PEDP News
September 2025
Hello PEDP Families!!!
Welcome to a new, wonderful school year! I (JP) have the wonderful pleasure of writing you our monthly newsletters to keep you up to date with all the fun happenings here at PEDP! It has been a nice summer for me personally; just this weekend I went on a spontaneous trip to Maine, where I went with a bunch of friends to experience the White Water Rapids! Upon reflection of this outing, if you will stay with me, I can use it as a near-perfect metaphor for our program. The rafting process starts out with familiar anticipation, and when you finally get into the water, the excitement is incredible! Along the journey, we ran into some exhilarating rapids, got splashed and knocked around (all with a smile on our face) and then would take a break in a little nook on the side of the river. There were times of slow, but relaxing floating under the sun where our river guide taught us all about the rivers and the surrounding areas, times where we jumped right into the river and swam by ourselves, and times where we helped each other when one of us got swept away by the waves. All this to say, PEDP can be exciting, relaxing, a place of learning, and a community that helps each other. Here’s to a new school year!
Our monthly newsletters are one of the ways we communicate with you. After this one, they will be much shorter with just brief newsworthy notes. But stick with this one and read through it carefully, because there is a lot of useful information that will benefit new and returning families. We always welcome your feedback at any time. Send an email, give us a call or stop by to see us! Another great way to get info about PEDP is to look on our website (here!)
First and foremost, let me introduce our amazing staff!
Admin Team Position Year at PEDP Schedule
Kathy Lynnes Executive Director 42nd M-F (and teaches Fr Early Birds)
Nancy Holly Administrative Asst. 13th M, WTh
Deb Wyler Administrative Asst. 10th Tu (and teaches Tu Early Birds)
Alicia Karunaratne Float Teacher/Admin Asst. 4th M,W,F
JP Myers Admin/Coordinator 3rd F (and teaches Tu Early Birds)
Sky Nyberg Float Teacher/ Admin Asst. 2nd Tu, Th
Minnow Team Position Year at PEDP Schedule
Courtney Broaddus Coordinator 9th M-F
Deb Wyler Teacher 10th W
Deb Blumenthal Teacher 3rd M-F
Kassidy Buzzell-Shane Teacher 2nd M-F (and teaches W Early Birds)
Sandra Pires Teacher 2nd M-Th (and teaches M Early Birds)
Jacob Sanders Teacher First! M-F
Steve Ballard Teacher First! M-F
Barracuda Team Position Year at PEDP Schedule
Joanne Malouf Asst. Director/Coordinator 37th M-F (and teaches WTh Early Birds)
Laurie Pedzewick Teacher 18th TuWTh
Lula Butler Teacher 3rd M-F (and teaches M Early Birds)
Alex Appolon Teacher First! M-F
Shark Team Position Year at PEDP Schedule
JP Myers Coordinator 3rd M-F (and teaches Tu Early Birds)
Monica Reuman Teacher 4th Tu-Thu
Adela Talentino Teacher First! M-F
Taylor Jordan Teacher First! Tu-F
Sky Nyberg Teacher 2nd M, W, F
We were fully staffed and ready to go for the year, however, due to unforeseen circumstances, we are now short 1 staff member. We have a couple of promising interviews set up for this week, so we will be filling this position shortly! Additionally, our Minnow Coordinator, Courtney, will be taking her Maternity leave as she welcomes her daughter in early September. Deb B will be acting as interim coordinator until her return in December. Congratulations Courtney!
In addition to the group above, we will be welcoming a few students from Boston College who will be doing their work study with us: Kayla Johnson, Allie Fritz. We are still in the process of accepting a couple more students, so stay tuned! Jamie Carty and Maggie Holly will be frequent subs for us, and Maggie is also our second F Early Birds teacher! Unfortunately, our previous bookkeeper, Gail Shaheen became very ill earlier this year and passed away. Our new bookkeeper is through a company called Numbers In Boxes Inc. We will be assigned a point-person who will work offsite but you’ll see their name on paperwork.
We really value the experience our returning staff provide but also welcome the fresh perspective we gain from our new team members! When picking up, you should plan to have a photo ID with you in case you are asked by the staff to show it. It takes a while to learn all your names and faces!
We have 157 children currently enrolled in the program (over 60% of Peirce School!)
The Program’s Board of Directors for 2025-26 is listed below:
- Beata Shapiro, Member
- Andrea Merin, Alternate
- Jonathan Stilwell, Treasurer
- Dan Pregibon, President
- Matt Orlando, Member
- Jason Schroder, VP
- Pam Sarian, Member
- Diana Schwartzstein, Member
- Karthik Venkatesh, Member
- Alyssa Foster , Secretary
We have room for 1 more alternate on the board so let us know if you might be interested! Parents are always welcome to attend our monthly Board meetings held in the evening (in person or virtually).
CURRICULUM
After some brainstorming and lively discussion earlier this summer, the staff chose several themes which will be the focus of many activities throughout the year. These planned activities help to make the Program interesting, educational, and fun. During September, our theme is Made in Massachusetts! We’re going to have some fun learning about our state’s historical events, the many firsts that we invented, famous artists, and much more!
CLASSES and FIELD TRIPS
We are planning to have several this year! Stay tuned for details about when they will be held, cost and how to enroll.
REQUESTS AND REMINDERS FOR ALL PARENTS…
· Our snack schedule is created 2-3 weeks at a time. Feel free to ask if you’d like to see a copy of it.
· All children should come to school each day with a water bottle clearly labeled with their name.
· Please pick up from the Program at Door #4 on the side of the school.
· Do not drive into the driveway AT ALL that leads to our entrance. Children and staff cross this pavement constantly; their safety is at stake.
· The Early Birds program ($20 per day) and Extra Hours ($15 per hour) are available to all families as space allows. Just ask!
· Remember that you must notify PEDP whenever your child will not be attending for the day. You may do this in person, by phone (617-332-5881), in writing, or via email: kids@peirceedp.com. There is a calling fee of $25 if the staff need to make phone calls to find out where your child is at attendance time.
EARLY RELEASE DAY: Thursday, September 25th (School dismisses at 12:10pm)
We are excited to have an all-program Special Event on the first Early Release day of the year! Our staff will follow the theme of Made in Massachusetts, and offer kids a variety of fun games, and activities to do!
I know this is a lot of information. Trust me, your children are getting even more! If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to ask. Again, welcome! I look forward to another great year and meeting and getting to know each of you and your children.
All the best,
JP
