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Monday, November 14, 2011
Turning Off Twitter Text Messages from DuxburyCARES
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Saturday, November 5, 2011
THANK YOU!!
Wow, what a day!
Thanks to the efforts of every single one of us who believe that this building project is the right choice for our children and our community, the school building project passed the Special Town Election today, 1931 to 1528.
We'll have more to say about the election in a couple more days -- but for now, thank you...from the bottom of our hearts.
Thanks to the efforts of every single one of us who believe that this building project is the right choice for our children and our community, the school building project passed the Special Town Election today, 1931 to 1528.
We'll have more to say about the election in a couple more days -- but for now, thank you...from the bottom of our hearts.
Friday, November 4, 2011
What People Have Said About the Building Project
“I support this proposal because we have an obligation to provide the best educational opportunities to our children that we can, for as long as we live in our wonderful community. Education starts in the classroom with teachers, but a quality education requires a variety of positive influences, including parents, the teaching environment, and technology. I know the additional taxes required to fund this proposal will be challenging for many of our residents, especially those living on fixed incomes. That said, I hope that each of us can weigh the positives and negatives, both for ourselves and community, and vote to support this very well-thought out proposal.”
“The proposed tax increase for the school building project is not unprecedented in our town. Duxbury has a tradition of valuing high quality public education and previous generations in Duxbury willingly made similar investments in our schools. Now it is our turn to renew that investment.”
“The Duxbury school system provided both of our children with the educational foundation necessary to gain access to fine universities, and on to achieve their individual successes. An integral part of the system's ability to do so is having the adequate facilities within which to educate.
I wholly support the school building project, and urge others to do so as well.”
“Growing up in town with a spectacular school system is what brought my family back to Duxbury. We wanted to give our children the opportunity I was lucky enough to have. As a real estate agent, I see the same desire from families with whom I'm working. Schools are a huge deal to families. I have a few looking in town now due to the prospect of the new building. With the education our town provides combined with state of the art facilities that can maintain current curriculum, these children will be given the best opportunities any parent can hope for from any school district.”
“I’m a classic Yankee. I clip coupons, I buy and sell at consignment stores, and try to save anytime I can. But I also know when it is time to spend money and now is that time – it’s time to spend money for new schools.”
“As a parent, I want my children to have an educational foundation that will help to ensure their success in the years to come. As a former teacher, I know that this foundation includes excellence in teaching, strong community support, and dedicated family involvement. School facilities have a measurable influence on student achievement. As such, it is important that appropriate, up-to-date facilities designed to provide the best environment for our children to grow and learn are integrated with these concepts.”
“Innovation in education is the key to our children’s success as they venture into an increasingly challenging and competitive college and work force. Conditions at DMS and DHS, that were long ago adequately meeting needs of our students, have spiraled downward significantly. It is not a question of what we would “rather do” financially, it is a matter of fact that now is the best, most fiscally responsible time to rebuild. We simply cannot wait!”
“Massachusetts has often been at the forefront of educational reform. In the spirit of that reform, less than seven months ago, I stood in the House Chamber surrounded by members of the General Court and asked them in my State of the State address to work with me to 'take every step, to prepare every child, for an even more competitive future.' The centerpiece of my Legacy of Learning initiative included an ambitious school building program. Today, I am pleased to say that, working with the Legislature, we delivered on that promise.”
“Our children only get one shot at a good education. They deserve better than crumbling school buildings and half-century-old science labs.”
YES for SCHOOLS! Vote TOMORROW, Saturday, November 5, 7AM-4PM, Duxbury Middle School.
- Shawn Dahlen, DHS ’71, Chairman, Board of Selectmen
“The proposed tax increase for the school building project is not unprecedented in our town. Duxbury has a tradition of valuing high quality public education and previous generations in Duxbury willingly made similar investments in our schools. Now it is our turn to renew that investment.”
-Gary Magnuson, Duxbury Parent, Chairman,School Committee
“The Duxbury school system provided both of our children with the educational foundation necessary to gain access to fine universities, and on to achieve their individual successes. An integral part of the system's ability to do so is having the adequate facilities within which to educate.
I wholly support the school building project, and urge others to do so as well.”
- Brian Daley, Realtor, 57 year Resident, Duxbury Parent and Grandparent
“Growing up in town with a spectacular school system is what brought my family back to Duxbury. We wanted to give our children the opportunity I was lucky enough to have. As a real estate agent, I see the same desire from families with whom I'm working. Schools are a huge deal to families. I have a few looking in town now due to the prospect of the new building. With the education our town provides combined with state of the art facilities that can maintain current curriculum, these children will be given the best opportunities any parent can hope for from any school district.”
-Andrea Daley Berry, Realtor, DHS ’91, Duxbury Parent
“I’m a classic Yankee. I clip coupons, I buy and sell at consignment stores, and try to save anytime I can. But I also know when it is time to spend money and now is that time – it’s time to spend money for new schools.”
- Selden Wells Tearse, Duxbury Parent
“As a parent, I want my children to have an educational foundation that will help to ensure their success in the years to come. As a former teacher, I know that this foundation includes excellence in teaching, strong community support, and dedicated family involvement. School facilities have a measurable influence on student achievement. As such, it is important that appropriate, up-to-date facilities designed to provide the best environment for our children to grow and learn are integrated with these concepts.”
-Jill Huie, Duxbury Parent, Former Chandler School Teacher
“Innovation in education is the key to our children’s success as they venture into an increasingly challenging and competitive college and work force. Conditions at DMS and DHS, that were long ago adequately meeting needs of our students, have spiraled downward significantly. It is not a question of what we would “rather do” financially, it is a matter of fact that now is the best, most fiscally responsible time to rebuild. We simply cannot wait!”
- Allison Agnew Berry, DHS ’88, Duxbury Parent of Four
“Massachusetts has often been at the forefront of educational reform. In the spirit of that reform, less than seven months ago, I stood in the House Chamber surrounded by members of the General Court and asked them in my State of the State address to work with me to 'take every step, to prepare every child, for an even more competitive future.' The centerpiece of my Legacy of Learning initiative included an ambitious school building program. Today, I am pleased to say that, working with the Legislature, we delivered on that promise.”
- Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney as he signed the current Massachusetts School Building Authority into being, July 28, 2004
“Our children only get one shot at a good education. They deserve better than crumbling school buildings and half-century-old science labs.”
-Arne Duncan, US Secretary of Education, October 14, 2011
YES for SCHOOLS! Vote TOMORROW, Saturday, November 5, 7AM-4PM, Duxbury Middle School.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Voting Reminders for Saturday's Election
If you are going to be out and about on Saturday, use the first two of these PDF documents to remind voters to get to the polls. You can use the latter two PDFs up through Friday as reminders.
It's going to take all of us to get the vote out for Saturday. Voting takes almost no time at all but it will make the difference between this final vote going through -- or the proposed school building project dying. Reach out to friends, neighbors, other parents on your child's sports teams -- everyone.
See you Saturday at the polls!
DuxburyCARES Nov 5 Reminder 1
DuxburyCARES Nov 5 Reminder 2
DuxburyCARES Halloween Reminder 2
DuxburyCARES Halloween Reminder 1
It's going to take all of us to get the vote out for Saturday. Voting takes almost no time at all but it will make the difference between this final vote going through -- or the proposed school building project dying. Reach out to friends, neighbors, other parents on your child's sports teams -- everyone.
See you Saturday at the polls!
DuxburyCARES Nov 5 Reminder 1
DuxburyCARES Nov 5 Reminder 2
DuxburyCARES Halloween Reminder 2
DuxburyCARES Halloween Reminder 1
Monday, October 31, 2011
Halloween Reminders
Thank you everyone for coming out on Saturday to vote for schools. We had a terrific turnout!
We have ONE MORE VOTE to get through. The Special Town Election is this Saturday, November 5, 7AM-4PM, Duxbury Middle School. The school building project is the only item on the ballot and we must prevail here for the project to be set into motion. This Saturday is the FINAL vote.
To help remind residents of this vote, we have created a couple of reminders that you can distribute this evening while passing out candy or when escorting your costumed children around the neighborhood. Download the version you prefer, copy, and cut into four or eight. They are easily dropped into treat buckets!
Thank you again for all your support so far -- let's take this all the way!
DuxburyCARES Halloween Reminder 1
DuxburyCARES Halloween Reminder 2
We have ONE MORE VOTE to get through. The Special Town Election is this Saturday, November 5, 7AM-4PM, Duxbury Middle School. The school building project is the only item on the ballot and we must prevail here for the project to be set into motion. This Saturday is the FINAL vote.
