‘How to Succeed’ Comes to Tabor Academy

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Tabor Academy soon will present the popular musical How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying! A cast and crew of over 45 students have teamed up this winter to bring this Pulitzer Prize-winning musical to life.

The story focuses on a clever young window washer named J. Pierpont Finch, who uses a handy how-to manual that explains the steps for guaranteed career advancement with the least amount of effort required. Armed with his book and quick wits, Finch infiltrates the World Wide Wicket Company via the mailroom and begins is ascent up the corporate ladder.

But like with any good journey, the road is paved with dangers

and temptations. Ponty must brave the slimy schemes of Bud Frump, the conniving and unqualified nephew of the CEO of WWWC, who will stop at nothing to prevent Finch’s rise to the top.  He also crosses paths with a beautiful and charming office worker, Rosemary Pilkington, who is greatly concerned that Ponty will be consumed alive by the corporate beast, while simultaneously falling in love with him (Spoiler alert: that feeling is mutual).

It is only when Finch meets the company’s overblown, imperious CEO, J.B. Biggley that he realizes he is in a make-it-or-break-it game of wits and guts. And that’s only the first act.

At the Tuesday night dress rehearsal, the cast and crew were equal parts anxious and eager. Two hours before the rehearsal was scheduled to begin, the actors were busying themselves with their preparations.

The dressing room, strewn with wigs on Styrofoam heads and make-up sponges, was humming with a certain kind of nervous confidence that is as exhilarating as it is frightening. Opening night may be in two days, but everybody was wearing their game faces.

30 minutes before the rehearsal began, the lighting techs were practicing cues, the pit orchestra was reviewing notes, and a girl in a blue, white, and red flowered dress quietly practiced some choreography on stage.

It’s clear by their enthusiasm and professionalism that these students truly love live theater and the challenges that come with it.            Senior Cal Heavey, who plays sleazebag Bud Frump, said one of the hardest aspects of his job was to play a character he feels is quite different from his real personality.

“As obnoxious as Bud is, I think he’s still a very conservative sort of person, and I’m not. He has a habit of trying to be proper even when he’s not doing it right.”

For all the difficulty in playing the character, he said it has been very enjoyable.

“Bud is fun because he’s obnoxious and wants to be the center of attention all the time. I get a chance to bring out all my bad qualities and it’s fun,” he said.

The machine that is live theater does not work without all hands on deck. While the actors are the most visibly prominent people involved, the folks behind the scenes – from the student who opens and closes the curtains to the team that built the sets and designed the lighting – are responsible for pushing the show forward.

This year, the set team was comprised almost entirely of female students, a first for the drama club. Susan Kistler, the assistant set designer, said it was an empowering experience for the young women.

“It’s a great thing. Having almost all girls helped them be more self-sufficient because they are responsible for all the set construction,” she said.

Mara Mascolo, a junior on the team, is very proud of the work they all put in. “Knowing that we built everything up there is really cool,” she said. And the “Techie Dance Parties” are rumored to be a lot of fun, too.

How To Succeed is a daunting show, running almost three hours with one intermission. Meghan Grant, a sophomore who plays a secretary in the office, said it has been hectic, but an enjoyable experience.

“I only have four lines, but I love it. Everyone is so friendly.  By the end, everyone is more like a big family,” she said.

John Heavey, the production’s director, wouldn’t have it any other way. “The most difficult aspect of this show is probably the length. You just got to move it along and the kids do really well with that. It’s tough because it’s a work of satire, so they always have to play everything really big,” he said.

He chose this show because of the timeless nature of the music and lyrics. “I hope they [the students] gain an appreciation for one of the great classic shows of American theater of the last 50 or 60 years,” he said.

Oliver Palmer, who plays Finch, is featured in all but two of the scenes of this behemoth of a musical. He said that taking the show bit by bit over the last few months was the best way to attack his character.

“One of the biggest things that can help you is endurance. You have to be going the whole time. Finch is a really energetic character and it’s tough to keep it up,” he said.

By Eric Tripoli

ORR District Braces for Possible Layoffs

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With the possibility of staff layoffs at several Tri-Town schools, teachers and parents are in a cloud of uncertainty as to how their schools will look next year.

The ORR school district budget season has been exceptionally tough this year due to stagnating state aid, dried up federal dollars, increases in staff contractual obligations/health care costs, higher special education expenses, and more students opting to attend out-of-district vocational schools.

