PEABODY — A student-produced video is helping Peabody Public Schools recruit new teachers.
The four-minute video starts with an introduction by Peabody High Principal Edward Sapienza, includes dozens of high school students and teachers and ends with a message from Superintendent C. Milton Burnett.
"It's a method to attract and recruit teachers as we hit retirements and some of our young teachers get married and leave the area," the superintendent said.
Burnett said Peabody startup YouSchools.org approached administrators about creating an online page with the accompanying video.
"They were looking for a pilot, and we said OK," he said.
The superintendent was pleased to help a local business and promote the district.
"It showcases Peabody in a positive light," Burnett said. "There's a lot more online advertising being done."
The project didn't cost the district anything but a couple of hours' time, he said. YouSchools.org sent out the video sample to neighboring districts and feedback from fellow superintendents has also been upbeat, Burnett said.
John Ivester, president of YouSchools.org, said his company offered Peabody schools the first video slot as a way to thank its home community. YouSchools.org is a spinoff of a 25-year-old advertising business also based in the city.
"We think it's a good way to let teachers know what a school is all about — in the words of the students," Ivester said. "The students know the schools. They know the community. It's amazing how creative kids can be with a video camera these days."
The Web site launched Oct. 1 with the Peabody video featured since.
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