To help remind residents of this vote, we have created a couple of reminders that you can distribute this evening while passing out candy or when escorting your costumed children around the neighborhood. Download the version you prefer, copy, and cut into four or eight. They are easily dropped into treat buckets!
Thank you again for all your support so far -- let's take this all the way!
DuxburyCARES Halloween Reminder 1
DuxburyCARES Halloween Reminder 2
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
What to Expect at Town Meeting
General Information
Special Town Meeting is on Saturday, October 29, at 9:00 at the Performing Arts Center attached to Alden School. There are 10 articles on the warrant. While we do not expect Special Town Meeting to last all day -- indeed, we hope to be done mid-day -- we cannot control what happens on the floor and therefore cannot say exactly when anything will happen.
You must be a registered voter in the Town of Duxbury to vote at Special Town Meeting. There is no absentee voting -- you must be there in person to cast your vote.
For Article 1 -- the school building project -- to pass, 2/3 of the voters must say yes. That's 66.67%. For every vote against the project, there must be at least two votes for the the project. Twice as many people for as against. However, you want to say it, it means your vote matters. In Hingham this past Monday night, their school building project for a new middle school passed by 82 votes. 2000 people attended that special town meeting, and it came down to that small number of voters.
There is no planned break -- no lunch break -- as at Annual Town Meeting.
Before You Arrive
We strongly encourage all families to make child care arrangements in advance. While there likely will be some walk-in availability, programs may cancel if not enough kids are pre-registered. Programs are available through:
More information on childcare options can be found at Town Meeting Childcare Update.
Checking In
When you arrive at the PAC, you will need to check in. Check-in begins at 8:00AM. Checking in is done by precinct first, street name second, street number third, and name last. For example, I am in precinct 4, and I live on Temple Street. I would go to the table for precinct 4, tell the checkers I live on Temple Street, then my street number, then my name.
When the checker checks off your name, he or she will hand you a slip of paper. Hold onto this slip of paper! If the vote needs to be hand-counted (rather than decided by voice vote) you will need to hold up this slip of paper - your "ticket" - to be counted. In addition, if you intend to sit in the PAC proper, you will need to show this ticket to safety staff to show you are a registered voter who has checked in properly.
If the vote goes to a counted vote, you must hold up this ticket for your vote to count. DO NOT LOSE THE TICKET!
We recommend you arrive EARLY to allow time for checking in -- with luck there will be a big turnout! (You could arrive early to check in, then take your kids to childcare, then come back and sit down.) And don't forget to thank the checkers; they have been there since very early in the morning, getting everything set up. Town meeting would not happen without their work.
Seating Areas
Provisions are being made for several overflow areas. In the PAC itself, seats are reserved for registered voters, and town officials intend to enforce this. Overflow areas will include the Alden cafeteria, gym, and PAC practice rooms, and possibly other areas, and kids are welcome in those locations. If the PAC and cafeteria are full, ushers will direct voters to the next space to fill, and spaces will be filled in sequence to avoid scattering. However, with a high turnout expected, we need to be aware and respectful of maximum occupancy numbers, fire codes and public safety. Kids count toward the maximum occupancy number - and this is why it may be good to have your kids covered elsewhere. And if you have made arrangements for your kids, please sit in the PAC so we can fill as many seats with supporters as possible!
What Happens on the Floor
At 9:00AM, the moderator (Friend Weiler) will call the special town meeting to order. After the Pledge of Allegiance and certain formalities, article 1 will be brought forward. The school building committee will give a presentation on the project, and several other town representatives and officials will be prepared to speak and add commentary. The floor will then be open to meeting attendees to speak and ask questions.
When and Where to Speak
If you would like to speak about the project or to a comment or ask a question, go to one of the several microphones around the PAC. There will be microphones on each landing for those seated in the upper section, two in back on the lower section, and one up front. The microphone up front on the floor is NOT reserved for town officials only. Especially if you are seated in the lower section, feel free to go up to this microphone; it's possibly the best mic in the PAC for being seen and heard, and the line to speak there may be shorter.
Note also that although those in the cafeteria or PAC practice room or other overflow area will be counted in any voting, you must come into the main PAC to speak.
Once at a microphone, wait to be acknowledged by Mr. Weiler, then state your name and what street you live on. Please keep comments succinct and to the point as there are likely others who would like to speak as well. Please listen carefully to the comments of voters who speak before you to be sure you make new points at your turn at the microphone; redundant comments will only delay the proceedings. Please also be respectful of others' points of view.
Motions
At any time during the discussion, a citizen may make a motion from the floor related to the article. While we cannot know what, if any, motions will be made, we can offer some information about types of motions that could be made. When motions are made, listen very carefully to Mr. Weiler. He will give direction as to what votes on a motion will mean.
Motion for contingency amendment: A citizen could make motion for a contingency amendment on the article. This might mean the article as printed would be amended so that if the article as a whole is approved it would or would not include something specific.
For example, if a citizen really, really wanted to have an indoor track, he or she could offer a contingency amendment stating that the main article (1) be approved contingent on adding an indoor track for x amount of money.
Similarly a contingency amendment could be presented that would remove a specific item from the proposal, or remove a percentage of the total appropriation from the proposal.
In any case, town meeting then must vote an amendment up or down, and then discussion would continue on the article in light of the now approved amendment.
While we can't tell you how we think you should vote on any given amendment or motion because we don't know what amendments will be presented, we do recommend that special town meeting attendees follow the recommendations of the School Building Committee. The 14 volunteer members of the School Building Committee have put thousands of hours and their cumulative 400+ years of experience into this proposal to squeeze out every bit of value and benefit from the project.
The discussion on the floor of town meeting does have the potential to be....interesting. Town meeting is nothing if not good people watching! We encourage you to stay calm and focused on the end result. We may not all agree with project, but we do all still have to live together in town.
Motion for secret ballot: a citizen could make a motion that any vote on the article is done in secret. There are any number of political reasons a citizen might prefer a secret ballot. In Hingham this past Monday night at their special town meeting, the vote on the funding for a middle school went to such a ballot. It took well over an hour to cast and count all the ballots.
Motion to move the article to a vote: At any point in the discussion, a town meeting attendee can make a "motion to move." Such a motion will stop all discussion on the article, and move the article as it currently stands to a vote. In this case there could be two votes in quick succession: the motion to move is first voted, and if voted up ("yes"), the vote on the article would follow.
Securing the Vote
Once the vote is taken, it's done, right? Not necessarily. Those of you who attended spring town meeting probably remember the motion for reconsideration.
In short, a motion for reconsideration is a way a vote can be brought up for a second vote, invalidating the first. You can read a detailed discussion on motions for reconsideration here: Motions for Reconsideration, or a Crash Course in Parliamentary Procedure.
Provided the vote goes in favor of the proposed building project, we have someone who will stand up and make a motion for reconsideration. If the first vote has gone in favor of the schools, the motion to reconsider the vote should be voted down ("no"), as we will not want to bring up the article again for further discussion and another vote.
Additional Articles on the Warrant
After article 1 and (hopefully) the motion for reconsideration are done, Special Town Meeting is not over. There are are nine additional articles on the warrant, and each deserves our consideration. The supporters of those articles were there through the schools article and it would be a show of respect for their causes to listen to their articles.
Please DO NOT VOTE and RUN! While it is your right to participate in democracy in any way you choose, this appears extremely disrespectful to the process. We’ve been able to bring many empty-nesters over to the school’s side, and we don’t want to lose them. An immediate mass-exodus could lose some of those critical votes that we will need at the ballot box on November 5. They listened to our article, let’s listen to theirs!
Thank you so much to all of you for your support and action. Let's not let our guard down now! WE CAN DO THIS!
More Information
Special Town Meeting is on Saturday, October 29, at 9:00 at the Performing Arts Center attached to Alden School. There are 10 articles on the warrant. While we do not expect Special Town Meeting to last all day -- indeed, we hope to be done mid-day -- we cannot control what happens on the floor and therefore cannot say exactly when anything will happen.
You must be a registered voter in the Town of Duxbury to vote at Special Town Meeting. There is no absentee voting -- you must be there in person to cast your vote.
For Article 1 -- the school building project -- to pass, 2/3 of the voters must say yes. That's 66.67%. For every vote against the project, there must be at least two votes for the the project. Twice as many people for as against. However, you want to say it, it means your vote matters. In Hingham this past Monday night, their school building project for a new middle school passed by 82 votes. 2000 people attended that special town meeting, and it came down to that small number of voters.
There is no planned break -- no lunch break -- as at Annual Town Meeting.