Preliminary budgets at Tri-Town schools have put many positions on the chopping block, but Superintendent Doug White is quick to say that budgets may change before they are presented at public hearings in March. And even then the finalized state budget can change it again before local school budgets are voted on at annual town meetings in May.

“Not a single position has been eliminated at this time,” Superintendent White stressed, acknowledging that “panic” can set in when jobs are on the line. “We are only talking about scenarios of what would happen if revenues are not available,” he said.

“There have been no pink slips,” Mr. White emphasized.

He did say school officials have notified certain staff at all Tri-Town schools – with the exception of Mattapoisett’s elementary schools – that their jobs may be eliminated or significantly changed.

At ORR Junior High and High School, school officials have spoken with 18 individuals whose jobs may be altered (ie. involuntary transfer – moving from high school to junior high position) or cut. $495,000 in additional dollars is needed in ORR’s budget to maintain the same level of services as next school year. Mr. White said at the February 8 ORR school committee meeting that $221,000 in health insurance increases and $81,000 in increases for contractual obligations for custodial and secretarial employees accounts for some of the added strain on the budget.

Some of the cuts at ORR proposed so far include five professional teaching positions, seven paraprofessional positions (instructional assistants), a librarian and custodial staff. Also, the budget would remove one of ORR’s two nurses and replace that staffmember with a certified nursing assistant.

Hints at layoffs are worrying teachers at the schools, although they continue to do what they always do: their jobs, according to ORR teacher and Old Rochester Professional Educators Association (ORPEA) Co-President Terry Dall.

“There is a day-to-day damper on morale. People are worried about their departments, worried about staffmembers that may be gone, and that programs will somewhat be diminished because of staff [cuts],” she said. But Ms. Dall stressed that the issue of possible layoffs – as well as stalled contract negotiations between the school committee and the teachers’ union – stays out of the classroom.

“Most teachers are trying to stay positive day to day, really things have not changed at all in the classroom. It’s not something we talk to our students about,” Ms. Dall said.

“Obviously there is a great deal of concern about these potential substantive impacts on programs,” said ORR teacher and ORPEA Co-President Colin Everett. “We’ve managed most of the cuts to attrition in the past decade, but the school committee has not capitalized on savings as best as they could have.”

Mr. Everett added that he strongly advocates using the district’s E&D account – money set aside for emergencies – for restoring the operating budget. He noted that some one-time federal funds were put in that account, so he said it is appropriate to use towards the budget as long as the account remains in excess.

“If they are saying E&D is for a rainy day, increased class sizes and decreased electives is our rainy day… E&D should help cover the operating costs,” he said.

Both Mr. Everett and Ms. Dall expressed concern about the nursing staff changes under consideration in the preliminary budget, with Mr. Everett saying it raises “serious concerns about school health and safety.” Currently two registered nurses (RNs) oversee both ORR Junior High and High School; under the latest budget one nurse would be replaced with a certified nursing assistant. The move would save the district $25,350.

ORR Nurse Kim Corrazzini, who said she has been spoken to about the possibility of losing her job, said the prospect of one registered nurse overseeing the 1,150 student population at both the junior high and high school is worrisome.

“From my point of view, it’s important for people to understand that school nursing isn’t what it used to be. There is a lot that goes on everyday… We have a lot of children with chronic medical needs, seizure disorders, life threatening allergies, asthmatics,” she said, estimating that she sees about 35-50 students per day.

“It’s like a mini-emergency room or clinic. For example, last week I called 911, I [treated] a pretty acute injury from a gym accident and an allergic reaction – this on top of everyday stuff and kids with chronic illness,” she said.

Although Ms. Corrazzini said that certified nursing assistants are “valuable” – she said they are not trained to do assessments, and any decisions they make are under the RN’s license. She added that the MA Department of Public Health recommends one FT RN nurse for every 250-400 students or at most 500 students. Above 500 students, there should be .1 nurse for every 50 kids – which equates to about 2.5 RNs for the whole student body, she said.

“And this is not taking into account the medical needs of the special needs population. They are talking about regular education kids,” she said.

“All cuts are devastating, but it is important for kids to be put in the foreground. Everything that happens should impact them the least. Personally, health and safety in a huge thing,” Ms. Corrazzini added.

