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To the Editor:
As a longtime Dedham educator, I know that buildings and fields alone do not make a vibrant school community.
However, a school building without adequate healthy indoor and outdoor learning spaces or up-to-date mechanical and technological capabilities does not allow students to access maximum learning opportunities needed to prepare for work and life in the 21st century.
I realize that economic times are putting strains on all Dedham families including citizens on fixed incomes and single-wage homeowners. However, don’t ignore the fact that the Massachusetts School Building Authority has deemed the Avery as the “worst elementary school building in the state” based on age, size and condition, thus awarding a one-time over $11 million grant towards construction of a new Avery.
I feel we must seize the opportunity now for the benefit of current and future students of Avery as well as for all of Dedham.
While refurbishing the DHS practice field as part of the new school's construction plan (allowing use by Avery students and DHS programs), offers a perfect time to simultaneously perform desperately needed improvements to the High School Field Complex.
Little has been done to these field facilities since the 1960's. Long outdated and deteriorating… the field surface, track, bleachers and restrooms at Veterans' Field at Stone Park should be restored to a facility that instills community pride in this, the Shiretown of Norfolk County. Let it return to a site where DHS and Middle School can proudly host sporting events and band competitions. Let it be a venue where youth sports teams like Dedham Youth Soccer and Dedham Pop Warner can safely play tournaments and bowl games. Let the complex provide citizens of Dedham, young and old, a site where all can walk and jog.
On a much more personal note, part of this project to which I am proudly looking forward is a safe, state-of the-art, ADA accessible press box - named by the town, the "Wendy" Clement Press Box, in memory of my father.
Join me by making not the easy choice, but the right choice for the future of Dedham by voting "Yes" on Question 1 and 2 on Jan. 19.
Nancy Clement
DHS Class of 1966
To the Editor:
As a longtime Dedham educator, I know that buildings and fields alone do not make a vibrant school community.
However, a school building without adequate healthy indoor and outdoor learning spaces or up-to-date mechanical and technological capabilities does not allow students to access maximum learning opportunities needed to prepare for work and life in the 21st century.
I realize that economic times are putting strains on all Dedham families including citizens on fixed incomes and single-wage homeowners. However, don’t ignore the fact that the Massachusetts School Building Authority has deemed the Avery as the “worst elementary school building in the state” based on age, size and condition, thus awarding a one-time over $11 million grant towards construction of a new Avery.
I feel we must seize the opportunity now for the benefit of current and future students of Avery as well as for all of Dedham.
While refurbishing the DHS practice field as part of the new school's construction plan (allowing use by Avery students and DHS programs), offers a perfect time to simultaneously perform desperately needed improvements to the High School Field Complex.
Little has been done to these field facilities since the 1960's. Long outdated and deteriorating… the field surface, track, bleachers and restrooms at Veterans' Field at Stone Park should be restored to a facility that instills community pride in this, the Shiretown of Norfolk County. Let it return to a site where DHS and Middle School can proudly host sporting events and band competitions. Let it be a venue where youth sports teams like Dedham Youth Soccer and Dedham Pop Warner can safely play tournaments and bowl games. Let the complex provide citizens of Dedham, young and old, a site where all can walk and jog.
On a much more personal note, part of this project to which I am proudly looking forward is a safe, state-of the-art, ADA accessible press box - named by the town, the "Wendy" Clement Press Box, in memory of my father.
Join me by making not the easy choice, but the right choice for the future of Dedham by voting "Yes" on Question 1 and 2 on Jan. 19.
Nancy Clement
DHS Class of 1966