Before You Arrive
We strongly encourage all families to make child care arrangements in advance. While there likely will be some walk-in availability, programs may cancel if not enough kids are pre-registered. Programs are available through:
- Before and After Dark (781-934-7633)
- DHS girls volleyball team (Barbara Vetch - barbaravetch@comcast.net)
- Duxbury Student Union (admin@duxburystudentunion.org)
More information on childcare options can be found at Town Meeting Childcare Update.
Checking In
When you arrive at the PAC, you will need to check in. Check-in begins at 8:00AM. Checking in is done by precinct first, street name second, street number third, and name last. For example, I am in precinct 4, and I live on Temple Street. I would go to the table for precinct 4, tell the checkers I live on Temple Street, then my street number, then my name.
When the checker checks off your name, he or she will hand you a slip of paper. Hold onto this slip of paper! If the vote needs to be hand-counted (rather than decided by voice vote) you will need to hold up this slip of paper - your "ticket" - to be counted. In addition, if you intend to sit in the PAC proper, you will need to show this ticket to safety staff to show you are a registered voter who has checked in properly.
If the vote goes to a counted vote, you must hold up this ticket for your vote to count. DO NOT LOSE THE TICKET!
We recommend you arrive EARLY to allow time for checking in -- with luck there will be a big turnout! (You could arrive early to check in, then take your kids to childcare, then come back and sit down.) And don't forget to thank the checkers; they have been there since very early in the morning, getting everything set up. Town meeting would not happen without their work.
Seating Areas
Provisions are being made for several overflow areas. In the PAC itself, seats are reserved for registered voters, and town officials intend to enforce this. Overflow areas will include the Alden cafeteria, gym, and PAC practice rooms, and possibly other areas, and kids are welcome in those locations. If the PAC and cafeteria are full, ushers will direct voters to the next space to fill, and spaces will be filled in sequence to avoid scattering. However, with a high turnout expected, we need to be aware and respectful of maximum occupancy numbers, fire codes and public safety. Kids count toward the maximum occupancy number - and this is why it may be good to have your kids covered elsewhere. And if you have made arrangements for your kids, please sit in the PAC so we can fill as many seats with supporters as possible!
What Happens on the Floor
At 9:00AM, the moderator (Friend Weiler) will call the special town meeting to order. After the Pledge of Allegiance and certain formalities, article 1 will be brought forward. The school building committee will give a presentation on the project, and several other town representatives and officials will be prepared to speak and add commentary. The floor will then be open to meeting attendees to speak and ask questions.
When and Where to Speak
If you would like to speak about the project or to a comment or ask a question, go to one of the several microphones around the PAC. There will be microphones on each landing for those seated in the upper section, two in back on the lower section, and one up front. The microphone up front on the floor is NOT reserved for town officials only. Especially if you are seated in the lower section, feel free to go up to this microphone; it's possibly the best mic in the PAC for being seen and heard, and the line to speak there may be shorter.
Note also that although those in the cafeteria or PAC practice room or other overflow area will be counted in any voting, you must come into the main PAC to speak.
Once at a microphone, wait to be acknowledged by Mr. Weiler, then state your name and what street you live on. Please keep comments succinct and to the point as there are likely others who would like to speak as well. Please listen carefully to the comments of voters who speak before you to be sure you make new points at your turn at the microphone; redundant comments will only delay the proceedings. Please also be respectful of others' points of view.
Motions
At any time during the discussion, a citizen may make a motion from the floor related to the article. While we cannot know what, if any, motions will be made, we can offer some information about types of motions that could be made. When motions are made, listen very carefully to Mr. Weiler. He will give direction as to what votes on a motion will mean.
Motion for contingency amendment: A citizen could make motion for a contingency amendment on the article. This might mean the article as printed would be amended so that if the article as a whole is approved it would or would not include something specific.
For example, if a citizen really, really wanted to have an indoor track, he or she could offer a contingency amendment stating that the main article (1) be approved contingent on adding an indoor track for x amount of money.
Similarly a contingency amendment could be presented that would remove a specific item from the proposal, or remove a percentage of the total appropriation from the proposal.
In any case, town meeting then must vote an amendment up or down, and then discussion would continue on the article in light of the now approved amendment.
While we can't tell you how we think you should vote on any given amendment or motion because we don't know what amendments will be presented, we do recommend that special town meeting attendees follow the recommendations of the School Building Committee. The 14 volunteer members of the School Building Committee have put thousands of hours and their cumulative 400+ years of experience into this proposal to squeeze out every bit of value and benefit from the project.
The discussion on the floor of town meeting does have the potential to be....interesting. Town meeting is nothing if not good people watching! We encourage you to stay calm and focused on the end result. We may not all agree with project, but we do all still have to live together in town.
Motion for secret ballot: a citizen could make a motion that any vote on the article is done in secret. There are any number of political reasons a citizen might prefer a secret ballot. In Hingham this past Monday night at their special town meeting, the vote on the funding for a middle school went to such a ballot. It took well over an hour to cast and count all the ballots.
Motion to move the article to a vote: At any point in the discussion, a town meeting attendee can make a "motion to move." Such a motion will stop all discussion on the article, and move the article as it currently stands to a vote. In this case there could be two votes in quick succession: the motion to move is first voted, and if voted up ("yes"), the vote on the article would follow.
Securing the Vote
Once the vote is taken, it's done, right? Not necessarily. Those of you who attended spring town meeting probably remember the motion for reconsideration.
In short, a motion for reconsideration is a way a vote can be brought up for a second vote, invalidating the first. You can read a detailed discussion on motions for reconsideration here: Motions for Reconsideration, or a Crash Course in Parliamentary Procedure.
Provided the vote goes in favor of the proposed building project, we have someone who will stand up and make a motion for reconsideration. If the first vote has gone in favor of the schools, the motion to reconsider the vote should be voted down ("no"), as we will not want to bring up the article again for further discussion and another vote.
Additional Articles on the Warrant
After article 1 and (hopefully) the motion for reconsideration are done, Special Town Meeting is not over. There are are nine additional articles on the warrant, and each deserves our consideration. The supporters of those articles were there through the schools article and it would be a show of respect for their causes to listen to their articles.
Please DO NOT VOTE and RUN! While it is your right to participate in democracy in any way you choose, this appears extremely disrespectful to the process. We’ve been able to bring many empty-nesters over to the school’s side, and we don’t want to lose them. An immediate mass-exodus could lose some of those critical votes that we will need at the ballot box on November 5. They listened to our article, let’s listen to theirs!
Thank you so much to all of you for your support and action. Let's not let our guard down now! WE CAN DO THIS!
More Information
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Dennis Daly's Thoughts on the School Building Project
Dennis Daly, a Duxbury resident, is the lead project architect on our proposed school building project. We asked him his thoughts on the project. Here is what he had to say:
A Special Opportunity
The chance to design the new Co-Located Middle and High School is an important challenge for me as an architect, and an exciting privilege as a Duxbury resident. Our civic buildings are an important way in which we express who we are, and our schools express the importance we see in educating ourchildren and investing in the future.
Duxbury is rich in history and tradition. The original configuration of our town's symbolic center features three buildings that our predecessors saw as most important and expressive of who they were. The First Parish Church, Town Hall and Partridge Academy stood side by side as Duxbury’s Spiritual, Governmental
and Educational Temples. As times and needs changed, so did our buildings. When the Partridge Academy burned down in 1933, the original Duxbury High School built in 1927 and now the home of the Duxbury Free Library had, already replaced its need. That was the beginning of what has become a vibrant cultural and educational campus. We are now engaged in the further development of that campus with our generation's contribution to a rich tradition.
The Co-Located Middle and High School will complete a campus plan in which all students from grade three through grade twelve as well as Duxbury residents at large can share in utilizing all the amenities offered in this one place. The design of the building is developed in response to the requirement of creating two separate schools, a Middle School (grades 6-8) and a High School (grades 9-12). The building is to be composed of four component parts. The first and defining part is the central spine or “Main Street” upon which the other three parts, High School, Middle School and Community buildings are arranged. These components will each have their own identity, and address along “Main Street”. This new symbolic village center has been designed to fulfill the educational needs of our Middle and High School students as well providing community spaces that are not only educational but also provide cultural and social opportunities available to all our citizens.
As taxpayers in this wonderful community my wife Linda and I have enjoyed watching our older son and daughter reap the benefits of a first class public education and enter college as proud graduates of Duxbury Junior Senior High School (remember that?) an old and tired building even then in 1998, and our younger son attend both the Middle School and High School as a member of the Pilgrim Area Collaborative and enjoyed the special gift of the “Best Buddies” program. We got our monies worth because of the vision of the town’s residents in the 1960’s and the sacrifices they made. Now as our surrounding communities take advantage of the opportunities that the Massachusetts School Building Authority provides with generous reimbursements by building new state of the art schools to replace buildings as old or younger than ours, we understand that it’s
our turn to provide for the younger families that follow us.
