Naming middle school for Ellen Garrison would make a difference

Having recently watched the February 6 School Committee meeting, I was impressed to hear the many thoughtful reasons for naming the new middle school after Ellen Garrison. The Concord Middle School is a fine name, it will always be that, but we need to go a step further. We have a real opportunity here to acknowledge and celebrate an important person, as we have celebrated so many before her in this town. This is a chance to make a small and meaningful difference in moving forward. People are watching. Names do matter. CMS should be named the Ellen Garrison Middle School.

Margaret Schumacher

Highland Street

‘Concord Middle School’ fine — but not as good as ‘Ellen Garrison’

April 25, 2024

As a lifelong educator and parent of two Concord students I wanted to take a moment to comment on the current discussion surrounding the new middle school. A large portion of the commentary appears to follow the logic that, since the School Committee had a tie vote on whether to name the middle school after Concordian civil rights activist Ellen Garrison and then almost immediately voted 3-2 to name it something different, the community should not voice our disagreement.

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White Concordians should back ‘Ellen Garrison’ school naming

April 25, 2024

I am writing as a Concord resident, mother of three school-aged children (one in middle school), and a career teacher.

As a white adult who has the privilege of working with young people, I feel it is imperative upon me to do my own work around issues involving diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

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