A Rally Today for Concord Teachers

Plans for a rally at 4:30 p.m. at Monument Square, and presence at School Committee this evening.

A manhunt may not be the only excitement in town today.  A large rally is planned for 4:30 p.m. this afternoon at the flagbople in Monument Square, following which the crowd plans to move over to the Concord School Committee's meeting this evening at Willard School, according to parents with ties to the Concord Public Schools.  Police Chief Barry Neal confirmed to Patch that a peaceful rally is planned for this afternoon.  This makes the second rally in the past few weeks as unrest around the schools continues to simmer.   On April 30, parents and teachers gathered outside the Ripley Administration Building to back Merrie Najimy, the Concord Teachers Association president and third-grade teacher at Thoreau School who has allegedly been …

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Regine Ryder

4:36 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Where are the news on the demonstration?   more ›

Lace 'Em Up for Thoreau School's 7th Annual Road Race

Event is a fundraiser for the elementary school's parent teacher group.

The following was provided on behalf of the Thoreau School community. Rain or shine get ready to run at the Thoreau School’s seventh annual Road Race, Sunday, May 19. A community-wide event that celebrates Concord spirit and fitness and health, the Road Race offers something for everybody, young and old alike of all fitness levels. Bring the whole family to run, walk, jog or stroll with us.  “The Thoreau School Road Race is one of very few races in our area that has both a kids’ race and adult race,” say Betsy Dorr and Karen Monks, the event co-chairs. “This makes it truly a family event. The best is seeing the excitement in the kid’s eyes as they get set to race in their very own competition with ribbons, a timer, and an exciting finish …

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15 A+ Ways to Show You Appreciate Concord Teachers

In honor of National Teacher Day, here is a list of creative gift ideas and places to find them around town.

National Teacher Day is tomorrow, May 7. With that in mind, here are some suggestions to help you get an excellent grade on your next teacher appreciation gift. 1. Starbucks card or gift card to any store/restaurant they enjoy. 2. Get parents to pool their money together for a gift certificate for a massage with a local massage therapist or spa treatment at 1 on 1 Self Indulgence. 3. Gift card to the Concord Bookshop. Teachers love to be able to purchase new books for their classrooms. 4. New board game for the classroom from the Toy Shop. Merideth Hansen, an elementary school teacher for 19 years, says this is her favorite teacher appreciation gift. 5. Hansen also says teachers appreciate gift certificates to local stores where they can …

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Concord Parents, Teachers Rally ‘Round Embattled CTA President

Impromptu Tuesday afternoon rally outside administration building leads to hallway meeting with Superintendent Diana Rigby.

  Dozens of Concord parents and teachers stayed after school on Tuesday, April 30, in a show of support for Merrie Najimy, the Concord Teachers Association president and third-grade teacher at Thoreau School who has allegedly been told her principal will not be recommending her rehire next year. The rally took place outside of the Ripley Administration Building, a hastily organized gathering called by the CTA after Najimy learned Tuesday morning she will not get a recommendation from Thoreau Principal Kelly Clough. Najimy told the crowd of about 50 that her situation is indicative of larger problems within the district, where teachers feel there is a top-down approach and things are done to them, not with them. “We are at a point where we …

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Town Meeting: Article 15 Fails, CMLP Internet Expansion Funded

By turns tense and workmanlike, Concord's annual Town Meeting on Tuesday tackled 11 articles on Tuesday night, voting down only a petitioner's bid to "Address Educational and Fiscal Concerns in the Concord Public Schools."

  Below you'll find a summary of articles and actions from the second night of Concord's annual Town Meeting, held Tuesday, April 23 at Concord-Carlisle High School. For opening night coverage, click here. And be sure to stay tuned to Patch for continuing coverage of Town Meeting. Article 8, Concord Public School Renovations Town Meeting easily passed a $795,000 appropriation for remodeling, reconstructing, extraordinary repairs or related work at various Concord Public Schools. According to Maureen Spada, the presenter for the School Committee, the lion’s share of these funds will be put toward electrical improvements, roofing and HVAC work at the Peadoby and Sanborn schools, while a smaller portion will go toward heating and paving work …

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Valerie Tratnyek

12:13 pm on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

I believe the school committee member meant "parents". He was talking about the new educator evaluator system that the Department of Education is putting into place, and I believe there is a parent survey as part of it. That is something I will follow up on. It is important to note, that like the TELL (teacher survey) the results will be only be analyzed and posted by the Dept. of Ed if they get …   more ›

Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Rainey Thanks Voters, Vows to Stay Involved

Hunters Ridge Road resident Cynthia Rainey, who narrowly lost out on winning a seat on the Concord School Committee in the recent town election, says she'll 'do everything in my power to work for the best schools that we can.'

To the Citizens of Concord, I am writing to thank the Concord voters for their support in the School Committee race. It was an honor to run in our wonderful community, and what an incredible campaign and election it was. I thank all of the citizens who turned out in spite of the bad weather. During the campaign I was given many gifts, one of the most valuable to me personally was the support of my family, my husband and two sons who worked alongside me the whole way and were a daily source of inspiration and support. I was lucky enough to have a small but vigorous organization that grew and strengthened every day. Those volunteers daily demonstrated a level of support and dedication that was truly humbling and I can’t thank them enough. I …

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LETTER: Supporting Bergen for Concord School Committee

Elsinore Street resident Susan Kalled writes that Lisa Bergen "places the utmost importance on what is right for Concord Schools."

To the Editor, I write to urge your support and vote for Lisa Bergen for School Committee. It would be accurate to say that all town citizens care about quality education for Concord children. How, then, does one measure the characteristics and qualities of a person who would be best suited to represent all of Concord on the School Committee when all candidates share the same commitment to education? One could start by asking who has put words into action, who has exhibited that commitment by actually showing up in the past year to nearly all School Committee meetings to be informed of the issues, the challenges, and the processes for decision-making? Who has attended FinComm meetings when the school budget was being discussed, the …

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LETTER: Boynton Would be a 'Positive Problem Solver'

Old Bedford Road residents Richard Fahlander and Kathleen Allen write that the Concord School Committee would benefit from Johanna Boynton's 'common sense approach to difficult issues.'

To the Editor, We support Johanna Boynton for School Committee, because we know that she will put kids first. As a parent, teacher, coach and school volunteer Johanna has demonstrated her commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of young people. We also know that Johanna respects and appreciates teachers as the backbone of our excellent school system. Our three sons attended Concord Public Schools and graduated from CCHS. Throughout their years they were inspired, challenged and supported by caring and creative teachers. Johanna will do whatever she can to ensure that we continue to attract and retain remarkable teachers. As a School Committee member Johanna will be positive problem solver. When president of the Children’s …

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