A Special Opportunity
The chance to design the new Co-Located Middle and High School is an important challenge for me as an architect, and an exciting privilege as a Duxbury resident. Our civic buildings are an important way in which we express who we are, and our schools express the importance we see in educating ourchildren and investing in the future.
Duxbury is rich in history and tradition. The original configuration of our town's symbolic center features three buildings that our predecessors saw as most important and expressive of who they were. The First Parish Church, Town Hall and Partridge Academy stood side by side as Duxbury’s Spiritual, Governmental
and Educational Temples. As times and needs changed, so did our buildings. When the Partridge Academy burned down in 1933, the original Duxbury High School built in 1927 and now the home of the Duxbury Free Library had, already replaced its need. That was the beginning of what has become a vibrant cultural and educational campus. We are now engaged in the further development of that campus with our generation's contribution to a rich tradition.
The Co-Located Middle and High School will complete a campus plan in which all students from grade three through grade twelve as well as Duxbury residents at large can share in utilizing all the amenities offered in this one place. The design of the building is developed in response to the requirement of creating two separate schools, a Middle School (grades 6-8) and a High School (grades 9-12). The building is to be composed of four component parts. The first and defining part is the central spine or “Main Street” upon which the other three parts, High School, Middle School and Community buildings are arranged. These components will each have their own identity, and address along “Main Street”. This new symbolic village center has been designed to fulfill the educational needs of our Middle and High School students as well providing community spaces that are not only educational but also provide cultural and social opportunities available to all our citizens.
As taxpayers in this wonderful community my wife Linda and I have enjoyed watching our older son and daughter reap the benefits of a first class public education and enter college as proud graduates of Duxbury Junior Senior High School (remember that?) an old and tired building even then in 1998, and our younger son attend both the Middle School and High School as a member of the Pilgrim Area Collaborative and enjoyed the special gift of the “Best Buddies” program. We got our monies worth because of the vision of the town’s residents in the 1960’s and the sacrifices they made. Now as our surrounding communities take advantage of the opportunities that the Massachusetts School Building Authority provides with generous reimbursements by building new state of the art schools to replace buildings as old or younger than ours, we understand that it’s
our turn to provide for the younger families that follow us.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Shawn Dahlen's Thoughts on the School Building Project
Recently we asked Shawn Dahlen, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, to share his thoughts on the school building project. Here is what he had to say:
"Building a new co-located middle/high school, as proposed by the School Building Committee (SBC), is a significant decision that affects everyone in our community. The SBC has spent countless volunteer hours deliberating the most appropriate way to update our aging school buildings and provide educational facilities for our children for the next 50 years. This process started long before our last Annual Town Meeting (ATM) and subsequent debt exclusion vote. Both of these previous votes were overwhelmingly in favor of the SBC moving forward with schematic design and cost estimates for a co-located middle/high school, on the site proposed, for which the voters approved $2.9 million of funding. At last year's ATM, the SBC told the voters the estimated cost for schematic design for a non-model school would be about $2.9 million, the new co-located middle/high school would be about $130 million including the design cost and the projected MSBA state contribution would be about 43%.
The SBC is coming back to us for the final approval, having spent $1.55 million of the approved funds for schematic design for a model school. The proposed co-located middle/high school will cost residents less than the SBC previously anticipated, and the town will receive a higher percentage of MSBA state reimbursement than projected. SBC members have done their job, as directed by our votes, and now it's time for residents to make a final decision. I urge all residents to learn as much as they can about the proposed school project so they can make a well-informed decision. The SBC has held several public informational meetings, and the DuxburyCARES website is full of information about the project.
I support this proposal because we have an obligation to provide the best educational opportunities to our children that we can, for as long as we live in our wonderful community. Education starts in the classroom with teachers, but a quality education requires a variety of positive influences, including parents, the teaching environment, and technology. I know the additional taxes required to fund this proposal will be challenging for many of our residents, especially those living on fixed incomes. That said, I hope that each of us can weigh the positives and negatives, both for ourselves and community, and vote to support this very well-thought out proposal."
Thank you, Shawn, for your support and leadership on this matter.
YES for SCHOOLS. YES on 1.
Special Town Meeting
Saturday, October 29, 2011 -- 9:00AM
Performing Arts Center, Duxbury
"Building a new co-located middle/high school, as proposed by the School Building Committee (SBC), is a significant decision that affects everyone in our community. The SBC has spent countless volunteer hours deliberating the most appropriate way to update our aging school buildings and provide educational facilities for our children for the next 50 years. This process started long before our last Annual Town Meeting (ATM) and subsequent debt exclusion vote. Both of these previous votes were overwhelmingly in favor of the SBC moving forward with schematic design and cost estimates for a co-located middle/high school, on the site proposed, for which the voters approved $2.9 million of funding. At last year's ATM, the SBC told the voters the estimated cost for schematic design for a non-model school would be about $2.9 million, the new co-located middle/high school would be about $130 million including the design cost and the projected MSBA state contribution would be about 43%.
The SBC is coming back to us for the final approval, having spent $1.55 million of the approved funds for schematic design for a model school. The proposed co-located middle/high school will cost residents less than the SBC previously anticipated, and the town will receive a higher percentage of MSBA state reimbursement than projected. SBC members have done their job, as directed by our votes, and now it's time for residents to make a final decision. I urge all residents to learn as much as they can about the proposed school project so they can make a well-informed decision. The SBC has held several public informational meetings, and the DuxburyCARES website is full of information about the project.
I support this proposal because we have an obligation to provide the best educational opportunities to our children that we can, for as long as we live in our wonderful community. Education starts in the classroom with teachers, but a quality education requires a variety of positive influences, including parents, the teaching environment, and technology. I know the additional taxes required to fund this proposal will be challenging for many of our residents, especially those living on fixed incomes. That said, I hope that each of us can weigh the positives and negatives, both for ourselves and community, and vote to support this very well-thought out proposal."
Thank you, Shawn, for your support and leadership on this matter.
YES for SCHOOLS. YES on 1.
Special Town Meeting
Saturday, October 29, 2011 -- 9:00AM
Performing Arts Center, Duxbury
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Special Town Meeting Child Care Update
We have an update to the list of child care otions during Special Town Meeting. Add in the DSU event listed below. Big thanks to Before and After Dark, the DHS Volleyball team and the DSU for putting together these options!
We strongly encourage voters to make childcare plans sooner rather than later! Sign up NOW!
Special Town Meeting Child Care Service Offered by Community Education (Before and After Dark)
Child care services for preschool age (3 years old and up/must be toilet trained) to school age children will be available at a reduced cost for Duxbury residents attending Special Town Meeting on Saturday, October 29th. Community Education staffers and DHS students will provide care in the Extended Day program classroom at the Alden Elementary School. The service is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of the town meeting lunch break, when parents are asked to pick up their children. The cost is $12 per child per day, or $6 per child for the morning session or afternoon session. Each child should bring his/her own drink and snacks. Families must register in advance for the child care service and may do so beginning October 12, 2011. Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the number of children attending will be limited to ensure proper staffing ratios. Please call the Community Education office at 781-934-7633 if you wish to register your child for the reduced cost child care service.
Community Education also provided the slightly out-of-date 2010-11 Babysitting List that was compiled last year at Magic Dragon with students that were participating in the Child Development course at DHS. That program has been discontinued at the High School, so this list is not up-to-date, but it may provide another resource for families that prefer at home care or need a babysitter for their infant/toddler age children. If you are interested in that list, email us as it has home phone numbers and we don't want to post it publicly.
Childcare offered by DHS Girls Vollyeball Team
The DHS Girls Volleyball team will be offering childcare from 9-12 on Saturday October 29 in Alden room 104. Children must be potty-trained. The cost will be $10 per child with a $20 per family maximum. Please sign up in advance by emailing Barbara Vetch at barbaravetsch@comcast.net.
Duxbury Student Union
Duxbury Student Union is sponsoring a "Special Howl Meeting" event on Saturday, October 29 during Special Town Meeting. Say goodbye to Mom & Dad from 9am - noon as they discuss new schools while we have some LOL fun of our own. Halloween games, contests & prizes in typical wacky DSU spirit. $20 per person or $35 per family. Sign up for Student Union events at admin@duxburystudentunion.com.
We strongly encourage voters to make childcare plans sooner rather than later! Sign up NOW!
