The East Providence
eporter R
FEBRUARY 2013 Volume 9, no. 2
FREE TM
Serving the Community and Businesses of East Providence
If you didn't receive this paper by February 6th, please call The Reporter at 508-252-6575
Fit & Lean in 2013
see page 35
see page 48
Love is in the Air
James R. D. Oldham School 640 Bullocks Point Ave Riverside, RI 02915
Oldham School "Moved" not "Closed" All Oldham Students & Staff To Meadowcrest Meadowcrest Pre-Schoolers to Waddington
By Bob Rodericks The plan to close Oldham School and combine it with Waddington School is being changed after Interim Superintendent of Schools, Dr. John DeGoes has revised his recommendation. "The first plan could have worked but I've decided to adjust things after hearing from parents and others during our recent public meetings," DeGoes told the Reporter. The original recommendation is described later in this article and would have moved all 178 Oldham students in to the Waddington Building. "This could have made scheduling difficult and would have impacted physical education and cafeteria. By placing all of Oldham at Meadowcrest, we are really only changing the address. This will enable all Title I equipment and supplies, as well as staff to be transferred together. The loss of Title I services was a source of major complaints from parents and staff. Meadowcrest is newer than Oldham and not in need of as much repair work. It was a full elementary school before the city turned it into a pre-school years ago," DeGoes explained. "I also feel very strongly about the preservation of our great pre-school program. It will cause little or no effect on Waddington to receive the current 75 pre-school children," DeGoes added. At any one time there are only half of the Meadowcrest kids in attendance. There are two sessions. "This saves both the pre-school program and keeps all of Oldham intact but in a better building," said the Superintendent. DeGoes decided on the change after listening to and speaking with parents and staff. "I am very happy that our parents feel so strongly about Oldham continuing as a school. I've heard their concerns and after a teacher and I discussed moving Oldham to Meadowcrest, I thought that this is the best plan," he said. DeGoes spoke with several parents and sent out other phone messages. DeGoes is meeting with parents today (January 29th) to fully explain the new plan. "I have talked with people and haven't really heard any negative comments about going to Meadowcrest. We won't need any new furniture, etc., and this continued on page 8...