At Rochester Memorial School, where an extra $435,000 is required to maintain a level-service budget, the preliminary budget proposal presented on February 2 calls for: the elimination of four professional teaching staff, six fewer paraprofessionals, reduced technology assistance, and the elimination of one bus – among other things. The cuts would increase class size to as high as 26 to 27 students per class in the upper grades if pushed forward as currently presented.

More Rochester students attending Bristol Aggie, higher utility costs to run the building expansion, higher special education costs and contractual/health care increases are the main squeezers on the budget.

One teacher, who did not want to comment on the issue, would only say, “It has hit everybody.” Some residents have not been so shy, with two submitting letters to the Wanderer this week expressing concern about the reduced number of instructional assistants and the loss of the science lab program.

“These are programs and activities that will personally affect my child and many others as well. My daughter has a passion for Science and Music. She loves her teachers. What a tragic loss for all of the students if they had to lose even one of these educators or educational outlets,” wrote third grade parent Stacy Carreau on the potential impacts of the cuts.

Meanwhile, Sippican School also is coping with a tougher financial climate. Currently the budget subcommittee is working to shed $215,000 in expenses at the request of the town.

Superintendent Doug White confirmed that some Sippican staff has been spoken to about the potential for cuts/changes in their positions.

Sippican Teacher Stacey Soucey said the mood among teachers at Marion’s elementary school is mainly “uncertainty.”

“We are uncertain because we don’t know what it’ll mean yet. We all just waiting to see what will happen, a lot can happen so you can never know,” she said.

For more information on the budget public hearings, visit www.orr.mec.edu.

By Laura Fedak Pedulli

Nonresident Parking Plan for Silvershell Beach Approved

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Marion Recreation Director Jody Dickerson received approval from Marion Selectmen on Tuesday, February 21 to pursue a new parking plan for Silvershell Beach that would limit nonresident guests to up to 20 per day.

Currently both Marion and Rochester residents are entitled to beach access (with beach permits), thus the rule would apply to guests from other towns. Silvershell Beach parking has space for up to 700 spots, but Mr. Dickenson said he has never seen the lot completely full.

These guests would be required to pay $10 for a daily pass and a maximum of 20 spots would be available per day. Mr. Dickerson said the new policy could generate up to $14,000 per year for the town – and that these monies would help recreation staff fix playground equipment, maintain beach buildings and perform other upkeep at the beach.

The plan was approved despite concerns expressed by Selectman Roger Blanchette, who worried about the transport of cash from beach attendees to the eventual destination of the Treasurer’s Office.

“I worry about it … People are people, when cash is around, some of it has a tendency to disappear,” he said.

Mr. Dickerson said the monies would be sealed in a plastic envelope and delivered each day to the Marion Police Department, where the Recreation Department would retrieve it for deposit in the town treasury. He said once the money is sealed inside, it could only be obtained by ripping the bag apart.

Upon hearing Mr. Dickerson’s plan, Selectmen Stephan Cushing said, “It seems like a feasible plan. I have no problem with the cash accounting, there is checks and balances.”

Town Administrator Paul Dawson suggested the creation of a revolving account to help manage the funds.

Although the board approved the new policy, they agreed that it remains to be seen how it will pan out this summer.

“Let’s take the recommendation, run with it, and see what happens,” Selectman Blanchette said.

Resident Carol Sanz expressed concern how the policy would stop nonresident pedestrians from entering Silvershell Beach by foot, but Mr. Dawson said state law prevents restricting access.

“We can’t prevent people from walking in by foot. It’s a way of life, you can’t stop that,” Selectman Blanchette said. Mr. Dickerson said the guests who park on prohibited streets are taking the risk into their own hands.

On a related topic, Mr. Dawson suggested that the Rochester and Marion Selectmen hold a joint meeting to discuss disparities in contributions towards maintaining Silvershell Beach, in particular the lifeguard costs.

Mr. Dickerson said it costs $60,000 to run the beach each year, but Rochester fees only account for $3,500 of that amount.

“The point is that it’s nothing compared to the entire picture,” Selectman Blanchette said.

In other business, Town Administrator Paul Dawson received authorization from the Selectmen to pursue a Memorandum of Understanding from the town with Future Generation Wind to negotiate buying green energy, for which the town would earn credits. Mr. Dawson explained that Marion’s Energy Management Committee recommended entering into an agreement with the company.