Special Town Meeting Child Care Service Offered by Community Education (Before and After Dark)
Child care services for preschool age (3 years old and up/must be toilet trained) to school age children will be available at a reduced cost for Duxbury residents attending Special Town Meeting on Saturday, October 29th. Community Education staffers and DHS students will provide care in the Extended Day program classroom at the Alden Elementary School. The service is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of the town meeting lunch break, when parents are asked to pick up their children. The cost is $12 per child per day, or $6 per child for the morning session or afternoon session. Each child should bring his/her own drink and snacks. Families must register in advance for the child care service and may do so beginning October 12, 2011. Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the number of children attending will be limited to ensure proper staffing ratios. Please call the Community Education office at 781-934-7633 if you wish to register your child for the reduced cost child care service.
Community Education also provided the slightly out-of-date 2010-11 Babysitting List that was compiled last year at Magic Dragon with students that were participating in the Child Development course at DHS. That program has been discontinued at the High School, so this list is not up-to-date, but it may provide another resource for families that prefer at home care or need a babysitter for their infant/toddler age children. If you are interested in that list, email us as it has home phone numbers and we don't want to post it publicly.
Childcare offered by DHS Girls Vollyeball Team
The DHS Girls Volleyball team will be offering childcare from 9-12 on Saturday October 29 in Alden room 104. Children must be potty-trained. The cost will be $10 per child with a $20 per family maximum. Please sign up in advance by emailing Barbara Vetch at barbaravetsch@comcast.net.
Duxbury Student Union
Duxbury Student Union is sponsoring a "Special Howl Meeting" event on Saturday, October 29 during Special Town Meeting. Say goodbye to Mom & Dad from 9am - noon as they discuss new schools while we have some LOL fun of our own. Halloween games, contests & prizes in typical wacky DSU spirit. $20 per person or $35 per family. Sign up for Student Union events at admin@duxburystudentunion.com.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
More on Childcare Options for Special Town Meeting
As promised, here are some more details on childcare available during Special Town Meeting on October 29.
Special Town Meeting Child Care Service Offered by Community Education (Before and After Dark)
Child care services for preschool age (3 years old and up/must be toilet trained) to school age children will be available at a reduced cost for Duxbury residents attending Special Town Meeting on Saturday, October 29th. Community Education staffers and DHS students will provide care in the Extended Day program classroom at the Alden Elementary School. The service is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of the town meeting lunch break, when parents are asked to pick up their children. The cost is $12 per child per day, or $6 per child for the morning session or afternoon session. Each child should bring his/her own drink and snacks. Families must register in advance for the child care service and may do so beginning October 12, 2011. Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the number of children attending will be limited to ensure proper staffing ratios. Please call the Community Education office at 781-934-7633 if you wish to register your child for the reduced cost child care service.
Community Education also provided the slightly out-of-date 2010-11 Babysitting List that was compiled last year at Magic Dragon with students that were participating in the Child Development course at DHS. That program has been discontinued at the High School, so this list is not up-to-date, but it may provide another resource for families that prefer at home care or need a babysitter for their infant/toddler age children. If you are interested in that list, email us as it has home phone numbers and we don't want to post it publicly.
Childcare offered by DHS Girls Vollyeball Team
The DHS Girls Volleyball team will be offering childcare from 9-12 on Saturday October 29 in Alden room 104. Children must be potty-trained. The cost will be $10 per child with a $20 per family maximum. Please sign up in advance by emailing Barbara Vetch at barbaravetsch@comcast.net.
We understand that there will be one more option and will communicate that as soon as we have details.
Special Town Meeting Child Care Service Offered by Community Education (Before and After Dark)
Child care services for preschool age (3 years old and up/must be toilet trained) to school age children will be available at a reduced cost for Duxbury residents attending Special Town Meeting on Saturday, October 29th. Community Education staffers and DHS students will provide care in the Extended Day program classroom at the Alden Elementary School. The service is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of the town meeting lunch break, when parents are asked to pick up their children. The cost is $12 per child per day, or $6 per child for the morning session or afternoon session. Each child should bring his/her own drink and snacks. Families must register in advance for the child care service and may do so beginning October 12, 2011. Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the number of children attending will be limited to ensure proper staffing ratios. Please call the Community Education office at 781-934-7633 if you wish to register your child for the reduced cost child care service.
Community Education also provided the slightly out-of-date 2010-11 Babysitting List that was compiled last year at Magic Dragon with students that were participating in the Child Development course at DHS. That program has been discontinued at the High School, so this list is not up-to-date, but it may provide another resource for families that prefer at home care or need a babysitter for their infant/toddler age children. If you are interested in that list, email us as it has home phone numbers and we don't want to post it publicly.
Childcare offered by DHS Girls Vollyeball Team
The DHS Girls Volleyball team will be offering childcare from 9-12 on Saturday October 29 in Alden room 104. Children must be potty-trained. The cost will be $10 per child with a $20 per family maximum. Please sign up in advance by emailing Barbara Vetch at barbaravetsch@comcast.net.
We understand that there will be one more option and will communicate that as soon as we have details.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Kids, Childcare and Town Meeting
We recognize that one of the hardest parts about getting all voting members of a household to Town Meeting is childcare. Not everyone has an older child that can look after the younger ones, or a mother-in-law a couple towns away who can come over to help out.
But please, please, don't let childcare issues limit your participation! As such, we have this preliminary information for you:
In addition, there probably will be three other care options for parents, in and around the school campus:
If you have a regular sitter that can come to your home, super. Call them now! But again, please don't let childcare issues limit your participation in the very important town meeting! YOUR vote is critical and we need you at Special Town Meeting on October 29 at 9AM at the PAC
Whatever questions we can answer on this topic, we will. Email us at duxburycares@gmail.com.
But please, please, don't let childcare issues limit your participation! As such, we have this preliminary information for you:
- In the PAC, during Town Meeting, seats are meant for registered voters. Although town officials can't really exclude children from the PAC, they can request that kids not take up a seat that a registered voter would use. They also expect that children be sufficiently quiet and well-behaved so all can hear the motions and discussion and so on. There were many, many kids in the PAC in the spring and the vast majority did just fine (all of you should be commended for that!) -- just please be aware of the seat issue and respectful of the business that is being conducted.
- As we hope there is a big crowd of voters, the Alden cafeteria will be used as overflow space, and kids are welcome there. The cafeteria can hold about 400 people. If needed, the practice room in the PAC can also be used as kid-friendly overflow space; that space can hold about 200.
In addition, there probably will be three other care options for parents, in and around the school campus:
- Before and After Dark will be offering coverage for a limited number potty trained children. Details will be available on October 12, and we will post them as soon as we have them.
- The DSU has said that they intend to offer an event that morning, as they did for the spring Town Meeting. Again, details will be forthcoming.
- The DHS girls volleyball team will be offering childcare in Alden 104 as a fundraiser for this new sports team. As with the above listed options, as we get specifics, we will distribute them.
If you have a regular sitter that can come to your home, super. Call them now! But again, please don't let childcare issues limit your participation in the very important town meeting! YOUR vote is critical and we need you at Special Town Meeting on October 29 at 9AM at the PAC
Whatever questions we can answer on this topic, we will. Email us at duxburycares@gmail.com.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Practical Implications of a Co-located Middle School and High School
Throughout the election season in the spring, we talked about how co-location make sense for Duxbury by addressing two schools in one big project, maintaining separate identities while sharing certain common functions. Now, as we seek to appropriate construction funds for the project, there have been some additional questions about the practical issues of sharing a building. A you read this, you may wish to reference the floor plans as published here: Renderings, Site Plans, Floor Plans and More.
The long "main street" corridor connects the two school wings and the common areas. It runs the full-length of the school, from the high school entrance to the middle school entrance, and it separates the side with the academic wings from the side with the shared/community components.
When students ride to school by bus -- and middle school and high school students have been riding the bus together for years without incident -- they are dropped at the high school entrance. Students enter the building, and the older student peel off into the high school wing, while the younger students continue down to the middle school wing. When students are dropped at school by parents, they are dropped at the middle school entrance. Younger student peel off into the middle school wing while older students continue down the main street to the high school. All this happens within full view of the administration offices of both the middle school and high school. (High school students who drive themselves would be walking into the building at the high school entrance after parking across the street.)
The U-shaped corridors that run through each wing of the building can be closed, thus containing students in their respective areas. This layout also makes it possible for hallways on each floor in each wing to be monitored during class changes by two staff members as there are clear sight lines of two hallways from any of the four corners. Hallways will also have security cameras, and students are required to have a pass from a teacher to leave a classroom.
The plans call for two separate gyms, fitness rooms, and sets of locker rooms, one each for the middle school and high school. There is also music space that will be shared.
