DECember 2004
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FRONT PAGE NEWS
Church Closings presage student Activism
Day students get first-hand lesson in civil disobedience, consequences
by D. W.
Last spring parishioners at West Newton’s St. Bernard’s Church, many of whom are also Day students, were confronted with the specter of closure by a cash-strapped Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. But the people of Saint Bernard’s were not worried; Saint Bernard’s is a large, faithful community. There would be no reason to close it down. Surprisingly, the Archdiocese did include Saint Bernard’s in the list of churches that would be terminated. Something did not seem right.
Saint Bernard’s community tried in several ways to change the verdict that would lead to the closing of their parish, including meeting with bishops and getting the attention of the press. That failing, the parish council of Saint Bernard’s decided to organize a sleep-in, or a vigil. This vigil is still in effect today.
It seems that the parishioners have a great deal of faith in their situation. “I think the sleep-in will help Saint Bernard’s stay open since the Archdiocese is trying to stop all vigils,” says Maria Brandi, a student at Day, and a member of the Saint Bernard’s community. “Saint Bernard’s means so much to me because my family has been going there for five generations.”
But how can one take a stand without the law on his/her side? Is it right to question the authority of a governing power? And how does one get a message of sheer devotion to that governing power when it is confronted by several similar cases and regards one’s situation as one of many?
Children and adults alike have been pondering these moral issues with the ominous closing of Saint Bernard’s looming over their heads. Children, however, may have a more experienced insight into the matter because they are used to being governed by a higher authority, namely, parents. But the situation can become a bit intimidating when even the parents are worried.
So what can a child do in this situation? Although there have not been many children that have become famous for civil disobedience, history is full of adults who have taken a stand against a law they thought was wrong, and paid the price for it, such as: Mohandas Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Henry David Thoreau.
Thoreau once said, “A minority is powerless while it conforms to the majority; it is not even a minority then; but it is irresistible when it clogs by its whole weight. If the (choice) is to keep all just men in prison, or (reconsider its verdict), the State will not hesitate which to choose.” The lesson here is that only when a minority stays true to a cause and is willing to temporarily sacrifice their freedom, can it reverse the decision of their governing power.
The vigil at Saint Bernard’s is a protest that inspires a feeling of unity of cause among the parishioners. “There is an amazing power in unity,” said Ghandi. “Where there is true unity, every effort to disunity only serves to strengthen the unity.
“They all kind of work together to save Saint Bernard’s,” agrees Brandi. “It feels kind of nice to do what you believe in.” (Assisting in the preparation of this article were M. G. and E. M.)
Former Day teacher honored by Chris Matthews
Understanding Our Differences celebrates 25 years of diversity education
by N. F. and A.H.-B.
Over 500 individuals gathered together on the evening of November the 16th at the Brae Burn Country Club in Newton to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Understanding Our Differences.
The mission of Understanding Our Differences is to remove feelings of apprehension that people may have toward individuals with disabilities. A six unit program is taught, covering deafness, blindness, learning and physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, as well as three chronic medical conditions, including asthma, diabetes and seizure disorders. Roughly 350 parent volunteers are trained each year to deliver the Understanding Our Differences curriculum to all 15 Newton elementary schools. In addition, over 200 schools throughout the country have adopted the program. With the information provided, the children are taught to embrace and accept all differences and disabilities.
The event began with a touching welcome speech from Carol Kanin, the President of Understanding Our Differences. Additionally, Kanin presented the 13 past Presidents with awards and heartfelt thanks. Newton Mayor, David Cohen and Superintendent of Newton Public Schools, Dr. Jeffrey Young contributed to the evening with the presentation of a Leadership Award. The recipient was Roger Berkowitz, the CEO and President of Legal Seafoods. He received the award in recognition of the model work that he has done in his restaurants.
“Roger Berkowitz is a model business leader,” said Beth Mendel, Executive Director of Understanding Our Differences. “He wants everyone to feel comfortable working together; both employees and guests.” As a result of Berkowitz’s determined mission to create a welcoming atmosphere for all that dine at his restaurants, every employee of Legal Sea Foods undergoes a specific number of hours of training on ethics and disability awareness.