“It’s a pretty competitive business. The nice part of the thing, is there is absolutely no consideration for construction anywhere in Marion but we can avail ourselves to buying credit and it could be a substantial savings over what we currently pay for utilities,” he said. Future Generation Wind recently completed the permitting process to construct windmills in Plymouth.

Town resident Ted North cautioned against entering into an agreement, however. He said windmill energy is not a viable economic business and relies on “credit, subsidies, and accelerated depreciation.”

“If these credits disappear, the whole project fails… I think we’ll end up taking a big risk,” Mr. North said.

Mr. Dawson stressed the MOU – which would expire automatically in six months – does not bind the town to a contact but opens negotiations, and that an exit policy will be available given that any issues arise.

“We still have an obligation to help reduce our carbon footprint without putting up with the degradation of having equipment in our community,” Selectman Jon Henry commented.

Other business of interest included word from Mr. Dawson that the YSI Building, an industrial building recently acquired by the town, soon will be utilized by the harbormaster’s office for marine repair space and storage.

“I think there is possibilities of broad uses in that building, and we’ll look at that,” Mr. Dawson said, noting that the town is taking over the building the next day (February 22).

Three residents did express some concern about taking the building off the market, and whether operating costs would prove burdensome to the town over time.

“Would it be better to sell it, and put it back on the tax rolls for business?” asked Carol Sanz. “I just really question going at this piecemeal”. Ted North also spoke, claiming that the building’s hard economic cost in 10 years to the town would be $48,000.

“The concern I have is does this building fit a specific need for the town, or are we taking a building and trying to convert it into a need for the town,” he said, adding, “In other words, are we taking a square peg and pounding it into a round hole? I’d hate to see us spending a lot of money converting a building that does not fit a specific purpose of the town.”

Mr. Dawson assured the residents that the building would be put to good use, and is needed.

“The opportunity to sell it will always exist, whether today or far from now,” Mr. Dawson added.

By Laura Fedak Pedulli

Town Meeting Warrant Articles Discussed

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The Marion Planning Board is looking at two possible warrant articles to put up for town vote at the Annual Town Meeting on May 21. One involves relaxing setback requirements for building an accessory use pier in Sippican harbor, and the other would permit the building of an accessory apartment of 1,000 to 1,300 square feet onto an existing house so that multiple family members can live together in the same home.

Tom Magauran, who led the discussion, said that the pier proposal fell under the town bylaw 7.4, 4.5 which involves “inhibiting factors” that restrict the possibility of building a pier based on frontage requirements.

“We’ve seen an applicant with a pork chop type lot which was lacking the frontage required yet had a sizable waterfront frontage, yet it was denied…this is one of the unintended consequences of the upzoning bylaws,” he said.

In the discussion on the accessory apartment, the board agreed that, even if passed at town meeting, the sewer and water issues would be a separate issue.

Mr. Magauran said that the passage of the 1999 upzoning bylaws have created a burden for many town residents who live on nonconforming lots.

“We’ve seen people spend $1,000 to go before the Zoning Board of Appeals to change a building on a non-conforming lot…setback issues should be discussed and brought before the town at the fall town meeting,” he added.

“We need to have all board members present when we discuss changes to the bylaws,” said Chairman Jay Ryder. Terri Santos, board secretary, included copies of the town bylaws to each member in their packet and said that the deadline for warrant article submission is March 9.

In other business, the board approved an ANR (Approval Not Required) application for Denise Allard and William Pettito for a property located at 63 Oakdale Avenue. At issue was an old outstanding ANR where the two parties were not in agreement on various issues.

With input from town counsel and the parties involved, the issues were resolved. A motion was made to accept the completed conditions of the ANR, as resolved between the two parties.

Mr. Ryder discussed two items under new business regarding comments to the Zoning Board of Appeals for two properties, one for David and Valerie Knott, 56 Allen Street and another for Elizabeth Smith of 5 Water Street.

“We’ll let the ZBA do their thing, and we do our thing,” said Mr. Ryder, who recommended that the Planning Board make no comment on the two applicants.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

Marion Couple Vows to Win Wedding Contest

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It could be a plot that comes straight out of the 1989 classic When Harry Met Sally. Boy meets girl, girl meets boy. They become close friends, support each other through many relationship ups and downs – but never see what was obvious, even to their friends: they were destined to be together all along.

