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Conference moira::parenting_v3

Title:Parenting
Notice:READ 1.27 BEFORE WRITING
Moderator:CSC32::DUBOIS
Created:Wed May 30 1990
Last Modified:Tue May 27 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1364
Total number of notes:23848

1079.0. "Info wanted on Mass. school systems" by CAPNET::AGULE () Thu Aug 08 1991 14:44

    We currently live in Westminster, MA.  Due to a personal situation
    revolving my husband's business, we are going to be selling our home
    and will have to move and "start over" from scratch.  We are very lucky
    in one respect, we have the chance to live in a good size apartment
    almost rent free thus allowing us the ability to save for another
    house.
    
    The situation I have is this.  We are moving to Ayer.  I grew up in
    Ayer it was an okay place (much better than it's reputation) school
    system was fine, I think I turned out okay.  My daugher is 4 this
    month, and I'm looking long-term about options for her schooling.  Next
    year she will (I assume) start Kindergarden.  Our goal is going to be
    to hopefully buy a new home in 3/4 years.  The location will more than
    like not be in Ayer.  
    
    The other part that makes it difficult is we don't know when we will be
    moving, and her current preschool is in Leominster.
    
    I am contemplating switching her to a Montessori program in Littleton,
    and just keeping her there through the elementry level.  
    
    The information I'm lacking (that I hope some of you could provide) is
    an update on the Ayer school system.  It's been along time since I was
    involved.  
    
    Are there any Ayer people out there who:
    
      - Know how the school system rates on "the list"
      - What kind of ratios there are for teacher to student
      - Know how any budget battles are affecting the school program
      - Know how the closing of Ft.Devens will affect the school system
    
    Any info would be most apprecated.
    
    Thanks,  Karen
                  
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1079.1lots of changes for AyerCTHQ2::SANDSTROMborn of the starsFri Aug 09 1991 15:4023
    Karen,
    
    A lot of things in Ayer these days are up in the air - with the base
    closing, limited funding, will we end up with an airport or not....
    
    I don't have too much detail on the current standing of the school
    system, but I do know that when Devens closes we will lose about 67%
    of the school population!   But don't forget that this won't happen
    overnight - it's scheduled to take years to close the base.
    
    There are many committees and action groups forming or already formed 
    to try to figure out what's next.   The Lowell Sun carries quite a
    bit of Ayer news, including committee meeting schedules and results
    so you might want to pick up a copy now and then.  Give me a call
    if you want to chat - I can send you old copies of my paper if you
    want.
    
    Conni  
    
    
    
    
    
1079.2VALUES::BRYDONMon Aug 12 1991 11:4818
    
    
    Hi Karen,
    
    	I can't give you too many details on the statistics of the school
    either.  I'm also from Ayer and I still live there.  I have a neice and
    nephew who attend Ayer schools.  Their class sizes have been as small
    as 15 and as large as 23.  They are in 2nd and 3rd grade this year.
    
    	If you give a call to the superintendant's office, I'm sure they
    can answer you questions about the school system today.  I don't think
    that anyone can answer to the future yet, there are still so many 
    variables up in the air.
    
    	Good Luck with your move.
    
    
    Kathy 
1079.3Worcester Magazine has statsTOOHOT::WOYAKFri Aug 23 1991 19:3510
    The Worcester Magazine runs an annual report on all the school systems
    in central Mass.  This years report is in the August edition.
    
    For each school system, it lists things like the average teacher
    salary, the $$$ spent per student, drop-out rate, test scores etc.
    The list provide will not give you the first-hand experience that you
    are probably looking for, but it will show you how the Ayer system
    compares to other central Mass school systems.
    
    Barbara
1079.4ThanksCAPNET::AGULEMon Aug 26 1991 15:483
    thanks for the info....I'll look for the magazine!
    
    Karen
1079.5Acton [MA] elementary school choicePOWDML::LALIBERTECIS Systems EngineeringTue Mar 03 1992 13:1719
    [crossposted from Massachusetts notesfile because alot of Acton
     people use PARENTING ] :
    
    Those who send their kids to Acton [MA] public schools have a 
    choice of four (?) different elementary schools at kindergarten 
    time.
    
    Will someone with experience give me a summary of the differences 
    between each school...i would be interested in how the schools
    see themselves as different and also how you perceived any
    actual good points or bad points.
    
    Thanks very much.
    
    Joanne
    
    (I have attended some but unfortunately not all the 
    talks given by the superintendent and principals)
     
1079.6See V2POWDML::SATOWFri Mar 06 1992 15:0810
Joanne,

See Parenting V2 (note 7.11 for directions on how to access it) notes 413, 473, 
and 1042.

We have one child in Douglas and one child in Conant.  I don't really have 
time to enter a long note in here, but I'd be happy to respond to any 
questions or specific issues that you care to send me by VAXmail.

Clay Satow
1079.7Request for input - education searchFSDEV::MGILBERTGHWB-Anywhere But America Tour 92Fri Mar 27 1992 19:1620
    
    I am looking for some input from people who might have some insights
    into school administration in the following communities:
    
    
    East Longmeadow, Mass. 	1984-present
    West Bridgewater, Mass.	1979-1984
    
    Triton Regional		1984-present
    Watertown, Connecticut	1980-1983
    
    Norwich Free Academy
    	Norwich, Connecticut	1988-present
    	Westport, Connecticut	1979-1988
    
    Lexington, Mass.		1985-present
    
    I would appreciate if you would contact me by mail or phone(297-2962)
    If you have any knowledge of school operations in these communities
    during these times. 
1079.8Junior/Senior Highs in Newton or Bedford, MAAER::FOXNo crime. And lots of fat, happy womenThu Apr 09 1992 23:5434
We're Looking to Buy a House this spring, and a major criterion
for location is a good school district for my almost 12 y.o. daughter, 
who will be entering 7th grade in the fall.  We've been
living in Brookline, MA for the past 8 years, but I doubt that we'll
be able to afford anything there, so I'm casting my net relatively
widely, targetting Newton, Bedford, and Acton.  

Of those choices, I'd prefer  to live in Newton, but I'm concerned about which
junior high my daughter would attend; she has a couple of friends who
would be going to Brown (Newton South feeder), but (of course!) most of the
houses we'd be interested in are in the Day JHS area.

I'd appreciate any feedback on the merits of either of these two junior
high schools, in particular on:
	- Scholastic emphasis
	- racial/ethnic/economic diversity
	- social pressure (I've been given to understand, albeit from
		biased sources:-), that Day has more of the "right clothes,
		right material possessions" atmosphere)
	- discipline/crime problems

Also, any similar feedback on the junior and senior high in Bedford would
be appreciated!  I'm already suffering from overload from the Acton 
boosters :-)

Reply here or by mail; I'm sure the mods would appreciate it if you
replied by mail if you have negative things to say! :-)

Thanks!

Bobbi Fox
(p.s.: we're looking for a house in the low $200 K's; any leads 
appreciated -- send mail!)