Tag: Education

Join the Sawyer Free Library for the Relaunch of the Gloucester Lyceum

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 ~ Sawyer Free Library ~ 

Placemaking: Our Library In Our Community with Ethan Kent

The Sawyer Free Library will officially relaunch the Gloucester Lyceum with a special event, Placemaking: Our Library In Our Community, featuring internationally renowned placemaking leader Ethan Kent, Executive Director of PlacemakingX.

The program will be held Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Sawyer Free Library’s Community Room, 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester. Free and open to the public, registration is required at sawyerfreelibrary.org. Space is limited.

The program will begin with remarks by Mr. Kent, followed by interactive conversations with fellow attendees throughout the various spaces of the newly renovated, expanded, and modernized Sawyer Free Library. The perspectives shared in these dialogues will inspire closing insights from Mr. Kent, allowing participants to reflect on how Gloucester can continue to build meaningful, inclusive spaces—starting with its newly reimagined Library.

“Placemaking is about strengthening the connection between people and the places they share,” said Ethan Kent. “It’s about making the spaces we live, the places we love.”

The Gloucester Lyceum: A Tradition Renewed

Founded in 1830, the Gloucester Lyceum once brought thought leaders such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau to Cape Ann. Today, the Sawyer Free Library’s relaunch builds on this proud tradition, offering marquee programs that bring contemporary voices into dialogue with the community.

“The relaunch of the Gloucester Lyceum is about renewing a proud tradition of bringing people together for public discourse within a collaborative forum. True to the notion that a lyceum is “where the city comes to think,” we are honored to welcome Ethan Kent as our first speaker in this new chapter. His work around the world embodies the very spirit of community dialogue and imagination that we hope to cultivate right here in Gloucester,” said Laura Ventimiglia, Chair of the Gloucester Lyceum. 

“Welcoming Ethan Kent to Gloucester to help relaunch our historic Lyceum is both timely and inspiring,” added Mern Sibley, President of the Board of Trustees of the Sawyer Free Library. “Our newly reimagined Library is the hub of the community—offering so much to so many. Ethan’s work demonstrates how meaningful public spaces can bring people together, foster belonging, and strengthen communities.”

About the Sawyer Free Library

For nearly 200 years, the Sawyer Free Library has served Gloucester as a hub of culture, learning, and civic life. Its newly renovated and expanded building continues this mission, providing equal access to resources and programs that support the community’s evolving needs.

For more information and to register for this special evening, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org. Space is limited, so register today!

Help Build Gloucester’s Future Today

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 ~ Sawyer Free Library

2025 Sawyer Free Library 🌸 Spring Appeal

The future of the Sawyer Free Library is rising on Dale Avenue—and it’s breathtaking. On schedule and on budget, our modernized library is nearly complete and set to open its doors to the Gloucester community this fall!

This transformation is about more than a building. It’s about what happens inside, and every floor tells a story of inclusion and innovation.

On the Ground Floor

  • A cutting-edge Digital Learning Lab 💻
  • A Local History Research Center with an 85” interactive display and digital archive
  • A 100-seat Community Room for performances, workshops, and forums

On the First Floor

  • A warm, inviting Reading Lounge and expanded collection 📚
  • A Quiet Room for focused study and reflection
  • A newly expanded Matz Gallery showcasing Cape Ann’s artistic talent 🖼

On the Second Floor – 9,500 square feet devoted to Young Minds

  • A Light-Filled Children’s Room
  • An Early Learning Center supporting literacy from the start
  • A Creative Program Room for hands-on exploration
  • Gloucester’s only dedicated Teen Space and Creation Studio

We’re building more than a library—we’re creating a future where knowledge, equity, and opportunity can thrive. This is a library for everyone: every age, every voice, every dreamer. But we’re not quite there yet.

To everyone who has supported the Sawyer Free Library project—thank you. Your generosity has brought us this far, and we’re proud of what we’ve built together. Now, as we prepare to open the doors, we invite you to help us complete this transformational project by donating to the 2025 Sawyer Free Library 🌸 Spring Appeal.

