Every Ipswich Student Deserves to Belong: Growing the McAdams Wishing Well
It's thirty degrees outside with 4 inches of fresh snow on the ground from the recent snowfall.
Imagine you're 9 years old and a student at the elementary school. You're wearing a winter jacket you've had for 3 seasons and the sneakers you wear every day - both are getting a little snug. You rush inside the school in the morning to warm up after you get dropped off at school. At recess, you're asked to stay inside to play. You don't have winter gear to play safely in the snow for outdoor recess because you outgrew your winter boots and gloves. You're missing the fun of playing in the snow with your friends and you feel left out and embarrassed when they ask why you don't have winter gear.
Image by Mara Ket.
A child's sense of belonging is critical for their learning. Sheila McAdams, former teacher and principal at the Winthrop School, knows this feeling first-hand. Growing up in a farming family, cash flow was always an issue. Wearing ill-fitting hand-me-downs was common, and experiences away from the farm were limited. As an educator, she saw the difference that self-worth, confidence, and belonging make for a child.
When she retired in 2021, Winthrop families raised funds to honor Sheila's career, which she asked be put towards a fund, the McAdams Wishing Well, to help educators meet the behind-the-scenes needs of students and families. Creating the fund has allowed teachers and staff members to address inequity by providing resources for them to meet the needs of their students and families, offering support in ways not covered by the school budget. The Ipswich Education Foundation has continued to raise money so the fund can last in perpetuity.
The McAdams Wishing Well has helped students in many ways, from supplying clothes to providing healthy snacks to funding participation in town activities. Originally created to support Winthrop and Doyon elementary students, it grew in 2025 to include middle and high school students, ensuring help is available for every child in Ipswich.
We want to support any student who needs help in this town. You can help us by donating to the McAdams Wishing Well fund. DONATE TODAY
Together, we can make sure every Ipswich student feels included, confident, and cared for.
