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East Veterans' Elementary School is the Choice
The Gloucester School Committee chose East Veterans’ Elementary School as the name of the new combined East Gloucester/Veterans School that is on track to be completed in the summer of 2023.
On Oct. 26, the School Committee members voted to name the new school that is currently under construction on Webster Street as East Veterans’ Elementary School.
In a nod to both of the longstanding school communities and their school names, the School Committee voted for East Veterans' Elementary School. Committee members deliberated over the need to recognize and honor both schools' names and traditions, the importance of bringing the two school communities together, and whether a brand new name would help launch a fresh start for the combined school communities.
School Committee member Bill Melvin said he liked the fact East Veterans’ utilizes parts of both names of the schools that are merging. He stressed the importance of recognizing the commitment and sacrifice of the veterans who come from Gloucester.
The School Committee reiterated its commitment to honor Private Joseph S. Mattos by continuing to have the school playground named after him. The memorial and flag that honor Private Mattos will remain where they have been.
Per the School Committee’s adopted process, a Nominations Committee followed an inclusive process that solicited public input for what to call the combined East Gloucester/Veterans School.
A Nominations Committee made up of students, teachers and the principals of East Gloucester Elementary School and Veterans Memorial Elementary School reviewed more than 50 unique names the public submitted as suggestions for the name of the new school.
The Nominations Committee first trimmed the list to 10 semifinalists that were presented to the School Committee for consideration. East Veterans Elementary School was one of four finalists for a school name that came out of this community-based process.
What Were the Finalists?
Four finalists had been selected to be the name of the new combined East Gloucester/Veterans School.
At the Sept. 28 School Committee meeting, the Nominations Committee made up of students, teachers and the principals of East Gloucester Elementary School and Veterans Memorial Elementary School announced the finalists.
East Veterans' Elementary School
First Light Elementary School
Fishermen’s Memorial Elementary School
Seaside Elementary School
To learn more about the school project and naming process, go to https://egsvetsbuilding.gloucesterschools.com/
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Our students have been doing a fabulous job leading the naming process. Follow the links below to view their presentation to the School Committee
Recording of our Student Nominations Committee presenting the Semifinalists - start viewing at 5:00 minutes
Read the full summary of the Naming Process for Gloucester's new school.
Bringing Two Communities Together
The merging of Veterans' and East Gloucester Schools comes with an opportunity to identify a new name that will will reflect and honor the history of both schools and help bring together two distinct and long standing school communities.
The School Committee has approved a transparent process that was organized by the student-led Nominations Committee.
For more information on the complete process, please go here.
Please note that the School Committee voted in December 2021 to not name the school after an individual. No names of individuals will be considered for the school.
Semifinalists Announced on Aug. 28
The student-led Nominations Committee reviewed more than 50 unique names the public submitted as suggestions to call the merged East Gloucester and Veterans School.
They met with alumni from East Gloucester and Veterans' and the City's Veterans' Services Department.
From all the submitted nominations, the committee named 10 semifinalists and announced them at the Aug. 28 School Committee meeting. The students explained how each semifinalist represents Gloucester, the coming together of two wonderful school communities, and the values of the two schools.
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