💛 Let’s Finish This Together
Your gift will help turn this shared vision into reality. It’s an investment in Gloucester’s wellbeing, culture, and future. Please consider donating today at 2025.sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Whether you’ve already contributed, are considering an additional gift, or are giving for the first time—your support matters.

Together, let’s build a space where ideas grow, stories are shared, ​and our community shines! ☀️

Help Build Gloucester’s Future Today

What Are Your 1st-8th Graders Doing During School Vacations This Year? Don’t Miss Out!

Posted on by Nichole S.

How do week long Experience Weeks that engage in and develop critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity sound?

Check out the Experience Weeks being offered below.

Harborlight Montessori, conveniently located in Beverly, is opening their doors to non-enrolled students, Grades 1-8, to join them during their newly designed Experience Weeks.  These weeks are scheduled during February, March, April, and June school vacation weeks to supplement Harborlight’s rich curriculum and provide non-enrolled students opportunities to experience learning with us.

You can also come learn more about these weeks TOMORROW morning at 8:45 on Harborlight’s campus at 243 Essex Street, Beverly

Please note that the June Presidential Traverse with the Appalachian Mountain Club is for Harborlight students only.

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Learn all about these EXPERIENCE WEEKS here

If you are interested in joining us please email info@harborlight.net 

 

Dr. Yun Ling Lee presents “Women in STEM” tomorrow at O’Maley Innovation Middle School

Posted on by Catherine

Another great event in Gloucester, Mass. tomorrow: Dr. Jung Lin Lee to present and discuss “Women in STEM” April 26 O’Maley Innovation Middle School

April 26 2018 OMaley Women in STEM

THE HISTORY OF WOMEN IN POLITICS – Come join us !

Posted on by Craig Kimberley

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Eastern Point Day School – Now Enrolling

Posted on by Manuel F. Simoes

Clyde Gillard Trustee seen here from Eastern Point Day School.

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Gillian isn’t sick, she’s a dancer!

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Joey’s choice to post Benjamin’s Carson brilliant speech (see this post) reminded me of how much I love a good speech.  It’s like a good song.  Here’s one of my favorites — an equally brilliant speech by Ken Robinson, who asks, at TED conference, “Do schools kill creativity?”  His answer is “We are educated out of creativity.”  This one will make you laugh & wonder just like Dr. Carson’s speech does.  So as we did yesterday, we urge you to watch it to the end — and we urge every parent, student, teacher and most especially the School Committee, Jason Grow & Peter Dolan to watch.  If you really think you don’t have 20 minutes, at least catch his story about world renowned coreographer Gillain Lynne (Cats, Phantom of the Opera, etc.).  It starts at 15:15

After you watch the video, take Sir Ken’s advice and let your kids enjoy some of Cape Ann’s most creative people tonight.  Lots of excellent choices with many of our favorites — all starting early enough to take the kids.  See the complete live music schedule here.

Community Service Open House at GCA Charter School Next Sat, Nov 17

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Gloucester Community Arts Charter School  –  Saturday School/Open House

Students and parents interested in GCA are welcome to come to the Saturday School/Open House 8 am- 12 pm next Saturday, November 17, 2012.

Students now attending GCA will be attending their choice of classes based on the theme of “Community Service.” The day will start with Morning Meeting and a discussion of types of global and local community service. Classes will include:

  • a Dance-athon with proceeds going to a worthy cause
  • writing letters to servicemen and women to be sent with baskets of appreciation
  • designing and decorating clothing to be donated to those in need

The Student Leadership Team will run a project to provide aid for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Parents are invited to attend the next in our series of special workshops, focusing this time on how to support their children in learning math. During the first workshop, parents participated in a very compelling and helpful workshop on bullying.

It’s helpful, but not necessary, to let us know if you plan to attend, but you are always welcome. We hope to see you on Saturday November 17.

For more information – send an email or call / 978-283–0832