The city finally approved the new high school building and the opposition can no longer stand in our way. We forced the decision makers to stop stalling and do what is right for our students. Stay alert because we will be watching closely to ensure they break ground exactly as …
December 3, 2016
Final supporters
UPDATE: Your support is needed more than ever! The Waltham School Committee and School Building Committee have been hard at work and need to know we support their work. Please consider signing if you haven't already to let them and the city know we stand behind the committees and a NEW high school building.
We the undersigned, residents of Waltham and parents of children in the Waltham Public Schools are signing here in support of the Waltham School Committee and the School Building Committee in their decision making process regarding a new high school in Waltham.
We are aware that there is a group of Waltham residents who are voicing the opinion that a new building is unnecessary in this process and that the current building can be refurbished to provide an adequate environment. We believe this is a misguided conclusion and, if implemented, will do harm to the reputation of Waltham Public Schools.
Waltham's public schools do not have a strong reputation among residents of the metro Boston area, including a fair number of Waltham residents. Waltham was recently designated a Level 3 district, in large part because the high school is designated as a Level 3 school. In recent years Waltham has made a significant investment in improving the elementary schools and it has clearly made a positive difference. It is now time to make the same investment in Waltham's high school.
In its current state, Waltham High School cannot provide the physical environment that will ensure a strong education for 21st century students. The physical plant is old and outdated and the layout does not conform with current research about ideal learning environments. When the physical plant was constructed, the architects and engineers could not have predicted the technological advancements that have occurred and the building is not able to accommodate technology that will ensure that WPS students receive an education that is second to none.
For these reasons, the new high school must actually be a new high school, meaning a new physical plant. If the decision is made to simply refurbish a building that cannot conceivably accommodate the needs of the 21st century student, it will be a grave disservice to the residents of Waltham. In that circumstance, many parents in Waltham will have to make the difficult decision about either finding a private high school for their children or moving to another community that directs more resources to ensuring the education of its residents. We hope we will not have to make that decision. Waltham Public Schools, particularly under the leadership of Dr. Echelson, has demonstrated itself capable of providing a top-notch education - please ensure that it continues to do so by lending your support to the construction of a new high school building in whatever venues you can. #onewaltham
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
October 14, 2016
October 14, 2016
The opposition keeps claiming we do not care about the future of our students, but this surge of support proves them dead wrong. Those bureaucrats in the city offices can no longer pretend this is just a fringe demand. We have the momentum now and we are not backing down until they authorize the new building.
Reached 100 supporters
October 14, 2016
89 Comments
The High School gets above 90 degrees at times. Students can't think in that kind of environment. Some get physically sick from it. There should have been a new one built years ago.
To pass on this incredible opportunity to advance the educational vision and implementation in Waltham would be selfish and irresponsible. Waltham's students deserve a top-notch environment that can deliver a top-notch education experience. Renovating would be a waste of money.
We need to invest in our children and their education, all the way through high school. Build our students a new high school and THEN renovate the old one as an elementary or middle school; we are going to need it soon. We've already had to redistrict the elementary school because they are "busting at the seams."
I am proud to say that I have had 2 very successful graduates from WHS and currently have a Sophomore there and a 6th grader! The new high school is way overdue! Our kids need this! Please support the school building committee and the school committee! This is way too important for our kids and our community!
My son is a freshman at WHS, and my daughter in 4th grade. I very much hope she will be able to have an up-to-date and modern high school. It's been a tough transition for my son to be basically going backwards with regards to facilities in each new school level.
Please build a new high school for the students of Waltham! They deserve a new building that can support the proposed educational plan! We are shaping the education of our future...our kids...all kids, and need to make that investment up front to secure a bright future for Waltham!
We need a new high school now!
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The city finally approved the new high school building and the opposition can no longer stand in our way. We forced the decision makers to stop stalling and do what is right for our students. Stay alert because we will be watching closely to ensure they break ground exactly as …
December 3, 2016
Final supporters
UPDATE: Your support is needed more than ever! The Waltham School Committee and School Building Committee have been hard at work and need to know we support their work. Please consider signing if you haven't already to let them and the city know we stand behind the committees and a NEW high school building.