The middle school and high school have different bell schedules, so even when students are moving between academic wings and common areas, they would not be moving at the same time. Middle school students would be in class while the high school does a class chance, and visa versa.
The two most "common" areas of the proposed new building are the cafeteria and the library. In each case, they are located toward the middle school side of the building. This is because, generally speaking, middle school students "travel" less during the course of their day, and this maintains that lesser travel time. High school students are more accustomed to traveling a little further between classes.
The cafeteria has two entrances, two "scramble" areas, and two seating areas. The divider in the cafeteria can be removed to make a larger area, but on a day-to-day basis, kids will be separated. The middle school entrance to the cafeteria is toward the middle school building entrance. The high school entrance to the cafeteria is closer to the high school end of the main street, and in view of the middle school administration offices.
Similarly, the library on the 3rd floor has two entrances: one closer to the middle school entrance end of the building primarily for the middle school students, and one closer to the high school wing primarily for the high school students.
It may also be helpful to understand how the library is used. As the repository of knowledge in its books and data center, the library is a tremendous resource -- but it is not used in the same way the library is used at Chandler and at Alden. Students don't have regular library time as in the elementary schools, and it is not allowed to be used as a social gathering space (indeed, neither the high school or middle school programs have study halls that would use it as such -- it is only used when supervised). At the middle school and high school level, teachers schedule time in the library for their classes for specific purposes, and students are well-supervised. In addition, there are middle school and high school "classrooms" within the library itself for further student sorting.
High school students will not travel "through" the middle school to get to the cafeteria or library. They will travel down the main street; they will not enter the U-shaped corridor that contains the middle school classes.
We learned from the principals of the combined middle school and high school in Ipswich that there is much self-segregation that happens with students -- but in areas where the age groups do mix, the older students tend to act better around the younger students. There is more mixing of age groups in Ipswich than there will be in our co-located school; their cafeteria, for example, is fully shared. The Ipswich principals tell us that they have never had an issue related to the disparate age groups in the 10 years their combined school has been open -- discipline in all age groups improved. (Ipswich Principals Talk About a Middle School and High School Under One Roof)
The co-located model is expected to promote positive interactions between the two populations -- where appropriate, of course. Many middle school students already take music lessons from high schools students, and the scheduling of these lessons will only become easier. Similarly, it will be easier to make cross school contact for academic tutoring between students.
Easier communication between the middle school and high school is expected to further improve the transition of students from the middle school to high school in the co-located building as well.
The co-located model is best of two worlds: two distinct schools in one project with shared spaces for efficiency where it makes sense. Populations can be kept apart in their respective academic wings and are supervised when interacting.
The long "main street" corridor connects the two school wings and the common areas. It runs the full-length of the school, from the high school entrance to the middle school entrance, and it separates the side with the academic wings from the side with the shared/community components.
When students ride to school by bus -- and middle school and high school students have been riding the bus together for years without incident -- they are dropped at the high school entrance. Students enter the building, and the older student peel off into the high school wing, while the younger students continue down to the middle school wing. When students are dropped at school by parents, they are dropped at the middle school entrance. Younger student peel off into the middle school wing while older students continue down the main street to the high school. All this happens within full view of the administration offices of both the middle school and high school. (High school students who drive themselves would be walking into the building at the high school entrance after parking across the street.)
The U-shaped corridors that run through each wing of the building can be closed, thus containing students in their respective areas. This layout also makes it possible for hallways on each floor in each wing to be monitored during class changes by two staff members as there are clear sight lines of two hallways from any of the four corners. Hallways will also have security cameras, and students are required to have a pass from a teacher to leave a classroom.
The plans call for two separate gyms, fitness rooms, and sets of locker rooms, one each for the middle school and high school. There is also music space that will be shared.
The middle school and high school have different bell schedules, so even when students are moving between academic wings and common areas, they would not be moving at the same time. Middle school students would be in class while the high school does a class chance, and visa versa.
The two most "common" areas of the proposed new building are the cafeteria and the library. In each case, they are located toward the middle school side of the building. This is because, generally speaking, middle school students "travel" less during the course of their day, and this maintains that lesser travel time. High school students are more accustomed to traveling a little further between classes.
The cafeteria has two entrances, two "scramble" areas, and two seating areas. The divider in the cafeteria can be removed to make a larger area, but on a day-to-day basis, kids will be separated. The middle school entrance to the cafeteria is toward the middle school building entrance. The high school entrance to the cafeteria is closer to the high school end of the main street, and in view of the middle school administration offices.
Similarly, the library on the 3rd floor has two entrances: one closer to the middle school entrance end of the building primarily for the middle school students, and one closer to the high school wing primarily for the high school students.
It may also be helpful to understand how the library is used. As the repository of knowledge in its books and data center, the library is a tremendous resource -- but it is not used in the same way the library is used at Chandler and at Alden. Students don't have regular library time as in the elementary schools, and it is not allowed to be used as a social gathering space (indeed, neither the high school or middle school programs have study halls that would use it as such -- it is only used when supervised). At the middle school and high school level, teachers schedule time in the library for their classes for specific purposes, and students are well-supervised. In addition, there are middle school and high school "classrooms" within the library itself for further student sorting.
High school students will not travel "through" the middle school to get to the cafeteria or library. They will travel down the main street; they will not enter the U-shaped corridor that contains the middle school classes.
We learned from the principals of the combined middle school and high school in Ipswich that there is much self-segregation that happens with students -- but in areas where the age groups do mix, the older students tend to act better around the younger students. There is more mixing of age groups in Ipswich than there will be in our co-located school; their cafeteria, for example, is fully shared. The Ipswich principals tell us that they have never had an issue related to the disparate age groups in the 10 years their combined school has been open -- discipline in all age groups improved. (Ipswich Principals Talk About a Middle School and High School Under One Roof)
The co-located model is expected to promote positive interactions between the two populations -- where appropriate, of course. Many middle school students already take music lessons from high schools students, and the scheduling of these lessons will only become easier. Similarly, it will be easier to make cross school contact for academic tutoring between students.
Easier communication between the middle school and high school is expected to further improve the transition of students from the middle school to high school in the co-located building as well.
The co-located model is best of two worlds: two distinct schools in one project with shared spaces for efficiency where it makes sense. Populations can be kept apart in their respective academic wings and are supervised when interacting.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Voter Registration and Absentee Voting Information
Just over three weeks until Special Town Meeting on October 29 and just over four weeks to Special Town Election on November 5. Now is the time to double-check your calendar and double-check your voter registration status.
Voter Registration
If you voted in the election in the spring, your voter registration is likely fine. However, if you have moved to a new home between then and now, you might want to check to be sure your voter registration is up-to-date.
If you have previously been registered to vote but have not voted in the last couple of elections, you should definitely check your voter registration status. To check your status, contact the Town Clerk's office in Town Hall, 878 Tremont Street, or call 781-934-1100, ext 150.
If you are not registered to vote, there is still time to do so. The LAST DAY to register to vote for this election is Friday, October 14.
To register to vote, drop by the Town Clerk's office during regular business hours and complete an affidavit of registration, which must be answered truthfully under the penalty of perjury. The questions on the affidavit will include your name, residence and date of birth. Town Clerk hours are as follows:
Monday 8:00AM-7:00PM
Tuesday-Thursday 8:00AM-4:00PM
Friday 8:00AM - 12:30PM
Please call if coming between noon and 1:00PM.
Note that the Town Clerk's office will be open late on Friday October 14 to accommodate registrants. The hours on that day will be 8:30AM to 7:00PM
Absentee Voting
If you will be out of town on November 5, you can vote absentee. The state allows for absentee voting if you will be away from town on the day of the voting. First, download the following form from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website:
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee_ballot.pdf
Fill out the form in its entirety. Then you have several options:
In any case, the absentee ballot MUST be back in the hands of the Town Clerk no later than 12NOON on Friday November 4!
Town Clerk's office, Town Hall
878 Tremont Street
781-934-1100; EXT. 150
Hours
Monday: 8:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Tuesday – Thursday: 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Friday: 8:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Please call if coming between noon and 1:00PM.
Additional information about voting absentee in Massachusetts is here:
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howabs.htm
You can also call the Town Clerk, Nancy Oates, with any questions.
Absentee Voting and Town Meeting
You may also be wondering why absentee voting is not available for Town Meeting.
The very intent of the Town Meeting form of government is to get people active and involved and attending Town Meeting. Town Meeting tends to be a fairly fluid process: amendments and contingencies are offered on the floor of Town Meeting that affect the meaning and intent of the issue being voted. If absentee voting were to apply to Town Meeting, it actually offers the potential for voting for something you don't agree with, or something you do agree with.
