Front view of the Abigail Adams Medal, which was given to 11 Town of Weymouth and Weymouth School Department employees for their dedication to students, staff, faculty and the Weymouth Community. (Photo courtesy Weymouth Public Schools) Rear view of the Abigail Adams Medal, which was given to 11 Town of Weymouth and Weymouth School Department employees for their dedication to students, staff, faculty and the Weymouth Community. (Photo courtesy Weymouth Public Schools)
WEYMOUTH — Superintendent Jennifer Curtis-Whipple and the Weymouth Public Schools are pleased to announce that 11 Town of Weymouth and Weymouth School Department employees have been awarded the 2020-21 Abigail Adams Medal for their leadership and dedication to students during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
On Thursday, Feb. 4 at the Weymouth School Committee meeting Superintendent Curtis-Whipple recognized the following with the Abigail Adams Medal: John Barker, Alyssa Bosse, Melanie Curtin, Maryann Foley, Robin Howard, Betsy Harris, Elaine Lane, Mike Manning, Brian Smith, Debra Smith and Stacey Ware.
Superintendent Curtis-Whipple recognized the group for ensuring the safety, health and education of their students, staff and the Weymouth community during the ongoing pandemic. Each individual recipient worked over the past summer, on weekends, during vacations and evenings to ensure students and staff had what they needed to succeed. They have also represented the values of Weymouth Public Schools by supporting the safety and needs of the facilities, school and community during the past 10 months.
“These recipients have made monumental strides in supporting our community over these 10-plus months. They have worked tirelessly to do what is best for our students,” Superintendent Curtis-Whipple said. “They put the health and safety of our staff and students at the forefront of each decision they made. On many occasions, they have been the voice for those who are not frequently heard. During these unprecedented times, they truly have been the backbone of Weymouth Public Schools.”
The Abigail Adams Medal was established in 1993 by Superintendent Robert West and the School Committee to recognize groups and individuals who positively impact the Weymouth Public Schools. The medal is named after Abigail Smith Adams, the wife of the country’s second president and mother of its sixth president. She was born in Weymouth, wrote extensively about her commitment to education and was an exemplar for her children and the community.
The award was given out yearly from 1994-2002, and Superintendent Curtis-Whipple re-instated the recognition program this year to honor the recipients for their dedication throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The formal statement of criteria for the award of the medal is as follows:
“The Abigail Adams Medal is given in recognition of current and personal initiative which contributes to strengthening of public education for the students of Weymouth and/or support for public education through courage and fortitude, thereby serving as a model for Weymouth young people.”
“Congratulations to these 11 incredible and dedicated professionals,” Superintendent Curtis-Whipple said. “It has been an honor to work alongside them and I look forward to their continued success as educators and within the Weymouth Public Schools.”
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