According to Ludlow Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Todd Gazda construction of the new Harris Brook Elementary School is under budget and scheduled to open its doors to students in grades 2-5 this fall.

Ludlow town residents approved the debt exclusion allowing the consolidation of both Veterans Park and Chapin Street Schools during the annual town meeting held on March 28, 2018. Harris Brook is a 106,250-square-foot building being built on Chapin Street’s 13.8-acre campus.

As the opening of the new school quickly approaches grade level leaders and principals from both Veterans Park and Chapin Street Schools were given the opportunity to tour the building where they will be greeting students in a few short months.

Melissa Knowles, Veterans Park School Principal, said the visit was arranged to give the grade level leaders- Jodi Yarkey grade 2, Alyssa Moriarty grade 3, Angela Knox grade 4 and Christine James grade 5 - an opportunity to not only see the physical building but to also begin the process of collaboratively planning for the future as a school housing grades 2-5.

“We will be opening the doors of Harris Brook in just a few short months and there is so much to do behind the scenes,” stated Knowles. “Our grade level leaders, who are the conduits of communication between teachers and administrators, are an important piece to ensuring a smooth and successful merging of the two schools into one school community, so it was important to get them into the new building, for their thoughts, as we move forward.”

As the tour began there was an overwhelming sense of excitement and positive vibes as they entered the building for their first hand look at the school design coming to fruition.

Although all were in agreement that the classrooms are large, bright, cheery and welcoming what resonated most was the sense of community they felt when walking in each grade level “neighborhood”. The consensus was that the overall school design incorporating collaborative learning spaces in each neighborhood to accommodate independent one-on-one learning and collaborative small and large group learning will be a game changer for the Harris Brook Elementary School community.

“We felt like we had won the lottery, and are about to move into our dream home soon,” stated Yarkey with a sense of pride. “The huge space is what struck me first. The beautiful staircase caught my eye upon entering. What a beautiful, open, brand new building.”

“My favorite part is that each grade level truly feels like a neighborhood. We are all closer to each other, with a common area right in the center of our hall,” said Yarkey. “I can already imagine the many meetings among grade level colleagues, as well as grade level students taking place there. The possibilities are endless!”

Like her Chapin Street School colleague, Moriarty feels one major advantage of the new school for her team will be the fact that all 3rd grade classes will be in close proximity to each other and not spread out throughout the building as they are now.

“Currently I rarely see the four 3rd grade teachers on the other side of the school, making it difficult for us to collaborate, share resources and just touch base,” explained Moriarty. “There also are small breakout spaces in the new school that will allow kids to work together across classrooms, something not available to us at Chapin due to space constraints.”

“My first impression was excitement over how inclusive and collaborative the new school will be,” shared James. “The set up includes many collaborative learning spaces where students will be able to work together in small groups from other classrooms in their grade level.”

“There is so much open space for students to be creative and not feel closed into straight hallways and small classrooms. I can’t wait to take advantage of the many different learning spaces we have not had in the past,” continued James.

Knox said she walked around in amazement and although she will miss Veterans Park School she is looking forward to all of the new opportunities the new school will offer.

“This visit definitely built excitement for moving into a new school with our colleagues from Chapin Street,” commented Knox. “Even though the building is larger, the design of the grade level neighborhoods and collaborative spaces will make it feel like home once we are all in it. I can't wait to move in and get settled. I can only imagine how excited the kids will be.”

“It was great to hear the excitement in the teachers' voices and see it on their faces as they toured the building,” remarked Nikki Reed, Chapin Street Principal. “It’s been a long process and now it’s feeling real. I’m excited for the final steps- especially welcoming our students in grades 2-5 this fall.”

Each day on her way to school 5th grade Veterans Park Teacher Stephanie Rogowski drives by the memorial dedicated to her friend and fellow 2004 Ludlow High School classmate Sgt. Joshua D. Desforges, U.S.M.C. who was killed at the age of 23, on May 12, 2010, supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

This year as Memorial Day approached and Rogowski began thinking about the grade level lesson plan teaching the significance of this federal holiday her thoughts turned to her friend who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and it became clear that a visit to the memorial would be in her plans.

