Letter to the Editor: Improvements Necessary at Salemwood
Teacher says the school is in need of some major repairs and maintenance.
Many of you may wonder why I am so passionate about protecting the children I teach at the Salemwood School. I am not only a teacher to the 142 students I often times I play the role of parent, counselor, and interventionist.
A $1 million dollar artificial turf field should be an afterthought compared to a school which is in need of some major repairs and maintenance. Evaluations were conducted by Mr. Webb of the Board of Health and the state department of health, yet very few of the recommendations by both agencies have been completed to date.
It is important for me to preserve this green space for the children at the Salemwood School. The children I teach are the poorest kids in the community. They come from the neediest homes in our district, 72 percent of them are low income. Many of these children live in apartment buildings. Some are homeless and living in motel rooms or shelters.
In addition to educating the neediest children in our community, we also have the largest population of students; we have the highest number special education students, and the majority of new english language learners. These statistics are challenging to Salemwood School educators, yet we strive each and every day to educate and improve the lives of the children who enter our classrooms.
The fact is, while a few councillors have chosen to single out the Salemwood School because of the protest we put up to preserve the park as a park for all Malden residents, by and large the Salemwood School is not a priority for any ward councillors or school committee members.
In closing, I apologize for my outburst, but I will never apologize for acting as the protector of the children who are entrusted to my care each and every day.
Kathleen Sullivan
Concerned Citizens of Malden, Secretary
Grade 5 Teacher, Salemwood School
robert wilson
6:36 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2011
If in fact the Salemwood School does need the repairs teacher KathleenSullivan says it does then why isn't it a priority over some things the City is doing. Schools should have priority over Pleasent street beautification and buying High Rock., just for examples.
RoseAnne Dimino
8:58 am on Friday, October 7, 2011
I have to wonder if having a "lame duck" mayor has something to do with this. I drove by the high school and have never seen it looking so shabby. I know there was some construction going on, but does that mean the lawn can't be mowed and the weeds can't be whacked?
Kate Morrigan
12:26 am on Saturday, October 8, 2011
The playground at Salemwood is downright dangerous. Sharp metal edges should not be anywhere children are playing.
Barbara Murphy
9:44 am on Saturday, October 8, 2011
New equipment has been ordered for the Salemwood Playground. I'll send Chris a .pdf of the plan and maybe he can post it here. The equipment is scheduled to be delivered in 3-4 weeks and installed immediately.
Gibby
10:03 am on Saturday, October 8, 2011
My Daughter attends the Salemwod, It does ned help, the roof leaks, which will cause mold. Also I use to live near High Rock, attended meeting to prevent a development fom happening. I believe that pacel of land was left to the city, in which we sold, now I hear we bought it back.. ???
Susan James
8:42 am on Monday, October 17, 2011
The Salemwood school needs a lot of work. There is a mold problem, windows leak, the roof leaks, the elevators are often out of service and the HVAC system has never been adequate, often leaving half the school cold while the other half is over heated.
The school is only 11 years old.
Michael Reardon
10:03 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
"There is a mold problem, windows leak, the roof leaks, the elevators are often out of service and the HVAC system has never been adequate, often leaving half the school cold while the other half is over heated."
Is this a healthy place for children? Does any one care about these kids? Where is the leadership speaking for the children, parents and families at the Salem wood? Would they let the children at Beebe school in such a mess?
Joe Gray
10:38 am on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
School superintendent is featured speaker at Ward 5 meeting tonight @ Foresdale. Make your presence and concerns known. Councilor Murphy is giving you a forum.
All parents for children of all of Malden's public school's should try to help get positive change happening.