The Swampscott School Committee unanimously accepted three donations Thursday: an anonymous $10,000 gift to be used at district leaders' discretion; $5,000 from Big Blue Bargains to support a music-and-movement program at the Swampscott Integrated Preschool; and a communication board for the elementary-school playground donated by the Doug Flutie Foundation.

Katie Karolyis, identified in public comment as a Big Blue Bargains board member, told the committee earlier that the nonprofit had submitted $5,000 "for the integrated preschool, the intention for the integrated preschool to have a music program."

At the meeting, Chair Suzanne read the gifts and asked for motions. The committee approved the anonymous donation, described as "substantial"; Kalishman, the superintendent, and school finance staff will determine spending under the donor’s stated discretion that it be used "at the discretion of the superintendent, the assistant superintendent, and the finance and operations director."

The committee also accepted the $5,000 from Big Blue Bargains. Suzanne called it "really exciting," and the vote to accept was unanimous. Miss Raymond, who appears as the district official connected to preschool operations, was present and smiled during the vote.

Separately, the Doug Flutie Foundation provided an outdoor communication board for Swampscott Elementary School’s playground. The device uses pictures and icons to help children who communicate nonverbally; staff said the board will be installed within the playground structure and that a ribbon-cutting is planned for Thursday, Sept. 11, at 5 p.m.

Why it matters: the $5,000 music-and-movement donation is intended to expand enrichment opportunities at the integrated preschool; the communication board aims to increase inclusive play and peer interaction at the elementary playground. The anonymous $10,000 donation gives the district flexible funds that administrators said they will target for programmatic purchases rather than routine operations.

What’s next: the superintendent, assistant superintendent, and finance director will coordinate use of the anonymous $10,000; the Big Blue Bargains donation will be directed to the preschool program; the playground equipment installation and ribbon-cutting were scheduled for Sept. 11.