The Carolyn Davis Fund

In recognition of her years of service to the students and families of Ipswich, the Carolyn Davis Fund was established upon her retirement in 2007. The fund, administered by the Ipswich Educational Foundation, provides funds for professional development for the continuing education of Ipswich teachers so they may bring advanced, research-based, and experiential learning to the classroom. As co-chair of the Professional Development Committee during her tenure as Winthrop Elementary School Principal, Carolyn championed quality, contemporary and enriching educational practices for all students. Having benefited from this experience herself under the leadership of then Superintendent Dick Thompson, Davis envisioned a cross section of teachers - spanning schools and grade levels - continuing their own education by attending national conferences and workshops and bringing new skills and expanded expertise back to Ipswich to share with colleagues and inspire students. The intent of the CD fund is to provide system-wide professional development opportunities to benefit all Ipswich public schools.

Carolyn Davis Bio:

Carolyn Davis was the principal of the Winthrop Elementary School in Ipswich for seventeen years. A second-generation educator, Carolyn retired in 2007 after 35 years in public education. A social work and child development graduate of Syracuse University, Carolyn earned a master’s degree in Special Education from Boston College followed by a certification in Educational Leadership from Lesley University. During her tenure in Ipswich, Carolyn Davis introduced full-day kindergarten, helped to create the Birth to 3 Program, served on the Science and Fine Arts Curriculum Committees, the Ipswich Youth Coalition, and co-chaired the Professional Development Committee.

The Georgina Jill Traverso Art Education Fund

The Georgina Jill Traverso Art Education Fund was created by Edmund Traverso and his family to honor his late wife, Mrs. Georgina Jill Traverso. For many years, the Traversos supported graduating Ipswich High artists by creating an annual art exhibition where the best examples were purchased to help support the student's art education. The works are displayed in collections at the High/Middle Schools and the school administration building. The Traveso family believes displaying the student art not only highlights the talents of the individual students, but also the effectiveness of the Visual Arts programs at the Ipswich schools. The fund aims to continue the annual exhibition, as well as fund a wider range of additional art education activities in the future. The Traverso family hopes this fund inspires other families and organizations to help the school and students in a similar manner.

Mrs Traverso Bio:

Mrs. Georgina Jill Traverso graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1943.  After graduating, she taught Art at the Mary C. Wheeler School in Providence, RI and the public schools in Amherst, MA before eventually relocating to Ipswich.  She was a member of the Ipswich Art Council and was a creative, passionate artist.  Throughout her many years in Ipswich, she and her husband, Edmund, remained great supporters of the arts within the Ipswich community.  When a new public schools were built in the early 2000s, she envisioned having student art displayed in the school buildings. She believed the display of student art made the new schools visually exciting and emotionally moving learning environments.  After discussions with former Middle School principal, Cheryl Forster, the idea flourished into an annual event.  The tradition continues today, and many students have benefited from the annual exhibitions.