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Anticipating
Without Forgetting
Peter Larocque,
Lawrence School Committee
(02/06/07)
 According to Webster’s
Dictionary, to anticipate means to look forward to; to
expect, and to expect means to wait for.
To expect implies a considerable degree of confidence
that a particular event will happen.
These words have tremendous significance to us, the
citizens of Lawrence.
We are anticipating and expecting our new
state-of-the-art high school to be open and be ready for
business September 2007. Six small individual high
schools on one campus, a concept that is growing
throughout the country.
This concept of small high schools was well promoted by
Bill and Melinda
Gates when they appeared a few years ago on the Oprah
Winfrey show. She did a two-part program on schools in
crisis in the United States, which the Gates participated
in.
Also, several years ago Mr. Bill Gates addressed the
governors of the United States at the governors’
annual convention and spoke of having his foundation
support the small high school idea.
Here are the names of the six small
individual high schools of Lawrence:
1. The Lawrence High School for the Performing and Fine
Arts
2. The Lawrence High School for Mathematics, Science and
Technology
3. The Lawrence High School for Humanities and Leadership
Development
4. The Lawrence High School for Business, Management and
Finance
5. The Lawrence International High School
6. The Lawrence High School for Health and Human
Services.
With great anticipation and expectation we await the
grand opening of the new Lawrence High School campus. But
until then, what about the graduating class of 2007? What
will the graduating class of 2008 have that the class of
2007 doesn’t have? For sure, the class of ‘08
will have better facilities and learning environment, and
top-notch tools to enhance better learning. But even with
all these wonderful improvements, they are still not a
reality yet; they are still in the future.
Until the new buildings become occupied, they have no
soul; there is no life in them. The buildings have no
life in themselves.
The class of ‘07 is alive and well and they are
learning. Yes, learning is still taking place at the old
building on 233 Haverhill Street in Lawrence. We have
some of the best teachers and students at the old place
and they are working very hard on their studies and are
preparing to continue on to higher education or entering
into the full time work force.
The class of ‘07 has been asked to endure a lot this
year. A year of transition, a year of an overcrowded
school and a year of overlapping sessions. None of which
they have asked for or is the perfect environment for
learning.
Now, we can choose to look at this as a year of hardship
and just wish it would come to an end or we can choose to
look at this year as a year of challenge and preparation.
Due to the fact that we have the leadership in place who
are working diligently to make sure learning is happening
in spite of all the difficulties.
The class of ’07 has the distinction of helping
future classes prepare to enter the new buildings. A
distinction that will not be forgotten or go unrewarded.
As part of the leadership of the Lawrence public schools
and as one who has walked the halls of the old place and
seen first hand the hardship and sacrifice that we have
asked the class of ‘07 to endure, I also believe
that this situation can help build their character and
stamina that they will be able to have with them for a
lifetime.
So, as we go forward with much anticipation and you hear
many conversations concerning the opening of the new
Lawrence High School I would like to assure you, the
class of ‘07, that we continue to stand behind you
and support your efforts in this time of your life.
We have not forgotten you and remain thankful for your
continued diligent work towards your graduation coming in
June.
Peter Larocque is a member of the Lawrence School
Committee. He was elected by the Lawrence City Council to
fill the unexpired term of Amy McGovern. You can email
him at pamelalarocque@hotmail.com
*Send your questions comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com
The February 2007
Edition of the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly
Publication.
All Contents (C) 2007, Valley Patriot, Inc.
We publish 10,000 newspapers and distribute in Andover,
North Andover,
Methuen, Haverhill, Chelmsford, Georgetown, Groveland,
Boxford, Amesbury,
Lawrence, Dracut, Tewksbury, Hampton & Salisbury
Beach, and Lowell.
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