For example, say there is a warrant article regarding land use. You agree with the article as written and printed. But on the floor of Town Meeting, an amendment is offered that you would vehemently disagree with. If absentee ballots were available, would an absentee vote Yes for the article still apply after the amendment were offered? How would you know? How would the Town Clerk discern which absentee votes to apply to the final, altered article, and which to discard?
Voter Registration
If you voted in the election in the spring, your voter registration is likely fine. However, if you have moved to a new home between then and now, you might want to check to be sure your voter registration is up-to-date.
If you have previously been registered to vote but have not voted in the last couple of elections, you should definitely check your voter registration status. To check your status, contact the Town Clerk's office in Town Hall, 878 Tremont Street, or call 781-934-1100, ext 150.
If you are not registered to vote, there is still time to do so. The LAST DAY to register to vote for this election is Friday, October 14.
To register to vote, drop by the Town Clerk's office during regular business hours and complete an affidavit of registration, which must be answered truthfully under the penalty of perjury. The questions on the affidavit will include your name, residence and date of birth. Town Clerk hours are as follows:
Monday 8:00AM-7:00PM
Tuesday-Thursday 8:00AM-4:00PM
Friday 8:00AM - 12:30PM
Please call if coming between noon and 1:00PM.
Note that the Town Clerk's office will be open late on Friday October 14 to accommodate registrants. The hours on that day will be 8:30AM to 7:00PM
Absentee Voting
If you will be out of town on November 5, you can vote absentee. The state allows for absentee voting if you will be away from town on the day of the voting. First, download the following form from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website:
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee_ballot.pdf
Fill out the form in its entirety. Then you have several options:
- Mail the form to the Town Clerk. The Town Clerk can then mail you the ballot. Make sure you return the ballot promptly, with sufficient postage!
- Take form into the Town Clerk's office yourself. You will be able to complete your absentee ballot right then and there.
- Have a family member take the form into the Town Clerk's office for you. The family member can pick up the ballot for you. Once you have completed the ballot, mail it back, or have your family member return it.
In any case, the absentee ballot MUST be back in the hands of the Town Clerk no later than 12NOON on Friday November 4!
Town Clerk's office, Town Hall
878 Tremont Street
781-934-1100; EXT. 150
Hours
Monday: 8:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Tuesday – Thursday: 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Friday: 8:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Please call if coming between noon and 1:00PM.
Additional information about voting absentee in Massachusetts is here:
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howabs.htm
You can also call the Town Clerk, Nancy Oates, with any questions.
Absentee Voting and Town Meeting
You may also be wondering why absentee voting is not available for Town Meeting.
The very intent of the Town Meeting form of government is to get people active and involved and attending Town Meeting. Town Meeting tends to be a fairly fluid process: amendments and contingencies are offered on the floor of Town Meeting that affect the meaning and intent of the issue being voted. If absentee voting were to apply to Town Meeting, it actually offers the potential for voting for something you don't agree with, or something you do agree with.
For example, say there is a warrant article regarding land use. You agree with the article as written and printed. But on the floor of Town Meeting, an amendment is offered that you would vehemently disagree with. If absentee ballots were available, would an absentee vote Yes for the article still apply after the amendment were offered? How would you know? How would the Town Clerk discern which absentee votes to apply to the final, altered article, and which to discard?
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Boston Globe Article on New Plymouth North High School
There's an article in the Globe South section today (September 29, 2011) on the new Plymouth North High School currently under construction. Note the comments about the project being on time and on budget, the conditions the students currently are learning in at Plymouth Carver Regional High School, the intent to equip kids with 21st century skills, and the comments from students and staff.
The initial attempt to rebuild Plymouth North failed in 2003, at a cost of millions to taxpayers, and unknown expense to student's educations (Comparisons to Building Projects in Other Towns)
The link for the article is here:
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/south/2011/09/28/school-sailing-ahead/oY1f1KkZtkiGyIDNLtRvYO/story.xml
---------------------------------------
School sailing ahead
Set to open next year, new Plymouth North dwarfs its predecessor, reflecting growth of town
By Emily Sweeney GLOBE STAFF SEPTEMBER 28, 2011
A giant new structure is rising near Plymouth North High School. The edifice of red brick and cast stone on Obery Street measuring 267,497 square feet looms large over the existing flat-roofed, 1960s-era Plymouth North building. Students, teachers, parents, and coaches can’t wait for its doors to finally open.
The massive size of the new high school illustrates just how much America’s Hometown has grown in recent decades. The town’s population has been on the upswing, growing from 14,445 in 1960 to more than 56,000 today.
The construction project is on time and on budget, according to school officials, and will cost about $88 million, a reasonable sum compared with the Newton North High School project, which cost $197.5 million. The building is scheduled to be completed in May and ready for students in September 2012.
Meanwhile, students continue to attend classes in the existing school, which opened in 1963 as Plymouth Carver Regional High School. The lighting, plumbing, and fire alarm systems are outdated. It has modular classrooms (not so affectionately dubbed “the portables’’) that were attached in 1985. Inside the school hallways, the air is humid and muggy. The roof needs to be replaced. During a recent storm, ceiling tiles fell onto the floor and garbage barrels were strategically placed in classrooms to collect leaking rainwater.
The new Plymouth North building was designed by Wayland-based Ai3 Architects LLC, which has designed several school buildings south of Boston, including Whitman-Hanson Regional High School, which opened in 2005, and the brand new Norwood High School.
Like Norwood High, Plymouth North is a “model school’’ project, its blueprint adapted from a previous design.
The architects describe the new Plymouth North as classically designed, inspired by the Federal style of the Massachusetts State House and the original Plymouth High School building, which now houses Nathaniel Morton Elementary School.
It will have an outdoor courtyard, a garden on the roof, solar panels, a system that recycles water, and electric car charging stations in the parking lot. The project is slated to receive a gold rating from the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program, which rates buildings on their sustainability and energy efficiency. (The builders originally hoped to earn the highest LEED rating - platinum - by installing a wind turbine on the campus, but that plan was dropped after neighbors voiced concern about the proposed turbine.)
Plymouth’s next Council on Aging building, also currently under construction, will overlook the school’s main athletic field, so senior citizens will have front-row seats for football games and easy access to the track for walking. The 18,000-square-foot senior center was incorporated into the high school campus on purpose, so youngsters would be able to interact and work with elders. The new facility will be twice the size of the existing senior center and will feature a dining hall, gift shop, kitchen, outdoor sitting areas, dropoff and pickup areas, parking lot, and an art and billiards room.
Once the new high school is complete, the old Plymouth Carver Regional High School will be demolished to make way for a new parking area and baseball and softball diamonds. Before it meets the wrecking ball, the school administration will host an informal road race around the building, aptly titled “The Last Lap.’’
Teachers and staff are excited about the new facility because “they’re going to have every tool imaginable,’’ said principal Kathleen E. McSweeney, who donned a hard hat and led a reporter and photographer on a tour of the construction site.
McSweeney said students are buzzing about the new athletic facilities (gigantic gymnasium! halftime building! turf fields! WiFi!)
McSweeney said that the new high school will feature state-of-the-art technology, and that every classroom will have smartboards, projectors, voice amplification systems, and Bose speakers. Wireless access to the Internet will be available throughout the building. “We want to equip kids with 21st-century skills,’’ she said.
On a recent afternoon, members of the Plymouth North High School football team were working out by the old school building, wearing blue and white Eagles jerseys, running drills and jumping rope while the sounds of construction vehicles buzzing and humming filled the air. All had good words for the new building emerging on the dusty construction site behind them.
“It’s going to be better,’’ said sophomore Pat Hicks.
“I think kids will like to go to school more,’’ said senior Hayden Gabriel.
Another senior, Jake Holmes, was disappointed he won’t get a chance to attend classes there, but is pleased with the project nonetheless. “It’s good for the town,’’ he said. “As seniors, it’s kind of a bummer. . . . But I’m looking forward to coming back.’’
Phys ed teacher Bill Drew graduated from the old building in 1979. He, too, is looking forward to next September.
“The whole community is excited about it, he said. “It’s long overdue.’’
The initial attempt to rebuild Plymouth North failed in 2003, at a cost of millions to taxpayers, and unknown expense to student's educations (Comparisons to Building Projects in Other Towns)
The link for the article is here:
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/south/2011/09/28/school-sailing-ahead/oY1f1KkZtkiGyIDNLtRvYO/story.xml
---------------------------------------
School sailing ahead
Set to open next year, new Plymouth North dwarfs its predecessor, reflecting growth of town
By Emily Sweeney GLOBE STAFF SEPTEMBER 28, 2011
A giant new structure is rising near Plymouth North High School. The edifice of red brick and cast stone on Obery Street measuring 267,497 square feet looms large over the existing flat-roofed, 1960s-era Plymouth North building. Students, teachers, parents, and coaches can’t wait for its doors to finally open.
