tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post2838456088012253394..comments2024-03-14T08:18:20.779-04:00Comments on Sarah Laurence: Size MattersSarah Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00423008641739156182noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-46788477043664412582019-07-22T19:20:16.494-04:002019-07-22T19:20:16.494-04:00I went to Longfellow elementary in the 80’s. I lov...I went to Longfellow elementary in the 80’s. I loved that building, the grounds, and all of my teachers. My father was in the Navy and we moved while I was in 4th grade, I think, and I just wasn’t as happy in my new school. It was huge and modern, had a fantastic playground and the teachers were nice enough, but the warmth was gone. I went back for a visit a few years ago with my own daughter, and she played on the playground and peeked in the windows and she commented that it didn’t even seem like a real school, more like a movie or book school...and maybe that’s what I liked so much about it. I wish she could have experienced it.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08193152782629316553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-25794580676063107122008-07-08T08:15:00.000-04:002008-07-08T08:15:00.000-04:00Seeing these pictures make me teary eyed. I attend...Seeing these pictures make me teary eyed. I attended Longfellow school in the late 60s early 70s. I can tell you the name of every single teacher who taught me here. My nicest memories are of that playground. Playing 4 square and swinging on the monkey bars and spinning on the merry go round. Each time I come there I go by the old school. K-5th I was there.tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17415302577518111227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-38196810606633432522008-01-12T04:29:00.000-05:002008-01-12T04:29:00.000-05:00You may be looking at an old version of my blog if...You may be looking at an old version of my blog if you entered through a keyword search or images.<STRONG> <BR/><BR/>On Jan 6, 2008 my blog address changed:</STRONG><BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://blog.sarahlaurence.com" REL="nofollow">http://blog.sarahlaurence.com</A><BR/><BR/>Click on that link to see my latest posting and all archives. You can copy the link to your favorites/bookmarks.Sarah Laurencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00423008641739156182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-37418975208443537652007-02-12T13:56:00.000-05:002007-02-12T13:56:00.000-05:00Thank you, Sarah, for using your personal blog to ...Thank you, Sarah, for using your personal blog to help spread the word about this crucial issue facing our community. It's helpful to read your straightforward and well informed perspective on this situation. I am hopeful that more citizens will come to realize the tremendous impact that the education of our children will have on so many aspects of this community's future well being. If we are simply looking to get the "biggest bang for our buck" from the state's school construction funds, our priorities are seriously misguided. Thanks again! - BeckyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-5112544332495884792007-02-12T07:55:00.000-05:002007-02-12T07:55:00.000-05:00I agree that smaller is better. This community ha...I agree that smaller is better. This community has a tremendous opportunity to enhance the quality of education for all students. However, with this opportunity comes responsibility. It is up to us to provide the children of this town with the best education possible. And smaller, multi-grade schools are the foundation of success.<BR/><BR/>At smaller schools, children feel safer and have a greater sense of belonging, responsibility and school pride. They are more respectful of the school, their peers and their teachers. It's easier for teachers to work together to share their learning and experiences. (It's much easier to bring 3-4 Second Grade Teachers together for a meeting than it is to get 10-12 Second Grade Teachers together.)<BR/><BR/>Schools with more grade levels benefit students, families and teachers as well. Younger siblings can feel comfortable knowing that an older sibling is nearby. Children and parents have to make fewer transitions. Students become familiar with teachers in the upper grades before they even get there. And familiar faces of teachers they have had previously greet them in the hallways and the cafeterias.<BR/><BR/>As this community plans for the future, our work should be driven by the needs of the children, not by state guidelines, building sites or bureaucratic processes. The education of all children will be best served by smaller, multi-grade (K-5) schools.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-37846133252688183062007-02-11T23:14:00.000-05:002007-02-11T23:14:00.000-05:00I have been in two schools of the same size (350) ...I have been in two schools of the same size (350) and the one I'm in now is "smaller" because we work at knowing everyone. It matters that teachers and all staff are connected to all students; the confidentiality that is so important to some is counter-productive because if you aren't privy to the facts, it's hard to help and meet needs. We make it our business to KNOW what's up. <BR/><BR/>Small is better, but if you can't make it really small, make sure your people know how to connect with everyone so it FEELS small.<BR/><BR/>I love my job!<BR/>SusanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-33055126828531395492007-02-11T21:55:00.000-05:002007-02-11T21:55:00.000-05:00I work as a public school counselor in MSAD 11 whi...I work as a public school counselor in MSAD 11 which includes the towns of Gardiner, Randolph, Pittston and West Gardiner. Thirteen years ago Gardiner was in the same position that Brunswick is in today. The town received state funding for a new elementary school. After much discussion and study of how children learn best, the town decided to build two smaller elementary schools, each serving a student population of 200. Each school is a small community in which students, regardless of academic ability or need, are challenged as their skills and needs require.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-55536572806927965042007-02-11T21:22:00.000-05:002007-02-11T21:22:00.000-05:00In my experience, small schools are best. Putt...In my experience, small schools are best. Putting architectural considerations ahead of the pupils' interest makes no sense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-56937012645736653922007-02-07T21:33:00.000-05:002007-02-07T21:33:00.000-05:00Small schools have proven time and time again to b...Small schools have proven time and time again to be the best investment in our childrens' future. We need to invest well and build a small school, and work to solve the equity issues that face this community as a whole. We cannot hide the equity concern in the plans for a new building for all - the people of this community deserve better! - Andrea LoefflerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-89082934010509729892007-02-07T11:19:00.000-05:002007-02-07T11:19:00.000-05:00Thanks, Sarah - Your comments about the importance...Thanks, Sarah - Your comments about the importance of scale in children's experience of institutions certainly resonate for me. AS E.F. Schumacher said, "small is beautiful". Appreciatively, MarkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com