For Marion couple Michelle Ouellette and Chris Perry, their love story was 25 years in the making. Now they are sharing their story in the hope of winning a contest for a free wedding in Portland, Maine.

Both 43, Michelle – a Sunday School Director at St. Gabriel’s Church, Marion School Committee member, surrogate and mother – and Chris, an assistant with Sippican girls’ basketball team, a member of the New Bedford Country Club and Chairman of the Four-Ball golf tournament, met early in life.

“We were fast friends,” recalled Chris, who said the two met in high school in Dartmouth (Class of 1986). They always spent time together, even as double dates at their high school prom. They still have the photos of them together with their dates celebrating that high school milestone.

Post high school, they remained friends and socialized in similar circles.

“People always thought we dated,” Chris said, but they had never dated, even briefly, over the years.

“He was never ready for a relationship. He wasn’t ready to commit to a full-fledged relationship,” she said of Chris.

Again and again, Michelle would seek solace in her friendship with Chris when confronting tough times.

“When these things happened, she always called me. We supported each other. That’s what we’ve done for each over the years,” Chris said. She likewise was there for him when he underwent a major lifestyle change and lost 166 pounds.

However, signs appeared that romance was possible. Two years ago, there was that unexpected long kiss in a car after a night out with friends. And for 15 years without fail, she would give him peanut butter cookies with chocolate kisses on top.

Even when Chris told his ex-girlfriend that he is marrying a close friend, she knew immediately it was Michelle because of those cookies.

Their friends knew better as well. One friend, Debbie, said upon learning of their recent engagement:  “I always knew you cared about each other as more than friends.”

Last summer, a friend finally broke the ice on a topic the two had never broached with each other. At the Airport Grille, the old friend boldly suggested they date.  “You’re the best couple I’ve ever seen,” she had said, according to Chris.

In the moments after dinner, Chris finally summoned the nerve to suggest dating to Michelle. “Let’s date,” he told her. They both agreed to start off casual.

That night, Chris received an unusual text at midnight from Michelle, who said she had something very funny to share with him.

Before he had a chance to talk to her, he had learned what was so funny that next morning when he checked his inbox: he had received an email from match.com saying they were a good match. She had received the same note.

“’Are you kidding me? That’s so funny!’” Michelle recalled saying to Chris.

“Obviously the stars had aligned,” Chris said.

After many months of the dating and 25 years of friendship, the couple is now ready to make the ultimate commitment and plan to get married this year.

In the hope of making it very special, the two entered a wedding contest sponsored by the magazine, Real Maine Weddings. They currently are one of three couples vying for the prize wedding – an all-expenses paid wedding in Portland, Maine.

To see and vote for their video, go to www.realmaineweddings.com/itemlist/category/2.html The first round of voting is from February 7 through March 15. Then finalists will be chosen and a new voting period will take place from March 19 through March 24.

The winner is determined 50 percent by the number of votes they receive, and 50 percent by judge’s determination. Judges look at the video based on its creativity, personality and enthusiasm.

The lucky couple will be announced April 1 at a bridal show in Portland, Me. Best of luck, Chris and Michelle!

By Laura Fedak Pedulli

 

Asian Dinner at Tabor Academy

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One highlight of our prep school is the international atmosphere: students from around the globe sharing their cultures and lifestyles with their U.S. dorm mates. Last Thursday, this culture exchange was culminated in an annual event known to the Tabor community as Asian Dinner.

Asian Dinner is a special dinner cooked and prepared by international students and their U.S. helpers featuring various Asian dishes.

While many of the more well-known countries, such as China and Korea, cooked their amazing and well-known meals, other lesser known countries such as Kazakhstan and Thailand showcased their offerings as well. These meals are worked on and prepared for a whole week, with massive efforts put forward in finding ingredients and cookware.

Students eagerly await the highly anticipated cuisine; many line up early to be first in line at the 5:00 pm opening. The dinner helps breaks up the monotony of school life.

Asian Dinner, like Christmas Breakfast and Super Bowl Dinner, is another special dining event that offers a little change of pace. However, unlike other events, Asian Dinner is unique in that it is a student-operated event. From advertisements to the servings, Asian Dinner is created entirely on the cooperation of kids from different countries who share a love for their culture and cooking.

International students and their helpers discover the huge effort put into cooking for the whole school; although their participation is time consuming, the process is rewarding for both international and U.S students.

