New School, New Era, New Pride

For those who missed it, the Sept. 17 edition of The Crete News featured a front page story on the grand opening of the new Dorchester School and its renovated campus.

On the morning of Sept. 10, "exactly 365 days after (Dorchester School district) voters approved a $3.98 million school bond, proud school board members stood in front of the new doors with a pair of giant scissors and orange and black ribbons," writes reporter Crete News Jenn Lampila. (The accompanying photo is courtesy of Diane Fisher, who took the aerial shot the morning of the ribbon cutting. Readers may click on the picture for a closer view.)

The opening day ceremony featured an invocation by Dorchester Methodist Rev. Paixao Baptista, as well as DPS Superintendent Brian Redinger's recitation of Walt Whitman's poem "An Old Man's Thought of School."

According to the Crete News article, Dorchester School Board President Brad Havlat reminded those present of the sacrifices made for their new building. "A round of applause was given for former Superintendent Don Peiper who could not attend the ceremony. His efforts and years of service to the district were commended."

Architect Christy Joy was on hand to see her designs put to use by Dorchester students. The elementary wing of the new building sits were the 1927 school stood until last May. The new high school classrooms are primarily adjacent to the 1964 gym.

We at the Times are more than impressed with the new school -- we are awe struck. So much positive action has taken place in just one year's time it's difficult to believe that just last September, we were reporting on the Dorchester School Improvement Project (DSIP) Committee's round-table discussion with fellow school district patrons.

We tip our collective hat to all Dorchester School Board members and district residents who got behind the project and supported a much-needed investment in our community.

We hope the DSIP Committee will not be dissolved, but will stay active in school affairs. We hope the new school and campus will act as a catalyst for more positive change in our community. And we hope the students of Dorchester will recognize the large investment that has been made on their behalf -- and return the favor to their community one day soon.

From what we have witnessed, new found pride and enthusiasm are already apparent at Dorchester Public School. We at the Times would like to hear from school students and staff on their thoughts of the new building and campus, as well as if and how their perception of Dorchester has changed. (Note: Unfortunately, Ayars and Ayars has not yet updated their Web site with photos of the completed project. We anticipate new photos will soon be posted.)