The former Plymouth Schools food service director caught in a decade-long scheme to steal equipment and food from the students’ lunch program was sentenced Wednesday to six months in prison by a federal judge in Boston. Patrick Van Cott, 64, appeared in a dark gray suit and stood to address the court before he was […]
Category: Education
Posted inEducation
An Indigenous history ‘not in the books’
About 600 middle schoolers got out of classes Wednesday to learn about traditional Wampanoag dance and culture – along with the tragic history of abuse for thousands of kids their age – at an hour-long assembly in the gym at Plymouth Community Intermediate School. The assembly was organized to coincide with Orange Shirt Day, an […]
Posted inEducation
Three lawsuits alleging neglect at preschool settled
Three families who sued a private Plymouth preschool for alleged misconduct and child neglect have settled their cases against the school and its owner under undisclosed terms. They alleged a teacher at Starboard Academy traumatized toddlers in her care by yelling at them and physically forcing them onto cots during nap time if they weren’t […]
Posted inEducation
‘Very amazing’ whale watch brings back a field trip long lost to Plymouth students
A group of about 100 fifth-grade children milled about the boat with notebooks and pencils, writing notes and sketching their observations as they watched dozens of whales swim just feet away in the federally protected Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. “Whale breath stinks,” said 10-year-old Zamara Moore, adding to the list of things she and […]
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Public parking at school called ‘win-win’
Town officials are calling a planned $1.5 million transformation behind Nathaniel Morton Elementary School a creative solution to a growing shortage of downtown parking during the summer season. The town’s parking agency has worked with school officials to work out an exchange: Park Plymouth provides the money for a new and safer playground, enhanced landscaping, […]
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Schools audit suggests oversight reforms in wake of Van Cott lunch program fraud
The bizarre story of Plymouth Schools’ former food services director, who dragged heavy refrigerators out the back door and stole food from the kids’ lunch program as part of a decade long larceny scheme, has raised questions of failed oversight since his 2025 arrest. On Monday, the elected members of the town’s School Committee heard […]
Posted inEducation
Independent hires new staff writer
The Plymouth Independent welcomes its newest staff member Emily Spatz, who will be enhancing its coverage of education and other relevant issues around town. A recent graduate of Northeastern University, Spatz earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and political science. While attending Northeastern, she was named editor in chief of the Huntington News, […]
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Teenager’s push for more lights at park wins support
For most 8th graders, a civics project ends with a grade. For 14-year-old Emma Dries it was the beginning of a months-long passion project to persuade Town leaders to install lights and extend hours at Stephens Field. When the incoming freshman stepped to the podium before the Plymouth Select Board on Tuesday, she wasn’t asking […]
Posted inEducation
Plan to replace Cold Spring, Hedge schools graduates to next level
Cold Spring Elementary School was a fitting setting for last week’s Select Board meeting – the building itself was the subject of an update from Town Manager Derek Brindisi on the building’s uncertain future. A study is underway to explore the feasibility of replacing it and the nearby Hedge Elementary School on the corner of […]