For Asian students, it is an opportunity to display their culture and show their classmates the traditions of their native food.

For U.S. students, Asian Dinner gives them a chance to learn new recipes and treats while working with friends.

“Asian Dinner was so fun to be a part of because I have never cooked Thai food before and to have the chance to get to do it with Thai girls was awesome! I loved the whole experience of having people enjoy the food that I cooked and to eat what other people cooked,” Tabor junior Alexandra Spirtes commented.

And for the rest of Tabor Academy, Asian Dinner is a delicious and highly entertaining meal that comes but once a year.

By Jake Farias

Sports Shorts

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Old Rochester Boys and Girls Track – ORR Track continued their undefeated season with both the boys and the girls winning the SCC meet. There were many first places achieved by the Bulldogs, with Dan Donohue winning the 300 meter, Mike Wyman the mile, and David Friedman the 2-mile.

For the girls, Ally Saccone placed first in the Hurdles, and Meagan Bell took third. Sam Barrett and Janice Weldon placed second and sixth respectively in the 1,000 meter, and Paige Santos took third in the 300. Next up for ORR Track is the state meet.

Old Rochester Girls Basketball – The ORR girls played well this week, beating Bourne 40-30. Colby Garstang and Gabby Reuter took control of the game scoring 10 points each. Katie Wilbur also contributed considerably tallying 8. Their record now stands at 12-6 overall and 11-4 in the SCC.

Old Rochester Boys Basketball – The boys also won this week, beating Bourne 64-49. Matt Beatty scored a game high of 14 points for ORR, and Max Risch and Brendan Parker chipped in with 11 points each. Their record now stands at 12-6 overall and 9-6 in the SCC.

Old Rochester Hockey – The Bulldogs were victorious against DR-Seekonk this week, winning 5-1. Jeremy Lawton and Zack Mathews had good games, each scoring two goals. Alex Silva made the fifth and goalie Tim Kelleher did well deflecting all but one of the 16 shots to the net.

Despite this win, the Bulldogs were not able to get past Somerset, and the game ended in a 4-4 tie. Scoring points for ORR were Zack Mathews and Max Sherman, each with two goals in the third period. ORR’s record now stands at 10-3-5 overall and 8-1 in the SCC. Next up, they face Wareham.

By India Krawczyk

Fifty Years of ORR – The First Triad

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When the first issue of Old Rochester Regional’s yearbook, the Triad, was being assembled, advertisements were needed to help with its’ cost.  The senior class of 1962 of Old Rochester canvassed the three towns for store ads to be included in the first issue of the Triad.

In looking through our 1962 yearbook, it’s interesting to see what businesses are gone and which ones are still in business. Some of the companies advertising in the ’62 yearbook that are still in business are: Franks Barber shop; Lloyds Market in Rochester; Hiller company; Marion General Store; Marion Sports Shop in Marion; and Mahoney’s in Mattapoisett.

Among the businesses that are no longer around are Rochester General Store; Gibbs Dairy; Wilson’s Gas Station; Rochester Hardware and Electric Company; Humphrey Insurance, and Martha Fearing Florist in Rochester; Harbor Beach Lodge, Jensen’s, Rocky Nook Restaurant and Harbor Restaurant in Marion; Cathy Temple, Big Three Lumber, Coburn Brothers and Tinkham Pharmacy in Mattapoisett.

Anyone looking today at the telephone numbers for these companies might be a little stymied. Back in the day, Rochester’s telephone change was Rockwell (i.e. prefix 76), Mattapoisett was Skyline (i.e. prefix 75), New Bedford prefix was Wyman (i.e. 99). Marion telephone numbers were, for example, simply Marion 266, Marion 200, or Marion 541.

In this day and age, business longevity is hard to achieve. Congratulations to the businesses advertising in the 1962 Triad that are still in business. Congratulations, also, to the class of 1962 of Old Rochester for all they have achieved over the past 50 years. Being the first graduating class of Old Rochester will always be special to us.

Concerns for Future Education

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To the Editor,

            Attention Families of Rochester Memorial School: I am the parent of a third grader who attends the Rochester Memorial School. I also serve on the RMS School Council. It was recently brought to my attention (and others) that our school stands to lose staff members—teachers and paraprofessionals because of dollar shortfalls in next year’s proposed budget. The positions that will be lost include classroom teachers, the Science Lab program, and six classroom assistants. As it stands today, class sizes in our upper grades could reach 27 students per classroom. 