We the undersigned, residents of Waltham and parents of children in the Waltham Public Schools are signing here in support of the Waltham School Committee and the School Building Committee in their decision making process regarding a new high school in Waltham.
We are aware that there is a group of Waltham residents who are voicing the opinion that a new building is unnecessary in this process and that the current building can be refurbished to provide an adequate environment. We believe this is a misguided conclusion and, if implemented, will do harm to the reputation of Waltham Public Schools.
Waltham's public schools do not have a strong reputation among residents of the metro Boston area, including a fair number of Waltham residents. Waltham was recently designated a Level 3 district, in large part because the high school is designated as a Level 3 school. In recent years Waltham has made a significant investment in improving the elementary schools and it has clearly made a positive difference. It is now time to make the same investment in Waltham's high school.
In its current state, Waltham High School cannot provide the physical environment that will ensure a strong education for 21st century students. The physical plant is old and outdated and the layout does not conform with current research about ideal learning environments. When the physical plant was constructed, the architects and engineers could not have predicted the technological advancements that have occurred and the building is not able to accommodate technology that will ensure that WPS students receive an education that is second to none.
For these reasons, the new high school must actually be a new high school, meaning a new physical plant. If the decision is made to simply refurbish a building that cannot conceivably accommodate the needs of the 21st century student, it will be a grave disservice to the residents of Waltham. In that circumstance, many parents in Waltham will have to make the difficult decision about either finding a private high school for their children or moving to another community that directs more resources to ensuring the education of its residents. We hope we will not have to make that decision. Waltham Public Schools, particularly under the leadership of Dr. Echelson, has demonstrated itself capable of providing a top-notch education - please ensure that it continues to do so by lending your support to the construction of a new high school building in whatever venues you can. #onewaltham
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
October 14, 2016
October 14, 2016
The opposition keeps claiming we do not care about the future of our students, but this surge of support proves them dead wrong. Those bureaucrats in the city offices can no longer pretend this is just a fringe demand. We have the momentum now and we are not backing down until they authorize the new building.
Reached 100 supporters
October 14, 2016
89 Comments
As a taxpayer without any children in the schools, I vigorously urge others in my situation to support these efforts. Having a new school building shows our commitment not just to the parents and children of Waltham, but to Waltham as a city. When the schools in Waltham are the absolute best they can be, all residents benefit.
The High School gets above 90 degrees at times. Students can't think in that kind of environment. Some get physically sick from it. There should have been a new one built years ago.
To pass on this incredible opportunity to advance the educational vision and implementation in Waltham would be selfish and irresponsible. Waltham's students deserve a top-notch environment that can deliver a top-notch education experience. Renovating would be a waste of money.
We need to invest in our children and their education, all the way through high school. Build our students a new high school and THEN renovate the old one as an elementary or middle school; we are going to need it soon. We've already had to redistrict the elementary school because they are "busting at the seams."
I am proud to say that I have had 2 very successful graduates from WHS and currently have a Sophomore there and a 6th grader! The new high school is way overdue! Our kids need this! Please support the school building committee and the school committee! This is way too important for our kids and our community!
My son is a freshman at WHS, and my daughter in 4th grade. I very much hope she will be able to have an up-to-date and modern high school. It's been a tough transition for my son to be basically going backwards with regards to facilities in each new school level.
Please build a new high school for the students of Waltham! They deserve a new building that can support the proposed educational plan! We are shaping the education of our future...our kids...all kids, and need to make that investment up front to secure a bright future for Waltham!
We need a new high school now!
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As a taxpayer without any children in the schools, I vigorously urge others in my situation to support these efforts. Having a new school building shows our commitment not just to the parents and children of Waltham, but to Waltham as a city. When the schools in Waltham are the absolute best they can be, all residents benefit.