Resident urges all parents to support the override

To the Editor:

I would like to comment on the upcoming override for the Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District, having three children in the school system has given me much insight into the school district. I have two children in Oakmont High School and one child in Westminster Elementary School.

When my oldest daughter was in elementary school and the district asked for an override for funding of the schools, I always thought "why does the district need to fund more teachers and sports fees for the high school? Aren't there enough teachers and do we really need sports and co-curricular activities? Why bother voting yes for an override." Now that I have two children in the high school, and both of whom play sports at the high school level, I now fully understand where sports/co-curricular activities come into play with the students at the school. It raises their self-esteem, gives them a sense of pride and belonging to the school outside of the academics.

The old adage of schools are for learning, is true to a point, but students continue to learn after the bell rings and the after-school activities begin. They learn about self worth, commitment to teamwork, motivation and dedication. Students have to keep up their grades in order to participate in any of these activities, they want to succeed and do well not only for themselves, but for the school teams.

The loss of teachers at the high school level means less classes to be

offered to the students. This is a critical year for my oldest child, the junior year transcript is what the colleges will see when she applies to college. The college environment is extremely competitive, schools are looking for the grades/courses that standout to them and participation in activities throughout high school. Colleges want a "well rounded" student, one that balance schoolwork and other activities at the same time and maintain good grades.

The students at Oakmont have an amazing school and a great athletic/co-curricular programs. We, as parents of children from kindergarten through 12th grade, have a duty to continue with this, for those parents with children who are in the elementary/middle schools the cuts that will happen without the override will affect your children; time has a way of sneaking past us and before you can blink your children could be in the same situation as the students at Oakmont are, trying to get the best educational/co-curricular/sports resume together for college applications.

Isn't that what it is all about, getting our children through school, by giving them the best "spring board" to adulthood? The amount that would be paid in the override taxes is far less than user fees at the high school/middle school level. Why would we as parents want to throw away a great opportunity for our children to succeed in life? Give your children tools they need to succeed right now, please support the Ash- West School Committee and school district, vote yes for the override. Aren't our children worth it?

Lisa Tenander

Westminster