Fundraiser slated to help Nahant school

NAHANT – The leg-warmers and big hair might provoke laughter, but there is a serious message to an ’80s-themed fundraiser for the Nahant Education Foundation.”It’s the bad hair, the music and a lot of stuff from the ’80s – you can hear a song and think ?Pretty in Pink’ or ?Breakfast Club,’ ” said event organizer Kerri McKinnon. “Hopefully it brings back memories of ?when I did this in art,’ or ?I remember playing ?Hot Cross Buns’ on the recorder, it’s an elementary school rite of passage.'”But not one that Nahant students at the Johnson School currently have, McKinnon noted, as music and art and other programs were cut after voters rejected a $260,000 override last June.The Nahant Education Foundation (NEF) will hold the ’80s Party at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Nahant Country Club.Tickets cost $25 and the evening includes a DJ to spin the era’s hits and inspire dancing, trivia, a 50/50 raffle and auction items, according to McKinnon. Fellow event organizer Carolyn Osbahr is in charge of a slide show of all things ’80s and said she hopes the competition for the costume contest is high.Organizers said they hope to provide a fun event for the community as well as raise up to $7,000 to replenish the non-profit foundation’s coffer. The foundation raises private money to improve and enrich the Nahant School System, funding teachers’ grant requests, educational programs and other events, according to its website.But this year has been “different,” according to foundation vice president and School Committee Chair Christine Kendall.The Johnson School budget subsequently eliminated art, music and technology as well as money for basic supplies after the override failed. The education foundation has donated $16,466 to the school since September. Of this money, however, all but approximately $2,500 has been used for “consumables,” Kendall said.This has included everything from printer cartridges and air filters to paying for tech and legal services and substitute teachers, according to budget documents provided at the Jan. 10 School Committee meeting. The Parent Teacher Organization has also donated $8,090 to the school for supplies and textbooks, according to the budget.”It is depleting [our fund],” Kendall said. “Sixteen thousand dollars is definitely a lot more than NEF has given in a six-month period and it’s not going to teacher grants but other stuff that the school needs to survive and function as a school.”The foundation also foresees other expenses. Kendall said they are trying to fund “artists-in-residence” at the school to provide art classes for students one day a week for six weeks.”It’s not nearly what it was before,” Kendall said. “It’s just trying to do something to bring something in for the kids.”So foundation members decided this year to forego their annual Comedy Night in favor of nostalgia.”A lot of stuff in the ’80s is making a comeback now n- Lite Brite, Strawberry Shortcake, Lady Gaga is this generation’s Madonna, and they just remade Footloose,” McKinnon noted.And from the support that she’s received, McKinnon suggested the nostalgia seems to be affecting the town.”I’ve been overwhelmed by the support,” she said. “People want to help, everybody cares – it’s about children.”If You Go ? The ’80s Party will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Nahant Country Club. Tickets cost $25 and are available at the door or from any Nahant Education Foundation member. For more information, contact Kerri McKinnon at 978-302-8886.
Cyrus Moulton can be reached at [email protected].