Category Archives: Education

Education in Newburyport, MA, imparting and acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, acquiring particular knowledge and skills, and preparing Newburyport’s children for an intellectual and mature life.

The School Committee Ballot Override

This business of the School Committee asking for a budget override, not for a building, but for people to teach and inspire our children. I like the idea, but am waiting to find out more details of exactly what will be proposed.

I think so much of my reaction to this proposition comes from having a child go through the public school system in Newburyport, and be someone who is grateful for it. And realizing that my son would not be graduating from college this May without all the guardian angels that he had all through the public school system.

I feel very strongly about public education, feeling philosophically that public education is good, not just for lower or middle income families, but for upper income families as well. As well as for children of different learning skills.

I went to a private school for 12 years, and I think my son got a much better education “in life” than I did. Also, when he went to college, he really appreciated all that it had to offer, and never took things for granted the way I’ve seen some young adults who came from a private school education.

The public school system for me represents part of the “American Experience,” Liberal Democrat that I am. I think it’s important for children of a variety of different backgrounds to learn together, so that when they leave, they have some hope of an unconscious appreciation of each other’s differences. Instead of feeling that they may be “special” and others are not.

However, when I lived in Newburyport and did not have a child, I would not have wanted to vote for such an override. I would have been insulted, feeling that way too much of the budget was allocated to the public schools as it was. And from the outside, it looked as if things were not being well handled.

If I had children who were in private school, I might not like the idea of having to pay for other children’s education when I was already paying so much for my own.

And if tax increases meant that I or my family could no longer afford to live here, well, that would affect my thinking too.

I would much prefer to be asked to vote for money for our schools for teachers, than a new school building (I think it’s going to be very difficult for the City of Newburyport and the Newburyport School Committee to ask for both.) My own opinion is that what happens inside the schools it is much more important than what the building physically itself is like. That’s just me.

I think it is wise to ask the City Council to make this a ballot question. It is one of those difficult issues that people feel so passionately about on various sides. I think it would be hard to come to a fair consensus on this one unless the people of Newburyport get to vote on it. And my guess is that there are and will be some very heated and passionate discussions both public and private that will and are already happening all over town.

Mary Eaton, Newburyport

Newburyport’s Guardian Angels

I’ve just come back from seeing my son perform a “solo performance” that he wrote–an independent study for college. My son graduates from college this May.

Sitting in the dark theater surrounded by his adorable, wonderful and boisterous fellow travelers, I forgot that the amazing versatile and gifted young man on stage, performing this remarkable, poetic piece, was the child that I gave birth to.

In the audience were two people from Newburyport, Massachusetts.

The first was Greg Moss, who cast my son in a play that he wrote and directed called “Yoohoo and Hank Williams.” An incredibly poignant play, performed at the Black Box at the Tannery, a play I’ve always wanted to see not only at the Fire House, but always thought it was worthy off-Broadway.

Greg Moss’ mother is Maureen Daly, who was my son’s kindergarten teacher. Mr. Moss’ father is yes, “Mr. Moss”, Myron Moss, my son’s poetry teacher his senior year at Newburyport High School. A family that so lovingly has book-ended my son’s earlier education.

Suzanne Bryan, my son’s high school theatre teacher, was also in the audience. “Mrs. Bryan” was one of his first high school “guardian angels.” Without Suzanne Bryan, there would have been no college “solo performance” this April.

When my son was going through the Newburyport school system, I would hear parents complain and complain. But I was always amazed at the men and women who showed up everyday, who had a gift that I could never imagine having, and cajoled, inspired, were exasperated and proud of my child. I always tried to thank them.

And there were many “guardian angles.” One always worth mentioning, Bernadette Darnell. There would have been no college experience, period, with out “Mrs. Darnell.”

I hear parents say to me today, “Ah, but your son’s experience was so different from our child’s experience.” I just say “Oh.” But, what I would like to say is, “Hush, be still, listen. If you open your eyes you will find your child’s guardian angels. No one has taken them away. They are most definitely there. There is a treasure hunt ready to happen.”

The guardian angles all through the Newburyport school system, made my son’s college experience possible. It is in part because of their dedication, warmth and caring that he will graduate from college this May. And for that I can never thank them enough. I know I am proud. And I am sure that they are proud too.

Mary Eaton, Newburyport

 

A Youth Center for Newburyport, Massachusetts

Recently I was speaking with a group of parents, as I explained some of the challenges that face our youth today, the inevitable question arose…”Why don’t we have a Youth Center?” For as long as I have lived in Newburyport, I don’t think a week has gone by that I have not heard that question in one way or another.

This week I went to hear Nina Dickerman speak about friendship among youth. In this discussion, the adults in the group spoke about growing up in neighborhoods where you played from dawn ‘till dusk. This allowed opportunity to make friends, be a friend and strengthen our relationship skills.

A Center has been talked about for years. There have been countless hours spent by so many caring people in our community looking for dedicated space for our youth to have a place that they could come explore who they are and what they can be. The idea gets shot down over and over…”not in my back yard; not my building; not this budget season; we spend so much on education that should be enough; we didn’t have a community center; my kids didn’t need a youth center.”

Our kids are exposed to increasing negative and violent influences, in video games, TV, movies and the Internet. The rate of drug and alcohol use by minors continues to increase, and kids start drinking younger and younger. Most youth today don’t have neighborhood experiences like we did. Over the years we have lost bowling allies, the YMCA, movie theaters, and other healthy choices.

Youth need the opportunity to practice making friends, and being a friend. To me it is as basic as air. As adults, the connections that we share with other adults are important to us. It is vital for youth to have regular opportunities to make strong connections with each other, adults, and the community.

Imagine a place that has rooms for programs, doing homework, or art projects; a gym to play basketball, volleyball, or floor hockey; a space to hold a concert or a dance; an area for pool tables, and ping pong; couches to hang out on and strengthen friendships. Space is needed for after school, during vacations, and in the summer. Imagine youth of all ages from 1 to 101, coming together to play. A safe place where laughter happens and fabulous teen-age energy and attitude are welcomed.

A Center like this could have benefits for our entire community, reducing drug and alcohol use, violence, crime and the words that every parent hates to hear ” I am bored.” Providing this type of place would create greater value of our homes, businesses, and our community.

Newburyport is filled with smart, energetic people. It seems to me that there must be a way to make this happen. The caring adults in Newburyport need to find a way to provide a space that will allow our youth the opportunities to make healthy choices. I invite you to offer your suggestions as to how this can become a reality in our city.

Beth Tremblay Hall, Newburyport