The massive size of the new high school illustrates just how much America’s Hometown has grown in recent decades. The town’s population has been on the upswing, growing from 14,445 in 1960 to more than 56,000 today.
The construction project is on time and on budget, according to school officials, and will cost about $88 million, a reasonable sum compared with the Newton North High School project, which cost $197.5 million. The building is scheduled to be completed in May and ready for students in September 2012.
Meanwhile, students continue to attend classes in the existing school, which opened in 1963 as Plymouth Carver Regional High School. The lighting, plumbing, and fire alarm systems are outdated. It has modular classrooms (not so affectionately dubbed “the portables’’) that were attached in 1985. Inside the school hallways, the air is humid and muggy. The roof needs to be replaced. During a recent storm, ceiling tiles fell onto the floor and garbage barrels were strategically placed in classrooms to collect leaking rainwater.
The new Plymouth North building was designed by Wayland-based Ai3 Architects LLC, which has designed several school buildings south of Boston, including Whitman-Hanson Regional High School, which opened in 2005, and the brand new Norwood High School.
Like Norwood High, Plymouth North is a “model school’’ project, its blueprint adapted from a previous design.
The architects describe the new Plymouth North as classically designed, inspired by the Federal style of the Massachusetts State House and the original Plymouth High School building, which now houses Nathaniel Morton Elementary School.
It will have an outdoor courtyard, a garden on the roof, solar panels, a system that recycles water, and electric car charging stations in the parking lot. The project is slated to receive a gold rating from the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program, which rates buildings on their sustainability and energy efficiency. (The builders originally hoped to earn the highest LEED rating - platinum - by installing a wind turbine on the campus, but that plan was dropped after neighbors voiced concern about the proposed turbine.)
Plymouth’s next Council on Aging building, also currently under construction, will overlook the school’s main athletic field, so senior citizens will have front-row seats for football games and easy access to the track for walking. The 18,000-square-foot senior center was incorporated into the high school campus on purpose, so youngsters would be able to interact and work with elders. The new facility will be twice the size of the existing senior center and will feature a dining hall, gift shop, kitchen, outdoor sitting areas, dropoff and pickup areas, parking lot, and an art and billiards room.
Once the new high school is complete, the old Plymouth Carver Regional High School will be demolished to make way for a new parking area and baseball and softball diamonds. Before it meets the wrecking ball, the school administration will host an informal road race around the building, aptly titled “The Last Lap.’’
Teachers and staff are excited about the new facility because “they’re going to have every tool imaginable,’’ said principal Kathleen E. McSweeney, who donned a hard hat and led a reporter and photographer on a tour of the construction site.
McSweeney said students are buzzing about the new athletic facilities (gigantic gymnasium! halftime building! turf fields! WiFi!)
McSweeney said that the new high school will feature state-of-the-art technology, and that every classroom will have smartboards, projectors, voice amplification systems, and Bose speakers. Wireless access to the Internet will be available throughout the building. “We want to equip kids with 21st-century skills,’’ she said.
On a recent afternoon, members of the Plymouth North High School football team were working out by the old school building, wearing blue and white Eagles jerseys, running drills and jumping rope while the sounds of construction vehicles buzzing and humming filled the air. All had good words for the new building emerging on the dusty construction site behind them.
“It’s going to be better,’’ said sophomore Pat Hicks.
“I think kids will like to go to school more,’’ said senior Hayden Gabriel.
Another senior, Jake Holmes, was disappointed he won’t get a chance to attend classes there, but is pleased with the project nonetheless. “It’s good for the town,’’ he said. “As seniors, it’s kind of a bummer. . . . But I’m looking forward to coming back.’’
Phys ed teacher Bill Drew graduated from the old building in 1979. He, too, is looking forward to next September.
“The whole community is excited about it, he said. “It’s long overdue.’’
Monday, September 26, 2011
Presentation to the Board of Selectmen
Tonight Elizabeth Lewis, Chair of the School Building Committee, Dennis Daly, Lead Project Designer for Mount Vernon Group, and Ben Tantillo, Superintendent of Schools gave this presentation at the Board of Selectmen meeting. This is very similar to the presentation given at the School Committee meeting last week (and the meeting is currently being rebroadcast on public access).
Selectmen Presentation
Selectmen Presentation
Monday, September 19, 2011
Five More Renderings
We just uploaded five more renderings to Scribd that we hope you will enjoy. They are:
Four More Renderings
- Aerial view of the building from the back/middle school entrance
- View of middle school entrance.
Outdoor seating for cafeteria is to the left - Aerial view of fields side of the campus with fieldhouse
- View of fieldhouse
- View of front/high school entrance
Four More Renderings
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Renderings, Site Plans, Floor Plans and More
We've just uploaded a slew of new images of the proposed school. If you have or will be attending the school open houses, these are the images used on display boards. These images also will be used as part of the presentation the School Building Committee will be giving at the School Committee meeting this Wednesday, September 21, 7PM in Alden 104.
Main Entrance to High School Wing
First Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
Roof Plan
Library
Science Room
Site Plan - Schools Site
Site Plan Combined
Site Plan - Fields Site
Field House Next to Current Turf Field
Main Entrance to High School Wing
First Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
Roof Plan
Library
Science Room
Site Plan - Schools Site
Site Plan Combined
Site Plan - Fields Site
Field House Next to Current Turf Field
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Upcoming Opportunities to Learn More About the Proposed Building
Over the coming weeks, members of the School Building Committee, the School Committee and DuxburyCARES will be out and about to educate the public about the proposed middle school and high school building and to raise awareness about the coming votes at Special Town Meeting on October 29 and Special Town Election on November 5. Stop by tables during open houses to see graphics and renderings of the proposed building, and attend the School Committee meeting on September 21 to see a full presentation on the project.
Tuesday, September 13
DHS Boosters, 7PM, DHS
DMS Open House, 6PM, DMS
Wednesday, September 14
Alden PTA, 9:30AM, Alden School
Thursday, September 15
Alden Open House, 5:30PM, Alden School
Wednesday, September 21
School Committee Meeting, 7PM, Alden School
Thursday, September 22
DHS Open House, 6:30PM, DHS
In addition, you can expect to see folks out in the community ready to talk about the project.
We'll update the website weekly to reflect coming events.
Tuesday, September 13
DHS Boosters, 7PM, DHS
DMS Open House, 6PM, DMS
Wednesday, September 14
Alden PTA, 9:30AM, Alden School
Thursday, September 15
Alden Open House, 5:30PM, Alden School
Wednesday, September 21
School Committee Meeting, 7PM, Alden School
Thursday, September 22
DHS Open House, 6:30PM, DHS
In addition, you can expect to see folks out in the community ready to talk about the project.
We'll update the website weekly to reflect coming events.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Project Description
From Mount Vernon Group Architects we have this project description. Thank you MVG!
Duxbury MS HS Project Description
Duxbury MS HS Project Description
Saturday, September 3, 2011
New Renderings, Elevation & Site Plan
We hope you enjoy these recent images from the designers.
Thank you to Mount Vernon Group and the School Building Committee for sharing these with us so we can share them with you.
Views from St. George St, Alden St, and behind Alden School
Duxbur MS-HS various renderings
Duxbury Site Plans
Thank you to Mount Vernon Group and the School Building Committee for sharing these with us so we can share them with you.
Views from St. George St, Alden St, and behind Alden School
Duxbur MS-HS various renderings
Duxbury Site Plans
Friday, September 2, 2011
Kids Art Contest: "My New School"
Many citizens in Duxbury -- including us, of course -- are hoping to pass funding for a new middle school and high school this fall. What excites you the most about a new school building? What are you looking forward to? What do you think it will be like? What do you feel when you think about a new school building?
Now turn that into art!
FIVE winning artists will receive $10 gift certificates to Farfar’s and have their artwork featured on voter reminder postcards in advance of the coming special town meeting.
To enter:
- Draw your idea or impression or feeling about a new school building on 8 ½ x 11 paper. You can do it in color or black and white, with crayons, paints, pencils, with mixed media, or even on the computer.
- Submissions are due by September 30, 2011 to DuxburyCARES, PO Box 2642, Duxbury, MA, 02331.
- You must be a resident of Duxbury age 18 or under to enter.
- Questions? Email us at DuxburyCARES@gmail.com.
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