There’s something special about the elementary school years, a time when kids learn to work and play well with others, not run with scissors, and absorb concepts of language, literacy, and numbers. The building where so much growth takes place looms large to its young students. But as we heard over and over during Wednesday’s Farewell to Hunnewell event, “It looks so much smaller now.” If you’ve ever visited your former grade school, you understand. There are so many memories squeezed into those K-5 classrooms, it hardly seems possible that the walls can contain them all.
The open house gave current and former students, their families, and community members one last chance to visit classrooms before Hunnewell, built in 1938, is razed and replaced with a new 76,500 sq. ft. 18-classroom school slated to open in early 2024. Superintendent David Lussier told me at the event that fencing will go up around the school within days, marking the area as a construction zone. Staff and students will be divvied up among other schools under a swing space plan come fall. More on the school construction plans.
As I wandered the halls where I spent so little time volunteering back when my kids were at Hunnewell, a pack of excited friends darted past. “To the music room! Run!” When their school is going down, who’s going to tell the kids they can’t run in the halls if they feel like it? Not me.
Outside, I bumped into a trio of young men who I once could have named by spotting them across a crowded playground. No more. These were now college students, stopping by to remember the old days. Lifelong friends, said the mom of one of the guys. Hunnewell tends to have that effect on people.
I looked around for my tour companions, who had long since lost patience with my frequent stops to talk to old friends. A quick phone call gave me the predictable response. “We’re playing on the playground,” they said. Of course they were. Some things never change.
I attended the Hunnewell School from September, 1959 through June, 1961. I have many fond memories of my 5th grade teacher, Ms. Norma Worters. She was very kind and understanding. I also have many happy memories of Mr. Beattie, the Principal. I well temper getting into a fight with one of my classmates. I called her many awful names. I was sent to Mr. Beattie’s office where he went over the ten Golden Rules instead of punishing me. To this very day I have created many files and sub files of my own Golden Rules. I owe my thanks to Mr. Beattie. I hope he is reading this text message.
I failed to locate the link to your “comment Policy” so that i could agree to it. Where may it be found?
All set, Arthur. Thank you for your comment.
I attended Hunnewell School between September 1953 when I started in the Kindergarten class through June 1960 when I graduated from the 6th grade. I would attend 7th through 12th grade years outside of Wellesley in a private boarding school. I have good memories of those times and i benefited well from the education that i received there.
It was a bit unique time for me since I shared the same surname as that of the school. As did my younger sister and brother who would follow after me. I’m not sure how many other family members, other than my immediate family, members would attend Hunnewell School, but I would hope that of those who did attend the Hunnewell, School, their experience was as favorably memorable as mine was.
When the new school is completed, it is my hope that it will become a place of good memories and great education for future generation.
Cheers,
Arthur (Chuck) S. Hunnewell