1 February, 2011
To the Editor,
I am writing in favor of the proposed new K-5 school on Fruit Street. I was a member of the HPS Strategic Plan Committee in 2009 along with a representative sample of Hopkinton residents, ranging in age from High School students to Senior Citizens. At that time we participated in focus groups and we discussed the pros and cons of moving to the K-5 educational model. The outcome was making the switch to K-5 neighborhood schools a priority goal in the HPS strategic plan. Hopkinton has patiently followed the MSBA procedures these last couple of years and it is finally our turn to receive reimbursement from the state for a new building. Now is our chance to replace the aging Center School and achieve our town's long-standing goal of making the move to K-5 elementary schools.
The K-5 educational model will benefit all the students in our town, not just the children assigned to the newest school. In addition to reducing the number of difficult transitions, longer grade span schools will give school staff a longer period of time to get to know students and will improve their ability to offer more timely interventions. Families will be able to build stronger relationships with the school since all of their children will attend the same elementary school and their children will remain at that same school for six years. Siblings will actually be able to ride the bus together and be on the same schedule. Having served on the Elmwood School Council, I can also see how this would allow more continunity in each School Council's school improvement efforts over time. Even Middle School and High School students will benefit from the new K-5 model, because reducing to a two-tiered bus transportation system, will likely allow the district to make Middle and High School start times later in the morning.
If this opportunity passes us by, we may never receive MSBA reimbursement funds to repair or replace Center School. We will have to go back to the drawing board and the taxpayers will pay the full amount for renovation or replacement. Please stay informed about the new school and join me in voting yes at the March Special Town Meeting and Ballot Vote!
Respectfully,
Cindy Bernardo
5 Susan Dr