“Josh is someone these kids can relate to. His life parallels theirs in so many ways,” said Rogowski about her decision. “He was a son, grandson, brother, friend, Ludlow resident, attended Vets Park and enjoyed playing sports, just like them.”

Reading the book The Wall by Eve Bunting that recounts a young boy and his father traveling to Washington, D.C. to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to find the name of the boy's grandfather, his dad's father on the wall would serve as the introduction to the lesson.

Rogowski also reached out to Josh's mother and Baird Middle School Inclusion Teacher Arlene Desforges inviting her to speak to the students at the memorial.

Rogowski was hopeful that each of these experiences would give students the opportunity to make important real life connections to Memorial Day; and from the student responses it’s clear the lesson succeeded.

“I’ll appreciate Memorial Day more this year because I can relate to the boy in the book and the sacrifice his grandfather made,” commented Montana Stepanian. “It was sad that the boy never knew his grandfather because he died protecting our freedom and that the boy's father grew up without his father.”

“I always knew we should respect people in the service but the book really made me understand better how we all should honor soldiers who died fighting in wars to keep us safe, especially on Memorial Day,” said Parker Seldon-Davis who’s great, great grandfather served in the U. S. Air Force in World War I & II.

Following the reading of The Wall and conversations about the meaning of Memorial Day the time came to visit the memorial. As they arrived students respectfully gathered around the memorial and were introduced to Josh's mother.

“It warms my heart to be with you today in honor of Memorial Day and to be able to share a little bit about my son, Josh, with all of you,” said Desforges addressing the 5th grade students.

“Like all of you Josh also attended Vets Park. He was there from 2nd grade to 5th grade. After he graduated from Ludlow High School he enlisted in the Marine Corps so he could live his dream. Unfortunately he was in a war- the war against terror- and didn’t make it home, but he was doing what he always wanted to do which made us very proud.”

“This memorial was built to honor and remember Josh but my hope is that it also will inspire all of you to live your best life, to be a good student and citizen and always strive to be the best you.”

“I actually brought two pictures of Josh to share. One of him in the 3rd grade and the other in his Marine dress blues, but he referred to it as his graduation picture. I thought, if it’s ok, we could take a picture of him with us because meeting each of you has been very special,” Desforges said as she proudly displayed the pictures of Josh.

“I feel honored to sit on Josh’s bench,” DJ Danso quietly commented to his classmate.

When asked about his comment DJ responded, “He risked so much for our country- he gave up his life - so it felt good to be sitting there to respect him.”

“There are a lot of people who have died in wars but to be able to learn about someone who lived here and was raised here, kind of like me, makes me want to honor the day even more.”

“His mom was really nice, too,” added DJ. “It must be really hard for her, especially on Memorial Day and on his birthday. I’m glad she wanted to tell us about him.”

Before leaving, students placed small flags around the memorial to honor Sgt. Deforges. One student, Ava Laing, whose father is a Marine Veteran brought a special pin to place on one of the flags.

“My dad gave me the medal that symbolizes being a Marine and asked me to put it on a flag out of respect for Sgt. Desforges,” said Ava.

Ava knew about the memorial but had never visited it before. She described it as being a “peaceful place” and thought it was “very kind of his mother to share her son’s story’.

“The memorial is definitely more special to me now after hearing Mrs. Desforges talk to us about her son. Now when I go by it I will think of him and his sacrifice for all of us,” shared Ava.

“It meant so much for me to be here and share Josh’s story with these young students,” reflected Desforges as students began their walk back to school.

“After losing him there have been many times I ask myself the question why, but you have to look at those things that come out of it. For me, opportunities like this helps me cope with the loss of Joshua and gives me a purpose; to educate and bring awareness of the sacrifices made by service members and their families, especially around this time of the year.”

“It’s been eleven years since we lost Josh. Part of the reason this memorial was built was because I was worried he would be forgotten,” added Desforges. “Having the opportunity to speak to these kids today gives me hope for the future, that he won’t be forgotten and the true meaning of Memorial Day will be remembered.”