Berkowitz is the ideal businessman, demonstrating the goals of Understanding Our Differences’s recently developed program, the Disability Awareness Institute, perfectly. This branch of the organization will introduce the mission of Understanding Our Differences to the business world.
Dr. James Marini, Superintendent of the Winchester Public Schools [and a former Day assistant principal] made an appearance on Tuesday night to present the second Leadership to Dr. David Ticchi. “My life has been changed by having you [Ticchi] as a friend,” said Marini. A faculty member at Newton North High School and a former 7th grade English teacher at Day, Ticchi is a devoted speaker for Understanding Our Differences, regularly contributing to the elementary school students’ disability education. Ticchi speaks from experience, being blind himself. In addition, he leads training sessions for the Legal Sea Foods employees.
According to Ticchi, the greatest problem for the disabled is others’ attitudes.
“Within the human race there are differences and they should not be feared, they should be celebrated and embraced. Because in reality, there are many more similarities between us than there are differences.”
In his speech, Ticchi extended deep gratitude to all who have donated their time to Understanding Our Differences. “There are only 24 hours in a day,” stated Ticchi emphatically, “and how we use them is up to us. Using it to touch others is truly the kindest and most generous thing that we can do with out lives.”
The guest speaker of the evening was Chris Matthews, of MSNBC’s “Hardball” and NBC’s “The Chris Matthews Show.” Matthews was a reader for Ticchi when the two attended Holy Cross College* together. He and Ticchi have remained fast friends ever since. In an interview with a DAYTIME reporter, Matthews shared advice directed at young journalists. “Read as much as you can,” recommended Matthews, “and be sure to write clearly.” Matthews speaks from 16 years of journalistic experience.
Understanding Our Differences has grown over 25 years to become the nation’s leading disability education program. A total of 2000 parents have been trained and over 20,000 children have been educated. But such great success is merely a beginning for those involved with Understanding Our Differences. “Our work is not done,” says Kanin. “Today we celebrate, tomorrow we forge ahead.”
'Sup with Ablemarle?
by B. H.-M. and S. S.
Students see it almost every day. It beckons to them from out of the school windows while they learn, and it welcomes them as they leave school. The Albemarle Field plays a quiet, yet omnipresent role in students’ lives, and now its future is being debated.
The Friends of Albemarle is a group of people who are each connected in some way to the field. For example, Peter Green coaches a Newton soccer team which plays at Albemarle. David Taylor teaches just next door at Fessenden.
This group met on Wednesday, November the 10th to solicit input for a “master plan” which will serve as a reference for future development at Albemarle. A master plan, according to Judy Kokesh, one of the Friends, is a “framework” of ideas to mobilize people to think about the park. Such ideas were brainstormed at this meeting, and included “more trees,” “better lighting,” and “handicap accessibility.”
The meeting started with each participant introducing themselves. Among these people were coordinator, Ken Olson, Dave Blouin, Joe Sicilliano and Kokesh, whose work on Albemarle will help with her doctoral thesis. Most of the participants either live near the park or use it frequently.
Kokesh passed out stickers, used for placing on a map of the park that the organization utilizes. Among the most-stickered areas were the Gath Pool, the baseball field directly in front of Day, and the soccer fields near Cheesecake Brook.
Eventually, participants split into groups to decide what they liked about Albemarle, and to conjure ideas for its future. When the groups came back together, they formed a rather extensive list.
Among the positive aspects of the field were “the visual impact of the open space,” its “availability to families,” its “diversity of uses,” and “the level of activity and excitement.”
Among the ideas for the park’s development were “a nice walk or track around the circumference,” “an artificial turf field,” “a permanent restroom,” and “proper lighting…all around [the field].”
The meeting concluded without a full master plan, but nevertheless the makings of one. The Friends of Albemarle looks forward to a future assembly, the date for which has not been set.
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