Principal Shannon Donnelly was among faculty and staff who delivered signs of encouragement to seniors on Wednesday. (Courtesy Photo Essex Tech) 
Essex Tech Senior Liam Hudson received a sign from faculty and staff on Wednesday. (Courtesy Photo Essex Tech) 
From left: Culinary Arts Teacher Mary Carter delivers a sign to Culinary Arts & Hospitality student Lee Williams,of Marblehead, and his family. (Courtesy Photo Essex Tech) 
From left to right: Drama Club Advisors Alyssa Gibbs and Michelle Harding deliver signs to Kyle Gallucci , a member of the drama club from Beverly. (Courtesy Photo Essex Tech) 
Anna Flannagan, a senior in the Natural Resource Management Program, was pleased to receive a sign of school spirit and encouragement on Wednesday from faculty and staff. (Courtesy Photo Essex Tech) 
Salo Bila, of Beverly, studies HVAC at Essex Tech and received a sign from faculty and staff on Wednesday spreading school spirit. (Courtesy Photo Essex Tech) 
The Anderson family made a sign sharing their appreciation, sign on right, when they learned faculty and staff would be delivering signs to seniors. (Courtesy Photo Essex Tech)
DANVERS — Superintendent Heidi Riccio is pleased to share that faculty and staff at Essex Tech delivered signs of encouragement to senior students Wednesday.
“We recognize this is a tough time for our graduating seniors,” Superintendent Riccio said. “It is also a tough time for our staff as they are missing the students tremendously. These deliveries were made to brighten our seniors’ spirits, but also to give our staff another way to connect with them. We will be working with the state and our advisers to determine senior activities and do the best we can to make this time extra special for them.”
More information will be provided on senior activities as it becomes available.
The signs read “Finishing Strong” and also feature the school’s logo and “the Class of ’20.”
All graduating seniors — approximately 340 students — received signs, which were delivered to students’ homes by teachers, counselors, coaches and administrators, on Wednesday. All faculty and staff wore gloves and masks, and practiced proper social distancing guidelines while making the deliveries.
The district intentionally supported local businesses in the effort, and the signs were designed and printed by White Light Visuals in Beverly. Staff who participated were also given goody bags with brownies from D’Orsi’s Bakery in Peabody.
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