In addition, parents whose children take instrumental music lessons will be charged somewhere near five hundred dollars for lessons. These are programs and activities that will personally affect my child and many others as well. My daughter has a passion for Science and Music. She loves her teachers. What a tragic loss for all of the students if they had to lose even one of these educators or educational outlets!

They help to make her the unique and happy individual she is. They contribute heartily to the unique school culture at Rochester Memorial. In the past several years, teachers have since retired and sadly enough they have not been replaced. This is also true of our Assistant Principal who has yet to be replaced, despite the school population of 550 students. Even if you are a parent of a preschooler, with these changes, when your child does enter RMS, it will affect your children’s learning experiences as well.

I would not have any of this information had I not been a member of the School Council.  Its meetings are open for any parent to attend.

I urge you to contact Mr. Ryan, Superintendent White, or school committee members personally with questions or ideas pertaining to the above information. Or, please attend the next School Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, March 7 at 3:30 pm at RMS. The public can also listen and maybe get a better understanding about these serious concerns at the next Rochester School Committee meeting being held on Thursday, March 1 at 6:30 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

It’s unfortunate that I could not attend the PTO meeting held on February 14 at RMS with the Superintendent speaking about the financial reasons for these possible losses. My eyes have been opened just by attending this recent council meeting and I will be attending the School Committee’s meeting as well because the best way to help our school and its children keep the tremendous learning experiences they have now is to be informed and to inform the committee members of our feelings and commitment to education. We as parents must have a better understanding of this serious situation so we know what we can do to help.

Sincerely yours,

Stacy Carreau, Rochester

 

To the Editor,

A school community is an integrated web of students, staff, and parents working together. Over the years the Rochester Memorial School community has had all three of these important elements and it has created a learning environment that has allowed our school to be considered a “high performing” school in our state. Unfortunately, at the time of this writing the Rochester Memorial School committee has been asked to cut over $400,000 from its proposed fiscal year 2113 budget.

In a one school town a cut of this size will hit at the heart of the school and its staff. There is a very real possibility that there will be loss of 10 staff members including 6 paraprofessionals, the instructional assistants that work so closely within classrooms to aid classrooms to aid students who need extra assistance, as well as 4 teachers. Retiring teachers would not be replaced and others let go, affecting class size and taking some classes to 26 or 27 students each. Growth could bring those numbers higher.

There would also be changes to programs that touch many if not all our students. The Science Lab program would be eliminated. Instrumental Music would become a “fee for service” with families paying the cost for a year’s lessons.

As stated earlier this information is current and accurate only at the time of writing this letter (February 15, 2012). This budget situation is an ever changing and ongoing process, which began with a $350,000 cut, that has now grown to more than $400,000. Throughout this process the students will continue to do their jobs and our very talented and dedicated staff will continue to do what they do best, be amazing teachers to our children. Parents, we must add making ourselves informed on this matter our job. The March 1 school committee meeting is a good place to start.

Sincerely,

Karen Ovian, Rochester

 

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Thank you Ms. Marum

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To the Editor,

We want to express our appreciation to Marion resident Eileen Marum for advocating on behalf of senior citizens and appearing before the Fall River City Council recently to do so. Ms. Marum, president of the Bristol County Chapter of the Massachusetts Senior Action Council, voiced the concerns of all those appalled by the new round of proposed budget cuts and its potential impact on the elderly.

Eileen Marum spoke out regarding the unfairness of our revenue system, and how seniors can’t afford more cuts. Already there is a proposed 25 percent cut for meals for seniors at Senior Centers and for homebound seniors. The $1.5 million cut out of a $6 million allocation to the Elder Nutrition Program translates into nearly 250,000 fewer meals available for seniors next year.

This is literally taking food off the table for older people, and it just happens to be one of the most visible and popular senior programs in the state, according Ms. Marum.

Also, proposed cuts to the Serving Health Information Needs of Elders (SHINE) program reduces counseling available to seniors regarding the type of Medicare plan that would best fit for their needs.

We must give priority to this population who were for our towns in voting for schools, fire and police projects throughout the years. We need to invest in programs for vulnerable and low-income seniors so they remain healthy and independent.

Thank you Ms. Marum for speaking out on behalf of all seniors.

Sincerely,

Roberta Tripp and Sharon Duggan

 

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