In the April 12 edition of the Ipswich Chronicle, the editorial strongly suggested that anyone who supported two small community schools is overly idealistic and unrealistic.
The reality is that in regard to good education “small” is not idealistic but very realistic.
Look all over this country and the world and one will see that good things happen in education on a small scale.
Spend a little time reading the literature on educational research such as from Harvard professors, David Perkins (Smart Schools) and Roland Barth (Improving Schools from Within) and one will learn that small-scale educational experiences have consistently demonstrated that they are “victory gardens” in the educational turf, where wonderful happenings in teaching and learning occur.
I am all about investing in education.
Elementary education is about building the foundation for the young to navigate life and ensure the best possible future for our town and our planet.
Because education is the one investment that cannot be taken away, one could argue that investing a little more makes sense.
At the elementary school level, my experience says the most important thing we should invest in is not one megaschool with all the bells and whistles, but rather a safe/clean/supportive space under a roof that does not leak.
We should be all about investing in people, not stuff. We should be about helping our students develop a desire to learn and helping our good teachers get better.
John Wigglesworth
Argilla Road