Essex Regional School District)

MERSD Celebrates Seven Students Being Named North Shore Chamber of Commerce Honor Scholars

From left: Whitney Turner, Brigid Carovillano, Summer Demeo, Stella Straub, Jack Cummins, Josh Cohenm (not pictured: Charlie Langendorf) receive their Honor Scholar awards at the Honor Scholars Dinner. (Photo Courtesy Manchester Essex Regional School District). 

Superintendent Pam Beaudoin and Principal Julie Sgroi are pleased to share that seven Manchester Essex Regional High School (MERHS) students were named North Shore Chamber of Commerce 2025 Honor Scholars. 

Honor Scholars represent the top 5% of students in the graduating classes of public and private high schools on the North Shore. 

This year, almost 350 students from more than 30 high schools were selected for this recognition. Seven of those students were from MERHS: Bridgid Carovillano, Josh Cohen, Jack Cummins, Summer Demeo, Charlie Langendorf, Stella Straub, and Whitney Turner.

The students were recognized and celebrated for their achievements during the North Shore Chamber’s Honor Scholars Recognition Dinner on Thursday, May 15. At the dinner, each student is presented with a certificate and is recognized by name on stage. 

“We are incredibly proud to have several students recognized for their commitment to academic excellence, which they have worked toward for the entirety of their high school careers,” said Principal Sgroi. “We are confident that these students will continue to excel after they graduate from MERHS, and we wish them the best of luck in their futures.”

“Congratulations to each of these incredibly deserving students on this wonderful accomplishment,” said Superintendent Beaudoin. “We are proud to create an educational environment where our students can thrive academically, and the achievement of these students is a further testament to the excellence of our students, community, staff and faculty.” 

One More Critical Step to Approve the MERSD Budget

Thank you to the residents of Manchester and Essex for supporting the FY26 MERSD Budget at your Town Meetings. With Town Meeting approval complete, the final step is voter approval in Essex.

Override Ballot Vote – Essex

🗳 Election Day: May 12
🕖 Polls Open: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Essex Public Safety Facility

MERSD’s success is a community effort.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and schools.

 

For More Information Visit

MERSD Budget & Finance Page

MERSD Budget FAQ

MERSD District Newsletter